Glucose-lipid ratio is a determinant of nitrogen balance during total parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, multicenter blind trial with an intention-to-treat analysis.

Objective: Protein sparing, the major goal of nutritional support, may be affected by the glucose/lipid ratio. This study in critically ill patients compared the efficacy and tolerance of two isocaloric isonitrogenous total parenteral nutritions (TPN) having different glucose/lipid ratios.

Design: Multicentric prospective randomized study.

The inotropic and lusitropic effects of ketamine in isolated human atrial myocardium: the effect of adrenoceptor blockade.

We studied the direct myocardial effects of racemic ketamine, in the presence of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor blockade, on isolated human right atrial myocardium. Isometric force of contraction (FoC), its first derivative with time (+dF/dt), the contraction relaxation coupling parameter R2 = (+dF/dt) / (-dF/dt), and time to half relaxation (T(1/2)) were recorded before and after addition of 10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M racemic ketamine alone and in the presence of alpha-adrenoceptor blockade (phentolamine 10(-6) M) and beta-adrenoceptor blockade (propranolol at 10(-6) M). Ketamine had a moderate positive inotropic effect at 10(-5) M (FoC, 104% +/- 5% of baseline value; P = 0.

[Delayed evaluation of continuous medical education].

Objectives: To analyse the results of delayed evaluation of European teaching sessions using a questionnaire provided by the French College of Anaesthesiologists.

Study Design: Open evaluation.

Material: Questionnaires were completed 3-6 months after European courses provided in November-December 1999.

Propofol decreases reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in a model of "border zone" between normal and ischemic-reperfused guinea pig myocardium.

Unlabelled: We examined the effect of propofol on the main mechanisms involved in ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias (i.e., spontaneous arrhythmias, conduction blocks, and dispersion of repolarization) in vitro.

Mechanisms of sevoflurane-induced myocardial preconditioning in isolated human right atria in vitro.

Background: The authors examined the role of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels and adenosine A(1) receptors in sevoflurane-induced preconditioning on isolated human myocardium.

Methods: The authors recorded isometric contraction of human right atrial trabeculae suspended in oxygenated Tyrode's solution (34 degrees C; stimulation frequency, 1 Hz). In all groups, a 30-min hypoxic period was followed by 60 min of reoxygenation.