Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2015
Comparative StudyThe Accuracy of the CNAP® Device Compared with Invasive Radial Artery Measurements for Providing Continuous Noninvasive Arterial Blood Pressure Readings at a Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Method-Comparison Study.
In cases of intensive care unit (ICU) patients without an arterial line, noninvasive continuous blood pressure monitoring could be very beneficial. The CNAP® monitor (CNSystems Medizintechnik AG) provides noninvasive, beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) estimates using the volume clamp method to measure finger arterial pressure calibrated to brachial pressure values. The aim of this study was to compare noninvasive BP estimates of the CNAP monitor with invasive blood pressure (IBP) measurements obtained via a radial arterial catheter in unselected medical ICU patients under routine clinical conditions. ⋯ The CNAP device provided feasible estimates of BP in unselected medical ICU patients under routine clinical conditions. Mean arterial pressure met interchangeability criteria for accuracy toward radial arterial pressure, as well as for percentage error, and showed good trending capabilities according to the Critchley predefined criteria.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2015
Occupational Chronic Sevoflurane Exposure in the Everyday Reality of the Anesthesia Workplace.
Although sevoflurane is one of the most commonly used volatile anesthetics in clinical practice, anesthesiologists are hardly aware of their individual occupational chronic sevoflurane exposure. Therefore, we studied sevoflurane concentrations in the anesthesiologists' breathing zones, depending on the kind of induction for general anesthesia, the used airway device, and the type of airflow system in the operating room. Furthermore, sevoflurane baselines and typical peaks during general anesthesia were determined. ⋯ Anesthesiologists are chronically exposed to trace concentrations of sevoflurane during work. Inhalational inductions, LMA™, and TF air-conditioning systems in particular are associated with higher sevoflurane exposure. However, the amount of inhaled sevoflurane per day was lower than expected, perhaps because concentrations in previous measurements could be overestimated (10%-15%) because of the cross-sensitivity reaction.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2015
Observational StudyThe Effect of General Anesthesia on Aminotransferase Levels in Patients with Elevated Aminotransferase Levels: A Single-Center 5-Year Retrospective Study.
The effect of commonly used anesthetics on postoperative aminotransferase levels in patients with preoperatively elevated values is unclear. ⋯ In most cases, postoperative alanine aminotransferase levels did not worsen even in patients with preoperatively elevated levels. Sevoflurane was associated with increased odds for postoperative elevation of these levels after general surgery compared with TIVA.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2015
The Efficacy and Safety of the Novel Peripheral Analgesic Isovaline as an Adjuvant to Propofol for General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation: A Proof-of-Principle Study in Mice.
The combination of propofol and an opioid analgesic is widely used for procedural sedation, as well as total IV anesthesia. However, opioids produce respiratory depression, a primary cause of death due to these agents. We recently reported on the antinociceptive actions of isovaline, a small nonbiogenic amino acid that does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier and acts on peripheral γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptors. Here, we explored the possibility that isovaline may be an effective and safe alternative to opioids as an adjunct to propofol for producing anesthesia. ⋯ The novel analgesic, isovaline, coadministered with propofol, produced general anesthesia and conscious sedation in mice. The margin of safety for propofol-isovaline was considerably higher than that for propofol-fentanyl. This study's results show that propofol-based sedation and general anesthesia can be effectively and safely produced by replacing the conventional opioid component with a brain-impermeant peripherally acting γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor agonist. The results provide proof of the principle of combining a peripheral analgesic with a centrally acting hypnotic to produce general anesthesia. This principle suggests a novel approach to clinical general anesthesia and conscious sedation.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2015
Anesthesia Workload Nationally During Regular Workdays and Weekends.
We analyze data from the American Society of Anesthesiologist's (ASA) Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) to report the U.S. anesthesia workload by time of day and day of the week. We consider the extent to which first case starts, rather than durations of workdays and weekend cases, influence the number of anesthesia providers nationally. ⋯ The results are inconsistent with widespread use of surgical facilities (i.e., anesthesia providers) in mornings only, especially at University and large community hospitals. The observed national work hours match with what would be expected if most anesthesiologists work at least 8 hours on regular workdays. Opportunity for greater use of the capital (building and equipment) probably would involve the use of additional anesthesia providers representing a second shift or use of weekends.