Electric impedance for evaluation of body fluid balance in cardiac surgical patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether electric impedance can be used to monitor body fluid balance and fluid distribution in cardiac surgical patients. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Heart Center, Rigshospital, Copenhagen. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen consecutive patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Body weight, fluid balance, central hemodynamics, and total and segmental body impedance were examined perioperatively. During semisupine rest before surgery, changes in impedance indicated relocation of fluid from the legs to the thorax, mostly in the extracellular space. After surgery, weight and fluid balance increased by 3.87 +/- 0.35 kg and 1.86 +/- 0.16 L (mean +/- SE, p < 0.01) and remained elevated through the next 2 days. Impedance decreased by 30% over the thorax, by 24% over the abdomen, by 2% over the leg, and by 4% over the entire body. Changes in total and thoracoabdominal impedances had the highest correlation to the fluid balance (r = -0.86 and r = -0.87). After correction of impedance values by the constant from the regression model, the mean difference in estimation of fluid changes obtained by electric impedance and by fluid balance was 0 +/- 0.1 L at the range of changes of 4.6 L. CONCLUSION: Alterations in electric impedance closely follow changes in fluid balance during the perioperative period. This method can be used in clinical practice to control postoperative body fluid balance in cardiac surgical patients.

Pulse oximetry at fibre-optic bronchoscopy in local anaesthesia: indication for postbronchoscopy oxygen supplementation?

The requirement for supplementary oxygen (O2) after fibre-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) was evaluated by means of pulse oximetry in 34 patients (19 men) of median age 62 years (range 28-85) who had had a diagnostic FOB. The patients were allocated at random into two groups, each of 17 persons, which were comparable concerning sex, age and the dose of benzodiazepine (diazepam tablets 10 mg 1 h before FOB and midazolam 2-5 mg i.v. during FOB) used for premedication. Patients in group 1 had lower pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC as a percentage of predicted values) than patients in group 2 (P < 0.02). The oxygen saturation of the haemoglobin (SpO2) in the tip of the index finger was recorded continuously for 30 min after the administration of oral diazepam, during FOB and for 120 min after the FOB procedure. All patients received nasal O2 supplement 21 min-1 during FOB. After FOB, O2 was discontinued in group 1, while group 2 continued to receive O2 21 min-1 for 120 min. The incidence of hypoxaemic episodes (SpO2 < or = 90% for a period of a minimum of > or = 12 s) after oral diazepam, before FOB, was similar in the two groups, 35%. After FOB, the incidence of hypoxaemic episodes was 88% in group 1 and 41% in group 2 (P < 0.01). The cumulated duration of hypoxaemia after FOB was a median of 30 s (range 0-7140) in group 1 and a median of 0 s (0-156) in group 2 (P < 0.0001). Impaired lung function (FEV1 < 75% of predicted value) was a risk factor for hypoxaemia. Postbronchoscopy, O2 supplement should be administered to sedated patients with impaired lung function until the patients have fully recovered.

Classification of pulmonary lesions into central and peripheral with a template applied on chest X-ray.

To facilitate the understanding of the anatomical localization of pulmonary lesions and to optimize diagnostic evaluation, a template was designed which, on conventional chest X-rays, could be employed to discriminate between central and peripheral pulmonary lesions. The term 'central' implies that the lesion should be visible in the tracheobronchial tree through a fibre-optic bronchoscope, and the term 'peripheral' suggests that the lesion is not visible through a bronchoscope. In 20 patients examined by fibre-optic bronchoscopy, the bronchoscope was wedged into four pre-selected segmental bronchi in each lung. Using fluoroscopy, the tip of the bronchoscope was marked out on the skin with leadshot. On subsequent chest X-rays, with posterior-anterior and right lateral views, the distances and angles of the markings of the bronchi were mapped out in relation to the main carina. These data were used to design the template.

[Ion generators and bronchial asthma. A double-blind placebo controlled study]. / Iongeneratorer og asthma bronchiale. En dobbeltblind placebokontrolleret undersøgelse.

In this double blind, placebo-controlled study we examined the value of using a device for ionizing the air in the immediate environment as a therapy for asthma bronchiale. Nineteen adult patients with stable, reversible asthma were randomised to blind treatment with either an active device or an inactive placebo-device. After four weeks treatment the patients were given the alternative device for another period of four weeks. We measured daily peak-flow, symptomscore, use of medicine and spirometry and found no differences between the two periods. Therapy with ionization of the environmental air in patients with bronchial asthma should not be recommended.

Reversal of benzodiazepine intoxication by flumazenil.

In order to firstly evaluate the efficacy of flumazenil in reversing benzodiazepine-induced sedation because of drug overdose and secondly to register adverse events, 13 patients admitted to the intensive care unit because of drug intoxication, were given flumazenil intravenously to a maximum of 1.0 mg. Sedation state was scored on a modified Glasgow Coma Scale and arterial blood pressure, heart rate and arterial blood gases were recorded before and after flumazenil was given, and every 30 min for 2 h. Results showed that flumazenil reversed the sedation due to benzodiazepines effectively increasing the coma score significantly (P less than 0.005). We found no change in arterial blood pressure (apart from one patient), heart rate or arterial blood gases. Two patients gave further information about drug intake after flumazenil was given. Six patients became resedated, only one needed additional flumazenil. One patient developed a hypertensive crisis after flumazenil was given as a result of the unmasking of an untreated hypertension. Another patient aspirated gastric content to the trachea during resedation and needed respiratory support.

[Adult Gaucher's disease with pulmonary involvement]. / Adult Gaucher's sygdom med lungeaffektion.

Gaucher's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase with accumulation of glucocerebroside in the reticuloendothelial system. Affection of the lungs by this disease is extremely rare. When Gaucher cells infiltrate the lung, fibrosis may result. We describe a case with adult type Gaucher's disease who, besides affection of liver, spleen and bone marrow, had severe pulmonary involvement with extensive interstitial fibrosis, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and pronounced reduction in diffusion capacity.

Split-dose atropine versus glycopyrrolate with neostigmine for reversal of gallamine-induced neuromuscular blockade.

The effects of a split-dose of atropine sulphate versus a single dose of glycopyrrolate given with neostigmine for the reversal of gallamine-induced neuromuscular blockade were studied in 55 patients undergoing gynaecological surgery. The patients were randomized to receive either a single dose of glycopyrrolate (7 micrograms.kg-1) or two doses of atropine (8 micrograms.kg-1 each), given with an interval of 1 min. There were no differences between the two methods with respect to percentage heart rate changes, salivation or arousal time. Four patients demonstrated cardiac arhythmias in the atropine group, whereas none occurred in the glycopyrrolate group (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that a split-dose of atropine has similar chronotropic effects to a single dose of glycopyrrolate for the reversal of gallamine-induced neuromuscular blockade. However, the finding of a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in the atropine group suggests that this reversal regime should be reserved for patients without cardiac disease.

[Acute adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a patient with amitriptyline poisoning]. / Akut lungeparenkymsvigt (ARDS) hos en amitriptylinforgiftet patient.

A case of "adult respiratory distress syndrome" after amitriptyline overdosage is reported. Amitriptyline is rapidly absorbed from the intestinal tract and the drug is concentrated in the tissues, particularly the brain, heart and lungs. It is suggested that in large quantities it may inhibit surfactant production and thus cause the clinical picture described. The ventilatory treatments are discussed. It seems that inversed ratio ventilation (IRV) has something to offer, avoiding the use of high oxygen fractions in inspired air and high peak airway pressures. Our patient improved with IRV.

Influence of temperature of bupivacaine on spread of spinal analgesia.

A prospective, randomised study was performed to investigate the influence of temperature on sensory blockade in spinal anaesthesia. Three ml of plain bupivacaine 0.5% were injected intrathecally at either 4 degrees C, room temperature, or 37 degrees C. There were 10 patients in each group, who were kept sitting for 2 minutes after injection. The maximum level of sensory blockade was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the group who received the solution adjusted to 37 degrees C, and variability of level was smaller (p less than 0.05). Time to two-segment regression was shorter in the 37 degrees C group than in the 4 degrees C group (p less than 0.05). Hypotension required administration of ephedrine more often in the 37 degrees C group (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that the use of plain bupivacaine 0.5% adjusted to 37 degrees C results in a higher and more predictable sensory blockade.

Platelet responses to intravenous infusion of Intralipid in healthy volunteers.

Platelet function and morphology were studied in eight healthy male volunteers before, immediately after, and 1 d after the infusion of 250 mL of 10% Intralipid. The plasma concentrations of the platelet-release products beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), serotonin (5-HT), and platelet factor 4 (PF4) and the threshold to ADP- and adrenaline-induced aggregation were determined ex vivo. In addition the platelets were examined by electron microscopy. Although platelets released beta-TG, PF4, and 5-HT after the infusion, there was no significant change in ex vivo aggregability. About 3% of the platelets had internalized small-sized lipid particles (0.1-0.2 micron) whereas no other morphological changes were detected. The release products may negatively affect the hemorheological properties of the microcirculation in critically ill patients. The release of PF4 may explain the antiheparin effect of parenteral lipid therapy.

Antagonism of diazepam sedation by flumazenil.

Forty adult patients undergoing elective surgery, anaesthetized with diazepam, alfentanil and nitrous oxide in oxygen, and paralysed with atracurium were given flumazenil or placebo i.v. in a double-blind randomized study to assess the efficacy of flumazenil. Awake state, heart rate, arterial pressure, rate of ventilation and arterial blood-gas values were measured at 0, 5, 30, 120 and 240 min after administration of flumazenil or placebo. Flumazenil was found to antagonize the sedative effects of diazepam; there was no resedation within the time of observation. There were no intergroup differences in any of the other measured variables. A median dose of diazepam 0.33 mg kg-1 during surgery lasting a median of 98 min was antagonized by a median dose of flumazenil 0.35 mg. No side effects related to flumazenil were observed.