Effect of a target-controlled infusion of remifentanil in combination with desflurane during the "maintenance" phase of general anesthesia.

Background: The goal of this study was to determine the optimal target-controlled concentration of remifentanil combined with desflurane, by using a more widely and decreasing end-tidal concentration of desflurane.

Methods: Ninety ASA I patients, who underwent general anesthesia for elective orthopedic or extremity surgeries, were registered and randomly allocated to receive either a target-controlled concentration of 1 ng/ml (group R1), 2 ng/ml (group R2) remifentanil, or desflurane only without remifentanil infusion (group D). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 5-min intervals from after a 10-15 min period of surgical incision to before a 10-min period prior to the end of an operation.

Respiratory failure due to myotonic dystrophy combined with peripartum cardiomyopathy: A case report.

Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal-dominant inherited neuromuscular disorder that's characterized by slowly progressive muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness and myotonia. The clinical features may vary from just cataracts to involvement of multiple organ systems such as various muscles, the heart, lung and intestine. Its most common complication is postoperative respiratory failure.