Der Anaesthesist
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The use of nerve stimulation is a common standard procedure for peripheral nerve blocks. However, ultrasound guidance is increasingly being used as an alternative. This study explored the relationship between needle positioning defined by ultrasound guidance and the electrical nerve stimulation before and after injection of 5% glucose solution (G5%). ⋯ With the protocol used the success of a blockade depends only on the quality of visualization. With correct ultrasound-guided needle tip positioning the electrical information seems to be skewed and doubtful.
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Review Guideline
[Diagnosis, therapy and secondary prophylaxis of acute pulmonary embolism. Presentation of and commentary on the new ESC 2008 guidelines].
Acute venous thromboembolism is a common cardiovascular emergency. Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is present in one third of these patients. ⋯ For this reason, the European Society of Cardiology published guidelines on diagnosis and therapy in 2000. The current article presents and discusses the points as updated and extended in the 2008 version of the guidelines, including: (1) initial risk stratification--when PE is already suspected; (2) diagnostic procedures and algorithms; (3) further risk stratification; (4) therapeutic strategies in the acute phase; (5) further management and (6) long-term anticoagulation and secondary prophylaxis.
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In patients with coronary stents scheduled for surgery the question arises whether and how antiplatelet therapy should be continued. Risks of perioperative bleeding and of acute stent thrombosis have to be considered simultaneously. The bleeding risk depends primarily on the kind of surgery and on patient comorbidity. ⋯ Bridging with heparin is ineffective. Bridging with intravenous antiplatelet drugs during the perioperative interruption of oral antiplatelet therapy might be a potential procedure in high-risk patients. Whether bedside monitoring of antiplatelet therapy improves the perioperative management of these patients and reduces adverse outcome is object of current studies.
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Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) of the lower extremities are effective techniques for anesthesia and postoperative pain control. So far, these techniques have been used less frequently than PNBs of the upper limb. Nevertheless, growing awareness of complications of neuroaxial techniques, improved equipment and modern techniques for nerve localization have led to an increased use of PNBs of the lower limb. ⋯ They should also know the typical complications and side-effects and thoroughly inform patients about such potential problems. Continuous PNBs (perineural catheters) allow the benefits of PNBs to be prolonged into the postoperative period. Compared to continuous neuroaxial techniques continuous PNBs are equally effective for pain control but seem to be associated with fewer complications and side-effects.