Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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To evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of red blood cell leukoreduction in reducing postoperative infection, mortality and cancer recurrence, two meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted. ⋯ We demonstrated that patients who were transfused leukoreduced red blood cells might benefit from a decrease in postoperative infections. A decrease in mortality may have been realized if more patients had been enrolled in the various randomized trials. Including all patients randomized, regardless of whether or not they were actually transfused diluted the observed clinical benefit of leukoreduction.
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To determine whether the use of cell salvage reduces the proportion of patients receiving at least one unit of allogeneic packed red blood cells during the perioperative period of an elective vascular surgery. ⋯ Cell salvage, a commonly used technique to recover red cells from the operative field, has been the subject of several studies in vascular surgery. There is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of cell salvage in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm and aorto-femoral bypass surgeries. A large RCT would elucidate whether cell salvage is effective as a blood conservation technique.
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Clinical Trial
Sedation with sufentanil in patients receiving pressure support ventilation has no effects on respiration: a pilot study.
To evaluate the effects of sedation with sufentanil on respiratory drive, respiratory pattern, and gas exchange of critically ill patients during pressure support ventilation. ⋯ A continuous infusion of sufentanil induces "awake" sedation with no detectable effects on respiratory variables in critically ill patients during partial ventilatory support.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Forehead is as sensitive as finger pulse oximetry during general anesthesia.
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With the advent of competency-based curriculum, technology such as full scale computer simulators have acquired an increasingly important role in anesthesia both in training and evaluation. This article reviews the current role of full scale computer simulators in teaching and evaluation in anesthesia. ⋯ As technology acquires an increasingly important role in medical education, full scale computer simulators represent an exciting potential in anesthesia. However, the full potential and role of simulators in anesthesia is still in development and will require a dovetailing of clinical theory and practice with current research in medical education.