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M Cupa

Publications and source records attributed to M Cupa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Residual curarization in the recovery room after vecuronium.

We have investigated residual block after anaesthesia which included the use of the neuromuscular blocking agent vecuronium but no anticholinesterase, in 568 consecutive patients on admission to the recovery room. The ulnar nerve was stimulated submaximally using TOF stimulation (30 mA). Postoperative residual curarization was defined as a TOF ratio < 0.7. Of the 568 patients, 239 (42%) had a TOF < 0.7 in the recovery room. These patients had received a larger cumulative dose of vecuronium than patients who had full recovery (mean 7.7 (SD 3.6) mg vs 6.2 (2.7) mg; P < 0.05) and a shorter time had elapsed since the last vecuronium dose (117 (70) min vs 131 (80) min; P < 0.05). Of 435 patients whose trachea was extubated, 145 (33%) exhibited inadequate recovery from neuromuscular block. Six of these had one or no response to TOF stimulation and were reintubated. In the remaining 139 patients, neuromuscular block was successfully antagonized. Only 20 patients (3.5%) remembered TOF stimulation when questioned 2 h later in the recovery room, and discomfort associated with it was assessed using a visual analogue scale before discharge. We conclude that it is necessary to antagonize residual block produced by vecuronium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Haemodynamic measurements (continuous cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance) in critically ill patients: transoesophageal Doppler versus continuous thermodilution.

Ten critically ill patients underwent this prospective study to assess the reliability of the continuous thermodilution versus transoesophageal Doppler techniques in the determination of continuous cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). A total of 145 pairs of CO and SVR measurements were obtained by both a pulmonary artery catheter with a heated filament and a transoesophageal Doppler apparatus (ODM II). Total CO ranged from 2.4 and 13 l.min-1; the bias of all measurements was 0.01 +/- 0.48 l.min-1, and the 95% confidence limits (mean difference +/- 2 SD) were 0.97/0.96 l.min-1. Total SVR ranged from 309 and 2643 dyn.s.cm-5; the bias of all measurements was 18 +/- 127 dyn.s.cm-5, and the 95%, confidence limits were 272/236 dyn.s.cm-5. Transoesophageal Doppler accurately measures continuous CO and SVR in critically ill patients. It should be viewed as complementary to pulmonary catheterization.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

The "hands-off" catheter and the prevention of systemic infections associated with pulmonary artery catheter: a prospective study.

The Arrow "Hands-Off" thermodilution catheter (AHO) is completely shielded during balloon testing, preparation, and insertion. To assess the value of the AHO in the prevention of systemic infections associated with pulmonary artery catheterization (SIAPAC), we conducted a randomized prospective study over an 18-mo period. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, of which one received the thermodilution catheter routinely used in our department and the other, the AHO catheter. The diagnosis of SIAPAC was based on recovery of the same organism from the thermodilution catheter (TC) and blood samples, absence of any other infectious focus, and improvement or resolution of clinical evidence of infection after removal of the TC. A total of 166 TCs were randomized in 150 patients. The two groups (mean +/- SD) were comparable in terms of age, SAPS on admission (15.6 +/- 5.2 versus 15.2 +/- 6.2), SAPS on the day of catheter insertion (17.6 +/- 4.8 versus 17.3 +/- 5.8), duration of catheter insertion (22.8 +/- 11.3 versus 25.3 +/- 19.5 min), insertion site, hemodynamic status, duration of use of the TC (3.6 +/- 1.3 versus 3.5 +/- 1.5 d), and outcome. A total of eight cases of SIAPAC were diagnosed in the standard TC group, versus none in the AHO group (p < 0.002). No cases of SIAPAC occurred in those patients who had their TC for less than four days. This study demonstrates the value of the AHO for preventing systemic infections associated with prolonged pulmonary artery catheterization.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Measurement of CO2 response with the breath-by-breath automatic acquisition of the breathing pattern and occlusion pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to present a methodology for the automated acquisition and storage of BP and P0.1 during a CO2 rebreathing test. METHODS: The system consists of a microcomputer with additional circuits and an automatic electronically controlled valve to occlude the inspiratory airway. Data collection and data processing are separate programs. Airway pressure and flow are digitized at a 100-Hz rate, while PETCO2 is determined and P0.1 is measured on a breath-by-breath basis. Off-line processing calculates the BP variables, generates a correlation matrix (VE/PETCO2, TTOT/PETCO2, TI/PETCO2, TE/PETCO2, [VT/TI]/PETCO2, [TI/TTOT]/PETCO2, P0.1/PETCO2), and edits graphic data. The accuracy of the volume and pressure measurements was tested by comparing known volumes provided by a syringe (n = 100) and a series of pressures controlled by a water manometer (n = 41) on the one hand, with volumes and pressures measured by the device. The accuracy of the time intervals and P0.1 was assessed by comparing in 10 healthy subjects the values measured manually on a graphic recording with those provided by the device (n = 170). RESULTS: Volumes:Vmeasured = 0.99 x Vcontrolled, r = 0.99, p < 0.001. Pressures:Pmeasured = 0.97 x Pcontrolled + 0.09, r = 0.98, p < 0.001. Inspiratory time:TIautomatic = 0.91 x TIgraphic + 0.22, r = 0.93, p < 0.001. Expiratory time:TEautomatic = 0.93 x TEgraphic + 0.34, r = 0.95, p < 0.001. Occlusion pressure:P0.1automatic = 0.95 x P0.1graphic + 0.62, r = 0.94, p < 0.001. Reproducibility was assumed to be represented by the intraindividual coefficient of variation of the CO2 response. The comparison of an automatic breath-to-breath method with a graphic manual recording revealed significantly less variability with the former (VE/PETCO2: 15.2 +/- 4.5% vs 22.5 +/- 6.3%, p < 0.01; P0.1/PETCO2:8.3 +/- 4.3% vs 19.7 +/- 7.2%, p < 0.001; [VT/TI]/PETCO2:9.1 +/- 3.5% vs 14.5 +/- 5.3%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our automated acquisition and storage of waveforms and breath-by-breath determination of BP and P0.1 provide an easy and thorough analysis of the respiratory response to CO2 and decrease the variability of the results.

Anesthesia, Closed-Circuit↗
PubMed1992

Effects of doxapram on hypercapnic response during weaning from mechanical ventilation in COPD patients.

Failure of weaning from mechanical ventilation in COPD patients is often related to diaphragmatic fatigue. Whether there is a central respiratory drive fatigue and a reserve of excitability is still debated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the following in 13 COPD patients weaned from mechanical ventilation: (1) ventilatory (VE/PETCO2) and neuromuscular (P0.1/PETCO2) response to hypercapnia; (2) the maximum reserve capacity measured through changes in the VE/PETCO2 and P0.1/PETCO2 slopes after doxapram (DXP) infusion, which, given during the test, allows measurement of the maximum response capacity to overstimulation; and (3) analyze the influence of these changes on the outcome of weaning. The results show a variable P0.1/PETCO2 response and a low VE/PETCO2. DXP infusion does not change the slopes of these relations but increases the end-expiratory volume (delta FRCd); (p less than 0.02). Since there was no change in the VE/PETCO2, P0.1/PETCO2, and delta FRC values with or without DXP, there was no excitability reserve in patients who were successfully weaned. When weaning failed, DXP did not change VE/PETCO2 and P0.1/PETCO2 slope, but delta FRCd was greater the delta FRC (p less than 0.001). The excitability reserve in these patients leads to an increase in end-expiratory volume, probably worsening the diaphragm dysfunction.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Platelet hyperaggregation induced by low molecular weight heparin in adult respiratory distress syndrome].

A case is reported of a 68-year-old woman admitted to the intensive care unit with an adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to accidental poisoning with anhydrous phthalic acid. She was given prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine). During the period of intensive care (mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure), the patient experienced a stroke from which she recovered only partially. During pleurectomy for persistent pneumothorax, a lung biopsy was carried out. It confirmed the diagnosis of ARDS and recognized multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. Because of these two thrombotic phenomena, a coagulation defect was searched for. Platelet aggregation tests were all positive with heparin and two low molecular weight fractions. The patient recovered remarkably once she was no longer given Fraxiparine, being extubated nine days afterwards. Six months after discharge, the patient's platelets still aggregated with heparin. The possible mechanism was a heparin-platelet-endothelium complex. It is noteworthy that, in this case, no thrombocytopaenia was found. It may have been countered by thrombocytosis, induced by cellular factors released during ARDS.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[A nicardipine-isoflurane combination in the microsurgery of the middle ear].

Middle ear microsurgery requires a bloodless operative field, achieved through deliberate hypotension techniques. The present work was designed to analyze the quality of the deliberate hypotension induced by the combination of isoflurane with nicardipine, an injectable calcium channel blocker. Eleven patients, ASA I, 10 minutes after induction of anaesthesia, received nicardipine as a bolus of 25 mg renewed every five minutes (maximum 4) and as a perfusion (5 mg/hour). The bloodless operative field was excellent in all cases with a 29.7% drop in arterial blood pressure after 15 minutes (heart rate: +22.3% after 25 min); values then remained stable until nicardipine was stopped; then hemodynamic data returned to the preanaesthetic values in 66 +/- 56 minutes. No side effect was registered. As a conclusion, deliberate hypotension induced by isoflurane--nicardipine combination provides good conditions for middle ear microsurgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Steady-state breathing pattern responses to small inspiratory resistive loads in COPD patients. Application to weaning from mechanical ventilation.

We investigated the effect of small inspiratory resistive loads on the breathing patterns of patients with COPD admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure. Patients were in stable clinical condition three days after weaning from the acute-phase ventilation. Healthy nonsmokers served as controls. Breathing patterns were recorded for 20-min periods during unloaded breathing (R0), then with small inspiratory resistive loads (R1 = 2.5 cmH2O L/s and R2 = 5.2 cmH2O L/s) applied in random order. Respiratory parameters were memorized in real time and blood gases measured continuously with a transcutaneous PO2/PCO2 monitor and compared periodically with arterial blood gases. Minute volume (VE) and respiratory rate decreased with no modification in blood gas values. In the COPD patients, R1 was too small to be perceived; when R2 was applied, no increase in TI was observed, and VT and VT/TI decreased. The VE could not be maintained despite a shortening of expiratory time. The COPD patients did not have significant increase of occlusion pressure (P0.1). Mean blood gas values did not change during the testing, but the coefficient of variation of tcPCO2 increased. During the critical period following weaning from artificial ventilation, COPD patients did not respond in the same manner as normal subjects to inspiratory resistive loads, but did not have modified gas exchange during the 20-min period.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) at the prehospital phase of acute myocardial infarction. Apropos of 49 cases].

In acute myocardial infarction, the earlier intravenous thrombolysis is performed the more effective its action. Pre-hospital intravenous thrombolysis with 100 mg rt-PA was carried out in 49 patients within 3 hours of myocardial infarction. Male preponderance was conspicuous with 44 men (92%) and only 5 women (8%). Mean age was 50.2 +/- 8 years. The infarction was inferior in 48% of the cases. Out of the 49 thrombolyses performed by the mobile intensive care unit, 3 were discontinued on admission (2 diagnostic errors, 1 external heart massage). The time gained by pre-hospital thrombolysis was 52 +/- 25 minutes. There were few complications of thrombolysis: blood effusion at the site of puncture occurred in 4 cases (9%) and haematemesis in 1 case (2%). No cerebral or lethal haemorrhage was observed. Major complications of MI were seldom encountered at the pre-hospital phase: 1 patient died of extensive anterior necrosis with left ventricular dysfunction, and 2 had reversible ventricular fibrillation before treatment was initiated. There was no haemorrhagic complication. The earlier the patient was treated the lower the mortality and morbidity rates. Pre-hospital thrombolysis therefore seems to be feasible when performed by a mobile intensive care unit, and it represents an important gain of time.

Adult↗