[Deep sedation in neonates and infants for diagnostic procedures]. / Analgosedierung von Neugeborenen und Säuglingen für diagnostische Prozeduren.

Many diagnostic and interventional procedures in neonates and infants need to be performed under sedation. Depending on the level of sedation this can lead to a total immobilisation of the children combined with a reduction of stress and pain and good diagnostic conditions. Therefore a deep sedation often is comparable with general anaesthesia. When performing sedations, established safety standards need to be observed. Apart from a skilled physician, well defined structures and procedures for pre- and postprocedural care are necessary. This includes standardised monitoring, medications and adapted medical engineering. The article gives an overview of the principle requirements for the working area, the monitoring and the physician him/herself. Furthermore after an illustration of the widely used medications, guidance for the practical proceeding in common procedures is given. With such a professional management. it is possible to increase the quality and safety of care for the children and not least the satisfaction of the parents even more.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and blood pressure response during total intravenous anaesthesia for minor surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates whether long-term treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) impairs the haemodynamic regulation during total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) for minor surgery. METHODS: In a prospective, two-armed observational study, 36 patients undergoing TIVA for minor surgery were studied. Seventeen were taking ACEIs regularly but no other antihypertensive medication (ACEI group); 19 patients without any cardiovascular medication served as controls (non-ACEI group). Haemodynamic variables were measured every minute during induction and every 5 min during surgery. The plasma levels of renin, angiotensin II, vasopressin and catecholamines were measured before and 18 min after the induction of anaesthesia. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure decreased to the same extent in both the groups during the induction of TIVA. There were also no differences between the groups regarding the heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, as well as the use of vasoconstrictors, and fluids during induction and throughout surgery. In the ACEI group, the plasma renin concentration was higher at baseline and after the induction of anaesthesia presumably due to the interruption of the negative renin-angiotensin feedback loop (P<0.05). Angiotensin II increased only in the non-ACEI group (6.2 ± 2.2 before vs. 9.6 ± 3.5 pg/ml after induction; P<0.05). In both groups, the plasma norepinephrine concentration decreased after the induction of TIVA (P<0.05). Plasma vasopressin and plasma epinephrine concentrations did not change in either group. CONCLUSION: Long-term ACEI treatment does not further aggravate the blood pressure decrease under TIVA during minor surgery, provided the induction procedure is slow, the patient is kept well hydrated and vasoconstrictors are promptly applied.

[Diagnostic and interventional operations in childhood: anesthesiology management]. / Diagnostische und interventionelle Eingriffe im Kindesalter : Anästhesiologisches Management.

Diagnostic and interventional procedures in children often need to be performed under sedation. This prevents pain and stress in children and provides optimal examination conditions. For complete immobilization and stress shielding the depth of sedation often corresponds with general anesthesia. Therefore, established safety standards need to be observed and a fundamental precondition is implementation by a skilled anesthesiologist who can handle the anesthesiology procedure and its possible complications. Organization, schedule, medication, equipment, monitoring and post-anesthesiology care should be institutionally defined. A professional anesthesiology management of pediatric patients is an important factor to increase the quality of care, patient safety and patient satisfaction.