Minerva anestesiologica
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
ReviewNeurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) in children: a systematic review.
Application of mechanical ventilation in spontaneously breathing children remains a challenge for several reasons: mainly, small tidal volumes and high respiratory rates, especially in the presence of leaks, interfere with patient-ventilator synchrony. Leaks also cause unreliable monitoring of respiratory drive and respiratory rate. Furthermore, ventilator adjustment must take into account that infants have strong vagal reflexes, demonstrate central apnea and periodic breathing, with a high variability in breathing pattern. Neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a mode of ventilation whereby the timing and amount of ventilatory assist is controlled by the patient's neural respiratory drive. Since NAVA uses the diaphragm electrical activity (Edi) as the controller signal, it is possible to deliver synchronized assist, both invasively and non-invasively (NIV-NAVA), to follow the variability in breathing pattern, and to monitor patient respiratory drive, independent of leaks. ⋯ Evidence from a few trials suggests improved comfort, less sedation, and reduced length of stay.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Transesophageal echocardiography: what the anesthesiologist has to know.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a very powerful intraoperative monitoring tool. It allows precise assessment of cardiac anatomy together with dynamic quantification of myocardial performance and flows through the heart chambers. With a high safety profile TEE counts few absolute contraindications. ⋯ Unexplained hemodynamic instability is the only strong indication in non-cardiac surgery. Qualitative assessment based on a simplified protocol seams to adequately address the clinical needs in this specific scenario. More studies are required to support the use of TEE outside of cardiac surgery at its full potential.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Coagulation monitoring in postcardiotomy ECMO: conventional tests, point-of-care, or both?
The aim of this study was to assess the association of the coagulation point-of-care (POC) tests activated clotting time (ACT) and thromboelastography-derived parameters reaction time (R-time) and maximum amplitude (MA) with the standard coagulation tests during postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), finding adequate values predictive for the target range of the standard coagulation tests. ⋯ Diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms based on coagulation POC-tests may be useful to manage anticoagulation during postcardiotomy ECMO. The best PPV for prompting therapeutic decision is provided by a combination of ACT and visco-elastic tests.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Editorial CommentPatient-controlled analgesia: past, present and future.