Doppler study of the effects of inhaled nitric oxide and intravenous almitrine on regional pulmonary blood flows in patients with acute lung injury.

Background: Lung ultrasound can be used at bedside to assess initial lung morphology in hypoxemic patients. We hypothesized that blood flow in consolidated lung and therefore effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and intravenous almitrine could be directly assessed using Doppler transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study including 13 ALI patients with consolidated left lower lobe (LLL).

Minimum alveolar concentration of halogenated volatile anaesthetics in left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure in rats.

Background: Although many physiological and pathological conditions affect minimal alveolar concentration (MAC), there are no reliable data on the MAC for halogenated anaesthetics during left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this experimental study was to determine the MAC values of halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane in rats, at early and later stages of cardiomyopathic hypertrophy.

Methods: LVH was induced by ascending aortic stenosis in 3-4-week-old rats.

Oxidative stress of myosin contributes to skeletal muscle dysfunction in rats with chronic heart failure.

Intrinsic muscle abnormalities affecting skeletal muscle are often reported during chronic heart failure (CHF). Because myosin is the molecular motor of force generation, we sought to determine whether its dysfunction contributes to skeletal muscle weakness in CHF and, if so, to identify the underlying causative factors. Severe CHF was induced in rats by aortic stenosis.

Transthoracic ultrasound approach of thoracic aorta in critically ill patients with lung consolidation.

Purpose: Normally, the aortic arch and the descending aorta are not visible using transthoracic ultrasonography. We hypothesize that lung consolidation of upper and lower lobes, by opening an acoustic window, may allow the ultrasound examination of the thoracic aorta.

Methods: During a 2-month period, 18 consecutive patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit with consolidation of upper and/or lower lobes diagnosed by lung ultrasound were studied.