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A L Kovac

Publications and source records attributed to A L Kovac.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of two esmolol bolus doses on the haemodynamic response and seizure duration during electroconvulsive therapy.

Twelve ASA physical status I-III patients were enrolled in a double-blind, prospective, randomized, three-way, within-patient crossover study designed to determine the effect of two standard esmolol bolus doses (100 and 200 mg) on the haemodynamic response and seizure duration during electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). Esmolol or placebo was administered one minute prior to induction of anaesthesia and exactly two minutes before ECT. Both the 100 and 200 mg bolus doses significantly blunted the maximum increase in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) following ECT in comparison with placebo. Compared with placebo, esmolol 100 mg decreased maximum HR by 23 +/- 3%, maximum MAP by 17 +/- 7% and maximum rate-pressure product (RPP) by 40 +/- 9%. Esmolol 200 mg decreased maximum HR by 25 +/- 3%, maximum MAP by 19 +/- 3% and maximum RPP by 42 +/- 5%. No significant difference was found between the two esmolol doses at corresponding measurement points before and after ECT. Treatment with esmolol 200 mg resulted in a significantly shorter mean seizure duration than with placebo. As the 200 mg dose caused a shorter seizure duration and the haemodynamic effects of 100 mg and 200 mg doses were similar, it was concluded that the 100 mg esmolol bolus dose was the better dose for ECT.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Esmolol bolus and infusion attenuates increases in blood pressure and heart rate during electroconvulsive therapy.

To determine whether a standardized dose of esmolol can effectively attenuate the cardiovascular response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), 17 ASA physical status I-II patients were studied in a randomized within-patient, crossover design. Each patient received "no esmolol" during one ECT and three to five days later crossed over to the alternative treatment receiving an esmolol 80 mg bolus followed by 24 mg.min-1 infusion two minutes prior to induction of anaesthesia and continued for five minutes after induction. Esmolol blunted the maximum increases in heart rate (HR) by 26 per cent, mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 14 per cent, and rate pressure product by 37 per cent with significant differences (P less than 0.05) noted at one, two, three and four minutes after ECT (minutes five, six, seven, and eight of the esmolol infusion). There was no significant difference in seizure duration between the two groups and no adverse reactions occurred.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Effect of esmolol on hemodynamics and intraocular pressure response to succinylcholine and intubation following low-dose alfentanil premedication.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc) as an additional adjunct to low-dose alfentanil premedication in controlling the hemodynamic response [heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and intraocular pressure (IOP)] to succinylcholine and endotracheal intubation. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study. SETTING: Ambulatory gynecologic surgery at a university medical center. PATIENTS: Twenty ASA physical status I and II female patients scheduled for outpatient laparoscopy under general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received alfentanil 10 micrograms/kg as a preoperative medication 4 minutes prior to induction of anesthesia. Study patients (n = 10 in each group) received either esmolol 1.5 mg/kg or a placebo (normal saline) 30 seconds prior to induction (210 seconds after alfentanil and 90 seconds prior to endotracheal intubation). Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. Postintubation, 70% nitrous oxide, 30% oxygen, and 1% isoflurane were administered. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Time of study drug administration was defined as time zero. Measurements of HR, MAP, and IOP were made at baseline (patient awake) and at each minute from minutes 1 through 6 after administration of the study drug (time zero). Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data, with a value of p less than 0.05 considered significant. Esmolol 1.5 mg/kg was found to blunt the maximum increase in HR but not MAP or IOP following low-dose alfentanil premedication. CONCLUSIONS: In an eye patient with coronary artery disease, or in any patient in whom tachycardia may be detrimental, esmolol may be a useful adjunct in combination with low-dose alfentanil to attenuate the increase in HR due to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Use of the Augustine stylet anticipating difficult tracheal intubation in Treacher-Collins syndrome.

Treacher-Collins syndrome is a familial and congenital condition often associated with a difficult airway. Although the condition is rare, the anesthesia care provider may encounter it on occasion. This report describes a patient with Treacher-Collins syndrome scheduled to undergo facial reconstruction (fore-head plasty, brow lift, and rhinoplasty) as the sixth of multiple operations. A nasotracheal intubation using the stylet component of a recently introduced airway device, the Augustine Guide, was successfully performed. This is believed to be the first reported use of this method using the Augustine stylet.

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