Area Under the Curve of Finger Photoplethysmography as an Evaluation Measure for Sympathetic Activity During Lumbar Epidural Anaesthesia.

Objective: To detect changes in finger photoplethysmography after administration of epidural anaesthesia as a surrogate method for evaluating autonomic nervous system activity.

Methods: We included a total of 46 patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures under lumbar epidural anaesthesia. A Biopac SS4LA pulse plethysmograph transducer was used for photoplethysmography recording, and the device was placed on the first toe of the right leg.

Acute Coronary Syndrome with ST-segment Elevation in Pregnancy: Anesthetic Management of Delivery.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during pregnancy is rare but may be associated with high risk complications. Approximately 150 myocardial infarctions (MI) during pregnancy have been documented in literature worldwide, but we didn't find one with myocardial aneurysm. We describe 2 patients with acute MI; both with ST segment elevation (STEMI), 1 case complicated with heart failure, formation of a myocardial aneurysm and broad QRS arrhythmia; another with uncomplicated course, and their anesthetic management during delivery.

Postantibiotic effect of colistin alone and combined with vancomycin or meropenem against Acinetobacter spp. with well defined resistance mechanisms.

Previous studies found short postantibiotic effect of colistin on Acinetobacter baumannii. Many studies have evaluated the potential for synergy between colistin and other antibiotics against A. baumannii.

Peripheral arterial catheter related infections in the neurosurgical intensive care unit.

Intravascular device infections could be serious complications with significant contributable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this prospective clinical study is to demonstrate the infection rate related to peripheral arterial catheters and their clinical significance in neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. After removal, all arterial catheter tips were cultivated by semiquantitative method and clinical data were collected.

[Sympathetic activity of S-(+)-ketamine low doses in the epidural space].

Background And Objectives: S-(+)-ketamine is an intravenous anaesthetic and sympathomimetic with properties of local anaesthetic. It has an effect of an analgetic and local anaesthetic when administered epidurally, but there are no data whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine have sympathomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine, given epidurally together with local anaesthetic, have any effect on sympathetic nervous system, both systemic and below the level of anaesthetic block.

Sympathetic activity of S-(+)-ketamine low doses in the epidural space.

Background And Objectives: S-(+)-ketamine is an intravenous anaesthetic and sympathomimetic with properties of local anaesthetic. It has an effect of an analgetic and local anaesthetic when administered epidurally, but there are no data whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine have sympathomimetic effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether low doses of S-(+)-ketamine, given epidurally together with local anaesthetic, have any effect on sympathetic nervous system, both systemic and below the level of anaesthetic block.

Microbiological surveillance of the surgical intensive care unit in Zagreb--a pivot for guideline-based therapy of severe sepsis.

The aim of this retrospective study was to create guidelines for therapy of severe sepsis in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) for unknown causative agent based on antimicrobial susceptibility of causative bacteria. Seventy-four patients with severe sepsis from surgical ICU in 2003.-2005.

Empirical antibiotic therapy of sepsis in surgical intensive care unit.

Retrospective study was conducted in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb in 2005. The aim of study was to create guidelines for empirical antibiotic therapy of sepsis in ICU for unknown causative agent based on antimicrobial susceptibility of causative bacteria. Thirty-two patients with severe sepsis were included in study and from medical records their clinical and microbiological data were analyzed.

Hyperbaric oxygenation combined with streptokinase for treatment of arterial thromboembolism of the lower leg.

Thromboembolic occlusion of peripheral arteries is a common problem in patients referred to vascular surgery departments. Standard treatments include catheter aspiration techniques, use of fibrinolytic agents and surgical thrombendarterectomy. Recent reports have described the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with limb ischemia, yet their main focus has been on patients with chronic disorders.