Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2002
Fibrinolysis during liver transplantation is enhanced by using solvent/detergent virus-inactivated plasma (ESDEP).
After the introduction of solvent/detergent-treated plasma (ESDEP) in our hospital, an increased incidence of hyperfibrinolysis was observed (75% vs 29%; P = 0.005) compared with the use of fresh frozen plasma for liver transplantation. To clarify this increased incidence, intraoperative plasma samples of patients treated with fresh frozen plasma or ESDEP were analyzed in a retrospective observational study. During the anhepatic phase, plasma levels of D-dimer (6.58 vs 1.53 microg/mL; P = 0.02) and fibrinogen degradation products (60 vs 23 mg/L; P = 0.018) were significantly higher in patients treated with ESDEP. After reperfusion, differences increased to 23.5 vs 4.7 microg/mL (D-dimer, P = 0.002) and 161 vs 57 mg/L (fibrinogen degradation products, P = 0.001). The amount of plasma received per packed red blood cell concentrate, clotting tests, and levels of individual clotting factors did not show significant differences between the groups. alpha(2)-Antiplasmin levels, however, were significantly lower in patients receiving ESDEP during the anhepatic phase (0.37 vs 0.65 IU/mL; P < 0.001) and after reperfusion (0.27 vs 0.58 IU/mL; P = 0.001). Analysis of alpha(2)-antiplasmin levels in ESDEP alone showed a reduction to 0.28 IU/mL (normal >0.95 IU/mL) because of the solvent/detergent process. Therapeutic consequences for the use of ESDEP in orthotopic liver transplantation are discussed in view of an increased incidence of hyperfibrinolysis caused by reduced levels of alpha(2)-antiplasmin in the solvent/detergent-treated plasma. ⋯ The use of solvent/detergent virus-inactivated plasma is of increasing importance in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus transmission. Since the use of this plasma during orthotopic liver transplantation has increased, the incidence of hyperfibrinolysis was observed. Clotting analysis of the patients revealed small alpha(2)-antiplasmin concentrations because of the solvent/detergent process.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2002
Case ReportsMassive hemorrhage during radiofrequency ablation of a pulmonary neoplasm.
Radiofrequency ablation is a new investigational therapy for primary and secondary neoplasms. In this article, the authors describe the anesthetic management of the radiofrequency ablation of a pulmonary neoplasm complicated by massive hemorrhage.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2002
Case ReportsSpinal anesthesia as a complication of brachial plexus block using the posterior approach.
In this case report we describe a technique used to provide local analgesia for surgical procedures. Although this technique has a reduced risk of complications, we present a patient who experienced a life-threatening paralysis without loss of consciousness during an attempted brachial plexus block with a posterior approach.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe effect of remifentanil or fentanyl on postoperative vomiting and pain in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
Postoperative vomiting (POV) after strabismus surgery in children results in discomfort and prolonged hospital stays. Opioids increase the incidence of POV. Remifentanil has a context-sensitive half-life of 3 to 4 min, and how this short half-life influences POV in those patients is unknown. We conducted a prospective, double-blinded study in 81 ASA status I or II children from 2 to 12 yr of age undergoing elective strabismus surgery under general anesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive either remifentanil (bolus 1 microg/kg; infusion 0.1-0.2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) or fentanyl (2 microg/kg, and 1 microg/kg every 45 min). POV episodes were recorded for 25 h. Pain scores were obtained by using an objective pain scale for 60 min during recovery. The number of patients who experienced POV did not differ significantly between groups (49% vs 48%). However, in the Remifentanil group, POV episodes were significantly less frequent (0.95 vs 2.2 episodes). In contrast, fentanyl was associated with lower pain scores during the first 30 min of recovery. We conclude that children undergoing strabismus surgery under balanced anesthesia with remifentanil, compared with fentanyl, showed less frequent POV. However, early postoperative analgesia was better with fentanyl. ⋯ Opioids increase the incidence of postoperative vomiting (POV). Remifentanil is characterized by the shortest half-life of all opioids used in anesthetic practice. Therefore, we studied the effect of remifentanil on POV compared with the longer-acting opioid fentanyl in children undergoing strabismus surgery.