British journal of anaesthesia
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The ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is a new device designed to isolate the airway from the digestive tract. ⋯ The PLMA can be positioned reliably. It can isolate the airway from fluid in the hypopharynx.
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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited, potentially fatal, pharmocogenetic disorder triggered by certain anaesthetic agents. In light of the reported genetic heterogeneity for the disorder and the recent introduction of DNA testing guidelines for the trait, we have assessed the role of the CACNA1S gene in MH susceptibility in UK patients. Linkage to this locus has previously been demonstrated in several European MH families. ⋯ Defects in CACNA1S are not a major cause of MH in the UK population. Diagnostic screening of this gene is unlikely to be of value to UK MH patients in the near future.
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This study was designed to examine whether the coupling between oxygen consumption (VO2) and cardiac output (CO) is maintained during xenon anaesthesia. ⋯ Metabolic regulation of blood flow is maintained during xenon anaesthesia, but cardiovascular stability is accompanied by increased VO2. The increase in VO2 is independent of the autonomic nervous system and is probably caused by direct stimulation of the cellular metabolic rate.