British journal of anaesthesia
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Anaesthesia care in developed countries involves sophisticated technology and experienced providers. However, advanced machines may be inoperable or fail frequently when placed into the austere medical environment of a developing country. Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a method for engaging local staff in identifying real or potential breakdowns in processes or work systems and to develop strategies to mitigate risks. ⋯ We identified factors that may limit the impact of a UAM and devised likely effective strategies for mitigating those risks.
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We wanted to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel computer-assisted ventilator alarm system, the support system for care of mechanically ventilated patients (SCMVP), to detect gas leaks and provide graphical information on the site of the leak in a manikin model. ⋯ The SCMVP can facilitate rapid and successful recognition of the site of leak in a respiratory circuit in a simulation environment.
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General anaesthesia facilitates surgical operations and painful interventions in millions of patients every year. Recent observations of anaesthetic-induced neuronal cell death in newborn animals have raised substantial concerns for young children undergoing anaesthesia. However, it remains unclear why some brain regions are more affected than others, why certain neurones are eliminated while neighbouring cells are seemingly unaffected, and what renders the developing brain exquisitely vulnerable, while the adult brain apparently remains resistant to the phenomenon. ⋯ The present study confirms the findings of previous studies showing peak vulnerability to anaesthesia-induced neuronal cell death in the newborn forebrain. It also shows sustained susceptibility into adulthood in areas of continued neurogenesis, substantially expanding the previously observed age of vulnerability. The differential windows of vulnerability among brain regions, which closely follow regional peaks in neurogenesis, may explain the heightened vulnerability of the developing brain because of its increased number of immature neurones.
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The anaesthetic conserving device AnaConDa (ACD) reflects exhaled anaesthetic agents thereby facilitating the use of inhaled anaesthetic agents outside operating theatres. Expired CO₂ is, however, also reflected causing a dead space effect in excess of the ACD internal volume. CO₂ reflection from the ACD is attenuated by humidity. This study tests the hypothesis that sevoflurane further attenuates reflection of CO₂. An analysis of clinical implications of our findings was performed. ⋯ Clinical Trials NCT01699802.
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Phenylephrine and ephedrine affect frontal lobe oxygenation ([Formula: see text]) differently when assessed by spatially resolved near infrared spectroscopy. We evaluated the effect of phenylephrine and ephedrine on extra- vs intra-cerebral blood flow and on [Formula: see text]. ⋯ The effect of phenylephrine on ScO₂ is governed by a decrease in external carotid blood flow since it increases cerebral blood flow as determined by flow in the internal carotid artery. In contrast, ScO₂ is largely maintained with administration of ephedrine because blood flow to extracerebral tissue increases.