TOF-tube, a new protection for acceleromyography, compared with the TOF-Guard/TOF-Watch arm board.

Neuromuscular blockade monitoring at the adductor pollicis has become easier using acceleromyography. In order to guarantee a reliable analysis of its acceleration, the thumb movement has to be free and protected from external influences. To this end, we describe here-in two hand fixation- and protection-devices for use with acceleromyography.

Effects of acute decrease in systemic afterload on accuracy of Doppler-derived left ventricular rate of pressure rise measurement in anesthetized patients.

Objectives: This study was designed to describe exactly the effects of acute decrease in systemic afterload on the accuracy of Doppler-derived left ventricular rate of pressure rise (LV DeltaP/Delta(t)) measurements compared with other routinely used indices of systolic function.

Methods: Twelve patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. After induction of anesthesia (T0), afterload was modified by incremental administrations of nicardipine (T1-4).