No abstract available.
Brain* ; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime*

No abstract available.
Brain* ; Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime*

BACKGROUND: Myoclonus is a common problem during induction of general anesthesia with etomidate. We investigated the optimal dosage of alfentanil pretreatment for prevention of myoclonus after injection of etomidate. METHODS: In a double blinded fashion, 76 patients scheduled for outpatient elective surgery were randomized into 4 groups according to pretreatment drug: alfentanil 2.5microgram/kg, alfentanil 5microgram/kg, alfentanil 10microgram/kg, or normal saline. The pretreatment was followed by etomidate 0.3 mg/kg IV. Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted at 5 minutes after the induction. The patients were observed for any myoclonic movement. Onset time, duration and intensity of myoclonus, side effects of alfentanil, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured during the study period. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the incidence and intensity of myoclonus. An injection of 5, and 10microgram/kg alfentanil before etomidate prevented increase of mean arterial pressure and heart rate after LMA insertion. But injection of 10 microgram/kg alfentanil before etomidate appeared generalized muscle rigidity, bradycardia and hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: An injection of 2.5, 5, and 10microgram/kg alfentanil before etomidate decreases the incidence and intensity of myoclonus. But injection of 10microgram/kg alfentanil before etomidate appeared side effects. Therefore the optimal dosage of alfentanil pretreatment for prevention of myoclonus after injection of etomidate is 5microgram/kg.
Alfentanil ; Anesthesia, General ; Arterial Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Etomidate ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laryngeal Masks ; Muscle Rigidity ; Myoclonus ; Outpatients

BACKGROUND: Amrinone is a noncatecholamine, nonglycoside compound, which is known to possess both cardiac inotropic and vasodilatory actions. This drugs has been increasingly used in clinical practice for the management of low cardiac output syndrome during anesthesia, particularly for patients associated with right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to explore the direct vasoactive effect of amrinone and its action mechanisms in the isolated rabbit pulmonary artery. METHODS: The rabbits' pulmonary arteries were dissected free and cut into rings (3 4 mm) and mounted for isometric tension in a tissue chamber. The effects of amrinone (5 10 6 5 10 4 M) on the vascular tension were assessed in the by KCl (40 mM)- or norepinephrine (NE, 10 6 M)- precontracted pulmonary arterial rings with or without endothelium. Also effects of K channel blockers (tetraethyl ammonium 20 mM, glybenclamide 2.5 10 5 M, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) 5 10 4 M), protein kinase A & G inhibitor (H8), L-NAME, methylene blue and indomethacin on the amrinone- induced vascular responses were investigated. Also studied was effects of amrinone on the Ca2 influx through voltage operated channel (VOC) and receptor operated channel (ROC) of the vascular cells. RESULTS: Amrinone produced vasorelaxation of KCl- or NE-precontracted pulmonary artery in a dose-dependent fashion. The amrinone-induced vasorelaxation was not affected by the denudation of the endothelium. Pretreatment with L-NAME and methylene blue did not affect the vasodilatory effect of amrinone, suggesting that nitric oxide is not involved. Following pretreatment with indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) or K channel blockers, the amrinone-induced vasorelaxation was not altered. After exposure to Ca2 free solution, amrinone attenuated the KCl- or NE-induced contraction even in the presence of Ca2 , implying that VOC and ROC are blocked by amrinone. On the other hand, protein kinase A blocker (H8) completely abolished the amrinone-induced relaxation in the KCl-precontracted pulmonary artery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the amrinone-induced vasorelaxations result from inhibition of VOC and ROC as well as from the activation of protein kinase A in the isolated rabbit pulmonary artery.
4-Aminopyridine ; Ammonium Compounds ; Amrinone* ; Anesthesia ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; Endothelium ; Glyburide ; Hand ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Indomethacin ; Methylene Blue ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Norepinephrine ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Relaxation ; Vasodilation

BACKGROUND: The greater occipital nerve (GON) block has been frequently used for different types of headache, but performed with rough estimates of anatomic landmarks. Our study presents the values of the anatomic parameters and estimates the effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided GON blockade. METHODS: The GON was detected using ultrasound technique and distance from external occipital protuberance (EOP) to GON, from GON to occipital artery and depth from skin to GON was measured in volunteers. Patients with occipital headache were divided into two groups (ultrasound-guided block: group S, conventional blind block: group B) and GON block was performed. The same parameters were measured on group S and VAS scores were assessed at pretreatment, 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment on both groups. RESULTS: The GON had distance of 23.1 +/- 3.4 mm (right) and 20.5 +/- 2.8 mm (left) from EOP to GON. Its depth below the skin was 6.8 +/- 1.5 mm (right) and 7.0 +/- 1.3 mm (left). The distance from GON to occipital artery was 1.5 +/- 0.6 mm (right) and 1.2 +/- 0.6 mm (left) in volunteers. Initial VAS score of group S and group B patients were 6.4 +/- 0.2 and 6.5 +/- 0.2. VAS score of 4 weeks after injection were 2.3 +/- 0.2 on group S and 3.8 +/- 0.3 on group B (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: The parameters measured in this study should be useful for GON block and ultrasound-guided blockade is likely to be a more effective technique than blind blockade in occipital headache treatment.
Anatomic Landmarks ; Arteries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Nerve Block ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The Glidescope(R) videolaryngoscope is a new device for tracheal intubation that provides an improved view of the larynx. This study was performed to compare the Glidescope with the McGrath videolaryngoscope in terms of time to intubation (TTI) and number of attempts. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, Glidescope or McGrath group, by using computer-generated numbers. Tracheal intubation was attempted by an anesthesiologist with extensive experience using these two devices. The operator recorded ease of visualization of glottic structures based on the classification described by Cormack and Lehane. Number of failures, number of attempts and their duration, total intubation time, and events during the whole procedure were recorded. The duration of one attempt was defined as the time elapsed between picking up the endotracheal tube and verification of tracheal intubation with visualization of three expiratory carbon dioxide waveforms. TTI was defined as the sum of the duration of all intubation attempts (as many as three), excluding preoxygenation procedures. RESULTS: TTI was significantly shorter for the Glidescope(R) compared to the McGrath(R) laryngoscope (40.5 vs. 53.3 s, respectively, P < 0.05). However, glottic views obtained at intubation were similar between the two groups. Number of intubation attempts was not significantly different between the two groups (1.03 +/- 0.19 vs 1.10 +/- 0.32, respectively) (mean +/- SD). CONCLUSIONS: Study results demonstrated that the Glidescope reduced total intubation time in comparison with the McGrath, in terms of TTI in patients with normal airways.
Carbon Dioxide ; Humans ; Intubation ; Laryngoscopes ; Larynx

BACKGROUND: Obstacles to the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) by elderly surgical patients have not been well documented. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of PCA in an older and a young group, and the satisfaction of PCA use in older patients. METHODS: The 122 patients who received intravenous PCA during the first 48 hours postoperatively were divided into a young and older group. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores at rest and movement were assessed on 8, 16, 24, 36, 40, and 48 hours postoperatively. When the PCA was discontinued, satisfaction and concerns about it were assessed. RESULTS: There were no age differences with regard to pain at rest or with movement. Satisfaction with PCA was high and did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Younger and older patients attained comparable levels of analgesia and were equally satisfied with their pain control. However we must have further studies to learn how effective PCA would be in a group over the age of 75 yrs.
Aged ; Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Humans ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis* ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on intraocular pressure under general anesthesia. METHODS: Contact tonometer HA-1 (Kowa, Japan) was used to measure the intraocular pressures of 22 subjects at zero end-expiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure of 15 cmH2O under general anesthesia. The data were statistically analyzed by paired t-test. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant difference between intraocular pressure of zero end-expiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure of 15 cmH2O in a population with normal basal ocular tonometry. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure of 15 cmH2O under general anesthesia dose not present a clinically important significant risk for intraocular pressure increase in a population with normal basal ocular tonometry.
Anesthesia, General* ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Positive-Pressure Respiration* ; Respiration, Artificial* ; Tonometry, Ocular

Reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) is a rare but sometimes fatal complication of the treatment of lung collapse secondary to pneumothorax, pleural effusion, or atelectasis. We experienced a case of RPE that developed following decortication. A 46 year-old female had a decortication for pyothorax under one-lung anesthesia. There was no event during the operation and results of arterial blood gas analysis were within normal limits. After the operation, tracheal extubation was performed and 100% oxygen saturation on a pulse oximeter (SpO2) was maintained with 100% O2, (8 L/min) via mask ventilation with self-respiration. The patient, with 50% Venturi mask, was transported to the intensive care unit (ICU). On arrival at the ICU, a SpO2 of 80% was detected and arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia with acute hypercapnic respiratory acidosis. Fortunately, reexpansion pulmonary edema was detected early and intensive treatment was performed using mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure. Tracheal extubation was performed after 1 day of mechanical ventilation. The reexpansion pulmonary edema was successfully treated and the patient recovered without any complications.
Acidosis, Respiratory ; Airway Extubation ; Anesthesia ; Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Empyema, Pleural ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Masks ; Oxygen ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiration, Artificial ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacteremia-causing pathogen in hemodialysis patients, frequently colonizing patient skin and mucosa. Active infection control is necessary to prevent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection in hospitals; however, the spread of community-associated MRSA has recently become a concern for MRSA infection control. We evaluated the nasal colonization of MRSA among hemodialysis patients and the molecular characterization of the MRSA isolates. METHODS: Nasal swabs were obtained from 482 hemodialysis patients in 7 nationwide hospitals in November 2009, and cultured for MRSA colonization. Swabs were inoculated and cultured in 6.5% NaCl tryptic soy broth, then subcultured on MRSASelect medium (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) for 20-24 h. Multiplex PCR was performed to analyze staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types of MRSA isolates. RESULTS: Of 482 hemodialysis patients, 57 (11.8%) carried MRSA, ranging from 6.7% to 19.0%. Among the 57 MRSA isolates, we identified 3 (5.3%) SCCmec II, 1 (1.8%) SCCmec IIA, 30 (52.6%) SCCmec IIB, 1 (1.8%) SCCmec III, 6 (10.5%) SCCmec IV, and 16 (28.1%) SCCmec IVA subtypes. CONCLUSION: The MRSA carriage rate (11.8%) of hemodialysis patients in this study was high. The SCCmec IIB subtype, a healthcare-associated strain, was the predominant strain, although SCCmec IV isolates, typically found in community-associated MRSA infections, were also frequently observed. To prevent healthcare-associated MRSA infections in hemodialysis patients, standardized infection control measures should be performed, and efforts to reduce MRSA carriage rates should be considered.
Colon* ; Humans ; Infection Control ; Methicillin Resistance* ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* ; Mucous Membrane ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Renal Dialysis* ; Skin ; Staphylococcus aureus