Haloperidol: An alternative butyrophenone for nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in anesthesia
James C. Smith, II, CRNA, MNA
E. Laura Wright, CRNA, MNA
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently placed significant restrictions on the administration of droperidol. Haloperidol is another butyrophenone with antiemetic properties but without the FDA restrictions. This article reviews the literature regarding haloperidol and supports its use as a safe substitute for droperidol in the prevention and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Print version: 2005;73:273-275.
Key words: Butyrophenone, droperidol, haloperidol, postoperative nausea and vomiting, sudden cardiac death.

 

Pressure-support ventilation and diaphragm shortening in the rat model
Caryl Goodyear-Bruch, RN, PhD, CCRN
L. Rae Long, CRNA, MS
Peggy Simon, RNC, MSN
Richard L. Clancy, PhD
Janet D. Pierce, DSN, ARNP, CCRN
In this research article, the authors report the effect of pressure-support ventilation on diaphragm shortening, diaphragm work, and other cardiopulmonary parameters. Their findings may be useful to nurse anesthetists in the understanding of diaphragm work when patients are being ventilated with pressure-support ventilation.
Print version: 2005;73:277-283.
Key words: Diaphragm shortening, pressure-support ventilation (PSV).

 

Cardiac arrest under anesthesia in a pediatric patient with Williams syndrome: A case report
Krista Bragg, CRNA, MSN
Gina M. Fedel, MD
Amy DiProsperis, CRNA, MSN
General anesthesia is considered safe in individuals with Williams syndrome as long as a thorough preanesthesia assessment is performed, including a complete physical examination. In this case report, the patient experienced several cardiac arrests during the cardiac catheterization procedure, necessitating emergency extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation and immediate transfer to the operating room for emergency cardiac surgery.
Print version: 2005;73:287-293.
Key words: Coronary artery obstruction, pediatric cardiac arrest, supravalvular aortic stenosis, Williams syndrome.

 

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AANA Journal Course, Part 3
Update for nurse anesthetists --
Neuroprotective effects of thiopental, propofol, and etomidate
Brian Keith Turner, CRNA, MSN
Judith H. Wakim, RN, EdD
Janet Secrest, RN, PhD
Richard Zachary, CRNA, MSN
In this course, the authors state that when selecting an anesthetic agent to be used for neurosurgical procedures, the anesthesia provider must consider the agent’s effects on intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO₂). They conclude that research has shown thiopental, propofol, and etomidate to be similar in neuroprotective capabilities for ICP, CBF, and CMRO₂.
Print version: 2005;73:297-302.
Key words: Anesthetic neuroprotection, thiopental, propofol, etomidate.