Airway troubles related to the double-lumen endobronchial tube in thoracic surgery

Purpose Several case reports indicate critical respiratory complications in relation to the double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT). A prospective survey for the airway problems in using the DLT is presented. Methods One hundred adult patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung cancer were investigated. Tube malposition and airway obstruction were searched using a fiber-optic scope. The endobronchial cuff was positioned just below the trachcal carina while the trachea was intubated with a DLT (Rüsch). The distances of displacement, from the tracheal carina to the bronchial cuff, were measured during anesthesia using an epidural catheter, which had marks every 5 mm. The distances for correcting the tube position were measured at both the bronchial cuff and the level of the teethPaO₂,PaCO₂ andSPO₂ were also measured. Results Malposition (displacement over 5 mm from the correct position) was found in 42 patients, and 40 of them were in a withdrawal direction, occurring at the postural change and during one-lung ventilation, especially during manipulation of the lung hilum. Correcting distances at the level of the teeth were 15.3–3-times longer than those at the bronchial cuff. Airway deformities and gradual withdrawal of the bronchial cuff were found in association with surgical manipulation. Obstruction occurred at the tips of the tracheal tube in four patients and the bronchial tube in six patients, and at the tip of both in two patients. Hypoxemia (PaO₂<60 mmHg) occurred in four patients and hypercapnea (PaCO₂>60 mm Hg) in two patients. Conclusion Most of the DLT obstructions were associated with withdrawal malposition. Great attention to DLT displacement and airway deformity is advised.     

Seasonal covariation of the circadian phases of rectal temperature and slow wave sleep onset

There is a scarcity of well-controlled studies of the seasonal variation in circadian rhythmicity. In the present study, the circadian phase of rectal temperature and the onset of slow wave sleep were studied in a series of twelve 24-h experiments, one each month of the year, for six healthy subjects under controlled conditions in a climatic chamber. In winter, as compared with summer, the average circadian rhythm of rectal temperature was phase delayed by 45 min, and the average onset of slow wave sleep was phase delayed by 40 min. The temporal relationship between the circadian phase of rectal temperature and the timing of slow wave sleep was maintained throughout the year. Habitual rising and retiring times covaried as well. Furthermore, the circadian rhythm of rectal temperature followed the timing of the photoperiod across the year, but had a much smaller range of seasonal variation. Apparently, the seasonal variation in the photoperiodic zeitgeber is largely compensated for by the stabilizing influence of secondary zeitgebers. However, in healthy subjects some effect of photoperiodic variation can still be observed.     

筛检对肝癌死亡率影响的研究

5581名HBsAg阳性的男性随机分入周期性筛检组(A组,3712人)及对照组(B组,1869人)。A组(19155.4人年)共发生肝癌257例,B组(9785.5人年)为117例,两组的肝癌发生率分别为1342/10万与1196/10万;两组肝癌死亡分别为218与109例,肝癌死亡率分别为1138/10万与1114/10万。两组中Ⅰ期肝癌病例分别为29.6％与6.0％,差异有非常显著性意义。1、3、5年相对生存率A组为23.7％、7.0％、4.0％,B组为9.7％、4.0％、4.1％。用Poisson回归模型拟合显示,在调正年龄、初筛AFP及入列年份后,筛检对于肝癌的相对危险度为0.83,95％CI为0.68～1.03,有较弱的“保护”作用,Cox回归模型拟合结果显示当临床分期未引入模型时,筛检对于肝癌有显著的“保护”作用:危险率为0.6617,95％CI为0.5234～0.8365;而模型经调整后,危险率即接近“1”,95％CI为0.74～1.26。     

Changes in temporal gait characteristics and pressure distribution for bare feet versus various heel heights

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in temporal gait characteristics and pressure generation across the sole of the foot due to various heel heights in women's dress pumps. Thirty female subjects, aged 18-30 years, volunteered to participate. Subjects were required to have normal gait and to wear comfortably either size 7 or size 9 shoes. Subjects were tested initially in bare feet using electrodynography (Langer Biomechanics Group, 21 East Industry Court, Deer Park, NY 11729-9986) (EDG) at a cadence of ~100 steps/min set by metronome. EDG trials with 4 pairs of shoes were then performed in random order. Shoes were women's dress pumps identical except for heel height. Heel heights were 1.75, 3.12, 5.72 and 8.74 cm. Data were collected over ~ 30 steps and averaged over this period. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, and changes were only considered significant if the ANOVA identified significant variations bilaterally. Considering temporal gait variables, we concluded that: (1) stance phase was shortened in shoes vs. bare feet but was unaffected by heel height, (2) the percentage of stance spent in weight bearing on the lateral and medial calcaneus decreased above a 3.12 cm heel height, (3) the percentage of stance spent in weight bearing on the first and second metatarsal heads increased in shoes vs. bare feet but was unaffected by heel height, (4) the percentage of stance spent in weight bearing on the fifth metatarsal was less in the 8.74 cm heel than in any other shoe or in bare feet. With regard to pressure variables, we found that: (1) peak pressure under the fifth metatarsal head was inversely related to heel height, (2) pressure under the third metatarsal head peaked earliest in heels greater than 5.72 cm high, and (3) pressure under the medial calcaneus peaked latest in heels greater than 5.72 cm high.     

A simple dual pressure-ejection system and calibration method for brief local applications of drugs and modified salines

We report a minimal method for dual pressure ejection through a single micropipette, which uses standard theta-type glass tubing and a connection through thinned polythene catheters without any sealing. We also describe a simple calibration method using a standard electrometer. The linearity of the ejected volume with respect to pulse duration and to applied pressure was maintained, as measured by the resistivity of ultrapure water after ejection of a saline solution. The method was used to analyse the inhibitory effect of glutamate on crayfish motoneurones with local and reversible applications of low-chloride saline and picrotoxin.     

Randomized clinical trial of ascorbic acid in the treatment of pressure ulcers

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of ascorbic acid supplementation, 500 mg twice daily in the treatment of pressure ulcers as an adjunct to standardized treatment.

The design consisted of a multicenter blinded randomized trial. The control group received 10 mg of ascorbic acid twice daily.

Patients from 11 nursing homes and 1 hospital participated.

Main outcome measures included wound survival, healing rates of wound surfaces, and clinimetric changes over 12 weeks.

Eighty-eight patients were randomized. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that the wound closure probability per unit time (i.e., the closure rate) was not higher in the intervention group than in the control group (Cox hazard ratio of 0.78 [90% precision interval, 0.44–1.39]). Mean absolute healing rates were 0.21 and 0.27 cm²/week in the intervention and control group, respectively (PI of the adjusted difference: −0.17 to 0.13). Relative healing rates and healing velocities did not show favorable results of ascorbic acid supplementation, either. A panel scored slides of the ulcers with a report mark between 1 (bad) and 10 (excellent). The improvement was 0.45 and 0.72 points per week in the intervention and control group, respectively (PI of the adjusted difference: −0.50 to 0.20). With another clinimetric index we could not show any differences, either.

These data do not support the idea that ascorbic acid supplementation (500 vs. 10 mg twice daily) speeds up the healing of pressure ulcers.     

The Extensometer—use in spontaneously ventilating awake volunteers

The extensometer is a new device with potential in the field of respiratory pattern analysis. This paper describes the physical principles upon which the extensometer depends and also assesses its performance as a noninvasive respiratory monitor in respect of its ability to measure tidal volume and to determine obstructive breathing patterns in awake volunteers in the supine position over a limited time period. Further developments of the device are outlined and the current status of torso transducers in anaesthesia and intensive care are discussed.     

负压对缺血肢体血流动力学影响的实验研究

目的：观察负压对肢体动脉闭塞犬患肢血流动力学的影响。方法：犬15只，随机分治疗组10只和对照组5只。两组均采用切断犬后肢股动脉分支、动脉腔内置入螺旋状金属丝的方法，制作肢体缺血模型。在模型制作后2wk，治疗组行患肢负压治疗10d，对照组不做负压治疗。两组均于模型前、模型后2wk及治疗结束后，用彩色多普勒观察患肢股动脉血流动力学指标：收缩期最大流速(Vmax)、平均流速(Vmean)、阻力指数(R1)、搏动指数(P1)的变化。结果：治疗组在治疗后患肢股动脉Vmax、Vmean显著增加(P＜0．001)，RI、PI显著降低(P＜0.01)；对照组各指标无明显变化(P＞0．05)。结论：负压对缺血肢体血流动力学表现为流速增加，阻力下降。     

硝普钠结合控制性再灌注预防肺缺血再灌注损伤的实验研究

目的　探讨硝普钠结合控制性再灌注在预防肺缺血再灌注损伤中的作用及其机制。方法　将 1 4只猪随机分为对照组 (Ⅰ组 )和实验组 (Ⅱ组 )。对照组在去除肺动脉阻断 ,恢复自体血流前 ,给予控制性再灌注处理 (灌注液 :去白细胞∶改良Buckberg液 =4∶1 ,灌注压 1 8mmHg ,灌注时间 1 0min ,温度 37℃± 1℃ )。实验组在去除肺动脉阻断 ,恢复自体血流前 ,给予控制性再灌注 ,后经肺动脉以每分钟 1 .0 μg kg注入硝普钠 1 0min ,余处置同对照组。 0 .5 ,1和 2h后测血氧分压、肺血管阻力、肺顺应性及肺氧合功能变化 ,实验结束后 ,取肺组织测NO含量、MDA含量及肺含水量。结果　实验组的左肺氧合功能和肺顺应性明显好于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。肺循环阻力、丙二醛 (MDA)值及肺含水量均低于对照组 (P <0 .0 1 )。实验组肺中NO含量较对照组明显升高 (P <0 .0 1 )。结论　硝普钠结合控制性再灌注能明显降低肺缺血再灌注损伤 ,起到了较好的移植肺保护效果     

High-frequency ventilation (HFV) in hyaline membrane disease —a preliminary report

Eight premature babies affected by hyaline membrane disease and needing mechanical respiratory support were ventilated by means of a VDR 1 (Bird Space Technology) respirator at 10 Hz during a mean time of 51 h. Before HFV 7 infants had been on conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and one on nasal CPAP. The values of mean airway pressure (MAP) and oxygenation index (PaO₂/FIO₂) on CMV and HFV were (mean and range): 1. CMV: MAP 15 (4–29) mm Hg, ox. index 15.47 (5.07–23.19) kPa; 2. HFV after 1 h: MAP 15 (10–19) mm Hg, ox. index 24.13 (9.07–46.12) kPa. Improved oxygenation allowed rapid reduction of FIO₂ in the following hours. Only 3 infants were weaned directly from VDR 1, 5 were switched back to CMV mainly because of technical failures of the respirator. The change from HFV to CMV was associated with a fall of PaO₂/FIO₂ from 35.99 (15.86–74.52) to 22.39 (7.33–31.46) kPa. The mean time of artificial ventilation (CMV+HFV) was 121 h (range 46–166). Except for 1 pneumothorax no medical complications were seen during HFV, and all patients survived. Despite impressive improvements in oxygenation it is cautioned against the use of the VDR 1 because of the high incidence of technical problems.