[Temporary adjustable defibrillator electrodes: an alternative method for the treatment of postoperative arrhythmias after heart surgery].

Introduction: Supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias are common and serious postoperative complications early after cardiac surgery. We introduce a new temporary adjustable defibrillation electrode (TADE) for internal low-energy cardioversion/defibrillation of postoperative atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Methods: Evaluation of the new electrode was performed in ten open-chest beagles with a mean weight of 25.

Minimal leptin elimination into ultrafiltrate during continuous venovenous haemofiltration in patients with sepsis.

Intensive care patients with organ failure often suffer an acute catabolic state. Leptin is a 16-kDa hormone which is produced by mature adipocytes and correlates with human energy expenditure. We investigated whether continuous venovenous haemofiltration, which may eliminate molecules up to 20-30 kDa, is capable of removing human leptin.

Effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in pigs with impaired pulmonary function.

The objective of our study was to investigate the possible adverse hemodynamic effects of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum in an experimental model in pigs with impaired pulmonary function. Thirteen animals were anesthetized with azaperon/ketamine and ventilated with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen. By intravenous injection of dextran microspheres, a capillary pulmonary embolism was induced.

Inhaled nitric oxide selectively decreases pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance following acute massive pulmonary microembolism in piglets.

Acute massive pulmonary embolism increases pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which may lead to early right ventricular failure and subsequent cardiocirculatory deterioration. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) selectively dilates pulmonary vessels in vivo. Thus, inhaled NO may be useful in preventing cardiocirculatory deterioration following pulmonary embolism.

[Gamma nail osteosynthesis of per- and subtrochanteric femoral fractures. 4 years experiences and their consequences for further implant development].

The Gamma nail can be used in all types of per- and subtrochanteric fractures because of its biomechanical characteristics. In this prospective evaluation of our 330 patients treated between November 1989 and November 1993 the usefulness of the Gamma nail for the osteosynthesis of all types of fracture was evaluated. The rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications but also gait function, postoperative weight bearing, general complications, and survival were analysed.