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Biomedical subjects

A Albertin

Publications and source records attributed to A Albertin.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with 0.75% ropivacaine: effects of adding a systemically inactive dose of fentanyl.

To evaluate the effects of adding low-dose fentanyl to 0.75% ropivacaine during peripheral nerve blocks, 30 ASA physical status I-II patients undergoing hallux valgus repair under combined sciatic-femoral nerve block were randomly allocated in a double-blind fashion to receive nerve block placement with 30 mL of either 0.75% ropivacaine alone (group: ropivacaine, n = 15) or 0.75% ropivacaine plus fentanyl 1 microg kg(-1) (group: ropivacaine-fentanyl, n = 15). A blinded observer recorded haemodynamic variables and sedation, as well as the time required to achieve surgical block and the first request for analgesia. Readiness to surgery required 10 min (5-20 min) with 0.75% ropivacaine and 10 min (3-20 min) with the ropivacaine-fentanyl mixture. No differences in the degree of sedation, peripheral oxygen saturation, and haemodynamic variables were observed between the two groups. The degree of pain measured at first analgesic request, and the consumption of postoperative analgesics, was similar in the two groups, while the mean time from block placement to the first request for pain medication was 13.7 h (25-75th percentiles: 11.8-14.5 h) in the ropivacaine group and 13.9 h (25-75th percentiles: 10.5-14.5 h) in the ropivacaine-fentanyl group (P = not significant). We conclude that adding fentanyl 1 microg kg(-1) to 0.75% ropivacaine did not provide clinically relevant advantages in terms of onset time, quality and duration of combined sciatic-femoral nerve block in patients undergoing elective hallux valgus repair.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

A comparison of remifentanil and sufentanil as adjuvants during sevoflurane anesthesia with epidural analgesia for upper abdominal surgery: effects on postoperative recovery and respiratory function.

UNLABELLED: We compared the recovery profile and postoperative SpO(2) after the administration of general anesthesia with either sevoflurane-remifentanil or sevoflurane-sufentanil in 30 healthy patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery. They were randomly allocated to receive general anesthesia with sevoflurane and small doses of either remifentanil (n = 15) or sufentanil (n = 15), followed by postoperative epidural analgesia. The median sevoflurane minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration-hour was 2.3 (1.2-6.3) in group Remifentanil and 2.6 (1.4-5.2) in group Sufentanil (P: = 0.39), while the median consumption of remifentanil was 1.3 mg (0.7-3.4 mg) and sufentanil 0.09 mg (0.05-0.6 mg). Tracheal extubation required 10 min (6-18 min) with remifentanil and 14 min (8-24 min) with sufentanil (P: = 0.05); however, no differences in time to discharge from the recovery area were reported (24 min [12-75 min] with remifentanil and 30 min [12-135 min] with sufentanil; P: = 0. 35). From the first to seventh hour after surgery, SpO(2) was decreased more in the sufentanil than in the remifentanil group (P: = 0.001), and seven patients in the sufentanil group showed at least one episode with SpO(2) < or = 90% for more than 1 min (P: = 0.006) (median: 1 episode; range: 0-17 episodes; P: = 0.003). When added to sevoflurane, remifentanil is as effective as sufentanil during the intraoperative period, but provides shorter time to tracheal extubation and fewer effects on postoperative SpO(2) in the first 7 h after surgery. IMPLICATIONS: In this double-blinded study, we evaluated the effects of adding small infusions of either remifentanil or sufentanil to sevoflurane in combination with postoperative epidural analgesia for upper abdominal surgery. We demonstrated that remifentanil is as effective as sufentanil during the intraoperative period, but that it provides shorter time to extubation and fewer effects on postoperative SpO(2) in the first 7 h after surgery.

Abdomen↗

Unilateral spinal anesthesia or combined sciatic-femoral nerve block for day-case knee arthroscopy. A prospective, randomized comparison.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the time required to achieve surgical block and fulfill standardized discharge criteria in outpatients receiving knee arthroscopy with either unilateral spinal anesthesia or combined sciatic-femoral nerve block. METHODS: After a standard midazolam/ketoprofen premedication and baseline measurement of cardiovascular parameters, 50 ASA physical status I-II patients scheduled for elective outpatient knee arthroscopy were randomized to receive unilateral spinal anesthesia with 8 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine injected without barbotage through a 25-gauge Whitacre spinal needle (group USA, n = 25), or combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with 25 ml of 2% mepivacaine (15 ml for femoral nerve block and 10 ml for sciatic nerve block) (group SFNB, n = 25). Times from local anesthetic injection to achievement of surgical block defined as the presence of adequate motor (complete motor blockade of the operated limb in the USA group and inability to move the ankle and the knee of the operated limb in the SFNB group) and sensory (loss of pinprick sensation at T12 on the operated side in the USA group, or in the femoral and sciatic nerves distribution in the SFNB group) blocks was recorded. Times to block resolution, urination, unassisted ambulation, and readiness to home discharge were also recorded by a blind observer, as well as occurrence of untoward events during surgery. RESULTS: Surgical block was achieved in 15 +/- 6 min in group USA and 16 +/- 6 min in group SFNB (p = NS). No differences in hemodynamic undesired effects and success rate were observed. Even though USA patients showed a faster time to ambulation (166 +/- 44 min versus 217 +/- 49 min, p = 0.002) and later urination (240 +/- 90 min versus 145 +/- 36 min, p = 0.0001) than SFNB group, no differences in home discharging were reported (246 +/- 98 min versus 211 +/- 77 min, respectively). Bladder catheterization was required in 2 patients of USA group only; however, no patient was admitted to the hospital because of urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: In outpatient knee arthroscopy, a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with 2% mepivacaine provides similarly successful anesthesia with onset times and home discharge similar to those provided by unilateral spinal anesthesia.

Adolescent↗

[Bispectral index: clinical effectiveness and role in reducing anesthetic drug consumption].

A numeric value derived from bispectral analysis of EEG, the bispectral index (BIS), has been recently introduced as a monitor of the hypnotic component of anaesthesia. Application of BIS monitoring in anaesthesia appears extremely interesting to drugs titration and drugs economy, and in the evaluation of time for discharge in a one day surgery regimen. In this prospective study ASA I-II patients for Day-Surgery were enrolled in three groups: subaracnoid anaesthesia (SA), general anaesthesia (GA) with BIS and GA without BIS monitoring. At present 35 patients for DS operative hysteroscopy were enrolled. No significant differences were measured between the GA groups. A longer time of recovery was necessary in the SA group. A greater amount of anaesthetic in BIS group could be attributed to a better monitoring of sedation which prevents intraoperative awakening.

Anesthesia↗

Clinical comparison of either small doses of fentanyl or remifentanil for blunting cardiovascular changes induced by tracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND: To compare in a prospective, randomized study the effects on cardiovascular changes after tracheal intubation produced by small doses of either remifentanil or fentanyl. METHODS: With Ethical Committee approval, after intravenous midazolam premedication (0.05 mg.kg-1), 30 normotensive, ASA physical status I-II patients, without cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, and with a Mallampati score < 2, were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous bolus of either 3 micrograms.kg-1 fentanyl (n = 15) or 1 microgram.kg-1 remifentanil (n = 15) infused over 60 sec and followed by a 0.15 microgram.kg-1.min-1 continuous intravenous infusion. General anesthesia was then induced with propofol (2 mg.kg-1), followed by atracurium besilate (0.5 mg.kg-1) to facilitate tracheal intubation. Following intubation, the lungs were ventilated mechanically using a 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen mixture with a 1% inspired fraction of sevoflurane. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before anesthesia induction (baseline), one minute after induction of anesthesia, immediately after tracheal intubation and every minute for the first five minutes after intubation. RESULTS: Systolic arterial blood pressure values were significantly higher in the Fentanyl than in the Remifentanil group patients from 2 to 5 min after tracheal intubation (p < 0.01), while no differences were observed between the two groups in either diastolic arterial blood pressure or heart rate values. Four patients in the Remifentanil group (26%) but only one patient in the Fentanyl group (7%) showed systolic blood pressure values < 90 mmHg during the study period (p = not significant); however, the observed decreases in systolic arterial blood pressure values were transient and did not require treatment for any subject. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in healthy normotensive patients, the control of cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation obtained with a 1 microgram.kg-1 loading dose of remifentanil is more effective than that provided by a 3 micrograms.kg-1 bolus of fentanyl, with the advantage of no risks for postoperative respiratory depression.

Anesthesia, General↗

An animal model based on the Sprague Dawley rat for the evaluation of ototoxicity.

Various methodological approaches that can be used to detect ototoxic effects caused by the administration of various substances are presented, using the Sprague-Dawley rat as an animal model. Electrophysiological data are also presented to show how the model behaves with potentially ototoxic (hyaluronic acid) and initially inert (hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose) substances.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Evaluation of cisplatin ototoxicity in a rat animal model.

The ototoxic effects of cisplatin were evaluated by otoacoustic emissions and evoked auditory responses. A transient otoacoustic emissions protocol indicated no significant ototoxic effects in rats treated intravenously with 7.5 mg/kg/week for 2-weeks. A chronic 6-week treatment (2.5 mg/kg/week) monitored by 2F1-F2 distortion product emissions presented significant SNR alterations in a narrow range of frequencies (5.04-5.66 kHz). An acute treatment of 15 mg/kg, using slow 30-min intraperitoneal infusion, presented the highest DP and ABR alterations. The SNR at the 2F1-F2 frequencies 6.34, 7.13, and 7.56 kHz was found significantly decreased, and ABR latency measurements from 8-kHz burst stimuli verified these alterations.

Animals↗

The pressor response after laryngeal mask or cuffed oropharyngeal airway insertion.

BACKGROUND: Since the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) has been suggested to cause less pharyngeal trauma than the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), we conducted a prospective, randomised study to compare haemodynamic changes after placing either the COPA or LMA in healthy anaesthetised adults. METHODS: After standard midazolam premedication (0.05 mg kg(-1) IV), general anaesthesia (IV propofol 2 mg kg(-1)) was induced in 60 ASA physical status I-II, 18-65-yr-old patients, who were randomly allocated to receive COPA (n=30) or LMA (n= 30) placement and then mechanically ventilated using a 60% nitrous oxide and 1% isoflurane in oxygen mixture (TV=8 ml kg(-1), RR=12 b.p.m., I/E=1/2). Haemodynamic variables were recorded 20 min after the midazolam premedication (baseline), and then every 1 min until 10 min after general anaesthesia induction. RESULTS: Nine patients of group COPA (30%) required chin lift, jaw thrust or head tilt to maintain adequate ventilation, while no problems were observed in the LMA group (P<0.0005); however, in no case did the designed extratracheal airway have to be removed due to unsuccessful mechanical ventilation, and no signs of gastric insufflation or regurgitation were reported. The maximum mean changes in haemodynamic variables were more marked after LMA placement (SAP: 12%+/-13%; DAP: 11%+/-18%; HR: 13%+/-16%) than COPA placement (SAP: -3%+/-18%; DAP: -5%+/-16%; HR: 4%+/-13%) (P<0.005, P<0.005, and P<0.01 for SAP, DAP and HR, respectively). Group LMA showed higher SAP and DAP values than group COPA only during the first 3 min after airway insertion. CONCLUSION: In healthy, anaesthetised patients, placing a cuffed oropharyngeal airway is associated with smaller cardiovascular changes after airway insertion compared with the laryngeal mask airway.

Adult↗

Arterial to end-tidal carbon dioxide tension difference in anaesthetized adults mechanically ventilated via a laryngeal mask or a cuffed oropharyngeal airway.

To evaluate arterial (PaCO2), end-tidal (PETCO2) and carbon dioxide tension difference during mechanical ventilation with extratracheal airways, 60 patients ASA physical status I-II, receiving general anaesthesia for minor extra-abdominal procedures were randomly allocated to receive either a cuffed oropharyngeal airway (group COPA, n = 30) or a laryngeal mask (group LMA, n = 30). The lungs were mechanically ventilated by IPPV using a 60% nitrous oxide and 1-1.5% isoflurane in oxygen mixture (VT = 8 mL kg-1; RR = 12 b min-1; l/E = 1/2). After PETCO2 had been stable for at least 10 min after airway placement, haemodynamic variables and PETCO2 were recorded and an arterial blood sample was obtained for measurement of PaCO2. No differences in anthropometric parameters, smoking habit, haemodynamic variables and incidence of untoward events were observed between the two groups. Airway manipulation, to maintain adequate ventilation, was required in only nine patients in the cuffed oropharyngeal airway group (30%) (P < 0.0005); however, in no case was it necessary to remove the designated extratracheal airway due to unsuccessful mechanical ventilation. The mean difference between arterial and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure was 0.4 +/- 0.3 KPa in the laryngeal mask group (95% confidence intervals: 0.3-0.5 KPa) and 0.3 +/- 0.26 KPa in the cuffed oropharyngeal airway group (95% confidence intervals: 0.24-0.4 KPa) (P = NS). We conclude that in healthy adults who are mechanically ventilated via the cuffed oropharyngeal airway, the end-tidal carbon dioxide determination is as accurate an indicator of PaCO2 as that measured via the laryngeal mask, allowing capnometry to be reliably used to evaluate the adequacy of ventilation.

Adolescent↗

Interscalene brachial plexus anesthesia with either 0.5% ropivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine.

BACKGROUND: To compare intra- and postoperative clinical properties of interscalene brachial plexus block performed with either 0.5% ropivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: prospective, randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: in patient at the University Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery. PATIENTS: 30 ASA physical status I-II patients scheduled for elective shoulder surgery. INTERVENTIONS: interscalene brachial plexus block was performed using the multiple injection technique and a nerve stimulator by injecting 20 ml of either 0.5% ropivacaine (n = 15) or 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 15). Postoperative analgesia consisted of 100 mg intravenous ketoprofen, if required. A blind observer evaluated hemodynamic variables as well as sensory and motor blocks from the end of injection to achieve a surgical anesthesia (readiness for surgery: loss of pinprick sensation from C4 to C7 with the inability to elevate the operated limb against gravity). The time lasting from block placement to first requirement for postoperative pain medication was also recorded. RESULTS: No differences in anthropometric parameters and hemodynamic variables were observed throughout the study, and no signs of central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular toxicity, or other untoward events were reported in any patients. Readiness for surgery was obtained after 28 +/- 15 min with 0.5% bupivacaine and 22 +/- 8 min after 0.5% ropivacaine (p = NS). No differences in postoperative pain relief was observed between the two groups (11.1 +/- 5 hrs after 0.5% ropivacaine and 10.9 +/- 3.9 hrs after 0.5% bupivacaine, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that 0.5% ropivacaine has clinical properties similar to those of 0.5% bupivacaine, when used for interscalene brachial plexus block, providing similarly long duration in postoperative pain relief. Compared with bupivacaine, ropivacaine has the further advantage of a lower potential for central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity.

Adolescent↗

A prospective, randomized comparison of dexketoprofen, ketoprofen or paracetamol for postoperative analgesia after outpatient knee arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: This prospective, randomized study was conducted to evaluate the quality of postoperative pain relief when using dexketoprofen, ketoprofen, or paracetamol after outpatient knee arthroscopy. METHODS: Without premedication, 45 ASA physical status I-II patients undergoing elective outpatient knee arthroscopy with combined sciatic-femoral nerve block, were randomly allocated to receive either 25 mg oral dexketoprofen (n = 15), 50 mg oral ketoprofen (n = 15), or 500 mg oral paracetamol (n = 15) before block placement. After completion of surgery the same pain medication was given according to standard protocols, while 50 mg oral tramadol were allowed as rescue analgesic if required by the patient. After standard discharge criteria had been fulfilled, patients were discharged from the day-surgery unit, while a telephone follow-up was performed the day after surgery using standard questionnaires evaluating the quality of pain relief during the first 24 hours after surgery. Total consumption of rescue tramadol, maximum pain complained of after hospital discharge, as well as the visual analogue scale of pain measured at hospital discharge were assessed by an independent trained observer. RESULTS: No differences in anthropometric variables, duration of surgical procedure, and fulfillment of discharge criteria were observed between the three groups. The degree of pain measured at rest at hospital discharge was similar in the three groups, while the VAS measured during motion was higher in patients receiving paracetamol (24 +/- 2.5 mm) than in those patients treated with dexketoprofen (13 +/- 6 mm) or ketoprofen (17 +/- 5 mm) (p = 0.016). Two patients (one in ketoprofen group and one in paracetamol group) required rescue tramadol after hospital discharge; however, no differences in maximum pain complained of after surgery or patient acceptance were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective, randomized study demonstrated that in outpatients receiving arthroscopic knee surgery, the use of 75 mg/day dexketoprofen was as effective and safe as 150 mg/day racemate ketoprofen, with a better pain relief during motion compared to 2 g/day paracetamol when patients were discharged from the day-surgery unit.

Acetaminophen↗

Cisplatin ototoxicity in the Sprague Dawley rat evaluated by distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

The present study has evaluated the use of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) responses in the detection of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in a Sprague Dawley rat animal model. The cisplatin was administered as a 16 mg/kg, dose introduced by a slow 30-min intraperitoneal infusion. Data from three DP-gram protocols, DPOAE input-output responses at 8 kHz, and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) at 8, 12 and 16 kHz were collected before and 72 h after treatment. The post-treatment ABRs at 16 kHz showed the greatest mean threshold shift of 33.6 dB. The post-treatment DP-gram data showed significant reduction of the signal to noise ratios in the majority of the frequencies tested, across all tested protocols. The data suggest that the most sensitive DPOAE procedure for the early detection of the cisplatin-induced ototoxic damage is the DPOAE I/O protocol. Morphological analyses indicated that the inner hair cells remained intact, while several types of alterations were observed in the arrangement of the stereocilia in the outer hair cells.

Animals↗