Early extubation after cardiac surgery: a prospective clinical trial including patients at risk.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that early extubation after cardiac surgery can be performed without increased morbidity, resulting in economic advantages. However, most studies on this subject exclude patients with preoperative risk factors described as predictors for prolonged mechanical ventilation. The purpose of our prospective clinical trial was to decide whether early extubation is feasible independent of preoperative patient status, in particular independent of preoperative risk factors.

Influence of anodal electrode position on transvenous defibrillation efficacy in humans: a prospective randomized comparison.

Nonthoracotomy lead systems for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have reduced operative mortality and morbidity as compared to epicardial lead systems but are usually associated with higher defibrillation thresholds (DFTs). The purpose of this prospective randomized trial was to investigate if the second defibrillation electrode in the left subclavian vein can increase defibrillation efficacy and decrease DFT as compared to the superior vena cava (SVC) position in nonthoracotomy lead systems for ICDs. Seventeen patients (mean age: 49.

[Asthma attacks in low-dose preventive use of heparin in a male with femoral neck fracture and aortic aneurysm].

Hypersensitivity reactions to heparin preparations with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations have been reported frequently in the past, but are a rarity now. A 88 year old man was admitted for physical therapy of a collum femoris fracture. Treatment with a diuretic, Reserpine and Verapamil was continued.

[Results of a multicenter evaluation of enzyme immunoassays for thyrotropin (TSH)].

This paper summarises the results of the evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for thyrotropin by a group of 17 laboratories. This sandwich enzyme immunoassay is based on the specific binding of the beta-subunit of thyrotropin by monoclonal antibodies coated on polystyrene tubes. Thyrotropin, bound to the tube wall, is determined with horse radish peroxidase coupled to the Fab fragment of a polyclonal sheep antibody against the alpha-subunit of thyrotropin.

Formation of prostacyclin and thromboxane in man as measured by the main urinary metabolites.

Excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha and 2,3-dinorthromboxane B2, the main urinary metabolites of prostacyclin and thromboxane, was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and radioimmunoassay, respectively, at various conditions in man. In healthy young males excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was of little variability, whereas urinary 2,3-dinorthromboxane B2 showed marked interindividual but moderate intraindividual variations. The ratio of urinary 2,3-dinorthromboxane B2 to thromboxane B2 in young males was about 15.