British journal of anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Benefits and risks of epidural analgesia in cardiac surgery†.
Epidural analgesia reduces all-cause mortality after cardiac surgery, at the cost of a 1 in 3,500 risk of epidural hematoma.
pearl -
Intraoperative awareness, with or without recall, continues to be a topic of clinical significance and neurobiological interest. In this article, we review evidence pertaining to the incidence, sequelae, and prevention of intraoperative awareness. We also assess which aspects of the complication are well understood (i.e. non-controversial) and which require further research for clarification (i.e. controversial).
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The transport of the seriously injured patient is associated with risk and requires particular expertise and attention. The aim of this review is to provide a historical overview of transport services available to trauma patients in the UK, describe the various transport platforms that are used, identify risks from a system and disease perspective and how they may be mitigated, and make international comparisons. The transfer of patients requiring medical attention has developed over the years and now includes complex undertakings that undoubtedly confer a degree of risk on the patient. ⋯ When deciding to transport an injured patient, there are risks, and appropriate mitigation must be in place, particularly if primary transfer to a major trauma centre involves bypassing a nearer facility. It is clear that those clinicians who undertake medical transfers must be appropriately trained and must have access to local or national guidelines. Medical transfers must be the subject of ongoing research, both to ensure that best practice is in place and to continue to understand the safest way of achieving essential transfers effectively.
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Observational Study
Fibrinogen plasma concentration before delivery is not associated with postpartum haemorrhage: a prospective observational study.
Low plasma fibrinogen concentration has been linked to postpartum haemorrhage. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether fibrinogen concentration at admission before labour is associated with severe postpartum haemorrhage. Secondary aims were to describe fibrinogen concentration before and after labour and to identify predictors for severe postpartum haemorrhage. ⋯ Fibrinogen plasma concentration at admission before labour does not predict severe postpartum haemorrhage in a general obstetric population. Fibrinogen concentration does not decrease significantly during normal labour. Excessive postpartum bleeding is mainly as a result of obstetric complications.