Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Mar 1989
A new closed-system using partially frozen injectate for thermodilution cardiac output determinations.
The FI (partially frozen injectate) system, a new closed-system devised by the authors for thermodilution cardiac output determinations, has two major features: 1) it needs no ice-filled receptacle to keep injectate cold because it uses partially frozen injectate, and 2) it can go without monitoring the injectate temperatures during the whole process of cardiac output determinations. The author evaluated the accuracy and reproducibility of cardiac output determinations with the FI system in 10 critically ill patients, as compared with another closed-system (which is commercially available) and the standard open method. ⋯ Even when no monitoring of injectate temperatures was made, the predicated error in the calculated cardiac output resulted as low as 2% with the FI system. The mean cardiac output values were not statistically different between the FI system and the other two systems.
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Journal of anesthesia · Mar 1989
A new technique of identifying the epidural space "dripping infusion method".
We developed a new visual technique o identifying the epidural space, using the hydrostatic pressure produced by a suspended micro-drip intravenous apparatus. When the needle pierces the ligamentum flavum, the resistance to positive pressure disappears and the saline in the apparatus flows freely into the epidural space. Thus, the entry of the needle point into the epidural space is visually confirmed by the appearance of dripping flow in the drip bulb (dripping infusion sign). ⋯ In the remaining 11 patients (2.2%), a false dripping infusion sign appeared at the more superficial site than expected. If the pressure waveform in the epidural space is analyzed, the correct positioning of the needle can be easily confirmed. We believe that this method is one of the most accurate visual methods of identifying the epidural space and useful for teaching the epidural blockade to students and residents.
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Journal of anesthesia · Mar 1989
Effects of tracheal insufflation of oxygen (TRIO) on blood gases during external cardiac compressions in dogs under ventricular fibrillation.
Tracheal insufflation of oxygen (TRIO) is a form of constant-flow ventilation. We studied the effect of TRIO at a flow rate of 2 L/kg/min on arterial blood gases during external cardiac compressions in dogs with ventricular fibrillation. ⋯ No pulmonary barotrauma was observed. The findings suggest that TRIO might be used as a temporary measure for emergency ventilation when CPR is performed in certain situations such as upper airway abnormalities or cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting, where intermittent positive pressure ventilation is not feasible.
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To determine whether there is any systemic relationship between the distance from the skin to the epidural space and physical constitution, the distance from the skin to the epidural space was measured in 1007 epidural punctures. The distance from the skin to the epidural space in male was greater than that in female ( P < 0.001). However, the analysis of the distance from the skin to the epidural space of the selected patients who had both a weight of 50-60 kg and a height of 1.5-1.7 m indicated no statistical difference between male and female. ⋯ The correlation between the distance from the skin to the epidural space and height was less striking. Ninety-five percent of the patients who received epidural puncture at the thoraco-cervical area (C7-T2) had a distance to the epidural space of 4.0-6.9 cm; 87% at the lower-thoracic area (T8-T10), 4.0-6.9 cm; 93% at the thoraco-lumbar area (T12-L2), 3.0-4.9 cm; 85% at the mid-lumbar area (L2-L4), 3.0-4.9 cm. These results may be useful for young anesthesiologists to master epidural block safely and efficiently.
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Journal of anesthesia · Sep 1988
Effects of halothane and calcium entry blockers on atrioventricular conduction-a comparative study of verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.
The effects of halothane on AV nodal function were evaluated in dogs with verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine during atrial pacing using the technique of His-bundle electrocardiography. Fifty-one mongrel dogs were divided into six groups. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine 100 mg im. and thiamylal 25 mg/kg iv. ⋯ There were more prolongations of these variables after iv administration of verapamil (SCL; 617 +/- 35, AH; 118 +/- 7, FRP of the AV node; 311 +/- 4) and diltiazem (SCL; 554 +/- 19, AH; 118 +/- 12, FRP of the AV node; 283 +/- 12) but no prolongations after nifedipine (SCL; 533 +/- 19, AH; 99 +/- 8, FRP of the AV node; 272 +/- 9). Comparing effects of calcium entry blockers with and without halothane in groups I and II, III and IV, or V and VI, there were additive depressing effects of halothane with either verapamil or diltiazem on AV nodal function. And there is a difference between the effects of nifedipine on SCL with and without halothane.