Minerva anestesiologica
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Ex vivo changes in blood glucose levels seldom change blood glucose control algorithm recommendations.
Hyperglycemia and glycemic variabilities are associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. Blood glucose control with insulin mandates an adequate and precise assessment of blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels, however, can change ex vivo after sampling. The aim of this study was to determine whether this phenomenon affects the practice of blood glucose control. ⋯ Ex vivo changes in blood glucose levels, although statistically significant, seem clinically irrelevant.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Manual hyperinflation is associated with a low rate of adverse events when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients--a prospective observational study.
Manual hyperinflation (MH) can be performed as part of airway management in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients to mobilize airway secretions. Although previous studies demonstrated MH to be associated with hemodynamic and respiratory instability, we hypothesized MH to cause fewer adverse events (AEs) when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable critically ill patients. ⋯ The rate of hemodynamic and respiratory AEs with MH is low when performed by experienced and trained nurses in stable, critically ill patients. MH, however, may induce or increase anxiety/agitation. We consider MH a safe maneuver in stable ICU patients in our setting.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Case ReportsAcute subdural intracranial hematoma after combined spinal-epidural analgesia in labor.
Intracranial subdural hematoma is a rare, but well-described complication of epidural and spinal anesthesia, as documented by more than a decade of publications. Non-postural headache and vomiting are warning signs. A headache lasting more than 5 days should arouse suspicion of intracranial hemorrhage, whether or not it is associated with the appearance of neurological signs or the deterioration of neurological status. ⋯ We report the case of a patient who suffered from severe neurological deterioration and manifested signs of brain herniation due to the development of an acute intracranial subdural hematoma after CSE analgesia for labor. An emergency craniotomy was performed to remove the subdural hematoma and the patient recovered well. Close observation of patients undergoing CSE analgesia or anesthesia complaining of prolonged non-postural headaches, with or without neurological symptoms, is recommended.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Nov 2010
Insulin differentially influences brain glucose and lactate in traumatic brain injured patients.
Hypo- and hyperglycemia must be avoided to prevent additional brain damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the optimal blood glucose range requiring insulin remains unknown. Cerebral microdialysis is helpful in unmasking signs of metabolic impairment, thereby identifying deleterious blood glucose levels. ⋯ Insulin exerts differential effects that depend strongly on the underlying arterial blood glucose concentrations. To avoid energetic impairment, insulin should not be administered at arterial blood glucose levels <5 mM. However, at arterial blood glucose levels >7-8 mM, insulin administration appears to be encouraged to increase extracellular glucose concentrations and decrease energetic impairment reflected by reduced interstitial brain lactate and decreased lactate-to-glucose ratios. Nevertheless, frequent analysis is required to minimize the risk of inducing impaired brain metabolism.
-
The administration of oxytocin at high doses during cesarean section may cause severe cardiovascular complications. However, a dosage as low as 1 IU has been proven to suffice. Bolus administration is not superior to infusion and causes more severe side effects. The purpose of this survey was therefore to determine dosages and routes of administration of oxytocin during cesarean section in Germany. ⋯ Most of the responding departments give oxytocin as a bolus at a relatively low dose. However, despite the potentially fatal side effects, one out of eight departments administers 10 IU or more as a bolus.