乳腺癌组织多药耐药相关蛋白表达及其与化疗敏感性关系的研究

目的：探讨3种耐药相关蛋白P-gp、GST-π和TopoⅡ在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与乳腺癌新辅助化疗敏感性的相关性。方法：乳腺癌患者80例,随机分为应用新辅助化疗（CEF）组（A组）和未化疗组（B组）,A组应用新辅助化疗2周期,化疗前后分别行B超检查测量肿瘤大小。采用S-P免疫组织化学法检测80例乳腺癌组织中P-gp、GST-π和TopoⅡ的表达情况。结果：P-gp的表达在A组较B组有显著升高（P〈0.05）;GST-π和TopoⅡ的表达在A组及B组的表达差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。A组P-gp的表达情况与乳腺癌肿瘤的缩小呈直线相关（P〈0.05）;GST-π、TopoⅡ的表达情况与乳腺癌瘤体的缩小无明显相关（P〉0.05）。P-gp的表达与腋窝淋巴结阳性有显著相关;GST-π的表达与肿瘤的分级有显著相关,与雌激素受体呈负相关;TopoⅡ的表达与肿瘤的分级呈正相关。结论：P-gp的表达可能与乳腺癌的获得性耐药有关,GST-π和TopoⅡ的表达可能与乳腺癌的天然耐药有关。     

胃癌新辅助化疗前后多药耐药基因的表达及其与化疗敏感性的关系

目的 探讨6种多药耐药基因:G谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST-π)、肺耐药相关蛋白(LRP)、多药耐药相关蛋白(MRP)、拓扑异构酶Ⅱ(Topo Ⅱ)、多药耐药基因蛋白(P-gP)、胸苷酸合成酶(TS)在胃癌新辅助化疗前后的表达及其与化疗敏感性的关系,寻求建立化疗敏感性的预测指标.方法 采用免疫组化方法评价35例胃癌新辅助化疗前后6种多药耐药基因的表达情况,分析各耐药基因表达与化疗疗效的关系.对所有患者均行FOLFOX4方案化疗,以WHO实体瘤疗效评价标准评价疗效.结果 本组35例患者中1例完全缓解(3%),15例部分缓解(43%),16例病情稳定(46%),3例病情进展(9%),新辅助化疗有效率为46%.35例患者肿瘤标本中6种多药耐药基因的表达情况:GST-π阳性率为40%,LRP阳性率为69%,MRP阳性率为34%,TopoⅡ阳性率为37%,P-gp阳性率为86%,TS阳性率为40%.GST-π、LRP、MRP、Topo Ⅱ、P-gP的表达与化疗敏感性无关(P>0.05),TS的表达与化疗敏感性有关(P=0.0048).结论 FOLFOX4方案新辅助化疗不影响6种多药耐药基因GST-π、LRP、MRP、Topo Ⅱ、P-gP及TS的表达;TS的表达与化疗敏感性有关,有可能成为评估胃癌化疗敏感性的重要指标.     

耐药相关蛋白P-gp、GST-π、TopoⅡ在原发性肝癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨原发性肝癌组织中的P-糖蛋白（P—glycoprotein，P—gP）、谷胱甘肽-S转移酶-π（glutahione-S—transferase-π，GST-π）、DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅱ（DNA—topoismerase，TopoⅡ）耐药基因的表达及其临床意义。方法采用免疫组化方法检测35例肝癌组织、20例癌旁和10例肝硬化组织中P—gP、GST-π、TopoⅡ的表达，并对其组织病理指标及3年生存率进行综合分析。结果①35例肝癌中的P—gp、GST-π、TopoⅡ的阳性表达率分别为85．7％、71．4％、31．4％。②肝癌组织中P—gp、GST-π表达显著高于癌旁组织及肝硬化组织。③P—gp＋GST-π＋TopoⅡ阳性表达率为17．1％，P—gp＋GST-π、P—gp＋TopoⅡ和GST-π＋TopoⅡ阳性率分别为60％、14．3％、2．8％，其中P—gP＋GST-π和GST-π＋TopoⅡ的阳性表达具有相关性（P〈0．01）。④TopoⅡ表达阳性者的3年生存率低于阴性者。结论①原发性肝癌多药耐药与其P—gp、GST-π、TopoⅡ表达有关。②对肝癌患者化疗前进行耐药基因检测，对患者化疗用药具有指导意义，有助于联合用药的合理选择，提高疗效及延长患者生存期。     

P-gp、GST-π、TOPO-Ⅱ及LRP在胃癌组织中的表达及其对预后的影响

目的：探讨P糖蛋白（P-gp）、谷胱甘肽转移酶π（GST-π）、DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅱ（TOPO-Ⅱ）及肺耐药蛋白（LRP）在胃癌组织中的表达及对预后评价的意义。方法：应用免疫组织化学方法（PV-6000法）检测P-gp、GST-π、TOPO-Ⅱ、LRP在60例胃癌组织和10例正常胃黏膜中的表达,分析其与胃癌临床病理特征的关系。将P-gp、GST-π、TOPO-Ⅱ和LRP按各自表达情况分为阳性组和阴性组,比较术后复发率、复发时间及5年存活率。将P-gp阳性、GST-π阳性、LRP阳性和TOPO-Ⅱ阴性作为4个可能与胃癌预后不良相关的危险因素进行考察,并将患者分为高危耐药组（2~4个危险因素）和低危耐药组（0~1个危险因素）,比较2组患者术后复发情况及存活率。结果：P-gp、GST-π、TOPO-Ⅱ、LRP在胃癌组织中的表达阳性率分别为53.3%（32/60）,73.3%（44/60）,83.3%（50/60）,38.3%（23/60）。它们在胃癌组织中的表达与患者的肿瘤大小、临床分期、局部浸润深度均无关（P〉0.05）,而与肿瘤的淋巴结转移及组织学类型有关（P〈0.05）。4种蛋白各自表达的阳性组与阴性组比较,术后复发率、复发时间及5年存活率的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。高危耐药组与低危耐药组比较,复发率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但复发时间早于低危耐药组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,2组患者术后5年存活率为44.0%和57.1%,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：P-gp、GST-π、TOPO-Ⅱ及LRP是胃癌多药耐药产生的基础,联合检测对胃癌的预后判断有重要参考价值。     

耐药基因相关蛋白在胃癌术后辅助化疗及预后评价中的意义

目的探讨多药耐药基因（MDR）相关产物在胃癌组织中的表达及其对胃癌根治术后辅助化疗及预后评价的意义。方法用免疫组织化学方法检测99例胃癌组织中拓扑异构酶Ⅱ（ToPo Ⅱ）、多药耐药相天蛋白（MRP）和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶（GST-π）的表达,分析其与胃癌临床病理特征的关系。将ToPo Ⅱ阴性表达、MRP阳性表达和GST-π阳性表达作为3个可能的危险因素,并将本组患者分成高危耐药组（2～3个危险因素）和低危耐药组（0～1个危险因素）,比较两组患者术后复发情况、生存率及辅助化疗的有效性.结果ToPo Ⅱ阳性表达率为74．7％．与胃癌组织类型及分化程度有关：MRP阳性表达率为40．4％,与胃癌临床病理因素均无关;GST-π阳性表达率为49．5％．与患者性别和胃癌分化程度有关。3种蛋白各自表达的阳性组与阴性组比较,术后复发率、复发时间及5年生存率的差异均无统计学意义（均P〉0．05）。高危耐药组术后有25例（55．6％）复发．复发时间为（15．2±8．1）个月,与低危耐药组比较,复发率差异无统计学意义（44．4％,P〉0．05）,但复发时间早于低危耐药组[（21．3±11．1）个月,P〈0．05];两组患者术后5年生存率分别为44．4％和55．6％．差异无统计学差异（P〉0．05）．高危耐药组中化疗患者与未化疗患者术后5年生存牢分别为45.8％和42．9％．差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;低危耐药组中化疗患者与未化疗患者术后5年生存率分别为70．4％和40．7％．差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论MDR基因相关产物ToPo Ⅱ、MRP和GST-π的表达与胃癌根治术后辅助化疗的有效性有关．对于高危耐药的患者进行辅助化疗并不能改善预后,     

原发性肝癌多药耐药基因的表达与化疗敏感预测的相关性研究

目的探讨原发性肝癌多药耐药基因的表达与化疗敏感预测的相关性。方法取64例肝癌切除组织行ATP-TCA法肿瘤体外药敏试验。以RT—PCR法半定量检测肝癌多药耐药基因表达情况，分析多药耐药基因的表达与化疗敏感预测的相关性。结果1．原发性肝癌5种耐药基因的表达率分别为：MDR190、63％、MRP96．88％、GST-π96．88％、LRP90.63％、TOPOⅡ96.88％，各耐药基因的表达率间无显著相关。2，多药耐药基因MDR1、MRP、GST-Ⅱ、LRP、TOPOⅡ的表达量在肝癌组织分别为1．17±0．47、1．59±0．33、1．18±0．48、1．03±0．48、1．00±0．31．在癌旁组织分别为1．11±0．38，1．32±0．44，1．04±0．42．0．96±0．32，1．19±0．28，除TOPOⅡ外，癌旁组耐药基因mRNA表达量低于肝癌组的表达量，两者间的差别无显著性（P〉0．05）。3．多药耐药基因的表达与疗效的关系显示：在有效组中MDR1、MRP、GST-ⅡLRPmRNA的表达量低于无效组，且在MDR1、MRP、LRP存在显著差别（P〈0．05）。TOPOⅡmRNA的表达量有效组高于无效组，但差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。4．ATP—TCA法肿瘤体外药敏试验临床敏感预测准确率为77．27％（17／22），对抗药性的预测准确率为100％（2／2）；临床符合率为79．17％。5．MDR1的表达量与MIT、VP-16、EPI、TAX的IC。值正相关；MRP的表达量与MIT、VP-16、EPI的IC50值正相关；GST-π的表达量与5．FU、CDDP、OXA、GEM的IC50值正相关；LRP的表达量与5-FU、CDDP、OXA、EPI、GEM的IC50值正相关；TOPOⅡ的表达量与CPT的IC50值正相关。6．多药耐药基因预测化疗的准确率为72．70％。结论在肝癌存在实现化疗敏感预测基因化的可行性．可通过监测多药耐药基因的表达来预测化疗的效果．选择相关的化疗药物。     

TopoⅡ、MRP和GST-π在食管胃交界部腺癌中的表达及与新辅助化疗疗效的关系

目的探讨TopoⅡ、MRP和GST-π5在进展期食管胃交界部腺癌新辅助化疗疗效中的预测价值。方法对72例食管胃交界部腺癌患者行SOX方案新辅助化疗,以RECIST 1.0评价标准评价疗效。用免疫组化方法检测化疗前3种蛋白的表达情况,并分析其与化疗疗效的关系。结果年龄和病理类型与化疗敏感性无关(P0.05)。本组72例患者中新辅助化疗有效率为48.6%,其中5例达病理完全缓解,6例进展。患者肿瘤标本中3种蛋白的表达情况:TopoⅡ、MRP和GSTπ的阳性率分别为73.6%、34.7%和40.3%。TopoⅡ、MRP和GST-π的表达与化疗敏感性无关(P0.05)。结论 TopoⅡ、MRP和GST-π的表达与食管胃交界部腺癌新辅助化疗的疗效无关,尚不能作为预测SOX方案疗效的指标。     

脑胶质瘤中P-gP、GST-π、Topo Ⅱ表达的相互作用及其临床意义

目的 探讨P—gP、GST-π、TopoⅡ在脑胶质瘤中表达的相互关系以及其临床意义。方法 采用免疫组织化学技术链霉卵白素-过氧化物酶连结法（SP法）检测101例原发性脑胶质瘤组织中P-gP、GST-π和TopoⅡ在不同病理分级间（WHOⅠ级24例;Ⅱ级34例;Ⅲ级28例;Ⅳ级15例）的表达水平,评估三者间关系和临床意义。结果 P—gP、GST-πT和TopoⅡ阳性表达率分别为62．4％、64．3％、59．4％。P—gP及GST-πT表达水平在高级别（Ⅲ-Ⅳ级）胶质瘤显著高于低级别（Ⅰ～Ⅱ级）（P〈0．05）;TopoⅡ表达水平在高级别胶质瘤则显著低于低级别（P〈0．05）。各多药耐药因子共表达的比率分别为：P—gP＋GST-πT：44．6％,P—gP＋TopoⅡ：19．8％,GST-π＋TopoⅡ：17．8％：P-gp＋TopoⅡ＋GST-πT：4．95％,两个或以上MDR基因产物共表达率为87．2％,显著高于单一基因产物表达率：P—gP（5．9％）,GST-πT（0．9％）及TopoⅡ（1．9％）（P〈0．05）。TopoⅡ阳性表达与P-gP、GST-πT阳性表达呈显著负相关（P〈0．01）。P—gP阳性表达与GST-πT阳性表达呈显著正相关（P〈0．01）。结论 原发性脑胶质瘤的多药耐药现象是由多个耐药因子共同参与作用的结果,多药耐药的发生在肿瘤细胞的病理分级间差异有统计学意义;同时检测三种耐药因子有助于优化临床化疗方案,提高化疗效果。     

多药耐药基因产物在胃癌组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨胃癌组织中胎盘型谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶π（GST-π）、P-糖蛋白（P-gp）、拓扑异构酶Ⅱ（Topo-Ⅱ）、胸苷酸合成酶（TS）及多药耐药相关蛋白（MRP）的表达特点及其临床意义。方法应用免疫组化SP法检测48例胃癌组织和10例正常胃黏膜组织中GST-π、P-gp、Topo-Ⅱ、TS和MRP的表达,并结合其临床病理资料进行综合分析。结果GST-π、P-gp、Topo-Ⅱ、TS和MRP在胃癌组织中的表达阳性率依次为72.9%（35/48）、56.3%（27/48）、83.3%（40/48）、41.7%（20/48）和39.6%（19/48）,而在正常胃黏膜组织中其表达阳性率依次为10.0%（1/10）、0（0/10）、0（0/10）、0（0/10）,其差异均有统计学意义（GST-π：P〈0.01,P-gp：P〈0.01,Topo-Ⅱ：P〈0.01,TS：P〈0.05,MRP：P〈0.05）;它们在胃癌组织中的表达与患者性别、年龄、肿瘤部位、大小、侵袭深度和淋巴结转移均无关（P〉0.05）,而与肿瘤的分化程度有关（P〈0.01）。结论GST-π、P-gp、Topo-Ⅱ、TS和MRP在胃癌组织中的高表达是胃癌多药耐药产生的基础。GST-π、P-gP、Topo-Ⅱ、TS和MRP的联合检测可用于指导临床合理选择化疗方案。     

胰腺癌GST-π耐药基因表达及意义

目的 检测胰腺癌组织中GST-π耐药基因的表达及其临床意义。方法 采用S-P免疫组织化学方法对150例异常和正常胰腺石蜡切片组织标本（包括原发性胰腺癌97例,胰腺炎32例和正常胰腺组织21例）进行GST-π耐药基因蛋白表达检测。结果GST-π耐药基因在胰腺癌。胰腺炎和正常胰腺组织中阳性率分别为67％、15.6％和14.3％;胰腺癌组织中GST-π阳性率明显高于其它组织（P<0.05）。胰腺癌高分化组织中GST-π耐药基因表达也明显高于低分化组织（P<0.05）。GST-π耐药基因表达与胰腺癌病人的性别、年龄、肿瘤的部位、大小、侵袭性及临床分期等指标无关（P>0.05）,GST-π耐药基因表达阳性病人平均术后生存时间长于GST-π阴性病人。结论 GST-π可能参与胰腺癌的早期癌变过程,并在维护肿瘤的特性中起到一定的作用,GST-π耐药基因有可能成为胰腺癌的早期肿瘤酶标记物;GST-π耐药基因与胰腺癌的“天然性多药耐药”和肿瘤生物学特性有关,它是指导肿瘤化疗和预后的一个重要指标。     

Significantly Minimizing Drug Wastage and the Cost of Cabazitaxel Used to Treat Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Cabazitaxel is used to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after docetaxel. It is prepackaged in 60 mg single-dose vials, a quantity much higher than the average prescribed dose, which leads to, substantial drug wastage (DW) and associated costs. To minimize DW we implemented a cost-saving, cohorting strategy where multiple patients scheduled to receive cabazitaxel (at a dose of 20 mg/m² every 3 wks) were cohorted and treated on a single weekday whenever possible. Excess drug from each vial was then saved and used for subsequent patients treated on the same day. The drug cost with cohorting was calculated from the actual number of vials used, and the drug cost without cohorting was estimated by assumingthat one vial was used per treatment. The cost of DW was determined based on the amount of drug that was discarded. All cost calculations also accounted for the discount incentives offered by Sanofi-Aventis. Over a 3-yr period, 74 patients received 402 treatments of cabazitaxel. Multiple patients were treated on 67.4% of the treatment days, and grouping of three patients on one day saved one vial. The estimated total drug cost saved was $394 536 CAD (21.1%). Pending further studies on safety and efficacy, this strategy could potentially be adopted to mitigate DW for cabazitaxel and similarly for other oncology drugs. This would significantly decrease the overall financial burden on patients, institutions, and stakeholders.Patient summaryCabazitaxel chemotherapy is associated with substantial drug wastage and associated costs. By cohorting patients scheduled to receive cabazitaxel on a single weekday, the total drug cost was decreased by $394 536 CAD (21.1%) over a 3-yr period. Similar strategies could be considered to overcome the prohibitory costs associated with drug wastage for cabazitaxel and other cancer drugs.     

Cardiovascular drugs: implications for dental practice part 1 - cardiotonics, diuretics, and vasodilators

Appropriate preoperative assessment of dental patients should always include analysis of their medications. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common group of medical disorders that dentists encounter, and the number of drugs prescribed for managing these conditions is staggering. This justifiably raises concern and probable confusion regarding side effects and possible drug interactions with medications the dentist may deem necessary for dental care. This continuing education article is the first in a series that will address essential pharmacology of medications commonly prescribed for chronic medical care. A reasonable understanding of these agents will allow the dentist to better appreciate the medical status of their patients and avoid adverse interactions with drugs they might administer or prescribe.     

血清肝炎病毒标志物阳性或肝炎患者肾移植后测定环孢素C2的意义

目的　探讨测定血清肝炎病毒标志物阳性患者或肝炎患者肾移植后服用环孢素A(CsA) 2h的血药浓度 (C2 )的临床意义。方法　共观察 1 62例肾移植患者 ,其中术前丙型肝炎病毒抗体或 /和乙型肝炎核心抗原阳性 ,或者有明确肝炎病史者 51例为阳性组 ,另 1 1 1例非肝炎患者为正常组 ,术后 1周测定服用CsA前 (C0 )及服药后 2h(C2 )的血药浓度 ;术后观察肝功能半年。结果　阳性组患者术后 1周的C2 明显高于正常组 (P <0 .0 1 ) ,而两个组C0 的差异无显著性 ;术后半年内阳性组的患者发生药物肝毒性的机率明显高于正常组 ,特别是术后 1周C2 超过 1 .41 4 μmol/L(1 70 0 μg/L)者 ,术后发生药物肝毒性的机率更高。结论　C2 能更充分反映个体间的差异 ,以指导个体化用药     

奥曲肽对预防胰十二指肠切除术后并发症的作用

目的　探讨奥曲肽（Ｏｃｔｒｅｏｔｉｄｅ） 对胰十二指肠切除术后并发症的防治作用及作用机理。方法　对１９９０ 年１ 月至１９９８ 年６ 月行胰十二指肠切除术的９６ 例患者术后每日消化液量、严重并发症等作回顾性分析。 结果　在术后１ 周内,平均每日消化液量为：奥曲肽组（５８ 例）胰液（５３±８） ｍｌ,胆汁（１７２±２７） ｍｌ,胃液（２１２±３９） ｍｌ,对照组（３８ 例） 胰液（２６８±４６） ｍｌ,胆汁（３８５±５２） ｍｌ,胃液（３１８ ±６０） ｍｌ,奥曲肽组显著少于对照组（Ｐ＜０－０１） ;奥曲肽组严重并发症发生率１４ ％ ,对照组３７％ ,奥曲肽组显著低于对照组（χ２＝ ６－９０,Ｐ＜ ０－０１） ;手术死亡率（２％ ） 也低于对照组（１０％） 。 结论　奥曲肽通过减少多种消化液量及胰液中胰酶的浓度等途径,在一定程度上能预防或降低胰十二指肠切除术后严重并发症的发生率     

多药耐药相关基因及其蛋白在介导胰腺癌细胞原发性耐药中的作用及调控

目的 检测多药耐药相关基因（MDR1）及其蛋白（P-gP）在胰腺癌细胞株的表达,初步探讨胰腺癌发生先天性耐药的机理。方法 选择8株人胰腺癌细胞株,采用RT-PCR方法检测MDR1mRNA在胰腺癌细胞中的表达;通过免疫细胞化学方法检测P-gP的表达;以流式细胞仪检测胰腺癌细胞对罗丹明的外排情况,评价P-gP泵功能;最后通过P-gP抑制物维拉帕米与化疗药物联合应用,检测其对胰腺癌细胞的杀伤作用。结果 MDR1mRNA在胰腺癌细胞株SW1990中的表达最高,除PCT-2未检测到MDR1的表达外,其余6株细胞均有MDR1的微弱表达;免疫细胞化学染色结果证实P-gP在SW1990中的表达明显高于其他细胞株。57．9％±5．4％的SW1990细胞内有罗丹明蓄积,而在P-gP阴性对照细胞中,99．5％±3．3％的细胞内存在罗丹明的积聚,两者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。P-gP抑制物维拉帕米与阿霉素或表阿霉素联合应用时可以部分逆转肿瘤细胞对化疗药物的耐药性。结论 MDR1及P-gP在人胰腺癌细胞中存在一定量的表达;维拉帕米联合阿霉素可以明显抑制P-gP阳性细胞的生长。     

The introduction of new drugs into anaesthetic practice: a perspective in pharmaceutical development and regulation

This article reviews the process by which new drugs are introduced into anaesthetic practice with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical development and government regulation. After a brief overview of the drug development process, new trends in drug development are discussed including implementation of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicokinetic studies in both preclinical and human phases of drug evaluation. A synopsis of the drug regulatory process is provided and, in particular, the problem of unapproved drug use in anaesthesia is discussed. Ethical issues regarding physician-industry interactions are highlighted by examples of conflict of interest in anaesthesia. The processes of drug development and regulation require much effort and cooperation between clinicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers and government regulators to achieve a common goal; the development and utilization of safe and effective drugs. A fundamental understanding of these processes may farther facilitate optimal drug utilization and the active involvement of anaesthetists in the drug development process.     

阿霉素加环孢素膀胱灌注预防膀胱癌术后复发

目的 探讨膀胱癌术后复发率。方法 应用阿霉素加环孢素化疗方案行膀胱腔内灌注化疗预防复发;同时采用免疫组织化学方法检测初发膀胱癌组织４２例标本Ｐ－糖蛋白（Ｐ－ｇｐ）和多药耐受相关蛋白（ＭＲＰ）的表达。结果 ４２例患者应阿霉素和环孢素联合腔内灌注化疗,平均观察２０．４个月。随访期间未复发３８例;４例复发,复发率为９．５２％,病理分级与前次相同。初发膀胱癌中,ＭＲＰ总阳性率为３８．１％,Ｐ－ｇｐ总阳性率为４０．４％。结论 环孢素与细胞毒制剂联合化疗,能不增加毒副作用的同时,增加化疗效果,抑制耐药性的形成,降低复发率,具有广泛的临床应用前景。     

The preparation and storage of anaesthetic drugs for obstetric emergencies: a survey of UK practice

BackgroundTraditionally anaesthetic drugs for obstetrics are prepared as a contingency and stored until they are required for emergency use or have expired. Expiry is based on presumed reduction in sterility and efficacy although evidence for this is inconsistent. Preparation in advance introduces the risk of error and potential for tampering by a third party. Discarding and re-preparing drugs daily represents significant wastage with associated cost implications. We predicted that practice of drug preparation would differ widely across the UK, so conducted a national survey.MethodA postal questionnaire was sent to lead consultant obstetric anaesthetists at each of the 223 consultant-led UK obstetric units enquiring about the preparation of anaesthetic drugs for obstetric emergencies.ResultsThe response rate was 75%; 87% of units routinely draw up emergency drugs, most commonly thiopental and succinylcholine. Only 10% routinely use commercially-prepared succinylcholine syringes, although a further 8% would use them if available. Thiopental is prepared by anaesthetists in 78% of units, operating department practitioners in 8% and pharmacy in <7% of cases. Drugs are changed every 24 h in 80% of units and weekly in 6%. With one exception, all units changing drugs weekly use pharmacy-prepared thiopental.ConclusionThe majority of UK obstetric units routinely draw up emergency drugs every 24 h. With conflicting evidence regarding sterility and efficacy this represents tremendous wastage and potential for drug error and tampering. We propose that nationwide introduction of commercially- and pharmacy-prepared drugs with long shelf lives would improve safety and cost effectiveness.     

Infected False Aneurysms of the Limbs Secondary to Chronic Intravenous Drug Abuse: Analysis of Perioperative Considerations and Operative Outcomes

Purpose To discuss the perioperative considerations and operative outcomes of 26 intravenous (i.v.) drug abusers who presented with infected false aneurysms of the limbs. Methods The subjects were 20 men and 6 women with pseudoaneurysms (mean age 34 years, range 19–53 years). The femoral and brachial arteries were most commonly involved. All patients, except for those with active bleeding, underwent digital subtraction angiography or Doppler ultrasonography, or both. Treatment consisted of excision and ligation of the aneurysm and local debridement, followed by revascularization with a vein graft or vein patch angioplasty. Results The presenting symptoms and signs included a pulsatile mass (69%), ischemic pain (23%), active bleeding (38.5%), signs of inflammation (61.5%), and positive blood culture (31%). Bleeding complications developed in two patients, who underwent subsequent extra-anatomic bypass. One of these patients had hip disarticulation and eventually died. None of the remaining patients had claudication or required an amputation. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range: 3–50 months). Only five (19.2%) patients received drug rehabilitation, whereas the remaining patients admitted to continued drug abuse after discharge from hospital. Conclusions Limb salvage with immediate revascularization is safe and achieves functionality; therefore, its use is justified. Recidivism and continued abuse is the usual consequence after discharge from hospital, making recovery difficult.