Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 1994
Physiologic chart for rapid identification of causes of abnormal haemodynamics.
The systemic haemodynamic state is expressed by paired values of Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Stroke Index (SI), varying for every heart beat. Algebraic product of SI and Heart Rate (HR) then defines the perfusion-related Cardiac Index (CI), which is the dynamic modulator of Oxygen Delivery Index (DO2I). Since MAP, SI and CI can each attain a normal, infranormal or supranormal level, there is a total of 9 haemodynamic states, plus 3 CI states. ⋯ The deviation in CI from its normal level then determines the deviation in chronotropy. In contrast to current management methodology of trial and error, the HMC enables the clinician to continuously manage a patient's haemodynamics within the HTG. This is expected to produce a shorter therapy and improved outcome.
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Formal Quality Assurance programmes have been widely promoted and applied in anaesthesia departments in the United States of America. The rationale of three well-known programmes is examined. Although they may be of use as a method of examining one's own practice, there is little objective evidence to support the idea of measuring an anaesthesiologist's competence. There is also a danger that licensing authorities will misuse such spurious information.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Sep 1994
Occupational burns in the Burns Centre at the Singapore General Hospital.
This study reviewed all work-related burn injuries within the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993 for the purpose of establishing data on occupational burns in Singapore to identify the specific at-risk population and formulate prevention strategies. All 163 patients who were admitted to the Burns Centre, Singapore General Hospital, as a result of burns suffered in the workplace were reviewed using the World Health Organisation Burns Data Protocol. Burns data recorded included demography, industrial sector involved, aetiology, extent of injury and eventual outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Seven patients died, giving a mortality rate of 4.3%. The average BSA for these patients was 46.4% and all had respiratory burns. In all, occupational burns accounted for 2011 patient-days of hospitalization, 630,637 lost days at work and inpatient treatment costs amounting to S $1.32 million.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The mechanism of anaesthesia is still a black box, although many investigators have been concerned about this theme since the 19th century. It is too complex to clarify the mode of anaesthetic action, as a variety of compounds have been adopted as anaesthetics. Hill coefficients calculated from the righting reflex dose-response curve in enflurane, isoflurane sevoflurane and halothane anaesthesia in a certain strain of mice were from 14 to 56. ⋯ It is suspected from Overton's experiment that the action site is not in the core of lipid bilayer but on the surface of membrane. It was demonstrated by 2 methodologies. Two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectrum in H1-NMR spectra of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicle membrane in the presence of methoxyflurane revealed from the existence of the cross-peak between the methoxy-proton and the choline methyl-proton that methoxyflurane molecule interacted only to the polar head of lipid membrane at lower temperatures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)