Adverse events of anti-glaucoma beta-blockers: presentation of an original HPLC determination procedure.

A HPLC method is described for the identification and quantification in plasma and urine of beta-blockers (betaxolol, carteolol, metipranolol, and timolol) topically used in the therapy of glaucoma. An extraction method is presented using pindolol as an internal standard. Separation is performed on an RSIL CN 10 microns column with a mobile phase of water/acetonitrile/pH 3.

Identification and determination of dextromoramide, a nonopiate narcotic.

A method for the identification and quantification of dextromoramide in plasma by GC/NPD is presented. The procedure employs alfentanil as the internal standard and requires no derivatization. After a single-step extraction, analysis is performed on a 3% OV-17 Chromosorb Q glass column.

[Perforation of the pulmonary artery during the insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter].

An accidental rupture of the pulmonary artery in a 77 year old female patient is reported. She was admitted for total mastectomy, but her past medical history revealed an old myocardial infarct, treated arterial hypertension and asthma. She was under heparin as well for her varicose veins.

[Perforation of the pulmonary artery following Swan-Ganz catheterization].

Pulmonary arterial rupture due to the use of a Swan-Ganz catheter is a rare accident, with an estimated 2% incidence rate. It is fatal in almost 50% of cases. Predisposing factors are age greater than 60 years, pulmonary arterial hypertension and anticoagulant treatment.