European journal of anaesthesiology
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The reasons for coagulopathy may be multiple and the identification of the underlying cause is often difficult. Recently, we identified two patients showing characteristics of heparin overdose during surgery. We hypothesised that filling a Shaldon dialysis catheter with heparin prior to closure, so-called heparin lock, might have triggered this coagulation disorder. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to show whether this procedure can lead to an iatrogenic administration of heparin. ⋯ Following a heparin lock a considerable amount of the injected solution is accidentally administered to the patient. Only 49.1% of the injected volume may remain in the Shaldon catheter. This could lead to an increased risk of coagulopathy.
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We tested the feasibility of using the intubating laryngeal mask airway Fastrach (ILMA) as a ventilatory device and for flexible lightwand-guided tracheal intubation for out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation by an emergency physician. ⋯ The intubating laryngeal mask airway has a high success rate as a ventilatory device and as a flexible lightwand-guided airway intubator during out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a well-trained emergency physician. This technique may be particularly useful when there is limited access to the head and neck.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of invasive and less-invasive techniques of cardiac output measurement under different haemodynamic conditions in a pig model.
Despite the introduction of various less-invasive concepts of cardiac output measurement, pulmonary arterial thermodilution is still the most common measurement technique. ⋯ Our data suggest that pulmonary arterial thermodilution and PiCCO may be interchangeably used for cardiac output measurement even under acute haemodynamic changes. The method described by Bland and Altman demonstrated an overestimation of cardiac output for both thermodilution methods. HemoSonic and NICO offer non-invasive alternatives and complementary monitoring tools in numerous clinical situations. Trend monitoring and haemodynamic optimizing can be applied sufficiently, when absolute measures are judged critically in a clinical context. The use of the NICO system seems to be limited during acute circulatory changes.
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The cyclic guanosine monophosphate level, which causes an antinociception, is increased in cells as a direct result of phosphodiesterase inhibition. This study used a nociceptive test to examine the nature of the pharmacological interaction between intrathecal zaprinast, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and morphine. ⋯ Intrathecal zaprinast and morphine are effective against acute pain and facilitated pain state. Zaprinast interacts synergistically with morphine.