International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Oct 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDose response study of subarachnoid diamorphine for analgesia after elective caesarean section.
Subarachnoid diamorphine provides excellent analgesia after elective caesarean section but the optimum dose is still uncertain. We therefore investigated the effects of three regimens of subarachnoid diamorphine. Forty parturients were assigned to one of four groups. ⋯ The mean (SD) dose of PCA morphine used over 24 h was 39.4 (14.7), 25.6 (16.5), 21.6 (15.9) and 3.1 (3.6) mg, and mean time to first use of morphine was 1.6 (0.5), 3.0 (1.4), 3.4 (2.4) and 14.1 (9.4) h, in the 0, 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg and 0.3 mg groups respectively. Side-effects of pruritus, nausea and vomiting were dependent on the dose of spinal diamorphine but did not require treatment in any patients. We conclude that 0.3 mg subarachnoid diamorphine provides significantly better postoperative pain relief than the smaller doses with an acceptable increase in side-effects.
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We review the evidence base for fluid management in pre-eclampsia. Current understanding of the relevant pathophysiology and the possible impact of styles of fluid management on maternal and fetal outcome are presented. There is little evidence upon which to base the management of fluid balance in pre-eclampsia. ⋯ Pulmonary oedema and oliguria receive particular attention. There is no evidence of long-term renal damage in pre-eclampsia, but there are strong suggestions that pulmonary oedema is linked to fluid administration. Monitoring is discussed and some principles of management are suggested
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Oct 1999
Anaesthetic management of parturients with the antiphospholipid syndrome: a review of 27 cases.
A description of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and associated maternal and fetal complications is presented along with a review of the management at National Women's Hospital (NWH), Auckland, of 27 pregnancies complicated by APS. Because the obstetric outcome for parturients with APS continues to improve, anaesthetists are more likely to become involved in their management. It is recommended that policies and protocols are implemented to avoid unnecessary denial of regional anaesthesia arising from confusion about any parturients anticoagulation status.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Oct 1999
Anaphylaxis during caesarean section in a patient with undiagnosed placenta accreta: it never rains but it pours!
Published guidelines exist for the management and investigation of suspected anaphylactic reactions associated with anaesthesia. We report a woman who had a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, complicated by undiagnosed placenta accreta. We discuss the particular problems of the case and the practical difficulties of testing survivors of anaphylaxis: despite following the recommendations, we have been unable to identify the cause.