PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

G M Bassell

Publications and source records attributed to G M Bassell.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

An unusual complication of extradural catheterization in obstetric anaesthesia.

An extradural catheter was inserted at the third lumbar interspace for relief of pain during labour in a 21-year-old gravid patient. Attempts to withdraw the catheter met with resistance and produced severe pain in the distribution of the second left lumbar nerve. Radiography revealed an acutely angled loop of the catheter over the L2-3 nerve root.

Adult

Electroencephalographic and behavioural effects of enflurane and halothane anaesthesia in the cat.

The effects of enflurane and halothane on the electroencephalogram (e.e.g.) were studied in 10 cats. Animals underwent at least 2 MAC-hours of anaesthesia with either agent, and the e.e.g. was monitored continuously. Arterial blood-gas tensions were maintained within normal limits. In addition, e.e.g. and behaviour were monitored during the period following anaesthesia, at fixed intervals, for 4 weeks. Despite the production of the central stimulatory effects of enflurane during anaesthesia, no animal demonstrated any central nervous system sequelae on any occasion following the anaesthetic.

Anesthesia, Inhalation

Complete neurological recovery after 13 minutes of hypovolemic hypotension.

It has been shown experimentally that irreversible brain injury and death may follow after 5-7 min of cerebral ischemia and that even brief periods, 2 min or less, can produce focal damage to the nervous system. All published studies demonstrating a protective effect of barbiturates have been performed in animals. A patient is presented who recovered full neurological function after 13 min of hypovolemic hypotension. This remarkable outcome may have been due to the rapid institution of high-dose barbiturate therapy. The extent to which such therapy affected his outcome is unclear, but does add to the growing body of evidence suggesting a favorable effect from this type of barbiturate therapy.

Brain Damage, Chronic

Hemoptysis and pneumothorax after removal of a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter.

Significant resistance was encountered when an attempt was made to withdraw a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter. A small amount of air was injected into the balloon lumen with great difficulty. This injection freed the catheter which was removed, but produced significant sudden hemoptysis and a pneumothorax. The etiology of this complication and guidelines to avoid it are presented.

Catheterization

Maternal bearing down efforts--another fetal risk?

A prospective study of 12 unmedicated pregnant women in the second stage of labor was undertaken to assess the effects of bearing down efforts on brachial and popliteal blood pressure. Inferior vena cava compression, usually detected by reductions in mean and/or pulse pressure in the brachial artery, did not occur at any time, whether or not the uterus was displaced to the left. Abdominal aortic compression, suggested by popliteal pressure fall, was maintained into the second stage of labor, was aggravated when the women bore down, and was alleviated only when bearing down efforts ceased and the uterus was displaced to the left. Bearing down efforts are therefore yet another mechanism by which distal aortic and possibly uteroplacental blood flow can be prejudiced. Their avoidance can be advantageous to the fetus at risk.

Blood Pressure