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L Versichelen

Publications and source records attributed to L Versichelen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical usefulness of the bispectral index for titrating propofol target effect-site concentration.

The bispectral index, a new processed electroencephalographic parameter which may give information on depth of anaesthesia, was used in 58 patients undergoing outpatient gynaecological surgery in order to study if the addition of bispectral index monitoring to standard clinical monitoring could improve the titration of target propofol concentration when using effect-site target-controlled propofol infusion for sedation. In Group 1 (n = 30), the bispectral index was recorded but the anaesthetist was unaware of the readings and therefore only classical signs of depth of anaesthesia were used to guide the anaesthetist in controlling the effect-site concentration. In Group 2 (n = 28), bispectral index readings were available to the anaesthetist and effect-site concentration was adjusted to ensure that bispectral index was maintained between 40 and 60. Similar propofol induction and maintenance doses, blood and effect-site concentrations and mean bispectral index were found in the two groups. A greater percentage of bispectral index readings lying outside the target range (i.e. < 40 or > 60) and more movement at incision and during maintenance were found in Group 1. There was a trend towards more implicit awareness in patients in Group 1. Bispectral index was found to be useful for measuring depth of sedation when using propofol target-controlled infusion. Propofol dosage could not be decreased but a more consistent level of sedation could be maintained due to a more satisfactory titration of target effect-site concentration.

Adolescent

Comparison of computer-controlled administration of propofol with two manually controlled infusion techniques.

Ninety women were studied in order to compare dose requirements and quality of anaesthesia between target-controlled infusion and two manually controlled infusion schemes for propofol administration: group I received target-controlled infusion for induction (4 micrograms.ml-1 target blood concentration, increased by 2 micrograms.ml-1 after 3 min of consciousness not lost), groups II and III received an induction bolus of propofol at infusion rates of 1200 or 600 ml.h-1, respectively, until loss of consciousness. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol target-controlled infusion in group 1 or by constant rate infusion in the other two groups. Computer simulations were used to calculate blood and effect-site propofol concentrations. Mean induction times (SD) were 78 (65)s in group I versus 51 (10)s and 62 (12)s in groups II and III, respectively (p < 0.05 between groups II and III). Mean induction doses were: 1.31 (0.44), 2.74 (0.56) and 1.77 (0.43) mg.kg-1 and mean maintenance doses were 13.4 (3.55), 9.32 (1.72) and 9.97 (1.53) mg.kg-1 h-1 in groups I, II and III, respectively (p < 0.05 between all groups). There was a lower incidence of apnoea in group I than in groups II and III. There were no significant differences between the groups in other objective parameters of anaesthetic quality studied. Computer simulations showed an "overshoot' in propofol blood and effect-site concentration with manual induction and significantly higher maintenance levels with target-controlled infusion.

Adult

Single dose i.v. tropisetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting after gynaecological surgery.

In a prospective, randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we have compared the efficacy of a single i.v. dose of tropisetron 0.5 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We studied 385 ASA class I and II female patients undergoing abdominal or vaginal gynaecological surgery, including laparoscopy. Tropisetron or placebo were administered before a standardized general anaesthetic. The frequency of vomiting in the 24-h period after entry into the recovery room was reduced from 44% after placebo to 31%, 26% and 30% after tropisetron 0.5 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg, respectively (P = 0.06, P = 0.009 and P = 0.043; unadjusted). Compared with placebo, nausea was reduced from 55% to 46%, 34% and 46% (P = 0.25, P = 0.003, P = 0.22), and need for rescue treatment from 39% to 29%, 23% and 35% (P = 0.13, P = 0.017 and P = 0.59) for the same groups. Tropisetron 2 mg appeared to be the optimal dose for prophylaxis against PONV with a side-effect profile similar to that of placebo.

Adult

Accumulation of foreign gases during closed-system anaesthesia.

In a previous study, accumulation of methane was found at the end of closed-system ventilation. As on-line analysis of gas concentrations is now available, we examined the progressive increase in concentrations of methane, carbon monoxide and acetone during modern, closed-system conditions, and their influence on infrared halothane analysis, in 26 non-pregnant, gynaecological patients. A computer-controlled closed-system anaesthesia apparatus (PhysioFlex) was used for ventilation during total i.v. anaesthesia (excluding nitrous oxide or potent inhalation anaesthetics) for gynaecological laparoscopy. Methane, carbon monoxide and acetone concentrations were analysed every 15 min in a photoacoustic infrared monitor and halothane concentrations by built-in infrared spectrometry. Mean methane concentrations increased progressively after 105 min to 941 (SD 1094) ppm, but concentrations of carbon monoxide and acetone did not increase significantly. In 18 patients, the infrared measurement falsely indicated 0.79 (0.52)% "halothane" after 60 min, but no reading appeared in the other eight patients. We conclude that methane accumulated progressively under strict closed-system conditions in higher concentrations than reported previously. In two-thirds of patients it induced false "halothane" readings.

Acetone

Propofol anaesthesia for ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval: accumulation of the anaesthetic agent in follicular fluid.

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol, Diprivan, ICI-Pharmaceuticals, Manchester, UK) is widely used either as an adjunct in general anaesthesia or as sole anaesthetic agent by the continuous intravenous route and intermittent bolus injections for minor surgical interventions. For several years, we have been using this kind of anaesthesia in transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), allowing a completely painless puncture on an out-patient basis. From in-vitro studies on mouse oocytes, it appeared that propofol could be deleterious for fertilization in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We therefore investigated the concentrations of propofol in follicular fluid during oocyte retrieval in women. We measured propofol levels in serum and follicular fluid of nine patients at fixed intervals during ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval. Serum levels fluctuated randomly, due to interference from top-off doses of propofol. In follicular fluid, however, we found a steady increase of propofol levels, which was proportional to the total dose of propofol administered. These data indicate that propofol accumulates in follicular fluid. Although it seems unlikely that propofol as used in the present protocol exerts a clinically significant unfavourable effect on IVF, we suggest that the oocyte retrieval procedure should be kept as short as possible, in order to limit the accumulation of the anaesthetic in follicular fluid.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug

[Pulse oximetry].

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Anesthesiology

Propofol combined with nitrous oxide-oxygen for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia.

After a bolus of 2 mg/kg, propofol was given by continuous infusion (150 micrograms/kg/minute for 30 minutes and then 100 micrograms/kg/minute) supplemented with nitrous oxide for anaesthesia during ear surgery in 12 patients. Cardiovascular changes were not significant except for a decrease in heart rate after 60 minutes. Acid-base balance was unaffected by the amount of fatty emulsion. Cortisol levels showed a nonsignificant decrease during the prolonged administration of propofol but had recovered completely by one hour following anaesthesia. Mean blood concentrations of propofol were 10.5 micrograms/ml (SEM 1.2) at the onset of unconsciousness, between 3.4 and 4.5 micrograms/ml during continuous infusion and 2.9 micrograms/ml (SEM 0.3) on awakening. Patients opened their eyes 6 minutes (SEM 1) after discontinuation of the infusion, and were responsive at 7.5 minutes (SEM 0.5), which suggests that propofol infusion can be used safely for surgery of 2 hours' duration.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

Priming with vecuronium and atracurium--a comparison.

Vecuronium (V) and atracurium (A) were compared in a randomised study in premedicated patients undergoing laparoscopy for gynecological pathology. Both groups contained ten patients. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl (0.1 mg) and thiopentone (1 mg/kg initially and subsequently 4 mg/kg). A priming dose of vecuronium (20 micrograms/kg) or atracurium (100 micrograms/kg) was given one minute before the intubating dose (60 micrograms/kg for vecuronium and 300 micrograms/kg for atracurium). Ninety seconds thereafter intubation was performed. Maintenance of anesthesia consisted of isoflurane at an inspiratory concentration of 1% in a mixture of O2/N2O (50%/50%) with small supplements of fentanyl. Neuromuscular block was monitored with the Datex Relaxograph. Results show that neither drug offers major clinical advantages over the other: there is no difference in speed of onset (V:T190sec 14.6 +/- 4.3%; A:T190sec 23.5 +/- 6.5%; Mean +/- SEM) and duration of neuromuscular block (V:T150sec 34.2 +/- 3.5 min; A:T150sec 41.3 +/- 2.8 min; Mean +/- SEM) and intubation conditions are almost identical.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia

Effect of speed of injection on induction of anaesthesia using propofol.

Sixty unpremedicated patients (30 male) were randomly allocated to three groups. They received an induction dose of propofol 2 mg kg-1 over 5, 20 or 60 s to a forearm vein. Anaesthesia was maintained with conventional inhalation anaesthetic agents. Anaesthesia was induced satisfactorily in all 20 of the patients in the 5-s group, in 19 of the patients in the 20-s group and in 18 of the patients in the 60-s group. The rate of injection had a significant influence on induction time. Mean induction time increased from 21.5 to 34.7 and 50.5 s, when injection time was increased from 5 to 20 to 60 s, respectively. Similar induction times were found in male and female patients. There was no significant difference between the groups, in depth of anaesthesia obtained--as assessed by the eyelash reflex. Mean arterial pressure decreased to the same extent in all three groups. Two minutes after induction, mean systolic arterial pressure was reduced by 15.1, 13.5 and 19.3 mm Hg in the 5-, 20- and 60-s groups, respectively, and mean diastolic arterial pressure by 10.3, 13.2 and 13.7 mm Hg. Heart rate changes were insignificant. Apnoea of more than 10 s duration was seen frequently in all three groups, but the results suggest that the incidence was not influenced by the rate of injection. Three patients experienced mild pain at the time of injection. No major adverse reactions occurred during or after anaesthesia.

Adolescent

Comparison of propofol and thiopentone for induction of anaesthesia in premedicated patients.

Thirty premedicated ASA I or II patients scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery, were randomly allocated to receive either 1.5 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg propofol of the new emulsion formulation, or 4 mg/kg thiopentone, given over 20 seconds. Anaesthesia was successfully induced in all 30 patients. The mean (SEM) induction times were for propofol 1.5 mg/kg 33.3(3.2) seconds, for 2 mg/kg 30.5(2.7) seconds and for thiopentone 34.6(2.7) seconds. The incidence of apnoea greater than 10 seconds, was respectively 60, 80 and 80%, and the mean duration of apnoea 30.8(5.3), 37.1(5.0) and 23.7(5.0) seconds. The mean systolic blood pressure decreased after propofol 1.5 mg/kg by 16.0 mmHg, after 2 mg/kg by 18.6 mmHg, and increased after thiopentone by 1 mmHg, 2 minutes after injection. Heart rate increased significantly 2 minutes after thiopentone by an average of 15.1 beats/minute, but not after propofol. Pain was not reported during or after the injection. No major adverse reactions occurred at induction or during maintenance of anaesthesia with an inhalation agent. One patient who received 2 mg/kg propofol and isoflurane vomited for 24 hours. The recovery of anaesthesia after propofol induction, was quicker than after thiopentone.

Adult

Cumulative experience with propofol ('Diprivan') as an agent for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia.

In 60 unpremedicated patients, anaesthesia induction time decreased when the time taken to inject a bolus of 2 mg/kg propofol was decreased from 60 s to 5 s. Apnoea at induction was noted in all groups but the degree of cardiorespiratory depression was not influenced by the rate of injection. In premedicated patients both 1.5 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg were effective doses for induction of anaesthesia. In comparison with thiopentone 4 mg/kg, propofol produced a greater degree of arterial hypotension and a smaller increase in heart rate. Preliminary results with an infusion of propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia suggest that rapid recovery can be achieved after operations of long duration.

Adolescent

Anesthesia for foreign bodies in the tracheo-bronchial tree in children.

The authors present the anesthetic and ventilation techniques, used in 106 children, who were suspected of foreign body aspiration in the respiratory tract. In 62 children a foreign body was found. The youngest child was 8 months old and the oldest 13 years, with an age distribution peak in the 1 to 2 years age group. A predominance for the male sex (60%) was present. Foreign bodies of organic nature were found most frequently (80%), 39 of them consisting of peanuts. The bronchi were involved more often than the trachea and the foreign body was located more frequently at the right bronchus (38 pt). The children were ventilated initially with an intermittent oxygen jet injection technique, using a home made apparatus, but since 1978 with HFPPV, using the AGA Bronchovent. Induction of anesthesia was done with halothane and maintenance with etomidate infusion (10-20 micrograms/kg/min.) or thiopental increments (2 to 3 mg/kg). The technique so far used, proved to be satisfactory, specially since HFPPV is used. Few complications occurred. One child died during the bronchoscopic procedure and in an other child a tracheostomy had to be performed for extraction of the foreign body.

Adolescent