British journal of anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Impact of pregabalin on acute and persistent postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Perioperative pregabalin may improve postoperative analgesia, nausea and vomiting, though increases sedation and visual disturbances
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Opioids enhance and prolong analgesia when applied as adjuvants to local anaesthetics (LAs). A possible molecular mechanism for this property is a direct inhibition of voltage-gated Na(+) channels which was reported for some opioids. Methadone is an effective adjuvant to LA and was recently reported to inhibit cardiac Na(+) channels. Here, we explore and compare LA properties of methadone and bupivacaine on neuronal Na(+) channels, excitability of peripheral nerves, and cell viability. ⋯ Methadone induces typical LA effects by inhibiting Na(+) channels with a potency similar to that of bupivacaine. This hitherto unknown property of methadone might contribute to its high efficacy when applied as an adjuvant to LA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Thromboelastometry-guided intraoperative haemostatic management reduces bleeding and red cell transfusion after paediatric cardiac surgery.
Thromboelastometric evaluation of coagulation might be useful for prediction and management of bleeding after paediatric cardiac surgery. We tested the hypothesis that the use of a thromboelastometry-guided algorithm for blood product management reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements. ⋯ UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000006832 (December 4, 2011).
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Observational Study
Rescuing the obese or burned airway: are conventional training manikins adequate? A simulation study.
Percutaneous tracheal access is required in more than 40% of major airway emergencies, and rates of failure are high among anaesthetists. Supraglottic airway management is more likely to fail in patients with obesity or neck pathology. Commercially available manikins may aid training. In this study, we modified a standard 'front of neck' manikin and evaluated anaesthetists' performance of percutaneous tracheal access. ⋯ Significantly greater technical difficulty was experienced with our 'morbidly obese' manikin compared with the unmodified manikin. Failure rates and times to completion were considerably more consistent with real-life reports. Modifying a standard manikin to simulate an obese patient is likely to better prepare anaesthetists for this challenging situation. Development of a commercial manikin with such properties would be of value.
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The ideal thromboprophylaxis in patients at risk of bleeding is uncertain. This retrospective cohort study assessed the risk factors for complications after using retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters for primary or secondary thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients after major trauma. ⋯ A delay in initiating pharmacological thromboprophylaxis or filter removal were associated with an increased risk of subsequent DVT, VTE, and mechanical complications of retrievable IVC filters in patients after major trauma.