British journal of anaesthesia
-
Tracheal pressure (P(tr)) is required to measure the resistance of the tracheal tube and the breathing circuit. P(tr) can either be measured with a catheter or, alternatively, calculated from the pressure-flow data available from the ventilator. ⋯ The good agreement between calculated and measured P(tr) during varying conditions, suggests that calculating P(tr) could help setting the ventilator and choosing the appropriate level of support.
-
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after fast-track cardiac anaesthesia, risk factors for PONV and its influence on the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ The incidence of PONV is relatively low after FTCA and does not prolong ICU stay. Prophylactic administration of anti-emetic drugs before FTCA is not necessary.
-
Pain disaggregation theory--statistical nonsense or a pointer to a paradigm for quantum nociception?
The various patterns of patients' experience of treated acute post-thoracotomy pain exemplify the phenomenon of disaggregation. The intent in this study was to define a theory of disaggregation with a hard-wired neuroanatomical model of thoracotomy pain. ⋯ This information could underpin a paradigm of quantum nociception, and has potential to quantify aspects of analgesia practice and current and future neurophysiological theories of pain. Prospective studies are warranted.
-
Neuraxial blockade reduces the requirements for sedation and general anaesthesia. We investigated whether lidocaine spinal anaesthesia affected cortical activity as determined by EEG desynchronization that occurs following electrical stimulation of the midbrain reticular formation (MRF). ⋯ These results suggest that lidocaine spinal anaesthesia blocks ascending somatosensory transmission to mildly depress the excitability of reticulo-thalamo-cortical arousal mechanisms.