Low-dose Simvastatin Increases Skeletal Muscle Sensitivity to Caffeine and Halothane.

Objective To determine whether the myotoxic side effects of statin simvastatin affect skeletal muscle's sensitivity to caffeine and halothane.Methods Primary cultured neonate rat skeletal myotubes were treated with 0.01-5.

[Influence of different tranexamic acid administration methods during and after cardiac surgery on coagulation function and postoperative blood loss].

Objective: To evaluate the influence of different tranexamic acid administration methods during and after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) on coagulation function and postoperative bleeding.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with use of CPB (n=60) were randomized in a double-blind fashion to one of two treatment groups:group A(n=30) , administered with tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg (intravenous injection slowly before skin incision) , followed by infusion of normal saline until postoperative 12 hours;and group B(n=30) , administered with tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg(intravenous injection slowly before skin incision) , followed by infusion of tranexamic acid 1 mg/(kg·h) until postoperative 12 hours. Hemoglobin, platelet count, and coagulation function were assessed before anesthesia induction, after surgery, 8am next day and 24 hours after surgery.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Background: In clinical practice, the mechanisms underlying chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) remain insufficiently understood. The primary goals of this study were to determine the incidence of chronic pain after thoracic surgery and to identify possible risk factors associated with the development of chronic post-thoracotomy pain in Chinese patients. The secondary goal was to determine whether the difference between pre- and post-operative white blood cell (WBC) counts could predict the prevalence of CPSP after thoracotomy.

[Analgesic effect of calpain inhibitor ALLN on the zymosan-induced paw inflammatory pain and its effect on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the spinal dorsal horn].

Objective: To examine the analgesic effect of calpain inhibitor ALLN on the zymosan-induced paw inflammatory pain and its effect on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the spinal dorsal horn.

Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: control group, sham-operated group, and zymosan group. According to Meller's method, zymosan (1.

[Application of propofol target controlled infusion combined with dribbled and nebulized lidocaine in tracheal intubation under spontaneous respiration].

Objective: To evaluate the value of propofol target-controlled infusion combined with dribbled and nebulized lidocaine in tracheal intubation under spontaneous breathing.

Methods: Totally 40 elective surgery patients to accept tracheal intubation under unconsciousness and spontaneous breathing were randomly divided into 2 groups: 6-8 cm of endotracheal tube was inserted subglottic ally in the complete intubation group (n=20) while 3-4 cm was inserted temporarily in the partial intubation group (n=20).

Results: The tracheal intubation was successfully completed under spontaneous breathing in all patients; meanwhile,the hemodynamic status was stable without any severe respiratory complications.

[Application of lumber plexus blockade for hip fracture repair in elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the lumber plexus blockade as anesthesia technique for hip fracture repair in elderly patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the peri-operative data of 87 hip fracture patients, aged 70 years or older, who underwent surgical repair at our hospital between 2003 and 2006. Patients were divided into three groups according the anesthesia techniques applied: general anesthesia (GA) group (n=21), epidural anesthesia (EA) group (n=37), and lumber plexus blockade (LPB) group (n=29).

Clinical features and diagnosis for Chinese cases with malignant hyperthermia: a case cluster from 2005 to 2007.

Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH), manifesting as MH crisis during and/or after general anesthesia, is a potentially fatal disorder in response to volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. Though typical features of MH episode can provide clues for clinical diagnosis, MH susceptibility is confirmed by in vitro caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) in western countries. It is traditionally thought that MH has less incidence and fewer typical characteristics in Chinese population than their western counterparts because of the different genetic background.

[Effects of residual paralysis after a single intubating dose of rocuronium on postoperative pulmonary function of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries].

Objective: To evaluate the residual paralysis after a single intubating dose of rocuronium and its effect of residual paralysis after a single dose of rocuronium on the postoperative pulmonary function of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries.

Methods: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I - II patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries were randomly divided into rocuronium (R) group (n = 30) and rocuronium + neostigmine (R + N) group (n = 30).All patients received midazolam (0.

[Perioperative hemodynamics in pheochromocytoma secreting different types of catecholamine].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of perioperative hemodynamics in pheochromocytoma secreting different types of catecholamine, and to discuss how to improve the hemodynamics.

Methods: The clinical data of 202 patients with pheochromocytoma who had received operation were analyzed. Three classification systems were used to divided the patients: they were, firstly, divided into high and low epinephrine secreting groups (E(high) and E(low)) according to the 24 hours urine catecholamine quantitation; secondly, into high and low norepinephrine secreting groups (NE(high) and NE(low)) according to 24-h urine norepinephrine quantitation; and thirdly, into high and low dopamine secreting groups (DA(high) and DA(low)) according to the 24 hours urine dopamine quantitation.

[Effects of melatonin on the voltage-gated delayed rectifier potassium channels of cultured hippocampal neurons of new-born rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of melatonin on voltage-gated delayed rectifier potassium channels.

Methods: Hippocampus neurons were obtained from newborn Wistar rat and cultured. Primary cultured for 7 to 12 days of new-born Wistar rat were selected as objectives.

[Application of caffeine-halothane contracture test in the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia].

Objective: To explore the application of caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) in the confirmation of malignant hyperthermia (MH).

Methods: One patient who underwent radical gastrectomy presented with clinical manifestations of MH during routine intravenous-inhalation anesthesia process. Isoflurane inhalation and the operation were ceased immediately and emergency management approaches such as physical cooling therapy were taken.

Postoperative neuropsychological change and its underlying mechanism in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: The high incidence of neuropsychologic deficits after cardiac surgery, including cognitive dysfunction and mood status, has significantly influenced the prognosis, outcome of treatment and long-term quality of life of patients. With a circadian secretion pattern, melatonin and cortisol are capable of modulating the human physiological processes and neuropsychological status, whereas disorder of their secretion pattern may lead to many diseases. However, it is unclear whether neuroendocrine variations are related to the neuropsychologic status in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Malignant hyperthermia in China.

Malignant hyperthermia has rarely been reported in China. We report the first case of malignant hyperthermia, verified by caffeine-halothane contracture test and genetic testing, in a Chinese patient.

[Anesthetic management of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma].

Objective: To investigate the anesthetic management features of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

Methods: Twelve patients scheduled for laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia were allocated into group 1, while another 12 patients who received transabdominal adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma under general anesthesia were selected as group 2. The hemodynamic changes and the postoperative recovery profiles between the two groups were compared.

Forced-air warming and fluid warming minimize core hypothermia during abdominal surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative combined forced-air warming and fluid warming system on patient's core temperature, blood loss, transfusion demand, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.

Methods: Forty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative warming from a forced-air blanket and fluid warming system or conventional cotton blanket, 20 in each group. The core temperature was recorded every 20 minutes during the operation, as well as the blood loss, blood transfusion, extubation time, and incidence of postoperative shivering.

[Perioperative cortisol circadian secretion and neuropsychological states in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the circadian rhythm of perioperative cortisol secretion and neuropsychological states in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Methods: Forty male patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under hypothermic cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) or off-pump were enrolled in this study. They were allocated into CPB group or off-pump group with 20 patients in each group.

[The effect of intraoperative warming on patient core temperature].

Objective: To investigate the influence of using fluid warming and forced-air warming system on patient core temperature, blood loss, blood transfusion, extubation time, and postoperative shivering.

Methods: Forty ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status) I-II patients, aged 21-69 years, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled in the study. The patients were premedicated with intramuscular dolantin 50 mg and atropine 0.

[Effect of intraoperative using cell saver on blood sparing and its impact on coagulation function].

Objective: To observe the effectiveness of using cell saver (CS) during surgery on blood sparing and its impact on patient's hematology and coagulation function.

Methods: One-hundred and thirty-eight patients undergoing elective surgery were recruited for intraoperative blood salvage using CS. Blood routine, blood chemistry and coagulation function were measured before surgery, after infusion of salvaged blood and postoperative day 1, respectively.

[Perioperative melatonin circadian secretion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery].

Objective: To investigate the circadian rhythm of perioperative melatonin secretion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Methods: Forty male patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) under hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or off-pump were allocated into two groups of 20 patients: CPB group and off-pump group. Blood samples were withdrawn from all patients immediately before the induction of anesthesia (baseline), 10 min after the induction of anesthesia, 10 min after heparinization, 30 min after commencement of CPB (or 2h after skin incision), before reversal of heparin with protamine, at the end of surgery, and.

[Remifentanil for intraoperative anesthesia].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of remifentanil with fentanyl used for intraoperative anesthesia.

Methods: Fifty-four patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy or total hysterectomy were randomly assigned to remifentanil group or fentanyl group with 27 cases in each group. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg) and either remifentanil (2 micrograms/kg) or fentanyl (2.

[Use of blood salvage machine in oncologic surgeries: a clinical observation of 13 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the effects on blood sparing and risk of hematogenous tumor dissemination of the use of blood salvage machine in oncologic surgeries.

Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients, 6 with malignant tumors and 7 with benign tumors, who received the use of blood salvage machine during oncologic surgeries based on informed consent, were analyzed.

Results: In total 42,575 ml of packed red blood cells were collected during surgery with a mean value of 3 275 ml (400 - 1500 ml) per patient.

Concentrations of propofol in cerebral spinal fluid: target-controlled infusion.

Background: Although the performance of target-controlled infusion (TCI) have been studied extensively, the accuracy and safety of a TCI system that targets the effect site remains to be demonstrated. This study was to investigate the relations of TCI of propofol to its concentrations in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the effect-site concentrations and bispectral index (BIS).

Methods: Twelve mongrel dogs were used for investigations.