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Biomedical subjects

C Winckler

Publications and source records attributed to C Winckler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pharmacokinetics of propofol infusions in patients with cirrhosis.

We have compared the pharmacokinetics of propofol as an infusion in 10 control and 10 patients with cirrhosis. Anaesthesia was induced within 3-4 min during administration of an infusion of propofol 21 mg kg-1 h-1. After 5 min, the infusion was decreased in a stepwise manner to 12 mg kg-1 h-1 and subsequently 6 mg kg-1 h-1. The mean recovery time after discontinuation of the infusion was significantly longer in the cirrhotic group; however, when patients opened their eyes, blood concentrations of propofol were similar in both groups (1 micrograms ml-1). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed from the beginning of infusion to 8 h after termination. Total body clearance was not reduced significantly in cirrhotic (1.56 (SD 0.48) litre min-1) compared with control (1.75 (0.32) litre min-1) patients. The volume of distribution at steady state was significantly greater in patients with cirrhosis than in control patients (202 (82) litre vs 121 (49) litre). However, this difference did not change terminal elimination half-life. The pharmacokinetics of propofol given by infusion to maintain general anaesthesia were not affected markedly by moderate cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Severe self-poisoning with oxetorone: report of one case.

The authors report a case of severe self-poisoning with oxetorone. Plasma concentration of the drug assessed by HPLC was a thousand times higher than therapeutic levels. Coma, convulsions, and cardiac conduction defects were observed, similar to those noted with tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressant poisoning. Similar cardiac disorders consisting of conduction defects had not been previously described during oxetorone intoxication.

Adult↗

[Leptospirosis caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae of the pseudo-surgical type: a case].

The authors report a case of fatal leptospirosis due to Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae revealed by typical signs of acute cholecystitis and associated with pancreatitis in a 73 year old patient presenting with gallstones. The initial clinical findings were highly suggestive of severe but typical cholecystitis and the final diagnosis was only considered when the patient's condition worsened despite surgery, with increasing obstructive jaundice and multiple organ failure. Pancreatitis was an autopsy finding. Misleading, especially gastrointestinal symptoms are frequent in leptospirosis. Hence an early diagnosis is an essential condition for a successful antibiotic management in severe cases of leptospirosis. This possibility should be considered whenever a patient presents with infectious obstructive jaundice. The patient has to be questioned concerning possible contact with contaminated animals and, when in doubt, the presence of specific antibodies should be investigated.

Acute Disease↗

Tunnelling of two central venous catheters inserted via a single venipuncture.

Two central venous catheters were inserted into the subclavian or internal jugular vein using a single puncture and tunnelled with two different subcutaneous pathways in 32 critically ill patients; 15 of them underwent this procedure immediately after a tracheostomy. The procedure was carried out without significant technical difficulties. Separate removal of one of the catheters was performed easily in 5 cases. Cultures were positive in 21% of 42 catheters from 21 patients; Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from 7 catheters. Separate tunnelling of two central venous lines inserted via a single venipuncture can be used in critically ill patients needing multiple central venous access.

Adult↗

[Epidural analgesia after thoracic surgery: morphine versus buprenorphine].

A double-blind study was carried out to assess the efficiency and possible side-effects of a single epidural injection of either morphine or buprenorphine at equipotent doses after elective thoracic surgery. The series included 24 patients aged 53.7 +/- 11.4 years; 13 underwent a lobectomy and 11 a pneumonectomy. 6 h after the last intravenous injection of fentanyl, the patients were randomly allocated to one of three equal groups. They received an epidural injection at T8-9 or T9-10 level of either 100 micrograms.kg-1 morphine (group M) or 6.6 micrograms.kg-1 buprenorphine (group B) or a subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml.kg-1 normal saline placebo at the same level (group T). The following parameters were measured 20 and 60 min, and every 6 h up to 48 h after the injection: patient wakefulness, respiratory rate, blood gases, pain (according to a verbal scale), FVC and FEV1, adverse effects (euphoria, hallucinations, sweating, facial pruritus, nausea) and atelectasis. The duration of surgery, the anaesthetic protocol, the age, weight and height, as well as all the parameters before injection were similar in all three groups. There was a fall in pain intensity from the 20th min to the 24th hour in group M and from the 20th min to the 36th hour in group B, significant for both groups when compared with group T. Similarly, there was a prolonged increase in FEV1 in both groups M and B. There was no case of severe respiratory depression; PaCO2 was increased at the 1st hour (+0.3 +/- 0.6 kPa) in group B and at the 6th hour (+0.5 +/- 0.7 kPa) in group M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of flumazenil in antagonism of the effects of flunitrazepam on the central nervous system].

The efficacy and tolerance of flumazenil were assessed in a double-blind randomized multicentre trial on 120 ASA I or II patients aged 40.3 +/- 13.9 years. They were anaesthetized with flunitrazepam (25.1 +/- 10.5 micrograms.kg-1.h-1), fentanyl (4.4 +/- 1.9 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) and either vecuronium or pancuronium; residual neuromuscular blockade was antagonized at the end of surgery. 61 patients received flumazenil and 59 a placebo. Sedation comprehension and temporo-spatial orientation were scored at 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after the administration of flumazenil or placebo. Local and general tolerances were evaluated 1 h and 24 h after administration. At the 24th h, the observer's assessment of consciousness, pain, respiration, coughing and vomiting were noted, as well as his identification, or not, of flumazenil or the placebo and their efficacy. Both groups were statistically homogeneous and comparable. Significant and marked efficacy was noted between the 5th and 30th min. There was no difference, at 24 h, between the flumazenil and placebo groups. In most cases, flumazenil was identified by the observer and its efficacy felt to be excellent. No major untoward effect of flumazenil was noted; however a mild and short lasting anxiety occurred in three patients. Tolerance was deemed to be excellent.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacokinetics of propofol administered by continuous infusion in patients with cirrhosis. Preliminary results.

Anaesthesia was provided by an infusion of propofol in six healthy patients and six patients with hepatic cirrhosis. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to the central compartment volume, distribution volume at steady state, total apparent distribution volume, total body clearance or elimination half-life, although the values were always greater in the cirrhotic patients. Recovery times were significantly longer in the patients with cirrhosis.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗

[Ambulatory anesthesia in pediatrics. 2-year experience of performance at a day hospital].

Ambulatory pediatric anaesthesia is done within a well-organized medical and surgical structure. The anaesthesia consultation confirms the surgical indications, taking into account certain medical pathologies. 27% of elective surgery is done in day-hospital. The anaesthetic techniques described have been done in children from three weeks to sixteen years of age. Intubation was not an exclusion criterion. The major causes for transfer to the general hospital (2.9%) are given. Anaesthetic complications represent 0.1% of such transfers. Scrupulous respect of the selection criteria, competence of anaesthesiologists and of pediatric surgeons are prerequisites for good results.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

[Ambulatory surgery in pediatrics. The value of caudal anesthesia].

Ambulatory surgery appears to minimize lasting psychological upset in children. Patients must be properly selected. It is essential that the children and their parents should have a visit with an anaesthetist prior to the patient's admission. Laboratory investigations should be prescribed at that time after questioning and examining the patient. Caudal anaesthesia is a useful regional technique for postoperative pain relief in children. Sacral canal puncture is carried out after the induction of general anaesthesia. Only a light state of general anaesthesia is required. The local anaesthetic mixture is made of equal volumes of 1% lidocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine without adrenaline. Rapid awakening, early feeding and pain relief increase reliability and comfort.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗