British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Double-lumen tube tracheal intubation using a rigid video-stylet: a randomized controlled comparison with the Macintosh laryngoscope.
Despite an increasing need, there is limited experience of double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) placement using video laryngoscope. We evaluated DLT intubation using an OptiScope, a rigid video-stylet with a malleable tip derived from the Clarus Video System, in comparison with a Macintosh laryngoscope. ⋯ The OptiScope® provides faster tracheal intubation and a higher success rate for the first intubation with less trauma and a better vocal cord view than the Macintosh laryngoscope.
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Multicenter Study
Sevoflurane therapy for life-threatening asthma in children.
Asthma is a common disease in children and often develops early in life. This multicentre retrospective case series describe the use and effectiveness of sevoflurane inhalation therapy in a series of children with severe asthma in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ Sevoflurane inhalation corrects high levels of Pco2 and provides clinical improvement in mechanically ventilated children with life-threatening asthma who fail to respond to conventional treatment.
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Bioreactance estimates cardiac output in a non-invasive way. We evaluated the ability of a bioreactance device (NICOM®) to estimate cardiac index (CI) and to track relative changes induced by volume expansion. ⋯ The NICOM® device cannot accurately estimate the cardiac output in critically ill patients. Moreover, it could not predict fluid responsiveness through the PLR test.
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Advances in the field of paediatric regional anaesthesia have specific applications to both acute and chronic pain management. This review summarizes data regarding the safety of paediatric regional anaesthetic techniques. Current guidelines are provided for performing paediatric regional techniques, with a focus on applications for postoperative pain management. Brief descriptions of relevant anatomy followed by indications for commonly performed blocks are highlighted along with the potential of adverse side-effects.
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Massive haemorrhage requires massive transfusion (MT) to maintain adequate circulation and haemostasis. For optimal management of massively bleeding patients, regardless of aetiology (trauma, obstetrical, surgical), effective preparation and communication between transfusion and other laboratory services and clinical teams are essential. A well-defined MT protocol is a valuable tool to delineate how blood products are ordered, prepared, and delivered; determine laboratory algorithms to use as transfusion guidelines; and outline duties and facilitate communication between involved personnel. ⋯ The risks and benefits for other therapies (prothrombin complex concentrate, recombinant activated factor VII, or whole blood) are not clearly defined in MT patients. Throughout the resuscitation, the patient should be closely monitored and both metabolic and coagulation abnormalities corrected. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal ratios of blood products, treatment based on underlying clinical disorder, use of alternative therapies, and integration of laboratory testing results in the management of massively bleeding patients.