Articles: patients
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
Effects of Perioperative Administration of Acetaminophen on Postoperative Shivering: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we tested the hypothesis that perioperative acetaminophen administration has a prophylactic effect on postoperative shivering. ⋯ Our findings in patients undergoing gynecological laparotomy suggest that perioperative acetaminophen administration can prevent postoperative severe shivering. This prophylactic effect might be due to suppressing the postoperative increase in the BT set point, rather than lowering the threshold for shivering, as observed with clonidine.
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There is an increasing use of extracorporeal life support in refractory cardiac arrest. Recent studies highlighted the importance of an early and accurate patient selection for this invasive procedure. ⋯ Patients fulfilling all inclusion criteria showed higher rates of survival after eCPR. Our results affirm that there is a possibility and even an obvious necessity for early patient selection based on standardised criteria before eCPR treatment. Large randomised trials are urgently needed to answer this question accurately.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
High-Frequency Heart Rate Variability Index: A Prospective, Observational Trial Assessing Utility as a Marker for the Balance Between Analgesia and Nociception Under General Anesthesia.
Maintaining a balance between nociception and analgesia perioperatively reduces morbidity and improves outcomes. Current intraoperative analgesic strategies are based on subjective and nonspecific parameters. The high-frequency heart rate (HR) variability index is purported to assess the balance between nociception and analgesia in patients under general anesthesia. This prospective observational study investigated whether intraoperative changes in the high-frequency HR variability index correlate with clinically relevant nociceptive stimulation and the addition of analgesics. ⋯ In adult subjects under general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, changes in the high-frequency HR variability index reflect alterations in the balance between nociception and analgesia. This index might be used intraoperatively to titrate analgesia for individual patients. Further testing is necessary to determine whether the intraoperative use of the index affects patient outcomes.
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Total mesorectal excision (TME) gives excellent oncological results in rectal cancer treatment, but patients may experience functional problems. A novel approach to performing TME is by single-port transanal minimally invasive surgery. This systematic review evaluated the functional outcomes and quality of life after transanal and laparoscopic TME. ⋯ No differences in function were observed between transanal and laparoscopic TME.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
Prospective Association of Serum Opioid Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Cancer Pain Treated With Intrathecal Opioid Therapy.
Opioids remain the mainstay of cancer pain management but are associated with systemic toxicity. In refractory cancer pain, intrathecal therapy (ITT) is associated with improved pain control, reduced systemic side effects, and improved survival. It has been assumed that ITT decreases systemic serum opioid levels and their associated toxicity, but there are limited data to support this assumption. This study hypothesizes that serum opioid levels decrease with ITT. Secondary objectives include comparative measures of pain, bowel function, and other cancer-related symptoms. ⋯ ITT for cancer pain was associated with a marked reduction in serum opioid concentrations, with the majority of patients having undetectable serum levels. Reducing serum opioid concentrations in cancer patients may have implications with respect to restoring bowel function, improving fatigue, and promoting the integrity of antitumor immune function and warrants further study.