Are low-molecular-weight heparins useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of arterial thrombi?

The pharmacologic specificity of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) has enabled multiple attractive developments in the prophylaxis and treatment of arterial thrombosis. Their high antithrombotic potency associated with a potentially lower induced bleeding risk, the lack of platelet interaction, the prevention of myointimal hyperplasia, and the lower incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, are major advantages. New studies in cardiology and vascular surgery demonstrate a high efficacy for LMWHs associated with a low risk.

Plasma ionized calcium in brain-dead patients.

Background: The mechanism of brain death-induced myocardial dysfunction remains debatable. Hypocalcemia is known to induce reversible myocardial dysfunction. However, the incidence of hypocalcemia and its effect on myocardial function during brain death is unknown.

Determinants of systolic pressure variation in patients ventilated after vascular surgery.

Objective: To discover the predominant determinant of systolic pressure variation during positive-pressure ventilation in mechanically ventilated patients after a vascular surgical procedure.

Design: Case control study.

Setting: Postanesthesia care unit at a university hospital.

In vitro effects of eltanolone on rat myocardium.

Background: Eltanolone is a new short-acting intravenous induction agent. However, its effects on intrinsic myocardial contractility remain unknown.

Methods: The effects of eltanolone and its solvent (soya bean emulsion) on the intrinsic contractility of rat left ventricular papillary muscles were investigated in vitro (Krebs-Henseleit solution, 29 degrees C, pH 7.

Mechanisms of increased myocardial contractility with hypertonic saline solutions in isolated blood-perfused rabbit hearts.

Hypertonic saline improves organ perfusion and animal survival during hemorrhagic shock because it expands plasma volume and increases tissue oxygenation. Because both decreased and increased myocardial performance have been reported with hypertonic saline, the effects of hyperosmolarity and the mechanism accounting for it were investigated in isolated blood-perfused rabbit hearts. Coronary blood flow (CBF), myocardial contractility, relaxation, and oxygen consumption were measured during administration of blood perfusates containing 140-180 mmol sodium concentrations ([Na+]).