British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Bispectral index: comparison of two montages.
We have compared fronto-central and bifrontal montages using a new EEG monitor, the Aspect A-1000. The monitor uses bispectral analysis to derive an index of anaesthetic depth, the bispectral index (BIS). We compared reliability, impedance and BIS for each montage. ⋯ However, BIS values derived from each montage were found to differ in an unpredictable manner. The bifrontal montage is easy to apply and reliable but it is not comparable with a fronto-central montage. We conclude that the BIS may be useful for following trends in anaesthetic depth in individual cases but it is less helpful when making comparison between patients or as a single value.
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Sevoflurane for difficult intubation in children.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Laryngoscopy and fibreoptic intubation in acromegalic patients.
Acromegaly is recognized as a cause of difficulty in airway management and tracheal intubation. We evaluated prospectively the conditions for laryngoscopy and fibreoptic intubation in 15 acromegalic patients. Each patient served as his or her own control. ⋯ The larynx could not be seen with both techniques in one patient, and the trachea was intubated blindly with the help of an introducer. Our results showed that fibreoptic intubation may prove difficult or fail in acromegalic patients. Difficulties in seeing the vocal cords with a fibrescope were present most often in patients who also had probable intubation difficulties with a rigid laryngoscope.
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An end-stage renal failure patient, receiving chronic treatment with the anticonvulsants, sodium valproate and primidone, showed accelerated recovery with enhanced elimination (T1/2(z) = 52 min) and clearance (Cl = 14.4 ml min-1 kg-1) of rocuronium. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of rocuronium in this patient are compared with those published for healthy and renal failure patients. Increased hepatic binding of rocuronium rather than metabolism is suggested as the possible cause of this effect.
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Thrombelastography (TEG) correlates with postoperative chest drain output in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In vitro incubation with heparinase allows TEG monitoring during CPB, despite heparin anticoagulation. Hypothermia impairs coagulation, but these effects cannot be assessed by standard coagulation tests performed at 37 degrees C. ⋯ Maximum amplitude (MA), reflecting absolute clot strength, was not affected at temperatures of 33-37 degrees C. These findings indicate a decrease in the speed of clot formation, but not absolute deterioration in clot quality. Furthermore, heparinase-modified TEG indicated that there were nine cases in which heparin effects persisted after heparin reversal with protamine, providing a rational guide to protamine therapy.