British journal of anaesthesia
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Case Reports
Detection of cerebral hypoperfusion with bispectral index during paediatric cardiac surgery.
The bispectral index (BIS) may indicate changes in cerebral activity when the cerebral circulation is affected by acute hypotension. ⋯ Our findings suggest that an acute decrease in BIS during acute hypotension indicates cerebral hypoperfusion, and that cerebral hypoperfusion caused by hypotension may occur frequently during paediatric cardiac surgery.
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Non-technical skills are critical for good anaesthetic practice but are not addressed explicitly in normal training. Realization of the need to train and assess these skills is growing, but these activities must be based on properly developed skills frameworks and validated measurement tools. A prototype behavioural marker system was developed using human factors research techniques. The aim of this study was to conduct an experimental evaluation to establish its basic psychometric properties and usability. ⋯ The findings of the evaluation indicated that the ANTS system has a satisfactory level of validity, reliability and usability in an experimental setting, provided users receive adequate training. It is now ready to be tested in real training environments, so that full guidelines can be developed for its integration into the anaesthetic curriculum.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after spinal morphine for Caesarean section: comparison of cyclizine, dexamethasone and placebo.
Low-dose intrathecal (spinal) morphine (0.1-0.2 mg) for Caesarean section delivers excellent postoperative analgesia but is associated with significant nausea and vomiting. We compared the antiemetic efficacy of cyclizine, dexamethasone, and placebo in this clinical setting. ⋯ We conclude that following spinal morphine 0.2 mg and fentanyl 10 micro g analgesia for Caesarean section, cyclizine 50 mg i.v. reduces the incidence of nausea compared with dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. or placebo. It also lessens the severity of nausea and vomiting, and increases maternal satisfaction in the early postoperative period.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Tranexamic acid decreases external blood loss but not hidden blood loss in total knee replacement.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often carried out using a tourniquet and shed blood is collected in drains. Tranexamic acid decreases the external blood loss. Some blood loss may be concealed, and the overall effect of tranexamic acid on the haemoglobin (Hb) balance is not known. ⋯ Tranexamic acid decreased total blood loss by nearly 30%, drainage volume by approximately 50% and drastically reduced transfusion. However, concealed loss was only marginally influenced by tranexamic acid and was at least as large as the drainage volume.
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The distribution and elimination of glucose solutions can be analysed by means of a volume kinetic model, but the ability of the model to predict plasma dilution ('model linearity') has not been evaluated. ⋯ The volume kinetic model for glucose 2.5% is linear and can therefore be used for computer simulation as long as marked glycosuria does not occur.