Thoracic epidural block attenuates cardiovascular response to apnea in rabbits

Can thoracic paravertebral block replace thoracic epidural block in pediatric cardiac surgery? A randomized blinded study.

To compare the outcomes of thoracic epidural block with thoracic paravertebral block for thoracotomy in pediatric patients. A prospective double-blind study. 60 pediatric patients aged 1-24 months, ASA II, III scheduled for thoracotomy were randomly allocated into two groups. After induction of general anesthesia, thoracic epidural catheter was inserted in group E (epidural) patients and thorac...

Thoracic epidural block in sepsis: Looking beyond the known

Paravertebral block versus thoracic epidural for patients undergoing thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND Operations on structures in the chest (usually the lungs) involve cutting between the ribs (thoracotomy). Severe post-thoracotomy pain can result from pleural (lung lining) and muscular damage, costovertebral joint (ribcage) disruption and intercostal nerve (nerves that run along the ribs) damage during surgery. Poor pain relief after surgery can impede recovery and increase the risk...

Effect of acute hypovolaemia on lignocaine absorption and cardiovascular response following epidural block in dogs.

The effect of acute hypovolaemia (15% blood loss) on the absorption of lignocaine from the epidural space and on the cardiovascular response to epidural analgesia was studied in 10 dogs. After bleeding the net rate of systemic drug absorption was significantly reduced compared with the rate under normovolaemic conditions. Maximum blood concentrations of the drug were lower by about 30%. This fi...

Influence of thoracic epidural analgesia on cardiovascular autonomic control after thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is effective in alleviating pain after major thoracoabdominal surgery and may also reduce postoperative mortality and morbidity. This study investigated cardiovascular autonomic control in patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery and its modulation by continuous TEA. METHODS Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to receive patient-contr...