Journal of clinical anesthesia
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This is a population-based study of the safety of obstetrical anesthesia in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts between 1954 and 1985. We used data collected by the state Committee on Maternal Mortality, which was founded in 1941. There were a total of 37 maternal deaths during the study period due to anesthetic-related complications. ⋯ During the second decade, cardiovascular collapse associated with regional anesthesia was the primary cause of death. During the last decade of this study, all deaths were associated with general endotracheal anesthesia. As a result of this study and having identified the changes in the standard of care in Massachusetts that led to the reduction in maternal mortality, we offer recommendations to further improve the safety of anesthesia for childbirth in this country.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Partial attenuation of hemodynamic responses to rapid sequence induction and intubation with labetalol.
The effectiveness of labetalol (a combination nonselective beta and alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) in modifying hemodynamic responses associated with rapid sequence induction and tracheal intubation was evaluated. In a double-blind study, 24 ASA physical status I or II male patients scheduled for elective surgery were given either IV labetalol, 0.25 mg/kg (n = 8) or 0.75 mg/kg (n = 8), or a saline placebo (n = 8). Five minutes later, patients were given oxygen by mask and IV vecuronium, 0.01 mg/kg. ⋯ Within 30 seconds after intubation, patients in all three groups exhibited increases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, total peripheral resistance, and rate pressure product and a decrease in stroke volume. However, patients in the 0.25 and 0.75 mg/kg labetalol groups, compared to those in the placebo group, had significantly lower increases in peak heart rate (33 +/- 2 and 27 +/- 3 vs. 44 +/- 7 beats/minute), peak mean arterial pressure (38 +/- 6 and 38 +/- 7 vs. 58 +/- 7 mmHg), and peak rate pressure product (7,726 +/- 260 and 7,215 +/- 300 vs. 14,023 +/- 250 units). The results show that these doses of labetalol significantly blunt, but do not completely block, autonomic responses to rapid sequence induction and intubation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Attenuation of the hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation with preinduction intravenous labetalol.
Endotracheal intubation following anesthesia induction frequently produces hypertension and tachycardia. This study evaluated the efficacy of preinduction IV labetalol for attenuating the hemodynamic responses to intubation following thiopental and succinylcholine induction of anesthesia. Two hours after diazepam (10 mg by mouth), 60 patients were randomized in a double-blind manner and received IV saline or labetalol at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1 mg/kg in a parallel design study. ⋯ All doses of labetalol significantly attenuated the rate-pressure product increase immediately postintubation versus placebo. There was a dose-dependent attenuation of the increases in heart rate and the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures versus placebo following intubation. IV labetalol at doses up to 0.75 mg/kg offers an effective pharmacologic means of attenuating preoperative hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation.
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Apneic, anesthetized patients frequently develop airway obstruction or may be disconnected from ventilatory support. The rate of PaCO2 rise is usually assumed to be equal to that of anesthetized humans who are receiving apneic oxygenation. Apneic oxygenation may eliminate CO2 because it requires a continuous O2 flow. ⋯ Piecewise linear approximation yielded a PaCO2 increase of 12 mmHg during the first minute of apnea, and 3.4 mmHg/minute thereafter. These values should be employed when estimating the duration of apnea from PaCO2 change for anesthetized patients who lack ventilatory support. In addition, it appears that the flows of O2 that most earlier investigators used when delivering apneic oxygenation probably did not eliminate significant CO2 quantities.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Onset of action between bupivacaine 0.5% and bupivacaine 0.5% plus fentanyl 75 mcg.
This study tested the hypothesis that the addition of fentanyl 75 mcg to bupivacaine 0.5% at the onset of epidural anesthesia for cesarean section reduces the onset time for T4 sensory blockade. The study was conducted in a randomized, double-blind fashion. The same observer performed sensory testing using pain to pinprick. ⋯ For group 1, the mean times for sensory loss at T7, T6, T5, and T4 were 13.1 +/- 3.8 minutes, 15.0 +/- 4.0 minutes, 16.9 +/- 4.3 minutes, and 19.3 +/- 4.9 minutes, respectively; for group 2, the mean times were 8.1 +/- 0.9 minutes, 9.9 +/- 1.1 minutes, 11.3 +/- 1.5 minutes, and 12.7 +/- 2.0 minutes, respectively. Two-factor analysis of variance between groups 1 and 2 showed a significant difference (p less than 0.0001), representing a 35% reduction of mean onset time. The coefficient of variation of the mean onset times for group 1 subjects was 26.6% +/- 1.7% and for group 2 subjects 12.7% +/- 2.2% (p less than 0.001), representing a 50% reduction in between-subject variation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)