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Background: Previous investigations have identified significant interobserver variability in the measurements of central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure in critically ill patients. Large interobserver variability in the measurement of vascular pressures could potentially lead to inappropriate treatment decisions.Objective: We postulated that adding an airway pressure signal (Paw) to pressure tracings of central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure would improve interobserver agreement by facilitating identification of end-expiration.Design: To test this hypothesis, six independent experts used a standard protocol to interpret strip-chart recordings of central venous pressure and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure with or without Paw. Two observers were said to agree if their measurements were within 2 mm Hg of each other. SETTING/SUBJECTS/INTERVENTIONS: A total of 459 strip-chart recordings (303 without Paw and 156 with Paw) were obtained from 121 patients enrolled in the ARDSnet Fluids and Catheters Treatment Trial (FACTT) in 16 different hospitals.Results: Agreement within 2 mm Hg between two measurements was 79% for central venous pressure strips without Paw vs. 86% with Paw. For pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, agreement increased from 71% without Paw to 83% with Paw. The increase in agreement with the addition of Paw was greater for strips demonstrating >8 mm Hg phasic respiratory variation compared with strips demonstrating less phasic respiratory variation.Conclusion: Paw display is a simple, inexpensive method to facilitate the identification of end-expiration that can significantly improve interobserver agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The conventional technique of insertion and fixation of the Esophageal Tracheal Combitube™ (ETC) is occasionally associated with engorgement of the tongue. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of an alternative placement technique in reducing the incidence of this complication. Methods: Thirty ASA I and II adult patients posted for elective surgery under general anaesthesia lasting from 30 to 120 min were randomly divided into two groups ( n=15, each). In Group A, the ETC was inserted and fixed in the midline. In Group B, the ETC was inserted along the angle of the mouth and was fixed at this lateral position. Intra-operative occurrence of engorgement of the tongue, the time of such an occurrence and any complaints of post-operative discomfort were recorded. Results: The overall incidence of engorgement of the tongue in Group A patients (67%) was significantly more ( P<0.01) as compared with Group B (17%). The incidence significantly increased ( P<0.01) with an increase in the duration of surgery in both the groups. The engorgement persisted into the post-operative period in three patients in Group A and resolved spontaneously in <15 min in each case. Conclusion: Lateral insertion and fixation of the ETC is an easy, safe and effective method of preventing engorgement of the tongue associated with the use of this device without compromising a leak-proof oropharyngeal cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims To determine the prevalence of the various stages of diabetic nephropathy in Type 1 diabetes in a population-based survey. To make direct comparison with results from previous published studies to assess current trends. Methods Identification of all Type 1 patients using a population-based diabetes register. Urine samples for albumin assay were obtained at clinic visit and by postal request. Prevalence rates were calculated specifically for direct comparisons with previously published surveys. Results This study and European data from the 1990s show a clear reduction in the cumulative prevalence of microalbuminuria and established nephropathy compared with surveys from Copenhagen (1985), Pittsburgh (1986–8) and Boston (1992). In North Wales in 1999 the overall cumulative prevalence of microalbuminuria was 27.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 24.3–30.1%) and established nephropathy was 9.6% (7.7–11.5%). Comparisons with data from EURODIAB and from Spain indicated similar results, although the prevalence of microalbuminuria was lower in North Wales than in the EURODIAB study. Significantly lower rates of nephropathy were seen in more recent Swedish cohorts. Diabetic nephropathy remains more common in males. Microalbuminuria before 10 years duration of diabetes was seen at all post-pubertal ages. Conclusions Rates of nephropathy in Europe in the 1990s are lower than a decade ago. Modern methods of management are therefore associated with demonstrable benefit at the population level. The lowest rates of nephropathy are associated with optimum glycaemic control in Swedish data, indicating the importance of metabolic in addition to haemodynamic factors. Diabet. Med. 18, 998–1002 (2001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty adult patients undergoing minor peripheral surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either the laryngeal mask airway (laryngeal mask airway; size 4 for females and size 5 for males) or the PAXpress (adult size), inserted by a single operator with experience of > 50 insertions of each device. The laryngeal mask airway was correctly placed on the first attempt in 27 patients (90%) compared with 20 patients (67%) when using the PAXpress (p < 0.01). No patient required more than two attempts at insertion and there were no failures with the laryngeal mask airway, compared with four (13%) who needed three attempts and two failures (7%) with the PAXpress (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Mean (SD) total placement time was shorter with the laryngeal mask airway [24.6 (3.1) s] than with the PAXpress[35.4 (2.5) s; p < 0.01]. The most common complication was sore throat, which occurred less frequently with the laryngeal mask airway (8 patients; 26%) than with the PAXpress (15 patients; 53.5%; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Sixty adult patients undergoing minor peripheral surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either the laryngeal mask airway (laryngeal mask airway; size 4 for females and size 5 for males) or the PAXpress TM (adult size), inserted by a single operator with experience of > 50 insertions of each device. The laryngeal mask airway was correctly placed on the first attempt in 27 patients (90%) compared with 20 patients (67%) when using the PA Xpress (p < 0.01). No patient required more than two attempts at insertion and there were no failures with the laryngeal mask airway, compared with four (13%) who needed three attempts and two failures (7%) with the PA Xpress (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Mean (SD) total placement time was shorter with the laryngeal mask airway [24.6 (3.1) s] than with the PA Xpress [35.4 (2.5) s; p < 0.01]. The most common complication was sore throat, which occurred less frequently with the laryngeal mask airway (8 patients; 26%) than with the PA Xpress (15 patients; 53.5%; p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]