Trends but not individual values of central venous oxygen saturation agree with mixed venous oxygen saturation during varying hemodynamic conditions.

Background: Previous studies found contradictory results regarding the question whether mixed venous oxygen saturation (Svo2) and central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo2) are equivalent. The inconsistency of study results may result from different study designs and different, partly questionable, statistical approaches.

Methods: The authors performed a prospective clinical trial comparing individual oxygen saturation values as well as the trend of values in blood from the superior vena cava (Scvo2), the right atrium (Srao2), and the pulmonary artery (Svo2) during varying hemodynamic situations.

Propofol attenuates responses of the auditory cortex to acoustic stimulation in a dose-dependent manner: a FMRI study.

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) contrasts is a common method for studying sensory or cognitive brain functions. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the intravenous anaesthetic propofol on auditory-induced brain activation using BOLD contrast fMRI.

Methods: In eight neurosurgical patients, musical stimuli were presented binaurally in a block design.

[Why does blood have a pH-value of 7.4? The theory of acid-base management].

Aim of the present paper is to discuss the physiologic principles of the acid-base status, in particular those of the pH value. The alpha-stat theory of acid-base management interprets the normal value of arterial pH, usually thought of as being 7.40, as a value derived from the intracellular pH, which is close to neutrality.

Different F-wave recovery after neuromuscular blockade with pancuronium and mivacurium.

We performed this study to assess the recovery period after neuromuscular blockade by electromyographic F-wave analysis, a method that supplies more information about more proximal parts of the motor system than conventionally used methods, e.g., mechanomyography (MMG).

Propofol impairs the central but not the peripheral part of the motor system.

Propofol provides some degree of muscle relaxation. Previous studies have investigated the effects of propofol on either the central or peripheral parts of the motor system. In this study, we simultaneously assessed both central (spinal) and peripheral effects.

[Detection of air embolism by a re-usable Doppler probe integrated in a central venous line--application in-vivo].

Problem: Air embolism frequently occurs under neurosurgical operations performed in the sitting position. Recently we reported the idea of inserting a re-usable doppler probe into a blind-ending lumen of a central venous catheter (Schregel-Volk-Catheter, SVC). In vitro testing in a circulation model showed a high sensitivity: air bubbles as small as 0.

Influence of dextran on the absorption of adrenaline-containing lignocaine solutions: a protective mechanism in local anaesthesia.

The effect of adding 6% dextran to a lignocaine solution containing adrenaline was studied in 27 neurosurgical patients during modified neuroleptanaesthesia. Before trepanation they received infiltration anaesthesia of the scalp at the site of the proposed operation. For a period of 1 h following injection plasma concentrations of adrenaline were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography and serum concentrations of lignocaine by gas chromatography.

Diagnosis and treatment of Amanita phalloides-type mushroom poisoning: use of thioctic acid.

The number of cases of mushroom poisoning is increasing as a result of the increasing popularity of "wild" mushroom consumption. Amanitin and phalloidin cytotoxins found in some Amanita and Galerina species produce the most severe and frequent life-threatening symptoms of Amanita phalloidestype poisoning. Delay in onset of symptoms, individual susceptibility variation and lack of rapid and reliable identification have contributed to the significant morbidity and mortality of this type of poisoning.

Phencyclidine poisoning.

Phencyclidine hydrochloride abuse has become increasingly common and should be considered in patients with unexplained acute psychosis, dystonic reactions, status epilepticus, or coma. Two phencyclidine-intoxicated patients had bizarre combinations or disorientation, hallucination, agitation, and dyskinetic motor activity. Supportive care and reduction of sensory stimulation are the basis for management of the symptoms.

Coma, hyperthermia, and bleeding associated with massive LSD overdose, a report of eight cases.

Eight patients were seen within 15 min of intranasal self-administration of large amounts of pure D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) tartrate powder. Emesis and collapse occurred along with sign of sympathetic overactivity, hyperthermia, coma, and respiratory arrest. Mild generalized bleeding occurred in several patients and evidence of platelet dysfunction was present in all.

Coma, hyperthermia and bleeding associated with massive LSD overdose. A report of eight cases.

Eight patients were seen within 15 minutes of intranasal self-administration of large amounts of pure D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) tartrate powder. Emesis and collapse occurred along with signs of sympathetic overactivity, hyperthermia, coma and respiratory arrest. Mild generalized bleeding occurred in several patients and evidence of platelet dysfunction was present in all.