[Clinical studies on the influence of Ornipressin (POR 8) on the cardiovascular system in general anesthesia]. / Klinische Untersuchung zum Einfluss von Ornipressin (POR 8) auf das kardiovaskuläre System in Allgemeinnarkose.

A clinical prospective study of 231 patients was conducted to examine the influence of Ornipressin (POR 8) on the cardiovascular system. The standard concentration of the vasoconstrictor was 0.2 i.u./ml. A control group of 34 patients received 0.9% NaCl solution. In less than 10% of all cases blood pressure or pulse frequency changed up to 30 mmHg or 30 bp. m. Cardiac arrhythmias without clinical relevance could be observed sporadically. There were significant differences to the control group only in terms of pulse rate under volatile anaesthetics, and changes in blood pressure during the first 10 minutes under neurolept analgesia and under combined anaesthesia.

[Intraoperative anaphylactic shock due to a latex allergy]. / Intraoperativer anaphylaktischer Schock aufgrund einer Latexallergie.

Delayed hypersensitivity to rubber chemicals is well known, but there has been an increasing number of reports of immediate-type hypersensitivity due to latex causing contact urticaria, angioedema, bronchial asthma, and anaphylactic shock in adults. We report a 10-year-old boy who developed anaphylactic shock during surgery due to surgical gloves containing latex. The patient was atopic and had a history of neurodermatitis and localized angioedema on exposure to rubber. There had been two previous uneventful surgical procedures. Thirty-five minutes after induction of anesthesia and 5 min after laparotomy for appendectomy there was an acute onset of increased airway pressure, oxygen desaturation, and profound hypotension. The circulation and gas exchange stabilized after treatment with oxygen, intravenous fluids, epinephrine, H1 and H2 blockers, aminophylline, and methylprednisolone. A positive skin test and RAST revealed a latex allergy. Latex can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in patients with a history of rubber allergy or frequent exposure to latex products.