AANA journal
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Meta Analysis
Use of Nalbuphine for Treatment of Neuraxial Opioid-Induced Pruritus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Opioid-induced pruritus is prevalent after neuraxial administration of opioid. A number of preventive measures have been reported; however, only a few studies evaluated treatment strategies for established pruritus. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic profiles of nalbuphine make this drug ideal for the treatment of established pruritus. ⋯ There was a low quality of evidence that nalbuphine was effective in reducing the incidence of pruritus compared with active control (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.93; P = .02). Conversely, there was no difference between the incidence of sedation (RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.42 to 2.71; P = .90) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (RR, 1.58, 95% CI, 0.75 to 3.31; P = .23). Although large studies are needed to decrease heterogeneity across studies, the current review showed that nalbuphine appears to reduce the incidence of opioid-induced pruritus.
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Hypotension and bradycardia are common adverse effects following spinal anesthesia. Ondansetron has been studied in the attenuation of spinal anesthesia– induced hypotension (SIH) and bradycardia because of its antagonistic effect on the Bezold-Jarisch reflex. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to determine the efficacy of intravenous (IV) ondansetron in reducing the incidence of SIH and bradycardia. ⋯ Heterogeneity was summarized using randomeffects model for I(2) greater than 50%; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was performed. Intravenous ondansetron reduced the incidence of hypotension in both the all-procedure analysis group (RR, 0.64; CI, 0.45-0.90) and cesarean delivery group (RR, 0.63; CI, 0.45-0.88). For bradycardia, IV ondansetron resulted in reduced risk (RR, 0.31; CI, 0.19-0.50). Findings of our meta-analysis suggest that IV ondansetron may mitigate the risks of SIH and bradycardia following spinal anesthesia.
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Review Meta Analysis
Nonpharmacologic Neuraxial Interventions for Prophylaxis of Postdural Puncture Headache in the Obstetric Patient.
Postdural puncture headache due to accidental dural puncture during epidural catheter placement is a source of morbidity for new mothers. It can interfere with maternal-newborn bonding and increase the length of hospitalization. This evidence-based article examined the question: For obstetric patients experiencing an accidental dural puncture during epidural placement, which nonpharmacologic prophylactic neuraxial interventions safely and effectively decrease the incidence of postdural puncture headache? A search of online databases revealed 4 systematic reviews with meta-analysis and a randomized controlled trial meeting the inclusion criteria. ⋯ The evidence suggested there may be value in performing a prophylactic blood patch or placing an intrathecal catheter. The risk of the intervention must be carefully weighed with the benefits. Further rigorous studies are needed to help determine the best methods to decrease the incidence of postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients experiencing an accidental dural puncture during epidural placement.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
To press or not to press, and if so, with what? A single question-focused meta-analysis of vasopressor choice during regional anesthesia in obstetrics.
Given the underlying assumption that reasonable maternal hemodynamics can be achieved with either ephedrine or phenylephrine, this focused meta-analysis addresses the impact of vasopressor choice on resultant neonatal Apgar scores during regional anesthesia. The literature was systematically searched for randomized trials of obstetric vasopressor use employing standard search tools. Only the highest quality trials were included. ⋯ Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes in the ephedrine group (served as control) vs the phenylephrine group did not differ at either time epoch; no abnormal values prevailed in either group (relative risk, 0.88; CI, 0.79-1.16). This meta-analysis focused on the most clinically relevant, immediately available information pertinent in the obstetric suite, the Apgar score, and found that ephedrine and phenylephrine did not differ in their effect on this metric. The current meta-analysis provides an updated, evidence-based validation of vasopressor use from the American Society of Anesthesiologists' 2007 "Practice Guidelines for Obstetric Anesthesia".
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Evidence for using air or fluid when identifying the epidural space.
Lumbar epidural analgesia is frequently employed to provide pain relief for women during labor. Anesthesia providers use various methods to identify the epidural space. Some providers use air, some use fluid, and others use a combination of air and fluid during the loss of resistance technique. ⋯ The evidence reviewed was inconclusive in determining whether a difference in analgesia quality results from the use of air or fluid during the loss of resistance technique. Future studies should include an adequate number of subjects and address other problems such as operator experience, observer blinding, equivalence of subject characteristics, outcomes definition and measurement, and composition of epidural solution. Providers should consider other factors when selecting loss of resistance medium, such as the reported complications of large amounts of air injected into the epidural space and surrounding structures.