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Biomedical subjects

H Bouaziz

Publications and source records attributed to H Bouaziz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[How is the management of postoperative pain in organized in surgical wards?].

Many studies have demonstrated that the management of pain after surgery was unsatisfactory. New pain management techniques have been developed in recent years (patient-controlled analgesia, epidural analgesia). To extend the number of patients who may benefit from these recent techniques and/or to obtain the best efficacy from existing methods of pain relief, re-organisation should take place on surgical wards. For example, protocols describing pain management strategies should be written. Surveys and audits should be carried out regularly to check their efficacy. Moreover, patients should be fully informed of the range of treatments available and their adverse effects. Finally, all staff involved in providing acute pain relief should undergo training.

Hospital Units↗

The use of a selective axillary nerve block for outpatient hand surgery.

UNLABELLED: Although no guidelines concerning discharge criteria after axillary plexus block are available, many institutions consider recovery of motor function as a critical factor. With the midhumeral approach, the four main nerves of the upper extremity can be blocked separately using a peripheral nerve stimulator. The aim of this double-blind study was to block the radial (R) and musculocutaneous (MC) nerves with lidocaine, and the median (M) and ulnar (U) nerves with bupivacaine to recover motor function of the elbow and wrist more rapidly while maintaining long-lasting postoperative analgesia at the operative site. Patients undergoing surgery for Dupuytren's contracture were randomized into two groups in a double-blind fashion: in the control group (n = 17), each of the four nerves was infiltrated with 10 mL of a mixture of 2% lidocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine, whereas in the selective group (n = 17), the R and MC nerves were blocked with 10 mL of 2% lidocaine each and the M and U nerves were blocked with 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine each. Recovery of motor block was significantly faster in the selective group (231 +/- 91 vs 466 +/- 154 min). However, time to first sensation of pain was not different between groups (707 +/- 274 vs 706 +/- 291 min). In conclusion, this new approach at the midhumeral level enables the anesthesiologist to selectively administer local anesthetics on different nerves. IMPLICATIONS: In outpatients undergoing surgery for Dupuytren's contracture, a midhumeral block was used with the musculocutaneous and radial nerves blocked by lidocaine and the median and ulnar nerves blocked with bupivacaine. Recovery of motor function and time to discharge were shorter compared with patients who received the mixture on all four nerves.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Lateral approach to the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa.

UNLABELLED: We describe a modification of the sciatic nerve (SN) block in the popliteal fossa through the lateral approach. After a brief anatomic study using previously reported landmarks, we propose a new needle orientation associated with a double injection technique after identification of the tibial and the common peroneal nerve. Thirty-four patients undergoing ankle or foot surgery were enrolled in this study. With patients in the supine position, the upper edge of the patella and the groove between the posterior border of the vastus lateralis and the anterior border of the tendon of the biceps femoris were identified. The needle was directed posteriorly with a 20-30 degrees angle relative to the horizontal plane and slightly caudal. Both nerves were individually located with a nerve stimulator and blocked with a mixture of lidocaine-bupivacaine and clonidine. In all but one case, the two nerves were easily located, and no vascular puncture was evident. Effective analgesia was obtained for a minimum of 15 h (first analgesic demand). We conclude that this technique, with a modified direction of the needle and a double stimulation, provides a very high rate of success for SN blockade in the popliteal fossa. IMPLICATIONS: We describe a new lateral approach to the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa. The needle was directed caudad and posteriorly while seeking with a nerve stimulator for the tibial and the peroneal nerves, which were blocked separately. This technique was very successful.

Adolescent↗

The effect of adding a minidose of clonidine to intrathecal sufentanil for labor analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have suggested that the addition of clonidine to intrathecal sufentanil prolongs analgesia without producing motor blockade. METHODS: Fifty-three nulliparous women in painful labor were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Parturients at 2- to 5-cm cervical dilation received either 5 microg sufentanil plus 30 microg clonidine or 5 microg sufentanil intrathecally, followed by 5 mg bupivacaine epidurally. The primary outcome was time until first request for additional analgesia. Visual analog pain scores, sensory changes, blood pressure, heart rate, ephedrine requirements, motor blockade, sedation, pruritus, and nausea were also recorded. RESULTS: All parturients but one had effective analgesia in both groups, with similar sensory levels never exceeding T2. The duration (mean +/- SD) of analgesia was longer in the sufentanil-clonidine group: 125+/-46 versus 97+/-30 min (P = 0.007). The incidence of hypotension and the ephedrine requirements (median with range) were higher in the sufentanil-clonidine group: 63% versus 12% (P < 0.001) and 7.5 mg [range, 0-25.5 mg] versus 0 mg [range, 0-6 mg] (P < 0.0001). The incidence of fetal heart rate abnormalities during the first 30 min after intrathecal injection was similar in both groups (17% vs. 19%). No parturient had motor blockade. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 30 microg clonidine to 5 microg intrathecal sufentanil extended the duration of labor analgesia without producing motor blockade. However, as previously reported with 100-200 microg clonidine, the incidence of hypotension and the ephedrine requirements were also increased, even when 30 microg clonidine only was added.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Anaesthesia for the allergic patient.

Knowing that allergic reactions that occur during anaesthesia are essentially caused by muscle relaxants or latex, the patients who should be singled out during the preanaesthetic visit are those already allergic or thought to be allergic to these two substances. On the other hand, atopy or allergy to other drugs, such as antibiotics, has not been proved to favour the triggering of anaphylactic shocks with anaesthetic drugs. Allergy to local anaesthetics is so exceptional that it may be easily dismissed by a challenge test.

Journal Article↗

[Autotransfusion during caesarean section with blood containing p salbutamol without adverse effects].

We report the case of a patient presenting with a placenta praevia and who donated autologous blood while she had beta 2-agonist tocolysis. As the restitution of blood containing salbutamol at therapeutic concentration may induce uterine atony and cardiovascular symptoms, we monitored maternal clinical signs and plasma concentrations of salbutamol when autologous blood was retransfused after the end of Caesarean section. The maternal plasma beta 2-agonist levels during tocolysis were in agreement with the usual therapeutic concentrations. The beta 2-agonist infusion was discontinued 30 minutes before the subarachnoid blockade and the blood concentration measured at the time of skin incision was below the therapeutic threshold. The retransfusion of autologous blood neither raised the salbutamol concentration above the therapeutic threshold value, nor induced any clinical symptoms. After Caesarean section the retransfusion of autologous blood containing therapeutic concentration of salbutamol seems to be innocuous.

Adult↗

Comparison between conventional axillary block and a new approach at the midhumeral level.

We undertook this prospective, randomized study to compare the success rate, time spent performing the blocks, onset time of surgical anesthesia, presence of complete motor blockade, and lidocaine plasma concentrations between conventional axillary block and a new approach at the midhumeral level. Both techniques were performed using a peripheral nerve stimulator. Two nerves were located at the axillary crease, whereas four nerves were located at the midhumeral level. Sixty patients undergoing upper limb surgery were assigned to one of the two techniques. The sensory block was evaluated before surgery for all of the distributions of the four major nerves of the upper extremity. A subset of patients had lidocaine plasma concentrations determined. Times to perform the blocks, mean maximum plasma lidocaine concentration, and time to peak concentration were not different between groups. The success rate of the block, as well as the incidence of complete motor blockade, was greater with the midhumeral approach compared with the axillary approach. However, the onset time to complete anesthesia of the upper extremity was shorter in the axillary approach. For brachial plexus anesthesia, we conclude that the midhumeral approach provided a greater success rate than the traditional axillary approach.

Adult↗

Intravenous nitroglycerin to relieve intrapartum fetal distress related to uterine hyperactivity: a prospective observational study.

During a 1-yr period, we evaluated prospectively the use of nitroglycerin (NTG) to relieve severe intrapartum fetal distress related to uterine hyperactivity. Sixty to ninety micrograms of NTG were injected intravenously (i.v.) within 2-5 min after onset of severe fetal distress after oxygen administration, left lateral decubitus, and discontinuation of any ongoing oxytocin infusion (62%) had failed to resolve the fetal heart rate abnormality. A second dose (60 or 90 micrograms) was used 2-3 min later as required. NTG was completely effective in 22 cases (fetal distress resolution within 4-5 min with restoration of normal uterine activity) and partially but sufficiently effective in the remaining 2 cases (fetal distress resolution within 4-5 min with residual mild uterine hyperactivity). However, a second dose was required for nine parturients (38%). Six parturients (25%) developed hypotension 2 min after the first NTG injection, with a mean nadir of 93.2 mm Hg (minimum 85 mm Hg). Hypotension was always rapidly reversed with a small single dose of ephedrine (4.5-6 mg). In conclusion, we found small doses (60-180 micrograms) of IV NTG to be associated with resolution of severe fetal distress related to uterine hyperactivity along with negligible side effects.

Adult↗

Intravenous opioids stimulate norepinephrine and acetylcholine release in spinal cord dorsal horn. Systematic studies in sheep and an observation in a human.

BACKGROUND: Opioids produce analgesia by direct effects as well as by activating neural pathways that release nonopioid transmitters. This study tested whether systematically administered opioids activate descending spinal noradrenergic and cholinergic pathways. METHODS: The effect of intravenous morphine on cerebrospinal fluid and dorsal horn microdialysate concentrations of norepinephrine and acetylcholine was examined in 20 sheep. Animals received either intravenous morphine or fentanyl alone, or morphine plus intravenous naloxone or intrathecal idazoxan. RESULTS: Intravenous morphine (0, 0.5, 1 mg/kg, intravenous) produced dose-dependent increases in cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine and acetylcholine, but not epinephrine or dopamine. Morphine's effect was blocked by intravenous naloxone and by intrathecal idazoxan. In microdialysis experiments, intravenous morphine increased the concentration of norepinephrine and acetylcholine, but not epinephrine or dopamine, in the dorsal horn. In contrast, intravenous morphine exerted no effect on any of these monoamines in the ventral horn. Intravenous naloxone and cervical cord transection each blocked morphine's effect on dorsal horn norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: These results support functional studies that indicate that systematically administered opioids cause spinal norepinephrine and acetylcholine release by a naloxone-sensitive mechanism. Idazoxan blockade of morphine's effects on cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine was unexpected, and suggests that both norepinephrine and acetylcholine release in the spinal cord may be regulated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Microdialysis experiments suggest increased norepinephrine and acetylcholine levels in cerebrospinal fluid resulted from intravenous morphine-induced activation of bulbospinal pathways.

Acetylcholine↗

Postoperative analgesia from intrathecal neostigmine in sheep.

Spinal neostigmine produces analgesia in chronically prepared rats, but not in sheep. However, since pain itself activates bulbospinal inhibitory pathways, neostigmine may be more effective in the postoperative period. We examined in sheep the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal neostigmine in the acute postoperative period and determined the muscarinic receptor subtype activated by neostigmine. A cervical intrathecal catheter was inserted via a laminotomy in 14 sheep that then received, in random order 1 mg of spinal neostigmine or saline on postoperative Day 1 and the other injection on postoperative Day 2. Three additional sheep received, on separate days, intrathecal neostigmine alone or with the muscarinic receptor subtype-specific antagonists pirenzepine (M1) 2 mg or AFDX-116 (M2) 2 mg. Antinociception was tested using a mechanical stimulus after each injection. Baseline withdrawal threshold did not change postoperatively. Intrathecal neostigmine, but not saline caused antinociception on both of the first two postoperative days. In contrast, intrathecal neostigmine caused no antinociception in another similar study performed at least 5 days after surgery. Pirenzepine, but not AFDX-116, abolished antinociception from neostigmine, suggesting an action on M1 subtype muscarinic receptors. Intrathecal neostigmine is antinociceptive in sheep during the acute postoperative period, and these data suggest that spinal cholinergic tone, and hence intrathecal neostigmine's analgesic effect, may be enhanced during the acute postoperative period.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Carotid artery mechanical properties of Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

We evaluated the mechanical properties of the carotid artery in anesthetized Dahl rats with or without long-term treatment with the diuretic compound indapamide. The mechanical properties of the carotid artery were evaluated by establishing pressure-volume curves in situ in vivo before and after total relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by potassium cyanide. Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats were fed either a low (0.4%) or high (7%) NaCl diet for 5 weeks. In each group, half the rats received for the same period of time oral treatment with indapamide (3 mg/kg per day). Blood pressure, heart rate, and pressure-volume curves were studied at the end of the 5-week period. In untreated Dahl salt-sensitive rats, the pressure-volume curve of the carotid artery was shifted to the right compared with that in untreated Dahl salt-resistant rats. The finding was observed even after potassium cyanide and regardless of the NaCl diet (P < .01 between Dahl salt-sensitive and -resistant rats). Indapamide was able to prevent the development of hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats receiving a high NaCl diet (185 +/- 7 versus 146 +/- 8 mm Hg in untreated and treated Dahl salt-sensitive rats with a high NaCl diet, P < .0005). In the other groups, indapamide had no effect on blood pressure. Indapamide treatment increased carotid arterial static compliance in Dahl salt-sensitive rats with a high or low NaCl diet and to a lesser extent in Dahl salt-resistant rats. The increase was observed even after total relaxation of carotid arterial smooth muscle by potassium cyanide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[New routes for infiltration: surgical wound infiltration].

Wound infiltration with a local anaesthetic may be used either to provide anaesthesia for superficial surgery or for postoperative pain relief. In the latter situation, its efficacy is real but remains moderate and usually requires a combination with other analgesics. Ilio-iguinal and ilio-hypogastric block has been shown to have an analgesic efficacy close to that obtained with a wound infiltration but the duration of analgesia may be longer. These blocks remain unfrequently used in adults.

Administration, Topical↗

Effects of bradykinin B2 receptor antagonism on the hypotensive effects of ACE inhibition.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the participation of endogenous bradykinin (BK) in the antihypertensive effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), perindoprilat, in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) on different salt diets. 2. Conscious SHRs receiving either a low or a high NaCl diet were used in order to evaluate the respective roles of angiotensin II suppression and bradykinin stimulation in the acute hypotensive effects of perindoprilat. Two different B2 receptor antagonists (B 4146 and Hoe 140) were used after bolus administration of 7 mg kg-1 of the ACEI, perindoprilat. In separate animals, Hoe 140 was administered before the injection of perindoprilat. In other experiments, the effects of Hoe 140 on the hypotensive effects of the calcium antagonist, nicardipine, were tested. 3. The different NaCl diets had no effect on baseline blood pressure. Hoe 140 injection before ACE inhibition did not modify blood pressure. Perindoprilat caused more marked hypotension in the low salt-fed rats than in the high salt animals (P < 0.01). Administration of Hoe 140 or B4146 after perindoprilat significantly reduced the antihypertensive effects of perindoprilat in the different groups, but this effect was more pronounced in high salt-fed rats. However, in SHRs receiving Hoe 140 before perindoprilat, the antihypertensive effect of perindoprilat was completely abolished in both high or low salt diet rats. In separate experiments we confirmed that Hoe 140 did not affect the hypotensive efficacy of the calcium antagonist, nicardipine. 4. Our study shows that inhibition of endogenous bradykinin degradation participates in the acute antihypertensive effects of perindoprilat in SHRs. The role of bradykinin is more pronounced following exposure to a high salt diet i.e., when the renin-angiotensin system is suppressed. Blockade of bradykinin B2 receptors by Hoe 140 before administration of perindoprilat completely abolished the hypotensive effect of perindoprilat suggesting an increased role of bradykinin in the onset of hypotensive action of ACE inhibitors. However, the exact mechanism of this interaction remains unclear.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition prevents the increase in aortic collagen in rats.

Four groups of 4-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated during 4 months with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril at 1 mg/kg per day (Q1) or 10 mg/kg per day (Q10), hydralazine at 15 mg/kg per day (H), or placebo (P). In the first set of experiments, blood pressure was measured in conscious rats, and plasma and aortic angiotensin converting enzyme activities were evaluated. In the second set of experiments, histomorphometric parameters of the thoracic aorta were evaluated. Mean blood pressure was lower in the Q10 and H groups (136 +/- 16 and 149 +/- 11 mm Hg) compared with the P group (190 +/- 23 mm Hg) (P < .01). The Q1 group showed mean blood pressure values (171 +/- 15 mm Hg) lower than the P group (P < .05) but significantly higher than the Q10 and H groups (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Aortic medial cross-sectional area was significantly lower in the H and Q10 groups (455 +/- 61 and 487 +/- 57 x 10(3) microns 2) than in the P group (636 +/- 72 x 10(3) microns 2) (P < .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Spinal cholinergic alpha-2 adrenergic interactions in analgesia and hemodynamic control: role of muscarinic receptor subtypes and nitric oxide.

Intrathecal injection of neostigmine enhances antinociception from clonidine while it counteracts clonidine-induced hypotension. This study further examined the pharmacology of neostigmine-clonidine interactions in the spinal cord and focused on the roles of muscarinic receptor subtypes and local nitric oxide synthesis. Spinal neostigmine counteracted clonidine-induced decreases in blood pressure and heart rate in conscious sheep and this effect was blocked by spinal injection of the M2 muscarinic antagonist, AFDX-116, but not by the M1 muscarinic antagonist, pirenzepine. Carbamylcholine injected spinally alone increased blood pressure and heart rate and these effects and neostigmine's hemodynamic interaction with clonidine were blocked by spinal injection of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-methyl-L-arginine. The authors also investigated antinociceptive interactions by using a mechanical pressure stimulus on the forelimb of conscious sheep. Spinal clonidine produced dose-dependent antinociception, which was enhanced by neostigmine and antagonized by N-methyl-L-arginine. NADPH diaphorase staining of sheep spinal cord revealed dense localization to the superficial dorsal horn and the intermediolateral cell column. These results suggest that counteraction of spinal clonidine-induced hypotension by neostigmine is due to stimulation of spinal M2 muscarinic receptors and synthesis of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide synthesis is also necessary for clonidine-induced antinociception in sheep.

Analgesia↗