The effect of supplemental oxygen on perioperative brain natriuretic peptide concentration in cardiac risk patients - a protocol for a prosprective randomized clinical trial.

Background: Elevated postoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations are predictive for cardiac adverse events in noncardiac surgery. Studies indicate that supplemental oxygen decreases sympathetic nerve activity and might, therefore, improve cardiovascular function. Thus, we will test the effect of perioperative supplemental oxygen administration on NT-proBNP release after surgery.

High-Resolution Ultrasonography of the Transverse Cervical Nerve.

The transverse cervical nerve (TCN) is a superficial cutaneous branch of the cervical plexus that innervates the skin of the anterolateral neck. Therefore, it is exposed to injury in anterolateral cervical surgery, which can cause neuropathic pain. To provide a method with which to relieve patients' pain, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of visualization, diagnostic assessment and blockade of the TCN with high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS).

High-Resolution Axonal Bundle (Fascicle) Assessment and Triple-Echo Steady-State T2 Mapping of the Median Nerve at 7 T: Preliminary Experience.

Objectives: The aims of this preliminary study were to determine the number of axonal bundles (fascicles) in the median nerve, using a high-resolution, proton density (PD)-turbo spin echo (TSE) fat suppression sequence, and to determine normative T2 values, measured by triple-echo steady state, of the median nerve in healthy volunteers and in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), at 7 T.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee and conducted between March 2014 and January 2015. All study participants gave written informed consent.