Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure profiles in pediatric patients after renal transplantation

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was applied in 27 pediatric patients aged 6.3 – 24.3 (median 15.0) years who had been transplanted 1.5 – 8.4 years previously. Daytime values were compared with the mean of 10 concomitant casual blood pressure recordings. At the time of the study, antihypertensive drugs were given to 17 patients. Inulin clearance ranged from 18 to 116 (median 66) ml/min per 1.73 m². Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring confirmed hypertension or normotension determined by casual blood pressure measurements in 63% of patients. The physiological nocturnal dip in blood pressure was attenuated or reversed in 8 of 27 patients. It was reduced in all 3 patients with renal artery stenosis of the graft, in 3 of 4 patients with chronic rejection, in the only patient with recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and in 1 of 6 patients with past acute rejection. The dipping was not related to inulin clearance. In conclusion, casual blood pressure measurements do not accurately reflect blood pressure in pediatric patients transplanted more than 1.5 years previously. A reduced nocturnal dip in blood pressure may indicate an underlying renovascular or renoparenchymal pathology. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should regularly be applied in patients with renal transplants. Received May 23, 1995; received in revised form June 18, 1996; accepted June 20, 1996     

The effects of anesthesia on otoacoustic emissions

We have measured transient-evoked and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in the chinchilla and compared them in the awake and anesthetized animal (using either ketamine or barbiturate agents). We report a significant increase in OAE amplitudes during anesthesia, particularly using ketamine. These effects are most evident for transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) as measured in the non-linear mode. Our data support the hypothesis that tonic activity levels in cochlear efferents may be reduced by anesthetic effects, either directly or indirectly (e.g., by general reductions in descending pathway activity), and that reduced cochlear efferent activity will result in the observed increase of OAE amplitudes.     

Intraoperative measurement of activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time with a new compact monitor

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate a new compact portable coagulation monitor (Ciba–Corning Biotrack 512 Monitor), which enables the clinician to perform instantaneous activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). 126 patients scheduled for heparinized and nonheparinized vascular surgery, and gynaecological surgery, were included. A drop of capillary or venous whole blood was applied in disposable cartridges to successively perform APTT and PT, and the results of the tests were compared with conventional laboratory methods, performed in two different laboratories (Lab. A and B). Comparisons between Lab. A. and Lab. B. enables determination of the bias, precision, and percent of outliers (patients whose values differed more than 20%) in conventional methods. The reference value was defined as the mean of Lab. A. and Lab. B. values. For PT, there were no statistical differences between the capillary and venous samples performed with the portable monitor, and the reference value, for the bias, the precision and the proportion of outliers. For APTT, there were no statistical differences between the capillary and venous samples performed with the portable monitor, and the reference value, for the bias and the precision. The percent of outliers, however, was significantly greater with the venous sample of the compact monitor than with the reference (48 versus 22%), and even if it did not reach the statistical significance ( P = 0.07) it was also higher with the capillary sample performed with the Ciba Monitor than with the reference (33%). In conclusion the assessment of blood coagulation using this new compact monitor could be of major interest during the intraoperative period when immediate results are mandatory, even if PT is more accurate than APTT with this new method.     

Mivacurium chloride for anesthesia in day surgery

Anesthetic techniques for day surgery must foresee a prompt recovery of alertness, ambulation and alimentation. The aim of our study is to evaluate mivacurium chloride in outpatient general anesthesia. Twenty patients, aged 18–55 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I–II, undergoing surgical procedures were studied. Mivacurium (0.2 mg/kg) was administered to provide neuromuscular relaxation and endotracheal intubation was performed. Additional doses of 0.1 mg/kg mivacurium were given to maintain neuromuscular block, monitored by Relaxograph (Datex). In all patients, mivacurium provided satisfactory conditions for tracheal intubation after a mean time of 120 ± 15 s. Spontaneous recovery after the last dose of mivacurium was obtained in a mean time of 15 min. No side-effects or significant hemodynamic changes were recorded. The incidence of histamine-related side-effects was low. Mivacurium produces spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular block in a short time and shows some ideal properties for anesthesia in day surgery.     

Perioperative respiratory events in smokers and nonsmokers undergoing general anaesthesia

Background: The prevalence of respiratory diseases in smokers and nonsmokers and the incidence of perioperative respiratory events (PREs) were investigated for patients undergoing general anaesthesia. The aim was to quantify well-known problems and to identify possible new associations between smoking and PREs.
Methods: From July 1992 to December 1994, risk factors, demographic data, and PREs were documented by an automatically readable anaesthetic record (ARAR). PREs were used as defined by the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.
Results: Of 26 961 subsequent anaesthesias in adults, 7122 (26.4%) were performed in smokers with a prevalence of chronic bronchitis of 23.3% (4.8% in nonsmokers). 1573 PREs occurred in 1397 (5.2%) of all anaesthetics. 459 events concerned intubation problems and problems in technical airway management. 1114 specific respiratory events (SPREs) like re-intubation, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, aspiration, hy-poventilation/hypoxaemia and others had a total incidence of 5.5% in smokers and 3.1% in nonsmokers. The relative risk (RR) of SPREs was 1.8 in all smokers, 2.3 in young (16–39 years) smokers, and 6.3 in obese young smokers. The RR of perioperative bronchospasm was 25.7 in young smokers with chronic bronchitis.
Conclusion: The impact of smoking on perioperative respiratory problems should make anaesthetists take this widespread preoperative condition seriously, particularly in young adults. The presented method of incident reporting (based on a national classification) could contribute to future research in anaesthetic epidemiology.     

麻醉机呼吸环路碱石灰尘埃污染的情况

目的：观察通气时碱石灰尘埃向呼吸环路中的排放及被呼吸道阻留的情况。方法：麻醉机环路连接集尘袋及筛装新碱石灰。ＪＴ库尔特颗粒计数仪动态测定排尘量。其颗粒测量范围为１～１２５μｍ３，通气１０分后测定呼吸环路加集尘袋内的尘埃量即为总尘量，收取称干重得尘埃分散度。通过对Ｎａｒ－ｃｏｍｅｄ、Ｄｒａｇｅｒ、Ｓｕｌａｒ８０８和１０３麻醉机行上述测量后，另以前者（Ｎ机）为例，其环路按相应处理分干燥、湿化和过滤三组，志愿者模拟通气１０分测定环路含尘量后与总尘量差得气管肺的阻留量。结果：四种麻醉机环路内碱石灰尘埃的分散度达１３ｍｇ／ｍ３以上。尘埃排放量与通气时间呈正比（ｒ＝０．９５，Ｐ＜０．０１）。Ｎ机干燥组中总排尘量的半数以上被气管肺阻留。湿化组该阻留量明显下降（Ｐ＜０．０５），而过滤组环路内总排尘量和气管肺阻流量下降更为显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论：使用新碱石灰通气时，麻醉机环路内存在严重的尘埃污染，环路内湿化有一定的防尘作用，但以滤过处理效佳。     

异丙酚在无抽搐电休克治疗麻醉中的应用

目的 :研究异丙酚在无抽搐电休克治疗 (MECT)麻醉中的应用效果及安全性。方法 :34例首次住院的精神分裂症患者随机分为异丙酚组和硫喷妥钠组 ,每组 17例 ,每例完成 1个疗程 6次MECT治疗 ,每组完成 10 2人次治疗 (n =10 2 )。每次治疗时 ,异丙酚组给予异丙酚静脉麻醉 ,硫喷妥钠组给予硫喷妥钠静脉麻醉 ,全麻诱导后皆静注琥珀酰胆碱 ,待肌肉松弛后行MECT治疗。全程监测患者心电图、血氧饱和度、血压、心率、脉搏 ,并观察记录自主呼吸恢复时间。苏醒时间和不良反应 ,进行前瞻性研究。结果 :与硫喷妥钠组相比 ,异丙酚组自主呼吸恢复快 ,苏醒快 ,无咳嗽 ,呃逆 ,呕吐等不良反应 ,两组差异显著。而异丙酚组注射点疼痛发生率显著高于硫喷妥钠组。结论 :在MECT中应用异丙酚静脉麻醉是一种更安全、有效的方法。     

Topographical analysis of the EEG effects of a subconvulsive dose of lidocaine in healthy volunteers

Background: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of intravenous lidocaine on spatial changes of electroen-cephalographic power and on psychomotoric status in conscious volunteers.
Methods: In 11 healthy volunteers lidocaine (2-min bolus, 100 mg; 15-min infusion, 40 μg kg^-1 min^-1) or placebo were given intravenously in a randomized, single-blinded, two-way crossover study. Haemodynamics and lidocaine plasma concentrations were measured at baseline and within a period of 30 min following bolus injection. Vigilance and emotional status were tested using visual analogue scales (VAS). Toxic CNS effects were evaluated by a questionnaire. The raw EEG (17 leads, reference C_z) and computed power spectra were continuously recorded.
Results: The chosen lidocaine dosage led to nearly constant plasma concentrations (unbound lidocaine 2.5 min and 15 min after bolus 0.36±0.14 μg/ml and 0.30±0.06 μg/ml, respectively [mean±SD]). The placebo caused no symptoms, changes in VAS-scores or EEG-parameters. Lidocaine induced pronounced subjective symptoms and significant increases in delta activity for 15 min, most dominant at the frontotemporal and occipital leads (max. +219% O₁). Frontal and occipital beta1 and beta2 power (max. +131% and +124% at O₁, respectively) was immediately increased after the bolus injection. No EEG changes occurred at central region C_z, and no interhemispheric EEG differences were noted. Theta, alphal, and alpha2 power remained unchanged.
Conclusion: The current data demonstrate simultaneous changes in psychomotoric status as well as delta and beta spectral power during lidocaine infusion. These data could be an indication that the pronounced frontotemporal and occipital EEG changes are the electroencephalographic expression of subjective sensations.     

Biological exposure limits estimated from relations between occupational styrene exposure during a workweek and excretion of mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids in urine

Summary Styrene exposure of 18 workers in fiber-glass reinforced plastic industries was measured for 30-min periods throughout each workday for a week. The styrene uptake was estimated using pulmonary ventilation measurements. All urine voidings were collected separately and the styrene metabolites, mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) were determined. The relationship between both exposure and uptake versus excretion of these metabolites was studied. Styrene metabolite concentrations and excretion rates (with 95% tolerance limits) were calculated to correspond to a constant 8-h exposure at the Swedish exposure limit level (25 ppm) or an uptake of an exposure limit related styrene dose (6.3 mmol). The tightest tolerance limits were obtained for excretion rate of MA + PGA per 24 h. The calculated biological exposure limit was 3.4 (± 0.7) mmol MA + PGA/24 h for a dose of 6.3 mmol styrene.     

Conus medullaris injury following both tetracaine and lidocaine spinal anesthesia

Multiple reports of cauda equina syndrome and transient radicular nerve root irritation have suggested that lidocaine spinal anesthesia may be responsible. In this case report, a patient with a preexisting diabetic neuropathy received a partial block following a tetracaine spinal, which was followed by a lidocaine spinal. Following block resolution, a new conus medullaris syndrome was diagnosed. Because of the close proximity of the cauda equina and the conus medullaris, differentiation between these syndromes can be difficult. The preexisting diabetic neuropathy may have predisposed this patient to neurologic injury. The choice of a different local anesthetic drug with less neurotoxic potential such as bupivacaine may have prevented this injury.