British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Seldinger vs modified Seldinger techniques for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterisation in neonates: a randomised controlled trial.
Central venous catheterisation in neonates is difficult. The purpose of this study was to compare the Seldinger and modified Seldinger techniques for ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein catheterisation in neonates. ⋯ NCT02688595.
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Multicenter Study
Organisational factors and mortality after an emergency laparotomy: multilevel analysis of 39 903 National Emergency Laparotomy Audit patients.
Studies across healthcare systems have demonstrated between-hospital variation in survival after an emergency laparotomy. We postulate that this variation can be explained by differences in perioperative process delivery, underpinning organisational structures, and associated hospital characteristics. ⋯ This multicentre study identified low-technology, readily implementable structures and processes that are associated with improved survival after an emergency laparotomy. Key components of pathways, perioperative medicine input, and specialist units require further investigation.
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The elderly are perceived as a high-risk group for procedural sedation. Concern exists regarding the safety of sedation of this patient group by emergency physicians, particularly when using propofol. ⋯ We observed safe sedation practice in this high-risk group of patients in this department. A sentinel adverse event rate of 2.6% including a hypoxaemia rate of 0.5%, with no adverse outcomes sets a benchmark for elderly sedation. We recommend quality pre-oxygenation, an initial propofol bolus of no more than 0.5 mg kg-1, and a robust training and governance framework.
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Case Reports
Venous air embolism: ultrasonographic diagnosis and treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
A man with neuromuscular respiratory failure requiring intubation and ventilation suffered a venous air embolism during inadvertent administration of 5 ml of air. Ultrasound (US) imaging confirmed an air embolus in the left subclavian vein, which was only partially treated by US-guided aspiration. ⋯ Venous air embolism is under-recognised, and can cause siginificant neurological morbidity and death if untreated. When available, urgent hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to be an effective approach.
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Case Reports
Are high-sensitivity troponins always reliable? Donor-recipient troponin transfusion in liver transplantation.
Blood troponins are used to diagnose perioperative myocardial injury and infarction. During liver transplantation, a passive donor-recipient troponin transfer with the graft may result in an increase of troponins in the transplant recipient questioning the diagnosis of myocardial injury. We present a case of liver transplantation with sudden elevation of recipient's serum troponin levels immediately after graft reperfusion and its subsequent normalization in which myocardial damage and other non-ischaemic potential causes were ruled out. Patient consent for publication was obtained prior to submission of the manuscript.