Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Sep 2011
Electrophysiologic neuromonitoring during repair of the thoracoabdominal aorta by anesthesiologists.
Surgical repair of the thoracoabdominal aorta is associated with risk of spinal ischemia. Electrophysiologic neuromonitoring reduces this risk, but is usually performed by neurophysiologists not always available. In this study repair of the thoracoabdominal aorta monitored by anesthesiologists has been investigated. ⋯ Electrophysiologic neuromonitoring during surgical repair of the descending aorta can be successfully provided by anesthesiologists and should be predominately encouraged where neurophysiologists are not available due to organizational or financial shortcomings.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Sep 2011
Invasive and non-invasive long-term mechanical ventilation in Italian children.
To date, few studies have been published regarding the number of children in Italy who require long-term mechanical ventilation (LTV) and their underlying diagnoses, ventilatory needs and hospital discharge rate. ⋯ Managing pediatric home LTV requires tremendous effort on the part of the patient's family and places a significant strain on community financial resources. In particular, neurological patients require more health care than patients in other categories. To further improve the quality of care for these patients, it is essential to establish a dedicated national database.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2011
Review Meta AnalysisContinuous intravenous infusion of ketamine for maintenance sedation.
Ketamine HCl is a rapidly acting general anesthetic with sedative and analgesic properties that has been reported to have favorable effects on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. The goal of this review is to determine the hemodynamic and pulmonary effects of continuous intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion in mechanically ventilated patients, and to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support its use as an agent for maintenance anesthesia. PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Index Medicus databases as well as relevant bibliographies were searched. ⋯ It also improves respiratory rate and oxygenation, and does not promote respiratory depression. Additionally, ketamine does not result in significant perturbations in blood pressure, heart rate, or vascular resistance. Ketamine may be a safe and effective tool for maintenance sedation of mechanically ventilated patients, however a large prospective clinical trial is warranted.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialIntrathecal atropine to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after Cesarean section: a randomized, controlled trial.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common adverse effect of intrathecal morphine, especially after Cesarean section. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of intrathecal administration of a small-dose of atropine on postoperative nausea and vomiting after Cesarean section. ⋯ Intrathecal atropine had a significant antiemetic effect, making it a useful adjunct for intrathecal opioid-related PONV.