As the mitral valve disease becomes long-standing, the patient may develop pulmonary hypertension. It was reported that after surgical correction, the elevated pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR) would fall quickly in association with the fall in left atrial pressure(LAP). This study was performed to evaluate the changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure(PAP) and PVR immediately after mitral valve replacement(MVR). Fifty six patients undergoing mitral valve replacement(MVR) were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of significant pulmonary hypertension, defined as a resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 30mmHg. After induction of anesthesia, PAP, PVR, cardiac output(CO) were measured and compared with values in postbypass period. PAP and PVR were significantly decreased(PAP from 39.64+/-1.88 to 29.18+/-1.65 mmHg, P 0.001, PVR from 6.16+/-1.14 to 3.53+/-0.62 units, P<0.05) in Group II(PAP> or = 30mmHg, n=23), whereas not changed in Group I(PAP30 mmHg, n=33)(P<0.05). Persistance of an elevated PVR may cause right ventricular failure and low-output syndrome, so that an attempt to reduce the PVR is needed postoperatiavely. This study demonstrated that the PAP and PVR fall significantly after MVR especially in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Mitral Valve* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Vascular Resistance*

A case changing blood pressure severely by manipulation of the huge tumor mass during the brain tumor surgery was observed. Decreased blood pressure (55/35 mmHg) might be caused by the stimulation of the brain increased to 150/75 mmHg after a neurosurgeon undermined and elevated the tomor mass, and blood pressure decreased again to 55/35 mmHg when he put it on the same position. Removing the mass completely, blood pressure was stabilized (about 130/70 mmHg). There are central vasomotor centers of autonomic nervous organization in the hypothalamus, midbrain, pons or medulla oblongata of the brain. By the stimulation of specific region in the above area, various features of responses were anatomically defined. The supratentorial contents may herniate through the tentorial incisura into the infratentorial spaces and posterior fossa, when intracranial pressure gradients become large enough to overcome the resistance of the brain tissue, and they can affect vital changes.
Blood Pressure* ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Hypothalamus ; Intracranial Pressure ; Medulla Oblongata ; Mesencephalon ; Pons

Anesthesia, Inhalation ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Consciousness ; Dihydroergotamine ; Enflurane ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Ketamine ; Propofol ; Surgery, Oral ; Vomiting