Anaesthesia
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The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the failure rate of ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block is similar in obese patients compared with non-obese patients when performed as the primary anaesthetic technique. We recruited 105 obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg.m-2 ) and 144 non-obese patients to this prospective, observational, cohort study conducted at two Canadian centres. A perineural technique of axillary brachial plexus block was performed using 30 ml ropivacaine 0.5% under real-time ultrasound guidance. ⋯ The median (IQR [range]) time to achieve a successful block in obese patients was 25 (20-30 [5-30]) min, compared with non-obese patients at 20 (15-30 [5-30]) min (p = 0.003). Despite a higher sensory-motor failure rate as per the composite score, the axillary brachial plexus block provided adequate surgical anaesthesia as indicated by a low need for conversion to general anaesthetic in obese (8.6%) and non-obese patients (7.0%; p = 0.656). This study showed that despite ultrasound guidance, obese patients had a slower onset time and higher axillary brachial plexus block failure rate at 30 min compared with non-obese patients.
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To date, data regarding the efficacy and safety of administering fibrinogen concentrate in cardiac surgery are limited. Studies are limited by their low sample size and large heterogeneity with regard to the patient population, by the timing of fibrinogen concentrate administration, and by the definition of transfusion trigger and target levels. Assessment of fibrinogen activity using viscoelastic point-of-care testing shortly before or after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in patients and procedures with a high risk of bleeding appears to be a rational strategy. ⋯ Use of cryoprecipitate as an alternative to fibrinogen concentrate might be considered to increase plasma fibrinogen levels. Although conclusive evidence is lacking, fibrinogen concentrate does not seem to increase adverse outcomes (i.e., thromboembolic events). Large prospective multi-centre studies are needed to better define the optimal perioperative monitoring tool, transfusion trigger and target levels for fibrinogen replacement in cardiac surgery.