Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica
-
Methemoglobinemia is a rare pathology that results from the oxidation of iron in the hemoglobin molecule. Oxidation of iron switches it from the ferrous to the ferric state, and impedes the ability of hemoglobin to carry oxygen. Hence, methemoglobinemia often results in hypoxemia. ⋯ The first one is a 24-year old woman, who received dapsone as an alternative antibiotic therapy because of known allergies to a series of other antibiotics and who could not get weaned from mechanical ventilation despite minimal ventilator support. The second case describes a 49-year old man who developed respiratory insufficiency following the use of 'poppers' containing alkyl nitrites. Following treatment of both patients using the antidote methylene blue, they could be successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA comparison of the efficacy of levobupivacaine 0.125%, ropivacaine 0.125% and ropivacaine 0.2%, all combined with sufentanil 0.5 microg/mL, in patient-controlled epidural analgesia after hysterectomy under combined epidural and general anesthesia.
We compared the relative potencies of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in combination with sufentanil 0.5 microg/ml in postoperative epidural analgesia after abdominal hysterectomy. ⋯ In the context of this study there was no clinical difference in potency between epidural ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in a concentration of 0.125% combined with sufentanil 0.5 mg/mL because local anesthetic consumption was primarily driven by sufentanil. Increasing the concentration of ropivacaine to 0.2% did not result in better analgesia or reduction in sufentanil consumption.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, double-blind, controlled trial on non-opioid analgesics and opioid consumption for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, an effective post-operative pain control is necessary, at least during the first 24 hours. We present a randomized, double-blind trial on the effect of the combined use of intravenous parecoxib, and metamizol or paracetamol on piritramide consumption using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump in patients recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ The efficacy of tested additive medications on piritramide consumption and pain relief is weak and there is no clear-cut difference between the non-opioid drugs used.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2012
Reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex in heart failure patients: a prospective observational study.
The aim of this study was to assess the hemodynamic stability and efficacy of 2 mg/kg sugammadex in reversing rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block in patients with heart failure. Twelve patients who had an ejection fraction < or = 25% and who were undergoing general anesthesia for cardiac resynchronization therapy, an automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or battery replacement of the device were included. Neuromuscular function was monitored by acceleromyography of the adductor pollicis muscle. ⋯ No sugammadex-related adverse events were reported. Sugammadex can adequately restore neuromuscular function in heart failure patients under hemodynamically stable conditions. However, longer reversal times are required than previously observed in healthy, young patients.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEndotracheal intubation using videolaryngoscopy causes less cardiovascular response compared to classic direct laryngoscopy, in cardiac patients according a standard hospital protocol.
Previous studies comparing Glidescope and classic direct laryngoscopy did not show an attenuation of CV responses to endotracheal intubation. In the present study, we hypothesize that indirect videolaryngoscopy can attenuate cardiovascular responses to endotracheal intubation. ⋯ Our study shows less hemodynamic responses during endotracheal intubation using indirect videolaryngoscopy compared to classic direct laryngoscopy.