Central venous catheter-related infections: a systematic review, meta-analysis, trial sequential analysis and meta-regression comparing ultrasound guidance and landmark technique for insertion.

Background: During central venous catheterization (CVC), ultrasound (US) guidance has been shown to reduce mechanical complications and increase success rates compared to the anatomical landmark (AL) technique. However, the impact of US guidance on catheter-related infections remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the risk of catheter-related infection with US-guided CVC versus AL technique.

Reversal of bupivacaine-induced cardiac electrophysiologic changes by two lipid emulsions in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets.

Background: Accidental IV administration of bupivacaine can compromise cardiovascular function by inducing lethal arrhythmias whose hemodynamic consequences may be alleviated by lipid emulsions. However, little is known about the electrophysiologic effects of lipid emulsions. In this study, we assessed whether 2 different lipid emulsions can reverse cardiac electrophysiologic impairment induced by the IV administration of bupivacaine in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets.

Hemodynamic and cardiac electrophysiologic effects of lidocaine-bupivacaine mixture in anesthetized and ventilated piglets.

Background: The sensory blockade induced by a lidocaine-bupivacaine mixture combines the faster onset of lidocaine and the longer duration of bupivacaine. The current study compared the effects of large doses lidocaine (16 mg/kg), bupivacaine (4 mg/kg), and a mixture of 16 mg/kg lidocaine-4 mg/kg bupivacaine on hemodynamic and cardiac electrophysiologic parameters in anesthetized and ventilated piglets.

Methods: After carotid artery cannulation, a double micromanometer measured mean aortic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and the first derivative of left ventricular pressure.

Risk factors of failure and immediate complication of subclavian vein catheterization in critically ill patients.

Objective: To identify the risk factors of failure and immediate complication of subclavian vein catheterization (SVC).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Surgical critical care unit of a tertiary university hospital.

Management of lower respiratory tract infections by French general practitioners: the AIR II study. Analyse Infections Respiratoires.

The Analyse Infections Respiratoires (AIR) II study is a prospective, multicentre survey of the management of lower respiratory tract infections in patients aged 15-65 yrs by general practitioners (GPs) in France. To obtain real-time data recording, practitioners were required to submit an anonymous copy of their drug prescriptions. They were then interviewed over the telephone about the patients' sociodemographic data, signs and symptoms, as well as their presumptive diagnosis and the investigations they had decided upon.