A comparison of halothane and sevoflurane for bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies in children

The present study was designed to compare induction and recovery characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane for rigid bronchoscopy for removal of foreign bodies in tracheobronchial tree in children. Forty four children (age 1-4 years) were allocated randomly to two groups to receive either halothane (group H; n=22) or sevoflurane (group S; n=22) in oxygen. A graded inhalation technique was used with maximum inspiratory concentration of 5% for halothane and 8% for sevoflurane. Time for loss of consciousness and induction time in group H and group S were 2.3+/-0.4 min vs 2.2+/-0.4 min (p>0.05) and 4.6+/-0.7 min vs 4.9+/-0.6 min (p>0.05) respectively. Intubation conditions with rigid bronchoscope were similar in both groups. Fewer children in group H had vocal cord movements as compared to group S on laryngoscopy (3 vs 8, p>0.05). Six children in group H and two children in group S had disturbances of cardiac rhythm (p>0.05). Emergence time was significantly shorter in group S as compared to group H (group H - 29.6+/-10.7 min vs group S- 12.3+/-7.6 min, p<0.05). Modified Aldrete's score of 8 was achieved significantly faster in group S as compared to group H (group H - 33.8+/-9.3 min vs group S- 17.3+/-6.8 min, p<0.05). Adverse events during induction and recovery were comparable between the two groups except for significantly high incidence of excitement in group S. In conclusion, halothane is as suitable as sevoflurane for children undergoing rigid bronchoscopy for airway foreign body retrieval, but sevoflurane has a quicker recovery.     

Analysis of HIV type 1 gp41 sequences in diverse HIV type 1 strains

The HIV fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide (ENF/Fuzeon) targets the env gp41 transmembrane domain. Mutations in gp41 are associated with ENF resistance. We developed a prototype assay to genotype a 676-bp region spanning the heptad repeat domains (HR1 and HR2) of HIV-1 gp41. Plasma samples were collected from 126 HIV-1-infected blood donors in Cameroon, Brazil, Uganda, South Africa, Thailand, and Argentina. Based on analysis of gag p24, pol integrase, and env gp41 genes, the panel was composed of subtypes A/A2 (18), B (11), C (14), D (10), F/F2 (9), G (7), CRF01_AE (9), CRF02_AG (33), and recombinant strains (15). Genotyping was successful for 119 of the 126 samples (94.4%). Although numerous amino acid polymorphisms were detected in some samples, none had primary mutations associated with ENF resistance. The gp41 HIV-1 research reagents developed by Celera are useful tools for genotyping analysis of the gp41 region in diverse HIV-1 strains.     

Predictors of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea: identification of sex differences

Sleep and Breathing - Home sleep apnea tests are recommended only for patients at high risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥?15/h). We...     

Premature Ticagrelor Discontinuation in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic CVD: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Ticagrelor is a cornerstone of modern antithrombotic therapy alongside aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and after percutaneous coronary intervention. Adverse effects such as bleeding and dyspnea have been associated with premature ticagrelor discontinuation, which may limit any potential advantage of ticagrelor over clopidogrel. The randomized trials of ticagrelor captured adverse events, offering the opportunity to more precisely quantify these effects across studies. Therefore, a meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials of ticagrelor conducted between January 2007 and June 2017 was performed to quantify the incidence and causes of premature ticagrelor discontinuation. Among 66,870 patients followed for a median 18 months, premature ticagrelor discontinuation was seen in 25%; bleeding was the most common cause of discontinuation followed by dyspnea. Versus the comparators, the relative risk of dyspnea-related discontinuation during follow-up was 6.4-fold higher, the relative risk of bleeding was 3.2-fold higher, and the relative risk of discontinuation due to any adverse event was 59% higher for patients receiving ticagrelor. Understanding these potential barriers to adherence to ticagrelor is crucial for informed patient-physician decision making and can inform future efforts to improve ticagrelor adherence. This review discusses the incidence, causes, and biological mechanisms of ticagrelor-related adverse effects and offers strategies to improve adherence to ticagrelor.     

Multivessel total arterial revascularization via left thoracotomy

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is now becoming the preferred method of coronary revascularization. The trend is towards complete revascularization, preferably arterial. We are describing here a method of multivessel, total arterial, complete revascularization via an anterolateral thoracotomy approach in 27 patients. There was an average of 3.2 grafts/patient. Angiograms were performed in 9 patients (33.33 %). There were no operative mortalities. None of the patients required conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass or midsternotomy.