British journal of anaesthesia
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We present an unusual complication of left internal jugular vein catheterization in an 11-week-old infant which we believe has not been described previously. After failed subclavian catheterization, a left internal jugular catheter was placed without apparent difficulty. Confirmatory chest x-ray revealed that the tip of the catheter was in the extradural space.
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S.c. infusions of morphine have been advocated for postoperative analgesia in children, but experience with this technique is limited. We report a case in which an s.c. infusion of morphine given after operation to a neonate failed to provide acceptable analgesia until the child had been adequately rehydrated. However, restoration of peripheral perfusion with a fluid challenge was followed by sudden ventilatory arrest which required resuscitation and naloxone infusion. This report emphasizes the dangers of giving morphine by a peripheral route in the dehydrated or hypovolaemic infant.
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The physiological changes occurring during pregnancy and labour may reveal or exacerbate the symptoms of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We describe the management of labour in a patient with severe HOCM during which esmolol, a short-acting beta adrenergic antagonist, was used together with extradural analgesia and invasive cardiovascular monitoring to achieve an assisted vaginal delivery with minimal haemodynamic disturbance. The effects on the infant are described and the literature on the use of esmolol in pregnancy is reviewed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Retracted Publication
Does the type of volume therapy influence endothelial-related coagulation in the critically ill?
The endothelium plays an important role in the regulation of haemostasis by producing substances such as thrombomodulin (TM). The influence of long-term volume replacement with different types of fluid on the TM-protein C-protein S system was investigated in a prospective, randomized study. Thirty trauma patients and 30 patients suffering from sepsis after major surgery received either 10% low-molecular weight (LMW) hydroxyethylstarch solution (HES-trauma, n = 15; HES-sepsis, n = 15) or 20% human albumin (HA-trauma, n = 15; HA-sepsis, n = 15) for 5 days to maintain central venous pressure (CVP) between 12 and 16 mm Hg. ⋯ TAT (indicating intravascular coagulation) did not differ between the two fluid groups. We conclude that in trauma patients, the type of volume therapy had no influence on the TM-protein C-protein S system. In sepsis patients, volume therapy with HES was beneficial, whereas infusion of HA had no substantial positive effect on endothelial-associated coagulation.