[Short-term treatment of Hepatitis C in heroin-dependent patients].

Background: Standardized treatment (24-week) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin induces sustained virological response in 80 % of patients with Hepatitis C (HCV) genotype 2 or 3. Most patients who are dependent on heroin and receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) have been excluded from this treatment due to concerns about compliance. Short-term therapy (14 weeks) of other patient groups have shown promising results.

Racemic, S(+)- and R(-)-ketamine do not increase elevated intracranial pressure.

Background: There is controversy regarding the influence of ketamine and its enantiomers on cerebral haemodynamics at increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This study was designed to compare cerebrovascular responses, with particular respect to ICP, to bolus injections of racemic, S(+)- and R(-)-ketamine in an experimental model of intracranial hypertension.

Methods: Nine pigs were anaesthetised with fentanyl and vecuronium during mechanical normoventilation.

Cerebral physiological responses to bolus injection of racemic, S(+)- or R(-)-ketamine in the pig.

Background: Little is known about the influence of ketamine and its enantiomers on cerebral haemodynamics, and there are no direct comparison reports. This study was designed to evaluate cerebrovascular responses to bolus injections of racemic, S(+)- and R(-)-ketamine in an established experimental model.

Methods: Anaesthesia was induced with propofol in 14 pigs and maintained with fentanyl and vecuronium.

Pharmacokinetics and non-analgesic effects of S- and R-ketamines in healthy volunteers with normal and reduced metabolic capacity.

Objective: There is a growing interest in low-dose ketamine as an analgesic agent in different intractable pain conditions. Due to its narrow therapeutic window, well-defined pharmacokinetic parameters are essential for its successful use in these situations. Arterial data for ketamine or its enantiomers have not been reported before.

Interindividual differences in the analgesic response to ketamine in chronic orofacial pain.

The analgesic effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker ketamine in 17 patients (13 females and four males, age 32-88 years) who had suffered neuropathic orofacial pain for time periods ranging from 6 months to 28 years was examined. The patients were given an i.m.