British journal of anaesthesia
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We have developed a new bronchoscopy system with two independent lenses at the tip of the device. This enables measurement of object size using the principle of triangulation. This study was performed to assess the accuracy of this system. ⋯ We have confirmed that this new bronchoscopy system could provide relatively accurate quantitative data. This new system may be useful in the clinic to measure airway dimension and lesion sizes such as tumours.
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Clinical Trial
Population pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine during long-term sedation in intensive care patients.
Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective and potent α(2)-adrenoceptor agonist registered for sedation of patients in intensive care units. There is little information on factors possibly affecting its pharmacokinetics during long drug infusions in critically ill patients. We characterized the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in critically ill patients during long-term sedation using a population pharmacokinetic approach. ⋯ The population pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine was generally in line with results from previous studies. In elderly patients and in patients with hypoalbuminaemia, the elimination half-life and the context-sensitive half-time of dexmedetomidine were prolonged.
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Studies in volunteers suggest that train-of-four (TOF) ratios >0.9 are needed to retain normal function of muscles involved in upper airway patency, swallowing, and vital capacity breathing. We determined if sex-related differences exist in the relationship between adductor pollicis (AP) TOF ratio and measures of neuromuscular function commonly used to assess recovery from neuromuscular block. ⋯ Sex-related differences exist in the relationship between AP TOF ratio and clinical measures of muscle function used to assess recovery from neuromuscular block. Normalization of AP TOF ratios is recommended because a non-normalized TOF ratio of 0.9 does not guarantee adequate reversal of neuromuscular block.
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Meta Analysis
Oxycodone clearance is markedly reduced with advancing age: a population pharmacokinetic study.
Oxycodone is a µ-opioid receptor agonist, the global use of which has increased vigorously during the past decade. The pharmacokinetic data of oxycodone available for elderly are limited, and there appear to be only little data on the population pharmacokinetics of oxycodone. ⋯ Age was found to be a significant covariate for oxycodone pharmacokinetics. In elderly patients, dosing should therefore be reduced and carefully titrated to avoid considerable accumulation of oxycodone and potentially hazardous side-effects.