Anesthesiology
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Clinical Trial
Acute and nonacute complications associated with interscalene block and shoulder surgery: a prospective study.
The incidence, etiology, and evolution of complications after interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) are not well-known. The authors prospectively monitored 521 patients for complications during the first 9 months after ISB. ⋯ Interscalene brachial plexus block performed with a standardized technical approach, material, and drugs is associated with an incidence of short- and severe long-term complications of 0.4%. In case of persistent paresthesia, dysesthesia, or pain not related to surgery after ISB, sulcus ulnaris syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, or complex regional pain syndrome should be excluded since specific treatment may be required.
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Negative inotropic and proarrhythmic side effects on the heart are well known for the volatile anesthetics halothane and isoflurane but not for the noble gas xenon. We investigated the effects of halothane, isoflurane, and xenon on calcium and potassium currents in human atrial myocytes to elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of their cardiac actions. ⋯ Halothane and isoflurane exhibited considerable inhibitory effects on voltage-gated cardiac Ca2+ and K+ currents important for the duration of action potentials and the repolarization. Xenon, in contrast, did not affect Ca2+ currents and only slightly inhibited transient K+ outward currents, in line with the almost absent cardiac side effects of the noble gas.
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Biography Historical Article
David Waritier: recipient of the 2001 Excellence in Research Award.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Changes in plasma creatinine concentration after cardiac anesthesia with isoflurane, propofol, or sevoflurane: a randomized clinical trial.
Renal impairment often follows cardiac surgery. The authors investigated whether sevoflurane produces greater increases in plasma creatinine concentration than isoflurane or propofol after elective coronary artery surgery. ⋯ Sevoflurane did not produce greater increases in creatinine than isoflurane or propofol after elective coronary artery surgery.