Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial
One-year outcome of the sevoflurane in acute myocardial infarction randomized trial.
Sevoflurane is an inhalation anesthetic that has cardioprotective effects. There is limited information regarding its use outside of the operating room and its potential protective effect for patients presenting with myocardial infarction. ⋯ In this study, we did not find an effect of sevoflurane on left ventricular function or myocardial injury at one year post STEMI. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov ; identifier: NCT00971607.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A randomized trial comparing axillary block versus targeted intracluster injection supraclavicular block for upper limb surgery.
This randomized trial aimed to validate a new method for brachial plexus blockade, i.e., targeted intracluster injection supraclavicular block (TII SCB), by comparing it with ultrasound-guided axillary block (AXB). We hypothesized that TII SCB would result in a shorter total anesthesia-related time. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided TII SCB provides a quicker onset and a shorter total anesthesia-related time than ultrasound-guided AXB.
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Investigation of adverse events associated with anesthetic procedures is a method of quality control that identifies topics to improve clinical care and patient safety. Most research to date has been based on closed claim registries and anonymous reports which have specific limitations. Therefore, to evaluate a hospital's reporting system, the present study was designed to describe critical incidents that anesthesiologists voluntarily and non-anonymously reported through an anesthesia information management system. ⋯ Accurate measurement and monitoring of critical incidents is crucial for patient safety. Despite the risk of underreporting and probable misclassification of manual reporting systems, our results give a comprehensive overview on the occurrence of voluntarily reported anesthesia-related critical incidents. This overview can direct development of a new reporting system and preventive strategies to decrease the future occurrence of critical incidents.
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Case Reports
Failure of metyrosine therapy for preoperative management of pheochromocytoma: a case report.
Pheochromocytomas (PHEOS) are rare catecholamine-secreting adrenal tumours requiring surgical resection. Preoperative alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade to prevent intraoperative hypertension has traditionally been achieved with phenoxybenzamine. Due to changes in the availability of phenoxybenzamine in Canada, alternate therapies are needed for patients. We report our first experience using metyrosine, a tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor, for preoperative management in a symptomatic patient with a unilateral PHEO. ⋯ In the case of this patient's PHEO, the use of metyrosine was unsatisfactory in achieving sufficient inhibition of catecholamine synthesis as evidenced by significant intraoperative hypertension. Metyrosine could have a role in preoperative management of these patients, but it may not be optimal as monotherapy for some patients with actively secreting tumours.