Alterations of sleep initiation in NREM parasomnia after sleep deprivation - A multimodal pilot study.

Objectives: NREM parasomnias also known as disorders of arousal (DOA) are characterised by abnormal motor and autonomic activation during arousals primarily from slow wave sleep. Dissociative state between sleep and wake is likely responsible for clinical symptoms of DOA. We therefore investigated potential dissociation outside of parasomnic events by using simultaneous 256-channel EEG (hdEEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Eight DOA patients (3 women, mean age = 27.8; SD = 4.2) and 8 gender and age matched healthy volunteers (3 women, mean age = 26,5; SD = 4.0) were included into the study. They underwent 30-32 h of sleep deprivation followed by hdEEG and fMRI recording. We determined 2 conditions: falling asleep (FA) and arousal (A), that occurred outside of deep sleep and/or parasomnic event. We used multimodal approach using data obtained from EEG, fMRI and EEG-fMRI integration approach. Results: DOA patients showed increase in delta and beta activity over postcentral gyrus and cuneus during awakening period. This group expressed increased connectivity between motor cortex and cingulate during arousals unrelated to parasomnic events in the beta frequency band. They also showed lower connectivity between different portions of cingulum. In contrast, the greater connectivity was found between thalamus and some cortical areas, such as occipital cortex. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a complex alteration in falling asleep and arousal mechanisms at both subcortical and cortical levels in response to sleep deprivation. As this alteration is present also outside of slow wave sleep and/or parasomnic episodes we believe this could be a trait factor of DOA.

[Electroanalgesia in programmed delivery]. / Elektroanalgézie v programovaném porodnictví.

The influence of electroanalgesia on the uterus activity, delivery duration, pH, P02, PCO2, Hb02, BE, sodium and potassium values in venous and arterial umbilical blood as well as in venous mother's blood has been evaluated. The investigated total was composed of 31 pregnancies, in 18 of them the delivery was backed with electroanalgesia, and the remainder of 13 represented a control group. No statistical significance has been evaluated as to the duration of delivery in both groups. The positive finding resides in significantly higher Hb02 and lower Be umbilical blood values in a group with applied electroanalgesia. No significant differences were found out in the rest of either the indices of respiratory foetal metabolism or sodium and potassium values in contrast of control group.

[Predictive value of indicators of oxygen supply to tissues in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease]. / Predpovední význam ukazatelu dodávky kyslíku ke tkáním u nemocných s chronickou obstrukcní chorobou plicní.

The authors investigated in a group of 83 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the prognostic impact of some indicators of pulmonary function, haemodynamics and oxygen transport. They demonstrated that the prognosis is less favourable in patients with a lower one-second vital capacity with a higher median pressure in the pulmonary artery, with a lower oxygen tension in the arterial blood and higher haemoglobin concentration. They did not reveal significant differences between those who died and those who survived for more than five years, after the examination, as regards oxygen supply of tissues, oxygen consumption, coefficient of oxygen extraction and values of oxygen tension in mixed venous blood. Oxygen inhalation led to an increased oxygen supply of tissues and increased oxygen tension in mixed venous blood to normal values in all examined groups. This observation may be one of the explanations of the more favourable prognosis of patients with respiratory insufficiency, associated with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, who have permanent oxygen therapy during domiciliary care.

Changes in pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics after the administration of various vasodilators in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

The authors investigated the influence of some vasodilatory drugs on pulmonary and systemic haemodynamic parameters in 69 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (with the exception of two patients with diffuse pulmonary fibrosis and one patient with recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism). The investigated vasodilatory drugs were as follows: Dihydralazine Spofa--8 patients, Corinfar--10 patients, Ketanserin--13 patients, Nit-Ret 7 patients, Nitroglycerin Spofa--10 patients, Nitro-Mack--11 patients, Iso-Mack retard--10 patients. The haemodynamic parameters were measured before and at various time intervals after the administration of the vasodilatory agent (Dihydralazine 50 mg perorally--30th and 60th minute, Corinfar--20 mg sublingually--60th minute, and in 7 patients following a 6 months period of 30-60 mg Corinfar daily dose, Ketanserin--10 mg intravenously--10th, 20th and 40th minute, Nit-Ret--2.5 mg perorally--30th and 60th minute, Nitroglycerin Spofa--0.5 mg sublingually--10th and 30th minute, Nitro-Mack--1 mg intravenously--immediately following the end of a slow i. v. infusion for 20 minutes, Iso-Mack retard--20 mg perorally, 60th minute). The blood gases were measured at the same time intervals, too. The results in various groups were as follows: Dihydralazine administration was not followed by any significant change in PAP, CO, PVR, while a significant decrease in AOP and SVR was ascertained. A significant decrease of PaCO2 and no change in PaO2 were measured. Following Corinfar administration, no change in PAP, CO or PVR and a significant decrease of PaCO2 and no change in PaO2 were measured. Following Corinfar administration, no change in PAP, CO or PVR and a significant decrease in AOP were determined. No significant changes in blood gases were measured. Following a 6 month Corinfar treatment period in 7 subjects, no significant changes in pulmonary haemodynamics or blood gases values were found. No clinical benefit of this drug could be estimated. Ketanserin administration was not followed by any changes in pulmonary haemodynamics, whereas a significant decrease in AOP and SVR were found. The administration of Nit-Ret was followed by a significant decrease of CO, whereas no changes in PAP, AOP or PVR and SVR were found. No significant changes in the blood gas tenses values were measured. The administration of Nitroglycerin Spofa was followed by a significant decrease in RAP, PAP, AOP, RVEDP as well as in CO. No significant changes in blood gases were observed. The application of 1 mg Nitro-Mack intravenously was followed by a significant decrease in RAP, PAP, AOP and CO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Decompression of the left ventricle in the recovery period during myocardial revascularization.

Effective left heart decompression is essential for the reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption during recovery from an induced ischemic insult. During the early postischemic recovery phase of patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass surgery, left ventricular, left atrial and aortic pressures were measured in non-vented hearts and in 2 types of left ventricular decompression. The following findings were made: Total cardiopulmonary bypass with effective decompression of the left ventricle decreases peak systolic left ventricular pressure, thereby reducing oxygen consumption of the myocardium. In this way adequate conditions are provided for recovery of the myocardium after unclamping of the aorta. The best method for decompression appears to be the placing of a large-lumen cannula in the left ventricle and allowing the blood to pour freely from the vent. The zero or near zero left ventricular filling pressure achieved with total cardiopulmonary bypass but without ventricular decompression does not prevent the chamber from producing isometric pressure work with peak systolic pressure reaching 80 to 90 torr. The hazard of air embolism may be reduced by precautionary measures. Left atrial monitoring permits recognition of pressure decreases to negative values. Active suction of the blood from the left ventricle is dangerous and should be avoided.

[Circulatory effect of saphenous reflux in primary varicose veins]. / Effet circulatoire du reflux saphénien dans la varicose essentielle.

The authors studied venous pressure in the posterior tibial vein and the internal saphenous vein in primary varicose veins and after saphenous ligation with stripping. It is saphenous reflux which is the cause of all the disorders and which it is necessary to suppress by a perfect saphenous arch ligation. He has done this successfully in 358 cases.