British journal of anaesthesia
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Practice Guideline Guideline
Guidelines for molecular genetic detection of susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia.
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal pharmacogenetic disease triggered by several anaesthetic agents. The in vitro muscle contracture test (IVCT) is the standard test to establish an individual's risk of susceptibility to MH. Clinical practitioners and geneticists of the European MH Group have agreed on the present guidelines for the detection of MH susceptibility using molecular genetic techniques and/or IVCT to predict the risk of MH.
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Comparative Study
EEG bispectral index and hypnotic component of anaesthesia induced by sevoflurane: comparison between children and adults.
This prospective study was designed to evaluate the correlation between the electroencephalographic bispectral index (BIS) and the hypnotic component of anaesthesia (CA) induced by sevoflurane in 27 children and 27 adult patients. BIS and CA were compared at loss of consciousness (LOC) and on recovery of consciousness (ROC). Mean (SD) BIS decreased significantly at LOC in children and adults from 94 (2.7) to 87.4 (4) and from 96.2 (2) to 86.7 (4.4), respectively, without any difference between groups. ⋯ Correlation coefficients between BIS and CA in ROC were -0.876 in children and -0.837 in adults. BIS values at ROC were not different from those at LOC in either group. These data demonstrate that BIS correlates with the hypnotic component of anaesthesia induced by sevoflurane in children as well as in adults.
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Comparative Study
Effect of common airway manoeuvres on upper airway dimensions and clinical signs in anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing children.
Chin lift, jaw thrust and these manoeuvres combined with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be used to improve the patency of the upper airway during general anaesthesia. We used video endoscopy and measurement of stridor to compare the efficacy of these manoeuvres in 24 children (3-10 yr) with adenotonsillar hyperplasia. ⋯ Both chin lift plus CPAP and jaw thrust plus CPAP reduced stridor significantly compared with the unsupported condition. In conclusion, in spontaneously breathing children with large tonsils, chin lift plus CPAP is recommended, whereas jaw thrust plus CPAP is no better and may cause post-operative discomfort.
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When managing patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory system compliance is usually considered first and changes in resistance, although recognized, are neglected. Resistance can change considerably between minimum and maximum lung volume, but is generally assumed to be constant in the tidal volume range (V(T)). ⋯ In the remaining patients, resistance decreased, increased or showed complex changes. We conclude that resistance within V(T) varies considerably from patient to patient and that constant resistance within V(T) is not always likely.
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An association between intercostal nerve block and the development of a total spinal is rare. Usually, subarachnoid injection is considered to have followed intraneural placement or inadvertent entrance into a dural cuff extending beyond an intervertebral foramen. ⋯ This was a life-threatening event that occurred on two occasions before the definitive diagnosis was made. It is considered likely that the paravertebral catheter entered an intervertebral foramen and the tip perforated the dura.