European journal of anaesthesiology
-
Multicenter Study
Prediction of difficult tracheal intubation in Turkish patients: a multi-center methodological study.
Preoperative evaluation is important in the detection of patients at risk for difficult airway management. It is still unclear whether true prediction is possible and which variables should be chosen for evaluation. The aim of this prospective, multi-centre study was to investigate the incidence of difficult intubation, the sensitivity and positive predictive values of clinical screening tests and whether combining two or more of these tests will improve the prediction of difficult intubation in Turkish patients. ⋯ There is still no individual test or a combination of tests that predict difficult intubations accurately. Tests with higher specificity despite low positive predictive value are needed.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Regular tramadol use does not affect the propofol dose requirement for induction of anaesthesia.
An increased risk of awareness during general anaesthesia in patients receiving tramadol has been reported. We studied whether tramadol affects the amount of propofol required for induction of anaesthesia. ⋯ Tramadol did not affect the dose of propofol required to achieve loss of consciousness or burst suppression pattern in electroencephalogram during induction of general anaesthesia. However, there was a ninefold inter-individual variation in propofol dose requirement for loss of consciousness and a fivefold variation for reaching burst suppression. Due to extensive inter-individual variability, monitoring the level of hypnosis during general anaesthesia using propofol may enhance the correct dosage.
-
Multicenter Study
Survey on intraoperative temperature management in Europe.
Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia causes serious morbidity in surgical patients. However, recent reports suggest that patients might still be hypothermic after elective surgery. We thus surveyed intraoperative temperature monitoring and management practices in Europe. ⋯ Intraoperative temperature monitoring is still uncommon and hence active patient warming is not a standard of care in Europe. Awareness of perioperative hypothermia is critical to its prevention, and thus temperature monitoring is a pre-requisite. The objective is to maintain normothermia in patients throughout surgery. A European practice guideline for perioperative patient temperature management is warranted.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Cardiac protection by volatile anaesthetics: a multicentre randomized controlled study in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass.
To evaluate the effects of total intravenous anaesthesia vs. volatile anaesthesia on cardiac troponin release in coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass, we performed a multicentre randomized controlled study to compare postoperative cardiac troponin release in patients receiving two different anaesthesia plans. ⋯ Myocardial damage measured by cardiac troponin release could be reduced by volatile anaesthetics in coronary artery bypass surgery.
-
Multicenter Study
The effect of national guidelines on the implementation of outpatient preoperative evaluation clinics in Dutch hospitals.
Preoperative evaluation performed by anaesthesiologists primarily aims to estimate the risk of perioperative complications and to create opportunities to optimize the patients' condition before surgery. In this study an inventory was made of the current practice of preoperative evaluation in Dutch hospitals. It was estimated how many hospitals had implemented an outpatient preoperative evaluation clinic in 2004. Subsequently, current practice was compared with the results of a previous inventory (2000). It was also evaluated to what extent the guidelines of the Dutch Health Council and the Netherlands Society of Anaesthesiology were followed. ⋯ The Dutch guidelines on preoperative evaluation seem to have influenced current practice. An increase in the number of outpatient preoperative evaluation clinics was seen after the guidelines were published. The implementation of an outpatient preoperative clinic seems to warrant that anaesthesiologists are carrying out the activities prescribed by the guidelines. Most hospitals without a clinic aim to implement one in the future.