British journal of anaesthesia
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Photoplethysmographic pulse wave amplitude (PPGA) and heart rate (HR) can be used to measure cold, nociception-induced autonomic responses, or both. The aim of our study was to correlate the intensity of experimental pain to changes in physiological variables reflecting the autonomic nervous system response to pain. ⋯ All three thermal stimuli produced a significant change in photoplethysmograph-derived parameters. All photoplethysmograph-derived parameters appear to be suitable to study autonomic nervous system activation.
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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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Randomized Controlled Trial
Compartmental pharmacokinetics of nefopam during mild hypothermia.
Nefopam is a non-opioid, non-steroidal, centrally acting analgesic which has an opioid-sparing effect. It also reduces the threshold (triggering core temperature) for shivering without causing sedation or respiratory depression. The drug is therefore useful as both an analgesic and to facilitate induction of therapeutic hypothermia. However, compartmental pharmacokinetics during hypothermia are lacking for nefopam. ⋯ The compartmental data set describing a two-compartment model was determined and could be implemented to drive automated pumps. Thus, work load could be distributed to a pump establishing and maintaining any desired plasma concentration deemed necessary for a treatment with therapeutical hypothermia.
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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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Severe aortic stenosis is associated with loss of the largest von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers, which could affect primary haemostasis. We hypothesized that the altered multimer structure with the loss of the largest multimers increases postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. ⋯ The altered vWF multimer structure before operation was not associated with increased bleeding after aortic valve replacement. Our findings might be explained by perioperative release of vWF and rapid recovery of the largest vWF multimers.