Prolonged QT interval and reduced heart rate variability in patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension.

A prolonged QT interval is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in hypertensive subjects. Heart rate variability (HRV) is both an index of autonomic function and an important prognostic factor in several diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between a prolonged QT interval and autonomic nervous system function in patients with untreated uncomplicated essential hypertension.

Awake aortic aneurysm repair in patients with severe pulmonary disease.

Background: We report the use of retroperitoneal aortic aneurysm repair utilizing exclusive regional anesthesia (no intubation or inhalation anesthetic) in high pulmonary risk patients.

Methods: Six patients were retrospectively reviewed. Pulmonary disease was diagnosed by clinical history and pulmonary function tests.

Age-related changes in the spinal antinociceptive effects of DAGO, DPDPE and beta-endorphin in the rat.

These studies were designed to investigate how the aging process alters the spinal antinociceptive efficacy of mu (mu), delta (delta) and epsilon (epsilon) opioid receptor agonists administered intrathecally (i.t.) in rats.

The noradrenergic component contributing to spinal fentanyl-induced antinociception is supraspinally mediated.

1. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with intrathecal (i.t.

Serotonin contributes to the spinal antinociceptive effects of morphine.

This study was designed to determine if morphine administered intrathecally (IT) interacts with serotonergic or noradrenergic nerve terminals in the spinal cord to produce analgesia on the spinally mediated tail-flick test. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with IT catheters. One week later, animals were spinally pretreated with receptor antagonists selective for opioid, serotonin or alpha-adrenoceptors, and the ability of these agents to alter spinal morphine-induced antinociception was assessed.

Analgesic effects of serotonin and receptor-selective serotonin agonists in the rat spinal cord.

1. Serotonin (5-HT) and selective 5-HT receptor agonists were administered intrathecally (i.t.