BMC anesthesiology
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Observational Study
Effects of short-term hyperoxia on erythropoietin levels and microcirculation in critically Ill patients: a prospective observational pilot study.
The normobaric oxygen paradox states that a short exposure to normobaric hyperoxia followed by rapid return to normoxia creates a condition of 'relative hypoxia' which stimulates erythropoietin (EPO) production. Alterations in glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in this process. We tested the effects of short-term hyperoxia on EPO levels and the microcirculation in critically ill patients. ⋯ A two-hour exposure to hyperoxia in critically ill patients was associated with a slight increase in EPO levels within 48 h. Adequately controlled studies are needed to confirm the effect of short-term hyperoxia on erythropoiesis.
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To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and intracerebral pressure (ICP) reflected by the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) in patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) in permanent 45° steep Trendelenburg position (STP). ⋯ The combination of STP and capnoperitoneum during RALP has a pronounced influence on IOP and, to a lesser degree, on ICP. IOP is directly correlated with increasing PIP and MAP. IOP doubled and the ONSD rose to values indicating increased intracranial pressure. Differences in the ONSD were age-related, showing higher output values as well as better autoregulation and compliance in STP for patients aged <63 years. Despite several ocular changes during RALP, visual function was not significantly impaired postoperatively.
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Aim of this study was to identify factors associated with patients using the internet to find information about their upcoming surgery in general, and more specifically about anaesthesia. ⋯ Only few patients used the internet to obtain information about their upcoming procedure and the anaesthetic part played an even smaller role. However, many patients would have appreciated guidance to find trustworthy internet sites.
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Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) refers to the association of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. Cases with severe dyspnea due to upper airway obstruction immediately after birth are very rare. We here report two cases with PRS who developed severe dyspnea due to morphological abnormality immediately after birth and were rescued by fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation. ⋯ We conclude that extreme type of glossoptosis in PRS concludes tongue invaginated into nasal cavity which have not reported before and that such cases require resuscitation by fiberoptic intubation immediately after birth. As such, neonatologists should obtain the skill of fiberoptic intubation.
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Aspiration of subglottic secretions past the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff is a prerequisite for developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Subglottic secretion drainage (SSD) ETTs reduce aspiration of subglottic secretions and have demonstrated lower VAP rates. We compared the performance of seven SSD ETTs against a non-SSD ETT in preventing aspiration below inflated cuffs. ⋯ ETTs showed substantial variation in fluid aspiration, relating to cuff material and design. Variability in performance was likely due to the random manner in which involutional folds form in the inflated ETT cuff. The PneuX ETT was the only ETT able to consistently prevent aspiration past the cuff in all experiments.