Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[The use of pulse oximetry in prilocaine induced methemoglobinemia].
During the last 15 years pulse oximetry has become a widely accepted method of monitoring during general and local anaesthesia. Pulse oximeters measuring with two wave-lengths are considerably affected by dyshaemoglobin. At concentrations up to 30%, CO-Hb cannot be distinguished from O2-Hb. ⋯ The reasons for the different sensitivity are probably the different algorithms used by the manufacturers. In spite of the good correlations we can not recommend Met-Hb estimation by pulse oximetry measurement with two wave-lengths, because the distinction of hypoxia and Met-Hb its not possible when hyperoxic conditions are not stable as they were in our controlled study. A low psO2 measured in patients with normal arterial blood gases can be an indication of Met-Hb, but the exact measurement of dyshaemoglobin is only possibly by using a co-oximeter.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[The effect of puncture needle on the subarachnoid catheter position in continuous spinal ansthesia].
The subarachnoid position of the microcatheter has an impact on the outcome of continuous spinal anaesthesia (CSA). The present prospective, randomised study investigated the influence of two different spinal needles on the radiographically documented subarachnoid positions of microcatheters in CSA. In addition, the influence of the subarachnoid position of the microcatheter on onset time of analgesia, dose requirement of local anaesthetics, and level of analgesia was examined. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS. Sprotte needles provide a higher number of cranially directed microcatheters, which are associated with faster onset of analgesia, lower dose requirement of local anaesthetics, and higher analgesic levels in CSA. The results suggest more effectiveness and probably more safety in microcatheter CSA using Sprotte needles for catheter insertion.
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The goal of therapy in patients with severe head injury is to avoid secondary brain damage. Analgesia and sedation are an essential part of the therapy, and several drugs are in current use. However, few controlled clinical trials have been performed so far, and none of these drugs has proved to be superior. ⋯ More clinical studies are warranted. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a physiological substance, which has only sporadically been investigated for sedation in patients with head trauma. The few available studies show beneficial res
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Cerebral blood flow autoregulation, CO2 reactivity and the pressure-volume relationship may be impaired or abolished in patients with intracranial mass lesions, brain trauma, cerebral vasospasm or increased cerebral elastance. Sedatives, analgetics, and anesthetics may induce major changes in cerebral blood flow, cerebral metabolism and intracranial pressure (ICP). The inadequate use of these drugs may aggravate the preexisting intracranial pathology and may worsen outcome. ⋯ Ketamine may increase ICP specifically in subjects with spontaneous ventilation. With mechanical hyperventilation and constant systemic hemodynamics, ketamine fails to increase ICP in most of the patients. Alpha-2-adrenergic agonists produce no significant changes in ICP, although there may be a transient decrease in ICP with lower doses.
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AIMS AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Intensive care patients are exposed to a number of noxious stimuli. They require individual analgesia and sedation to reduce and moderate the stress response to endogenous and exogenous stressors. In patients with SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome), pathophysiological conditions with multiple organ dysfunction or failure demand special efforts and a specific regimen of analgosedation. The main goals are the absence of cardiocirculatory depression or, if at all possible, cardiocirculatory stabilization, absence of negative pulmonary, renal, hepatic and immunological side effects, preservation of a moderate stress response, and vertical and horizontal control appropriate to the clinical situation.