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Biomedical subjects

P Reinstrup

Publications and source records attributed to P Reinstrup.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Retrograde intubation with a Mini-Trach II kit.

BACKGROUND: Retrograde intubation has been accepted internationally as a viable alternative for managing the difficult airway. Various techniques have been described to perform this procedure, however, difficulties have arisen on account of problems with suboptimal materials. We therefore describe a retrograde intubation technique using the knife and stiff plastic introducer from a Mini-Trach II set from Portex Ltd (Kent, UK). METHODS: The cricothyroid membrane was identified and using the knife from the mini-trach set, incised longitudinally. The plastic introducer was inserted through the incision and maneuvered out through the mouth providing a guide over which the endotracheal tube was threaded. The technique was evaluated on 20 cadavers and thereafter used in four patients. RESULTS: Mean intubation time in the 20 cadavers was 6.7 s (range 3-10) from incision to removal of the guide. Also, the technique was used successfully in four patients in whom anterograde attempts failed. In one of these patients the retrograde intubation was life saving. CONCLUSION: Retrograde intubation with a stiff curved plastic introducer was rapid and easy in cadavers and in four patients. In emergency situations where conventional intubation fails it may be life saving.

Aged↗

Value of conventional, and diffusion- and perfusion weighted MRI in the management of patients with unclear cerebral pathology, admitted to the intensive care unit.

The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the extent to which diffusion- and perfusion- weighted MRI combined with conventional MRI could be helpful in the evaluation of intensive care unit (ICU) patients who have unknown or unclear cerebral pathology underlying a serious clinical condition. Twenty-one ICU patients with disparity between the findings on brain CT scan and their clinical status were studied. All patients underwent conventional MR and diffusion-weighted imaging and 14 also had MR perfusion studies. Abnormalities were present on diffusion-weighted imaging of 17 of the 21 patients and on perfusion-weighted studies of 7 of 14 patients. The MRI results changed the preliminary/working diagnosis in six patients. In eight other patients, MRI revealed additional pathology that had not been suspected clinically, and/or characterized more closely findings that had already been detected by CT or suspected clinically. MRI showed abnormalities in four of the five patients who had normal CT. MRI findings suggested a negative clinical outcome in all nine patients who subsequently died. MRI findings also suggested positive long-term outcome in five of nine patients who improved significantly as based on Glasgow and extended Glasgow outcome scales. In the three unconscious patients who had normal diffusion- and perfusion-weighted imaging the clinical outcome was good. This study suggests that MRI in seriously ill ICU patients with unclear cerebral pathology can provide information that changes, characterizes, or supports diagnoses and/or prognoses and therefore facilitates further management.

Adult↗

Effects of iso- and hypervolemic hemodilution on regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery for patients with vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Arterial vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage may cause cerebral ischemia. Treatment with hemodilution, reducing blood viscosity, and hypervolemia, increasing cardiac performance and distending the vasospastic artery, are clinically established methods to improve blood flow through the vasospastic arterial bed. METHOD: Eight patients with transcranial Doppler verified vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage were investigated with global (two-dimensional (133)Xenon) and regional (three-dimensional (99 m)Tc-HMPAO) cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements, before and after 1/iso- and 2/hypervolemic hemodilution. Hematocrit was reduced to 0.28 from 0.36. Hypervolemia was achieved by increasing blood volume by 1100 ml. FINDINGS: Isovolemic hemodilution increased global cerebral blood flow from 52.25+/-10.12 to 58.56+/-11.73 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1) (p<0.05), but after hypervolemic hemodilution CBF returned to 51.38+/-11.34 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1). Global cerebral delivery rate of oxygen (CDRO(2)) decreased from 7.94+/-1.92 to 6.98+/-1.66 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1) (p<0.001) during isovolemic hemodilution and remained reduced, 6.77+/-1.60 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1) (p<0.001), after the hypervolemic hemodilution. As a test of the hemodilution effect on regional CDRO(2) an ischemic threshold was defined as the maximal amount of oxygen transported by a CBF of 10 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1) at a Hb 140 g/l which corresponds to a CDRO(2) of 1.83 ml * 100 g(-1) * min(-1). The brain volume with a CDRO(2) exceeding the ichemic threshold was 1300+/-236 ml before intervention. After isovolemic hemodilution the non-ischemic brain volume was reduced to 1206+/-341 (p<0,003). After hypervolemic hemodilution the non-ischemic brain volume remained reduced at 1228+/-347 ml (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: The present study of controlled isovolemic hemodilution demonstrated increased global CBF, but there was a pronounced reduction in oxygen delivery capacity. Both CBF and CDRO(2) remained decreased during further hypervolemic hemodilution. We conclude that hemodilution to hematocrit 0.28 is not beneficial for patients with cerebral vasospasm after SAH.

Adult↗

One way to ventilate patients during fibreoptic intubation.

Occasionally anaesthesiologists find themselves in situations where ventilation during intubation with a fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is desirable. In order to ventilate the patient during the FOB intubation, we used a 90 degree angle swivel connector, normally used for fibreoptic bronchoscopia in an intubated patient. After a nasotracheal tube is placed with the tip in the oropharynx, ventilation of the patient is possible via this tube by closing the mouth and other nostril. The fibrescopic procedure is done through the right-angle connector with suction port and the tube is used to guide the tip of the FOB to the aditus laryngis. The method has been used in 7 patients who were impossible to intubate with a conventional procedure. In all patients ventilation was possible and intubation was performed in 5 min (range 1-15).

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Morphine with or without a local anaesthetic for postoperative intrathecal pain treatment after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure with a selective division of posterior spinal nerve rootlets to treat spasticity in children. The extensive surgical procedure with multilevel laminectomies and the nerve root manipulation result in intense pain postoperatively. Two intrathecal (IT) regimes of pain treatment were compared in these children, concerning their pain relief and possible side-effects. In a prospective study, 12 children (3-6 years of age) with six in each group, received either intermittent IT morphine (5 microg x kg(-1) four times a day) or continuous infusion of a mixture of bupivacaine (40 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) and morphine (0.6 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Pain score was lower in the bupivacaine/morphine group (0.2 +/- 1.1) compared to intermittent morphine (2 +/- 2.4) on a scale from 0 to 6 (P less than or = 0.0001). Bupivacaine/morphine resulted in a lower, but not significant, difference in pruritus and lower muscle spasm. Haemodynamic and ventilatory parameters did not differ between the groups. Intrathecal continuous infusion of bupivacaine and morphine was superior to intermittent morphine in the treatment of pain after selective dorsal rhizotomy operations.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Cerebral blood volume (CBV) in humans during normo- and hypocapnia: influence of nitrous oxide (N(2)O).

BACKGROUND: It is generally argued that variations in cerebral blood flow create concomitant changes in the cerebral blood volume (CBV). Because nitrous oxide (N(2)O) inhalation both increases cerebral blood flow and may increase intracranial pressure, it is reasonable to assume that N(2)O acts as a general vasodilatator in cerebral vessels both on the arterial and on the venous side. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of N(2)O on three-dimensional regional and global CBV in humans during normocapnia and hypocapnia. METHODS: Nine volunteers were studied under each of four conditions: normocapnia, hypocapnia, normocapnia + 40-50% N(2)O, and hypocapnia + 40-50% N(2)O. CBV was measured after (99m)Tc-labeling of blood with radioactive quantitative registration via single photon emission computer-aided tomography scanning. RESULTS: Global CBV during normocapnia and inhalation of 50% O(2) was 4.25 +/- 0.57% of the brain volume (4.17 +/- 0.56 ml/100 g, mean +/- SD) with no change during inhalation of 40-50% N(2)O in O(2). Decreasing carbon dioxide (CO(2)) by 1.5 kPa (11 mmHg) without N(2)O inhalation and by 1.4 kPa (11 mmHg) with N(2)O inhalation reduced CBV significantly (F = 57, P < 0.0001), by 0.27 +/- 0.10% of the brain volume per kilopascal (0.26 +/- 0.10 ml x 100 g(-1) x kPa(-1)) without N(2)O inhalation and by 0.35 +/- 0.22% of the brain volume per kilopascal (0.34 +/- 0.22 ml x 100 g(-1) x kPa(-1)) during N(2)O inhalation (no significant difference). The amount of carbon dioxide significantly altered the regional distribution of CBV (F = 47, P < 0.0001), corresponding to a regional difference in Delta CBV when CO(2) is changed. N(2)O inhalation did not significantly change the distribution of regional CBV (F = 2.4, P = 0.051) or Delta CBV/Delta CO(2) in these nine subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrous oxide inhalation had no effect either on CBV or on the normal CBV-CO(2) response in humans.

Adult↗

The Reflector: a new method for saving anaesthetic vapours.

Anaesthesia systems that minimize the use of volatile anaesthetics to reduce cost and pollution are of interest. Closed circuit anaesthesia is the ideal solution, but requires continuous adjustment of fresh gas flow and composition and thus is demanding in routine practice. We describe an alternative system, the Reflector system, which is open in regard to oxygen, nitrogen and N2O, and semiclosed in regard to volatile anaesthetics. The Reflector system is a circle system with a carbon dioxide absorber and an automatic vapour delivery device placed in the inspiratory limb of the circle. A zeolite filter, the Reflector, is placed between the ventilator and the circle. The Reflector functions as a molecular sieve, preventing the volatile anaesthetic from leaving the circle. Isoflurane consumption using the Reflector system in bench tests and an animal study was compared with that of an open system. In bench tests consumption was reduced by 79% and 82%, at a respiratory frequency of 10 and 20 min-1, respectively. The corresponding mean figures from the animal experiment were 65% and 77%.

Anesthesia↗

Intracerebral microdialysis in clinical practice: baseline values for chemical markers during wakefulness, anesthesia, and neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken to measure baseline values for chemical markers in human subjects during wakefulness, anesthesia, and neurosurgery, using intracerebral microdialysis. METHODS: Microdialysis catheters were inserted into normal posterior frontal cerebral cortex in nine patients who were undergoing surgery to treat benign lesions of the posterior fossa. The perfusion rate was 1.0 microl/min during anesthesia/neurosurgery and the early postoperative course and 0.3 microl/min during the later course. Bedside biochemical analyses of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, glutamate, and urea were performed before, during, and after neurosurgery. After the bedside analyses, all samples were frozen for subsequent high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of amino acids. RESULTS: The following baseline values were obtained during wakefulness (perfusion rate, 0.3 microl/min): glucose, 1.7+/-0.9 mmol/L; lactate, 2.9+/-0.9 mmol/L; pyruvate, 166+/-47 micromol/L; lactate/pyruvate ratio, 23+/-4; glycerol, 82+/-44 micromol/L; glutamate, 16+/-16 mmol/L; urea, 4.4+/-1.7 mmol/L. Marked increases in the levels of all chemical markers were observed at the beginning and end of anesthesia/surgery. CONCLUSION: The study provides human baseline levels for biochemical markers that can presently be measured at the bedside during neurointensive care. In addition, some changes that occurred under varying physiological conditions are described.

Adult↗

Effects of propofol on isolated human pial arteries.

BACKGROUND: The intravenous anaesthetic propofol has been reported to increase cerebral vascular resistance in vivo. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but may include effects on metabolism and direct effects on the vascular smooth muscle. The present study was designed to evaluate the direct effects of propofol on human pial arteries. METHODS: We investigated the direct effect of propofol (10(-6)-10(-4) M) on isolated human pial arteries at basal tension as well as the influence on contractions induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine, prostaglandin F2alpha, noradrenaline and potassium chloride. RESULTS: Propofol did not change the basal tension. Propofol at 10(-6) and 10(-5) M did not affect the concentration-response curves of any of the contractile agents tested. Propofol at the supraclinical concentration 10(-4) M reduced the contractions induced by all contractile agents. CONCLUSION: Propofol reduces the tone of human pial arteries in vitro at supraclinical concentrations, but has no effect on the tone at clinically relevant concentrations.

Adolescent↗

Additional colloids have only a minor haemodilutive effect after surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Haemodilution is commonly used as prophylaxis, as well as treatment for cerebral ischaemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Thirty-six patients operated for aneurysmal SAH were evaluated retrospectively; 24 received haemodilutive therapy and 12 patients, as a control group, received no additional therapy. There was a 'spontaneous' drop in haematocrit by 22% in both groups, and a corresponding drop in haemoglobin by 23% in the treatment group and 19% in the non-haemodiluted group, during the first 4 days after the SAH. After the initial decrease the haematocrit remained stable between 0.28 and 0.33 until day 14 in both groups. The haemodilutive group had only a minor lower haematocrit level during days 8-12 as the additional fluid resulted in increased renal excretion. This minor difference was, however, significant (p < 0.02).

Adult↗

[Dosage of anesthetics--a tricky question].

The optimal dosage of anaesthetic agents may be difficult. Not only does the intensity of surgical stimuli vary during a surgical procedure, but drug sensitivity varies between subjects exposed to comparable stimuli. Moreover, clinically monitored body reactions do not always reflect the balance between central nervous system effects of the surgical stimuli and of the anaesthetic agent. Therefore, the specialist in anaesthesiology requires access to additional methods of monitoring to enable dosage to be optimised for each patient, minute by minute, thus improving the chances of maintaining an appropriate depth of anaesthesia. Two electro-encephalographic techniques are presented in the article, and aspects of under- and over-dosage of anaesthetic agents are discussed.

Anesthetics, General↗

Transcranial cerebral oximetry related to transcranial Doppler after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Noninvasive methods for detecting cerebral artery vasospasm, still a serious complication following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, are of vital interest. Up-to-date transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) has proved to be sensitive in detecting vasospasm in the middle cerebral artery, but has less accuracy for other cerebral arteries. Transcranial cerebral oximetry (TCCO) is a new non-invasive technique which may increase the reliability for detecting cerebral ischaemia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a putative correlation between TCCO and TCD. We examined the two hemispheres in 14 patients with the aim of evaluating a proposed correlation between TCD and TCCO. Analysis of all absolute values (maximum TCD mFV and minimum TCCO saturation, respectively) in all series indicate a correlation between TCCO and TCD, p < 0.01, r = -0.62. All patients with TCD mean flow velocity > 120 cm/s also presented TCCO saturation < 60%. Conversely, all patients with normal TCCO saturation (> or = 63%) presented normal or moderately increased TCD velocities. In clinical neurosurgical practice it is of great interest if a true correlation between TCD and TCCO exists. The present results support the assumption that TCCO may enhance the reliability for detecting cerebral ischaemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

Charcoal as an airway isoflurane reflection filter.

The isoflurane-saving and CO2-retaining effects of a charcoal filter were compared with a Siemens standard heat and moisture (HME) exchanger and an emptied specimen (dummy). Isoflurane was delivered during the inspiratory phase and consumption investigated at 10, 15 and 25 cycles min-1. The investigation was performed by ventilation with humidified air with a constant end-tidal CO2 and temperature. For a comparison, isoflurane was delivered in a conventional manner via the ventilator. The arrangement with a charcoal filter reduced the isoflurane consumption by a factor of 2.0-2.6, depending on ventilatory rate. Most of the saving was a result of the method of isoflurane delivery (factor 1.4-2.0), while adding the reflector gave a further reduction (factor 1.3-1.5). One circumstance that reduced the net efficiency of the charcoal filter was that it also reflected CO2; consequently, total minute ventilation had to be increased to maintain constant end-tidal CO2.

Adsorption↗

Regional cerebral blood flow (SPECT) during anaesthesia with isoflurane and nitrous oxide in humans.

Nitrous oxide and isoflurane have different effects on absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) and regional distribution of CBF in humans. In this study we examined the effects of isoflurane in combination with nitrous oxide on CBF. We studied 10 patients (two groups of five patients, ASA I) anaesthetized with 50% nitrous oxide and either 0.5 or 1.0 MAC of isoflurane during normocapnia (PaCO2 5.7 kPa) using two-dimensional CBF measurement (CBFxenon) (i.v. 133xenon washout technique) and a three-dimensional method for measurement of regional CBF (rCBF) distribution with SPECT (single photon emission computer-aided tomography with 99mTc- HMPAO). The results were compared with 1.0 MAC of isoflurane from a previous study performed in exactly the same way as the present investigation. During normocapnia, anaesthesia with 50% nitrous oxide and 0.5 MAC of isoflurane resulted in a mean CBFxenon of 45 (SEM 5) ISI units. Increasing the isoflurane concentration to 1.0 MAC had no significant effect on mean CBFxenon (53 (5) ISI units). Both flow values were significantly (P = 0.01) higher than the CBFxenon value obtained when 1 MAC of isoflurane was administered alone (33 (3) ISI units). There were no significant differences in rCBF distribution regardless of whether or not isoflurane was given alone or together with nitrous oxide at 0.5 or 1 MAC. In all situations there were higher relative flows in subcortical regions (thalamus and basal ganglia, 10%) and in the pons (7-10% above average). rCBF in the cerebellum was approximately 10% greater than average. In summary, we have found that mean CBF was greater with combined nitrous oxide and isoflurane anaesthesia than previously found with isoflurane alone; however, relative flow distribution was similar.

Adult↗

Weight gain during pregnancy does not influence the spread of spinal analgesia in the term parturient.

BACKGROUND: It is still controversial whether the spread of spinal anaesthesia in pregnancy is influenced by particular physique. Investigation was based on a clinical observation that parturients with a pronounced "pregnant" physique, e.g. generalised oedema and heavy abdomen, tended to develop more cephalad sensory blockades than parturients without these physical signs. Using weight gain during pregnancy as a measure for the physique at term, we aimed to determine whether this parameter influences the distribution of analgesia after subarachnoidal injection of plain bupivacaine. METHODS: Thirty women presenting for elective Caesarean section were studied. All the women received 13.5 mg plain bupivacaine via subarachnoid injection at the L2-3 interspace. Thirty minutes after the injection, while the women were in the supine position with a left lateral tilt on a horizontal operating table, the maximum cephalad extent of sensory analgesia (loss of sensation to sharpness of pinprick) was determined. RESULTS: Neither weight gain during pregnancy (6-22 kg, range), height (152-185 cm), weight (56-98 kg) nor body-mass index (20.2-31.8 kg/m2) correlated with the cephalad spread of sensory blockade. CONCLUSION: In parturients, weight gain during pregnancy, height, weight and body-mass index did not influence the extent of sensory analgesia after subarachnoidal administration of plain bupivacaine.

Analgesia, Obstetrical↗

Distribution of cerebral blood flow during anesthesia with isoflurane or halothane in humans.

BACKGROUND: Halothane and isoflurane have been shown to induce disparate effects on different brain structures in animals. In humans, various methods for measuring cerebral blood flow (CBF) have produced results compatible with a redistribution of CBF toward deep brain structures during isoflurane anesthesia in humans. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of halothane and isoflurance on the distribution of CBF. METHODS: Twenty ASA physical status patients (four groups, five in each) anesthetized with either isoflurane or halothane (1 MAC) during normo- or hypocapnia (PaCO2 5.6 or 4.2 kPa (42 or 32 mmHg)) were investigated with a two-dimensional CBF measurement (CBFxenon, intravenous 133xenon washout technique) and a three-dimensional method for measurement of the regional CBF (rCBF) distribution with single photon emission computer-aided tomography (SPECT; 99mTc-HMPAO). In the presentation of SPECT data, the mean CBF of the brain was defined as 100%, and all relative flow values are related to this value. RESULTS: The mean CBFxenon level was significantly influenced by the PaCO2 as well as by the anesthetic used. At normocapnia, patients anesthetized with halothane had a mean CBFxenon of 40 +/- 3 (SE) ISI units. With isoflurane, the flow was significantly (P < 0.01, 33 +/- 3 ISI units) less than with halothane. Hypocapnia decreased mean CBFxenon (P < 0.0001) during both anesthetics (halothane 24 +/- 3, isoflurane 13 +/- 2 ISI units). The effects on CBFxenon, between the anesthetics, differed significantly (P < 0.01) also during hypocapnia. There were significant differences in rCBF distribution measured between the two anesthetics (P < 0.05). During isoflurane anesthesia, there was a relative increase in flow values in subcortical regions (thalamus and basal ganglia) to 10-15%, and in pons to 7-10% above average. Halothane, in contrast, induced the highest relative flow levels in the occipital lobes, which increased by approximately 10% above average. The rCBF level was increased approximately 10% in cerebellum with both anesthetics. Changes in PaCO2 did not alter the rCBF distribution significantly. CONCLUSIONS: There is a difference in the human rCBF distribution between halothane and isoflurane with higher relative flows in subcortical regions during isoflurane anesthesia. However, despite this redistribution, isoflurane anesthesia resulted in a lower mean CBFxenon than did anesthesia with halothane.

Anesthesia↗