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Biomedical subjects

Shmuel Evron

Publications and source records attributed to Shmuel Evron.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Pregnancy-associated rhinitis.

Previous studies overestimated the incidence of pregnancy-associated rhinitis because it is a poorly defined clinical condition. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of this unique type of rhinitis using up-to-date strict criteria. This prospective study included 109 primigravida parturients who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and underwent detailed rhinoscopy. Pregnancy-associated rhinitis was defined as nasal obstruction symptom and rhinorrhea appearing during pregnancy, lasting for at least 2 months, and disappearing postpartum. The incidence of rhinitis associated with pregnancy at the time of delivery was 9%. No correlation was found between symptoms and signs. Pregnancy-associated rhinitis is an infrequent clinical entity. It may be related to hormonal changes and possibly altered sensation of nasal airflow.

Adolescent↗

Morbidly obese patients are hemodynamically stable during laparoscopic surgery: a thoracic bioimpedance study.

PURPOSE: Morbid obesity caries an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and might be associated with intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Based on clinical observation, we hypothesized that during laparoscopic surgery, morbidly obese patients behave hemodynamically similar to the nonobese patients and remain hemodynamically stable. METHODS: In a prospective trial, thirty nonobese and tthirty morbidly obese (BMI > or = 35 kg/m(2)) patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery were assigned to receive standard balanced anesthesia. We aimed at equianesthetic levels by keeping the BIS (bispectral index) value between 40-50 throughout surgery. End-tidal isoflurane was measured every 5 min. Noninvasive hemodynamic measurements included cardiac index (CI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), recorded every 5 min and at specific predetermined times. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was calculated. Episodes of MAP < or = 60 and MAP > or = 130 mmHg or HR < or = 50 and HR > or = 110 bpm occurring throughout surgery and requiring pharmacological intervention were considered main end-points. Additionally, hemodynamic variables were compared at specific time points and overall throughout surgery. Secondary end-points were CI and SVRI. RESULTS: Heart rate was higher in obese patients in head-up position (79 +/- 15 mmHg vs. 65 +/- 12 mmHg - P=0.011). SVR was higher in the nonobese group with head-up position (1978 +/- 665 dynes s cm(-5) vs. 1394 +/- 496 dynes s cm(-5) P=0.01). Mean overall intraoperative MAP, HR, CI and SVR were similar. There were no episodes of MAP < or = 60 and > or =130 mmHg or HR < or = 50 and > or =110 bpm in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed our hypothesis that for the most periods of laparoscopic surgery, obese patients are hemodynamically as stable as their nonobese counterparts.

Adult↗

Similar incidence of hypotension with combined spinal-epidural or epidural alone for knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that the incidence of hypotension during total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is lower in patients given combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia vs those receiving epidural anesthesia alone. METHODS: In a prospective study, 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists I-II patients (aged 40-80 yr), undergoing elective TKR surgery were randomly assigned to either CSE anesthesia (CSE, n = 40) or epidural anesthesia alone (Epidural, n = 40). Hemodynamic measurements included oscillometric mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and cardiac index (CI) as determined by thoracic bioimpedance; systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was calculated. Our primary endpoint (outcome) was the number of hypotension episodes (defined as MAP < 70 mmHg). RESULTS: Using univariate analysis, we found no differences between the groups in regards to MAP, HR, CI, or SVR during the perioperative period. The incidence of hypotension was similar in both groups (two patients in each group), as was the incidence of bradycardia (12 patients in CSE, 7 in Epidural; P = 0.2). There were no differences between groups in other hemodynamic measurements including CI and calculated SVR. Analgesia supplementation with fentanyl was more frequently required in the Epidural group (20 vs 6 patients - P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and epidural anesthesia alone during TKR surgery are associated with the same incidence of hypotension with statistically and clinically similar hemodynamic responses.

Adult↗

Comparison of hemodynamic profiles in transurethral resection of prostate vs transurethral resection of urinary bladder tumors during spinal anesthesia: a bioimpedance study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is more frequently associated with perioperative fluid and electrolyte disturbances than transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURT) because of irrigating fluid absorption. Because fluid overload may cause hypertension, we compared the patients' intraoperative hemodynamic profiles (including the incidence of hypertension) during TURP vs TURT, both performed during spinal anesthesia, by using the bioimpedance method. DESIGN: Prospective single-blind study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: 80 (40 in each group) men, ASA physical status I and II. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent TURP or TURT surgery with spinal anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance were compared between the 2 groups. A mean arterial pressure greater than 30% from the baseline value was considered as hypertension. Plasma sodium was measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. MAIN RESULTS: Transurethral resection of prostate patients received more irrigating fluid (7900 +/- 2310 vs 5650 +/- 21560, P < 0.05) and had a higher calculated volume of fluid absorbed: 638 +/- 60 vs 303 +/- 40 mL for the TURT patients (P < 0.05). Mean arterial pressures were higher with TURP, 30 minutes after the onset of surgery and at the end of the procedure (111 +/- 15 vs 100 +/- 10 and 109 +/- 14 vs 99 +/- 14 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). However, there was no hypertension in either group. There were no differences in hemodynamic measurements of hyponatremic vs normonatremic patients. Plasma sodium decreased postoperatively more in the TURP group (140.4 +/- 2.6 mEq/L baseline to 134.1 +/- 3.5 mEq/L, P < 0.05) and was lower postoperatively in the TURP group compared with TURT (134.1 +/- 3.5 vs 137.2 +/- 2.9 mEq/L, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although more irrigating fluid was absorbed in the TURP group, there were no episodes of hypertension in either group.

Aged↗

Remifentanil: a novel systemic analgesic for labor pain.

In a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, we compared the analgesic effect of remifentanil in patient-controlled IV analgesia (PCIA) during labor and delivery with the effect of an IV infusion of meperidine. Eighty-eight healthy term parturients who requested IV analgesia for labor pain were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to receive either increasing doses (0.27-0.93 microg/kg per bolus) of PCIA remifentanil (n=43) or an IV infusion of meperidine 150 mg (range, 75-200 mg) per patient (n=45). Remifentanil by the PCIA device was more effective and reliable analgesia for labor and delivery than IV infusion of meperidine. The visual analog score was lower (35.8 +/- 10.2 versus 58.8 +/- 12.8; P <0.001) and the patient satisfaction score higher (3.9 +/- 0.6 versus 1.9 +/- 0.4; P <0.001), with less of a sedative effect (1.2 +/- 0.1 versus 2.9 +/- 0.1; P <0.001) and less hemoglobin desaturation (97.5% +/- 1.0 versus 94.2% +/- 1.5; P <0.007). The percentage of analgesia failure (the rate of crossover from opiate to epidural analgesia) was less for remifentanil compared with meperidine (10.8% versus 38.8%; P <0.007). There were no significant differences between groups in the mode of delivery or neonatal outcome. There were fewer nonreassuring abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, i.e., higher variability and reactivity with fewer decelerations, under remifentanil therapy as compared with meperidine (P <0.001). In conclusion, an intermittent incremental regimen with repeated small-dose PCIA boluses of remifentanil provided effective and reliable analgesia during labor and delivery.

Adult↗

[Tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation: a short history].

The first descriptions of tracheostomy appear in old Hindu scripts around 2000 BC and Egyptian documents around 1500 BC. Since then, other reports in animals and humans established the tracheostomy as a life saving procedure. Vesalius in 1543 reported the first tracheal intubation in an animal. Trousseau reported 200 patients suffering from diphtheria who were saved by tracheostomy. In the early 1870's, Trendelenburg from Germany performed the first endotracheal anesthesia in man. Macewen in 1878 reported the first elective endotracheal intubation for anesthesia. He isolated the trachea by packing the hypopharynx, from leaking of blood and debris. Later, Rosenberg and Kuhn administered cocaine as local anesthetic to obtund the cough reflex during intubation. Tracheostomy and intubation have been broadly used during the First World War. Magill (1888-1986) recognized the advantages of tracheal intubation. Also, by his efforts, anesthesia has become an independent specialty. In 1913 the first anesthetic laryngoscope was invented by Jackson and modified by the Magill, Miller and Macintosh. In 1942, curare was introduced as a muscle relaxant for abdominal relaxation during general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation became routine in major abdominal and other surgeries. The article also reviews the Israeli contribution to the development of tracheostomy.

History, 16th Century↗

Nasal versus oral fiberoptic intubation via a cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) during spontaneous ventilation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate of nasal versus oral fiberoptic intubation in anesthetized patients breathing spontaneously via the cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPAtrade mark). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Two university-affiliated hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients scheduled for general or plastic surgery of the torso or extremities. INTERVENTIONS: Nasal (n=20) and oral (n=20) fiberoptic intubation were performed in patients while breathing spontaneously via the COPA during standardized anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), COPA size, difficult airway predictors, rate of failed ventilation via COPA, and frequency of hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) during the procedure, and perioperative untoward events were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: The background, airway difficulty, vital signs and untoward effects were similar in the two groups. Nasal fiberoptic laryngeal view (scale 1-4) was better than the oral grading (3 [median] vs. 2, respectively; p <0.05). Eighty percent of the nasal intubations were successful compared with 40% of the oral intubations (p <0.05). Nasal intubations were accomplished within 153 +/- 15 SD seconds compared with 236 +/- 22 seconds (p <0.05) for the oral intubations, and less propofol was needed in the nasal intubations during the procedures (240 +/- 27 mg [nasal] vs. 277+/- 39 mg [oral]; p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy is more successful and easy than the oral approach in anesthetized patients who are breathing spontaneously through the COPA.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor pain: effect on labor, delivery and neonatal outcome of 0.125% bupivacaine vs 0.2% ropivacaine.

The objective was to evaluate the influence of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) using low doses of bupivacaine vs. ropivacaine, on labor pain, motor blockade, progression of labor, delivery and neonatal outcome. This randomized double blind study included 565 parturients. All received a 5-mL/h infusion and PCEA (5-mL boluses with a 20-min lockout, maximum volume 20 mL/h) of either 0.125% bupivacaine (n = 313: 165 nulliparous, 148 parous) or 0.2% ropivacaine (n = 252: 113 nulliparous, 139 parous). Pain score, lower limb motor block, sensory levels, local analgesic doses required, hemodynamic parameters, side effects and complications were assessed. Obstetric variables included cervical dilation at epidural insertion, incidence of ruptured membranes and their duration, use of oxytocin, fetal heart rate changes, duration of labor, mode and outcome of delivery, and use of invasive and non-invasive fetal monitoring. Neonatal characteristics included birth weight, Apgar scores, umbilical artery pH, serum bilirubin, hypoglycemia, need for assisted ventilation, sepsis or sepsis study, feeding difficulties and respiratory distress syndrome. Ropivacaine 0.2% was equianalgesic with 0.125% bupivacaine, but produced less motor block (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences, however, in duration of labor, delivery type or neonatal outcome.

Adult↗

Human immunodeficiency virus: anesthetic and obstetric considerations.

The pandemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is on the threshold of its third decade of existence. The World Health Organization-United Nations statistics show that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS pandemia is set to get much worse. Women of reproductive age are the fastest growing population with HIV. Common signs and symptoms have become more moderate or subclinical, and new clinical presentations have emerged. It is quite apparent that HIV-disease affects multiple organ systems. Advances have been made in elucidating the pathogenesis of HIV. In addition, the molecular technique of viral load determination and the CD + 4 T-lymphocyte count enable evaluation of the disease, its prognosis, and its response to therapy. There is limited specific information concerning the overall risk of anesthesia and surgery of HIV/AIDS patients. However, as far as can be determined, surgical interventions do not increase the postoperative risk for complications or death and should therefore not be withheld. There is also little evidence to suggest that HIV or antiretroviral drugs increase the rate of pregnancy complications or that pregnancy may alter the course of HIV infection. General anesthesia is considered safe, but drug interactions and their impact on various organ systems should be considered preoperatively. Regional anesthesia is often the technique of choice. Yet, one must take into consideration the presence of neuropathies, local infection, or blood clotting abnormalities. It should be emphasized that all practicing anesthesiologists should be familiar with the disease and should use prenatal anesthesia consultations and a team approach to assure optimal treatment for HIV patients.

Adult↗

Role of sonography in the diagnosis of retained products of conception.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with clinical and sonographic diagnosis of retained products of conception and to evaluate its correlation with histopathologic findings. METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 156 patients admitted for retained products of conception. Women were referred because of 1 or more of the following: abdominal pain, bleeding, and fever. The status of the cervix was evaluated by bimanual examination. The diagnosis of retained products of conception was made when a sonographic finding of hyperechoic or hypoechoic material was seen in any part of the uterine cavity or the presence of a thickened endometrial stripe greater than 8 mm and an irregular interface between the endometrium and myometrium was found. One hundred twenty-one women (77.6%) were admitted after dilation and curettage for abortion, and 35 (22.4%) were admitted after spontaneous labor. RESULTS: Histopathologic reports confirmed the diagnosis of retained products of conception in 86 (71%) of 121 women in the postabortion group and in 17 (48.5%) of 35 women in the postpartum group. The overall false-positive rate for sonographic diagnosis was 34%. For women after abortion and after delivery, the false-positive rates were 28.9% and 51.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reliance on common signs and symptoms to diagnose retained products of conception as well as the use of sonography is associated with an unacceptably high false-positive rate, mainly after delivery. A more conservative approach to the treatment of retained products of conception is suggested.

Abortion, Incomplete↗

Current understanding of the patient's attitude toward the anesthetist's role and practice in Israel: effect of the patient's experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the patient's understanding and knowledge of the anesthesiologist's role and responsibilities in the operating room and in other areas of hospital activity, and to delineate the effect of previous anesthetic experience on this knowledge. DESIGN: Prospective study consisting of standard preanesthetic interview and questionnaire survey. SETTING: Preoperative anesthetic clinic in a large central private hospital in Israel. PATIENTS: 295 adult patients who were seen in the preanesthetic clinic in a 4-week period in May, 2000. INTERVENTIONS: After patients were checked for exclusion criteria and given a standard preanesthetic interview, all adult patients presenting to this clinic were asked to participate in the study and complete a questionnaire, which was later evaluated statistically. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients (90% response rate) took part in the study. Two hundred (67.8%) patients had previous experience with anesthetics (Group A), and 95 (32.2%) patients presented for the first time for anesthesia (Group B). Ninety-five percent in Group A and 94.7% of Group B believed that the anesthesiologist is a doctor. Ninety-three percent of Group A and 90.5% of Group B answered that the anesthesiologist himself administered the anesthetic drugs. As to the responsibility for the patient's well-being during the operation and postoperatively, opinion was divided equally as to whether the surgeon or the anesthesiologist is responsible. The patients in both groups seemed to be well informed about the way anesthetic drugs act. Only 4% of patients of both groups knew about the anesthesiologist's other duties outside the operation room. CONCLUSION: If able to be extrapolated to all of Israel, our results show a high appreciation for the physician status of the anesthesia professional and role in safe recovery. Passive learning from a prior anesthetic experience did not appear to improve such appreciation.

Adult↗

[Intravenous regional anesthesia in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis].

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a familial autosomal dominant trait. The paralytic attacks are precipitated by large carbohydrate-rich meals, cold, mental or surgical stress, infections, exercise, drugs, electrolytes and endocrine abnormalities. Death may occur from respiratory arrest, infections, aspiration or cardiac arrhythmias. Anesthesia and surgical procedures may induce an attack and complicate the perioperative patient condition. Guidelines for anesthetic management should include preventive measures i.e. reduce mental stress and carbohydrate intake and correction of electrolytes and endocrine abnormalities. During the operation, measures should include prevention of cold and monitoring of muscle relaxants and ECG. When paralysis is diagnosed, slow (50 mEq/hr) i.v. infusion of potassium is suggested, while monitoring plasma levels of potassium ECG, and facial nerve conduction. We present two patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis who underwent uneventful orthopedic procedures under i.v. regional block.

Adult↗

Intracranial subdural hematoma following dural puncture in a parturient with HELLP syndrome.

PURPOSE: To present a case of postpartum bilateral intracranial subdural hematoma after dural puncture during attempted epidural analgesia for labour. CLINICAL FEATURES: This complication occurred following accidental dural puncture in a parturient with thrombocytopenia (99,000 x microL-1) who subsequently developed the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. On the first postoperative day, postdural puncture headache (PDPH) developed. An epidural blood patch (EBP) was deferred to the third postoperative day because of a platelet count of 21,000 x micro L-1. However, the headache intensified from a typical PDPH to one which was not posturally related. A second EBP was abandoned after the injection of 5 mL of blood because of increasing headache during the procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral temporal subdural hematomas. The patient was managed conservatively and discharged home without any sequelae. CONCLUSION: It is conceivable that thrombocytopenia together with possible abnormal platelet function increased the risk of subdural hematoma. Alternative diagnoses to PDPH should be considered whenever headache is not posturally related.

Adult↗

Postoperative nausea and vomiting: comparison of the effect of postoperative meperidine or morphine in gynecologic surgery patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in women receiving postoperative intravenous morphine or meperidine following gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, randomized study. SETTING: Tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS: 200 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients scheduled for elective gynecologic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either postoperative IV morphine (n = 100) or meperidine (n = 100) following gynecologic surgery. MEASUREMENTS: We compared pain scores, sedation scores, nausea scores, well-being scores, vomiting rate, and patient satisfaction in both groups 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after arrival in the postoperative anesthesia care unit. MAIN RESULTS: The vomiting rate was 8/100 versus 7/100 (at 15 min), 4/100 versus 26/100 (at 30 min) (p < 0.05), 3/100 versus 23/100 (at 60 min) (p < 0.05), and 0/100 versus 0/100 (at 120 min) in the morphine or meperidine groups, respectively. The pain and sedation scores were similar in both groups. No major complications were noted in either group. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates an advantage of the use of morphine rather than meperidine for pain control in the immediate postoperative period following gynecologic surgery.

Adult↗

Urinary function during epidural analgesia with methadone and morphine in post-cesarean section patients.

Urinary function was assessed in 120 women after cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. Postoperative analgesia was obtained by means of epidurally administered methadone (40 patients) or morphine (40 patients). In the remaining 40 women, no narcotic drugs were given and postoperative pain was treated with intramuscular or oral non-opiate analgesics and sedatives. Both methadone and morphine provided potent postoperative pain relief. Following epidural methadone, mean urine volumes of the first two postoperative voidings were increased (543 +/- 38 ml and 571 +/- 31 ml) as compared with those after epidural morphine (219 +/- 25 ml and 218 +/- 18 ml) and with those of patients receiving non-opiate analgesics (319 +/- 28 ml and 414 +/- 30 ml). The mean time interval between the end of surgery and first voiding following methadone analgesia was shorter (336 +/- 27 min) than after morphine (582 +/- 18 min) or after non-opiate (448 +/- 28 min) analgesic drugs. Difficulty in micturition and the need for bladder catheterization were also decreased in the group with epidural methadone (2.5%) in comparison with the groups receiving morphine (57.5%) or non-opiate analgesic medicaments (12.5%). The use of epidural methadone for postoperative pain relief is advocated, both in view of its analgesic potency and of the low incidence of urinary disturbances.

Adult↗

The effects of an external nasal dilator on labor.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an external nasal dilator on several variables characterizing labor in both mother and fetus. METHODS: One hundred and fifty primigravida women in active labor were randomized to wear, throughout labor, either a dilator spring-loaded nasal strip or a placebo device. Data were obtained during labor and compared between the groups. After delivery, the satisfaction rate was assessed. RESULTS: No differences were found between the study and the control group regarding rate of induction or augmentation of labor as well as Montevideo units reached, frequency of rupture of membranes, duration of the active phase and second stage of labor, usage of epidural analgesia, normal fetal heart pattern, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal well being. Length of maternal and neonatal hospitalization also did not differ between the groups. Satisfaction rate was significantly higher in parturient women wearing nasal strips with a dilator spring than in parturient women wearing a placebo spring (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Nasal strips do not change the course but ameliorate the quality of labor by improving the ease of breathing. Nasal dilators sustain the respiratory effort associated with the long process of labor and may control the switch from nasal to oronasal breathing during delivery.

Adult↗