British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Population pharmacokinetics of tranexamic acid in adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Interest in antifibrinolytic tranexamic acid (TA) has grown since the widespread removal of aprotinin, but its dosing during cardiac surgery is still debated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of TA given with either low- or high-dose continuous infusion schemes in adult cardiac surgery patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ The PK of TA was satisfactorily described by an open two-compartmental model, which was used to propose a dosing scheme suitable for obtaining and maintaining the desired plasma concentration in a stable and narrow range in cardiac surgery patients.
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Respiratory rate is an important measurement in patient care, but accurate measurement is often difficult. We have developed a simple non-invasive device to measure respiratory movements in clinical circumstances, with minimal interference with the patient. We investigated respiratory patterns in patients receiving postoperative morphine analgesia to assess the capacity of the device to detect abnormalities. ⋯ In undisturbed subjects receiving patient-controlled morphine analgesia after surgery, abnormal breathing patterns are extremely common. Cyclical airway obstruction is frequent and associated with a typical pattern of changes in chest wall movement.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Anaesthetic drugs and survival: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized trials in cardiac surgery.
Desflurane and sevoflurane anaesthesia may be associated with reduced mortality after cardiac surgery compared with total intravenous anaesthesia.
pearl -
This review considers the current position of nitrous oxide in anaesthetic practice and balances potential beneficial and disadvantageous effects. The classic adverse characteristics of nitrous oxide, such as diffusion hypoxia, expansion of gas-filled spaces, and postoperative nausea and vomiting, are often cited as reasons to avoid this old drug. Recent concerns regarding neurotoxicity, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and wound complications have further hardened many practitioners against nitrous oxide. ⋯ While we await the outcome of large studies including ENIGMA-II, many clinicians have already decided against this agent. The authors argue that this abandonment may be premature. Clinical Trial Registration None required.