[Normalization of the vascular picture with sympathetic block in severe arterial ischemia from ergotism].

This case report presents a 44-year-old woman with severe arterial ischemia leading to claudicatio and acute pain in rest caused by an ergotism. In the history was an abuse of suppositories containing caffeine and ergotamine induced by chronic headache. The initial angiography showed occlusions of the femoral arteries.

[Volume substitution in acute normovolemic hemodilution. 5% human albumin vs. 6% hydroxyethyl starch].

In order to ascertain the hemodynamic and biochemic effect of different colloid solutions, 60 patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups. Prior to surgery, acute normovolemic hemodilution was performed by withdrawal of 15 ml blood/kg bodyweight and simultaneous compensation using either 5% human albumine (HA) or 6% hydroxyethylstarch (200/0.5) (HAES), each group consisting of 30 patients.

[Endocrine reactions during acute normovolemic hemodilution].

To investigate the influence of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) on endocrine parameters in orthopedic surgery patients, 20 patients scheduled for total prosthetic replacement of the hip under epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.5% were randomly allocated to the following groups: ANH group, (about 7.5 ml/kg body weight within 30 min) during substitution with 6% HES 200/0.

[Perioperative anemia and erythropoiesis].

50 consecutive patients with hip arthroplasty had acute normovolaemic haemodilution and intra- and postoperative autotransfusion using Autotrans, Dideco GmbH. 18 of 50 patients received homologous blood products additionally to autotransfusion (Hb less than 8 g/dl, hemodynamic instability). There was no evidence for coagulation disorders, hypoxia or hypovolaemia during the whole investigation period (until the 10th p.