A new method for separate lung ventilation.

Separate lung ventilation is obtained with selective intubation of the main bronchus by an appropriate cuffed tube inserted through a standard orotracheal tube. Ventilation is carried out separately through the bronchial tube on one side and the residual tracheal tube lumen on the other side. This method, used in 144 patients, greatly simplifies the technique of bronchial intubation and offers many advantages over commercially available double-lumen tubes.

Influence of the 21-aminosteroid U74389F on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.

We examined the effects of the administration of 21-[4-(2,6-di-1-pyrrolidinyl-4-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-pregna-1,4,9( 11)-triene-3,20-dione, monomethansulfonate (U74389F), a 21-aminosteroid and so-called lazaroid, that is characterized by an inhibitory activity against iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, on ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in a rat model. After either 60 or 90 min of ischemia, plus 2 or 24 h of reperfusion, kidneys were assayed for glutathione, adenine nucleotides and lipid peroxidation products. 60 min of ischemia produced too little oxidative stress and/or too much spontaneous recovery to allow visualization of the protective effect of the drug. 90 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion induced significant glutathione oxidation, the free oxidized glutathione to total glutathione redox ratio (%) being enhanced from 4.6 +/- 0.7% before kidney clamping to 11 +/- 1 and 8.6 +/- 1.4% at 2 and 24 h reperfusion, respectively. Treatment with the lazaroid provided significant protection against this oxidation (4.9 +/- 1.05% at 24 h reperfusion). Results of lipid peroxidation confirmed the antioxidant effect of the lazaroid. In conclusion this study provides evidence for a protective role of the tested lazaroid against ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in the rat.

Cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrospinal fluid pressure after single bolus of propofol.

The effects of propofol on cerebral blood flow velocity, cerebrospinal fluid pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure and mean arterial pressure were studied during induction in 25 patients scheduled for elective craniotomy. Premedication consisted of only atropine sulphate 0.007 mg/kg (im) 45 min before induction. Measurements were made or derived at time zero and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min after an induction dose of propofol (2.5 mg/kg). Patients were retrospectively stratified into two groups, according to cerebrospinal pressure basal values: (i) lower than 10 mmHg (10 pts) and (ii) higher than 10 mmHg (15 pts). Cerebral blood flow velocity, measured by transcranial Doppler, fell in all the patients, but the reduction was significant at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min only in the group with high CSF pressure, while it never reached the critical value of 10 cm/s. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased in both groups of patients and the fall reached a statistical significance at 1 and 2 min in the group with higher baseline CSF pressure, only at 1 min: a parallel decrease of CPP was recorded, but it was not significant. Thus propofol decreases CSF pressure without hazardous effects on cerebral blood velocity and on cerebral perfusion pressure and seems to be a suitable anaesthetic agent in controlling high cerebrospinal fluid pressure in neuroanaesthesia.

Pharmacologic and surgical procedures for prevention of the revascularization syndrome.

Combined pharmacologic and surgical criteria are evaluated for prevention of the metabolic changes which characterize the revascularization syndrome (r.s.). The procedures basically consist, prior to restore the arterial circulation, in a regional arterial wash-out using a solution which is pumped, either manually or by means of a peristaltic pump, in the vascular bed of the devscularized territory; the washing solution is then collected through a flebotomy conducted on the regional venous drainage and prevented from entering the blood stream.

Study on pulmonary, prostatic and renal (medulla and cortex) distribution of sagamicin at different time intervals.

In order to assess the therapeutic activity of an antibiotic, not only its serum kinetics but also its kinetics in the peripheral tissues must be determined, thus evaluating the specific power of penetration of the drug. Sagamicin is an aminoglycosidic basic antibiotic closely related to gentamicin and its penetration rate into lungs, kidney and prostate, together with its serum concentrations time-course, were investigated. The findings obtained showed that this antibiotic attained a good distribution in the peripheral tissues, where it easily reached therapeutic levels.

Xibornol: multiple dose pharmacokinetics and diffusion in lung, tonsillar tissue and laryngeal mucosa.

In ten patients with severe chronic bronchitis and in a further 23 with planned resection of lung, tonsils or larynx, 500 mg doses, single or multiple, of xibornol (6-isobronyl-3, 4-xylenol) were administered for an antibacterial effect. The pharmacokinetics and diffusion of the drug in the tissues were studied. A high diffusion and distribution value of xibornol was observed, with levels in the tissues constantly higher than that in the serum. The concentrations reached within the respiratory tract were adequate for their antibacterial effect.

Ciprofloxacin: multiple-dose pharmacokinetic and clinical results in patients with hypercrinic bronchopulmonary diseases.

Ciprofloxacin, a 4-quinolone derivative with a wider spectrum of activity as compared to classic quinolones employed in the therapy of urinary tract infections, was studied in view of its possible application in the therapy of bronchopulmonary infections. An oral dose of 500 mg every 12 h was administered and both the clinical response and the pharmacokinetic profile were investigated. A complete recovery was reached in 87.5% of patients and an improvement in 12.5%; no failure was recorded. A very good penetration in sputum was confirmed by the sputum/serum area under curve ratio, providing evidence for a high bioavailability in bronchial secretion. Lung tissue concentrations confirmed the good peripheral distribution of ciprofloxacin. A twelve-hour administration schedule allows high peripheral concentrations to be obtained superior or equal to the minimum inhibitory concentrations for many pathogens.

[The use of methylprednisolone in the therapy of renal transplants from cadavers]. / L'uso del metilprednisolone nella terapia del trapianto renale da cadavere.

The role of steroids, and specifically of methylprednisolone, in the pharmacological treatment of cadaver kidney transplants is discussed. The action mechanisms of the substance, and the modalities for its use in basic treatment of the transplanted organ and in rejection crisis are described. Finally, the results obtained in 147 transplanted patients, the complications involved and the measures taken to eliminate, or at least reduce, the problems of prolonged steroid therapy are reviewed.