Comparison of bretylium and lidocaine in the prevention of ventricular fibrillation after aortic cross-clamp release in coronary artery bypass surgery.

The authors compared bretylium and lidocaine for reducing the incidence and persistence of ventricular fibrillation following aortic cross-clamp release performed during coronary artery bypass surgery. Thirty-three adult patients scheduled for elective bypass surgery were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to receive a bolus of bretylium, 10 mg/kg, lidocaine, 2 mg/kg, or saline, in equal volumes prior to the release of the aortic cross-clamp. Coronary artery bypass surgery was conducted using standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures with systemic cooling to 24 degrees to 28 degrees C.

Rapid-sequence orotracheal intubation: a comparison of three techniques.

The authors compared tracheal intubating conditions using three techniques for rapid-sequence orotracheal intubation. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: priming with vecuronium (0.01 mg/kg priming dose, 4-min priming interval, 0.

Success of reentry into anesthesiology training programs by residents with a history of substance abuse.

To determine incidence and outcome of reentry into anesthesiology training programs by residents with histories of substance abuse, a survey was sent to the 159 US anesthesiology training programs. One hundred thirteen (71%) responded, with 82 (73%) submitting at least one case report of substance abuse. A total of 180 case reports were submitted, including 26 in which the resident died as a result of substance abuse.

False indication of arterial oxygen desaturation and methemoglobinemia following injection of methylene blue in urological surgery.

The pulse oximeter serves as an indicator of arterial oxygen saturation. We present two cases in which methylene blue injection during urological surgery appeared to cause arterial oxygen desaturation by pulse oximetry and methemoglobinemia by arterial blood gas co-oximetry. Methylene blue interferes with light absorption and gives a false estimate of the percentage of oxyhemoglobin and arterial oxygen saturation.

A comparison of pulse oximeters during helicopter flight.

Pulse oximetry would be an invaluable parameter to monitor during patient transport. While original models of oximeters were not battery powered nor very portable, this has changed. Seven currently available commercial pulse oximeter models were evaluated in the noisy vibration-prone environment of a helicopter.

Clinical evaluation of commonly used blood administration sets.

Five commonly available blood transfusion sets, the Fenwall Blood Recipient set, the Abbott HEMAR Y-type Blood Set, the Bentley Infusion Blood Set (PFF-100), the Medex Hi-Flo TraumaR Quad Set (MX 884) and the Pall Ultipor Transfusion Set with Filter are compared. Flow rates and lifespan are evaluated by measuring the time required for 150 mL aliquots of homogeneous units of human red blood cells to pass through the devices under 300 mmHg constant pressure. Microfiltration of blood is briefly reviewed.

Rapid tracheal intubation with vecuronium: the timing principle.

A method of administration of vecuronium for intubation that allows excellent intubating conditions in 60 seconds after the induction of anesthesia is described. Patients were divided into three groups based on the dose of vecuronium given. These patients were given either 0.

Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks for the treatment of nicotine addiction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sphenopalatine ganglion block upon the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Seventeen patients completed a course of treatment which involved daily intranasal application of local anesthetic (bupivacaine or cocaine) or saline over the sphenopalatine ganglion. The reported numbers of daily symptoms of physical discomfort were recorded during the preprocedure period.

Lactational responses of dairy cows to diets containing regular and high oleic acid sunflower seeds.

Ten Holstein cows were used in a 15-wk nested factorial to evaluate the response to diets containing added fat from sunflower seeds high (greater than 65%) in linoleic acid (regular sunflower seeds) or high (80%) in oleic acid (high oleic acid variety sunflower seeds). Replicated periods were of 5 wk each, with data collected the last 3 wk of each period. Total mixed diets were 40% corn silage (DM basis), 15% alfalfa hay, and 45% concentrate mix.

Radionuclide-anesthetic flow study: a new technique for the study of regional anesthesia.

A new technique to study the dynamics of in vivo distribution of regional anesthetics is described. Five hundred microcuries of technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) added to the anesthetic in a syringe prior to injection allows both dynamic and static imaging to assess the initial distribution of the injected anesthetic. Superimposed bone scans or transmission scans help delineate anatomy.

Effect of carbohydrate on protein solubility.

The effect of covalently attached carbohydrate on the solubility of a number of proteins has been examined by the PEG precipitation technique. Both increases and decreases in solubility are observed depending on the state of glycosylation, the type of protein, and temperature. It is concluded from this data and associated apparent thermodynamic parameters that a general role for carbohydrate in the solubilization of proteins is not currently experimentally supportable.