British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Propofol attenuates myocardial lipid peroxidation during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.
Propofol can scavenge free radicals because it has a chemical structure similar to antioxidants. ⋯ In clinical doses, propofol strongly attenuates lipid peroxidation during CABG surgery.
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We have developed a prediction rule for the occurrence of perioperative red blood cell transfusion to help to reduce the number of unnecessary preoperative type and screen procedures. We evaluated the robustness of this prediction rule in patients from another hospital. ⋯ After comparing the results of this validation study with that of the derivation study, the prediction rule was robust and may work in other clinics as well.
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Peripheral nerve blocks are almost always performed as blind procedures. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of seeing individual nerves of the brachial plexus and directing the block needle to these nerves with real time imaging. ⋯ The use of ultrasound appears to permit accurate deposition of the local anaesthetic perineurally, and has the potential to improve the success and decrease the complications of infraclavicular brachial plexus block.
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Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) concentrations have been suggested as a marker of disease onset and severity in a number of inflammatory conditions such as acute asthma. Known markers of the onset of acute lung injury require invasive tests and laboratory based analysis and have limited clinical applicability. We performed a study of the use of exhaled NO as a marker of developing acute lung injury during and after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ Further work is required to test whether exhaled NO concentration may be useful in diagnosing the onset of acute lung injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Plasma concentration of ropivacaine after intercostal blocks for video-assisted thoracic surgery.
Absorption of local anaesthetics following intercostal blocks is rapid. Therefore, plasma concentrations of ropivacaine during intercostal blocks with ropivacaine 2, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg ml-1 (ropivacaine 5 ml injected into each of four intercostal spaces) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery were determined. ⋯ After intercostal blocks the absorption of ropivacaine is rapid compared with other techniques for regional anaesthesia and results in relatively high venous and arterial plasma concentrations, especially if a dose of 100 mg or more is used.