性别因素对七氟醚增强顺阿曲库铵或罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响

目的 探讨性别因素对七氟醚增强顺阿曲库铵或罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响.方法 择期全麻手术患者240例,年龄20～60岁,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,BMI 20～30 kg/m2,随机分为2组(n=120):顺阿曲库铵组和罗库溴铵组,各组按性别和麻醉药再分4个亚组(n=30):女性异丙酚组、男性异丙酚组、女性七氟醚组和男性七氟醚组.各异丙酚组靶控输注异丙酚,血浆靶浓度2～6 μg/ml,各七氟醚组吸入七氟醚,于靶控输注或待呼气末七氟醚浓度稳定于1.71%5 min后,静脉注射顺阿曲库铵0.15 mg/kg或罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg.记录肌松起效时间、肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR25%恢复时间.结果 与异丙酚麻醉比较,女性患者七氟醚麻醉时,罗库溴铵TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,顺阿曲库铵肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,男性患者七氟醚麻醉时,罗库溴铵起效时间缩短,肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长,顺阿曲库铵肌松作用峰值时间、T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间延长(P＜0.05或0.01);七氟醚麻醉时与男性患者比较,女性患者罗库溴铵T1 25%恢复时间和TOFR 25%恢复时间缩短,顺阿曲库铵起效时间缩短(P＜0.05或0.01).结论 七氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松的增强作用存在性别差异,男性强于女性;对顺阿曲库铵肌松的增强作用无明显性别差异.     

七氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松效应的影响

目的 观察七氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响.方法 成人全麻手术患者60例随机均分为三组.每组20例.Ⅰ组丙泊酚静脉麻醉,Ⅱ组吸入七氟醚(1 MAC)15 min,Ⅲ组吸入七氟醚(1 MAC)45 min.在麻醉平稳(Ⅱ、Ⅲ组在呼气末七氟醚浓度稳定在1 MAC)后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,记录TOFr的变化.结果 Ⅱ、Ⅲ组罗库溴铵的起效时间分别为97.60 s和94.50 s,明显短于Ⅰ组的119.90 s(P<0.05);Ⅱ和Ⅲ组完全肌松时间(T1消失)明显长于Ⅰ组(32.7 min和44,6 min vs.21.3 min)(P<0.05),Ⅲ组明显长于Ⅱ组(P<0.05);TOF的T2～T4出现的时间及TOFr恢复到25%、50%和75%的时间,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组均长于Ⅰ组,且Ⅲ组长于Ⅱ组(P<0.05).结论 持续吸入1 MAC七氟醚能随吸人时间延长而增强罗库溴铵的神经肌肉阻滞效应.     

肝硬化病人乌司他丁预处理对罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的观察肝硬化病人乌司他丁预处理对罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响。方法选择30例患有肝硬化的成年手术病人,随机均分为两组:乌司他丁组(Ⅰ组),静注乌司他丁5000U/kg后1min,静脉给予罗库溴铵0.6mg/kg;生理盐水组(Ⅱ组),静脉给予生理盐水0.1ml/kg后1min,静脉给予罗库溴铵0.6mg/kg。另选15例无肝脏疾患的、ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级择期成年手术病人为对照组(Ⅲ组),处理同Ⅱ组。肌松监测仪检测四个成串刺激(TOF)的变化,记录三组注药后罗库溴铵的起效时间(注药到TOFr=0)、TOF无反应时间(T1=0持续时间)、T1最大抑制程度、临床时效(TOFr恢复至25%时间)、T1恢复至75%时间、恢复指数。结果与Ⅱ、Ⅲ组比较,Ⅰ组插管剂量罗库溴铵的起效时间明显延长(P<0.05)。Ⅱ、Ⅲ组罗库溴铵肌松的起效时间相似。与Ⅱ组比较,Ⅰ、Ⅲ组T1恢复25%时间和恢复指数明显缩短(P<0.05)。Ⅰ、Ⅲ组罗库溴铵肌松的恢复时间相似。结论肝硬化病人乌司他丁预处理延长罗库溴铵的起效时间,但缩短罗库溴铵肌松作用时间。     

不同浓度异氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的 观察不同浓度异氟醚对罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响。方法 60例ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ择期手术患者,随机分为3组,每组20例。组Ⅰ静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg·kg-1;组Ⅱ吸入0.6％异氟醚后静脉注入罗库溴铵0.6mg·kg-1;组Ⅲ吸入1.2％异氟醚后从静脉注入罗库溴铵0.6mg·kg-1。分别记录各组注药后肌松作用的起效时间、作用时间及T1恢复时间。结果 与组Ⅰ相比,组Ⅱ、Ⅲ起效时间明显缩短(P<0.05),TOF无反应期明显延长(P<0.01),T1恢复25％、50％、90％时间明显延长(P<0.01),且组Ⅲ较组Ⅱ延长(P<0.05),恢复指数明显延长,且组Ⅲ较组Ⅱ延长(P<0.05)。结论 吸人异氟醚能明显缩短罗库溴铵起效时间,延长罗库溴铵作用时间,临床合并使用时应注意减少用量。     

儿童七氟醚、异氟醚及全静脉麻醉中罗库溴铵的恢复时程

目的 比较罗库溴铵气管插管剂量在儿童七氟醚、异氟醚和全静脉麻醉中恢复时程的差异.方法 51例2～14岁儿童随机均分为七氟醚组(S组)、异氟醚组(I组)和全静脉麻醉组(P组).静脉给予罗库溴铵O.6 mg/kg,比较T1恢复至基础值10%、25%、75%的时间(T10、T25、T75)和恢复指数(RI=T75-T25)在不同麻醉方式下的差异.结果 三组儿童T10、T25差异无统计学意义.I组T75和RI长于P组(P＜0.05),S组与P组比较有延长趋势,但差异无统计学意义.S组与I组所有时点差异均无统计学意义.结论 儿童罗库溴铵气管插管剂量,在七氟醚、异氟醚和全静脉麻醉下的临床作用时间差异无统计学意义,异氟醚麻醉下肌松作用完全恢复时间较在全静脉麻醉下显著延长.     

七氟醚对不同性别患者罗库溴铵肌松作用的影响

目的 比较罗库溴铵肌松效应的性别差异和七氟醚对不同性别患者罗库溴铵肌松增效作用.方法 择期手术患者120例(男:女为1:1),年龄20～60岁.ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,按性别随机分为丙泊酚组和七氟醚组:女性丙泊酚组(PF组).男性丙泊酚组(PM组),女性七氟醚组(SF组),男性七氟醚组(SM组),每组30例.所有患者静脉注射咪达唑仑、芬太尼和丙泊酚行麻醉诱导,意识消失后,置入喉罩,接麻醉机辅助通气并启动肌松监测.丙泊酚组静脉输注丙泊酚维持麻醉,设定血浆靶控浓度2～6 μg/ml,输注丙泊酚5 min后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,七氟醚组在呼气末七氟醚浓度稳定于1 MAC 5 min后静脉注射罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg.记录肌松起效时间、完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间.结果 PM组较PF组起效时间长,完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间缩短(P＜0.05).SF组TOF恢复到25%的时间较PF组延长(P＜0.05),SM组较PM组起效时间缩短,完全肌松时间、T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到25%的时间均延长(P＜0.05).SM组T1恢复到25%和TOF恢复到z5%的时间较SF组延长(P＜0.05).结论 女性罗库溴铵起效更快,作用时间长;而七氟醚对男性罗库溴铵的增效作用优于女性.     

七氟醚、异氟醚对阿曲库铵肌松恢复的影响

目的 观察七氟醚、异氟醚对阿曲库铵肌松恢复的影响.方法 选择75例Ⅰ或Ⅱ级成年择期全麻手术病人随机均分为三组.Ⅰ组丙泊酚4～10 mg·kg-1·h-1泵入;Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别吸入呼气末浓度为1 MAC的七氟醚、异氟醚.诱导插管后阿曲库铵均以30μg·kg-1·min-1的速度静脉泵入.使用Biomter加速度仪监测肌松恢复情况,记录T1恢复至25%,75%及TOFr恢复至0.7的时间.结果 Ⅱ、Ⅲ组T1恢复至25%、75%的时间及TOFr恢复至0.7的时间均比Ⅰ组显著延长(P＜0.05).恢复指数(T1从25%至75%的时间)三组比较差异无统计学意义.结论 七氟醚、异氟醚均可增加阿曲库铵残余肌松作用.     

异氟醚吸入麻醉与异丙酚静脉麻醉下长时间持续输注罗库溴铵的肌松作用

目的比较异氟醚吸入麻醉与异丙酚静脉麻醉下长时间持续输注罗库溴铵的肌松作用。方法拟在全麻下行口腔-颌面肿瘤择期手术(手术时间达5 h左右)病人30例,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级,年龄18～65岁,随机分为2组(n=15):异丙酚组(Ⅰ组)异氟醚组(Ⅱ组)。用TOF-Watch SX肌松监测仪进行拇内收肌肌松监测。静脉注射罗库溴铵初始剂量0．6 mg·kg-1后气管插管,持续输注罗库溴铵。调整罗库溴铵的输注速率,T1稳定在基础值的10％时(初始状态),Ⅰ组靶控输注异丙酚维持麻醉,Ⅱ组吸入1 MAC异氟醚维持麻醉,持续5 h,术中维持T1在基础值的10％。记录罗库溴铵输注速率、恢复指数(T1恢复25％至75％的时间,T25-75)以及罗库溴铵停止输注到TOFR为0．9的时间。结果与初始状态比较,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组持续给药30 min-5 h时罗库溴铵输注速率下降(P<0．05);Ⅱ组持续给药1～5 h时罗库溴铵输注速率低于Ⅰ组(P<0．05)。两组间恢复指数和罗库溴铵停止输注到TOFR为0．9的时间差异无统计学意义(P>0．05)。结论罗库溴铵可用于长时间持续输注以维持稳定的肌松。维持T1在基础值的10％的情况下,持续输注罗库溴铵5 h时异氟醚麻醉比异丙酚为主的全凭静脉麻醉罗库溴铵输注速率减少30％,但其恢复指数无差异。     

罗库溴铵预注和麻黄碱预处理对小儿罗库溴铵肌松起效的影响

目的 观察小儿在罗库溴铵预注、麻黄碱预处理和罗库溴铵预注复合麻黄碱预处理对罗库溴铵起效时间、插管条件和肌松时效的影响.方法 选择全麻下行择期手术的患儿80例,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,随机均分为四组.在麻醉诱导前预先静注:Ⅰ组生理盐水O.5 ml,Ⅱ组罗库溴铵0.06 mg/kg,Ⅲ组麻黄碱70 μg/kg,Ⅳ组罗库溴铵0.06 mg/kg和麻黄碱70 μg/kg.预注和预处理4min后,Ⅰ、Ⅲ组静注罗库溴铵0.6 mg/kg,Ⅱ、Ⅳ组静注罗库溴铵0.54 mg/kg.待四个成串刺激(TOF)第1个颤搐反应高度(Th)达最大阻滞程度后行气管插管.记录肌颤搐抑制75%、90%和达最大阻滞程度的时间,并评估气管插管条件,同时观察HR、BP变化.结果 Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的最大阻滞起效时间分别为(196±43)、(140±43)、(144±35)和(100±33)s,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的起效时间明显短于Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),Ⅳ组的起效时间较Ⅱ、Ⅲ组短(P＜0.05).各组气管插管条件均达到6～9分,优良率100%.各组麻醉诱导期间均无明显的心血管不良反应.各组的临床肌松作用时间和恢复指数差异均无统计学意义.结论 罗库溴铵预注和麻黄碱预处理分别使用均能缩短小儿罗库溴铵的肌松起效时间,而两种方法复合使用可进一步加快肌松起效,但该方法对罗库溴铵的肌松时效无明显的影响.     

罗库溴铵和阿曲库铵的预注量对相互起效的影响

目的　研究罗库溴铵和阿曲库铵的预注量对相互起效和插管条件的影响。方法　 6 0例患者随机平均分成六组。麻醉诱导用地西泮、硫喷妥钠和芬太尼。Ⅰ组和Ⅳ组分别静注罗库溴铵0 6mg/kg和阿曲库铵 0 5mg/kg ,Ⅱ组和Ⅴ组预注罗库溴铵 0 0 6mg/kg ,Ⅲ组和Ⅵ组阿曲库铵0 0 5mg/kg。 3分钟后Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组静注罗库溴铵 0 5 4mg/kg ,Ⅴ组和Ⅵ组阿曲库铵 0 4 5mg/kg。观察插管量后的起效时间和气管插管条件。结果　Ⅲ组的起效时间为 (6 7 6± 14 2 )秒稍短于Ⅰ组的(73 1± 13 4 )秒和Ⅱ组的 (76 3± 15 3)秒 (P >0 0 5 )。Ⅴ组和Ⅵ组的起效时间为 (93 8± 2 2 4 )秒和(115 8± 14 9)秒 ,比Ⅳ组 (15 6 0± 37 2 )秒的短 (P <0 0 5和P <0 0 1) ,Ⅴ组的起效时间也显著短于Ⅵ组。气管插管条件Ⅴ组较Ⅳ组明显改善。结论　预注罗库溴铵不能使罗库溴铵的起效增快。预注罗库溴铵使阿曲库铵的起效明显增快 ,插管条件改善 ;预注罗库溴铵比预注阿曲库铵对阿曲库铵起效的增快作用更明显     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

The multiply injured child

Blunt trauma is the principal cause of childhood death in many developed countries. This review outlines the differences between adults and children with respect to resuscitation and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in a child with polytrauma. Recent advances in techniques of fracture stabilization are reported.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.     

Utilisation des médicaments prokinétiques en réanimation : indications et limites ?

Enteral feeding is often limited by gastric and intestinal motility disturbances in critically ill patients, particularly in patients with shock. So, promotility agents are frequently used to improve tolerance to enteral nutrition. This review summaries the pathophysiology, presents the available pharmacological strategies, the clinical data, the counter-indications and the principal limits. The clinical data are poor. No study demonstrates a positive effect on clinical outcomes. Metoclopramide and erythromycin seems to be the more effective. Considering the risk of antibiotic resistance, the first line use of erythromycin should be avoided in favor of metoclopramide.