British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Cardiac output measurement in children: comparison of Aesculon cardiac output monitor and thermodilution.
We compared cardiac output (CO) measurements by the non-invasive electrical velocimetry (Aesculon) monitor with the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) thermodilution method in children. ⋯ Electrical velocimetry using the Aesculon monitor did not provide reliable CO values when compared with PAC thermodilution. Whether the Aesculon monitor can be used as a CO trend monitor has to be assessed by further investigations in patients with changing haemodynamics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the effects of gelatin and a modern hydroxyethyl starch solution on renal function and inflammatory response in elderly cardiac surgery patients.
The effects of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) 130/0.4 6% and gelatin 4% on inflammation, endothelial integrity, and renal function after cardiac surgery were compared. ⋯ In cardiac surgery patients aged >80 years, volume therapy with HES 130/0.4 6% was associated with less marked changes in kidney function and a less marked endothelial inflammatory response than gelatin 4%.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of high- and low-dose intrathecal morphine for spinal fusion in children.
The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the blood-sparing effect, the quality of analgesia, and the incidence of side-effects of a low-dose regime of intrathecal opioids (ITO) when compared with those of a high-dose regime in scoliosis surgery in children. ⋯ Intrathecal administration of opioids significantly reduces blood loss and postoperative opioid demand, thereby showing side-effects comparable with the control group. These effects were already seen with the low-dose regimen and high dose did not further improve efficacy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Infusion of hypertonic saline before elective hysterectomy: effects on cytokines and stress hormones.
Infusion of hypertonic saline provides early haemodynamic benefits and may affect the immune system. It is unknown if infusion of hypertonic saline affects plasma cytokines and stress hormones after surgery. ⋯ Infusion of a clinically relevant dose of hypertonic saline before hysterectomy appears to have limited effect on the postoperative concentration of selected plasma cytokines and the hormonal stress-response.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Topical anaesthesia and intravenous cannulation success in paediatric patients: a randomized double-blind trial.
It is not known whether the choice of topical anaesthetic influences the likelihood of successful i.v. cannulation in the paediatric population. The null hypothesis of this study was that no difference exists in the initial success rate of cannulation between two commonly used topical anaesthetics. ⋯ No difference exists in the cannulation success rates between the two anaesthetics. The choice of topical anaesthetic in paediatric cannulation should be based on other factors such as cost, time to anaesthesia, efficacy of the agent, and adverse effect profile.