British journal of anaesthesia
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In a laboratory model, humidity output was investigated in relation to the design of a circle absorber system. A 70-kg subject was simulated with fresh gas flows of 0.5, 2 or 5 litre min-1. Different circle systems, absorption canisters and tubings were studied. ⋯ Coaxial tubing only moderately increased the humidity. If a fresh gas flow of 0.5 liter min-1 was used, optimum moisture contents were attained, irrespective of the circle system tested. Low fresh gas flows, a small canister and an Eger A type circle system, were factors which increased humidification.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Haemodynamic changes after induction of anaesthesia and tracheal intubation following propofol or thiopentone in patients of ASA grade I and III.
Thirty-six ASA I patients received either propofol 2.25 (0.07) mg kg-1 (mean (SEM] or thiopentone 4.8 (0.18) mg kg-1, for induction of general anaesthesia together with fentanyl and a neuromuscular blocking drug. This technique was repeated in 12 ASA III patients, using propofol 1.8 (0.18) mg kg-1 or thiopentone 4.7 (0.37) mg kg-1. There was a significant decrease in systolic arterial pressure following induction of anaesthesia with both drugs; this was more pronounced after propofol, and in ASA III patients. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations increased after tracheal intubation only in the thiopentone group, but the pressor response to tracheal intubation was not attenuated by the use of propofol.
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Six patients were anaesthetized with 70% nitrous oxide in oxygen supplemented by infusion of propofol 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 micrograms kg-1 min-1 sequentially in successive 10-min periods. Auditory evoked response (AER) and lower oesophageal contractility (LOC) were monitored. The AER findings were consistent with those noted in previous studies of i.v. agents. ⋯ Brainstem waves were not affected significantly. LOC, provoked and spontaneous, showed no consistent relationship with blood concentration of propofol. The two variables AER and LOC were not related.
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We have examined the in vitro sensitivities of A, B and C fibres in rabbit vagus nerves to local anaesthetic block with a range of local anaesthetic drugs. The nerves were maintained at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 using an electrolyte solution equilibrated with 5% carbon dioxide. A fibres were the most, and C fibres the least, sensitive to block at low frequency stimulation (0.0167 Hz). ⋯ With stimulation at high frequencies (20 and 40 Hz), C fibres were more sensitive to use-dependent block than A fibres; this effect was more marked with drugs containing an amide than an ester linkage. Molecular size and lipid solubility may inter-react to govern the ability to produce use dependent block. Agents which contain an amide linking group, have a high pKa and are of low lipid solubility, may be used to produce differential C fibre block.
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To quantify the neuromuscular blocking effect of vecuronium on the diaphragm and the adductor pollicis, single twitch stimuli were applied to the phrenic nerves at the neck and the ulnar nerve at the wrist in anaesthetized patients. The evoked responses were measured simultaneously by recording the transdiaphragmatic pressure with a differential pressure transducer and the adductor pollicis strength with a force displacement transducer. ⋯ The mean (SD) doses required to depress adductor pollicis and diaphragm responses to 50% (ED50) were 30 (9) micrograms kg-1 and 37 (12) micrograms kg-1, respectively. Corresponding values for 95% depression of the twitch response (ED95) were 48 (13) micrograms kg-1 and 67 (23) micrograms kg-1 (P less than 0.02), indicating that the diaphragm required approximately 40% more vecuronium for subtotal abolition of the single twitch response.