Anaesthesia
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The classical 'cascade/waterfall' hypothesis formulated to explain in vitro coagulation organised the amplification processes into the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Recent molecular biology and clinical data indicate that tissue factor/factor-VII interaction is the primary cellular initiator of coagulation in vivo. ⋯ Tissue factor is also a signalling receptor. Recent evidence has shown that blood-borne tissue factor has an important procoagulant function in sepsis, atherosclerosis and cancer, and other functions beyond haemostasis such as immune function and metastases.
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We evaluated the near-infrared spectroscopy based tissue haemoglobin index for continuous non-invasive monitoring of haemoglobin concentration during paediatric surgery. Blood samples from 40 children (from birth to 16 years old) were analysed oximetrically. ⋯ Sensitivity and specificity of tissue haemoglobin index were 73.1% and 70.0%, respectively, for predicting falling haemoglobin concentration values. Currently, the tissue haemoglobin index is not suitable for monitoring haemoglobin concentration in children undergoing surgery.
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Editorial Comment Review
Ideal peri-operative management of patients with cardiovascular disease: the quest continues.