[Anaesthesiological experience and factoid public information - effects, interactions and possible strategies for perioperative stress reduction].

Background: Preoperative stress influences perioperative complications. Their severity is influenced by advanced information and previous experience. This study evaluates the emotional effects of these factors.

[Carotid surgery in regional anesthesia--anesthesiological, neurological and surgical aspects].

Surgery of the carotid artery is justified only if it is performed with low complication rates. The essential advantages of regional anesthesia in comparison to general anesthesia are a secure neuromonitoring, hemodynamic stability and prolonged analgesia. Regional anesthesia for carotid surgery, which is described methodically in this paper, needs only a minor expenditure.

Comparison of Solvent/Detergent-Inactivated Plasma and Fresh Frozen Plasma under Routine Clinical Conditions.

Background: Reduced levels of protein S (PS) and alpha(2)-antiplasmin alpha(2)-AP) in solvent/detergent virus-inactivated plasma (S/D-VIP) might induce an imbalance of plasma coagulation factors and inhibitors in patients transfused. We investigated 40 patients (23 fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 17 S/D-VIP, random distribution by a list calculated by statisticians) who suffered from dilution coagulopathy, liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), polytrauma or were connected to extracorporeal circulation. Study Design and Methods: The following markers of activated coagulation (MAC) were measured: Prothrombin fragment F1+2 (F1+2), fibrin monomers (FM), D-dimers (DD), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) and plasmin-antiplasmin (PAP) complexes as well as fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP), and additionally antithrombin III (antithrombin), protein C (PC), PS and alpha(2)-AP.

[When should a patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) be transferred to a specialized hospital?].

The mortality rate for the advanced adult respiratory distress syndrome is still high. Nevertheless there are recent publications showing decreasing incidence and an improving survival rate. This is due to early diagnosis as well as differentiated treatment concepts.