Background: Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) as a new technique for labor analgesia has aroused extensive attention. The character of separation the motor block to sensory makes ropivacaine becoming an important local anesthetic analgesia. In this meta-analysis, we aimed assess efficiency and safety PIEB regime compared continuous infusion (CEI) on with following evidence emerged n...

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness of continuous infusion of hydrocortisone versus intermittent boluses in the resolution of septic shock. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed to investigate the effects of low-dose hydrocortisone continuous infusion (200 mg per day) versus intermittent boluses (50 mg every six hours) in septic shock patients who did not respond to fluid resusc...

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare continuous infusion and intermittent bolus administration of cisatracurium (CA) with respect to total intraoperative dose and time of recovery from neuromuscular blockade after cardiac surgery. Methods: From June 2005 to April 2006 sixty patients who undergoing coronary bypass graft and valve replacement surgery were randomized to receive either i...

Pain during labor and delivery is often very unpleasant and stressful for the parturients. Patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has been found to be both safe and effective, providing optimal pain relief and allowing women to participate in their own analgesia). Compared to other epidural techniques, intermittent epidural top-ups and continuous epidural analgesia (CEA), PCEA uses dilute...

Bolus insulin calculators (BCs) became available in insulin pumps in 2002 and are being integrated into glucose meters and portable device applets for use with multiple daily injections. A retrospective analysis of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion data from the Actual Pump Practices (APP) study is used in this article to generate formulas for more precise BC settings. A well-designed BC...

BACKGROUND Whether the method of local anesthetic administration for continuous femoral nerve blocks--basal infusion versus repeated hourly bolus doses--influences block effects remains unknown. METHODS Bilateral femoral perineural catheters were inserted in volunteers (n = 11). Ropivacaine 0.1% was concurrently administered through both catheters: a 6-h continuous 5 ml/h basal infusion on on...

Maintaining adequate quality of life (QoL) is an important therapeutic objective for patients with advanced heart failure and, for some patients, may take precedence over prolonging life. Achieving good QoL in this context may involve aspects of patient care that lie outside the familiar limits of heart failure treatment. The inodilator levosimendan may be advantageous in this setting, not leas...