Paediatric anaesthesia
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We suggested a loading dose (20 mg · kg(-1) ) followed by 10 mg · kg(-1) q6h of intravenous (IV) paracetamol to achieve an effect compartment concentration of 11 mg · l(-1) in neonates. Since there are no pharmacodynamic data to support such an effect compartment concentration, pain scores collected in neonates treated with an IV paracetamol loading dose (20 mg · kg(-1) ) were used to validate this effect compartment concentration. ⋯ Intravenous paracetamol is effective for moderate pain. An effect compartment concentration of 10 mg · l(-1) (loading dose of 20 mg · kg(-1) ) is associated with a pain score reduction of 3.4 LNPS units. This analysis suggests a similar paracetamol effect compartment concentration in neonates compared to children.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2013
Absorption characteristics of epidural levobupivacaine with adrenaline and clonidine in children.
To determine if the addition of adrenaline, clonidine, or their combination altered the pharmacokinetic profile of levobupivacaine administered via the caudal epidural route in children. ⋯ The addition of adrenaline decreases the rate of levobupivacaine systemic absorption, reducing peak concentration by half. Levobupivacaine concentrations with adrenaline adjuvant were reduced compared to plain levobupivacaine for up to 3.5 hours. Clonidine as an adjuvant results in faster systemic absorption of levobupivacaine and similar concentration time profile to levobupivacaine alone. Adding adrenaline with clonidine does not alter the concentration profile observed with adrenaline alone.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2013
Case ReportsAn unexpected cause of cardiac arrest during laparoscopy in an infant with supravalvar aortic stenosis.
Patients with congenital supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) with associated biventricular outflow tract obstruction and coronary artery abnormalities have a tenuous myocardial oxygen supply/demand relationship. They are at increased risk of acute myocardial ischemia and sudden death, especially during anesthesia. Furthermore, resuscitation during cardiac arrest is frequently unsuccessful. We report a case of perioperative cardiac arrest due to an unexpected cause in a 2 month old with SVAS during a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Jan 2013
Delivery interaction between co-infused medications: an in vitro modeling study of microinfusion.
To test the hypothesis that steady-state drug delivery by continuous infusion is predictably affected by a second drug infusion in the same lumen. ⋯ We confirmed the hypothesis that delivery of one infused drug is transiently affected by starting or stopping a second drug infusion in the same line. The magnitude of the changes can be estimated quantitatively. The clinical impact depends on the drugs being co-infused and patient sensitivity, but could be clinically important; the findings have safety implications for infused medication delivery to critically ill or anesthetized children. We recommend minimizing infusion system dead volumes, connecting the most essential infusion(s) to the main fluid pathway as close as possible to the patient, and recognizing the potential for unintended alterations in delivery when multiple drugs co-infuse.