British journal of anaesthesia
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational Study
A comparison of videolaryngoscopy using standard blades or non-standard blades in children in the Paediatric Difficult Intubation Registry.
The design of a videolaryngoscope blade may affect its efficacy. We classified videolaryngoscope blades as standard and non-standard shapes to compare their efficacy performing tracheal intubation in children enrolled in the Paediatric Difficult Intubation Registry. ⋯ In infants weighing <5 kg, videolaryngoscopy with standard blades was associated with a significantly greater success rate than videolaryngoscopy with non-standard blades. Videolaryngoscopy with a standard blade is a sensible choice for tracheal intubation in children who weigh <5 kg.
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Anaemia is a common finding in patients presenting for major elective surgery and is associated with poor outcomes including death and complications. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of perioperative anaemia. Intravenous (i.v.) iron is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for iron deficiency anaemia and is recommended by expert opinion for treatment of preoperative anaemia, although evidence from clinical trials is lacking. ⋯ In the context of already widespread adoption of preoperative i.v. iron therapy, many clinicians may have felt they lacked equipoise. In light of the PREVENTT study routine use of i.v. iron in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery cannot be recommended. Further research should define the optimum red cell transfusion strategy for patients undergoing surgery and idenify other surgical groups who may benefit from this intervention.
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Diagnostic criteria for Bleeding Independently associated with Mortality after noncardiac Surgery (BIMS) have been defined as bleeding that leads to a postoperative haemoglobin <70 g L-1, leads to blood transfusion, or is judged to be the direct cause of death. Preoperative prediction guides for BIMS can facilitate informed consent and planning of perioperative care. ⋯ NCT00512109.