British journal of anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Myocardial protection with volatile anaesthetic agents during coronary artery bypass surgery: a meta-analysis.
Previous studies have investigated the role of volatile anaesthetic agents in myocardial protection during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and some have identified beneficial effects. However, these studies have been too small to identify a significant effect on myocardial infarction (MI) or mortality. We undertook a systematic overview and meta-analysis of all randomized trials comparing volatile with non-volatile anaesthesia in CABG surgery. ⋯ Duration of mechanical ventilation was reduced by 2.7 h (P=0.04), and there was a 1 day decrease in hospital length of stay (P<0.001). Some of these outcomes were based on a smaller number of trials because of incomplete data, largely because the individual trials focused on one or more surrogate endpoints. We found some evidence that volatile anaesthetic agents provide myocardial protection in CABG surgery, but larger adequately powered trials with agreed, defined outcomes need to be done to fully assess a possible beneficial effect of volatile anaesthetic agents on the risk of MI and mortality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of xenon with propofol for supplementary general anaesthesia for knee replacement: a randomized study.
Xenon anaesthesia is associated with rapid recovery and may also offer protection against neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to compare xenon with propofol for supplementary general anaesthesia in patients undergoing knee replacement in spinal anaesthesia. ⋯ Xenon was well tolerated for supplementary general anaesthesia in elderly spontaneously breathing patients but supplementation may be necessary. Compared with propofol, emergence was faster with xenon. A larger sample-size is needed if cognitive function is to be addressed.
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Comparative Study
First clinical experience of tracheal intubation with the SensaScope, a novel steerable semirigid video stylet.
Problems with tracheal intubation are a major cause of anaesthesia-related morbidity and mortality. Difficulty with tracheal intubation is primarily a consequence of failure to see the vocal cords with conventional direct laryngoscopy. We report our experience with use of the SensaScope for tracheal intubation in routine clinical practice. ⋯ The SensaScope is a reliable and effective device for tracheal intubation under vision of the normal airway. It has great potential to facilitate management of difficult airway situations in anaesthetized and paralysed patients.
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Dexamethasone prevents postoperative nausea and vomiting but may increase blood glucose. We compared blood glucose concentrations after dexamethasone in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic patients undergoing surgery and looked for any association with preoperative glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA (1c)] and BMI. ⋯ After 10 mg dexamethasone, blood glucose levels increase in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetic patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Poorly controlled diabetes and severe obesity can influence the development of hyperglycaemia.
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Case Reports
Anaesthetic management of a parturient with the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a case report.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome encompasses a group of disorders characterized by orthostatic intolerance. We describe the anaesthetic management of analgesia for labour and of Caesarean section in a parturient suffering from this disorder. ⋯ Slow titration of epidural analgesia and anaesthesia after an adequate fluid preload was undertaken to minimize hypotension and subsequent tachycardia. Neuraxial opioid, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bilateral iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve blocks were used to optimize postoperative analgesia.