Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialInexpensive video-laryngoscopy guided intubation using a personal computer: initial experience of a novel technique.
Video-laryngoscopy may provide an enhanced view of laryngeal structures compared to direct visualization. Commercial video-laryngoscopes are often expensive, limiting its adoption for routine use. We describe our initial experience using an inexpensive custom made device. ⋯ The custom-made, inexpensive, video-laryngoscopy device is safe and reliable for clinical use. Real-time visualization and endotracheal intubation were successful in all patients, including those with anticipated difficult airway. Further, this device helps in archiving the video of intubation.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe use of train of four monitoring for clinical evaluation of the axillary brachial plexus block.
The axillary approach of brachial plexus anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for forearm and hand surgery. Dynamometer is known as objective test for the clinical assessment of motor block of the nerves in brachial plexus block. However, the use of this device may not always be practical in operating room. ⋯ TOF values were gradually decreased and significant difference was observed between the development of a complete and partial motor block at 30th minute. TOF values were also significantly less in patients of complete sensory block than the patients of partial sensory block at 30th minute. The use of TOF monitoring may be beneficial to assess the objective clinical effect of motor block in the patients with axillary brachial plexus nerve block.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialUse of a decision support system improves the management of hemodynamic and respiratory events in orthopedic patients under propofol sedation and spinal analgesia: a randomized trial.
Decision support systems (DSSs) have been successfully implemented into clinical practice offering clinical suggestions and treatment options with excellent results in various clinical settings. Although their results appeared promising, showing that DSSs can increase anesthesiologists' vigilance and patient safety during surgery, DSSs have never been used before to help anesthesiologists in identifying critical events in patients under spinal analgesia with sedation. We have developed and clinically evaluated a DSS for this specific task. ⋯ The number of critical events/h occurring and the duration of surgery were similar in both groups. The number of hypoxemia episodes was significantly less (P = 0.036) in the DSS group (0.7 ± 1.0 vs. 1.4 ± 2.2 for the Control Group). The DSS tested in this trial could help the clinician to detect and treat critical events more efficiently and in a shorter length of time.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialAutomated titration of propofol and remifentanil decreases the anesthesiologist's workload during vascular or thoracic surgery: a randomized prospective study.
Closed loop target-control infusion systems using a Bispectral (BIS) signal as an input (TCI Loop) can automatically maintain intravenous anesthesia in a BIS range of 40-60 %. Our purpose was to assess to what extent such a system could decrease anesthesia workload in comparison to the use of a stand alone TCI system manually adjusted to fit the same BIS range of 40-60 % (TCI Manual). Patients scheduled for elective vascular or thoracic surgery were randomized to the TCI Loop or TCI Manual method for administering propofol and remifentanil during both induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. ⋯ Mean arterial pressure was lower with TCI Manual (78 ± 6 vs. 88 ± 13 mmHg, p < 0.001). The number of times the anesthesiologist watched the controller or BIS monitor (p < 0.05) and the number of manual adjustments (p < 0.001) performed in each group was lower with TCI Loop group during induction and maintenance of anesthesia. An automated controller strikingly frees the anesthesiologist from manual intervention to adjust drug delivery.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of preoperative consumption of potatoes on succinylcholine-induced block and recovery from anesthesia.
Potatoes contain solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs), which inhibit both butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The present study investigated the effect of preoperative consumption of potatoes on succinylcholine-induced block and recovery from anesthesia. ASA I-II, adult patients, scheduled for elective surgery, were included in a randomized, blind and controlled study. ⋯ In addition, in both groups, BuChE levels markedly decreased after succinylcholine blockade, increased thereafter, but did not return to baseline within 24 h of consumption start. None of these differences observed in BuChE levels was statistically significant. This study suggests that potatoes eaten before anesthesia can prolong the duration of succinylcholine-induced neuromuscular block and delay recovery from anesthesia.