Molecular weight of hydroxyethyl starch molecules influences coagulation profile measured by thrombelastography.

Background: The consensus about the ideal intravenous fluid in trauma patients remains open. However, hypertonic saline and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) seems to have advantages in terms of immuno-modulatory and haemodynamic effects. Nevertheless clotting abnormalities are frequently reported in association with the use of HES.

Peri-operative decreased cAMP levels in long-term alcoholic patients.

Long-term alcoholic patients have a five-fold higher risk of post-operative bleeding complications compared with nonalcoholic individuals. Serotonin increases and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) decrease platelet aggregation. We examined the platelet-rich plasma levels of these substances and agonist-induced platelet aggregation in long-term alcoholic patients before and after surgery.

Postoperative vigilance in patients with total intravenous anaesthesia with ketamine/propofol.

Ketamine is a strong acting analgesic drug, used mainly in trauma and emergency medicine settings, as well as for minor procedures. Its pharmacological properties make it a useful drug for military anaesthesia. Ketamine acts by blocking activation of the spinal and supraspinal NMDA-type glutamate and opioid receptors.

Effect of non-selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors on the PFA-100 closure time.

The place of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the peri-operative period remains under discussion. Due to the absence of COX-2 in platelets, the risk of bleeding in patients who use selective NSAIDs is thought to be decreased. We studied the influence of aspirin, diclofenac, lornoxicam and rofecoxib on the in vitro bleeding time using the platelet function analyser (PFA-100).

Acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac, and lornoxicam, but not rofecoxib, affect platelet CD 62 expression.

Unlabelled: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are routinely administered in the perioperative period. Because of the absence of cyclooxygenase-2 in platelets, cyclooxygenase-2-selective drugs are thought not to cause platelet inhibition. Because platelets play an important role in the coagulation process, the absence of platelet function inhibition may lead to fewer bleeding complications after surgery.