Effect of large volume replacement with balanced electrolyte solutions on extravascular lung water in surgical patients with sepsis syndrome.

We investigated the effect of large volume replacement with balanced electrolyte solutions on extravascular lung water (EVLW) in 16 adult surgical patients with sepsis syndrome. Patients entered the study within the 24 h period following surgical interventions for acute necrotizing pancreatitis, intra-abdominal abscesses, and/or peritonitis. Sequential measurements (n = 108) were made at intervals of 6-12 h over a 48 h period. There were no significant differences between initial and final values of thermal-dye EVLW (5.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.7 +/- 1.1 ml/kg), plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP, 13.3 +/- 2.5 vs. 13.2 +/- 2.9 mmHg), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP, 9.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 10.8 +/- 3.0 mmHg), and COP-PAWP gradient (4.0 +/- 3.5 vs. 2.4 +/- 3.9 mmHg). All results expressed as (mean +/- SD). The EVLW did not correlate with plasma COP, PAWP, or COP-PAWP gradient. We conclude that large volume replacement with balanced electrolyte solutions with the secondary decrease in plasma COP and COP-PAWP gradient do not necessarily contribute to a substantial increase in EVLW. This study fails to show any causal relationship between decrease in plasma COP or COP-PAWP gradient and oedema formation in the lung.

Nimodipine after circulatory arrest: effects on oxygen delivery and consumption.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effects of nimodipine administration during and after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on oxygen delivery and consumption was the aim of this study. METHODS: A randomized double-blind study in 32 anesthetized domestic pigs was performed. After 5 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and 5 minutes of external CPR, epinephrine (50 micrograms/kg) and either nimodipine or placebo (10 micrograms/kg bolus, 1 microgram/kg/min continuously throughout 4 hours of observation) were administered. One minute later (equal to 11 minutes VF), the first countershock was given. If this failed to restore spontaneous circulation, epinephrine and countershocks were repeated for a maximum of 30 minutes. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 nimodipine- and 7 of 14 placebo-treated pigs could be resuscitated successfully and survived the observation period (P < .05). Hemodynamic responses to nimodipine were characterized by significant decreases in systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure from 10 minutes after restoration of spontaneous circulation onwards with consequent significant increases in cardiac output. Median systemic oxygen delivery indices (DO2I) in nimodipine-treated pigs were significantly higher at all measuring points when compared with placebo-treated animals. Median systemic oxygen consumption indices (VO2I) did not differ significantly between groups. Median oxygen extraction ratios in nimodipine-treated pigs were in the same range as prearrest and were lower when compared with placebo-treated pigs (at 30 minutes P < .05 and at 120 minutes P < .01). DO2I and VO2I were poorly correlated in all pigs treated with nimodipine and in 3 of 7 animals treated with placebo, suggesting supply independency in these animals. This difference between groups was significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in nimodipine-treated animals, a lower oxygen deficit or a better redistribution of regional blood flow occurred after circulatory arrest and resuscitation.

Effects of half the tidal volume during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on acid-base balance and haemodynamics in pigs.

The effects of half the tidal volume during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on haemodynamics, acid-base balance, and oxygenation were studied in anaesthetized pigs. The animals were ventilated with a mean tidal volume of 12.5 +/- 0.5 ml/kg at a rate of 14/minute resulting in a mean arterial pCO2 of 40 +/- 3 mmHg. They were randomly assigned to two groups: in one group ventilation was performed with half the pre-arrest tidal volume (50% group; n = 9), in the other group ventilation remained unchanged during CPR (100% group; n = 10). After 8 minutes of CPR attempts were made to restore spontaneous circulation with epinephrine and countershocks. There were no differences in advanced life support requirements, haemodynamic parameters, and resuscitability between the two groups. During CPR up to 5 minutes after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) dead space ventilation was significantly higher in the 50% group compared with the 100% group (p < 0.05). During CPR (at 3 and 7 minutes) arterial pO2 values were significantly lower (218 +/- 136 and 221 +/- 120 mmHg vs. 381 +/- 130 and 352 +/- 147 mmHg; FiO2 1.0) and hyperventilation was less pronounced (34.4 +/- 7.3 and 31.3 +/- 7.7 mmHg vs. 26.2 +/- 5.6 and 26.9 +/- 6.3 mmHg) in the 50% group. Our results suggest that half the tidal volume during CPR is likely to establish a more physiological acid-base balance and has no adverse effects on haemodynamics in intubated pigs ventilated with pure oxygen.

Anesthesia in malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients.

The intra- and postoperative course of 30 general and 3 regional anesthetics in 27 MH-carriers verified by in vitro contracture tests is reported. None of the patients received dantrolene prophylactically. Disposable tubings were used for ventilation, vaporizers and soda lime were removed. ECG, esophageal temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and end tidal pCO2 were monitored. Minor tranquilizers were offered for premedication. Fentanyl, thiopentone, nitrous oxide, non depolarizing relaxants, neuromuscular antagonists and naloxone were used. In three patients, surgery was performed during epidural or spinal anesthesia with the use of amide local anesthetics. Neither MH-related changes in perioperative heart rates, body temperatures, and CK levels nor any other symptoms of MH were observed in any patient. The anesthetic techniques used seem to be safe and reliable; the anesthetic management of known MHS patients is discussed in detail.

[Urinary enzymes in the early detection of rejection reactions after renal transplantation (author's transl)]. / Harnenzyme zur Frühdiagnose von Abstossungsreaktionen nach Nierentransplantation

Urinary enzymes were studied in 15 patients subjected to kidney transplantation. The investigation was initiated immediately after operation and was continued for a period of between 2 and 8 weeks. There was a significant increase in urinary MDH activity in 94.2% of cases, of LDH activity in 95,65% and of gamma-GT activity in 95,17% of the cases. This detected increase in urinary enzyme activities preceded the clinical diagnosis of rejection by activities preceded the clinical diagnosis of rejection by at least 24 hours. Determination of these enzymes provides a reliable tool for the early detection of rejection crises.

[Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vecuronium in children]. / Pharmacocinétique et pharmacodynamique du vécuronium chez l'enfant.

Pharmacodynamics of vecuronium have been studied in children 1 to 10 years old. Doses from 0.015 to 0.1 mg/kg were given and the effects measured mechanically and by electromyography. For 0.1 mg/kg the pharmacokinetics were established. A smaller distribution volume and higher plasma clearance in children as compared to adults have been found, while the dose-effect ratio is the same. The action of vecuronium is shorter in children than in adults.

[Research in emergency medicine. Ethical requirements]. / Forschung in der Notfallmedizin. Ethische Voraussetzungen.

Having pointed out some curriculum goals in medical ethics, a plea is made for extensive animal experimentation, especially in emergency medicine in order to minimize necessary investigations in human beings. Although certain groups of patients (persons in custody, minors) are protected nowadays against unjustified research activities by legal restraints, well-designed therapeutic (even nontherapeutic) investigative projects can be facilitated under certain conditions. The same attitude might be adopted for "special" populations (e.g., HIV patients), which are very often excluded for various reasons. Research protocols and statistical evaluation should not be permitted to differ in these groups in comparison to "normal" patients. The issue of "informed consent" in emergency research with the main emphasis on resuscitation cannot be considered as resolved since many patients are unconscious or at least incompetent. Irrespective of the number of legislative constructions proposed mainly in the USA ("proxy consent", "substitute decision making," "deferred consent"--the latter being already declared a misnomer by its "inventor", ethical standards might better be adapted to the respective situations guided by competent ethical committees. As for the particulars of research protocols, randomization combined with a blind or double-blind study design is now considered to be ethically desirable by a majority of authors, the same holding true for risk stratification and sequential test procedures in order to reduce the number of patients required. The "theory of intuitive thinking" is briefly touched upon as a futuristic investigative method and/or decision strategy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Nitrogen metabolism and renal amino acid excretion during total parenteral feeding of hypermetabolic patients with various carbohydrate regimes]. / Stickstoffmetabolismus und renale Aminosäurenausscheidung während totaler parenteraler Ernährung hypermetaboler Patienten mit verschiedenen Kohlenhydratregimen.

During an investigative study about the utilization of parenterally administered amino-acids (AA) in severe catabolic states nitrogen balances, urea production rates and catabolic nitrogen as well as urinary losses of amino-acids were determined in six adult polytraumatized patients treated in an intensive care unit. In addition to 19 g nitrogen (0.3 g N/kg/day) 3,000 kcal (12.5 MJ) were given simultaneously as carbohydrates. Either a mixture of laevulose 20%, glucose 10%, xylitol 10% (LGX) or glucose 50% were infused alternatively for four days in a randomized cross-over scheme. Another group of three patients received the LGX-regime alone for six days altogether. Higher urinary N-losses, increased urea production rates corresponding to a rise in the s.c. catabolic nitrogen were obtained on days where the LGX-mixture was infused; there was also an increased excretion of alpha-amino-N due to a distinct aminoaciduria. Not all amino-acids did react in the same manner. When comparing excretion to supply higher losses (greater than 20%) were observed for: THR greater than TRY greater than VAL greater than ILE greater than PHE. Methionine and alanine were also excreted in higher amounts, whereas under glucose an elevated excretion was especially noted with glutamine and alpha-aminobutyric acid. The increased urea production rate associated with a reduced incorporation of amino-acids as well as the accentuated renal AA-losses under LGX may be ascribed to a slight increase in protein catabolism connected with some impairment of AA-utilization due to a temporary metabolic hepatic 'block'. Under glucose an intensified endogenous mobilization as well as the higher exogenous supply of insulin might be responsible for a somewhat better AA-utilization. Amino-acid clearances under the carbohydrate mixture in the second group were - with the exception of lysine and leucine - raised distinctly similar to values seen in aminoaciduria of other origin. This leads to the assumption that the AA-overflow might result from a partial insufficiency or overload of renal transport ('carrier') systems being responsible for amino-acid reabsorption. The question of an adequate supply - concerning essential amino acids in particular - taking into consideration the relatively high losses under one of the nutritional regimes investigated is shortly touched upon. Finally the possibility of adapting AA-mixtures to the respective carbohydrate solutions in order to improve nitrogen balances and utilization is discussed.

[Interaction of the calcium antagonists nifedipine and nisoldipine with the nondepolarizing muscle relaxant vecuronium bromide in an vivo rat preparation]. / Zur Wechselwirkung der Ca-Antagonisten Nifedipin und Nisoldipin mit dem nichtdepolarisierenden Muskelrelaxans Vecuroniumbromid im "in vivo" Rattenpräparat.

The interaction of two orally administered Ca-channel blockers, the dihydropyridines nisoldipine and nifedipine, with the non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, vecuronium bromide, was tested in the indirectly stimulated tibialis anterior muscle of anesthetized and ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats. In both the nisoldipine and the nifedipine group, depression of twitch tension and duration of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade was potentiated when compared with a control group. The possible clinical relevance of these findings is discussed.