PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Mallick

Publications and source records attributed to A Mallick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal using the Novalung in a patient with intracranial bleeding.

A neurosurgical patient who required repeated surgery for intracranial haematoma developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. Raised intracranial pressure proved difficult to manage whilst attempting to maintain optimal gas exchange. The resultant arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide remained unacceptably high, and treatment by extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal was started. A pumpless arteriovenous interventional lung assist device (Novalung) was connected from the right femoral artery to left femoral vein and reduced the arterial carbon dioxide, corrected the respiratory acidosis and enabled control of the intracranial pressure. Subsequently the requirements for both respiratory and cardiovascular support were reduced. The patient made a complete neurological recovery.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗

Bonfils semirigid endoscope for guidance during percutaneous tracheostomy.

We report on the use of the Bonfils semirigid scope for endoscopic guidance during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. Forty patients requiring percutaneous dilational tracheostomy on the General or Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit were enrolled in this study. We used the '45 degree curved distal tip' scope in the first 15 patients, evaluating its ease of use, optical quality of focus and image resolution as well as light intensity on a 10-point scale. We evaluated straight and curved versions of it in another 15 and 10 patients, respectively. We examined the impact on ventilation and cardiovascular parameters. In all patients (n = 40) visualisation of the procedure was satisfactory. There were no clinically significant changes in ventilatory or cardiovascular parameters. The image quality for most patients received a score of 7-10. The Bonfils scope provides a practical alternative to flexible bronchoscopes in this setting.

Adolescent↗

The current practice of tracheostomy in the United Kingdom: a postal survey.

A postal questionnaire was sent to 228 intensive care units throughout the United Kingdom to determine aspects of current tracheostomy practice. From the number of units responding (n = 178, 78%), the majority (n = 173, 97%) practised percutaneous tracheostomy as opposed to open surgical tracheostomy. The Blue Rhino single dilator was the most popular technique (n = 114, 64%). Percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly carried out under bronchoscopic guidance (n = 148, 83%); however, there remains considerable variation in the timing of tracheostomy and only 61 units (34%) have set follow-up procedures.

Anesthesiology↗

Remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil is increasingly used as a component of cardiac anaesthesia. Following cardiac surgery remifentanil is often substituted for alternative opioids on the intensive care unit. We were interested to evaluate postoperative continuation of remifentanil in the form of remifentanil patient control analgesia (RPCA) for those patients who received intraoperative remifentanil. The objectives of this study were to assess the safety, efficacy and feasibility of the RPCA. METHODS: Ten patients who received an intravenous infusion of remifentanil perioperatively for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) had their remifentanil infusion converted to RPCA following extubation on the intensive care unit. Remifentanil patient control analgesia delivered an initial background infusion consistent with the infusion rate at extubation and with a bolus facility of 50 microg administered over 5 min followed by a 5-min lockout. Data collection included sedation and pain scores, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases, number of successful/unsuccessful attempts and the background infusion rate for each subject over a period of 12 h following extubation. RESULTS: The data from nine male and one female patient were analyzed by using SPSS11 for Windows. During the study period the patients achieved adequate pain control and made more RPCA attempts at lower background infusion rates. No episodes of apnoea, SpO(2) less than 95% or a rise in PaCO(2) greater than 6.5 kPa were observed. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil patient control analgesia with a background infusion was effective and safe for postoperative pain relief in this group of spontaneously breathing ICU patients following cardiac surgery.

Aged↗

Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation for central venous access.

BACKGROUND: Infraclavicular axillary vein cannulation is not commonly used for central venous access because identifying the surface landmarks is difficult. Ultrasound guided axillary vein puncture has not been well described. We assessed ultrasound imaging to guide catheterization of the infraclavicular axillary vein. METHODS: In 200 consecutive patients we attempted to catheterize the axillary vein using ultrasound imaging. After successful venepuncture, a tunnelled Hickman line was inserted for long-term central venous access. Surface landmarks of the skin puncture site were measured below the clavicle. We measured the depth of the vein from the skin, the length of the guidewire from skin to carina and the final length of catheter that was inserted. RESULTS: The axillary vein was successfully punctured with the help of ultrasound imaging with first needle pass in 76% of patients. The axillary vein was catheterized successfully in 96% of the cases. Guidewire malposition was detected and corrected by fluoroscopy in 15% of cases. Complications included axillary artery puncture in three (1.5%) and transient neuralgia in two (1%) cases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided catheterization of the infraclavicular axillary vein is a useful alternative technique for central venous cannulation with few complications.

Adolescent↗

A prospective randomised controlled trial of capnography vs. bronchoscopy for Blue Rhino percutaneous tracheostomy.

A crucial step for successful percutaneous tracheostomy is the introduction of the needle and guide wire into the trachea. Capnography has recently been proposed as one way to confirm tracheal needle placement. In this randomised controlled study, we used capnography in 26 patients and bronchoscopy in 29 patients to confirm needle placement for percutaneous tracheostomy using Blue Rhino kit. The operating times and the incidence of peri-operative complications were similar for both groups. Capnography proved to be as effective as bronchoscopy in confirming correct needle placement.

Adolescent↗

Disorders of the lymph circulation: their relevance to anaesthesia and intensive care.

The lymphatic system is known to perform three major functions in the body: drainage of excess interstitial fluid and proteins back to the systemic circulation; regulation of immune responses by both cellular and humoral mechanisms; and absorption of lipids from the intestine. Lymphatic disorders are seen following malignancy, congenital malformations, thoracic and abdominal surgery, trauma, and infectious diseases. They can occasionally cause mortality, and frequently morbidity and cosmetic disfiguration. Many lymphatic disorders are encountered in the operating theatre and critical care settings. Disorders of the lymphatic circulation relevant to anaesthesia and intensive care medicine are discussed in this review.

Anesthesia↗

Comparison of air tonometry with gastric tonometry using saline and other equilibrating fluids: an in vivo and in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: 1) To compare saline gastric tonometry monitoring with air tonometry (Tonocap) in a group of general ICU patients. 2) An in vitro investigation of the performance of other fluids used in gastric tonometry and to assess the effects of variation of temperature and carbon dioxide concentration within the range encountered in clinical use. DESIGN: a) A prospective, observational study in ICU patients b) A comparative laboratory study. SETTING: The general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the laboratory at Leeds General Infirmary. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients in the general ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In vivo comparison of saline and air tonometry demonstrated a difference between the two techniques. Bland & Altman analysis showed a mean bias in the measurement of gastric PCO2 of 1.88 kPa with a precision of 1.22 kPa, with saline giving the lower result. In vitro, saline, air (Tonocap), gelatin and heparinised blood were used, at temperatures of 33-42 degrees C and at carbon dioxide concentrations of 4-8 kPa. While gelatin and blood gave unpredictable results, dependent on temperature and carbon dioxide concentration, air tonometry gave highly reproducible results. A consistent bias between the results with saline and air tonometry was seen over the range of temperatures and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations studied. The mean bias was 0.85 kPa with a precision of 0.40 kPa, saline consistently giving lower results. CONCLUSIONS: There are clinically significant differences in values for gastric mucosal PCO2 measured by air tonometry and saline tonometry both in vivo and in vitro.

Acidosis↗

Use of the Combitube for airway maintenance during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

The Combitube airway allows short-term ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and can be useful in the management of the difficult airway. In a prospective observational study we assessed its use during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). Twenty-one intensive care patients scheduled for elective PDT had their tracheal tube replaced by a Combitube airway retaining the same ventilator settings. Arterial blood gases, airway pressures, SpO2 and end-tidal CO2 were measured as were the transmural pressures exerted by the Combitube cuffs. Combitube placement was successful in 20 of 21 patients although adequate ventilation was possible in only 17 (85%). There was no significant change in PaO2, SpO2, end-tidal CO2, Paco2 or mean airway pressure during Combitube ventilation. A high mean (SD) transmural pressure of 14.7 (5) kPa was exerted by the distal cuff. The Combitube provided a satisfactory alternative airway to the tracheal tube during performance of PDT in 85% of our patients. Potential problems associated with its use in intensive care patients are outlined.

Dilatation↗

Post-thoracotomy paraplegia coincident with epidural anaesthesia.

We report a case of paraplegia in the immediate postoperative period following right bilobectomy for carcinoma of the lung. An epidural catheter had been inserted following induction of anaesthesia and an infusion of bupivacaine 0.15% was used for postoperative pain relief. Magnetic resonance imaging failed to reveal any spinal or epidural haematoma or spinal cord ischaemia. The patient developed respiratory failure on the third postoperative day and required assisted ventilation. He was weaned from the ventilator on day 15. Two days later he sustained a cardiac arrest and died. Post-mortem examination demonstrated spinal cord infarction and severely stenosed spinal arteries. The thoracotomy position and/or intra-operative hypotension might have compromised the blood flow to the spinal cord and although suspected as a possible cause, the use of epidural analgesia was not implicated.

Aged↗