Estudo comparativo entre bupivacaína (S75-R25) e ropivacaína para avaliar a segurança cardiovascular em bloqueio do plexo braquial / Comparative study related to cardiovascular safety between bupivacaine (S75-R25) and ropivacaine in brachial plexus block / Estudio comparativo entre la bupivacaína (S75-R25) y la ropivacaína para evaluar la seguridad cardiovascular en el bloqueo del plexo braquial

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Bupivacaína é o fármaco de escolha para anestesia regional por causa da eficácia, longa duração e do bloqueio motor menos intenso. Bupivacaína (S75-R25) é uma mistura de isômeros ópticos que contém 75% de levobupivacaína (S-) e 25% de dextrobupivacaína (R+) e foi criada por uma companhia farmacêutica brasileira. Este estudo comparou a eficácia e segurança de bupivacaína S75-R25 com vasoconstritor e ropivacaína para o sistema cardiovascular em bloqueio do plexo braquial. MÉTODOS: Pacientes foram randomizados para receber bloqueio do plexo braquial com bupivacaína S75-R25 (Grupo B) com epinefrina 1:200.000 ou ropivacaína (Grupo R), ambos os fármacos a 0,50%, em 30 mL ECG contínuo (Holter) foi registrado durante todo o procedimento, bem como a escala de força de Lovett, além de monitoramento (frequência cardíaca, oximetria de pulso e pressão arterial não invasiva). A incidência de eventos adversos foi comparada com os testes do qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e quatro pacientes foram estudados. Não houve diferença significativa em relação à idade, peso, altura, gênero e tempo cirúrgico. Não houve diferença entre arritmias supraventriculares antes ou depois do bloqueio do plexo braquial, independentemente do anestésico local escolhido. A perda de sensibilidade foi mais rápida no Grupo B (23,1 ± 11,7 min) em comparação com o Grupo R (26,8 ± 11,5 min), embora não significativa (p = 0,205, teste t de Student). Houve uma redução da frequência cardíaca, observada durante a monitoração contínua de 24 horas (Holter). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou eficácia semelhante entre bupivacaína S75-R25 e ropivacaína para bloqueio do plexo braquial, com incidências semelhantes de arritmias supraventriculares.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bupivacaine is a first choice for regional anesthesia considering its effectiveness, long duration and less motor blockade. Bupivacaine (S75-R25) is a mixture of optical isomers containing 75% levobupivacaine (S-) and 25% dextrobupivacaine (R+) created by a Brazilian pharmaceutical company. This investigation compared cardiac safety and efficacy of bupivacaine S75-R25 with vasoconstrictor and ropivacaine for brachial plexus blockade. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive brachial plexus anesthesia with either bupivacaine S75-R25 with epinephrine 1:200,000 (bupi) or ropivacaine (ropi), both at 0.50%, in 30 mL solution. We registered a continuous Holter ECG throughout the procedure, as well as the Lovett scale of force in addition to monitoring (heart rate, pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure). The incidence of adverse events was compared with the chi-square or Fisher test. RESULTS: We allocated forty-four patients into two groups. They did not show any difference related to age, weight or height, gender, as well as for surgical duration. Supraventricular arrhythmias were not different before or after the plexus blockade, independent of the local anesthetic chosen. Loss of sensitivity was faster for the bupivacaine group (23.1 ± 11.7 min) compared to the ropivacaine one (26.8 ± 11.5 min), though not significant (p = 0.205, Student t). There was a reduction in the cardiac rate, observed during the twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed similar efficacy between bupivacaine S75-R25 for brachial plexus blockade and ropivacaine, with similar incidences of supraventricular arrhythmias.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La Bupivacaína es el fármaco por elección para la anestesia regional por poseer una eficacia, una larga duración y un bloqueo motor menos intenso. La Bupivacaína (S75-R25) consiste en una mezcla de isómeros ópticos que contienen un 75% de levobupivacaína (S-) y un 25% de dextrobupivacaína (R+), y fue creada por una compañía farmacéutica brasileña. Este estudio comparó la eficacia y la seguridad de la bupivacaína S75-R25 con el vasoconstrictor y la ropivacaína para el sistema cardiovascular en el bloqueo del plexo braquial. MÉTODOS: El equipo de investigación colocó de forma aleatoria a los pacientes que recibirían el bloqueo del plexo braquial con la bupivacaína S75-R25 (Grupo B) o la ropivacaína (Grupo R), ambos fármacos al 0,50%, y 30 mL de epinefrina 1:200.000. El ECG continuo (Holter) se registró durante todo el procedimiento, como también la escala de fuerza de Lovett, además de la monitorización (frecuencia cardíaca, oximetría de pulso y presión arterial no invasiva). La incidencia de eventos adversos fue comparada con los test del Xi-Cuadrado (Xi²) o exacto de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Fueron divididos en dos grupos 44 pacientes. No hubo diferencia significativa con relación a la edad, peso, altura, sexo y tiempo de operación. No hubo diferencia entre las arritmias supraventriculares antes o después del bloqueo del plexo braquial, independientemente del anestésico local elegido. La pérdida de sensibilidad fue más rápida en el Grupo B (23,1 ± 11,7 min) en comparación con el Grupo R (26,8 ± 11,5 min), aunque no fuere significativa (p = 0,205, test t de Student). Hubo una reducción de la frecuencia cardíaca, observada durante la monitorización continua de 24 horas (Holter). CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio demostró una eficacia parecida entre la bupivacaína S75-R25 y la ropivacaína para el bloqueo del plexo braquial, con incidencias parecidas de arritmias supraventriculares.

Lipid Emulsions Enhance the Norepinephrine-Mediated Reversal of Local Anesthetic-Induced Vasodilation at Toxic Doses

PURPOSE: Intravenous lipid emulsions have been used to treat the systemic toxicity of local anesthetics. The goal of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of lipid emulsions on the norepinephrine-mediated reversal of vasodilation induced by high doses of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, and mepivacaine in isolated endothelium-denuded rat aorta, and to determine whether such effects are associated with the lipid solubility of local anesthetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of lipid emulsions (0.30, 0.49, 1.40, and 2.61%) on norepinephrine concentration-responses in high-dose local anesthetic (6x10-4 M levobupivacaine, 2x10-3 M ropivacaine, and 7x10-3 M mepivacaine)-induced vasodilation of isolated aorta precontracted with 60 mM KCl were assessed. The effects of lipid emulsions on local anesthetic- and diltiazem-induced vasodilation in isolated aorta precontracted with phenylephrine were also assessed. RESULTS: Lipid emulsions (0.30%) enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in levobupivacaine-induced vasodilation, whereas 1.40 and 2.61% lipid emulsions enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in both ropivacaine- and mepivacaine-induced vasodilation, respectively. Lipid emulsions (0.20, 0.49 and 1.40%) inhibited vasodilation induced by levobupivacaine and ropivacaine, whereas 1.40 and 2.61% lipid emulsions slightly attenuated mepivacaine (3x10-3 M)-induced vasodilation. In addition, lipid emulsions attenuated diltiazem-induced vasodilation. Lipid emulsions enhanced norepinephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aorta without pretreatment with local anesthetics. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that lipid emulsions enhance the norepinephrine-mediated reversal of local anesthetic-induced vasodilation at toxic anesthetic doses and inhibit local anesthetic-induced vasodilation in a manner correlated with the lipid solubility of a particular local anesthetic.

Terapia lipídica com dois agentes na intoxicação por ropivacaína: estudo experimental em suínos / Lipid therapy with two agents in ropivacaine-induced toxicity: experimental study in swine / Terapia lipídica con dos agentes en la intoxicación por ropivacaína: estudio experimental en cerdos

OBJETIVO: Comparar alterações hemodinâmicas após intoxicação com ropivacaína seguida de terapia com duas emulsões lipídicas em suínos. MÉTODO: Suínos da raça Large White foram anestesiados com tiopental, intubados e mantidos em ventilação mecânica. Variáveis hemodinâmicas de repouso foram registradas através de pressão invasiva e cateterização da artéria pulmonar. Após 30 minutos, 7 mg.kg-1 de ropivacaína foram injetados por via venosa e novas medidas hemodinâmicas foram feitas em um minuto; os animais foram então aleatoriamente alocados em três grupos e receberam: 4 mL.kg-1 de solução salina, 4 mL.kg-1 de solução lipídica com triglicérides de cadeia longa e 4 mL.kg-1 de solução lipídica com triglicérides de cadeia média e longa. As alterações hemodinâmicas foram reavaliadas aos cinco, 10, 15, 20 e 30 minutos. RESULTADOS: A intoxicação pela ropivacaína causou queda da pressão arterial e do índice cardíaco, principalmente, sem importantes alterações das resistências vasculares. A terapia com as emulsões lipídicas restaurou a pressão arterial através, principalmente, do aumento das resistências vasculares, uma vez que o índice cardíaco não apresentou melhoria expressiva. A emulsão lipídica com triglicérides de cadeia média causou aumento superior das resistências vasculares, sobretudo pulmonares. CONCLUSÃO: Nos grupos que receberam emulsões lipídicas os resultados hemodinâmicos foram melhores do que no grupo controle; não foram observadas diferenças da pressão arterial sistêmica e do índice cardíaco entre os animais que receberam a solução com triglicérides de cadeia longa e a mistura de triglicérides de cadeia média e longa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Compare hemodynamic changes after ropivacaine-induced toxicity followed by treatment with two lipid emulsions in swine. METHODS: Large White pigs were anesthetized with thiopental, followed by intubation, and kept on mechanical ventilation. Hemodynamic variables at rest were recorded with invasive pressure monitoring and pulmonary artery catheterization. After 30 minutes, 7 mg.kg-1 ropivacaine were injected intravenously and new hemodynamic measurements were performed within one minute. The animals were then randomly allocated into three groups and received: 4 mL.kg-1 saline solution, or 4 mL.kg-1 lipid emulsion with long-chain triglycerides, or 4 mL.kg-1 lipid emulsion with long-and medium-chain triglycerides. Hemodynamic changes were reevaluated at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes. RESULTS: Ropivacaine-induced toxicity mainly caused a drop in blood pressure and cardiac index without significant changes in vascular resistance. Therapy with lipid emulsions restored blood pressure primarily through increased vascular resistance, as cardiac index showed no significant improvement. Lipid emulsion with medium-chain triglycerides caused a greater increase in vascular resistance, particularly pulmonary. CONCLUSION: In groups receiving lipid emulsions, hemodynamic results were better than in control group. There were no differences in systemic arterial pressure and cardiac index between animals receiving lipid emulsion with long-chain triglycerides and mixed long- and medium-chain triglycerides.

JUSTIFICATIVAS Y OBJETIVO: Comparar las alteraciones hemodinámicas después de la intoxicación con ropivacaína seguida de terapia con dos emulsiones lipídicas en cerdos. MÉTODO: Cerdos de la raza Large White que fueron anestesiados con tiopental, intubados y mantenidos bajo ventilación mecánica. Las variables hemodinámicas de reposo se registraron por medio de la presión invasiva y la cateterización de la arteria pulmonar. Después de 30 minutos, se inyectaron 7 mg.kg-1 de ropivacaína por vía venosa y nuevas medidas hemodinámicas se tomaron en un minuto. Los animales se dividieron entonces aleatoriamente en tres grupos y recibieron: 4 mL.kg-1 de solución salina, 4 mL.kg-1 de solución lipídica con triglicéridos de cadena larga y 4 mL.kg-1 de solución lipídica con triglicéridos de cadena media y larga. Las alteraciones hemodinámicas fueron nuevamente calculadas a los 5, 10, 15, 20 y 30 minutos. RESULTADOS: La intoxicación por ropivacaína ha causado la caída de la presión arterial y del índice cardíaco, principalmente, sin alteraciones importantes de las resistencias vasculares. La terapia con las emulsiones lipídicas ha restaurado la presión arterial principalmente por medio del aumento de las resistencias vasculares, una vez que el índice cardíaco no tuvo una mejoría expresiva. La emulsión lipídica con triglicéridos de cadena media causó un aumento superior de las resistencias vasculares, sobre todo en las pulmonares. CONCLUSIONES: En los grupos que recibieron emulsiones lipídicas, los resultados hemodinámicos fueron mejores que en el grupo control. No se observaron diferencias de la presión arterial sistémica y del índice cardíaco entre los animales que recibieron la solución con triglicéridos de cadena larga y la mezcla de triglicéridos de cadena media y larga.

Efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with 360° synechial angle-closure glaucoma: A preliminary study.

Context: Peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS; synechiae anterior to functional trabecular meshwork) formation in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) hampers access to uveoscleral outflow. Thus, the role of bimatoprost in such patients with 360° synechiae was evaluated. Aims: To assess efficacy and safety profile of bimatoprost 0.03% in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in 360° synechial angle-closure glaucoma patients. Settings and Design: This was a prospective, non-randomized, non-comparative, selective analysis, single-center pilot study. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 eyes of 20 Indian chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) patients with IOP greater than 21 mmHg, 360° PAS and no visual potential in the study eye underwent detailed eye examination. Baseline IOP was measured and YAG peripheral iridotomy was performed for complete angle-closure reconfirmation. Bimatoprost 0.03% was administered for 8 weeks as once-daily evening dose. IOP reduction within treatment group was determined with “paired t-test”. Results: The mean reduction in IOP from baseline to 8 weeks of bimatoprost therapy was 15.3 ± 9.5 mmHg (P < 0.001). The most commonly observed adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia (35%). Bimatoprost was well tolerated in the study. Conclusions: In this study, exclusively involving patients with 360° synechial angle-closure glaucoma and no visual potential, bimatoprost 0.03% treatment demonstrated a statistically significant IOP reduction. Hence, it can be inferred that bimatoprost 0.03% is an efficacious treatment modality in this subgroup of patients for reducing IOP.

Efeito sinérgico entre a dexmedetomidina e a ropivacaína 0,75 por cento na anestesia peridural / Synergistic effect between dexmedetomidine and 0.75 percent ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características clínicas da anestesia peridural realizada com ropivacaína associada à dexmedetomidina. MÉTODOS: Quarenta pacientes submetidos à correção cirúrgica de hérnia inguinal ou varizes de membros inferiores sob anestesia peridural participaram deste estudo. Os pacientes foram divididos em: Grupo Controle (n = 20), ropivacaína 0,75 por cento, 20 ml (150 mg); e Grupo Dexmedetomidina (n = 20), ropivacaína 0,75 por cento, 20 ml (150 mg), mais dexmedetomidina, 1 µg.kg-1. As variáveis estudadas foram: tempo de latência do bloqueio sensitivo, dermátomo máximo de anestesia, tempo de duração dos bloqueios analgésico e motor, intensidade do bloqueio motor, nível de sedação, variáveis hemodinâmicas, analgesia pós-operatória e ocorrência de efeitos colaterais. RESULTADOS: A dexmedetomidina não influenciou o tempo de latência da anestesia nem o nível máximo do bloqueio sensitivo (p > 0,05), mas prolongou o tempo de duração dos bloqueios analgésico e motor (p < 0,05) e da analgesia pós-operatória (p < 0,05), além de determinar bloqueio motor de maior intensidade (p < 0,05). Os valores do índice bispectral foram menores no Grupo Dexmedetomidina (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença na incidência de hipotensão arterial e de bradicardia (p > 0,05). A ocorrência de efeitos colaterais (tremor, náuseas e SpO2 < 90 por cento) foi baixa e semelhante entre os grupos (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Há sinergismo evidente entre a dexmedetomidina e a ropivacaína na anestesia peridural sem que haja elevação da morbidade relacionada a associação dos fármacos.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of epidural anesthesia performed with 0.75 percent ropivacaine associated with dexmedetomidine. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for hernia repair or varicose vein surgeries under epidural anesthesia participated in this study. They were assigned to: Control Group (n = 20), 0.75 percent ropivacaine, 20 ml (150 mg); and Dexmedetomidine Group (n = 20), 0.75 percent ropivacaine, 20 ml (150 mg), plus dexmedetomidine, 1 mg.kg-1. The following variables were studied: total analgesic block onset time, upper level of analgesia, analgesic and motor block duration time, intensity of motor block, state of consciousness, hemodynamics, postoperative analgesia and incidence of side-effects. RESULTS: Epidural dexmedetomidine did not affect onset time or upper level of anesthesia (p > 0.05) however it prolonged sensory and motor block duration time (p < 0.05) and postoperative analgesia (p < 0.05), and also resulted in a more intense motor block, l (p < 0.05). Values of bispectral index were lower in Dexmedetomidine Group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in incidence of hypotension and bradycardia (p > 0.05). Occurrence of side-effects (shivering, vomiting and SpO2 < 90 percent) was low and similar between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is clear synergism between epidural dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine, further this drug association does not bring about additional morbidity.

Conjunctival changes induced by prostaglandin analogues and timolol maleate: a histomorphometric study

PURPOSE: To compare histological changes induced by antiglaucoma medications in the rabbit conjunctiva. METHODS: Fifty New Zealand rabbits were divided in 5 groups of 10 animals. The left eyes were treated daily with one drop of bimatoprost 0.03 percent, travoprost 0.004 percent, latanoprost 0.005 percent, timolol maleate 0.5 percent or artificial tears containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK) for 30 days. The right eyes served as controls. Superior limbic conjunctival biopsies were performed at the 8th and 30th day in 5 rabbits of each group. The conjunctiva was fixed with 10 percent formaldehyde, followed by HE and PAS staining. Morphohistometric quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the following parameters: inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial thickness, number of goblet cells, diameter and number of blood vessels. RESULTS: At the 8th and 30th posttreatment days, all groups, except one that received artificial tears, exhibited a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate, composed by lymphocytes and neutrophils, which was denser in the timolol group than in the prostaglandin (PG) analogues groups. At the 30th day, the timolol group also showed an increased subepithelial collagen density and a significant increase in epithelial thickness (p=0.0035). The goblet cell density was significantly increased at the 8th day in the group treated with travoprost (p=0.0006), and at the 30th day in those treated with bimatoprost (p=0.0021) and latanoprost (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Although a moderate, diffuse inflammatory infiltrate was observed in PG-treated eyes, no changes in conjunctival epithelial thickness or subconjunctival collagen density were observed with these medications, suggesting that these drugs induce fewer changes than timolol maleate in the rabbit conjunctiva.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar alterações histológicas induzidas por medicação anti-glaucomatosa na conjuntiva de coelhos. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia foram divididos em 5 grupos de 10 animais. Os olhos esquerdos foram tratados com uma gota diária de bimatoprosta 0,03 por cento, travoprosta 0,004 por cento, latanoprosta 0,005 por cento, maleato de timolol 0,5 por cento ou lágrimas artificiais contendo cloreto de benzalcônio (BAK) por 30 dias. Os olhos direitos serviram como controles. Foram realizadas biópsias conjuntivais límbicas superiores no 8º e 30º dias em 5 coelhos de cada grupo. A conjuntiva foi fixada com formaldeído 10 por cento, seguido por coloração de HE e PAS. Foi realizada análise quantitativa morfohistométrica para avaliar os seguintes parâmetros: infiltrado inflamatório, espessura epitelial, número de células caliciformes, diâmetro e número de vasos sanguíneos. RESULTADOS: No 8º e 30º dias de tratamento, todos os grupos, exceto aquele que recebeu lágrimas artificiais, exibiram infiltrado inflamatório difuso, composto por linfócitos e neutrófilos, sendo mais denso no grupo timolol do que nos grupos dos análogos de prostaglandinas. No 30º dia, o grupo timolol apresentou um aumento na densidade de colágeno subepitelial e um aumento significativo da espessura epitelial (p=0,0035). A densidade de células caliciformes aumentou significativamente no 8º dia no grupo tratado com travoprosta (p=0,0006), e no 30º dia nos grupos tratados com bimatoprosta (p=0,0021) e latanoprosta (p=0,009). CONCLUSÕES: Embora tenha sido observado um infiltrado inflamatório difuso e moderado nos olhos tratados com análogos de prostaglandinas, não houve alterações na espessura epitelial conjuntival ou densidade colágena subepitelial com essas medicações, sugerindo que essas drogas induzem menores alterações que o maleato de timolol na conjuntiva de coelhos.

Plain versus hyperbaric ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia in cirrhotic patients undergoing ano-rectal surgery

In cirrhotic patients undergoing ano-rectal surgery, spinal anesthesia/analgesia remains a challenge. Coagulopathy and intraoperative hypotension represent a major challenge for the anesthetist during spinal anesthesia in those patients. This study was designed to examine the efficacy and the adverse effects of ropivacaine [plain, hyperbaric] spinal anesthesia for anorectal surgery in cirrhotic. Forty known cirrhotic patients categorized as Child-A, scheduled for ano-rectal surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups. Patients received 2.0 ml ropivacaine 0.6% [6 mg/ml], either. In plain solution [group I] or with glucose [hyperbaric] group II. 10 micro g fentanyl was added for each solution. The extent and duration of sensory and motor block, pulse rate, blood pressure, and time to mobilization were recorded. Any unwanted effects related to spinal blockade were also recorded. There were significant differences in median time to onset of sensory block at T10 [plain 9 min; hyperbaric 3 min; P < 0.01], median maximum extent [plain T8; hyperbaric T6; P < 0.05], and median duration of sensory block at T10 [plain 66 min; hyperbaric 113 min; P < 0.01]. However, median times to complete regression of both sensory [183 vs 156 min; P < 0.05] and motor [158 vs 123 min; P < 0.05] block were longer in the plain group. Patients mobilized sooner in the hyperbaric group [plain 192 vs hyperbaric 131 min; P < 0.01]. All the hyperbaric blocks were adequate for surgery, but three patients receiving plain ropivacaine required sedative/analgesic bolus during anal dilatation. The practice of spinal anesthesia in patients with mild cirrhosis is a safe and reliable anesthetic technique. Addition of glucose 50 mg/ml to plain ropivacaine 6% increases the speed of onset, block reliability, duration of useful block for ano-rectal surgery, and speed of recovery. Moreover hemodynamic stability is a prominent feature of that block

Effect of local and systemic fentanyl on ropivacaine-induced supraclavicular block of brachial plexus

This prospective, randomized double blind study was designed to evaluate different effects of the addition of fentanyl to ropivacaine, on the analgesic profile after supraclavicular block of brachial plexus and to assess the hemodynamic effect and complications of this mixture in cases scheduled for elective upper limb orthopedic surgery at Mansoura University Hospitals. Forty five adult patients, ASA I-II, subjected for elective upper limb orthopedic surgery at Mansoura University Hospital were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly assigned, using sealed envelope method, into 3 groups, each one consisted of 15 patients according to the mixture of anesthetic solution: ropivacaine group[R]: received 30 ml 0.75% local ropivacaine + 2ml saline i.m, local fentanyl group [FL]:received 30 ml 0.75% local ropivacaine mixed with 1 micro g / kg fentanyl + 2 ml saline i.m and systemic fentanyl group [FS]: received 30 ml 0.75% local ropivacaine and i.m 1 micro g/kg fentanyl. The previously mentioned injectates were prepared in similar syringes by an Anesthetist other than the anesthesia provider. Parameters of brachial plexus blockade were recorded and included: Onset of sensory block, Onset of motor block, Postoperative analgesia duration and duration of anesthesia. Haemodynamic variables [heart rate and arterial blood pressure] and oxygen saturation were recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative complications as cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological disturbance were also recorded. Data were obtained and analyzed using statistica program. In this study, we recorded no effect on the duration of anesthesia or the duration of postoperative analgesia after addition of perineural fentanyl. But, we recorded a delay in the onset of anesthesia which occurred only with perineural fentanyl. We did not record any cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological complications. As regards our conclusions concerning effect of adding1 micro g /kg fentanyl to ropivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus blockade, we assumed that addition of perineural fentanyl was of no benefit as regards the duration, quality of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia

Hyperbaric spinal for elective cesarean section- ropivacaine vs bupivacaine

To compare hyperbaric spinal ropivacaine to hyperbaric spinal bupivacaine for elective cesarean delivery in a prospective, randomized, double blinded study. With the University Ethics Committee approval, 66 parturients for elective cesarean deliveries received either 15 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine [N = 33] or 11.25 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine [N = 33] with 0.1 mg of preservative-free morphine and 0.01 mg fentanyl. The sensory and motor blockades were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 min after injection. The APGAR scores, umbilical cord gases, intra-operative side effects and the total duration of motor and sensory blockade, were recorded. The two groups had similar demographics, and similar times for sensory block to T6 and Bromage score 3 motor blockade. The median levels of sensory blockade were T3 and T2 for the ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups respectively. Duration of sensory block was shorter in the ropivacaine group [174 +/- 24 min vs 217 +/- 46 min; P < 0.001]. Duration of motor block was shorter in the ropivacaine group [85 +/- 26 vs 159 +/- 56 min; P < 0.001]. The obstetricians rated intra-operative anesthesia as excellent in both groups. None of neonates had Apgar scores less than 7. There was no difference in cord gases between the two groups. Side effects did not differ between the two groups. The ropivacaine patients expressed significantly higher satisfaction levels [P < 0.016]. 15 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine with 0.1 mg morphine and 0.01 mg fentanyl provided excellent anesthesia for cesarean delivery. The advantages of hyperbaric ropivacaine consist of faster regression of the block and higher patient satisfaction