British journal of anaesthesia
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Myasthenia gravis unmasked by neuromuscular blockade.
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This review focuses on the mechanisms and sites of action underlying beta-adrenergic antagonism in perioperative medicine. A large body of knowledge has recently emerged from basic and clinical research concerning the mechanisms of the life-saving effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists (beta-AAs) in high-risk cardiac patients. This article re-emphasizes the mechanisms underlying beta-adrenergic antagonism and also illuminates novel rationales behind the use of perioperative beta-AAs from a biological point of view. ⋯ Despite overwhelming evidence of benefit, beta-AAs are currently under-utilized in the perioperative period because of concerns of potential adverse effects and toxicity. The effects of acute administration of beta-AAs on cardiac function in the compromised patient and strategies to counteract potential adverse effects will be discussed in detail. This may help to overcome barriers to the initiation of perioperative treatment with beta-AAs in a larger number of high-risk cardiac patients undergoing surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Fresh gas flow is not the only determinant of volatile agent consumption: a multi-centre study of low-flow anaesthesia.
Seven academic centres studied 302 patients, using desflurane, enflurane, halothane, or isoflurane using circle-systems and Dräger Julian anaesthetic machines, with fresh gas flows (V(F)) of 3, 1, and 0.5 litre min(-1). Volatile agent partial pressures in the breathing system were recorded and agent consumptions measured by weighing. ⋯ At V(F) that involves significant re-breathing, consumption of soluble agents depends only partially on V(F). These results can be explained using Mapleson's hydraulic analogue model.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Reliability of epigastric auscultation to detect gastric insufflation.
We studied the reliability of epigastric auscultation to detect gastric insufflation in 30 anaesthetized, paralysed intubated patients. ⋯ We conclude that epigastric auscultation can detect gastric insufflation of 0.25 ml air after 11 breaths and > or = 4 ml air after one breath with 95% confidence. Inter- and intraobserver reliability is moderate to excellent. Epigastric auscultation should be repeated to reduce the risk of false positives.