Articles: anesthetics.
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Regional-Anaesthesie · Aug 1991
Review[Dose limits for local anesthetics. Recommendations based on toxicologic and pharmacokinetic data].
Since Heinrich Braun added adrenaline to cocaine (and later also to procaine) in 1903 to allow clinical use of this local anesthetic, "limiting dosages" for local anesthetics have been "recommended" with no reference to the technique of administration, on the assumption that adrenaline will lower the toxicity of the local anesthetic used. However, the limiting dosages determined up to now do not take account of important pharmacokinetic and toxicological data: (1) The dependence of blood levels measured on the technique of regional anesthesia and (2) the raised toxicity of a local anesthetic solution containing adrenaline following inadvertent intravascular (intravenous) injection. A maximum dose recommendation that differs according to the technique of local anesthesia is suggested for (A) subcutaneous injection, (B) injection in regions of high absorption, (C) single injection (perineural, e.g. plexus), (D) protracted injection (catheter, combined techniques), (E) injection into vasoactive regions (near to the spinal cord, spinal, epidural, sympathetic). This sequential categorization also underscores the need for selection of appropriate techniques as well as for concomitant monitoring referred to the technique of administration and to the expected and the possible plasma level curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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As a result of human activities the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which is necessary for life on earth, has changed. The main causes of ozone destruction are chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs) 11 and 12. Recently, caring anesthetists have wondered if and to what degree N2O and popular potent inhalation anesthetics may also contribute to ozone loss. ⋯ On the other hand, the worldwide production of inhalation anesthetics is said to be only 2,000 tons. In view of the experimental calculations and the low worldwide production, the small greenhouse effect, the shorter lifespan in the troposphere, and the low potential for ozone destruction, the negative effects of medically used N2O and inhalation anesthetics on the ozone layer seem negligible. All in all, the inhalation anesthetics are considered to be responsible for only 0.0005% of the ozone destruction at present.
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Recent articles on total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) were reviewed. The definition of TIVA is a combination of hypnotic agent, analgesic drugs and muscle relaxants, excluding simultaneous administration of any inhaled drugs. Anesthesia with single and massive doses of narcotic drugs such as fentanyl for cardiac anesthesia is not described in this paper. ⋯ This combination of the drugs is considered the best, because propofol, alfentanyl and sufentanyl are not available in Japan so far. TIVA has many advantages over inhaled anesthesia and it can be easily employed not only in the modern sophisticated situations but also in so-called field conditions. We anesthesiologists should be much more familiar with this method of anesthesia.