[Interdisciplinary position paper: the value of radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of chronic pain].

Radiofrequency denervation has been established for many years as an important minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of chronic pain conditions. Positive experiences of many users for various indications are contrasted by a nonuniform evidence. With meticulous patient selection and correct assessment of the indications a longer term reduction of pain, a reduced need for analgesics and an improvement in the quality of life can be achieved.

Bispectral-index-guided versus clinically guided remifentanil/propofol analgesia/sedation for interventional radiological procedures: an observer-blinded randomized study.

Patients undergoing potentially painful interventional radiological procedures generally require a combination of analgesia and sedation. This sedation/analgesia should allow the patient to communicate while also remaining calm. Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring could be useful in achieving this.

The effect of the K+ agonist nicorandil on peripheral vascular resistance.

Background: The vasoactive effect of nicorandil on coronary arteries is well known. Nicorandil exerts its vasodilatory effect through a dual mechanism of action: involving on the one hand cyclic guanosine monophosphate (c GMP) as a nitrovasodilatator, and on the other hand, acting as a potassium channel opener.

Objective: To address the question if nicorandil works in peripheral arteries, its effect on peripheral vascular resistance was evaluated in isolated perfused guinea pig hind limbs.

The effect of caffeine on peripheral vascular resistance in isolated perfused guinea pig hind limbs.

Background: The role of caffeine in cardiovascular disease is controversial. Most of its pharmacologic actions are attributed to its role as an adenosine antagonist. Adenosine is one of the most important endogenous vasodilatative substances and is released under ischemic conditions, for example, in the skeletal muscle of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.