British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Capsaicin 8% patch for treprostinil subcutaneous infusion site pain in pulmonary hypertension patients.
Treprostinil sodium improves haemodynamics and symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, but its subcutaneous (s.c.) administration can produce severe local site pain, and lead to discontinuation of vital treatment. Treprostinil is a prostacyclin analogue which stimulates prostacyclin receptors in skin nociceptor terminals, resulting in pain and cutaneous hypersensitivity, for which current pain remedies have limited effect. Capsaicin 8% patch relieves neuropathic pain for 3 months after a single 60 min cutaneous application; we investigated whether its pre-application can reduce s.c. trepostinil-induced pain. ⋯ Further investigation of the efficacy of capsaicin 8% patch in this indication is warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the effects of albumin 5%, hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 6%, and Ringer's lactate on blood loss and coagulation after cardiac surgery.
Infusion of 5% human albumin (HA) and 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) during cardiac surgery expand circulating volume to a greater extent than crystalloids and would be suitable for a restrictive fluid therapy regimen. However, HA and HES may affect blood coagulation and could contribute to increased transfusion requirements. ⋯ Despite equal blood loss from chest drains, both colloids interfered with blood coagulation and produced greater haemodilution, which was associated with more transfusion of blood products compared with crystalloid use only.
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Burn patients develop resistance to non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NDNMBAs) and require a significantly large dose to produce a desired clinical response. Pathophysiological changes related to burn injury may alter pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of NDNMBAs. The purpose of this study was to compare vecuronium PK in burns vs non-burns. ⋯ The altered drug distribution between tissues may partially explain the known resistance to vecuronium in patients with major burns.
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Review Meta Analysis
Simulation-based training in anaesthesiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Simulation has long been integrated in anaesthesiology training, yet a comprehensive review of its effectiveness is presently lacking. Using meta-analysis and critical narrative analysis, we synthesized the evidence for the effectiveness of simulation-based anaesthesiology training. We searched MEDLINE, ERIC, and SCOPUS through May 2011 and included studies using simulation to train health professional learners. ⋯ Our critical analysis showed inconsistency in measurement of non-technical skills and consistency in the (ineffective) design of debriefing. Simulation in anaesthesiology appears to be more effective than no intervention (except for patient outcomes) and non-inferior to non-simulation instruction. Few studies have clarified the key instructional designs for simulation-based anaesthesiology training.