Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal delirium: a case report.

In this case report, even a moderate dose of dexmedetomidine, a very selective alpha(2)-adrenergic agent, resulted in a rapid response to alcohol withdrawal delirium after the standard treatment. Psychiatrists should be aware of this relatively new drug that provides advantages over clonidine, heavy sedation and secondary restraints. Dexmedetomidine should be further evaluated in the treatment of specific forms of aggressive behavior and complicated withdrawal states.

Pharmacokinetics and effects of atrial natriuretic factor during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

The pharmacokinetics of a bolus dose of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) 50 micrograms and its effects on urine output, blood pressure and plasma renin activity have been studied in 5 patients undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery. The half-lives of the fast and slow components were 2.4 min and 14.

Renal and vascular effects of atrial natriuretic factor during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Study Objective: To evaluate renal and vasodilator effects of synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with special reference to the applicability of ANF as a diuretic and natriuretic.

Design: The study consisted of two parts. The first 15 consecutive patients in a university hospital received a pharmacologically effective bolus dose of 100 micrograms ANF, as demonstrated previously in other studies, or placebo.

Vasodilator properties of atrial natriuretic factor: a comparison with nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, and phentolamine during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Thirty-five patients scheduled for coronary artery surgery were studied during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to compare the arteriolar and venodilator properties of a bolus dose of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), 100 micrograms, with those of nitroglycerin, 200 micrograms, sodium nitroprusside, 120 micrograms, phentolamine, 3 mg, and placebo. A decrease observed in mean arterial pressure was used as an indicator of a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (arteriolar dilation), while a decrease in reservoir blood volume of the CPB circuit was considered to indicate an increase in venous capacitance (venodilation). All vasodilators decreased mean arterial pressure, and there was no difference in the maximal decrease of the pressure between the drugs.

Thiopentone pharmacokinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass with a nonpulsatile or pulsatile flow.

To evaluate possible factors affecting the pharmacokinetics of thiopentone during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the present study was undertaken in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting and with in vitro experiments. The effects of nonpulsatile and pulsatile flow during CPB on the distribution and elimination of thiopentone were compared in 30 patients anaesthetized with fentanyl. The initial rapid phases of distribution of thiopentone were studied in 17 patients undergoing a nonpulsatile or pulsatile perfusion, to whom thiopentone 6 mg/kg was given as a rapid intravenous bolus during CPB.