British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of fentanyl infusion on tracheal intubation and emergence agitation in preschool children anaesthetized with sevoflurane.
Sevoflurane can be used as a sole agent for intubation in children, but studies have suggested that it is associated with emergence agitation. Fentanyl infusions can be used both to facilitate intubation and decrease emergence agitation. We investigated the effects of fentanyl on conditions at intubation and on emergence from sevoflurane anaesthesia without confounding nitrous oxide or premedication. ⋯ this study was started in 2000 and was finished in 2008. We had no registration number. IRB approval was obtained.
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Review Meta Analysis
Prevention of postdural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture: a quantitative systematic review.
No clear consensus exists on how to best prevent severe headache from occurring after accidental dural puncture. We conducted a quantitative systematic review to identify all available evidence for the prevention of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and included 17 studies with 1264 patients investigating prophylactic epidural blood patch (PEBP), epidural morphine, intrathecal catheters, and epidural or intrathecal saline. The relative risk (RR) for headache after PEBP was 0.48 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.99] in five non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) and 0.32 (0.10-1.03) in four randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ All other interventions were based on non-RCTs and failed statistical significance, including long-term intrathecal catheters with an RR of 0.21 (0.02-2.65). There are a number of promising options to prevent PDPH, yet heterogeneity between the studies and publication bias towards small non-RCTs with positive results limits the available evidence. Thus, a large multicentre RCT is needed to determine the best preventative practices.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of different inspired oxygen fractions on lipid peroxidation during general anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section.
During general anaesthesia (GA) for Caesarean section (CS), fetal oxygenation is increased by administering an inspired oxygen fraction (Fi(o(2))) of 1.0. However, it is unclear whether such high Fi(o(2)) will increase oxygen free radical activity. ⋯ GA for CS is associated with a marked increase in free radical activity in the mother and baby. The mechanism is unclear but it is independent of the inspired oxygen in the anaesthetic mixture. Therefore, when 100% oxygen is administered with sevoflurane for GA, fetal oxygenation can be increased, without inducing an increase in lipid peroxidation.
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Although well established in clinical practice, both propofol and midazolam have limitations. New hypnotics with different and potentially superior pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are under development. These include the benzodiazepine receptor agonists CNS7056 and JM-1232 (-), the etomidate-based methoxycarbonyl-etomidate and carboetomidate, the propofol-related structures PF0713 and fospropofol, and THRX-918661/AZD3043. ⋯ Several of the agents (CNS7056, THRX-918661/AZD3043, and fospropofol) have reached the stage of clinical trials. To be successful, novel compounds need to establish clear clinical advantages over existing agents and where possible the new agents are discussed in this context. Computer-controlled drug administration offers the ability to automatically implement infusion schemes too complex for manual use and the possibility of linking patient monitoring to administration to enhance patient safety.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Evaluation of bispectral index and auditory evoked potentials for hypnotic depth monitoring during balanced xenon anaesthesia compared with sevoflurane.
None of the currently available hypnosis monitoring systems have evaluated balanced xenon anaesthesia. We investigated the performance of the bispectral index (BIS) and the composite A-line autoregressive index (cAAI) while comparing balanced xenon with sevoflurane anaesthesia. ⋯ During surgery, xenon/remifentanil anaesthesia can be monitored using BIS and cAAI. However, cAAI values changed after about 1 h of anaesthesia. Further studies will be needed to address the question whether auditory signal processing is altered during extended xenon exposure.