Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Clinical TrialDoes the choice of electrocardiography lead affect the efficacy of the T-wave criterion for detecting intravascular injection of an epinephrine test dose?
Accidental intravascular injection of an epinephrine-containing test dose decreases the T-wave amplitude of a Lead II electrocardiogram (EKG) with 100% sensitivity and specificity on the basis of the T-wave criterion (positive if there is a > or =25% decrease in amplitude). We designed this study to test whether the choice of EKG lead would affect the efficacy of the simulated intravascular test dose in anesthetized patients. After an 8-h fast and no premedication, 35 healthy patients were anesthetized with end-tidal 2% sevoflurane and nitrous oxide after endotracheal intubation. When hemodynamic stability was obtained, all subjects received 3 mL of normal saline IV, followed 4 min later by 1.5% lidocaine 3 mL plus 15 microg of epinephrine (1:200,000) IV. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, Leads II (n = 35) and V(5) (n = 35), and either Lead I (n = 17) or III (n = 18), whichever had the greater T-wave amplitude, were continuously recorded for 4 min after the saline and test-dose injections. An IV test dose produced significant increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure and produced decreases in the T-wave amplitude of all EKG leads studied in all subjects, whereas IV saline elicited no changes in these variables. The maximum percentage decreases in T-wave amplitude of Leads II, I, III, and V(5) were -87% +/- 13%, -88% +/- 8%, -94% +/- 15%, and -86% +/- 16%, respectively (mean +/- SD; P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in temporal changes in T-wave amplitude among the 4 leads, and sensitivity and specificity were 100% on the basis of the T-wave criterion, irrespective of the lead examined. Our results indicate that Leads II, I, III, and V(5) of the EKG are equally effective for detecting intravascular injection of the epinephrine-containing test dose in sevoflurane-anesthetized adults. ⋯ To determine whether an epidural catheter is in a blood vessel, an epidural test dose containing 15 microg of epinephrine is used. We found that decreases in the T-wave amplitude of Leads I, II, III, and V(5) of the electrocardiogram were equally sensitive and specific for detecting intravascular injection of the test dose in sevoflurane-anesthetized adult patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Clinical TrialLumbar plexus posterior approach: a catheter placement description using electrical nerve stimulation.
The authors describe a modified technique of posterior approach to the lumbar plexus in the psoas compartment which allows nerve stimulation for the location of the plexus and catheter placement for extended-duration surgery and postoperative patient-controlled regional analgesia. A frequent incidence of total lumbar plexus block was observed.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Case ReportsCardiac arrest from tension pneumopericardium in a premature infant.
This case report describes a rare and potentially fatal anesthetic complication. It occurred during the care of a small premature infant as a result of improper use of medical equipment.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Case ReportsVenous malformations associated with central pain: report of a case.
The authors describe an unusual case of central pain (CP) that resulted from giant venous hemangiomas. The patient was treated with a variety of medications, including the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist dextromethorphan. We report the first known association between venous malformations and CP and briefly describe why the use of dextromethorphan in this disorder requires further evaluation.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Nov 2002
Case ReportsVallecular cyst and laryngomalacia in infants: report of six cases and airway management.
This report describes difficulties encountered in the airway management of six infants with concurrent vallecular cyst and laryngomalacia. It is hoped that our experience will assist others in the management of such patients.