Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA pilot trial evaluating the clinical effects of prolonged storage of red cells.
The clinical consequences of prolonged storage of red cells have not been established. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether it would be feasible to provide a continuous supply of red cells stored <8 days. In addition, we examined the potential benefits attributed to "fresh" as compared to standard red cells in 66 critically ill and cardiac surgical patients. ⋯ In total, 27% of patients in the experimental group died or had a life-threatening complication as compared to 13% in the standard group (P = 0.31). There were no differences in prolonged respiratory, cardiovascular, or renal support after randomization (P > 0.05). A large clinical trial comparing red cell storage times is feasible and warranted given the limited available evidence.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of target- and manually controlled infusion propofol and etomidate/desflurane anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Elderly patients have a higher risk of developing adverse drug reactions during anesthesia, especially anesthesia affecting cardiovascular performance. In this prospective randomized study we compared quality of induction, hemodynamics, and recovery in elderly patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery and receiving either etomidate/desflurane (ETO/DES) or target-controlled (TCI) or manually controlled (MAN) propofol infusion for anesthesia. Sixteen patients were anesthetized with ETO (0.4 mg/kg) followed by DES titrated from an initial end-tidal concentration of 2.5%. ⋯ In the TCI and ETO/DES groups, the time spent at a mean arterial blood pressure within 15% and 30% of baseline values was more than 60% and 80% of anesthesia time, whereas in the MAN group it was <30% and 60%, respectively. In the MAN group more anesthetic drug adjustments were recorded (6.4 +/- 2.8 versus 2.5 +/- 1.2 [ETO/DES] and 2.6 +/- 1 [TCI]). TCI improves the time course of propofol's hemodynamic effects in elderly patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPostoperative analgesia after spinal blockade in infants and children undergoing cardiac surgery.
The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was to define the opioid analgesic requirement after a remifentanil (REMI)-based anesthetic with spinal anesthetic blockade (SAB+REMI) or without (REMI) spinal blockade for open-heart surgery in children. We enrolled 45 patients who were candidates for tracheal extubation in the operating room after cardiac surgery. Exclusion criteria included age <3 mo and >6 yr, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, contraindication to SAB, and failure to obtain informed consent. ⋯ Pain scores and fentanyl doses were recorded every hour for 24 h or until the patient was ready for discharge from the intensive care unit. Patients in the SAB+REMI group had significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.046 for the first 8 h; P =0.05 for 24 h) and received less IV fentanyl (P = 0.003 for the first 8 h; P = 0.004 for 24 h) than those in the REMI group. There were no intergroup differences in adverse effects, including hypotension, bradycardia, highest PaCO(2), lowest pH, episodes of oxygen desaturation, pruritus, and vomiting.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDoes the sciatic nerve approach influence thigh tourniquet tolerance during below-knee surgery?
In this prospective, randomized, blinded study we assessed thigh tourniquet tolerance when a Labat's or a posterior popliteal approach of the sciatic nerve was used for below-knee surgery. One-hundred-twenty patients were divided into two groups of 60. A posterior popliteal (Group 1) or a Labat's (Group 2) sciatic nerve block was performed with 25 mL 1% mepivacaine + epinephrine 1:200,000. ⋯ No statistically significant difference was observed between groups. We conclude that despite a complete sensory blockade of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve in 91% of the patients, Labat's approach of the sciatic nerve provides no better thigh tourniquet tolerance than the popliteal approach. The popliteal approach is as efficient but more comfortable for the patient and is the preferred technique for below-knee surgery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPreoperative gabapentin decreases anxiety and improves early functional recovery from knee surgery.
Gabapentin has antihyperalgesic and anxiolytic properties. We thus tested the hypothesis that premedication with gabapentin would decrease preoperative anxiety and improve postoperative analgesia and early postoperative knee mobilization in patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair under general anesthesia. Forty patients were randomly assigned to receive 1200 mg oral gabapentin or placebo 1-2 h before surgery; anesthesia was standardized. ⋯ Visual analog scale pain scores at rest and after mobilization were significantly reduced in the gabapentin group. First and maximal passive and active knee flexions at 24 and 48 h were significantly more extensive in the gabapentin than in the control group. In conclusion, premedication with 1200 mg gabapentin improved preoperative anxiolysis, postoperative analgesia, and early knee mobilization after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament repair.