Fetal Atrial Ectopic Rhythm Detected Using Handheld Doppler

Atrial ectopic rhythm is one of the most common fetal arrhythmias that can present during the prenatal period. Detection of fetal arrhythmia can be made by auscultating fetal heart rate and rhythm using a fetal handheld Doppler, and this can be done even in a resource-limited setting. The finding of an abnormal fetal heart rate and rhythm should prompt early referral to a pediatric cardiologist, as this may improve clinical outcomes. We present a case of atrial ectopic rhythm detected in utero using a handheld Doppler.

Comparison of the LMA Supreme vs the i-gel in paralysed patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery with controlled ventilation

We compared the efficacy of the inflatable cuff of the LMA Supreme against the non-inflatable i-gel cuff in providing an adequate seal for laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position in 100 female patients. There was no difference in our primary outcome, oropharyngeal leak pressure, between the LMA Supreme and the i-gel (mean (SD) 26.4 (5.1) vs 25.0 (5.7) cmH(2) O, respectively; p = 0.18). Forty-seven (94%) LMA Supremes and 48 (96%) i-gels were successfully inserted on the first attempt, with similar ease, and comparable times to the first capnograph trace (mean (SD) 14.3 (4.7) s for the LMA Supreme vs 15.4 (8.2) s for the i-gel; p = 0.4). Gastric tube insertion was easier and achieved more quickly with the LMA Supreme vs the i-gel (9.0 (2.5) s vs 15.1 (7.3) s, respectively; p < 0.001). After creation of the pneumoperitoneum, there was a smaller difference between expired and inspired tidal volumes with the LMA Supreme (21.5 (15.2) ml) than with the i-gel (31.2 (23.5) ml; p = 0.009). There was blood on removal of two LMA Supremes and one i-gel. Four patients in the LMA Supreme group and one patient in the i-gel group experienced mild postoperative sore throat.