Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1997
Hyperosmotic-hyperoncotic solutions during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) resection.
A largely positive perioperative fluid balance during both elective and emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (AAA) may put patients at risk of developing left ventricular failure and may thus contribute to morbidity. In the present paper we report on a prospective study using hyperosmotic-hyperonocotic solutions (HHS) infused during clamping of the aorta, for the prevention of declamping shock, and the associated reduction in perioperative fluid requirements. The major aim of this paper was to determine the efficacy of an HHS infusion when given over 20 minutes and to detect possible adverse effects of HHS. ⋯ The perioperative fluid balance of patients receiving HHS was 2471.0 +/- 948.6 ml, which was significantly less than + 3386.7 +/- 1247.9 ml of controls (P < 0.01). We suggest that HHS opens new perspectives in perioperative fluid management of both elective and emergency AAA repair, since hemodynamic parameters are improved and the overall fluid balance is less positive, thus decreasing the likelihood of edema formation. Moreover, the previously described positive microcirculatory effects of HHS may be particular beneficial in some high-risk patients.
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Psychomotor and cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients can be classified into two main categories according to etiology: disease-induced factors (metabolic disturbances, brain metastasis, pain, etc.) and treatment-related factors (drugs, antineoplastic therapy, etc.). In particular, the effects of chronic opioid administration in cancer patients have been subjected to investigations, and most studies have been engaged in assessment and treatment of the cerebral dysfunction. Early studies found that cancer patients in chronic oral opioid therapy had prolonged continuous reaction times, and that the opioids seemed to be mainly responsible for the prolongation. ⋯ Large doses of opioids are often required to control severe pain in cancer patients. As increased sedation and impaired psychomotor and cognitive functions often occur, a number of studies have investigated the use of amphetamine derivatives to counteract the sedative side-effects of opioid. These drugs seem promising during high-dose opioid therapy and their use may be particularly rewarding in poor opioid-responsive pain conditions such as incident and neuropathic pain.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1997
Epidural analgesia following upper abdominal surgery: United Kingdom practice.
Epidural Analgesia (EA) may be used to provide pain relief after upper abdominal surgery. A variety of drugs and combinations may be used. Potential side effects lead some to believe EA should be restricted to high care areas. ⋯ EA is widely used in the United Kingdom following upper abdominal surgery. A degree of consensus exists on the choice of drug types, their method of administration and duration. There is no consensus as to whether the technique should be used on a general ward, which opioid should be used or the timing of heparin.
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Cancer pain generally responds in a predictable way to analgesic drugs and drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment. A small proportion of patients, of the order of 20%, have pain that does not respond well to conventional analgesic management. Because opioid analgesics are the most important part of this pharmacological approach, a terminology has developed which centres around whether or not pain will respond to opioid analgesics. ⋯ The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear but abnormal metabolism of morphine is not the cause of a poor response to this drug. Patients with opioid-poorly-responsive-pain should be considered for treatment with the same opioid by an alternative (spinal) route or with an alternative opioid agonist administered by the same route (whether oral or parenteral), in conjunction with adjuvant analgesics such as tricyclic antidepressants. The most commonly used alternative oral opioids are phenazocine and methadone; transdermal fentanyl is an additional option.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1997
Effects of volatile anesthetics on the calcium ionophore A23187-mediated alterations in hepatic flow and metabolism in the perfused liver in fasted rats.
Alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis have been implicated in heptic injury. Volatile anesthetics modulate the homeostasis of intracellular calcium. The effects of volatile anesthetics on the hemodynamic and metabolic alterations induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 were studied using isolated liver perfusion in fasted rats. ⋯ All anesthetics significantly attenuated the decreases in hepatic flow and oxygen consumption after administration of A23187 at 1.6 microM. None of the anesthetics significantly influenced the A23187-induced enhancement of net lactate production. Volatile anesthetics may attenuate the hepatic vasoconstriction and oxygen debt induced by intracellular calcium overload.