British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative pregabalin administration significantly reduces postoperative opioid consumption and mechanical hyperalgesia after transperitoneal nephrectomy.
Preoperative administration of pregabalin is proposed as a promising way of enhancing postoperative pain control. Whereas a few studies have investigated the effect of pregabalin on postoperative opioid consumption, no study has focused on the influence on postoperative hyperalgesia. In this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we aimed to demonstrate that a single, preoperative dose of pregabalin reduces postoperative opioid consumption, mechanical hyperalgesia, and pain sensitivity. ⋯ Our study has shown that preoperative administration of 300 mg pregabalin in patients undergoing transperitoneal nephrectomy reduces postoperative opioid consumption and decreases the area of mechanical hyperalgesia.
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Patients with inherited cardiac channel disorders are at high risk of perioperative lethal arrhythmias. Preoperative control of symptoms and a multidisciplinary approach are required for a well-planned management. Good haemodynamic monitoring, adequate anaesthesia and analgesia, perioperative maintenance of normocarbia, normothermia, and normovolaemia are important. ⋯ Propofol and remifentanil are probably safe, while halothane and pancuronium are contraindicated. Regional anaesthesia, without epinephrine, is relatively safe. In suspicious cardiac deaths, postmortem examination and familial screening are recommended.
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Comparative Study
Accuracy of respiratory rate monitoring using a non-invasive acoustic method after general anaesthesia.
Respiratory rate should be monitored continuously in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) to avoid any delay in the detection of respiratory depression. Capnometry is the standard of care but in extubated patients requires a nasal cannula or a face mask that may be poorly tolerated or can be dislodged, leading to errors in data acquisition and false alarms. The value of a new non-invasive acoustic monitor in this setting has not been fully investigated. ⋯ In extubated patients, continuous assessment of respiration rate with an acoustic monitor correlated well with capnometry.
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Venous access is crucial in intestinal transplantation, but a thrombosed venous system may prevent the use of central veins of the upper body. The incidence of venous thrombosis and the necessity to perform alternative vascular access (AVA) in intestinal transplant recipients have not been fully investigated. ⋯ The majority of adult patients undergoing intestinal transplantation had at least one central venous stenosis or obstruction. The recipient outcomes were comparable when either standard vascular access or AVA was used for transplantation.
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The role of epinephrine combined with lipid emulsion in rescuing cardiovascular collapse induced by local anaesthetic overdose remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of epinephrine on delayed lipid-based treatment for bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest in rats. ⋯ Late intervention with epinephrine plus lipid emulsion contributed to sustained improvement in haemodynamic profile, but failed to alleviate deterioration of hypoxaemia and acidaemia in rats.