[Prospects of cardioprotection by volatile anesthetics].

Myocardial ischaemia is followed by some reversibile or ireversibile changes. The aim of cardioplegia is to protect numerous intracellular processes: to spare the intracellular energy stores, to reduce the free oxygen radicals synthesis, to protect the function of the endothelium and myocardial oxygen balance as well as ionic balance. The crystalloid or blood cardioplegia, with anterograde or retrograde infusion, is a basic procedure of the intraoperative cardiac protection.

[Strategy and perspective of myocardial protection during ischaemia and reperfusion, and the role of volatile anaesthetics].

Surgical coronary revascularization is based on effectiveness of cardioplegia directed to protect myocardial functional integrity during periods of ischaemia and reperfusion. The aim of cardioplegia is to protect numerous intracellular processes: to spare the intracellular energy stores, to reduce free oxygen radical synthesis, to protect the function of the endothelium and myocardial oxygen balance as well as ionic balance. Crystalloid or blood cardioplegia, with anterograde or retrograde infusion, is a basic procedure of the intraoperative cardiac protection.

[Carotid endarterectomy in cervical block anesthesia in patients with occluded contralateral internal carotid artery].

Introduction: The goal of modern carotid surgery is relief of symptoms, stroke prevention, improvement in quality of life, prevention of vascular dementia, and prolongation of lifetime.

Objective: The objective of this paper was to compare the outcome of carotid endarterectomy in cervical block vs. general anesthesia in patients with occluded contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA).

The use of acute normovolemic hemodilution in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion during cardiac surgery and during the post-operative period is of great importance. Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is one of the options for blood salvage. We have prospectively analyzed 310 consecutive patients (pts) after different open heart procedures, operated on during April-May, 2000.