Recording of electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms during daytime sleep in trained canines: Preparation of the sleeping dogs

Abstract  Although respiration in trained canines is well investigated, the process of preparing dogs has not been described in any great detail. Moreover, their daytime patterns of sleep and wakefulness during 1 or 2 h of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings are not clear. Therefore, we describe the process of selecting and training dogs, in which we recorded EEG and ECG in the laboratory. First, 14 of 1242 dogs dealt with over a 1 year period were chosen. They were trained for 2 h to lie quietly and to sleep in the laboratory; this training procedure was repeated 152 times. Three dogs were then selected and a permanent tracheostomy was performed in one. Finally, EEG and ECG were recorded with the bipolar fine needle electrodes; respiration was recorded simultaneously through a tube inserted to a tracheostomy in one dog. Wakefulness, slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (REMS) were identified according to the EEG pattern and on the basis of the behavioral criteria. Recordings were performed 12 or 13 times in each dog. Complete sleep cycles, including wakefulness, SWS and REMS in this sequence, were observed 3.9–4.1 times. The mean duration of SWS was 2.2–4.4 min and that of REMS was 3.5–4.6 min. The REMS latency was 33.9–41.8 min. Fluctuation of heart rate with respiration, termed respiratory sinus arrhythmia, was noted in the ECG. Heart beat increased with inspiration and decreased with expiration. The present study demonstrates how to select and train sleeping dogs and shows their undisturbed daytime sleep and wakefulness patterns.     

“Helper:” A critical events prompter for unexpected emergencies

Objective. The medical practitioner is faced with an increasing list of protocols and algorithms related to patient care. These recommendations are often difficult to recall, particularly in stressful emergency situations. Using advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols, we built a computer-based system to exhibit precompiled response plans for medical emergencies. To validate the usefulness of this prompting device, we tested application of two of the nine ACLS algorithms, pulseless ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (Vfib/Vtach) and bradycardia, in a simulated operating room (OR) environment.Methods. The system utilized the software authoring system IconAuthor (Aimtec Inc., Nashua, NH) and a touch-screen monitor (DiamondScan, Microtouch, Methuen, MA). Prior to testing our system, all 39 subjects were given time to familiarize themselves with its operation. Subsequently, all subjects were videotaped while managing a standard simulated anesthetic. During the anesthetic, the subjects were presented with two emergency scenarios, not viewed during the familiarization period. The electrocardiographic (EKG) signals for normal sinus rhythm, ventricular fibrillation, and second-degree heart block were presented. By random selection, the prompter was available to half of the subjects for help with arrhythmia management (experimental group), while to half it was not (control group).Results. A total of 39 subjects completed the exercise. Use of the prompter enabled significantly more subjects to administer correct drugs and dosages during ventricular fibrillation. The correct lidocaine dose was chosen more often by the experimental group than by the control (p=0.015); similarly MgSO₄ was appropriately ordered more often in the experimental group (p=0.003). During second-degree heart block, atropine was correctly followed with a dopamine infusion (p=0.004), and epinephrine infusion was ordered for refractory bradycardia (p=0.002) more often in the experimental than the control group.Conclusions. These data demonstrate the value of a prompting device at the anesthesia workstation. We foresee the use of such prompters in many areas of medicine.This study was made possible by a grant from the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Results were presented, in part, at the meeting of the STA/SEA Orlando, Florida, January 1994.     

Glued Carbon Fiber Electrodes for Diaphragm Pacing

Carbon fibers with fibrin glue were used as electrodes for diaphragm pacing. The electrodes were applied to three mongrel dogs and the effectiveness was tested. The carbon leads were glued to phrenic nerves by means of the fibrinogen and thrombin bilaterally. The tidal volumes and threshold current level for stimulation were measured at various time up to 9 weeks after implantation. Effective contraction of diaphragm were observed for 9 weeks. By using this electrode, the exfoliation of the nerve is not necessary, the nerve can be maintained in an intact state, and the risk of the implanting operation can be minimized.     

动态心电图对起搏器间歇性感知功能异常的诊断价值

目的 :探讨动态心电图检测对起搏器间歇性感知功能异常的诊断价值。方法 :采用MarquetteMars30 0 0动态心电图仪 ,对 36例 (4 9例次 )安装起搏器的患者进行随访 ,分析起搏、感知及与起搏器相关的心律失常。结果 :共检出起搏器间歇性感知功能异常 17例 (2 4例次 ) ,检出率为 4 7.2 % ,有 5例 (7例次 )合并两项感知异常。所有感知异常除 1例在常规心电图中检出外 ,其余 16例只在动态心电图中发现。检出与起搏器相关的心律失常 12例。根据动态心电图结果进行相应临床处理后 ,部分起搏器的感知功能异常消失。结论 :起搏器的感知功能异常多为间歇性的 ,动态心电图对间歇性感知异常的检出率较高 ,应是起搏器随访不可或缺的手段。     

Salvage of an extruded pacemaker using a greater omentum flap -a case report

The extrusion of a pacemaker, due to infectious or mechanical problems, is a condition that usually requires the removal of the device and implantation of a new pacemaker. A case is presented in which an extruded pacemaker was successfully salvaged using the greater omentum as a wrap-around pedicled flap. The current protocol for salvaging exposed pacemakers at the authors' center is described.     

急性脑梗死患者临床分型及梗死面积与心电图改变的关系

目的 探讨急性脑梗死患者临床分型和梗死面积与心电图(ECG)改变的关系.方法 给216例急性脑梗死患者进行ECG检查,按牛津郡社区卒中项目(OCSP)分型和梗死面积分型,对各组患者的ECG检查结果进行分析比较.结果 OCSP分型完全前循环梗死(TACI)组、部分前循环梗死(PACI)组、后循环梗死(POCI)组和腔隙性梗死(LACI)组患者的ECG异常率分别是: 95. 5%、80.4%、62.5%和48.5%,TACI组和PACI组明显高于LACI组(P＜0.05～0.01);大中面积梗死组(83.7%)的ECG异常率明显高于小面积梗死组(60.4%)和腔隙性梗死组(53.2%)(P＜0.05～0.01);小面积梗死组的ECG异常率高于腔隙性梗死组(P＜0.05).OCSP和梗死面积分型各亚型组出现ST-T改变和心律失常的比率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05～0.01).结论 急性脑梗死临床分型病情重和梗死面积大的患者ECG异常率高.     

Electrocardiographic Changes in Spontaneous Left Pneumothorax

ABSTRACT. Keller N, Szaff M, Sykulski R (Department of Internal Medicine, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark). Electrocardiographic changes in spontaneous left pneumothorax. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221:499–501. A 25-year-old man was admitted with severe chest pain and an electrocardiogram suggestive of anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram was normal, but chest X-ray showed left-sided pneumothorax. The electrocardiogram showed increasing R-wave amplitude in the days after correction of pneumothorax. Taken in the supine position the electrocardiogram can be misleading in case of pneumothorax or mediastinal emphysema, but the electrocardiogram should be normal if taken in the erect position.     

QT间期校正和QT离散度检测方法的探讨

目的　探讨QT间期校正方法和心率、QRS时间、描记纸速对QT离散度 (QTd)的影响。方法　(1)对比分析 5 0例纸速 2 5mm·s-1和 5 0mm·s-1描记时QT间期和QTd;(2 )对比分析 5 0例室上性心动过速(SVT)发作时和发作前QT间期 ,并比较QTC、QTLC、QTFC三种方法校正结果 ;(3)对比分析 5 0例SVT发作时与发作前QTd;(4)对比分析 2 0例显性预激综合征消融旁路前后QTd。结果　 (1)在SVT时QTC 出现假性延长 ,QTLC、QTFC有助克服上述假象 ;(2 ) 2 5mm·s-1与 5 0mm·s-1纸速QTd、SVT发作时与发作前QTd、显性预激射频消融前后QTd,均无显著性差异。结论　QT间期受心率影响 ,但QTd 不受心率影响 ;对QT间期校正建议应修改QTC,试用QTLC或QTFC。