Impaired lung function after intubation and mechanical ventilation for surgical ligation of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.

Objective: Significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the preterm infant has been associated with pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange. Therefore, surgical ligature of the DA may be required. However, the effects of intubation and mechanical ventilation on the PDA-induced lung dysfunction presently are unknown.

Development of a new model to investigate the fetal nociceptive pathways.

Objective: The aim of the study was to develop an experimental model to investigate the fetal nociceptive pathways and fetal analgesia.

Methods: We tested the electromyographic (EMG) response from the biceps femoris to electrical stimulation of the sural nerve in chronically-prepared fetal lambs with and without sufentanil.

Results: An EMG response could be recorded 140 ms after the electrical stimulation above a threshold of current's intensity.