Minerva anestesiologica
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of Sublingual Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine for Premedication in Children.
Premedication in children scheduled for surgery reduces preoperative anxiety and facilitates a smooth induction of anesthesia. Midazolam is a commonly used premedication in children but, because of its undesirable effects such as postoperative behavior changes and cognitive impairment, it is not an ideal premedicant. Dexmedetomidine, a highly specific a2-adrenergic receptor agonist, produces sedation which mimics natural stage 2 non-rapid eye movement sleep and helps in early postoperative recovery. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sublingual dexmedetomidine in comparison to sublingual midazolam as premedicant in children ⋯ Sublingual dexmedetomidine provides more effective preoperative sedation as compared to sublingual midazolam across all the age groups and allows a smooth anesthesia induction and awakening especially in the preschool children.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of PEEP during laparoscopic surgery on early postoperative ventilation distribution visualised by electrical impedance tomography.
General anesthesia, mechanical ventilation and pneumoperitoneum affect ventilation distribution at different extent. It should be clarified if an intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level of 10 cmH2O influences early postoperative ventilation. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) was used to assess changes in regional ventilation. ⋯ Changes of postoperative ventilation can be imaged by EIT. Intraoperative PEEP ventilation has a positive effect on early postoperative ventilation distribution, even though not all PEEP patients benefit from mechanical PEEP ventilation the same way. Intraoperative PEEP results in a more homogeneous ventilation distribution by trend.
-
Pleural effusion is a fluid collection within the pleural space and is a common finding in mechanically ventilated patients. It is frequently related to fluid overload, hyponcotic states, heart failure, and altered pleural pressure due to atelectasis or pneumonia. Recent literature has shown that its incidence within ARDS is increasing, even if, in most of cases, at least in the early phases, it seems of limited clinical relevance. ⋯ Aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence and opinions about the interaction between Pleural Effusion and positive pressure ventilation in the presence of ARDS, its impact on gas exchange and tidal mechanics, trying to figure out the best bedside management that is not available yet. The estimation of both lung and chest wall elastance may help in the clinical decision making whether to drain or not in order to improve respiratory mechanics and oxygenation. Further research is still needed to determine the effect of drainage on clinical outcome and to evaluate its application in the weaning strategies.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Feb 2014
CommentEsmolol for septic shock: more than just heart rate control?
Excessive adrenergic stimulation may be associated with several adverse events and contribute to increase mortality in critically ill septic patients. Few clinical data exist on the effects of adrenergic blockade in this setting. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a short acting b-blocker (esmolol) in septic shock patients. ⋯ Mortality was 49.4% in the esmolol group and 80.5% in the control group (P<0.01). This is the first study showing an improvement in cardiac function and 28-day mortality in septic patients adding b-blockers to standard therapy. We discussed several statistical and methodological limitations that may influence the generability of these results.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Feb 2014
Observational StudyDuration of mechanical ventilation after craniosynostosis Repair reduces over time.
Pediatric craniosynostosis repair (CR) involves wide scalp dissections with multiple osteotomies and has been associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to document the impact of perioperative complications on prolonged mechanical ventilation after CR. ⋯ All life-threatening complications were intraoperative whereas only milder ones, such as hypercloremic and lactic acidosis were noticed in PICU. All children are alive without any neurological deficit. Even though we deal on a daily basis with complex surgical cases, only time, hence experience, showed an impact on prolonged mechanical ventilation.