Respiratory and haemodynamic effects of volume-controlled vs pressure-controlled ventilation during laparoscopy: a cross-over study with echocardiographic assessment.

International audienceBACKGROUND: The effects of pressure-controlled (PC) ventilation on the ventilatory and haemodynamic parameters during laparoscopy procedures had not been carefully assessed. This prospective cross-over study was undertaken to compare how volume-controlled (VC) and PC modes could affect pulmonary mechanics, gas exchange, and cardiac function in patients undergoing laparoscopy. METHODS: Twenty-one patients undergoing laparoscopic urological procedures had their lungs ventilated at the beginning with VC ventilation. PC ventilation was instituted at the end of the VC sequence. Ventilator settings were adjusted to keep tidal volume, respiratory rate, and Fi(o(2)) constant in every mode. A complete set of ventilatory, haemodynamic, and gas exchange parameters was obtained under VC after 40 min of pneumoperitoneum and 20 min after switching for PC. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed in order to evaluate systolic and diastolic function of the heart. RESULTS: When VC was switched to PC, peak airway pressure decreased [mean (sd) 32 (6) vs 27 (6) cm H(2)O; P < 0.0001], peak inspiratory flow increased [17 (3) vs 48 (8) litre min(-1); P < 0.0001), and dynamic compliance improved [+15 (8)%]. No difference was noted for static airway pressure, static compliance, and arterial oxygenation. No significant change could be demonstrated in the systolic [left ventricular end-systolic wall stress 66 (16) vs 63 (14) x 10(3) dyn cm(-2) m(-2)] or diastolic function [early diastolic velocity 10.3 (2.5) vs 10.5 (2.7) cm s(-1)]. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no short-term beneficial effect of PC ventilation could be demonstrated over conventional VC ventilation in patients with pneumoperitoneum

Neuraxial analgesia is not associated with an increased risk of post-partum relapses in MS

International audienceBackground: Obstetrical analgesia remains a matter of controversy because of the fear of neurotoxicity of local anesthetics on demyelinated fibers or their potential relationship with subsequent relapses.Objective: To assess the impact of neuraxial analgesia on the risk of relapse during the first 3 months post-partum, with a focus on women who experienced relapses during pregnancy.Methods: We analyzed data of women followed-up prospectively during their pregnancies and at least 3 months post-partum, collected in the Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMS) and Prevention of Post-Partum Relapses with Progestin and Estradiol in Multiple Sclerosis (POPARTMUS) studies between 1992-1995 and 2005-2012, respectively. The association of neuraxial analgesia with the occurrence of a post-partum relapse was estimated by logistic regression analysis.Results: A total of 389 women were included, 215 from PRIMS and 174 from POPARTMUS. In total, 156 women (40%) had neuraxial analgesia. Overall, 24% experienced a relapse during pregnancy and 25% in the 3 months post-partum. Women with a pregnancy relapse were more likely to have a post-partum relapse (odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, p = 0.02), independently of the use of neuraxial analgesia. There was no association between neuraxial analgesia and post-partum relapse (OR = 1.08, p = 0.78).Conclusion: Neuraxial analgesia was not associated with an increased risk of post-partum relapses, whatever multiple sclerosis (MS) activity during pregnancy