British journal of anaesthesia
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Skilful surgery combined with blood-saving methods and careful management of blood coagulation will all help reduce unnecessary blood loss and transfusion requirements. Excessive surgical bleeding causes hypovolaemia, haemodynamic instability, anaemia and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, with a subsequent increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Now, several pharmacological haemostatic agents are being used by anaesthetists as blood-saving agents. After a brief discussion of the physiology of haemostasis, this article will review the evidence for the role of such agents in reducing perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Fast-tracking (bypassing the PACU) does not reduce nursing workload after ambulatory surgery.
Postoperative day-case patients are usually allowed to recover from anaesthesia in a postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) before transfer back to the day surgical unit (DSU). Bypassing the PACU can decrease recovery time after day surgery. Cost savings may result from a reduced nursing workload associated with the decreased recovery time. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of bypassing the PACU on patient recovery time and nursing workload and costs. ⋯ Bypassing the PACU after these short outpatient procedures significantly decreases recovery time without compromising patient satisfaction. However, the overall nursing workload and the associated cost were not significantly affected.
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Left ventricular stroke volume variation (SVV) has been shown to be a predictor of fluid responsiveness in various subsets of patients. However, the accuracy and reliability of SVV are unproven in patients ventilated with low tidal volumes. ⋯ In patients after CABG surgery who were ventilated with low tidal volumes, SVV enabled prediction of fluid responsiveness and assessment of the haemodynamic effects of volume loading.
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Xenon is a narcotic gas that might be able to replace volatile anaesthetics or nitrous oxide due to its favourable pharmacological properties, such as providing haemodynamic stability. Intestinal oxygenation is affected by most volatile anaesthetics as a result of cardiodepressive effects. Reducing oxygenation of the gut might be a factor leading to perioperative organ dysfunction. This animal study was designed to assess the effects of xenon on intestinal oxygenation. ⋯ Xenon, in addition to basic i.v. anaesthesia, elicited a decrease in cardiac output and maintained mean arterial pressure. Intestinal oxygenation was maintained, although regional macrohaemodynamic perfusion decreased. Xenon does not impair intestinal oxygenation under physiological conditions.