British journal of anaesthesia
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Observational Study
Blood flow index as an indicator of successful sciatic nerve block: a prospective observational study using laser speckle contrast imaging.
Laser speckle contrast imaging allows real-time, non-invasive, quantitative measurements of regional blood flow. The objectives of this prospective observational study were to use laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate blood flow changes after sciatic nerve block, and to determine whether this novel optical technique can evaluate block success. ⋯ NCT03169517.
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There is a need for high quality research to improve perioperative patient care in Africa. The aim of this study was to understand the particular barriers to clinical research in this environment. ⋯ Barriers to successful participation in ASOS related to resource limitations and not motivation of the clinician investigators. Practical solutions to individual barriers may increase the success of multi-centre perioperative research in Africa.
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Comparative Study
Comparison between neurally-assisted, controlled, and physiologically variable ventilation in healthy rabbits.
Various ventilation strategies have been proposed to reduce ventilation-induced lung injury that occurs even in individuals with healthy lungs. We compared new modalities based on an individualised physiological variable ventilation model to a conventional pressure-controlled mode. ⋯ Individualised PVV based on a pre-recorded spontaneous breathing pattern provides adequate gas exchange and promotes a level of lung protection. This ventilation modality could be of benefit during prolonged anaesthesia, in which assisted ventilation is not possible because of the absence of a respiratory drive.
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Low positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can result in alveolar derecruitment, and high PEEP or high tidal volume (VT) in lung overdistension. We investigated cardiogenic oscillations (COS) in the airway pressure signal to investigate whether these oscillations can assess unfavourable intratidal events. COS induce short instantaneous compliance increases within the pressure-volume curve, and consequently in the compliance-volume curve. We hypothesised that increases in COS-induced compliance reflect non-linear intratidal respiratory system mechanics. ⋯ Heartbeat-induced oscillations within the course of the inspiratory pressure-volume curve reflect non-linear intratidal respiratory system mechanics. The analysis of these cardiogenic oscillations can be used to detect intratidal derecruitment and overdistension and, hence, to guide PEEP and VT settings that are optimal for respiratory system mechanics.