European journal of anaesthesiology
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Comparative Study
A comparison of mivacurium infusion requirements between young and elderly adult patients.
Forty-one patients of ASA classes I or II, undergoing elective surgery, were divided into two groups: young, 18-41 years (mean 31), and elderly, 64-79 years (mean 71). The integrated evoked compound electromyogram of the adductor pollicis muscle elicited by stimulation of the ulnar nerve was used to monitor the neuromuscular block of the non-depolarizing muscle relaxant mivacurium. An initial dose of mivacurium 0.15 mg kg-1 allowed six excellent, nine good, three adequate and three poor intubations in the young group, and nine excellent, eight good, three adequate and no poor intubations in the elderly group. ⋯ The elderly group's requirements decreased from the start, to 78.5% (0.39 mg kg-1 h-1). The difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). After the first 30 min, both groups requirements decreased, with time, but with no statistically significant differences.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison between ketorolac and diclofenac in laparoscopic sterilization.
We compared ketorolac and diclofenac for the prevention and treatment of post-operative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. Fifty ASA I or II women were allocated randomly to receive either diclofenac 75 mg or ketorolac 30 mg intramuscularly 30-90 min before general anaesthesia. Pain scores were assessed half-hourly in the recovery room and then at 2 h and 4 h in the ward. ⋯ Pain at the injection site was more common after diclofenac than ketorolac (12 vs. 3, P < 0.05). In conclusion, both intramuscular diclofenac and ketorolac were relatively ineffective in controlling the pain after laparoscopic sterilization. The drugs were equally well tolerated, but more patients complained of pain at the injection site after diclofenac.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effect of a radiant heater on post-operative hypothermia: comparison with a reflective blanket.
Thirty patients with post-operative hypothermia following major surgery (thoracic, abdominal, orthopaedic) were allocated randomly to either active warming with a radiant heater (500 W) or passive rewarming with a reflective blanket. Rectal temperature, mean skin temperature (at four measuring sites), continuous haemoglobin saturation and shivering were measured for 2 h post-operatively. Although post-operative heat supply with a radiant heater resulted in faster rewarming, there were no differences between the two groups with respect to haemoglobin saturation and shivering.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Optimum time for neostigmine administration to antagonize vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.
We followed the recovery time course in 46 patients antagonized by neostigmine (0.036 mg kg-1) at different levels of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade ranging from post-tetanic count 1 to train-of-four ratio 0.4 and in 15 patients during spontaneous recovery. Non-linear regression curve fit analyses showed that the optimal time for neostigmine administration was when the first twitch in the train of four (T1) was between 1% and 10%. ⋯ To achieve the optimum effect, neostigmine must therefore be given 32.6 min plus the required time for peak effect of neostigmine (5.3-7.1 min), i.e. 37.9-39.7 min, before train-of-four ratio 0.7 is reached. During spontaneous recovery this corresponds to a T1 between 1% and 15%.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effects of midazolam followed by administration of either vecuronium or atracurium on the QT interval in humans.
Prolongation of the QT interval may produce potentially hazardous dysrhythmias. The effects on the QT interval of midazolam followed by administration of either vecuronium or atracurium have been investigated. Thirty patients, ASA I or II, without cardiovascular problems, electrolyte abnormalities or receiving any medication were studied. ⋯ Midazolam followed by administration of either vecuronium or atracurium did not produce any significant change in QTc interval (QT interval corrected for heart rate). Statistically significant prolongation of QTc was observed in both groups after intubation, although the mean QTc values did not exceed the upper limits of normal. Heart rate and arterial pressure were also increased significantly in both groups after intubation.