British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Warming by resistive heating maintains perioperative normothermia as well as forced air heating.
Even mild perioperative hypothermia is associated with several severe adverse effects. Resistive heating has possible advantages compared with other active warming systems because it can heat several fields independently. To assess this new warming system, we measured core temperature in patients during surgery who were warmed with circulating water mattresses, forced air covers or resistive heating covers. ⋯ Resistive heating maintains core body temperature as well as forced air heating and both are better than circulating water. Resistive heating offers the advantage of adjustable heating pods.
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The crucial role of L-type Ca(2+) channels in airway smooth muscle contraction suggests that these channels could be an important therapeutic target. There are three separate drug binding sites on this channel: those for dihydropyridines, benzothiazepines and phenyl alkylamines. In this study, we examined the effects of the dihydropyridines nifedipine and nicardipine, the benzothiazepine diltiazem, and the phenylalkylamine verapamil on airway constriction. ⋯ Although supraclinical doses of dihydropyridines and benzothiazepines can produce airway relaxant effects, these agents are unlikely to be used in the treatment of bronchoconstriction. In addition, verapamil may aggravate airway constriction.
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The role of nitrous oxide in modern anaesthesia is questioned. The routine use of nitrous oxide was almost completely stopped in our department after November 1, 2000, and we now report some consequences. ⋯ The staff questionnaire showed a strong acceptance of the new policy, and the use of other anaesthetic agents did not increase as expected. Has the value of nitrous oxide been overestimated?
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The distribution and elimination of glucose solutions can be analysed by means of a volume kinetic model, but the ability of the model to predict plasma dilution ('model linearity') has not been evaluated. ⋯ The volume kinetic model for glucose 2.5% is linear and can therefore be used for computer simulation as long as marked glycosuria does not occur.