[Transcutaneous electric stimulation of the heart].

Transcutaneous cardiac pacing had been introduced in the 1950s, but was given up because of severe side-effects. In the 1980s, this technique became again popular thanks to technical improvement. These are the indications: Adams-Stokes syncope, hemodynamically significant SA or AV blocks, significant bradycardias, overdrive-stimulation in tachycardiac arrhythmias.

[Importance of cardiocirculatory and pulmonary monitoring in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)].

Among the side effects of endoscopy, cardiopulmonary complications are particularly important. This risk appears to be greatest in endoscopic retrograde cholangio- and pancreaticography (ERCP) because of the patient's prone position, iv sedatives and analgetics and the relatively long duration of the examination. We studied 75 patients (50 patients without and 25 patients with premedication) who were to undergo ERCP and looked at these data: age, weight, premedication, accompanying diseases, reason for this examination, blood count, oxygen saturation SaO2 (pulse oximeter), pulse, blood pressure and length of the examination.

[Endoscopic balloon dilatation of benign choledochal stenosis].

A 68-year-old woman was admitted because of septicaemia after cardiac valve replacement. Cause of the septicaemia was a proximal filiform common bile duct stenosis with recurrent gallstones and secondary cholangitis. A single pneumatic balloon dilatation widened the common bile duct.