European journal of anaesthesiology
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Previous studies have shown that general anaesthetic agents modulate the production of hypothalamic prostaglandins (PG) D2 and E2, which are mediators of sleep and wakefulness respectively. Although flurbiprofen, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, is used clinically as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent and postoperative analgesic, it reduces prostaglandin production. Thus, this agent may affect the depth of sedation during general anaesthesia. In this study, we examined if flurbiprofen affects the bispectral index, which correlates with sedation levels. ⋯ Clinical dose of flurbiprofen axetil does not alter the bispectral index and 95% spectral edge frequency under total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl.
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Computers offer the potential for the assessment of children who have difficulties in communication and cannot describe pain using conventional approaches. Such approaches must be reliable and valid. As a preliminary step towards this goal, the validity and reliability of a computer-assisted pain assessment for children (MacInterview) was assessed using children with no known disabilities who had undergone surgery. ⋯ The procedure shows promise and is likely to merit further development for children showing difficulties in communication.
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The addition of alfentanil or atracurium to lidocaine solution for intravenous regional anaesthesia of the arm may have advantages with respect to improved muscle relaxation and better analgesia. The study investigates these possibilities. ⋯ No clinical benefits of adding alfentanil or atracurium to lidocaine solution for intravenous regional anaesthesia of the arm could be shown.
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The study investigated the effect of acute normovolaemic haemodilution on haemodynamics, blood flow and oxygen transport variables with regard to skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation in a canine model. ⋯ In acute normovolaemic haemodilution to the level of Hct of 25%, the ratio between tPO2 and cardiac index decreases in the healthy dog, indicating an uneconomic relation at the threshold of Hct of 25%.
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The aim was to examine the immediate effects of short-term anaesthesia on the different components of psychomotor performance of the upper extremity and cognitive functions, and to find out if there were any differences in the sensitivities of the different tests. The measured psychomotor aspects were simple reaction time, choice reaction time, speed of movement, index finger-tapping speed, co-ordination, visual spatial memory capacity, digit-symbol substitution and the Maddox Wing test. ⋯ Based on the results, it seems that short-term anaesthesia reduces both signal processing at the central level, and motor control and co-ordination of movements at the peripheral level, and has a decreasing effect on motor performance in the above-mentioned aspects measured immediately after wake-up.