Der Anaesthesist
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Clinical Trial
[Continuous breath alcohol analysis. Monitoring of irrigation absorption syndrome in transurethral prostate resection].
The absorption of large volumes of irrigation fluid is a major problem in transurethral prostatic surgery (TUR-P). Various indicators have been tested to monitor fluid absorption with regard to continuous registration and sufficient accuracy. The volumetric fluid balance is not suitable as a routine method because of its inaccuracy. ⋯ As shown in other studies, serum Na (r2 = 0.68) and Hct (r2 = 0.39) correlated poorly with the irrigation fluid as determined by serum alcohol levels. In contrast, the expiratory alcohol measurements with the Alcotest 7110 (r2 = 0.93) and Normac devices (r2 = 0.85) were closely related. Continuous monitoring of the expiratory alcohol concentration with a Normac monitor closely reflects blood alcohol concentration, and may hence serve as a useful semiquantitative monitor of irrigation fluid absorption during TUR-P.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
[Propofol-alfentanil reduced cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity in comparison with isoflurane].
The present study compared the effects of propofol/alfentanil versus isoflurane anaesthesia on cerebral vascular reactivity to changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) using transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). METHODS. Seventeen ASA class I patients undergoing minor elective surgery were studied following IRB approval and informed consent. ⋯ The data show that although CO2 reactivity is maintained during both isoflurane and propofol/alfentanil anaesthesia, the cerebral vascular response to CO2 was lower in propofol/alfentanil compared to isoflurane patients. This is likely due to propofol/alfentanil-induced cerebral vasoconstriction. These data suggest that CO2 reactivity is a function of the pre-existing cerebral vascular tone induced by the anaesthetic.
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Pregnancy causes substantial changes in the cardiovascular system: cardiac output (40%-50%) and blood volume (40%) increase whereas systemic peripheral resistance and arterial pressure decrease. The rise in progesterone and estrogen levels accompanying pregnancy stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Increased prostaglandin production follows renin activation; simultaneously, the arterial vessels show diminished angiotensin sensitivity. ⋯ An upregulation of angiotensin receptors enhances vascular reactivity, with the consequence of high peripheral resistance. For antihypertensive therapy hydralazine, alpha-methyldopa, and magnesium sulfate are the drugs of choice. A generalised recommendation of anaesthesia for the pre-eclamptic gravida cannot be made because both general and epidural anaesthesia have risks of severe side effects.
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Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare disease of unknown aetiology involving weakness of proximal muscles, myalgia and impairment of the integument. Due to its low incidence, only few reports exist on the anaesthesiologic management of neuromuscular blockade in patients with DM considered for surgical therapy. In this setting, special attention should be given to the administration of muscle relaxants since an increased sensitivity to these drugs in neuromuscular diseases may be expected. ⋯ To date, few experiences of neuromuscular blockade with atracurium in DM have been presented, hence this report. In addition, no standard recommendations are given regarding the application of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in this context. In our case, atracurium could be implemented as a safe drug under neuromuscular monitoring.