British journal of anaesthesia
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Case Reports
Successful resuscitation from recurrent ventricular fibrillation secondary to butane inhalation.
Resuscitation from cardiac arrest caused by volatile substance abuse is rarely successful. Large doses of catecholamines given during resuscitation, in the presence of butane, may cause recurrent ventricular fibrillation. ⋯ Cardiac output was restored 10 min after the administration of intravenous amiodarone. We suggest that antiarrhythmic agents should be used early during resuscitation to prevent recurrent arrhythmias.
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Needlestick injury is relatively common amongst healthcare workers, particularly those, such as anaesthetists, who regularly perform invasive procedures. The risk of seroconversion following needlestick injury may be reduced by knowledge of body fluids that are high risk and knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis following possible HIV-contaminated needlestick injury. A structured questionnaire was used to establish knowledge regarding high HIV risk body fluids and measures to be taken following needlestick injury in anaesthetists working in a large teaching hospital. ⋯ This study reveals a surprisingly poor knowledge of high-risk body fluids and action to be taken following needlestick injury. Timely post-exposure prophylaxis, after needlestick exposure to high-risk body fluids, is believed to reduce the risk of seroconversion to HIV. Ignorance of this may increase the risk of seroconversion to HIV for anaesthetists and other healthcare professionals.