Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe ProSeal laryngeal mask airway size selection in male and female patients in an Asian population.
The aim of this study was to investigate if size 5 compared with size 4 ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in Asian men and size 4 compared with size 3 ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) in Asian women, would give a better glottic seal. We conducted a randomized crossover study involving 30 male and 30 female patients of Asian origin. Size 4 and size 5 PLMA were studied in men and size 3 and size 4 PLMA were studied in women. ⋯ The mean volume of air required to achieve an intracuff pressure of 60 cmH2O was less than the maximum recommended by the manufacturers. The size 5 PLMA in Asian men and size 4 PLMA in Asian women resulted in a more effective glottic seal. The use of size 5 PLMA in Asian men led to increased mucosal injury.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2005
Evaluation of random plasma cortisol and the low dose corticotropin test as indicators of adrenal secretory capacity in critically ill patients: a prospective study.
It is unclear whether a random plasma cortisol measurement and the corticotropin (ACTH) test adequately reflect glucocorticoid secretory capacity in critical illness. This study aimed to determine whether these tests provide information representative of the 24 hour period. Plasma cortisol was measured hourly for 24 hours in 21 critically ill septic patients followed by a corticotropin test with 1 microg dose administered intravenously. ⋯ We conclude that although random cortisol measurements and the low dose corticotropin tests reliably reflect the 24 hour mean cortisol in critical illness, they do not take into account the pulsatile nature of cortisol secretion. Consequently, there is the potential for erroneous conclusions about adrenal function based on a single measurement. We suggest that caution be exercised when drawing conclusions on the adequacy of adrenal function based on a single random plasma cortisol or the corticotropin test.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2005
A novel technique for post-pyloric feeding tube placement in critically ill patients: a pilot study.
Delivery of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients is often hampered by gastric stasis necessitating direct feeding into the small intestine. Current techniques for placement of post-pyloric feeding catheters are complex, time consuming or both, and improvements in feeding tube placement techniques are required. The Cathlocator is a novel device that permits real time localisation of the end of feeding tubes via detection of a magnetic field generated by a small electric current in a coil incorporated in the tip of the tube. ⋯ The Cathlocator accurately determined the position of both tubes without complication in all cases. The Cathlocator allows placement and location of an enteral feeding tube in real time in critically ill patients with slow gastric emptying. These findings warrant further studies into the application of this technique for placement of post-pyloric feeding tubes.
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A questionnaire investigating substance abuse was sent to 128 anaesthetic departments in Australia and New Zealand of which 100 (78%) replied. Forty-four cases of substance abuse were reported. Abusers were more likely to be male, aged between 25 and 35 years and abusing opioids. ⋯ More than one precipitating cause was identified in 51% of cases, the most frequently reported were mental health and family problems. The pattern of substances abused was similar to that reported in the previous Australasian survey ten years ago. However, in keeping with an international trend, there appears to be an increased use of anaesthetic agents.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 2005
Editorial CommentSubstance abuse a decade on: so little and so far.