Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTotal Intravenous Anesthesia using Remifentanil in Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). Comparison of two dosages: a randomized clinical trial.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy is usually performed in day surgery setting, consequently people who undergo to this procedure need a safe and fast recovery. Conscious sedation with remifentanil can relieve from pain and keep patients in touch with anaesthesiologists. Few publications tell about infusion rates administered to perform this procedure7. The aim of this study is to assess which is the most appropriate infusion rate. ⋯ According with previous results remifentanil at the infusion rate of 0.05 µg/kg/min provides an effective analgesia, causing a lower incidence of side effect than 0.1 µg/kg/min, granting a fast and safe recovery.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudySupplemental single shot femoral nerve block for total hip arthroplasty - Impact on early postoperative care, pain management and lung function.
Peripheral regional anesthesia is beneficial in the management of postoperative pain in hip surgery, and can also reduce post-operative care unit (PACU) stay. Its opioid-sparing actions may also be beneficial for respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function. The aim of our pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a supplemental single shot femoral block for elective total hip arthroplasty on early respiratory function and postoperative management within the first 24 postoperative hours. ⋯ Supplemental single shot femoral nerve block for total hip arthroplasty resulted in earlier PACU discharge capability, improved lung function during the first six hours and better pain control within the first 24 postoperative hours.
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Coagulation is a complex cascade whose intact functioning is essential in helping control hemorrhage after injury. While traditionally ascribed to the combined effects of acidosis, hypothermia, factor consumption and factor dilution, coagulopathy is also directly related to injury as well as hypofibrinogenemia and hyperfibrinolysis. ⋯ Both conditions offer opportunities for therapeutic intervention, and inhibition or abrogation of hyperfibrinolysis in particular may significantly improve survival in patients with injury and massive hemorrhage. Herein, we explore the underpinnings of trauma associated coagulopathy, the basic science behind the role of fibrinogen in acute traumatic coagulopathy, and the rationale behind and the data derived from management of hypofibrinogenemia as well as hyperfibrinolysis.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2014
Case ReportsDecompressive craniectomy may cause diagnostic challenges to asses brain death by computed tomography angiography.
According to Italian legislation to diagnose brain death (BD) after the initial documentation of the clinical signs, repetition of clinical testing and confirmation of the loss of bioelectrical activity of the brain (EEG) is required. However, when EEG is unreliable it is necessary to demonstrate cerebral circulatory arrest (CCA). Accepted imaging techniques to demonstrate CCA include: cerebral angiography, cerebral scintigraphy, transcranial Doppler (TCD) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). ⋯ Nevertheless its diagnostic reliability is affected by some limitations in patients with decompressive craniectomy. Here we report two cases of brain injury with clinical signs of BD and at the same time, opacification of intracranial arteries on CTA and a pattern consistent with flow arrest on the corresponding insonable arteries on TCD. The discrepancy between CTA and TCD results points out a methodology limitation that could be overcome by updating Italian legislation according to other European Countries legislation.