Anesthesiology
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Systemic air or gas embolism has been increasingly recognized as a complication of serious chest trauma and often presents with catastrophic circulatory and cerebral events. The classic findings are hemoptysis, sudden cardiac or cerebral dysfunction after initiation of PPV, air in retinal vessels, and air in arterial aspirations. The clinician must be wary of more subtle presentations. ⋯ HBOT is useful in managing cerebral air embolism and should be incorporated as soon as possible. Clinicians involved in trauma care must be familiar with SAE. By adopting a problem-based solution through innovative airway and ventilation management, anesthesiologists may significantly alter and improve the morbidity and mortality rate of SAE resulting from chest trauma.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Antiemetic prophylaxis does not improve outcomes after outpatient surgery when compared to symptomatic treatment.
Although prophylactic administration of antiemetics reduces the incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, or both (PONV), there is little evidence to suggest this improves patient outcomes. The authors hypothesized that early symptomatic treatment of PONV will result in outcomes, including time to discharge, unanticipated admission, patient satisfaction, and time to return to normal daily activities, that are similar to those achieved with routine prophylaxis. ⋯ Although PONV is unpleasant, the data indicate little difference in outcomes when routine prophylactic medications are administered versus simply treating PONV should symptoms occur.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Dose-response relationship of intrathecal morphine for postcesarean analgesia.
This series investigated the quality of analgesia and the incidence and severity of side effects of intrathecal morphine for post-cesarean analgesia administered over a dose range of 0.0-0.5 mg. ⋯ These data indicate there is little justification for use of more than 0.1 mg for post-cesarean analgesia. For optimal analgesia, augmentation [corrected] of intrathecal morphine with systemic opioids may be necessary.
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Clinical Trial
Assessment of changes in coagulation in parturients with preeclampsia using thromboelastography.
Preeclampsia is associated with a risk of abnormal hemostasis that occurs most commonly secondary to thrombocytopenia. Thromboelastography measures whole blood coagulation and has been used to manage coagulation defects in obstetric patients. The authors conducted this investigation in a large number of preeclamptic women to assess changes in coagulation using thromboelastography. ⋯ This study shows that severe preeclamptic women with a platelet count <100,000/mm3 are hypocoagulable when compared to healthy pregnant women and other preeclamptic women.