Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2009
Case ReportsCombination of oral ketamine and midazolam as a premedication for a severely autistic and combative patient.
Patients with impaired ability to understand and communicate can be difficult to manage perioperatively. They frequently require lateral thinking on the part of the anesthesiologists to make the induction process as smooth as possible. ⋯ A combination of oral ketamine and midazolam was mixed in the beverage Dr Pepper to mask the taste and the appearance of the drugs. The unique flavor of Dr Pepper is well suited to increase the palatibility and the acceptability of medications in children and patients with developmental delay.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialThe impact of two arterial catheters, different in diameter and length, on postcannulation radial artery diameter, blood flow, and occlusion in atherosclerotic patients.
Arterial cannulation is a common intervention in anesthesia practice. However, the success rates and complications of radial arterial cannulation with 20-G or smaller catheters in patients with atherosclerosis have been underevaluated. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the efficacy of and complications with 20- and 22-G catheters for radial arterial cannulation in atherosclerotic patients. ⋯ A 22-gauge catheter for radial arterial cannulation in patients with atherosclerosis provides unchanged postcannulated radial artery diameter, decreases postcannulation complications, and improves the first-attempt success rate.
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There is growing evidence that early detection and response to physiological deterioration can improve outcomes for hospitalized infants, children, and adults. A rapid response system (RRS) is a multidisciplinary system to decrease the incidence of in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests by detecting a crisis event and triggering a response and by dispatching a responding team. ⋯ The system is designed to locate and respond rapidly to a suddenly critically ill patient who lacks necessary critical care resources. Over the past decade, RRSs have been widely implemented in adult practice in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavian countries.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialPremedication with dexmedetomidine and midazolam attenuates agitation after electroconvulsive therapy.
This study was designed to compare the effects of premedication with dexmedetomidine and midazolam on post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) agitation (which patients had experienced previously and had been resistant to treatment). In addition, we aimed to evaluate the duration of convulsion, the propofol requirement, the recovery time, and patients' satisfaction during and after ECT. ⋯ Premedication with low-dose intravenous dexmedetomidine, 0.5 microg x kg(-1) or midazolam, 0.025 mg x kg(-1) before ECT may be useful in managing treatment-resistant agitation after ECT, without adverse effects.
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During hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), we observed a partial recovery from neuromuscular block in a hyperthermic patient after hours of monitored adequate surgical relaxation and continuous infusion of atracurium during normothermia. This recovery is indicative of the higher clearance of atracurium during hyperthermia. ⋯ Moreover, this report illustrates the importance of monitoring muscle relaxation during HIPEC. Clinicians should be aware that the usual continuous infusion rate of atracurium at 0.3 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) may be inadequate in hyperthermic patients.