[Evaluation of the learning curve of a new intubation technique: intubating laryngeal mask].

Objective: Assessment of the learning curve of a new device for blind orotracheal intubation: Intubating laryngeal mask.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Methods: Ten persons practicing anaesthesia (specialist, fellow, nurse) underwent videotape learning and manikin training required with the device.

Hypopituitarism after surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

Objective: The causes of hypopituitarism in adult life are most frequently cerebral tumors, pituitary infarction, head trauma, pituitary surgery, or irradiation. We report a case of hypopituitarism after surgical clipping of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Two previous cases after the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm have been reported.

Could heart rate variability predict outcome in patients with severe head injury? A pilot study.

Despite major improvements in the resuscitation of patients with head injury, the outcome of patients with head trauma often remains poor and difficult to establish. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a noninvasive tool used to measure autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether HRV analysis might be a useful adjunct for predicting outcome in patients with severe head injury.

Could heart rate variability analysis become an early predictor of imminent brain death? A pilot study.

Unlabelled: Physiology of brain death is characterized by major disturbances of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity which can lead to graft dysfunction. These findings exhibit the importance of early diagnosis of brain death to improve transplantation outcome. The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, a noninvasive method to investigate ANS activity in comatose patients, could achieve this goal.

[Predictive factors of short-term mortality in patients with severe head injury].

Objectives: To define hazard factors of early mortality in severe brain injured patients.

Patients And Methods: An open prospective study was conducted in 125 brain injured patients with initial Glasgow coma score below 8. Different vital parameters were recorded daily during the first 10 days of resuscitation.