A departmental policy addressing chemical substance abuse.

Substance abuse is a major socioeconomic problem. However, the ready availability of potent narcotic and sedative drugs probably constitutes a unique risk for anesthesiologists. Until recently, few anesthesia departments were prepared to recognize or safely manage afflicted colleagues.

Peripheral vascular response to potassium administration during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Potassium (K+) is often administered to patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The effects of rapid K+ administration during CPB were studied in 30 adult patients. Each patient received one bolus dose (2, 4, 8, 12, or 16 mEq) of potassium chloride (KCl) (2 mEq/ml) during CPB.