The effect of computerised decision support alerts tailored to intensive care on the administration of high-risk drug combinations, and their monitoring: a cluster randomised stepped-wedge trial.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can harm patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Yet, clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) aimed at helping physicians prevent DDIs are plagued by low-yield alerts, causing alert fatigue and compromising patient safety. The aim of this multicentre study was to evaluate the effect of tailoring potential DDI alerts to the ICU setting on the frequency of administered high-risk drug combinations.

Cardiac output measured by uncalibrated arterial pressure waveform analysis by recently released software version 3.02 versus thermodilution in septic shock.

To evaluate the 3.02 software version of the FloTrac/Vigileo™ system for estimation of cardiac output by uncalibrated arterial pressure waveform analysis, in septic shock. Nineteen consecutive patients in septic shock were studied.

Hemodynamic changes during a combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block for elective orthopedic surgery.

Background: Hemodynamic variables can theoretically be influenced by a combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block (CPCSNB) owing to a relatively high systemic absorption of local anesthetics and extended vasodilatation in the anesthetized limb (hemisympatectomy). In this study we assessed and documented hemodynamic changes during CPCSNB for elective orthopedic surgery.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients scheduled for a total hip arthroplasty revision surgery were subjected to a CPCSNB with 150 mg bupivacaine (with epinephrine 1:200.

Cardiac output derived from arterial pressure waveform analysis without calibration vs. thermodilution in septic shock: evolving accuracy of software versions.

Background And Objective: We studied the evolution of software in the accuracy of the FloTrac/Vigileo system to measure cardiac output less invasively from arterial pressure waveform analysis without calibration, in comparison with pulmonary artery catheter-derived thermodilution measurements, in patients with septic shock and presumed alterations in vascular tone.

Methods: Nine patients who received a pulmonary artery catheter and were on mechanical ventilation and in sinus rhythm were monitored by the FloTrac/Vigileo. Paired cardiac output measurements by both techniques were analysed for 86 measurements in four patients using the 1.

The efficacy of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine for combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Background And Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, and the extent of sensory and motor blockade of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine administered in a combined psoas compartment-sciatic nerve block (PCSNB) for total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: Forty-five patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under general anesthesia combined with PCSNB, were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mL levobupivacaine 3 mg/mL, 50 mL ropivacaine 4.5 mg/mL or 50 mL bupivacaine 3 mg/mL with epinephrine.