Effects of hypothermia in hypercapnia and hypercapnic hypoxemia.

Anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated pigs were hypoventilated to extreme hypercapnia (PaCO2 approximately 20 kPa) at FiO2 0.5, and allotted to a hypothermic group (31.5 +/- 0.

Safe pulmonary preservation for 12 hours with low-potassium-dextran solution.

The function of porcine left lung allografts was studied after perfusion with (150 mL/kg) and storage for 12 hours in a 4 degrees to 6 degrees C low-potassium-dextran solution (Perfadex; Kabi Pharmacia AB, Uppsala, Sweden). After a left lung transplantation, an artificial lung in the form of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was established. The artificial lung has a "biological" heparin-coated surface (Carmeda AB, Stockholm, Sweden), and there is no need for systemic anticoagulation.

Disparate effects of weight loss on insulin sensitivity and erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport activity.

Previous investigations have demonstrated an association between impaired insulin sensitivity and elevated erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport (Na(+)-Li+ CT) activity. It has been speculated that insulin resistance and endogenous hyperinsulinemia are causally related to the development of elevated Na(+)-Li+ CT activity. To test this hypothesis, we measured insulin sensitivity (euglycemic insulin clamp technique) and Na(+)-Li+ CT activity in eight obese women before (weight = 102 +/- 5 kg) and after (weight = 88 +/- 5 kg; P < .

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation--how safe is it? Evaluation with a new experimental model.

This study was undertaken to find out if about 25% right cardiac output is sufficient for preservation of lung function during prolonged periods of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Six healthy pigs weighing 57 kg were subjected to 18-hour venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. During this period 1200 ml/min venous blood was delivered to the lungs through the pulmonary artery with the help of a separate roller pump and with use of the animal's own right ventricle to generate the pulse.

Combined use of hypothermia and buffering in the treatment of critical respiratory failure.

A 20-year-old male, recovering from post-traumatic ARDS, subsequently developed pneumonia with extreme hypercapnia (PaCO2 max 19.4 kPa) and hypoxemia (PaO2 min 5.1 kPa), in spite of maximal mechanical ventilation.

Endothelium-mediated relaxation in transplanted aorta.

This study compares the vasodilating effect of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) in free arterial grafts with that in their normal control vessels. The infrarenal aorta of Sprague-Dawley rats was transplanted into the same position in other inbred recipient rats. A Krebs buffer solution (4 degrees C) served as the preservation solution.

Twenty-four-hour heparin-free veno-right ventricular ECMO: an experimental study.

Platelets and coagulation factors were studied during 24-hour heparin-free veno-right ventricular extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in 6 healthy pigs. An endpoint attached and covalently bonded heparin-coated ECMO system was used in these experiments. The veno-right ventricular ECMO supplied the total lung function of the animals, and after 24 hours, all the animals were successfully weaned from ECMO.

Weight reduction diets and health promotion.

Obesity is an important health problem. Despite record rates of dieting and the availability of numerous programs, the problem is not abating. This article discusses the popularity of fad diets, the safety and effectiveness of commonly used approaches to weight loss, and the health effects of weight change.

High potassium contents in organ preservation solutions cause strong pulmonary vasocontraction.

Euro-Collins (ECS) and UCLA-formula organ preservation solutions induced strong vasocontraction in porcine pulmonary arteries when studied in organ baths at temperatures of 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C. At 20 degrees C ECS induced a 30% contraction, but at 6 degrees C no contraction (n = 5) or a weak contraction (n = 1) was elicited. Neither prostaglandin E1 nor nifedipine caused any significant reduction of the vasocontraction elicited by ECS and UCLA.

In vitro effects of a thromboxane A2-analogue U-46619 and noradrenaline on contractions of the human thoracic duct.

A piece of a human thoracic duct removed at operation was investigated in organ baths. The duct was cut in 8 ring segments each about 1mm long and isometric tension recorded. The segments were exposed to a potassium rich (124mM) Krebs buffer solution.

Pulmonary sequelae of prolonged total venoarterial bypass: evaluation with a new experimental model.

Total normothermic venoarterial bypass was established in 6 healthy pigs over a period of 18 hours. A heparin-coated closed extracorporeal system was used and no heparin was administered systemically. During the bypass period the main pulmonary artery was occluded and the heart was maintained in a beating state.

Bone growth and remodeling after distraction epiphysiolysis of the proximal tibia of the rabbit. Effect of electromagnetic stimulation.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic stimulation on bone formation was tested in a lower-limb-lengthening model in the rabbit. Limb lengthening was performed by distraction epiphysiolysis. A specially designed external distraction device allowed 10 mm of lengthening of the tibia.

Veno-right ventricular bypass as total extracorporeal lung assistance. An experimental study.

Efficacy of veno-right ventricular bypass as a total extracorporeal lung assistance was studied for a period of 24 hours in six healthy pigs with a mean weight of 60 kg. A covalently bonded heparin-coated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system and a roller pump were used for the bypass. No local or systemic heparin was administered.

Precontest strategies of a male bodybuilder.

The dietary strategies of a 25-year-old bodybuilder were studied as he prepared for a contest. Food records were kept over a 6-month period that included the off-season, weight reduction phase, and week of a contest. Mean caloric intake during the off-season was 4,193 kcal (49 kcal/kg).

Contractile properties of lymphatics from the human lower leg.

Lower leg lymphatics, taken from seven volunteers, were investigated in vitro. Isometric contractions were induced by noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and the thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-mimetic U-44069. Noradrenaline induced phasic contractions in 6 of 7 segments.

Might free arterial grafts fail due to spasm?

The rat femoral artery was used as a free graft and was studied after 2, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. The patency of the grafts was 100% (2 days, n = 6), 78% (7 days, n = 9), 63% (14 days, n = 8), 33% (30 days, n = 12), and 18% (60 days, n = 11). Histology showed an intimal thickening after 14 days and the media, which in the controls consisted of eight to ten layers of myocytes, was reduced to six to eight cell layers.

Total extracorporeal lung assist--a new clinical approach.

Total extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) requires a bypass flow approaching cardiac output. Recirculation of venous blood through the oxygenator is minimized with a veno-right ventricular cannulation technique which separates venous drainage from returned oxygenated blood. A case of posttraumatic ARDS was treated with surface-heparinized veno-right ventricular ECLA for 35 days.

Patterns of weight loss and regain in wrestlers: has the tradition changed?

To assess current weight loss practices in wrestlers, 63 college wrestlers and 368 high school wrestlers completed a questionnaire that examined the frequency and magnitude of weight loss, weight control methods, emotions associated with weight loss, dieting patterns, and preoccupation with food. Clear patterns emerged showing frequent, rapid, and large weight loss and regain cycles. Of the college wrestlers, 41% reported weight fluctuations of 5.

[Does flumazenil antagonize the anesthetic effect of ketamine, etomidate or thiopental?].

The effect of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, was assessed in a random, double-blind clinical study in which each of the four groups of surgical outpatients comprising 20 in each was given either ketamine 100 mg (K), etomidate 20 mg (E), thiopental 300 mg (T) or flunitrazepam 4 mg (F) for induction of anesthesia. On emergence, patients in each group were randomly given 2cc of either 2 coded solutions, one of which contained 0.2 mg flumazenil and the other of which was normal saline.

Reversal of lethal citrate intoxication by intravenous infusion of calcium. An experimental study in pigs.

Intravenous infusions of 750 and 1000 ml 2.2% sodium citrate were given over a 60 min period to 17 pigs to study its effect on aortic pressure, electrocardiogram, ionised calcium, and citrate clearance. In group 1 (seven pigs) the animals did not receive calcium and the median survival time was 30 min (range 20-70 min).

Intraoperative collection of shed blood with citrated compresses for autotransfusion. An experimental study in pigs.

Six pigs were used to study whether the collection of shed blood by means of surgical compresses instead of suction traumatizes such blood. In an in vivo part of the study, the whole blood volume of the pigs was retransfused after treatment with citrated compresses, and in an in vitro part the blood was treated extensively with compresses and analyzed. All animals survived, with a minor fall in hemoglobin after 48 hours and a rise in serum citrate concentration at the end of the experiment.

Effects of alpha-adrenoceptor active drugs, prostaglandin F2 alpha and vasopressin on cystic and hepatic arteries of pig and man.

Human and pig cystic and pig hepatic arteries were suspended in tissue baths and the effect of alpha-adrenoceptor selective drugs, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and vasopressin were investigated. Prazosin fulfilled the criteria for competitive antagonism in concentrations 10(-9)-10(-7) M. The pA2-values were 9.

Efficacy of oral mexiletine therapy at a 12-h dosage interval.

The antiarrhythmic effectiveness and safety of 12-h oral administration of mexiletine were evaluated in adult outpatients with a baseline hourly rate of PVCs of 30 or higher who had initially shown at least a 50 percent reduction of this rate when treated with mexiletine at an 8-h dosage interval. Doses were titrated on the basis of 24-h Holter monitoring for both 8- and 12-h intervals. Seventeen of 26 patients showed PVC reductions after 8-h treatment.