Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Molecular weight of hydroxyethyl starch molecules influences coagulation profile measured by thrombelastography.
The consensus about the ideal intravenous fluid in trauma patients remains open. However, hypertonic saline and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) seems to have advantages in terms of immuno-modulatory and haemodynamic effects. Nevertheless clotting abnormalities are frequently reported in association with the use of HES. We investigated the influence of light, medium and heavy molecular weight (MW) hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on coagulation in 29 healthy subjects. ⋯ This data indicate clear evidence of platelet activity per se or platelet interaction with the plasmatic coagulation system.
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Historical Article
Anaesthesia in the Armed Forces--a history of the Triservice Apparatus.
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Ketamine is a strong acting analgesic drug, used mainly in trauma and emergency medicine settings, as well as for minor procedures. Its pharmacological properties make it a useful drug for military anaesthesia. Ketamine acts by blocking activation of the spinal and supraspinal NMDA-type glutamate and opioid receptors. ⋯ No haemodynamic instability could be observed in any of the patients. The interesting point is that though there were no unpleasant emergence phenomenons, no patient reached the preoperative state of vigilance within two hours after extubation. These results indicate that for plastic/dermatological surgical procedures, patients undergoing ketamine/propofol anaesthesia do not require excessive haemodynamic monitoring, but do need prolonged personal observation in the postoperative period.