Role of adenosine in the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Adenosine (Adenocard) has a potent but very transient negative dromotropic effect on atrioventricular (A-V) nodal conduction. By slowing A-V nodal conduction, adenosine may interrupt a re-entry pathway causing paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or facilitate the diagnosis of other supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by exposing the underlying atrial activity. We report 15 postoperative cases in which adenosine was used to clarify the diagnosis of postoperative SVT, and allowed the appropriate postoperative care.

A comparison of esmolol and labetalol for the treatment of perioperative hypertension in geriatric ambulatory surgical patients.

This is an open randomized study comparing the efficacy and safety of i.v. esmolol and labetalol in the treatment of perioperative hypertension in ambulatory surgery.

Evaluation of oxygen saturation monitoring by pulse oximetry in neonates in the delivery system.

The pulse oximeter was evaluated for use in neonates in the delivery room. One hundred neonates, delivered vaginally or by Caesarean section with general or epidural anaesthesia, were studied. After delivery, pulse oximetry probes were placed simultaneously on the ulnar side of the right hand and on the right Achilles tendon to determine whether there was a difference in arterial oxygenation (SpO2).

A comparison of the Puritan-Bennett 7200a ventilator's flow-by mode to the T-piece mode prior to extubation in postsurgical patients.

Unlabelled: We compared flow-by ventilation (FB) via the Puritan-Bennett 7200a ventilator with T-piece ventilation (TP) during weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: We placed 22 consecutive postsurgical patients being weaned from MV on FB at base flows of 10 L/min and 20 L/min and then on TP. Blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood gases, tidal volume, and peak inspiratory flow were measured after at least 20 min in each mode.

The effects of intravenous cimetidine and metoclopramide on gastric pH and volume in outpatients.

Study Objective: To evaluate and compare the preinduction effects of intravenously (IV) administered cimetidine alone and combined with metoclopramide on gastric contents and postoperative nausea and vomiting in outpatients undergoing elective surgery.

Design: Patients were allocated randomly to 4 groups with 20 patients in each group.

Setting: Ambulatory surgery at a university-affiliated city hospital.

Clinical management of malignant hyperpyrexia.

Experience with eight cases of malignant hyperpyrexia are presented. The different types are described and illustrated by clinical cases. Early recognition of this condition is the cornerstone in the successful management of the complication.