Enteral versus parenteral nutrition: effects on gastrointestinal function and metabolism.

The effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) versus enteral nutrition (TEN) were studied in 34 patients following major neurosurgery. Measurements were made of resting energy expenditure (REE), urea production rate (UPR), visceral proteins, parameters of liver and pancreas function, as well as gastrointestinal absorption. To predict nutritional status, nutritional index (NI) was calculated.

Effects of isoflurane, fentanyl, or thiopental anesthesia on regional cerebral blood flow and brain surface PO2 in the presence of a focal lesion in rabbits.

These studies were conducted to determine the effect of anesthetic drugs on tissue perfusion and O2 supply in the brain with focal cerebral edema. Using an open cranium preparation, we studied the effects of isoflurane (I; 1 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration), of fentanyl (F; 0.5-1 microgram.

Interatrial pressure difference during inflation of pneumatic antishock garments and positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation.

Since an increase in the right atrial pressure (RAP) above the left atrial pressure (LAP) may then lead to paradoxical air embolism, the efficacy of pneumatic antishock garments (PASGs) and ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in preventing increases in the RAP above the LAP was investigated during neurosurgical procedures. We examined the RAP and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of 25 patients during neurosurgery of the posterior fossa. Each set of measurements of PCWP and RAP included measurements during induction of anesthesia in the supine position and the seated position prior to surgery.

Effects of anaesthetic agents on cerebral blood flow and brain oedema from a focal lesion in rabbit brain.

Anaesthetic agents reduce cerebral metabolism and may impair coupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. We analyzed the effects of isoflurane (I) (1 MAC), fentanyl (F), thiopental (T) (32.5 mg/kg x hr) and alpha-chloralose (C) on rCBF and brain oedema formation after a focal cerebral injury (cold lesion) in rabbits (n = 6 per group).