Early and late parameters describing the offset of neuromuscular blockade are highly intercorrelated.

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agents have always shown wide inter-individual variability when it comes to their duration of action. This prevents clinicians from anticipating the evolution of the neuromuscular block for any given patient. With this study, we aimed to assess the nature of the relationships existing between different time course parameters used to describe paralysis onset and offset.

[Anaesthesiologic implications of the radial approach in interventional cardiology].

The development of the radial approach in interventional cardiology is one of the reasons for the increase in demands for anaesthesia services in the cardiac catheterization room. The technique in which sedation is carried out in this particular environment has gradually changed, in parallel with the development of new technologies in anaesthesia, particularly suited to achieving short sedation in spontaneous ventilation. This article evaluates this issue and suggests an updated therapeutic approach.

Continuous cold blood cardioplegia improves myocardial protection: a prospective randomized study.

Background: To assess the influence on myocardial protection of the rate of infusion (continuous vs intermittent) of cold blood cardioplegia administered retrogradely during prolonged aortic cross-clamping. The end-points were ventricular performance and biochemical markers of ischemia.

Methods: Seventy patients undergoing myocardial revascularization for three-vessel disease were prospectively randomized to receive intermittent or continuous retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.

Scheduling of elective surgical cases within allocated block-times: can the future be drawn from the experience of the past?

Unlabelled: We determined a strategy to regulate the elective occupation of operating rooms; it was based on the determination of a median operating room occupation time, per procedure and per operator.

Methods: Median occupation times were determined from a retrospective analysis of 12 consecutive months of operating activity (966 patients). These data were prospectively used in surgical planning, with a daily occupation limit set at 10 hours.