British journal of anaesthesia
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Analgesic design and evaluation have been driven by the desire to create high-affinity high-selectivity mu (μ)-opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonists. Such ligands are the mainstay of current clinical practice, and include morphine and fentanyl. Advances in this sphere have come from designing pharmacokinetic advantage, as in rapid metabolism for remifentanil. ⋯ Recent development has been to move towards low-selectivity multifunctional 'mixed ligands', such as cebranopadol, or ligand mixtures, such as Targinact®. Moreover, the observation that β-arrestin coupling underlies the side-effect profile for MOP ligands (from knockout animal studies) led to the discovery of biased (to G-protein and away from β-arrestin intracellular signalling) MOP ligands, such as oliceridine. There is sufficient excitement in the opioid field to suggest that opioid analgesics without significant side-effects may be on the horizon, and the 'opioid Holy Grail' might be in reach.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reduced perioperative blood loss in children undergoing craniosynostosis surgery using prolonged tranexamic acid infusion: a randomised trial.
Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces intraoperative blood loss and transfusion during paediatric craniosynostosis surgery. Additional reduction of postoperative blood loss may further reduce exposure to allogeneic blood products. We studied the effect of combined intra- and postoperative TXA treatment on postoperative blood loss in children. ⋯ Combined intra- and postoperative tranexamic acid treatment reduced postoperative and overall blood loss and transfusion requirements. Improved clot stability represents a possible mechanism for blood loss reduction.
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Fentanyl is one of the most frequently administered intraoperative drugs and may increase the risk of postoperative respiratory complications (PRCs). ⋯ NCT03198208.