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Biomedical subjects

J P Fee

Publications and source records attributed to J P Fee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cardiovascular support during combined extradural and general anaesthesia.

We have examined the effect of prophylactic treatment with i.v. fluid 1000 ml, ephedrine 24 mg or methoxamine 4 mg on cardiovascular responses to both extradural and combined extradural and general isoflurane anaesthesia in 45 adult patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. Heart rate (HR) and systemic arterial pressure (AP) were measured using automated oscillotonometry and cardiac output was measured using continuous wave suprasternal Doppler ultrasonography. After lumbar extradural anaesthesia (LEA) there were no significant differences in arterial pressure between treatments, although cardiac index was significantly greater after fluid preloading (mean 4.3 (95% confidence interval 3.7-4.9) litre min-1 m-2) than after ephedrine (3.1 (2.6-3.6) litre min-1 m-2) or methoxamine (2.6 (2.0-3.2) litre min-1 m-2). During combined LEA and general anaesthesia, systolic AP was significantly greater after ephedrine (114 (103-125) mm Hg) than after either preloading (98 (88-107) mm Hg) or methoxamine (97 (89-105) mm Hg). The reduction in AP after induction of general anaesthesia was associated with a decrease in cardiac index after fluid preloading and a decrease in vascular resistance after methoxamine.

Adult

Pain on injection of propofol: comparison of lignocaine with metoclopramide.

We have conducted a randomized, double-blind study in 255 ASA I and II patients to compare the efficacy of lignocaine and metoclopramide in minimizing the pain of injection of i.v. propofol. When administered immediately before propofol into a dorsal hand vein, compared with placebo both drugs significantly reduced the incidence of pain on subsequent injection of propofol (P < 0.001). Twenty patients who had received metoclopramide (n = 85) experienced pain, compared with 18 who had received lignocaine (n = 85) and 42 who had been pretreated with saline (n = 85).

Adolescent

The influence of particle size on the bioavailability of inhaled temazepam.

1. Temazepam was administered by aerosol using a standard protocol to healthy volunteers. Two studies are reported in which different dosage formulations were used: a) 30 mg of the 5 mu diameter particle (n = 6); b) 10 mg of the 2 mu diameter particle (n = 6). 2. An open crossover design was followed in each study. On one occasion in both studies subjects used a gargling procedure to remove drug which had been deposited in the mouth and oropharynx. 3. Serial venous blood samples were drawn for a period of 24 h. The mean total AUC of the 5 mu preparation was significantly reduced by gargling (3153 ng ml-1 h to 1066 ng ml-1 h) (F = 0.32). Gargling also had a significant effect on the mean AUC(0-1 h). 4. In contrast gargling had no significant effect on the mean AUC associated with the smaller diameter particle preparation (630 ng ml-1 h) vs 397 ng ml-1 h (F = 0.74). 5. These findings also indicate that temazepam deposition in the pulmonary tree is enhanced by the use of a 2 mu rather than a 5 mu diameter particle. However, the plasma drug concentrations achieved are unlikely to produce a sufficiently marked sedative effect for endoscopic investigations such as gastroscopy.

Administration, Inhalation

Arterial washin of halothane and isoflurane in young and elderly adult patients.

We have studied the effect of age on washin of isoflurane and halothane by comparing end-tidal (PE') and arterial (Pa) partial pressures of the agents in young (18-32 yr) and elderly (63-82 yr) healthy patients for 20 min after introduction of the agents, before surgery. PE' was measured by infra-red analysis and Pa by gas chromatography. Washin of isoflurane occurred at the same rate in the young and elderly, with no significant difference between young and elderly in PE' or Pa as proportions of the inspired partial pressure (PI). After 20 min of isoflurane administration, mean Pa/PI in the young was 0.57 (95% confidence limit (CL) 0.53-0.62) and 0.55 in the elderly (95% CL 0.51-0.59). Washin of halothane was slower in the elderly than in the young, with Pa/PI significantly less in the elderly from 10 min after introduction of halothane. The difference between age groups, however, was small: mean Pa/PI after 20 min of halothane administration 0.45 (95% CL 0.41-0.49) in the young and 0.38 (95% CL 0.35-0.41) in the elderly. Washin of isoflurane was significantly faster than that of halothane in both young and elderly subjects. For isoflurane, the PE'-Pa gradient was small relative to Pa and did not differ significantly between young and elderly. For halothane, PE'-Pa in the young did not differ significantly from that for isoflurane. In the elderly, PE'-Pa for halothane was significantly greater than in the young and than PE'-Pa for isoflurane.

Adolescent

Psychomotor and clinical assessment of flumazenil as an antagonist of midazolam.

The benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (0.01 mg/kg) has been compared with doxapram (1 mg/kg) and saline for the reversal of anaesthesia with intravenous midazolam, alfentanil, nitrous oxide in oxygen and isoflurane. The completeness of reversal was assessed by means of a four-choice reaction time test, 1 and 3 h following the antagonist. In addition, the level of sedation was graded using a five-point scale. Psychomotor testing showed that 60 min after administration of the antagonist, there were marked increases in reaction times (P less than 0.05) both in the control and doxapram groups, but not in those receiving flumazenil. At 180 min, however, reaction times in all groups had returned to baseline values. In contrast, there was a significant difference in the sedation scores between the saline and flumazenil groups throughout the study period (P less than 0.05). During the 4 h following midazolam, there was no evidence of re-sedation in any of the groups despite the relatively high midazolam dosage.

Adolescent

End-tidal concentrations of halothane and isoflurane during induction of anaesthesia in young and elderly patients.

Twenty-two young (18-32 yr) and 22 healthy elderly (60-80 yr) patients received either halothane or isoflurane for maintenance of anaesthesia during controlled ventilation. End-tidal fractional concentrations (FE) of the agents were measured for 20 min after their introduction into inspired gas and the increase in end-tidal concentrations of the two agents was compared during induction of anaesthesia using the ratios of FE to the inspired fraction (FI). FE:FI ratios for isoflurane were higher than those for halothane in both young and elderly patients, confirming that equilibration of end-tidal with inspired concentration occurs more rapidly with isoflurane than with halothane in both age groups. FE:FI ratios for isoflurane became significantly lower in the elderly than in the young after 15 min administration of isoflurane. This suggests slower induction of anaesthesia in the elderly if equipotent concentrations of isoflurane are used; the clinical significance of this difference is probably small. Mean FE:FI ratios for halothane in elderly patients were similar to those in the young throughout induction of anaesthesia.

Adolescent

Diclofenac for day-care arthroscopy surgery: comparison with a standard opioid therapy.

Sixty unpremedicated patients presenting for day-care arthroscopy surgery were allocated randomly to receive diclofenac 1 mg kg-1 i.m., fentanyl 1 microgram kg-1 i.v. or no analgesic during the course of anaesthesia. Patients receiving fentanyl had slightly, although not significantly prolonged recovery times. Patients receiving diclofenac had significantly improved postoperative visual analogue pain scores compared with patients receiving placebo medication (P less than 0.05). With fentanyl, pain scores were reduced also, but the effect was not statistically significant. Both fentanyl and diclofenac produced significant reduction in postoperative analgesic requirements (P less than 0.05). We conclude that diclofenac 1 mg kg-1 i.m. was an effective analgesic for arthroscopic procedures on the knee and is a useful alternative to opioids for day-care patients.

Adolescent

Analgesia after hip replacement surgery: comparison of nalbuphine with morphine.

Two groups of 40 patients undergoing hip replacement received either nalbuphine 0.3 mg kg-1 or morphine 0.15 mg kg-1 i.m. on up to three occasions: 1 h before operation, as soon as requested after operation, and 3 h subsequently if required. Pain intensity was assessed by the patient as severe, moderate or none, and pain relief by a "blind" nurse observer as slight, moderate or complete. Assessments of pain and sedation were carried out at 30-min intervals for 2 h and at 1-h intervals thereafter for up to 6 h. Six patients who received nalbuphine and eight who received morphine before operation required no postoperative analgesia. Ten patients in the nalbuphine group and two in the morphine group failed to obtain adequate pain relief (P less than 0.05) and were given i.v. morphine.

Analgesia

Factors that influence cutaneous reactions following administration of thiopentone and atracurium.

Atracurium was administered by a variety of techniques to determine whether these influence the onset or duration of muscular relaxation, and the frequency of cutaneous reactions, after a standard induction dose of thiopentone. One-hundred-and-fifty patients were allocated randomly to receive the drug by one of five methods: into a fast-flowing crystalloid infusion in the antecubital fossa; into a winged needle in the antecubital fossa with flushing after the thiopentone; into a winged needle in the antecubital fossa without flushing; into a winged needle in the dorsum of the hand without flushing. The above groups received atracurium freshly removed from the refrigerator whereas the fifth group were given atracurium which had been maintained at room temperature for at least 2 weeks. The frequency of cutaneous reactions was between 60 and 70% overall and there were no significant differences either in this or in the onset or duration of action between the groups. A further 25 patients with a history of drug allergy were also investigated by the first method and showed no significant differences in response, but 25 patients aged over 70 years had a significantly lower frequency of cutaneous reactions with a higher frequency of hypotension than the other groups.

Adult

Methodology of a prospective study of changes in liver enzyme concentrations following repeat anaesthetics.

The methodology of a large prospective study on the influence of repeated anaesthetics on liver function is reported and the problems involved are discussed. The most suitable patients were those presenting for endoscopic examination of the bladder and urethra, for urethral dilatation and for cervical implantation of radium. Blood samples were taken immediately before induction of anaesthesia and on days 3-4 and 13-15 after operation, when a clinical assessment of the patient was also carried out. The concentrations of six enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, serum cholinesterase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase) werechosen specifically as indices of liver function. The eosinophil count was measured to reflect any hypersensitivity reaction. The non-Gaussian distribution of these necessitated using appropriate non-parametric tests together with parametric tests on logarithmic transformed data. In addition a quantal method was used to measure the frequency of patients showing an "abnormal" increase in enzyme concentrations.

Anesthesia, Inhalation

A prospective study of liver enzyme and other changes following repeat administration of halothane and enflurane.

A prospective study of liver enzymes and other measurements following repeat administrations of halothane or enflurane was carried out in patients undergoing minor urological operations. The patient populations were similar with respect to frequency of factors which might influence liver function, social habits, drug therapy and time intervals between administrations. Sixty-three received two or more administrations of halothane and 66 received two or more administrations of enflurane, both drugs given with nitrous oxide in oxygen. There was a greater frequency of increased enzymatic activity following repeat administrations of halothane than following enflurane and the average alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were increased to a greater degree following halothane than enflurane. There was no change in the eosinophil count and no significant postoperative morbidity. Change in alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase occured more frequently in obese patients receiving halothane.

Aged

Frequency of atopy and allergy in an anaesthetic patient population.

Ten thousand patients presenting for anaesthesia in the British Isles were questioned about a possible history of atopic or allergic disorders. The overall percentage frequency of atopy was 8.5, comprising eczema 2.4, hay fever 3.8 and asthma 3.5. The frequency of allergies was 13.5, of which penicillin was the most common (6.2). Females had a significantly greater frequency of atopy or allergy than males. Patients with a history of atopic disorders had a higher frequency of allergies than the non-atopic group (36.2% compared with 11.4%) and vice versa.

Adolescent

Frequency of previous anaesthesia in an anaesthetic patient population.

Ten thousand patients presenting for anaesthesia were questioned about their anaesthetic history; 6672 had received an anaesthetic previously, 19.2% in the preceding 4 weeks. Of 2780 in whom the agents were known, 80.4% had received thiopentone, 18.1% Althesin and 57.4% halothane. Thirty-seven per cent of the total survey population had received two or more anaesthetics.

Adolescent