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Biomedical subjects

L B Santamaria

Publications and source records attributed to L B Santamaria.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Muscular rigidity caused by alfentanil: prevention].

We studied three groups of 30 patients each, undergoing minor orthopaedic surgery, anaesthetized with alfentanil (30 micrograms/kg bolus followed by an infusion of 0.3 micrograms/kg/min), thiopental 3 mg/kg and 70% N2O via facial mask. Patients in group I were treated, three minutes before induction, with vecuronium 0.02 mg/kg i.v., while those in group II were premedicated with diazepam 0.15 mg/kg i.m. 30-45 minutes before induction. Group III served as control. Muscular rigidity was evaluated clinically with a subjective score based on a scale of 0 (no rigidity) to 3 (severe rigidity). Diazepam did not give significant protection from muscular rigidity. Vecuronium administration did not significantly reduced the number of patients who became rigid, but significantly decreased the incidence of severe rigidity (p less than 0.005), the mean rigidity score (p less than 0.05) and the incidence of rigidity at the induction of anaesthesia (p less than 0.0005). We also observed a progressively increasing incidence of rigidity with increasing age (not significantly) and body weight (p less than 0.05 total rigidity, p less than 0.01 severe rigidity).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Anesthesia for shoulder surgery. Comparison of anesthesiologic problems and technics].

We evaluated the ability of general, regional (interscalene block) and balanced anaesthesia (interscalene block supplemented by general anaesthesia) to manage the problems of shoulder surgery. Our results show that general anaesthesia is not adequate. Interscalene block provides intra and postoperative analgesia, allows an early realization of the postoperative rehabilitation programme and quickens the recovery of shoulder function. Therefore, interscalene block should routinely be performed. The positions of patient and surgeons cause the main disadvantages of anaesthesia with interscalene block alone, ad the control of airway of sedated patients is difficult and performing general anaesthesia in case of insufficient analgesia may be troublesome. Balanced anaesthesia, as compared to regional block alone, allows a safer control of respiration and an easier control of surgical analgesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Azlocillin and the immune response in intensive care.

The authors have followed the course of the immunological cellular and humoral parameters in 12 patients in the Intensive Care Unit at the University Polyclinic of Messina having grave infections of the respiratory apparatus, for which an antibiotic therapy with azlocillin, semisynthetic penicillin was carried out; all this with the aim of pointing out any possible interferences with the already precarious immune system in such patients. The results obtained seem to exclude any immunodepressing activity by the molecule.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Hemoperfusion with activated carbon in the treatment of exogenous acute poisoning].

Reference is made to results obtained at the University of Messina Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation department with an "Emoadsorb" haemodepurator set in 18 patients with serious exogenous toxicosis. The criteria used in the indication of this treatment include the seriousness of the clinical picture and quantitative and qualitative assessment of the poison in the blood. A key feature of the system used was a highly biocompatible, hydroxyethylmetacrylate membrane coating the activated carbon, capable of subtracting toxins in a 300-5000 p.m. range. The effectiveness of the method was appraised clinically and by gas chromatography, to quantify the amount of poison in the blood before and after treatment. Rapid detoxication was obtained in 16/18 cases. It is therefore felt that extracorporeal haemodepuration with A.C. is a sound form of management in cases of acute exogenous toxicosis, and should be more widely employed in resuscitation departments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[A rare case of acute mandragora poisoning. Diagnostic and therapeutic criteria].

After mentioning the botanic characteristics of mandragora, its territorial distribution, morphological characteristics and the toxicological properties of its alkaloids, a clinical case of accidental mandragora poisoning is reported. The case was successfully treated with atropinic block antagonists, namely cholinesterase inhibitors. Apart from its serious symptomatology, mandragora poisoning also involves considerable metabolic commitment of liver and kidney, which present evident signs of disturbance. Information about these and other insidious plants should be spread to prevent such cases of poisoning, whose gravity is enhanced by the fact that they are exceptional and not often encountered in clinical practice.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Propofol and alfentanil in total intravenous anesthesia].

We studied 22 patients undergoing total intravenous anaesthesia for both abdominal and superficial surgery. Anaesthesia has been induced and maintained with propofol (1 mg/kg in 20 seconds; 10 mg/kg/h for 10 minutes; 8 mg/kg/h for 10 minutes; 6 mg/kg/h until the end of the operation) and alfentanil (15 mg/kg before the induction and boli of 10-30 mg/kg in the presence of insufficient surgical analgesia). All the patients have been intubated after the administration of vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg, and artificially ventilated with air and oxygen (FiO2 0.4). We observed: 1) haemodynamic stability after the intubation and during surgery; 2) easy control of surgical analgesia; 3) early postoperative recovery, with no correlation with the doses of propofol and alfentanil; 4) absence of postoperative respiratory depression; 5) intraoperative amnesia; 6) low incidence of postoperative side effects. We conclude that, by virtue of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of propofol and alfentanil, most limitations of total intravenous anaesthesia have been overcome.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sedation with propofol in COPD patients in the ICU].

Sedation with propofol was achieved in 10 patients with COPD admitted into ICU because of acute respiratory insufficiency. Propofol dosage was 1-3 mg/kg-1/h and the testing period 30-144 h. Curarization was non required. Sedation with propofol, valued by means of Ramsay Score, was suitable in all tested patients. Bio-humoral and instrumental monitoring have not evidenced side effects.

Critical Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brain metastases: surgical versus conservative treatment.

A comparative study on surgical versus conservative brain metastases treatment has been carried out. Patients have been divided in seven groups by means of treatment modalities. Follow-up, has been carried out taking into consideration mean survival time and quality life in particular, evaluated by means of Order's classes. Anaesthesiological management problems were discussed also. From data analysis, it follows that untreated patients, (group 1) had a lower mean survival time than that of the other patients. Thirty days after first evaluation, 85% of these patients had a very poor quality life. Patients who underwent surgery associated to radio and chemotherapy (group 2) have had better recovery of functional autonomy and longest mean survival time. Among these, thirty days after treatment only 3% had a very poor quality life, while 67% had the better quality life. Patients who underwent others treatment modalities had intermediate results.

Adult↗