Minerva anestesiologica
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2012
Clinical TrialInfluence of continuous renal replacement therapy on cardiac output measurement using thermodilution techniques.
Acute renal failure (ARF) ranks among the most frequent complications in critically ill patients and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a typical treatment regimen in intensive care patients. Contributing factors to ARF, such as septic shock and hemodynamic instability require extended hemodynamic monitoring, and the simultaneous use of CRRT and cardiac output measurement is common. In view of this, a systematic analysis of the interaction between CRRT and cardiac output measurements by thermodilution is warranted. Cardiac output (CO) is commonly measured with thermodilution-based methods in critically ill patients. The methods are accurate but the measurements are affected by inconstant indicator volumes or changes in blood temperature. Because continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may alter blood volume and temperature, we investigated its effect on thermodilution-based CO measurement. ⋯ Substantial measurement error was only observed immediately after CRRT was switched off or on. Subsequent CO measurements did not depend on the CRRT status. Interrupting CRRT before measuring CO is not generally recommended, however, if interrupted, it is crucial to wait for blood temperature to reach a steady state before initiating the first measurements.
-
Analgesics and sedatives are commonly prescribed in the ICU environment for patient comfort, however, recent studies have shown that these medications can themselves lead to adverse patient outcomes. Interventions that facilitate a total dose reduction in analgesic and sedative medications e.g. the use of nurse controlled protocol guided sedation, the combination of spontaneous awakening and breathing trials, and the use of short acting medications, are associated with improved outcomes such as decreased time of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay. This purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the pharmacology of commonly prescribed analgesics and sedatives, and to discuss the evidence regarding best prescribing practices of these medications, to facilitate early liberation from mechanical ventilation and to promote animation in critically ill patients.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialTramadol and 0.5% levobupivacaine for single-shot interscalene block: effects on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tramadol as an adjuvant to the local anaesthetic solution in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff tear after middle interscalene block (MIB). ⋯ The addition of tramadol to the local anaesthetic solution administered for MIB provided a longer duration of analgesia compared with placebo and i.m tramadol administration in patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tear.
-
Both malnutrition and the physical injury related to trauma and surgery increase the expression of T-helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes which cause impaired cell mediated immunity. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathoadrenal system with the release of cortisol and catecholamines drive the development of Th2 cells. Th2 cytokines result in the accumulation of arginase-1 expressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells in lymphoid tissue. ⋯ Prostaglandin-E2 released following trauma plays a synergetic role with cortisol and catecholamines in driving these pathways. There is now increasing evidence that immunomodulating enteral formulas supplemented with arginine and omega-3 fatty acids can reverse many of the immune mediated changes and decrease the number of adverse outcomes after major surgery and trauma. These immunomodulating enteral formulas should be strongly considered in surgical patients undergoing major surgery and following severe trauma.