Anaesthesia
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We have proposed an equation for estimating the real-time mixed venous blood concentration (MVBC) of isoflurane in cardiac anaesthesia. However, information related to the application of our method to sevoflurane is lacking. We studied 12 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and anaesthetised with sevoflurane. ⋯ The inspired and expired concentrations of sevoflurane, measured by a gas monitor, were used for the MVBC calculations. Using Bland-Altman analyses, we found that the calculated MVBCs accurately represent the actual concentrations of sevoflurane in pulmonary arterial blood, as shown by a near-zero percentage bias with a 0.14% precision between the two concentrations. The results demonstrated that our equation could be a useful method for estimating the pulmonary blood concentration of sevoflurane.
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In previous studies, the incidence of dreaming during anaesthesia in children was reported to be between 9.7% and 19%. These limited studies were performed over 15 years ago using outmoded anaesthetic techniques. No recent studies have examined the nature of dreaming or its impact on children. ⋯ No association was found between dreaming and the anaesthetic drugs used. Dreaming was not associated with an increased risk of behavioural disturbances postoperatively. Anaesthetists should be reassured that dreaming is a common occurrence that does not appear to distress children.