Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Transesophageal echocardiography: what the anesthesiologist has to know.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a very powerful intraoperative monitoring tool. It allows precise assessment of cardiac anatomy together with dynamic quantification of myocardial performance and flows through the heart chambers. With a high safety profile TEE counts few absolute contraindications. ⋯ Unexplained hemodynamic instability is the only strong indication in non-cardiac surgery. Qualitative assessment based on a simplified protocol seams to adequately address the clinical needs in this specific scenario. More studies are required to support the use of TEE outside of cardiac surgery at its full potential.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Comparative StudyInfluence of supraglottic airway device placement on cerebral hemodynamics.
Supraglottic airway devices (SGDs) are of current use in anesthesia practice and in emergency conditions. It has been suggested that cerebral blood flow (CBF) can decrease after SGD insertion or cuff inflation; however, it is uncertain if this reduction is caused by the SGD or the anesthetic drugs utilized for the anesthetic procedure. During minor surgery we separated CBF measurements by an adequate time interval in order to measure the distinctive changes in cerebral hemodynamics associated with anesthesia induction, SGD insertion and cuff inflation. ⋯ SGD insertion and cuff inflation did not influence cerebral hemodynamics in anesthetized patients undergoing minor surgery. At normal etCO2 range, the CBF reduction with transient increase in PI was associated with anesthesia induction and not SGD insertion itself.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of solifenacin and darifenacin for prevention of catheter-related bladder discomfort: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
Urinary catheterization during surgical interventions causes postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Antimuscarinic agents are the mainstay of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). As the symptoms of CRBD mimic to OAB, so we designed this study to assess the efficacy of solifenacin and darifenacin for prevention of CRBD. ⋯ Pretreatment with oral solifenacin or darifenacin reduces catheter-related bladder discomfort with no clinically relevant significant side effects.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2016
ReviewNeurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) in children: a systematic review.
Application of mechanical ventilation in spontaneously breathing children remains a challenge for several reasons: mainly, small tidal volumes and high respiratory rates, especially in the presence of leaks, interfere with patient-ventilator synchrony. Leaks also cause unreliable monitoring of respiratory drive and respiratory rate. Furthermore, ventilator adjustment must take into account that infants have strong vagal reflexes, demonstrate central apnea and periodic breathing, with a high variability in breathing pattern. Neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is a mode of ventilation whereby the timing and amount of ventilatory assist is controlled by the patient's neural respiratory drive. Since NAVA uses the diaphragm electrical activity (Edi) as the controller signal, it is possible to deliver synchronized assist, both invasively and non-invasively (NIV-NAVA), to follow the variability in breathing pattern, and to monitor patient respiratory drive, independent of leaks. ⋯ Evidence from a few trials suggests improved comfort, less sedation, and reduced length of stay.