[Drug interaction between ceftriaxone and theodrenaline/cafedrine : A case example]. / Medikamenteninteraktion zwischen Ceftriaxon und Theodrenalin/Cafedrin : Ein Fallbeispiel.

Adverse interactions between intravenous medications which are given simultaneously are a common problem in intensive care medicine. They are usually caused by administering a high number of medications over a limited number of intravenous lines or central venous catheters; however, this issue also arises in routine anesthetic procedures during surgery. The following case report highlights a so far undocumented interaction between the combination of theodrenaline/cafedrine and various antibiotics.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in a female patient, classified as ASA 1. After induction of general anesthesia 2 g ceftriaxone were administered as a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Simultaneously, i.e. prior to the beginning of surgery, a mild decrease in blood pressure was observed and 2 ml diluted Akrinor® (2 ml theodrenaline/cafedrine + 8 ml NaCl 0.9%) was administered. Directly following this administration a chemical precipitation reaction occurred, and large white pasty flakes were noticed in the intravenous line. The infusion was stopped immediately and all lines were replaced.In order to confirm a causal relationship between the observed precipitation and the simultaneous administration of the two drugs, an in vitro test was performed by mixing Akrinor® with other preparations of cephalosporin antibiotics. The effect observed with ceftriaxone was reproducible and cefazoline also caused a precipitation reaction.

Impact of acute ethanol intake on cardiac autonomic regulation.

Acute alcohol consumption may facilitate cardiac arrhythmias underlying the 'Holiday Heart Syndrome'. Autonomic imbalance is promoting atrial arrhythmias. We analyzed the effects of alcohol on measures of the cardiac autonomic nervous system and their relation to arrhythmias. In 15 healthy individuals, alcohol was administered parenterally until a breath alcohol concentration of 0.50 mg/l. High-resolution digital 30-min ECGs were recorded at baseline, at the time of maximum alcohol concentration, and after alcohol concentration returned to near baseline. Using customized software, we assessed periodic repolarization dynamics (PRD), deceleration capacity (DC), standard measures of heart rate variability (SDNN; RMSSD; LF; HF), and standard ECG parameters (mean heart rate; PQ; QRS; QTc interval). At the maximum alcohol concentration, PRD levels were significantly increased compared to baseline [1.92 (IQR 1.14-3.33) deg2 vs. 0.85 (0.69-1.48) deg2; p = 0.001]. PRD levels remained slightly increased when alcohol concentrations returned to baseline. DC levels were significantly decreased at the maximum alcohol concentration compared to baseline [7.79 (5.89-9.62) ms vs. 9.97 (8.20-10.99) ms; p = 0.030], and returned to baseline levels upon reaching baseline levels of alcohol. Standard HRV measures were reduced at maximum alcohol concentration. The mean heart rate increased significantly during alcohol administration. QRS and QTc duration were significantly prolonged, whereas PQ interval showed no change. Our findings revealed an increase of sympathetic activity and a reduction of parasympathetic activity under the influence of alcohol administration, resulting in autonomic imbalance. This imbalance might ultimately trigger arrhythmias underlying the 'Holiday Heart Syndrome'.