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Biomedical subjects

S Cockroft

Publications and source records attributed to S Cockroft.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Anaesthesia and aspiration pneumonitis.

Aspiration pneumonitis describes the inflammatory reaction of the lung parenchyma following contamination by stomach contents. It is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of general anaesthesia. Protection of the airway from contamination has long been one of the fundamentals of safe anaesthetic practice. Aspiration pneumonitis was first recorded by John Snow in 1858 but not scientifically described until 1946 by Curtis Mendelson, an American obstetrician, who differentiated between the airway obstruction due to inhalation of solid material and aspiration of liquids which resulted in an intense inflammatory reaction of the lung tissue manifesting as bronchospasm, pulmonary oedema and hypoxia. He identified general anaesthesia as a major contributory factor due to the loss of protective airway reflexes and as a result of related animal studies suggested that the aspiration of acidic material resulted in severe pulmonary impairment.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1994

Use of monitoring devices during anesthesia for cardiac surgery: a survey of practices at public hospitals within the United Kingdom and Ireland.

A questionnaire was sent to all 42 public hospitals, within the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, known to conduct elective cardiac surgery. Information was sought with regard to the availability of intraoperative monitoring equipment. A one hundred percent response rate was achieved. Pulse oximetry, inspired oxygen analysis, and expired carbon dioxide analysis were not utilized at 4, 8, and 10 hospitals, respectively. Similarly, continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen tension and oxygen fraction in the gas flow to the bypass machine was not conducted in 28 and 32 hospitals, respectively. This survey revealed that essential anesthetic monitoring devices, as defined by the United Kingdom Association of Anesthetists, are not in routine usage during the pre-bypass and post-bypass phases of anesthesia for cardiac surgery within the British Isles.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The measurement of right ventricular ejection fraction by thermodilution. A comparison of values obtained using differing injectate ports.

Thermodilution measurements of cardiac output and right ventricular ejection fraction were obtained using a rapid response pulmonary artery catheter. Values were compared when injectate was administered via either a cannula within the right internal jugular vein or the dedicated right atrial port of the pulmonary artery catheter. Mean (SD) bias for cardiac output and right ventricular ejection fraction measurements were 0.08 (0.32) l.min-1 and 2.6 (6.6)% respectively. We therefore conclude that both injectate techniques will provide similar values for cardiac output but dissimilar values for right ventricular ejection fraction measurement.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1992

Initial evaluation of an intracorporeal oxygenation device.

We describe a recently developed intracorporeal gas transfer device, its potential applications and hazards. To date, patients with potentially reversible respiratory failure have been treated with controlled oxygen therapy and positive pressure ventilation, but this treatment may itself contribute to lung parenchymal damage from barotrauma and oxygen toxicity. Total or partial extracorporeal gas exchange can be used to reduce these risks, but this treatment is complex and has significant morbidity and mortality. This gas exchange device has been designed to provide partial gas transfer with simplicity of insertion and use. The oxygenator lies in the vena cava to provide prepulmonary gas exchange. In preliminary studies with three calves we have shown that the device increases both mean mixed venous and arterial oxygen content and reduces mean arterial carbon dioxide tension.

Adult↗