[A case of anaphylactic shock by multiple causes].

We experienced anaphylactic shock after introduction of the general anesthesia twice in the same patient. After the first incidence of anaphylactic shock, we judged that the allergen was a latex. For the second time we planned the latex free environment, but the anaphylactic shock occurred again. As a result of the investigation, it turned out that the allergens were due to latex and sevoflurane. After the first incidence, it was necessary to retrieve the antigen from all the agents used. When we encounter the anaphylactic shock, it is necessary to examine all the medicines, and should have two or more suspectible medicines in mind.

[Case of malignant hyperthermia in which treatment was carried out smoothly].

We experienced a case of the abortive malignant hyperthermia (MH) that had developed during operation. The patient was a 14-year-old girl, and plastic surgery was scheduled under general anesthesia. Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels were high with 505 IU x l(-1) at the preoperative examination. General anesthesia was induced with propofol and vecuronium bromide, and maintained with sevoflurane. Suddenly, sinus tachycardia of an uncertain cause and a rapid rise of end-tidal carbon dioxide (Et(CO2)) concentration were noticed. Since we suspected MH, we did cooling and hyperventilation and administered dantrolene sodium 2 mg x kg(-1) for the patient. As a result, the highest temperature remained at 37.6 degrees C. Serum CK levels increased most postoperative 18 hours later and it is improved gradually. As sevoflurane, promotes the CICR (calcium-induced calcium release) mechanism, the trigger of this case is probably sevoflurane. As for the symptom that makes us doubt MH first, there is a maked rapid rises of Et(CO2). Therefore, it is important monitor and recognize the first symptom of MH.

A survey of combined epidural-propofol anesthesia with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation as a minimally invasive anesthetic protocol.

BACKGROUND: Combined epidural-propofol anesthesia with use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) via the nose has been used routinely in our operating theaters. The purpose of this report was to present a survey of this anesthesia. MATERIAL/METHODS: 265 adult patients undergoing lower extremity or lower abdominal gynecological surgery during 1999 were examined. After epidural anesthesia, patients were given propofol infusion. NPPV was applied with an inspiratory/expiratory positive airway pressure of 14/8 cm H2O, a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min, and oxygen delivery into the nasal mask resulting in a concentration of 40% or an inspiratory oxygen fraction of 0.35. Epidural anesthesia was continuously applied after surgery for postoperative pain relief. Various data related to the surgery or anesthesia were evaluated both on the day of surgery and on postoperative day 1. RESULTS: Of 265 patients, 3 patients could not receive our anesthetic protocol. Of the residual 262 patients, no patients showed serious clinical problems during anesthesia, excluding for hypotension, which was observed in 31-56% patients and was treated with ephedrine injection. Patients informed us of good analgesia (98%), feelings (78%) and dreams (47%). On postoperative day 1, postoperative analgesia and mood conditions were satisfactory. There were no patients complaining of intraoperative awareness. CONCLUSIONS: The principle of our anesthesia consists of epidural anesthesia, sole propofol infusion and noninvasive airway management, so as to provide an anesthetic technique with minimal invasiveness. Although airway maintenance by NPPV is not always suitable, our anesthesia is practicable for certain kinds of operations.

Inspired superoxide anions attenuate blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients.

OBJECTIVE: Low concentrations of superoxide (O(2)(-)) constitute a portion of atmosphere negative ions in the form of O(2)-(H(2)O)(n), which has been reported to have a stimulatory effect on superoxide dismutase activity. If superoxide dismutase is activated by inspired negative ions containing O(2)(-), aerobic metabolism could be improved. To test this hypothesis, we examined blood lactate concentrations in postoperative patients with or without inhalation of air from a home humidifier that generates O(2)-(H(2)O)(n). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Neurosurgical intensive care unit of a general hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty postneurosurgical patients with arterial blood lactate concentrations >1.5 mmol/L were studied and were divided randomly into two groups. INTERVENTIONS: One group received 40 L/min 40% oxygen flow from a home humidifier as an oxygen therapy for 4 hrs, followed by almost the same flow from a jet nebulizer, which generates positive ions, for 4 hrs. The other group received the reverse combination. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the 8-hr study, arterial blood lactate concentrations were measured every hour. There was a significant difference in the time course of blood lactate concentrations between the groups. In the group in which negative ions were first initiated for 4 hrs and positive ions thereafter, the lactate concentration decreased slightly at 3, 4, and 5 hrs and returned to the baseline concentration thereafter. In the group with the reverse combination, the lactate concentration did not change during the first 4 hrs but decreased thereafter after inhalation of negative ions. CONCLUSIONS: Inspired O(2)(-) attenuates blood lactate concentrations. This may be attributed, in part, to the systemic stimulatory effect on superoxide dismutase activity, which accelerates oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, thus attenuating lactate generation.

[The effect of acupuncture or electro-acupuncture on circulatory parameters].

We examined the effect of acupuncture or electro-acupuncture on circulatory parameters by use of a non-invasive procedure in 10 healthy male adult volunteers. Circulatory parameters measured were systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total peripheral resistance and cardiac output. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture significantly increased total peripheral resistance, and electro-acupuncture increased systolic blood pressure further. There was no difference in cardiac output compared with the control. The results suggest that acupuncture or electro-acupuncture has an action of alpha-stimulation but not of beta-stimulation, and that electro-acupuncture has a stronger effect than acupuncture alone.