CARDIOVASCULAR ANESTHESIA:

Madhav Swaminathan, Brian J. McCreath, Barbara G. Phillips-Bute, Mark F. Newman, Joseph P. Mathew, Peter K. Smith, James A. Blumenthal, and Mark Stafford-Smith

Serum Creatinine Patterns in Coronary Bypass Surgery Patients With and Without Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 1-8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We previously noted that patients with postcardiac surgery stroke also have greater acute renal injury than unaffected patients. However, in the same setting, we found no difference in renal injury between patients with and without cognitive dysfunction. Factors responsible for subtle postoperative cognitive dysfunction do not appear to be associated with clinically important renal effects.

Claudia D. Spies, Hartmut Kern, Torsten Schröder, Michael Sander, Henning Sepold, Philip Lang, Karl Stangl, Steffen Behrens, Pranav Sinha, Walter Schaffartzik, Klaus-Dieter Wernecke, Wolfgang J. Kox, and Uday Jain

Myocardial Ischemia and Cytokine Response Are Associated with Subsequent Onset of Infections After Noncardiac Surgery
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 9-18. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Postoperative myocardial ischemia (POMI) occurred in 27% of patients after major noncardiac surgery. This was associated with an immediate augmented cytokine response in the first 12 h after surgery in patients who developed severe infections or sepsis 3 days later. POMI was associated with an increased interleukin (IL)-10 response, whereas IL-6 was associated with the type of surgery.

David P. Strum and Michael R. Pinsky

Does Dobutamine Improve Ventricular Function in Dogs with Regional Myocardial Dysfunction?
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 19-25. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We examined the effect of systemic dobutamine on regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) induced by intracoronary esmolol infusion in eight anesthetized dogs. Esmolol dilated the heart and decreased regional synchrony of contraction. Dobutamine restored cardiac function but failed to correct the asynchrony of regional contraction caused by esmolol-induced RWMAs.

Andreas Koster, George Despotis, Marcus Gruendel, Thomas Fischer, Michael Praus, Herman Kuppe, and Jerrold H. Levy

The Plasma Supplemented Modified Activated Clotting Time for Monitoring of Heparinization During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Pilot Investigation
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 26-30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: During cardiopulmonary bypass, the plasma modified kaolin activated clotting time (ACT) provides a better correlation with heparin levels than the standard kaolin ACT.

Benoît Vivien, Jean-Stéphane David, Jean-Luc Hanouz, Julien Amour, Yves Lecarpentier, Pierre Coriat, and Bruno Riou

The Paradoxical Positive Inotropic Effect of Sevoflurane in Healthy and Cardiomyopathic Hamsters
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 31-38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: A paradoxical moderate positive inotropic effect of sevoflurane was observed in hamster ventricular muscle. This effect was likely related to calcium channel interaction, because after calcium-channel blockade, it was abolished in healthy hamsters and enhanced in cardiomyopathic hamsters.

Yuwen Hu, Jeffrey P. Carpenter, and Albert T. Cheung

Life-Threatening Hyperkalemia: A Complication of Spironolactone for Heart Failure in a Patient with Renal Insufficiency (Case Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 39-41. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Serum potassium concentration should be measured immediately before operation to detect hyperkalemia in heart failure patients treated with spironolactone. Renal insufficiency, advanced age, potassium supplementation, decompensated congestive heart failure, and a spironolactone dose larger than 25 mg/d increase the risk of hyperkalemia as a consequence of spironolactone therapy.

Marc E. Stone, William Soong, Marina Krol, and David L. Reich

The Anesthetic Considerations in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices Presenting for Noncardiac Surgery: A Review of Eight Cases (Case Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 42-49. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: The number of patients supported by ventricular assist devices (VADs) that present for noncardiac surgery is increasing in our institution. Our recent experience with eight such patients is reported, along with a review of the most commonly implanted VADs and the anesthetic implications and considerations for VAD-supported patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Ricardo Vallejo, Gerard DeSouza, and Jong Lee

Shy-Drager Syndrome and Severe Unexplained Intraoperative Hypotension Responsive to Vasopressin (Case Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 50-52. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We describe the first case of Shy-Drager syndrome diagnosed on the basis of intraoperative hemodynamic changes. The initial hypertension in the supine position followed by severe hypotension after hydralazine administration, ultimately responsive to vasopressin, led to a diagnosis of Shy-Drager syndrome. We suggest that vasopressin may be the drug of choice in patients with Shy-Drager syndrome with refractory hypotension.

Hajime Arima, Kazuya Sobue, Sayuki Tanaka, Tetsuro Morishima, Hiroshi Ando, and Hirotada Katsuya

Profound Sinus Bradycardia After Intravenous Nicardipine (Case Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 53-55. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Nicardipine-induced bradycardia has been reported in experimental animals but not in clinical patients. We report a clinical case of unexpected bradycardia caused by nicardipine. The mechanism of this bradycardia was not clear, and depression of sympathetic tone by epidural anesthesia, hypothermia, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation might have been contributory.

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA:

Gavin F. Fine, Etsuro K. Motoyama, Barbara W. Brandom, Kathleen M. Fertal, Rebecca Mutich, and Peter J. Davis

The Effect on Lung Mechanics in Anesthetized Children with Rapacuronium: A Comparative Study with Mivacurium
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 56-61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Pulmonary function tests in the present study showed that rapacuronium consistently causes severe bronchoconstriction, confirming clinical case reports of bronchospasm. The bronchoconstriction is reversible with albuterol. Mivacurium also causes very mild subclinical bronchoconstriction.

Richard Rowe and Ronald A. Cohen

An Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Airway Simulator
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 62-66. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: This research showed that the AccuTouch(R) Bronchoscopy Simulator is an effective way to teach the psychomotor skills necessary to intubate the trachea of patients using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The residents that practiced on the Simulator dramatically improved their skills compared with a control group of residents.

Mohammad-Irfan Suleman, Anthony G. Doufas, Ozan Akça, Michel Ducharme, and Daniel I. Sessler

Insufficiency in a New Temporal-Artery Thermometer for Adult and Pediatric Patients
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 67-71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated a noninvasive infrared forehead thermometer (SensorTouchTM) in adult and pediatric cardiac patients. Accuracy was poor in the adults and suboptimal in infants and children.

AMBULATORY ANESTHESIA:

Johanna Wennervirta, Seppo O.-V. Ranta, and Markku Hynynen

Awareness and Recall in Outpatient Anesthesia
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 72-77. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Rapid recovery from general anesthesia is a crucial element of outpatient surgery. However, this practice may predispose a patient to receive less anesthetic, with increased risk for awareness and recall. We have shown that outpatients undergoing an operation using general anesthesia are not at increased risk for awareness compared with inpatients.

Franklin Dexter, Alex Macario, Donald H. Penning, and Patricia Chung

Development of an Appropriate List of Surgical Procedures of a Specified Maximum Anesthetic Complexity to Be Performed at a New Ambulatory Surgery Facility
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 78-82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We describe a novel method to develop a comprehensive list of procedures that have a prespecified maximum level of anesthetic complexity to be performed at a new ambulatory surgery facility.

ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY:

Pamela Flood and Kristen M. Coates

Sensitivity of the 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor to Isoflurane May Depend on Receptor Inactivation
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 83-87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Nicotinic receptors expressed in the brain have been considered a possible target for the actions of isoflurane. We studied the effect of isoflurane on {alpha}7 type nicotinic receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We find that when activated by large concentrations of acetylcholine, {alpha}7 nicotinic receptors are inhibited by isoflurane at concentrations near MAC.

Jinen Chen, Shuji Dohi, Zhiming Tan, Yoshiko Banno, and Yoshinori Nozawa

The Inhibitory Effect of Local Anesthetics on Bradykinin-Induced Phospholipase D Activation in Rat Pheochromocytoma PC12 Cells
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 88-97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Local anesthetics depressed the bradykinin-induced activation of phospholipase D (PLD) in PC12 cells. The effects of tetracaine, the most potent among the anesthetics tested, on the bradykinin-induced intracellular signaling molecules were examined. The bradykinin-induced PLD activation could be one of the potential intracellular signaling molecular sites of local anesthetic action.

Nobutada Morioka, Ozan Akça, Anthony G. Doufas, Gregory Chernyak, and Daniel I. Sessler

Electro-Acupuncture at the Zusanli, Yanglingquan, and Kunlun Points Does Not Reduce Anesthetic Requirement
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 98-102. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Electro-stimulation of three general acupuncture points on the leg did not reduce desflurane requirements. This type of acupuncture is thus unlikely to facilitate general anesthesia or decrease the need for anesthetic drugs.

Bruno Guignard, Carole Coste, Hélène Costes, Daniel I. Sessler, Claude Lebrault, William Morris, Guy Simonnet, and Marcel Chauvin

Supplementing Desflurane-Remifentanil Anesthesia with Small-Dose Ketamine Reduces Perioperative Opioid Analgesic Requirements
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 103-108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Supplementing remifentanil-based anesthesia with small-dose ketamine decreased intraoperative remifentanil use and postoperative morphine consumption. These data demonstrate that N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists, such as ketamine, can be a useful adjuvant to intraoperative remifentanil.

Hironori Itoh, Keizo Shibata, and Shunichi Nitta

Sensitivity to Vecuronium in Seropositive and Seronegative Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 109-113. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Hypothesizing that seronegative patients are as sensitive to vecuronium as seropositive patients, we assessed sensitivity in seropositive and seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and in non-MG patients. They were, indeed, both equally sensitive to vecuronium.

Akira Kudoh, Yoko Takahira, Hiroshi Katagai, and Tomoko Takazawa

Small-Dose Ketamine Improves the Postoperative State of Depressed Patients
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 114-118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: NMDA receptor antagonists are reported to be effective for improving depression. It remains unclear whether ketamine, which is an NMDA receptor antagonist, postoperatively affects the psychological state in depressed patients. We investigated the effect of 1.0 mg/kg of ketamine on postoperative outcomes in depressed patients.

Adam J. Schow, David A. Lubarsky, Ronald P. Olson, and Tong J. Gan

Can Succinylcholine Be Used Safely in Hyperkalemic Patients?
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 119-122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: In a review of more than 40,000 general anesthetics in which succinylcholine was given at induction, 38 patients had a preoperative potassium of 5.6 mEq/L or greater. All patients survived the anesthetic with no dysrhythmias or other major morbidity documented. Succinylcholine may be appropriate and safe for use in certain patients with moderate hyperkalemia.

Akira Kudoh, Hiroshi Katagai, and Tomoko Takazawa

Sevoflurane Increases Glucose Transport in Skeletal Muscle Cells
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 123-128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Sevoflurane anesthesia has an inhibitory effect on insulin secretion. Glucose concentrations in plasma do not significantly change during sevoflurane anesthesia. Plasma glucose concentrations are affected by intracellular glucose metabolism. However, glucose transport into cells during sevoflurane anesthesia remains unclear.

Yoshitaka Fujii, Aki Uemura, and Hidenori Toyooka

The Dose-Related Efficacy of Diltiazem for Enhancing Diaphragmatic Fatigability in Dogs
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 129-132. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Diaphragmatic muscle fatigue is implicated as a cause of respiratory failure. Diltiazem, a calcium channel blockade, enhances diaphragmatic fatigability in dogs in a dose-related manner.

Peter Kranke, Astrid M. Morin, Norbert Roewer, Hinnerk Wulf, and Leopold H. Eberhart

The Efficacy and Safety of Transdermal Scopolamine for the Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Quantitative Systematic Review
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 133-143. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS:Of 100 patients who receive transdermal scopolamine, approximately 17 will not vomit in the postoperative period who would have done so had they all received a placebo. However, 18 of 100 patients will have visual disturbances, and eight will report dry mouth. Incorrect use further limits its efficacy.

Takanobu Uesugi, Katsuya Mikawa, Kahoru Nishina, Osamu Morikawa, Yumiko Takao, and Hidefumi Obara

The Efficacy of Lafutidine in Improving Preoperative Gastric Fluid Property: A Comparison with Ranitidine and Rabeprazole (Brief Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 144-147. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Acid aspiration syndrome remains a potentially critical perioperative complication. We compared lafutidine, ranitidine, and rabeprazole for reduction of preoperative gastric fluid acidity and volume in elective surgery and found that these variables were minimized with a single morning dose of lafutidine 20 mg compared with ranitidine or rabeprazole. Preoperative oral lafutidine may be an alternative to ranitidine as a prophylaxis against aspiration pneumonia.

TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTING, AND SIMULATION:

Andreas H. Taenzer, Pete G. Kovatsis, and Kenneth L. Raessler

E-Cylinder-Powered Mechanical Ventilation May Adversely Impact Anesthetic Management and Efficiency
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 148-150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: The time available to ventilate patients with an E-cylinder tank as the sole oxygen source was found to be as short as 38 min. Clinicians must recognize that mechanical ventilation using oxygen cylinders rapidly depletes oxygen and could jeopardize patient safety.

PAIN MEDICINE:

Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Jan Kowalski, and Thomas Lundeberg

A New Highly Reliable Instrument for the Assessment of Pre- and Postoperative Gynecological Pain
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 151-157. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated a new instrument for pain assessment. Our results show that this method is highly reliable, is well tolerated by the patients, is reported to be easy to use, and may be useful when evaluating acute pre- and postoperative pain.

A. Ng, A. Swami, G. Smith, A.C. Davidson, and J. Emembolu

The Analgesic Effects of Intraperitoneal and Incisional Bupivacaine with Epinephrine After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 158-162. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: A combination of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine with epinephrine may be recommended because it provides significant morphine-sparing analgesia for 4 h after total abdominal hysterectomy.

Fumiko Yokogawa, Yuji Kiuchi, Yuji Ishikawa, Naoki Otsuka, Yutaka Masuda, Katsuji Oguchi, and Akiyoshi Hosoyamada

An Investigation of Monoamine Receptors Involved in Antinociceptive Effects of Antidepressants
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 163-168. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Formalin tests of rats treated with antidepressants and antagonists of monoamine receptors indicate that {alpha}1 adrenoceptors, serotonin (5-HT)2 receptors, and 5-HT3 receptors are involved in antidepressant-induced antinociception, suggesting functional interactions between noradrenergic and serotonergic neurons as mechanisms of antidepressant-induced antinociception.

Connail R. McCrory and Sten G. E. Lindahl

Cyclooxygenase Inhibition for Postoperative Analgesia (Review Article)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 169-176. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

ECONOMICS, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH:

Zeev N. Kain, Kar-Mei Chan, Jonathan D. Katz, Arti Nigam, Lee Fleisher, Jackqulin Dolev, and Lynda E. Rosenfeld

Anesthesiologists and Acute Perioperative Stress: A Cohort Study
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 177-183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Anesthesiologists experience minor psychologic stress while involved in the anesthetic process.

Franklin Dexter, David A. Lubarsky, and John T. Blake

Sampling Error Can Significantly Affect Measured Hospital Financial Performance of Surgeons and Resulting Operating Room Time Allocations
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 184-188. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: The common approach of using one fiscal year of perioperative accounting data can be insufficient to prevent random error from influencing important management decisions. When accounting data are used for hospital and operating room management decision making, confidence intervals should be calculated for the key financial variables (e.g., variable cost per hour of operating room time).

CRITICAL CARE AND TRAUMA:

Zachary W. Sopcak, L. A. Geddes, Kirk S. Foster, William E. Schoenlein, and Joe D. Bourland

Electroventilation with Monopolar and Bipolar Intratracheal Electrodes
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 189-191. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that electroventilation is possible with intratracheal electrodes, decreasing the current needed to electroventilate by using body-surface electrodes. Two different methods of intratracheal electroventilation can be used: monopolar, in which the return electrode is on the body surface; and bipolar, in which the return electrode is in the trachea.

Avery Tung and Sherwin E. Morgan

Modeling the Effect of Progressive Endotracheal Tube Occlusion on Tidal Volume in Pressure-Control Mode
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 192-197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Although increasing airway pressures during volume-controlled ventilation allow early recognition of endotracheal tube (ETT) obstruction, airway pressures with pressure-controlled ventilation are fixed. We found during tests of two intensive care unit ventilators that although ETT obstruction reduces delivered tidal volumes during pressure-controlled ventilation, reductions do not occur until occlusion is advanced.

OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA:

Helene Finegold, Gordon Mandell, Manuel Vallejo, and Sivam Ramanathan

Does Spinal Anesthesia Cause Hearing Loss in the Obstetric Population?
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 198-203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Sixty obstetric patients were enrolled in the study to examine the possible effects of spinal anesthesia on their hearing. By using an audiometer, the patient's hearing was evaluated before delivery, after delivery, and for the following 2 days. There was no significant change of hearing in any of the patients.

Héctor J. Lacassie, Malachy O. Columb, Héctor P. Lacassie, and Rodrigo A. Lantadilla

The Relative Motor Blocking Potencies of Epidural Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine in Labor
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 204-208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS:The results of this study demonstrate that epidural ropivacaine is less potent than epidural bupivacaine in producing motor blockade during labor. The motor block potency relation is similar to the sensory potency ratio for these two drugs.

Sahar M. Siddik-Sayyid, Marie T. Aouad, Maya I. Jalbout, Mirna I. Zalaket, Carina E. Berzina, and Anis S. Baraka

Intrathecal Versus Intravenous Fentanyl for Supplementation of Subarachnoid Block During Cesarean Delivery
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 209-213. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Supplementation of spinal bupivacaine anesthesia for cesarean delivery with intrathecal fentanyl provides a better quality of anesthesia and is associated with a decreased incidence of side effects as compared with supplementation with the same dose of IV fentanyl.

REGIONAL ANESTHESIA:

Alain C. Van Elstraete, Claude Poey, Thierry Lebrun, and Frédéric Pastureau

New Landmarks for the Anterior Approach to the Sciatic Nerve Block: Imaging and Clinical Study
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 214-218. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: This new anterior approach to the sciatic nerve using the inguinal crease and femoral artery as landmarks is an easy and reliable technique.

James C. Crews, Robert S. Weller, Jonathan Moss, and Robert L. James

Levobupivacaine for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block: A Pharmacokinetic and Clinical Comparison in Patients with Normal Renal Function or Renal Disease
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 219-223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates the clinical efficacy and equivalence of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 0.5% levobupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus block in patients with renal disease and normal renal function.

CASE REPORTS:

R. J. Sawyer and H. von Schroeder

Temporary Bilateral Blindness After Acute Lidocaine Toxicity
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 224-226. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: This case report describes an uncommon complication (blindness) occurring after an inadvertent overdosage of a frequently used local anesthetic (lidocaine) during a regional anesthetic procedure. The discussion focuses on the suspected pathophysiology of the blindness.

Anthony M.-H. Ho, Huey S. Lim, Anthony P.C. Yim, Manoj K. Karmakar, and Tak Wai Lee

The Resolution of ST Segment Depressions After High Right Thoracic Paravertebral Block During General Anesthesia
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 227-228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Thoracic epidural, stellate ganglion, and thoracic paravertebral blocks all relieve angina. We report a case of intraoperative resolution of ST segment depression after a right thoracic paravertebral block.

GENERAL ARTICLES:

Jhi-Joung Wang, Shung-Tai Ho, Yih-Huei Uen, Mao-Tsun Lin, Kuan-Ting Chen, Jeng-Chai Huang, and Jann-Inn Tzeng

Small-Dose Dexamethasone Reduces Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Comparison of Tropisetron with Saline
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 229-232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We evaluated the prophylactic effect of small-dose dexamethasone (5 mg) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Tropisetron (2 mg) and saline served as controls. We found that dexamethasone 5 mg (IV) significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in these patients, and, at this dose, dexamethasone was as effective as tropisetron and was more effective than placebo.

Yushi U. Adachi, Maiko Satomoto, Hideyuki Higuchi, and Kazuhiko Watanabe

Fentanyl Attenuates the Hemodynamic Response to Endotracheal Intubation More Than the Response to Laryngoscopy
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 233-237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We assessed the effectiveness of avoiding laryngoscopy for orotracheal intubation. There was no significant difference in the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation by fiberscopy and laryngoscopy without fentanyl pretreatment, whereas 2 {micro}g/kg fentanyl significantly reduced the hemodynamic responses in the group intubated by fiberscopy. Pretreatment of fentanyl and fiberoptic intubation might be recommended for avoiding hyperdynamic responses.

Fujio Karasawa, Akira Takita, Isao Takamatsu, Tomohisa Mori, Takashi Oshima, and Yasushi Kawatani

Rapid Deflation of the Bronchial Cuff of the Double-Lumen Tube After Decreasing the Concentration of Inspired Nitrous Oxide
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 238-242. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [RETRACTION]  [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We demonstrated that after cessation of nitrous oxide (N2O) administration, bronchial N2O-filled cuffs of the double-lumen tube deflate more rapidly than tracheal cuffs. To avoid insufficient separation of the lungs by the bronchial cuff, a frequent check of the cuff pressure is recommended after the inspired N2O concentration is decreased.

Fujio Karasawa, Nobuhiro Matsuoka, Mitsuyoshi Kodama, Tomohiro Okuda, Tomohisa Mori, and Yasushi Kawatani

Repeated Deflation of a Gas-Barrier Cuff to Stabilize Cuff Pressure During Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 243-248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: We demonstrated that the N2O concentration and pressure in the N2O-barrier Profile Soft-Seal Cuff stabilized when the cuff was aspirated once an hour for 4 h during N2O anesthesia. The Profile Soft-Seal Cuff might be easier to use in clinical practice than standard endotracheal tubes because of the smaller number of cuff deflations required.

Kirstin M. Erickson, Mark T. Keegan, Gerard S. Kamath, and Barry A. Harrison

The Use of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Endotracheal Tube with Intubating Devices (Case Report)
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 249-250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

IMPLICATIONS: Despite adequate visualization of the vocal cords using specialized airway devices, anatomical factors and the physical characteristics of the tube may cause difficulty when performing endotracheal intubation. The endotracheal tube designed for use with the intubating laryngeal mask airway may facilitate intubation in these circumstances.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Nadine Flanagan, Colin Sherrington, Olivier Paut, and Jean Camboulives

Effectiveness of Blinding When Comparing Nitrous Oxide with Topical Anesthetic Cream • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 251. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Robert G. Hahn, George C. Kramer, Donald S. Prough, and Stein Tølløfsrud

Physiological or Functional Fluid Spaces • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 251-252. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Jaime Fernández-Guisasola, Andrea Casati, and Pia di Benedetto

Popliteal Block as an Alternative to Labat’s Approach • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 252-253. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

M. Saif Siddiqui, J. Michael Vollers, James F. Mayhew, and Ole Andersen

Did Sevoflurane Contribute to Hepatic Failure in a Child Given Large Doses of Acetaminophen? • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 253-254. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Marco Nadig, Georgios Ekatodramis, Alain Borgeat, Xavier Culebras, and Zdravko Gamulin

What to Do with Clonidine with Long-Acting Local Anesthetic in Brachial Plexus Block? • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 254. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Björn Lisander, Robert Hahn, and Catherine Huraux

Hemostasis in Patients of Different ABO Blood Groups • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 254-255. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Masayuki Ozaki, Kouichiro Minami, and Akio Shigematsu

Myocardial Ischemia During Emergency Anesthesia in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Resulting From Undiagnosed Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 255. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Allan S. Rosen

Can BIS Monitoring Delay the Development of Clinical Judgment?
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 255. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Stephan Ziegeler, Michael A. Pulido, and Douglas Hirsch

Acute Oxygen Desaturation and Right Heart Dysfunction Secondary to Transesophageal Echocardiography-Induced Malpositioning of the Endotracheal Tube
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 255-256. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Roy Soto, Jonathan H. Waters, Alexandru Gottlieb, and Juraj Sprung

Bicarbonate Administration Is Potentially Harmful in Patients with Moderate Acidosis • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 256. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Gerhard Brodner, Christiane Goeters, and Hugo Van Aken

In Response to "A Multimodal Postoperative Rehabilitation Program in Critically Ill Diabetic Patients"
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 256-257. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Mazen A. Karraz

Knotting of an Epidural Catheter Like a Tie
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 257. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

Kodali Bhavani Shankar, Hans-Christian Jeske, Arnulf Benzer, David L. Hepner, and Angela M. Bader

Business Cards and Anesthetic Practice • Response • Response
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 257-258. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

BOOK AND MULTIMEDIA REVIEWS:

Paul Barash, Andrew L. Zak, Laureen L. Hill, and Donald Caton

Careers in Anesthesiology, Vol. VI • Clinical Anesthesiology, 3rd Edition • Essence of Anesthesia Practice, 2nd Edition • Shnider and Levinson’s Anesthesia for Obstetrics, 4th Edition • Books and Multimedia Received
Anesth Analg 2002 95: 259-61. [Full Text] [PDF] [Request Permissions]  

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