Time- and Dose-Dependent Effects of Desflurane in Sensitized Airways.

Background: Although the bronchodilatory actions of volatile anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, have been well documented in previous studies, the properties of desflurane remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of desflurane at different concentrations and durations in an ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig model of airway hyper-responsiveness.

Methods: Ovalbumin-sensitized animals (n = 176) were randomly assigned to 5 groups according to the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane they received: 0.

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast improves the bronchodilative effect of sevoflurane in sensitized airways.

Background: Although phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane are known to have independent bronchodilator properties, the combined administration of these two agents may have the potential to exert an additive or synergistic bronchodilator effect. The authors tested this hypothesis and investigated the common site of this combined relaxation effect in a model of airway hyperresponsiveness with ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs.

Methods: Ovalbumin-sensitized animals (n = 138) were randomized into six groups: sensitized, sevoflurane, rolipram1.

Synergic bronchodilator effects of a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor olprinone with a volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane in ovalbumin-sensitised guinea pigs.

Background And Objective: Phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitors and sevoflurane are both known to have bronchodilator properties and the combination of these two agents may be synergistic. We tested this hypothesis in a model of airway hyperresponsiveness using ovalbumin-sensitised guinea pigs.

Methods: Animals were randomised into five groups: control, sevoflurane, sevoflurane/theophylline, sevoflurane/milrinone and sevoflurane/olprinone.

Beta-1 selective adrenergic antagonist landiolol and esmolol can be safely used in patients with airway hyperreactivity.

This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of esmolol and landiolol, beta-1 selective adrenergic antagonists, on hyperreactive airways in both ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs and asthmatic patients. In the animal study, asthma was induced by ovalbumin. After control acetylcholine responses for total pulmonary resistance (Raw) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were obtained, the animals received propranolol, esmolol, or landiolol, and the same protocol was again performed.

Guideline-oriented perioperative management of patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Increased airway hyperresponsiveness is a major concern in the perioperative management of patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Guidelines using evidence-based medicine are continually being updated and published regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these respiratory disorders. Perioperative management in these patients involves: (1) adequate control of airway hyperresponsiveness, including detection of purulent sputum and infection before surgery; (2) evidence-based control of anesthesia; and (3) the aggressive use of beta-2 adrenergic stimulants and the systemic administration of steroids for the treatment of acute attacks.

[Perioperative evaluation of a kit for simplified measurement of blood theophylline concentration (Accumeter Theophylline)].

Background: We investigated the perioperative usefulness of a kit for simplified measurement of blood theophylline concentration (BTC), Accumeter theophylline (Nikken Chemicals Co.) in asthmatic patients.

Methods: Study 1) BTCs were measured by Accumeter at the beginning of surgery in asthmatic patients who had been medicated with oral theophylline.

Changes in concentrations of free propofol by modification of the solution.

Unlabelled: Because free propofol is thought to be responsible for pain on injection, we investigated the changes in concentrations of free propofol by modifying two kinds of propofol products in a medium- and long-chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) emulsion and in an LCT emulsion. The techniques used in this study were 1) mixing 2% lidocaine (10:1), 2) mixing 5% dextrose in acetated Ringer's solution to reduce pH (10:1), and 3) changing the temperature to 4 degrees , 20 degrees , and 36 degrees C. The propofol preparations were dialyzed for 24 h, and the receptor medium was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

[Assessment of the quality of information on departments/divisions of anesthesiology available on the World Wide Web].

Background: The quality of health information available in the World Wide Web is an important issue, but no review of the quality of such information has been performed.

Methods: We investigated the quality of information available on the World Wide Web regarding departments/divisions of anesthesiology in 82 specific functioned hospitals in Japan.

Results: Eighty-eight percent of the hospitals have their own web site for anesthesiology.

Effects of oral atenolol on volatile anesthetic induction with sevoflurane in adults.

Purpose: To determine whether premedication with a beta-blocker can bring about a more rapid and smooth induction of anesthesia, we investigated the effect of oral premedication with atenolol on volatile anesthetic induction with sevoflurane by monitoring the cardiac output (CO) and bispectral (BIS) index.

Methods: Twenty-four patients undergoing general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were randomly divided into two groups: a control group ( n = 12) and a beta-blocker group ( n = 12). Each patient in the beta-blocker group was premedicated with oral atenolol 25 mg 1 h before the induction of anesthesia.

Safety and beneficial effect on body core temperature of a prewarmed plasma substitute--hydroxyethyl starch--during anesthesia.

Purpose: We investigated, first, the safety of use and stability of a plasma substitute-hydroxyethyl starch (HES)-kept in a warming cabinet for a long period, and then the effect on body core temperature of the prewarmed HES in patients during urological surgery.

Methods: In the first part of the study, HES colloid solutions (500 ml per pack; Hespander) were kept in a warming cabinet (40 degrees C) for 3 months and were tested for biological and chemical safety and stability. In the second part of the study, 1000 ml of HES at room temperature (control group; n = 10) or kept in a warming cabinet for a few days (warmed group; n = 10) was infused via a central venous catheter for 30 min in patients undergoing urological surgery under general anesthesia with lumbar epidural anesthesia.

[Evaluation by undergraduate medical students of clinical clerkships in the Department of Anesthesiology].

Background: Clerkships for undergraduate clinical training were introduced in Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine in 2002.

Methods: Questionnaire surveys by 5 steps Likert measure were conducted by asking the students about the evaluation of each department or division, and overall evaluation was obtained after the clerkships. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions on 1) orientation; 2) learning chances and provision of teaching materials; 3) feedback, learning promotion and teaching attitude; 4) coordination of human relationship between medical staff and students; and 5) overall evaluation of teacher's physician.

Design of oxygen delivery systems influences both effectiveness and comfort in adult volunteers.

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to compare the efficiency of four oxygen delivery systems in healthy volunteers.

Methods: The subjects received oxygen at flow rates of 3.0 and 5.

Usefulness of oral hypnotic premedication for volatile induction of anesthesia in adults.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of oral hypnotic premedication for smooth anesthetic induction and for the patient's comfort under anesthesia, using sevoflurane without nitrous oxide.

Methods: Adult patients were divided into four groups: control ( n= 12), triazolam (0.25 mg; n= 12), zopiclone (7.

The infusion rate of most disposable, non-electric infusion pumps decreases under hypobaric conditions.

Purpose: To examine the delivery rates of four disposable, non-electric infusion pumps during hypobaric conditions.

Methods: Four models categorized by three different driving forces, one vacuum unit (Coopdech Syringector), one spring unit (Linear-fuser), and two elastomeric balloon-powered units (Multirate Infuser LV and Large DIB), were tested. Each infusion pump was placed in an airtight container, and the pressure in the container was decreased to 1,000, 900, and 800 hPa.

[A case of pulmonary artery rupture due to pulmonary artery catheter malposition after the weaning of cardiopulmonary bypass].

An 80-year-old female with aortic regurgitation and angina was scheduled for aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft. After the induction of anesthesia, central venous catheter and pulmonary artery (PA) catheter were placed into the right internal jugular vein. At the weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, we noticed pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) on the monitor indicating the PA catheter tip being wedged.

The repolarizing effects of volatile anesthetics on porcine tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle cells.

Unlabelled: This study was conducted to determine the effects of volatile anesthetics (potent bronchodilators) on membrane potentials in porcine tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle cells. We used a current-clamp technique to examine the effects of the volatile anesthetics isoflurane (1.5 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration [MAC]) and sevoflurane (1.