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Biomedical subjects

G Varrassi

Publications and source records attributed to G Varrassi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Ventilatory effects of subarachnoid fentanyl in the elderly.

Twenty-eight elderly patients scheduled for urological surgery were randomly assigned to receive, in a double-blind study, subarachnoid hyperbaric bupivacaine 15 mg with 50 micrograms (group A, n = 7), 25 micrograms (group B, n = 7), or 12.5 micrograms (group C, n = 7) of fentanyl or 1 ml of saline (group D, n = 7) in a total volume of 4 ml. The pattern of breathing and the ventilatory response to CO2 were studied before and 90, 150 and 480 min after the subarachnoid injection. In group A, mild pruritus and sedation occurred in five patients, while nausea, vomiting and periodic breathing occurred in two. In group B, mild pruritus and sedation were observed in four patients, while nausea and vomiting occurred in two. No significant differences in minute ventilation, respiratory drive and respiratory timing were observed between the groups. Patients receiving fentanyl 50 micrograms showed a percentual change from baseline values as function of time (slope VE/PE'CO2) significantly below baseline at 90 and 150 min (p less than 0.05). However, the baseline values in this group reverted after 480 min. No side effects were observed in groups C or D. It is concluded that subarachnoid fentanyl 50 micrograms can cause an early respiratory depression and its use as a postoperative analgesic should be avoided in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Propofol and thiopentone for caesarean section revisited: maternal effects and neonatal outcome.

In 56 women undergoing elective caesarean section, general anaesthesia was induced with either propofol 1% or thiopentone 2.5% followed by 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen and isoflurane 0.75% until delivery. In the thiopentone group the arterial pressure rose following tracheal intubation and skin incision, while in the propofol group there was a significant tendency to hypotension immediately following induction of anaesthesia. There were differences in electroencephalogram (EEG) between the groups, while laryngoscopy, intubation and surgical stimulation had no effect on EEG pattern. Recovery after anaesthesia did not differ between groups. None of the patients had recall of the intraoperative period, but 53% of patients induced with propofol showed signs of light anaesthesia between induction and delivery. Neonates in the propofol group had lower Apgar scores 1 min after birth than those in the thiopentone group, but these differences were no longer significant at 5 min. No differences were noted in neurobehavioural status at 1, 4 and 24 h.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

[Post-operative analgesia with sub-arachnoid fentanyl: ventilatory effects in elderly patients].

Twenty eight elderly patients scheduled for urologic surgery were randomly assigned to receive in a double blind fashion subarachnoid hyperbaric bupivacaine 15 mg with the addition of 50 micrograms (group A, n = 7), 25 micrograms (group B, n = 7), 12.5 micrograms (group C, n = 7), of fentanyl or 1 ml of saline (group D, n = 7) for a total volume of 4 ml. The pattern of breathing and the ventilatory response to CO2 were studied before 90, 150, 480 minutes after the subarachnoid injection. In group A mild pruritus and sedation occurred in 5 patients, nausea, vomiting and periodic breathing occurred in 2 patients. In group B mild pruritus and sedation were observed in 4 patients, nausea, vomiting in 2 patients. No significant changes in VE, Vt/Ti and Ti/Ttot were observed between the groups. Patients receiving 50 micrograms of fentanyl showed a slope VE/PET CO2 significantly below baseline values at 90 and 150 minutes (p less than 0.05). In this group the baseline values were restored after 480 minutes. No side effects were observed in group C and D. 25 micrograms fo fentanyl is the only dose with a significant analgesic effect without any respiratory depression.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Continuous peridural analgesia-anesthesia during labor. Experiences and considerations].

Fifty pregnant women attending the Obstetrics Department of the University of Aquila were included in the study. Patients were matched for age, weight, height, parity, Bishop index, temperature, arterial pressure, and cardiotopography. Twenty-five patients were assigned to the control group, the remaining twenty-five received peridural analgo-anesthesia during labour and birth so as to create a continuous lumbar epidural block. The results confirmed that this method of anesthesia is an aid against psycho-physical stress and pain in pregnant women.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of physical activity on maternal plasma beta-endorphin levels and perception of labor pain.

Thirty-six women in their second or third pregnancies were studied in two groups (control and exercise) to determine whether plasma alpha-endorphin levels could be elevated by exercise conditioning during pregnancy. Aerobic training was performed on a bicycle ergometer. Both groups were monitored throughout pregnancy by frequent gynecologic examinations. During labor, both groups of women had pain perception assessment. Blood was sampled for levels of beta-endorphin, cortisol, human growth hormone, and prolactin. Plasma beta-endorphin was found elevated compared to controls in patients who exercised throughout pregnancy. This difference was maintained throughout labor and pain perception during labor was reduced in the patients who exercised. Cortisol, human growth hormone, and prolactin levels were lowered during labor for the exercise-conditioned patients. Exercise conditioning during pregnancy seems to be beneficial in reducing pain perception during labor (as determined by measurement of visual analog pain scales) and in reducing stress levels during labor.

Arm↗
PubMed1986

Bio-electrical brain relations of pain and acupuncture effects on EEG spectral analysis in healthy volunteers.

Pain description and objective evaluation is difficult. In the last few years, a number of neuro-physiological methods have been used in the study of pain and acupuncture analgesia. EEG spectral analysis allows the description and objective quantification of brain bio-electrical activity changes. The present study aims at evaluating ischemic experimental pain, electroacupuncture (EA) and ischemic pain following EA on EEG spectral analysis in healthy volunteers.

Acupuncture Therapy↗