Clearance of Meprobamate by Hemoperfusion Over Columns of Charcoal and Amberlite Resin

Perfusion of the blood of a patient with toxic levels of meprobamate through an activated charcoal cartridge resulted in efficient early clearance of the drug, then a decline in extraction. Perfusion through a resin column resulted in total drug extraction without a decline in clearance over four hours. Both procedures were stable with minimal disturbance in hematological values or blood chemistries. This is the first report of in vivo hemoperfusion over resin for meprobamate poisoning. The efficacy and safety of the procedure need emphasis.     

The Effect of Repeated Hemoperfusion Over Charcoal in the Conscious Rat on Liver Pathophysiology

An investigation has been made into the effects of repeated charcoal hemoperfusion in the rat on liver pathophysiology. Animals underwent hemoperfusion over Norit RBX1 charcoal using a technique which allowed perfusion in the unrestrained and conscious state, thus minimizing any possible effects from stress and eliminating the necessity of repeated anesthesia. Controls consisted of animals subjected to perfusion through empty columns and animals cannulated only. Liver weight, function, and histology were recorded at various times following hemoperfusion and control procedures. The results show that repeated charcoal hemoperfusion is well tolerated in the rat and can be performed safely with no deleterious effects on liver tissue.     

A Comparative Study of Paediatric Thermal Burns Treated with Topical Heparin and Without Heparin

Following reports of heparin use in burn treatment, an ethics-committee-approved prospective randomized study with controls compared results obtained using traditional usual burn treatment without heparin with results in similar patients similarly treated with heparin added topically. The subjects were 100 consecutive burn patients (age <15 years) with second-degree superficial and deep burns of 5–45 % total body surface area size. Two largely similar cohort groups—a control group (C) and a heparin group (H) with 50 subjects per group—were randomly treated. The 50 control group patients received traditional routine treatment, including topical antimicrobial cream, debridement, and, when needed, skin grafts in the early postburn period. The 50 heparin group patients, without topical cream, were additionally treated, starting on day 1 postburn, with 200 IU/ml sodium aqueous heparin solution USP (heparin) dripped on the burn surfaces and inserted into the blisters two to four times a day for 1–2 days, and then only on burn surfaces for a total of 5–7 days, before skin grafting, when needed. Thereafter, control and heparin group treatment was similar. It was found that the heparin patients complained of less pain and received less pain medicine than the control patients. The heparin group needed fewer dressings and oral antibiotics than the control group. The 50 heparin group patients had 4 skin graftings (8 %), while the 50 control group patients had 10 (20 %). Five control group patients died (mortality 10 %). No heparin group patients died. The number of days in hospital for the heparin group versus control group was significantly less (overall P < 0.0001): 58 % of heparin group patients were discharged within 10 days versus 6 % of control group patients; 82 % of heparin group patients were out in 20 days versus 14 % of control group patients; 98 % of the heparin group versus 44 % of the control group were out in 30 days; and while 100 % of heparin group patients were discharged by day 40, 56 % of the control group required up to another 10 days. Burns in heparin group patients healed on average in 15 days (maximum period 37 days) versus an average of 25 days (maximum >48 days) in control group patients (P < 0.0006). Procedures and costs in the heparin group were much reduced compared with the control group. Differences between the heparin and control groups are presented for the sake of comparison. It was concluded that heparin applied topically for 5–7 days improved burn treatment: it reduced pain, pain medicine, dressings, and use of antibiotics; it significantly reduced IV fluids (P < 0.04), days in hospital (P < 0.0001), and healing time (P < 0.0006); and it reduced skin grafts, mortality, and costs.     

Hemoperfusion and DNA Synthesis in the Rat Liver Part II: The Effect of Hemoperfusion on DNA Synthesis in the Rat Liver Undergoing Compensatory Hyperplasia after Partial Hepatectomy

An investigation has been made into whether hemoperfusion over activated charcoal effects the rate of DNA synthesis in the rat liver undergoing compensatory hyperplasia. Hemoperfusion was performed in the unrestrained and conscious rat, thus minimizing any possible effects of stress and eliminating exposure to anesthetic agents. The results demonstrate that hemoperfusion over Norit RBX1 charcoal does not influence the liver to undergo compensatory hyperplasia following partial hepatectomy when hemoperfusion is performed immediately after hepatic injury, and that liver mass, function, and fat content consequent upon partial hepatectomy are also not influenced.     

Problems with Activated Charcoal and Alumina as Sorbents for Medical Use

Although activated charcoal and alumina have been used extensively as sorbents in uremic patients, the following problems remain to be solved: 1) elution of SO4--from activated charcoal which does not adsorb it; 2) production of methylguanidine from creatinine on the surface of activated charcoal; 3) production of lipoperoxide from fatty acids by chemical reaction of activated charcoal; 4) adsorption of Ca++ and Mg++ when alumina adsorbs inorganic phosphate. These problems are studied in vitro and clinically.     

Ice Minimizes Discomfort Associated with Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A for the Treatment of Palmar and Plantar Hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND The value of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for treatment of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis (HH) has been limited by injection pain, which in the past has generally required administration of a nerve block. We describe the successful use of ice applied to the intended injection point followed immediately by application of either ice or vibration to skin adjacent to the injection point to reduce discomfort associated with injection of BTX-A for the treatment of palmar and plantar HH.
RESULTS During needle insertion and injection of BTX-A, both the application of ice to the intended injection point followed by application of ice adjacent to the injection point (ice+ice) and the application of ice to the intended injection point followed by application of vibration adjacent to the injection point have been preferred by our patients to nerve block. These two techniques allow efficient treatment of both hands and/or both feet in a single session.
CONCLUSION By eliminating the need for nerve blocks, the techniques described here will enlarge the pool of physicians who can administer BTX-A for palmar and plantar HH, and will enlarge the pool of patients who are willing to have this treatment.     

Heparin prophylaxis and the risk of venous thromboembolism after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in major urological surgery has decreased over time with the introduction of pharmacological prophylaxis, early mobilization, and the use of sequential mechanical compression devices. We examined the value of heparin prophylaxis in robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), where the risk of DVT is already low. The rate of thromboemolic events within 30 days was 0.6% in this series. Heparin did not influence estimated blood loss, haematrocrit change, or length of stay. The incidence of thromboembolism is low after RALP, which may obviate the use of heparin prophylaxis. However, its use appears to be safe and does not affect surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

? The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) in patients receiving perioperative heparin prophylaxis was compared with those who did not receive such prophylaxis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

? Between July 2007 to February 2010, a total of 307 RALPs were performed at our institution by two surgeons. A total of 187 patients operated on by surgeon 1 received perioperative heparin prophylaxis, whereas 120 patients operated on by surgeon 2 did not receive any. ? All demographic, clinical and pathological data were prospectively recorded, whereas the incidence of venous thromboembolism within 30 days of the operation was retrospectively reviewed. Evaluation for potential VTE was based on clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

? Cohorts were comparable with respect to PSA, clinical stage, preoperative Gleason score, body mass index, smoking status, pathological stage, path Gleason score and margin status. A total of two thromboemoblic events occurred (0.6%) within 30 days of surgery (one in each arm of the study). ? Heparin prophylaxis did not influence estimated blood loss (P= 0.076) or haematocrit change from preoperative levels (P= 0.378). Length of stay was comparable between the two groups (1.4 vs 1.3 days; P= 0.159).

CONCLUSION

? The incidence of thromboembolism is low after RALP, which may obviate the need for heparin prophylaxis. However, its use is safe and does not impact surgical outcomes. Larger series are needed to confirm the results obtained in the present study.     

The Value of Low Dosage Heparin for the Prophylaxis of Thromboembolism in Patients with Transcervical and Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures

One hundred and ten female patients, over the age of 60, with intertrochanteric or transcervical femoral fractures were included in a controlled, randomized, clinical trial investigating the value of low dosage heparin in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. There were 50 completed pairs. Eight (16 per cent) deep vein thromboses occurred in the heparinized group compared with 23 (46 per cent) deep vein thromboses in the control group. The incidence of pulmonary embolism was also reduced. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by phlebography and autopsy. There was no difference in the wound haematoma or infection rate. The heparin was commenced on admission to hospital and it is suggested that in this group of. patients low dosage heparin prophylaxis should start on admission and not wait until surgery.     

Influence of High and Low Wall Shear Rates on the Inhibition of Factor Xa and Thrombin at Surfaces Coated with Immobilized Heparin

The thromboresistant function of a surface with end-point attached heparin is based upon interaction among the immobilized heparin, antithrombin, and at least factor Xa or thrombin. Heparinized arteriovenous shunts were implanted in dogs. By compressing a segment of the shunt, high and low wall shear rate regions were obtained in each shunt. After removal, the tubings were tested for their factor Xa and thrombin inhibitory capacity. It was found that on a molar basis, the factor Xa and thrombin inhibitory capacity were similar in low wall shear rate segments. In high wall shear rate segments, the thrombin inhibitory capacity was decreased, thus indicating that the AT-mediated inhibition of the serine protease is dependent on the wall shear rate.     

Anticoagulation during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Patients with Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Type II and Renal Impairment Using Heparin and the Platelet Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa Antagonist Tirofiban

Background: Patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II require an alternative to standard heparin anticoagulation. However, in patients with renal impairment, anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass with agents such as danaparoid sodium or r-hirudin are associated with hemorrhage. Anticoagulation with unfractionated heparins combined with prostacyclin, a potent platelet aggregation inhibitor, is associated with severe hypotension. The authors investigated a new concept using unfractionated heparins after platelet inhibition with the short-acting platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonist tirofiban.

Methods: Ten patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II and renal impairment were enrolled in the investigation. All had heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II antibodies present as proved by the heparin-induced platelet aggregation assay, the heparin-platelet factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or both. In all patients, preoperative anticoagulation to an activated partial thromboplastin time of 40-60 s was performed with r-hirudin. Anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved with a bolus of 400 IU/kg unfractionated heparins after a bolus of tirofiban 10 [mu]g/kg followed by an infusion of tirofiban at a rate of 0.15 [mu]g [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] min-1 until 1 h before conclusion of cardiopulmonary bypass. Additional unfractionated heparins were only administered if activated clotting time decreased below 480 s. Coagulation was monitored by a abciximab-modified TEG(R) and the adenosine diphosphate-stimulated (20 [mu]m) platelet aggregometry. D-dimer concentrations, as a marker of venous thromboembolism, were measured before and 12, 24, and 48 h after surgery. Postoperative antithrombotic therapy was started immediately with r-hirudin to anticoagulation to an activated partial thromboplastin time of 40-60 s.

Results: The postoperative blood loss ranged from 110 to 520 ml. No patient needed reexploration. In no patient was there clinical evidence of thrombosis or embolism in the postoperative period or of a critical increase of the D-dimer concentrations, suggesting venous thromboembolism. Transfusion of platelets was necessary in only two patients.     

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: Effects of Sequential Pneumatic Compression and Heparin

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the incidence of and risk factors for venous thromboembolism in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and evaluate the effectiveness of sequential pneumatic compression devices (SCD), gradient elastic stockings (GES), and heparin in preventing thromboembolism. Design: Prentice’s case-cohort design.

Setting: All patients admitted to our hospital between 1976 and 1995 with acute traumatic SCI. Main outcome measures: Demographic characteristics, venous thromboembolism risk factors, methods of surveillance and prophylaxis, and thromboembolic events during the first 6 weeks following injury. Results: Venous thromboembolism occurred in 84 of 428 patients (19.6%). Venous thromboembolism increased from 21% between 1976 and 1979 to 31% between 1980 and 1984, then decreased to 16% between 1985 and 1989 and to 8% between 1990 and 1995. Routine surveillance for venous thromboembolism increased through 1983, and SCD/GES use increased after 1983, with a concurrent decline in incidence of thromboembolism. Multivariate analysis showed that SCD/GES reduced the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (relative risk, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.90). Multivariate analysis suggested a reduced risk of DVT in patients receiving heparin therapy within the first 14 to 42 days after injury, but estimates of reduced risk were not statistically significant (p = .064 for first 14 days, p = .13 for heparin anytime).

Conclusion: The SCD/GES combination and heparin are each effective in preventing venous thromboembolism in individuals’ acute traumatic SCI. Effectiveness of heparin prophylaxis may be greatest during the first 14 days after injury, whereas benefit from SCD continues to 6 weeks after injury.     

低分子量肝素钙预防直肠癌术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的疗效及安全性观察

目的观察低分子量肝素钙预防直肠癌术后下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的临床疗效及安全性。方法将64例施行直肠癌根治术的患者随机分为联合治疗组与对照组,联合治疗组34例,对照组30例,联合治疗组应用低分子量肝素钙抗凝治疗,对照组不用。术后2~3周内复查下肢静脉彩超判定有无DVT,术后认真记录骶前引流管引流量及血、尿、痰和大便检查,观察有无出血。结果联合治疗组DVT发生率5.9%,对照组DVT发生率13.3%,2组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。联合治疗组没有发现出血及出血倾向。结论低分子量肝素钙可以降低直肠癌根治术后DVT发生率,安全性高。     

结肠透析联合药用活性炭对慢性肾功能衰竭患者钙磷和尿酸的吸附作用

目的 观察药用活性炭对慢性肾功能衰竭非透析患者钙磷和尿酸的吸附作用.方法 收集我院慢性肾功能衰竭非透析患者62例,按随机数字表法分为治疗组30例,对照组32例.治疗组在对照组标准保守治疗基础上加用结肠透析和药用活性炭30片(每片0.3 g)保留灌肠.两组患者治疗1个月后,比较治疗前、后血清钙、磷、尿酸水平的变化,并观察血钾、血肌酐和尿素氮的变化.结果 经治疗后,治疗组患者血磷、钙磷乘积、尿酸和尿素氮水平与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);对照组患者经治疗后血磷水平、钙磷乘积与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义(P分别＜0.01,＜0.05).其他指标治疗前、后比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 结肠透析联合药用活性炭吸附可有效清除肾功能衰竭患者体内的磷和尿酸,可作为非透析患者降低血磷和血尿酸水平的一种有效方法.     

Visualization of the neurovascular bundles and major pelvic ganglion with fluorescent tracers after penile injection in the rat

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether fluorescent tracers can consistently label the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) and major pelvic ganglion (MPG) after an intracavernosal penile injection, as the reported incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men after radical prostatectomy (RP) is 55–65% and thus preservation of erectile function, sparing one or both of the NVBs remains one of the most vital factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (3 months old) received penile injections (20 µL; seven rats/group) of either deionized water (DW), Fluoro‐Gold (FG), Fast‐Blue (FB), Fluoro‐Ruby (FR) or green fluorescent pseudorabies virus (GF‐PRv). The rats were killed at 2, 3 and 14 days after injection and the NVBs and MPG were harvested and placed directly under fluorescence light. Image analysis was done by computer, coupled to a microscope equipped with a digital camera. Each NVB and MPG were analysed for its staining pattern and consistency.

RESULTS

When compared with the FB, FR and GF‐PRv rats, the FG‐injected rats had better staining of the NVB at 2, 3 and 14 days after injection. Under ×200, FG highlighted the axons of the cavernous nerve (CN) and cell bodies (MPG). This indicates that FG injection into the penis induced the strongest CN labelling (positive staining) at 2 and 3 days after injection as compared with FB‐, FR‐ and GF‐PRv‐injected rats.

CONCLUSION

FG injection into the penis has consistent retrograde staining of the NVBs and MPG after 3 days. Therefore, we predict that FG could potentially be used to improve the identification of the NVB in other models. However, further studies need to be carried out before these tracers can be used in humans.