Venous air embolism: ultrasonographic diagnosis and treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

A man with neuromuscular respiratory failure requiring intubation and ventilation suffered a venous air embolism during inadvertent administration of 5 ml of air. Ultrasound (US) imaging confirmed an air embolus in the left subclavian vein, which was only partially treated by US-guided aspiration. The embolus completely resolved on US imaging during hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the patient recovered with no complications secondary to the embolism. Venous air embolism is under-recognised, and can cause siginificant neurological morbidity and death if untreated. When available, urgent hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to be an effective approach.

A lesson in clinical findings, diagnosis, reassessment and outcome: Boerhaave's syndrome.

A man in his 30s presented with a brief episode of vomiting, acute abdominal pain and subsequent development of shortness of breath. On initial examination and investigation, the clinical impression was of a right-sided pneumothorax, pneumonia and pleural effusion. Early antibiotic treatment and management showed a clinical improvement, with the patient reporting resolution of his symptoms. This episode was short lived, with a further deterioration in his condition and worsening of symptoms. Ensuing examination, imaging and investigations demonstrated an oesophageal leak into the right pleural cavity. Following urgent stabilisation measures and insertion of a chest drain, he underwent successful surgical repair. Boerhaave's syndrome is an emergency situation, requiring quick recognition, diagnosis, aggressive treatment and management to optimise a good outcome.

Intravascular haemolysis and septicaemia due to Clostridium perfringens liver abscess.

Intravascular haemolysis is a rare but serious complication of Clostridium perfringens sepsis. The outcome is usually fatal unless treatment is started early. We describe a case of survival after haemolysis and multiple organ failure in the setting of a ruptured liver abscess and sepsis caused by C. perfringens in an immunocompetent 58-year-old male.

High-dose adrenaline with low systemic vascular resistance and symmetrical peripheral gangrene.

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is an uncommon syndrome consisting of distal ischaemic damage in two or more extremities, without large-vessel obstruction. We describe its development in the presence of a high cardiac and low systemic vascular resistance in a patient who was on high-dose adrenaline. With palpable radial and popliteal pulses the patient's hands and feet became dusky. This progressed to SPG. A sudden increase in serum lactate to high levels, noted in this case, may mark the onset of SPG.

Accuracy of pulse oximetry in pigmented patients.

OBJECTIVE: Prospective assessment of the accuracy of three pulse oximeters and two probe sites in darkly pigmented critically ill patients under clinical conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive, darkly pigmented critically ill adult patients with arterial lines in situ were studied. Patients were excluded if the haemoglobin concentration was less than 7 g/dl and carboxyhaemoglobin or methaemoglobin levels exceeded 2%. Pigmentation was objectively quantified with a portable EEL reflectance spectrophotometer (Evans Electroselenium Company, Diffusion Systems Limited, London). Reflectance was measured at nine wavelengths. RESULTS: The degree of pigmentation as measured by percentage reflectance closely matched that of a control group of black Africans from a pigmentation study. The limits of agreement (2.6% to 5.8%), precision and bias values between pulse oximeter and co-oximeter readings fell within a narrow range. The 95% confidence intervals of the limits of agreement reflected a small variation in the difference between pulse oximeter and co-oximeter readings. These small differences were not clinically significant in the pigmented patients who were enrolled in the study. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of pulse oximetry is not adversely affected by skin pigmentation, and it remains a useful oxygenation monitoring device in darkly pigmented patients.

A double-blind comparison of vecuronium administered by the Springfusor infusion device to vecuronium by intermittent bolus injection in critically ill adult patients.

To evaluate the Springfusor infusion device for clinical use in an Intensive Care Unit and to compare the technique of intermittent bolus and constant infusion of muscle relaxants, we undertook a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Twenty critically ill ventilated patients requiring muscle paralysis were investigated. Although we could show no clinical advantage in infusing vecuronium, the Springfusor provided a more constant level of paralysis compared with hourly bolus doses. The device is robust, easy to use and reduces nursing workload. This may translate into cost-saving improvement in patient care if the Springfusor is used to provide muscle relaxation, sedation and analgesia.

Tension pneumoperitoneum aggravating respiratory failure. A case report.

A case of tension pneumoperitoneum secondary to barotrauma is reported. Any patient needing high pressures for ventilation and oxygenation is prone to this complication. The important respiratory and haemodynamic implications are discussed. It is suggested that drainage of a tension pneumoperitoneum is easy and safe and has major beneficial effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Esmolol in a case of severe tetanus. Adequate haemodynamic control achieved despite markedly elevated catecholamine levels.

A patient with severe tetanus, who had a sympathetic crisis while sedated with 30 mg/h diazepam and 30 mg/h morphine, is described. Satisfactory control of the haemodynamic crisis was achieved with bolus doses of esmolol to a total of 180 mg. A disturbing finding was that although there was adequate control of the tachycardia and hypertension, arterial catecholamine levels remained markedly elevated. Adrenaline levels of 531 pg/ml (normal 10-110 pg/ml) and noradrenaline levels of 1,036 pg/ml (normal 100-500 pg/ml) were recorded when the patient had a systolic arterial pressure of 110 mmHg and a heart rate of 97/min. The implications of this finding are discussed.

Hypocalcaemia during surgery for ruptured De Bakey type III thoracoabdominal aneurysm. A case report.

A case of a leaking De Bakey type III thoraco-abdominal aneurysm is reported. The ischaemic liver resulting from prolonged aortic cross-clamping, extensive blood loss, citrated homologous blood replacement and low calcium levels is discussed. It is suggested that during aortic clamping the ischaemic liver cannot metabolise the excess citrate in homologous blood and recommend that homologous blood is avoided during this period--crystalloids and heparinised blood being used instead of citrated blood.