Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyDo on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgery differently affect perioperative peripheral tissue metabolism?
Microdialysis allows the in-vivo assessment of interstitial fluids. We studied the metabolic status of peripheral tissues (skeletal muscle) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery on- (CABG) or off-pump (OPCAB). ⋯ Metabolic changes after coronary bypass surgery occur with some differences related to CPB use. Overall, these changes suggest that, after coronary surgery, a certain degree of hypermetabolic state ensues, lasting up to 24 hours after surgery; the postoperative increase in pyruvate levels in CABG patients, together with the changes in L/P ratio occurring only in OPCAB patients implies an higher risk of tissue hypoperfusion/ischemia for patients submitted to OPCAB, although this does not lead to permanent cellular damage, as the markers of this complication (e.g., glycerol) do not change over time.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2012
Influence of opioid choice on mechanical ventilation duration and ICU length of stay.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact on mechanical ventilation and ICU outcomes of substituting remifentanil for sufentanil, in an analgesia-based sedation protocol. A database of data prospectively collected was retrospectively analyzed. The study was carried out in a 16-bed tertiary-care ICU. ⋯ Our study suggests that using a short-acting opiate with short context-sensitive half-life in an analgesia-based sedation protocol may significantly decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation and the ICU length of stay even though not significantly in long term sedation, while improving the achievement of sedation goals despite a lower requirement for adjunctive hypnotic agents, with no additional costs.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2012
Case ReportsUltrasound-guided posterior approach to brachial plexus for the treatment of upper phantom limb syndrome.
The purpose of the case is to report the clinical value of the ultrasound-guided posterior approach to the brachial plexus in the treatment of phantom limb syndrome after an upper extremity amputation. The author experienced ultrasound guidance as sole technique to localize the brachial plexus for the purpose of placing a catheter for continuous infusion of a local anesthetic in a patient where standard landmark-based nerve stimulation for placement of a continuous perineural block was not possible.