Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica
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Preeclampsia was formerly defined as a multisystemic disorder characterized by new onset of hypertension (i.e. systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg) and proteinuria (> 300 mg/24 h) arising after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive woman. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has stated that proteinuria is no longer required for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. This complication of pregnancy remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Airway edema and tracheal intubation-induced elevation in blood pressure are important issues of general anesthesia in those patients. The major adverse outcomes associated with preeclampsia are related to maternal central nervous system hemorrhage, hepatic rupture, and renal failure. Preeclampsia is also a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease later in life, and therefore mandates long-term follow-up.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyGabapentin versus naproxen in the management of failed back surgery syndrome; a randomized controlled trial.
Gabapentin is an analogue of the gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), which regulates the conductance of calcium channels. In this study, we compared the efficacy of gabapentin the one of naproxen in the treatment of failed laminectomy syndrome. In this controlled trial, patients who had had elective lumbar discectomy or spinal fusion surgery more than one year ago, and complaining about leg and back pain in spite of different medical therapy were randomly assigned to receive naproxen (control group) or gabapentin. ⋯ At 1800 mg, the reduction in VAS was 39.2%. Naproxen-treated patients had a 7.7% pain reduction at 6th week, when using the maximum daily dose of 1500 mg (P < 0.04), but the pain increased thereafter. We conclude that Gabapentin, at a maximum daily dose of 1800 mg, is significantly more efficient than naproxen at treating persistent pain after spinal surgeries.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of chewing lidocaine soaked gauze on intubation conditions during awake videolaryngoscopy: a randomised controlled trial in the morbidly obese.
The increasing utilisation of the videolaryngoscope for awake tracheal intubation requires development and assessment of methods to decrease the gag reflex. We hypothesised that chewing gauze soaked with lidocaine would decrease the gag reflex during awake videolaryngoscope tracheal intubation. Twenty four morbidly obese patients assessed as having a potential difficult tracheal intubation were randomised to chew gauze soaked with 20 ml of 2% lidocaine or saline for 3 minutes. ⋯ The primary outcome was the gagging score at best laryngeal visualisation, which was compared between groups with a Student's t-test. Gagging scores and hemodynamic parameters did not differ between groups, but the saline group had lower plasma levels of lidocaine after the intubation procedure. When used for awake videolaryngoscope assisted tracheal intubation of the morbidly obese, chewing lidocaine soaked gauze does not decrease the amount of gagging as compared to lidocaine aerosolisation, but does increase the plasma levels of lidocaine.
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Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) produce neuromuscular blockade by competing with acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, whereas depolarizing NMBAs open receptor channels in a manner similar to that of acetylcholine. Problems with NMBAs include malignant hyperthermia caused by succinylcholine, anaphylaxis with the highest incidence for succinylcholine and rocuronium, and residual neuromuscular blockade. To reverse these blocks, anticholinesterases can act indirectly by increasing the amount of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction; sugammadex is the only selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA) in clinical use. ⋯ Moreover, it is uncertain whether the full removal of the competing antagonists (by SRBAs) at the neuromuscular junction impacts the efficiency of acetylcholine transmission. In a recent pilot study in healthy volunteers, we demonstrated increased electromyographic diaphragm activity after sugammadex, compared to neostigmine. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of NMBAs and their reversal agents in the central control of breathing, respiratory muscle activity, and respiratory outcomes.