达米弱刺激通气型口垫在全身麻醉患者苏醒期的应用

目的观察达米弱刺激通气型口垫(达米口垫)作为一种创新型过渡性口咽通气道在麻醉苏醒期的安全性和有效性。方法选取行气管插管全身麻醉腹部手术且拔管后出现意识未完全恢复清醒、伴有舌后坠或呼吸不畅的患者200例,男153例,女47例,年龄26～66岁,体重42～91 kg,ASAⅠ—Ⅲ级。随机分为四组:达米口垫组(D组)、口咽通气道组(K组)、鼻咽通气管组(B组)和传统托颌组(C组),每组50例。拔管后气道管理措施:D组经口置入达米弱刺激通气型口垫;K组置入口咽通气道;B组经鼻置入鼻咽通气道;C组出现气道梗阻情况时予以托颌通气处理。记录拔除气管导管前即刻(T_0)、拔管后5 min(T_1)、拔管后10 min(T_2)、拔管后15 min(T_3)的血流动力学指标(HR、BP、SpO_2)、血气分析指标(PaCO_2、PaO_2、pH值);记录通气道留置时间、调整通气道次数,以及PACU停留时间、拔管后通气过程中舒适度。记录不良反应的发生情况。结果与D组比较,T_1时C组HR明显增快(P0.05),T_2时K组、C组HR明显增快(P0.05),T_3时K组HR明显增快(P0.05),T_2、T_3时K组、B组MAP明显升高(P0.05),T_3时B组、C组PaCO_2明显升高(P0.05),T_1—T_3时K组、B组、C组PaO_2明显降低(P0.05),T_2时C组、T_3时B、C组pH值明显升高(P0.05)。与T_0时比较,T_1时四组HR明显减慢,MAP明显降低(P0.05),T_2时D组HR减慢,D组、B组MAP明显降低(P0.05),T_3时K组、B组HR明显增快,MAP明显升高(P0.05),T_1—T_3时四组PaO_2、pH值明显降低,PaCO_2明显升高(P0.05)。四组不同时点SpO_2差异无统计学意义。与D组比较,K组通气道留置时间和调整通气道次数明显增多(P0.05),C组PACU停留时间明显延长(P0.05),K组、C组拔管后舒适度明显降低(P0.05)。C组躁动发生率明显升高(P0.05)。结论达米弱刺激通气型口垫在气管插管全身麻醉恢复期能够有效维持呼吸道的通畅,具有循环影响小、舒适度高、不良反应小等优点,优于传统口咽、鼻咽通气道。     

阿芬太尼或舒芬太尼复合咪达唑仑与丙泊酚在无痛胃肠镜检查的效果

目的 探讨阿芬太尼或舒芬太尼复合咪达唑仑和丙泊酚在无痛胃肠镜检查的效果。
方法 选择行无痛胃肠镜检查患者150例,男62例,女88例,年龄30～60岁,体重45～90 kg,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级。按照随机数字表法分为两组：阿芬太尼+咪达唑仑组（AM组）、舒芬太尼+咪达唑仑组（SM组）,每组75例。AM组静脉注射咪达唑仑0.02 mg/kg、阿芬太尼6 μg/kg,SM组静脉注射咪达唑仑0.02 mg/kg、舒芬太尼0.06 μg/kg。静脉注射丙泊酚1～2 mg/kg至改良警觉/镇静（MOAA/S）评分为0分时停止注射丙泊酚,立即开始胃肠镜操作。记录丙泊酚首次剂量、总消耗量、追加次数。记录起效时间、操作时间、意识恢复时间和PACU停留时间。记录胃镜插入咽喉部（T1）、结肠镜插入肛门（T2）、过脾曲（T3）、过肝曲（T4）时改良非插管患者行为疼痛量表（BPS-NI）评分。记录患者和内镜医师满意率,低血压、低氧血症、心动过缓、心动过速、呛咳等不良反应发生情况。
结果 与SM组比较,AM组丙泊酚首次剂量明显减少（P<0.05）,起效时间、PACU停留时间明显缩短（P<0.05）,T1时BPS-NI评分明显降低（P<0.05）,患者和内镜医师满意率明显升高（P<0.05）,呛咳发生率明显降低（P<0.05）。
结论 在无痛胃肠镜检查中应用阿芬太尼复合咪达唑仑和丙泊酚,减少丙泊酚用量,缩短起效时间和PACU停留时间,降低呛咳发生率,有利于提高无痛胃肠镜检查的效率和有效性。     

口咽通气道联合面罩机械通气在患儿日间手术中的应用

目的探讨口咽通气道联合面罩通气在患儿日间手术中应用的有效性和安全性。方法100例日间手术患儿,年龄6~12岁,随机分为两组,分别采用口咽通气道联合面罩通气(M组)和喉罩通气(L组)。静脉输注瑞芬太尼及丙泊酚诱导,术中静脉持续输注瑞芬太尼、丙泊酚维持麻醉。术中维持通气RR 16~20次/分,调节VT,维持PETCO235~40mm Hg。记录诱导前(T1)、置入口咽通气道或喉罩时(T2)、手术开始时(T3)、麻醉用药减半时(T4)、停麻醉用药时(T5)、手术结束时(T6)、拔出口咽通气道或喉罩时(T7)的HR、MAP、SpO2、PETCO2、VT、BIS值及Ppeak。记录置入口咽通气道或喉罩一次成功率,停药至拔出口咽通气道或喉罩时间,自主呼吸恢复良好时间,患儿清醒时间,患儿术后不良反应发生情况。结果两组患儿全部成功完成手术。一次性插入的成功率M组明显高于L组(P0.05)。L组术中2例通气不佳,M组无通气不佳患儿。术后患儿有咽部不适感L组11例,M组2例。两组患儿术中HR、MAP、SpO2、PETCO2、VT、BIS值及Ppeak差异无统计学意义。两组PETCO2波形与正常波形比较无变化。术后不良反应及并发症L组明显高于M组(P0.05)。结论口咽通气道联合面罩下通气应用于患儿日间手术是安全有效的。     

雷米芬太尼与芬太尼复合丙泊酚在纤维胃镜检查中的应用

目的探讨雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚在纤维胃镜检查中的镇静效果和安全性.方法选择ASA Ⅰ～Ⅱ级90例门诊胃镜检查患者,随机分成三组,即丙泊酚组、芬太尼复合丙泊酚组（芬太尼组）和雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚组（雷米芬太尼组）,每组30例.术中在置入胃镜前、胃镜经咽时、镜检时及镜检后5 min各时点监测HR、MAP、SpO2等.记录镇静起效时间、定向力恢复时间、镜检满意度、术中知晓、胃镜操作时间及不良反应.结果芬太尼组在置入胃镜前、胃镜经咽时、镜检时及镜检后5 min各时点HR明显减慢（P＜0.05）,丙泊酚组在胃镜经咽时、镜检时HR明显增快（P＜0.05）.芬太尼组MAP较丙泊酚组和雷米芬太尼组明显降低（P＜0.05）.检查过程中丙泊酚组和芬太尼组低血压发生率较雷米芬太尼组明显增高（P＜0.05）.丙泊酚组和芬太尼组注药时静脉疼痛及术后头晕发生率较雷米芬太尼组明显增高（P＜0.05）.丙泊酚组肢体扭动和呛咳呃逆等不良反应发生率较芬太尼组和雷米芬太尼组明显增高（P＜0.01）.结论纤维胃镜检查中采用雷米芬太尼和丙泊酚联合镇静,起效时间快、定向力恢复时间短、镜检满意度高、丙泊酚用量明显减少、费用更低、副作用少,且镇静效果增强,是一种安全、有效的方法.     

无痛胃镜不同入镜时点丙泊酚联合舒芬太尼静脉麻醉效果的比较

目的比较无痛胃镜检查中不同入镜时点丙泊酚联合舒芬太尼静脉麻醉的效果。方法择期行无痛胃镜检查的门诊患者120例,男54例,女66例,年龄18~60岁,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,随机分为两组,每组60例,均采用静脉注射舒芬太尼0.1μg/kg联合丙泊酚1.5mg/kg麻醉。分别于患者入睡且睫毛反射消失后即刻(A组)和30s(B组)入镜开始检查。若入镜时有呛咳及明显体动反应,则追加丙泊酚0.5mg/kg。记录两组患者诱导前(T_0)、入镜前(T_1)、胃镜过咽喉部(T_2)和术毕(T_3)时的HR、BP和SpO_2,及入镜时呛咳、呃逆、体动等反应、术毕清醒时间和丙泊酚用量。结果与T_0时比较,T_1时两组患者的MAP明显降低(P0.05),T_2、T_3时MAP差异无统计学意义。两组患者各时点HR、MAP和SpO_2差异均无统计学意义。入镜时A组呛咳和体动发生率明显高于B组(P0.05);两组呃逆发生率差异无统计学意义。A组术毕清醒时间明显长于、丙泊酚用量明显大于B组(P0.05)。结论丙泊酚联合舒芬太尼用于无痛胃镜,在患者入睡且睫毛反射消失后30s入镜检查可以降低呛咳和体动发生率,减少丙泊酚总用量和缩短苏醒时间,且对呼吸和循环无不良影响。     

鼻咽通气道用于肥胖患者麻醉恢复期气道管理的效果

目的 评价鼻咽通气道用于肥胖患者麻醉恢复期气道管理的效果.方法 全麻术毕患者80例,年龄48～72岁,ASA Ⅰ～Ⅲ级,体重指数>30 kg/m~2,随机分为2组(n=40):鼻咽通气道组(Ⅰ组)和口咽通气道组(Ⅱ组).待患者呼吸恢复(呼吸频率≥10次/min,潮气量≥5 ml/kg)后,拔除气管导管,Ⅰ组即刻经鼻腔置入鼻咽通气道,Ⅱ组经口腔置入口咽通气道,置入通气道后均以面罩给氧(氧流量3 L/min)至苏醒,脉搏血氧饱和度<90%时采取补救措施.于置入通气道后1 min(T_1)、5 min(T_2)、10 min(T_3)和20 min(T_4)时记录呼吸频率、脉搏血氧饱和度、心率、收缩压和舒张压,并记录置入通气道后20 min内并发症的发生情况.结果 置入通气道后,两组患者吸频率、脉搏血氧饱和度、心率、收缩压和舒张压均维持在正常范围.与Ⅱ组比较,Ⅰ组各时点脉搏血氧饱和度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),T_(3.4)时呼吸频率、心率、收缩压和舒张压降低,躁动、恶心呕吐和喉痉挛的发生率降低(P<0.05).结论 与口咽通气道相比,鼻咽通气道维持肥胖患者全麻恢复期上呼吸道通畅的效果相同,但诱发的应激反应较低、并发症发生较少.     

无痛胃镜检查中应用丙泊酚联合地佐辛麻醉的效果观察

目的探讨无痛胃镜检查中应用丙泊酚联合地佐辛麻醉的效果。方法将98例在门诊接受无痛胃镜检查的患者分为2组,各49例。对照组在胃镜置入前单独使用丙泊酚麻醉,观察组则应用丙泊酚联合地佐辛麻醉。比较麻醉开始前(T0)、麻醉开始后插入胃镜前(T1)及插入胃镜检查过程中(T2)2组患者的MAP、HR、Sp O2及苏醒时间和丙泊酚用量。结果 2组患者T0时点MAP、HR、Sp O2无明显差异;与对照组相比较,观察组患者T1、T2时点的血流动力学稳定,丙泊酚用量少,苏醒时间短,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论丙泊酚联合地佐辛麻醉行无痛胃镜检查,比单纯应用丙泊酚麻醉患者的血流动力学平稳、丙泊酚用量小、检查结束后苏醒快,效果满意。     

丙泊酚联合瑞芬太尼麻醉对无痛胃镜检查者血流动力学的影响

目的观察丙泊酚联合瑞芬太尼麻醉对无痛胃镜检查者的血流动力学影响。方法选择2017-04—2018-05间于西华县人民医院行无痛胃镜检查的70例受检者,随机分为2组,各35例。对照组用丙泊酚麻醉,观察组实施丙泊酚联合瑞芬太尼麻醉。比较2组苏醒时间、丙泊酚用量及麻醉苏醒时的心率(HR)、舒张压(DBP)、收缩压(SBP)、氧饱和度(SpO_2)。结果观察组苏醒时间短于对照组,丙泊酚用量低于对照组,麻醉苏醒时的HR、DBP及SBP水平优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论应用丙泊酚联合瑞芬太尼麻醉行无痛胃镜检查,利于缩短苏醒时间,降低丙泊酚用量和维持血流动力学指标稳定。     

纳布啡复合丙泊酚用于无痛人工流产术麻醉及术后镇痛效果观察

目的探讨纳布啡联合丙泊酚用于无痛人工流产术的麻醉及术后镇痛效果。方法选择2017-04—06间在郑州大学第二附属医院接受无痛人工流产术的68例早孕者,随机分为2组,各34例。F组应用芬太尼0.001 mg/kg+丙泊酚2 mg/kg,N组应用纳布啡0.15 mg/kg+丙泊酚2 mg/kg。观察麻醉前(T_1)、意识消失时(T_2)及清醒时(T_3)三个时点早孕者的MAP、HR及SpO_2的变化。记录其苏醒时间及T_3、苏醒后30 min(T_4)、苏醒后90 min(T_5)的疼痛VAS评分。比较2组早孕者的满意度(NRS)评分和不良事件发生例数。结果 N组T_3时的MAP及SpO_2明显优于F组(P0.05),丙泊酚用量及苏醒时间少于F组(P0.05),T_4及T_5时VAS评分明显低于F组(P0.05),对麻醉满意度明显高于F组(P0.05),呼吸抑制发生率明显低于F组(P0.05)。差异均有统计学意义。结论纳布啡联合丙泊酚用于无痛人工流产术的麻醉及术后镇痛,安全有效且不良反应少。     

丙泊酚复合小剂量艾司氯胺酮抑制胃镜置入反应的有效剂量

目的探讨丙泊酚复合小剂量艾司氯胺酮抑制胃镜置入反应的有效剂量。方法选择2020年10—11月自愿接受无痛胃镜检查的患者26例,男14例,女12例,年龄18～64岁,BMI 18～25 kg/m~2,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级。所有患者静脉注射艾司氯胺酮0.3 mg/kg,注射后30 s给予丙泊酚,初始剂量为3.5 mg/kg。采用序贯法进行试验,相邻患者丙泊酚剂量公比为0.9,如置入胃镜出现阳性反应(呛咳、体动等)则下一例患者升高一个梯度,反之则降低一个梯度,待出现7个交叉拐点则终止该研究。采用Probit概率法计算丙泊酚的半数有效剂量(ED_(50))、95%有效剂量(ED_(95))及相应95%可信区间(CI)。记录苏醒时间、苏醒后10 min的VAS疼痛评分。记录低血压、呼吸抑制(SpO_290%)、恶心呕吐、复苏期躁动、苏醒延迟等不良反应发生情况。结果丙泊酚复合艾司氯胺酮0.3 mg/kg时抑制患者胃镜置入反应的ED_(50)为1.691 mg/kg(95%CI 1.498～1.851 mg/kg),ED_(95)为2.032 mg/kg(95%CI 1.864～3.123 mg/kg),苏醒时间为(11.7±3.2)min,苏醒后10 min的VAS疼痛评分为(1.6±0.4)分。所有患者未发生低血压、苏醒期躁动及苏醒延迟,1例出现呼吸抑制,1例出现呕吐。结论丙泊酚复合小剂量艾司氯胺酮时抑制患者胃镜置入反应的半数有效剂量及95%的有效剂量分别为1.691 mg/kg和2.032 mg/kg,苏醒质量高,无明显不良反应。     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

The multiply injured child

Blunt trauma is the principal cause of childhood death in many developed countries. This review outlines the differences between adults and children with respect to resuscitation and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in a child with polytrauma. Recent advances in techniques of fracture stabilization are reported.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.     

Utilisation des médicaments prokinétiques en réanimation : indications et limites ?

Enteral feeding is often limited by gastric and intestinal motility disturbances in critically ill patients, particularly in patients with shock. So, promotility agents are frequently used to improve tolerance to enteral nutrition. This review summaries the pathophysiology, presents the available pharmacological strategies, the clinical data, the counter-indications and the principal limits. The clinical data are poor. No study demonstrates a positive effect on clinical outcomes. Metoclopramide and erythromycin seems to be the more effective. Considering the risk of antibiotic resistance, the first line use of erythromycin should be avoided in favor of metoclopramide.