To what extent does aortic pulse wave velocity estimate early atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic rabbits?

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), an index of arterial stiffness, is dependent not only on structural alterations in arterial wall but also on distending pressure, which could be related to wall distensibility. We investigated the efficacy of aortic PWV (AoPWV) for detecting early to moderate atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. Pressure waves were recorded at the ascending, and proximal and distal abdominal aortas in 13 male normal and KHC rabbits aged 12 months under pentobarbital anesthesia when angiotensin II or sodium nitroprusside was infused intravenously.

[Preoperative second-derivative of photoplethysmography measurement predicts the hemodynamic response to general anaesthesia induction].

Background: Second-derivative of photoplethysmography (SDPTG) is a non-invasive method for the assessment of structural and functional arterial properties. We studied the hemodynamic responses to induction of anaesthesia and whether SDPTG could be used in predicting these responses.

Methods: SDPTG was performed in 71 subjects (35 males, 36 females) undergoing general anaesthesia for elective operation.

Correlation between augmentation index and pulse wave velocity in rabbits.

Purpose: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a direct measure of large arterial stiffness. Augmentation index (AIx) is a surrogate measure of arterial rigidity that could be affected by the ventricular ejection and peripheral haemodynamics in addition to the properties of large arteries. In clinical studies, it is still controversial whether PWV depends on AIx or not.

[Anesthetic management of two cases with placenta percreta that caused massive hemorrhage during cesarean section].

We report the anesthetic management of two cases with placenta percreta that caused massive hemorrhage during cesarean section. These pregnant women, with a past history of cesarean section underwent elective operation after being diagnosed with total placenta previa and suspected adhesion of the placenta. The placenta percreta became evident after laparotomy and the patients underwent total hysterectomy after infant expulsion.

Two cases of idiopathic superior laryngeal neuralgia treated by superior laryngeal nerve block with a high concentration of lidocaine.

Carbamazepine therapy is among the most effective drug regimens to treat patients who have superior laryngeal neuralgia similar to trigeminal neuralgia. However, some patients are resistant to carbamazepine. We report two patients with superior laryngeal neuralgia who were successfully treated with superior laryngeal block using high concentrations of lidocaine, after treatment with carbamazepine failed.