[Transesophageal echocardiography in critically ill patients--techniques, indications and possibilities].

TEE is one of the most versatile modalities for diagnosing and guiding treatment of critically ill patients due to its ease of use at patient bedside, the high quality imaging, the rapid availability of diagnostic information and its low complication rate (2.6%). Numerous studies habe shown a significant diagnostic (67%) and therapeutic (36%) impact on patient management in critically ill patients, particularly in cardiological and cardiosurgical populations.

Effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil function in cardiac surgical patients.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil leukocyte oxidative burst in cardiac surgical patients. Forty-six patients after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass either received propofol (n=29) or methohexital (n=17). Oxidative burst was measured before induction of anaesthesia, on admission to intensive care unit (ICU), 6 hours after ICU admission and 24 hours after start of anaesthesia.

Above-Knee Replantation Following Traumatic Bilateral Amputation: Sciatic Nerve Transplantation.

A 12-year-old boy who was overrun by a train, sustained traumatic bilateral above-knee amputation and a rupture of the symphysis. The left leg had multiple fractures and soft tissue injuries and amputation was necessary. The right one, although severely crushed, at the amputation site and with a MESS of 9, was replanted accepting some shortening and a soft tissue defect at the amputation site, employing saphenic vein grafts from the amputate (left leg) and an early free latissimus dorsi-flap.

Ultrasound-guided central venous cannulation: is there a difference between Doppler and B-mode ultrasound?

Study Objective: To compare the success of Doppler and B-mode ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization with respect to body mass index (BMI).

Study Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Section for cardiovascular anesthesia of a university hospital.

Are mechanical valves with enhanced inner diameter advantageous in the small sized aortic annulus?

Background: Mechanical bileaflet valves with enhanced inner diameter may offer superior hemodynamic properties in patients with a small aortic annulus. The aim of this clinical study was to compare these valves with standard bileaflet prostheses in vivo.

Methods: Mechanical aortic valve replacement for combined stenosis and regurgitation was performed in 47 patients with standard CarboMedics prostheses (CM: 21 mm, 23 mm, 25 mm) and two types of diameter enhanced St.