A method to attenuate pneumoperitoneum-induced reductions in splanchnic blood flow.

Objective: To determine if increasing nitric oxide bioactivity by inclusion of ethyl nitrite (ENO) in the insufflation admixture would attenuate pneumoperitoneum-induced decreases in splanchnic perfusion.

Summary Background Data: Organ blood flow is reduced during pneumoperitoneum and can contribute to laparoscopy-associated morbidity and mortality. Previous attempts to control such decreases in flow have been ineffective.

The efficacy of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists combined with droperidol for PONV prophylaxis is similar to their combination with dexamethasone. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: The aim of this quantitative systematic review is to compare the efficacy and side effects of combining one of the 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists (5-HT) with droperidol or dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis.

Methods: We performed a systematic search (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) for randomized controlled trials that compared the antiemetic efficacy of combining one of the 5-HT with droperidol or dexamethasone vs 5-HT alone. Relevant endpoints were prevention of early (0 to 6 hr), and overall (0 to 24 hr) PONV, and side effects.

Age increases expression and receptor-mediated activation of G alpha i in human atria.

Recently, we demonstrated that beta2AR and several other Galphas-coupled receptors in human atria also couple to Galphai, a G protein that inhibits adenylyl cyclase (AC). The present study was undertaken to determine whether age increases expression of Galphai in human atrium, and more specifically whether it results in an increase in receptor-mediated activation of Galphai. Right atrial appendages were obtained from 14 mature adult (40-55 years) and 14 elderly (71-79 years) patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The relationship between ionized and total serum magnesium concentrations during abdominal surgery.

Study Objective: To determine the necessity for ionized magnesium (iMg) assay by evaluating the effect of abdominal surgery without massive transfusion on total magnesium (Mg) and iMg concentrations.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Operating rooms at a university teaching hospital.

How much are patients willing to pay to avoid intraoperative awareness?

Study Objective: To determine how much patients are willing to pay to avoid intraoperative awareness?

Design: Observational study

Setting: University-affiliated metropolitan hospital.

Patients: 60 patients who completed a questionnaire (39 F, 21 M). The mean age was 43 years and the median household income range of 45,000-60,000 US dollars.

Synchronous rhythmical vasomotion in the human cutaneous microvasculature during nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: The origin, control mechanisms, and functional significance of oscillations in microvascular flow are incompletely understood. Although the traditional belief has been that only low-frequency oscillations (0.04-0.

A new teaching model for resident training in regional anesthesia.

Unlabelled: The adequacy of resident education in regional anesthesia is of national concern. A teaching model to improve resident training in regional anesthesia was instituted in the Anesthesiology Residency in 1996 at Duke University Health System. The key feature of the model was the use of a CA-3 resident in the preoperative area to perform regional anesthesia techniques.

Comparison of the morphine-sparing effects of diclofenac sodium and ketorolac tromethamine after major orthopedic surgery.

Study Objectives: To compare the efficacy of diclofenac sodium with ketorolac tromethamine in reducing postoperative morphine use after major orthopedic surgery.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Setting: Major teaching institution.

A randomized, double-blind comparison of ondansetron versus placebo for prevention of nausea and vomiting after infratentorial craniotomy.

Ondansetron was compared with placebo for nausea and vomiting prophylaxis after fentanyl/isoflurane/relaxant anesthesia and infratentorial craniotomy. Eight milligrams intravenous ondansetron or vehicle was administered at skin closure. Nausea, emesis, and antiemetic use were recorded at 0, 0.

Race differences in reproducibilities: The HERITAGE family study.

The HERITAGE (HEalth, RIsk factors, exercise Training And GEnetics) Family Study is a multicenter clinical trial conducted by five institutions in the United States and Canada. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the role of the genotype in cardiovascular, metabolic, and hormonal responses to aerobic exercise training and the contribution of regular exercise to changes in cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors in white and black families. Since the accuracy of the assessment of the response to training depends on how repeatable or reproducible the measurements are, it is important to assess potential racial differences in reproducibilities, which may have implications for pooling data across races.