British journal of anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Levosimendan pre-treatment improves outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
The calcium sensitizer levosimendan has anti-ischaemic effects mediated via the opening of sarcolemmal and mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels. These properties suggest potential application in clinical situations where cardioprotection would be beneficial, such as cardiac surgery. We thus decided to investigate whether pharmacological pre-treatment with levosimendan reduces intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization under cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ Pre-treatment with levosimendan in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization resulted in less myocardial injury, a reduction in tracheal intubation time, less requirement for inotropic support, and a shorter length of ICU stay.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Influence on coagulation of a potato-derived hydroxethylstarch (HES 130/0.42) and a maize-derived hydroxethylstarch (HES 130/0.4) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
This study compared the effects of a potato-based hydroxyethyl starch (HES) with those of a maize-derived HES preparation on coagulation in cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ Both HES preparations showed similar effects on thrombelastometry and platelet function. As blood loss and need for the use of blood products were also similar, both potato- and maize-derived HES preparations can be safely used in cardiac surgery with regard to haemostasis.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of tracheal tube orientation on the success of intubation through an intubating laryngeal mask airway: study in Mallampati class 3 or 4 patients.
We evaluated the effects of conventional tracheal tube orientation on success of intubation through an intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in Mallampati class 3 or 4 patients. ⋯ Overall, tracheal intubation was successful in 91.5% of patients through an ILMA with a conventional tracheal tube in Mallampati class 3 or 4 patients. The first-attempt success rate was higher in the reverse group compared with the normal group, but the overall success rate was similar between the reverse and the normal groups.