Anaesthesia
-
The increasing use of combined spinal-epidural analgesia in obstetric practice has arisen from a desire to achieve a rapid onset of analgesia while reducing the intensity of the motor block. Although the procedure has an excellent safety profile, as with any technique there are potential problems. ⋯ We present a case in which the use of 0.5% bupivacaine to top-up the epidural component of a combined spinal-epidural resulted in a total spinal block. The possible causes of this complication are discussed.
-
Thirty unpremedicated ASA physical status 1-3 patients aged between 18 and 69 years, scheduled for upper limb surgery, received a conventional supraclavicular brachial plexus block using a nerve stimulator and bupivacaine 0.375% 0.5 ml.kg-1. Spirometric measurements of pulmonary function and ultrasonographic assessments of diaphragmatic function were made before the block and at 10-min intervals after injection until full motor block of the brachial plexus had developed. ⋯ Those with complete paralysis all showed significant decreases in pulmonary function, whereas those with reduced or normal movement had minimal change. All patients remained asymptomatic throughout, with normal oxygen saturation on room air.
-
We measured the concentrations of serum nitrates/nitrites and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate as markers of nitric oxide synthesis in patients with or without septic shock for 5 days following admission to intensive care. We found that nitrate/nitrite concentrations, when corrected for the effect of renal failure, were significantly higher in patients with septic shock, both on admission and in the final samples drawn. In a logistic regression analysis, the rate of change of nitrate/nitrite concentration was associated with survival to day 28 (falling in survivors). The concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate when corrected for the confounding effects of renal function and platelet count, was only associated with the septic shock group on admission.