British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Cost-effectiveness of three combinations of antiemetics in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
This study compares the cost-effectiveness of three combinations of antiemetics in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). ⋯ Ondansetron+droperidol is cheaper and at least as effective as ondansetron+ dexamethasone, and it is more effective than dexamethasone+droperidol with a reasonable extra cost.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Intra-atrial ECG is not a reliable method for positioning left internal jugular vein catheters.
ECG guidance is widely used for positioning central venous catheters (CVCs) in the superior vena cava. We noticed a higher incidence of a more perpendicular angle between the catheter tip and the vessel wall after left-sided ECG-guided catheter positioning. To investigate the value of left-sided ECG guidance, we performed this prospective study. ⋯ Intra-atrial ECG does not detect the junction between the superior vena cava and right atrium. It is not a reliable method for confirming position of left-sided CVCs. Post-procedural CXRs are recommended for left-sided, but not right-sided CVCs.
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There is compelling evidence that preconditioning occurs in humans. Experimental studies with potential clinical implications as well as clinical studies evaluating ischaemic, pharmacological and anaesthetic cardiac preconditioning in the perioperative setting are reviewed. These studies reveal promising results. ⋯ In addition, many anaesthetics and a significant number of perioperatively administered drugs affect the activity of cardiac sarcolemmal and mitochondrial K(ATP) channels, the end-effectors of cardiac preconditioning, and thereby markedly modulate preconditioning effects in myocardial tissue. Although these modulatory effects on K(ATP) channels have been investigated almost exclusively in laboratory investigations, they may have potential implications in clinical medicine. Important questions regarding the clinical utility and applicability of perioperative cardiac preconditioning remain unresolved and need more experimental work and randomized controlled clinical trials.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Recovery of elderly patients from two or more hours of desflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia.
The solubility of desflurane compared with sevoflurane suggests more rapid recovery from desflurane anaesthesia. This could be important after prolonged anaesthesia and fast recovery may be advantageous in the elderly where slow recovery of mental function is a concern. We compared emergence from desflurane vs sevoflurane in elderly patients undergoing two or more hours of anaesthesia. ⋯ Early but not intermediate recovery times of elderly patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures requiring two or more hours of anaesthesia is significantly (P