The effects of N-acetylcysteine on pulmonary functions in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery: a double blind placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gases in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effect of NAC was assessed within the scope of a prospective, single center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. Eighty-two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized into two groups to receive either placebo (group 1, n = 40) or NAC (group 2, n=42). Both the NAC group and the placebo-receiving control group also included a COPD subgroup consisting of patients with an FEV1/FVC ratio of < 0.7 and an FEV1 value of 50-80%. Pulmonary function tests were performed preoperatively and on postoperative day 60. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to age, gender, preoperative risk factors, ejection fraction (EF), mean cross-clamp time, ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, atrial fibrillation (AF) and hospital stay (p > 0.05). Postoperative FVC and FEV1 values in group 1 and the postoperative FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF 25-75 values in group 2 were lower in comparison to their preoperative values. However, in both group 1 and 2, the decreases observed in these parameters were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the COPD subgroup of group 1, a postoperative decrease was observed in the FEV1 and FEF25-75 values, with the FEV1 decreasing by 4.55%, and the FEF25-75 decreasing by 4.2% (p < 0.05). In the COPD subgroup of group 2, no significant decrease was observed in the pulmonary function test values (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that NAC administration in COPD patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery resulted in the preservation of pulmonary functions.

The effects of ephedrine on maternal hypothermia in caesarean sections: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of bolus and the combination of bolus and infusion of ephedrine on maternal hypothermia which are used for treating maternal hypotension under spinal anaesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 110 ASA I-II patients who developed maternal hypotension were included into the study. Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 12.5 mg heavy bupivacaine + 15 µg fentanyl. Group I: Ephedrine bolus 5 mg plus ephedrine infusion, Group B: Ephedrine bolus 5 mg plus normal saline infusion. The systolic blood pressure was allowed to range between 20% from baseline values. Ephedrine solution infusion started after hypotension occurred (0.5 mg/minute). The body temperature under 35.5°C was accepted as hypothermia. The newborns' rectal temperature was measured. Moreover, the Apgar scores, umbilical vein-arterial blood gas and acid-base status were evaluated. RESULTS: In Group I, the body core temperatures which were measured at 9, 18, 33, and 39th minutes were significantly higher than Group B (p < 0.05). The prevalence of maternal hypothermia in Group I was significantly lower than the Group B, which were as 65.5% (36/55) and 85.5% (47/55), respectively (p < 0.05). In Group I, the newborn rectal temperatures and the total dose of ephedrine were significantly higher than Group B (p < 0.05). In Group I, the systolic and mean blood pressures were higher than Group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, we found that combined bolus and infusion of ephedrine for treating maternal hypotension prevents maternal and neonatal hypothermia during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia compared to bolus administrations alone.

Evaluation of the length and angulation of the styloid process in the patient with pre-diagnosis of Eagle syndrome.

Clinical symptoms caused by the elongated styloid process (SP) or calcified stylohyoid ligament were first described by W. Eagle and they are now known as Eagle syndrome (ES). Normal length of SP was stated by Eagle as 2.5 cm. The objective of this study was to determine and discuss the length of SP and medial angulation degree with computed tomography (CT), which is an affective modality in the identification of ES, and a comparison with related studies. Three-dimensional (3D) images obtained from the axial CT scans of 22 cases (11 males and 11 females) aged between 24 and 80 years, who referred to Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Department of Radiology for multi slice CT with the pre-diagnosis of ES, were used. Lengths of the SP and medial angulations were measured on the obtained images. Inter- and intra-group comparisons were carried out using Wilcoxan and Mann-Whitney U tests. The mean length of the SP was found as 4.1 ± 1.1 cm. When inter- and intra-group lengths of the right and left SP were compared, the difference was not significant (p 〉 0.05). The mean medial angulation of the SP was found as 67.5 ± 5.1°. There was a significant difference found between the right side medial angulation and left side medial angulation in all persons (p 〈 0.05). Lengths of the right and left SP of the patients with pre-diagnosis of ES were close to each other. However, the right-side angulation was observed to be smaller than the left medial angulation in all the patients. Similarly, right side medial angulation of the females was smaller than the left side medial angulation, but this difference was absent in the males. Eagle syndrome should be kept in mind in patients with a sore throat radiating to the ears with swallowing and an observed non-compliance between the complaints such as feeling a foreign body in the throat and facial pain, and physical examination of those who do not have a response to long-term medical therapy should be performed.

The effects of intrathecal levobupivacaine and bupivacaine in the elderly.

The objective of this study was to compare the block durations and haemodynamic effects associated with intrathecal levobupivacaine or bupivacaine in elderly patients undergoing transurethral prostate surgery. Eighty patients were prospectively randomised to receive plain 1.5 ml levobupivacaine 0.5% (group levobupivacaine) or 1.5 ml plain bupivacaine 0.5% (group bupivacaine) in combination with fentanyl 0.3 ml (15 microg) for spinal anaesthesia. The time to reach T10 and peak sensory block level, and to maximum motor block were significantly shorter in group bupivacaine compared to group levobupivacaine (p < 0.05). Peak sensory block level was also significantly higher in group bupivacaine. In group bupivacaine, mean arterial pressure was significantly lower than group levobupivacaine, starting from 10 min until 30 min after injection (p < 0.05). Hypotension and nausea were less common in group levobupivacaine than group bupivacaine (p < 0.05). Because of the better haemodynamic stability and fewer side-effects associated with levobupivacaine, it may be preferred for spinal anaesthesia in elderly patients.

The effects of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on emergence characteristics after adenoidectomy in children.

This randomised controlled study evaluated the effects of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine on emergence characteristics of children having adenoidectomy and anaesthetised with sevoflurane. Ninety children, two to seven years of age and ASA physical status I, were studied. Children were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 30 children, with the study intervention injection given intravenously after intubation. Children in Group F received fentanyl 2.5 microg x kg(-1), children in Group D received dexmedetomidine 0.5 microG x kg(-1) and children in Group C received saline solution. Anaesthesia was induced with 50% N2O and 8% sevoflurane in O2 by mask and atracurium 0.6 mg x kg(-1) was administered for tracheal intubation. All children received paracetamol 40 mg/kg rectally one hour preoperatively and dexamethasone 0.5 mg x kg(-1) intravenously. The time to extubation was shorter in Group D than Group F. The eye-opening time was longer in Group F (16.1 +/- 5.3 minutes) than in Groups C (12.0 +/- 4.2 minutes) and D (12.7 +/- 3.2 minutes). The proportion of pain-free children in early recovery was significantly higher in Groups D (47%) and F (43%) than Group C (13%) (P < 0.05). The proportion of children with agitation scores > 3 was lower in Groups D 17% (5/30) and F 13% (4/30) than in Group C 47% (14/30) (P < 0.05). Fentanyl 2.5 microg x kg(-1) and dexmedetomidine 0.5 microg x kg(-1) had similar haemodynamic effects and emergence characteristics. Fentanyl has been safely used in children for many years. Further studies of dexmedetomidine safety and its interaction with other anaesthetic agents are required before recommending its routine use during general anaesthesia in children.

The effect of esmolol on the QTc interval during induction of anaesthesia in patients with coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether esmolol has an effect on QT interval during induction of anaesthesia using etomidate and fentanyl in patients with known coronary artery disease. Sixty patients were prospectively randomised to either a control group or the esmolol group. Esmolol was administered as a bolus 1 mg.kg(-1), followed by a continuous infusion at 250 microg.kg(-1)min(-1). All patients received etomidate 0.3 mg.kg(-1) and fentanyl 15 microg.kg(-1). The ECG was recorded prior to induction of anaesthesia (T0), 5 min following the start of drug infusions (T1), 1 min following etomidate (T2), 3 min following vecuronium (T3), 30 s (T4), 2 min (T5) and 4 min (T6) after intubation. In the esmolol group, QTc interval was significantly shorter at T1, T2 and T4 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, QTc interval increased following tracheal intubation during induction of anaesthesia using etomidate and fentanyl. An infusion of Esmolol attenuated the QTc interval prolongation associated with tracheal intubation.

Ketamine or alfentanil administration prior to propofol anaesthesia: the effects on ProSeal laryngeal mask airway insertion conditions and haemodynamic changes in children.

This study was designed to compare the effects of ketamine and alfentanil administered prior to induction of anaesthesia with propofol, on the haemodynamic changes and ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion conditions in children. Eighty children, aged between 3-132 months, were randomly allocated to receive either alfentanil 20 microg.kg(-1) (alfentanil group) or ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) (ketamine group) before induction of anaesthesia. Ninety seconds following the administration of propofol 4 mg.kg(-1), a PLMA was inserted. In the ketamine group, heart rate and mean arterial pressure were higher during the study period compared with the alfentanil group (p < 0.05). The time for the return of spontaneous ventilation was prolonged in the alfentanil group (p = 0.004). In conclusion, we found that the administration of ketamine 0.5 mg.kg(-1) with propofol 4 mg.kg(-1) preserved haemodynamic stability, and reduced the time to the return of spontaneous ventilation, compared with alfentanil 20 microg.kg(-1) during PLMA placement. In addition, the conditions for insertion of the PLMA with ketamine were similar to those found with alfentanil.

Dexmedetomidine blunts acute hyperdynamic responses to electroconvulsive therapy without altering seizure duration.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the acute hyperdynamic response, duration of seizure activity and recovery times in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent a total of 84 ECT sessions as a crossover design. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine (1 mug/kg IV over a period of 10 min) or saline (control). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 1 mg/kg, and then succinylcholine 0.5 mg/kg IV was administered. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were recorded during the study period. RESULTS: HR in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the control group at 5 and 10 min after the start of study drug infusion, and at 1, 3 and 10 min after the seizure ended (P<0.05). Peak HR was lower in the dexmedetomidine group compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) values in the dexmedetomidine group were lower at 0, 1, 3 and 10 min after the seizure ended compared with the control group (P<0.05). Both motor and electroencephalography (EEG) seizure duration in the control group (35.65 +/- 14.89 and 49.07 +/- 9.94 s, respectively) were similar to that in the dexmedetomidine group (33.30 +/- 12.01 and 45.15 +/- 17.79 s, respectively) (P>0.05). Time to spontaneous breathing, eye opening and obeying commands were not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: A dexmedetomidine dose of 1 mug/kg IV administered over 10 min before the induction of anaesthesia with propofol may be useful in preventing the acute hyperdynamic responses to ECT without altering the duration of seizure activity and recovery time.

A rare variation of the right middle suprarenal artery.

According to general knowledge, the suprarenal gland is supplied by three sources: the phrenic artery, the abdominal aorta and the renal artery. Since the gland lacks a hilus, and particularly because of its clinical importance, anatomical arterial sources and branching is still not uniform and it needs to be determined by detail. In this study, the right middle suprarenal artery arising from the right renal artery was observed on the right side of a 45-year-old male cadaver.

The effects of single-dose tramadol on post-operative pain and morphine requirements after coronary artery bypass surgery.

AIM: To investigate the effects of a single dose of tramadol administered prior to extubation on post-operative pain and morphine consumption after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomized post-operatively into two groups (group T, n= 30; group P, n= 30). The technique of anaesthesia was standardized for all patients. The patients in group T received intravenous tramadol, 1 mg/kg, and the patients in group P received 2 ml of saline 0.9%, both approximately 1 h before extubation. After extubation, all patients were allowed to use the morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device for 24 h post-operatively. Post-operative data were recorded in the cardiac intensive care unit at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after extubation by the same anaesthesiologist, who had no knowledge of the groups, and the side-effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: In group P, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were found to be higher 30 min (P < 0.01), 1 h (P < 0.01), 2 h (P < 0.01) and 4 h (P < 0.05) after extubation. The patient comfort scores were higher in group T 30 min (P < 0.01), 1 h (P < 0.05), 2 h (P < 0.01) and 4 h (P < 0.01) after extubation. The total morphine consumption was higher in group P at all evaluation times (P < 0.01), and the numbers of PCA demands and boluses were also higher in group P (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that a single dose of tramadol administered prior to extubation following coronary artery bypass surgery is associated with a decrease of up to 25% in morphine consumption, a decrease in the VAS scores and an improvement in patient comfort within the first 4 h post-operatively.

The effects of pre-operative dexmedetomidine infusion on hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pre-operative dexmedetomidine infusion on hemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into placebo (group P, n= 16) and dexmedetomidine (group D, n= 16) groups. In group D, a 1 microg/kg bolus dose of dexmedetomidine was administered 10 min before the induction of anesthesia, followed by a 0.4 microg/kg/h infusion until the surgical incision. Anesthesia was induced with lidocaine (1 mg/kg), midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) and fentanyl (5 microg/kg) in both groups. Anesthesia was maintained with 0.5% isoflurane and fentanyl depending on the hemodynamic situation. The hemodynamic values during the investigation were obtained. RESULTS: In group D, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were decreased effectively in comparison with the values in the placebo group (P < 0.05), and there was an attenuation in the increase in the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) at the post-sternotomy period. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-operative administration of the alpha(2)-agonist dexmedetomidine decreases the fentanyl requirement and attenuates the increase in SVRI and PVRI at the post-sternotomy period relative to the baseline levels, and decreases effectively MAP, MPAP and PCWP in comparison with the values in the placebo group, in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery.

The effectiveness of an educational intervention in changing nursing practice and preventing catheter-related infection for patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.

Catheter-related infections are one of the most serious complications of TPN therapy. Nurses have important responsibilities in the care of patients who are receiving TPN. This quasi-experimental study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the effectiveness of an educational intervention on changing nursing practice and preventing catheter-related infections in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. The nurses' practice and the colonisation rate of control and comparative group patients in the surgical clinics of Hacettepe University Hospital (Turkey), and related variables were examined before and after an educational intervention. The findings of the study indicate that the intervention was successful in improving appropriate nursing practice, mean scores of nurses' practices were 45.7 before and 66.5 after the intervention (p<0.05). The rate of microorganism colonisation was also decreased but statistical analysis demonstrated no association between nursing practices and microorganism colonisation of catheter cultures.

Blood transfusion knowledge and practice among nurses in Turkey.

This descriptive study was planned to identify blood transfusion practice and knowledge of 100 nurses from three hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. Data collected through observation and interviews were evaluated using percentages, chi 2, and correlation methods. Nurses' knowledge and practice related to blood transfusions were measured against a total score of 100. None of the participating nurses achieved a score of 100, and only a few had scores higher than 50. Although a positive correlation existed between the nurses' knowledge and practice scores, the correlation coefficient was insignificant. There was a statistically significant relation between the experience and knowledge scores, but not between the experience and practice scores. The results of the study showed insufficient knowledge about blood transfusion, which was reflected in undesirable practice.