Cardioprotection by nifedipine cardioplegia during coronary artery surgery.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study, the cardioprotective effect of nifedipine (Adalat, Bayer) as an adjunct to St. Thomas' cardioplegia was investigated in 24 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Nifedipine at a dosage of 200 micrograms or placebo was added to each 1000 ml of St. Thomas solution, under strict light protection. ECG and haemodynamic data, including cardiac output measurements, serum calcium levels, creatine phosphokinase, (CK) CK-MB and lactate were measured during and after the operation. Additional cardioprotective effects were demonstrated in the nifedipine group by a significantly lesser reduction of the cardiac index after cardiopulmonary bypass and lower post-operative CK and CK-MB serum levels (P < 0.05). The incidence of ischaemia and cardiac arrhythmias was significantly higher in the placebo group on the post-operative ECG.

[Multiple-stage treatment of malignant melanoma (author's transl)]. / 78. Die Mehrschritt-Therapie des Melanomalignoms

The paper reports on 11 patients with very advanced melanoma, who were treated with a modified version of multiple-stage cancer therapy. No improvement in the course of the illness resulted, but survival may have been slightly prolonged.

[Evaluation of exanthemas following high-dosage intravenous penicillin combinations in intensive care]. / Zur Wertung von Exanthemen nach hochdosierten intravenösen Penicillinkombinationen in der Intensivpflege

118 patients of a non specialized intensive care unit have been studied, all of them under high dose bactericidal cover (10 MIU of Na-Penicillin G and 2,0 Ciclacillin q 12 hrs.) for a period of days to 4 weeks. In 17 (14,4%) a skin rash was observed. 10 of these could be studied using special techniques (radial immunodiffusion, passive hemagglutination, RIST and RAST), however in none of these cases there was a hint of the existence of penicillin specific antibodies. In 6 patients also skin tests were performed. There was no immediate type reaction, only twice delayed type reactions occured to Na Pencillin G.6 patients had continuing treatment on spite of the rash and without further steps the effluorescences vanished within 3-6 days. Therefore continuation of the antibiotic therapy in spite of rash along with strict clinical and laboratory monitoring seems to be preferable to a hastened change of antibiotic regime

[The treatment of respiratory failure in severe chest injury (author's transl)]. / Die Therapie der Atemstörung beim schweren Thoraxtrauma

The use of artificial ventilation versus conservative treatment in 101 patients with severe chest injuries is reconsidered, because major ventilation therapy carries a high incidence of complications. This technique within the past few years has increasingly been replaced by differentiated conservative respiratory treatment. On the basis of a retrospective study it is concluded that under special conditions even the unstable chest accompanied by respiratory insufficiency may be treated successfully by this technique.

[The influence of acupuncture analgesia on the sensation and feeling of pain and the autonomic state of the organism (author's transl)]. / Beeinflussung der Schmerzempfindung, des Schmerzgefühls und der vegetativen Lage des Organismus unter Akupunktur-"Analgesie"

This study reports the effect of acupuncture on the sensation of pain, feeling of pain and on the autonomic state of the organism. In order to elucidate the problem physiological and psychological parameters were employed. It was observed that the insertion of the needles with electrical stimulation raised the pain threshold. The rise occurred whether a classical acupuncture point or a placebo acupuncture point was used. When the pain was assessed subjectively, it was found that the needling of a classical acupuncture point favourably influenced the experience of pain. Furthermore, persons in whom acupuncture worked well were characterized by a low subjective and objective pain threshold, a slow pulse rate and a high anxiety score.