[A clinical study of cefoperazone in surgery. Prevention of postoperative infections and transfer into pleural effusion].

A clinical study of cefoperazone (CPZ) in the surgery (on the prevention postoperative infections and transfer into pleural effusion) was conducted to obtain results as follows. As for the blood concentration after a 30-minute drip infusion of CPZ 2 g, it was 115.6 +/- 19.88 micrograms/ml (Mean +/- S.E.) 1 hour after completion of the administration. The biological half-life was 2.16 hours. The pleural effusion concentration of CPZ showed 33.3 +/- 7.86 micrograms/ml 2 hours after completion of the administration, which was enough to inhibit the growth of bacteria isolated from sputum and pleural effusion. The excretion was very slow. As for the effectiveness of CPZ for prevention of postoperative infection, CPZ proved effective in all of 8 cases. Specific side-effects were not observed. Thus, the usefulness of this preparation was confirmed.

Carotid artery stenting for calcified lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our aim was to assess the feasibility of carotid artery stent placement (CAS) for calcified lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using embolic protection devices (EPDs), we performed 51 CAS procedures in 43 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis accompanied by plaque calcification. Before intervention, all lesions were subjected to multidetector-row CT. The arc of the circumferential plaque calcification was measured on axial source images at the site of maximal luminal stenosis, and the total volume of the plaque calcification was determined. The angiographic outcome immediately after CAS, and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean arc of calcification was 201.1 +/- 72.3 degrees (range, 76-352 degrees ), and the mean of the total calcification volume was 154.9 +/- 35.4 mm(3) (range, 92-2680 mm(3)). Balloon rupture occurred in 1 procedure (2.0%) at predilation angioplasty; all 51 CAS procedures were successful without clinical adverse effects. Although there was a correlation between the arc of plaque calcification and residual stenosis (r = 0.6, P < .001), excellent dilation with residual stenosis < or =30% was achieved in all lesions. There was no correlation between the total volume of calcification and residual stenosis. None of the patients developed stroke or death within 30 days of the CAS procedure. CONCLUSION: CAS by using EPDs to treat lesions with plaque calcification is feasible even in patients with near-total circumferential plaque calcification.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with a Kampo-formula, San'o-shashin-to: a case report.

The following describes a 76-year-old male with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome successfully treated with a Kampo-formula, San'o-shashin-to (Formula medicamentorum tres ad dispellendi cordis). Polysomnography, performed before and after administration of San'o-shashin-to, revealed that the apnea index decreased from 11.1 events/hour to 4.1 events/hour, and that the apnea plus hypopnea index decreased from 18.4 events/hour to 10.7 events/hour. The patient was normo-weight (body mass index: 20.4 kg/m2), and events of sleep apnea and hypopnea were mostly noted during a non-rapid eye movement sleep. It is possible that San'o-shashin-to has some alleviating effects on the upper airway resistance during sleep.