British journal of anaesthesia
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The effects of pressure-controlled (PC) ventilation on the ventilatory and haemodynamic parameters during laparoscopy procedures had not been carefully assessed. This prospective cross-over study was undertaken to compare how volume-controlled (VC) and PC modes could affect pulmonary mechanics, gas exchange, and cardiac function in patients undergoing laparoscopy. ⋯ In this study, no short-term beneficial effect of PC ventilation could be demonstrated over conventional VC ventilation in patients with pneumoperitoneum.
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Comparative Study
Measurement of cardiac output: a comparison between transpulmonary thermodilution and uncalibrated pulse contour analysis.
Recently, continuous monitoring of cardiac output (CO) based on pulse contour analysis (Vigileo) has been introduced into practice. In this clinical study, we evaluated the accuracy of this system by comparing it with the transpulmonary thermodilution technique (TPID) in septic patients. ⋯ Pulse contour analysis-derived CO (Vigileo system) underestimates CO(TPID) and is not as reliable as transpulmonary thermodilution in septic patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of using two airway exchange catheters on laryngeal passage during change from a double-lumen tracheal tube to a single-lumen tracheal tube.
A thin airway exchange catheter (AEC) is often used for changing from a double-lumen tracheal tube (DLT) to a single-lumen tracheal tube. However, passage of the tube into the trachea is often difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using two AECs for tracheal tube exchange. ⋯ The use of two AECs reduces the incidence of impingement of the tube into the trachea during tracheal tube exchange.
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Comparative Study
Clinical evaluation of the FloTrac/Vigileo system and two established continuous cardiac output monitoring devices in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Assessment of cardiac output (CO) by the FloTrac/Vigileo system may offer a less invasive means of determining the CO than either the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or the PiCCOplus system. The aim of this study was to compare CO measurements made using the FloTrac/Vigileo system with upgraded software (FCO, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine CA, USA), the PiCCOplus system (PCO, Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany) and continuous CO monitoring using a PAC (CCO; Vigilance monitoring, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine CA, USA) with intermittent pulmonary artery thermodilution (ICO). The study was conducted in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. ⋯ The performance of the FloTrac/Vigileo system, the PiCCOplus, and the Vigilance CCO monitoring for CO measurement were comparable when tested against intermittent thermodilution in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.
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The emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) prompted guidelines from the Department of Health that stress the use of disposable and protective equipment. This survey explores current methods of airway management for tonsillectomy in the UK and ascertains anaesthetists' current knowledge and opinions of the guidelines and of vCJD. ⋯ The survey demonstrates widespread non-compliance with and lack of knowledge of, national guidelines.