BACKGROUND: Calcium plays a key role in vascular contraction and regulates receptor sensitivity to certain neurotransmitters. Calcium channel blockers are useful in the treatment of both clinical and experimental hypertension. The present study was designed to examine whether there is an alteration of the activity of calcium channels in association with the development of hypertension. METHODS: Deoxycorticosterone acetate(DOCA)-salt hypertension was made by subcutaneous implantation of DOCA(200mg/kg)strip plus saline drinking(1%) and 2-kidney, 1 clip(2KIC)hypertension by clipping the left renal artery with a silver clip(internal gap of 0.2mm). They were used 4 weeks later. Age-matched normal rats served as a control. Mean arterial pressure(MAP) and heart rate(HR) were continuously recorded from the right femoral artery. The drugs were administered intravenously. RESULTS: Vehicle alone was without effect on MAP or HR. In normotensive rats, nifedipine infusion(5 and 10ug/kg/min)caused a dose-dependent decrease in MAP without significant changes in HR, while Bay k 8644(Bay K, 5 and 10 ug/kg/min) increased MAP transiently. Both the depressor response to nifedipine and the pressor response to Bay k were more marked in DOCA-salt hypetensive rats than in normotensive rats. The maximal changes in MAP indced by nifedipine(5 and 50 ug/kg) or Bay K(5 and 50 ug/kg) were also enhanced in 2KIC hypertensive rats as compared with control rats. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that calcium channel inhibitors and activators can affect on the regulation of blood pressure in an opposite fashion. It is also suggested that the activity of calcium channels might be altered in the developement of experimental hypertension.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester* ; Animals ; Bays* ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Desoxycorticosterone ; Femoral Artery ; Heart ; Hypertension ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nifedipine* ; Rats* ; Renal Artery ; Silver

AIMS: To examine the relationship between soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and chronic renal allograft dysfunction METHODS: Serum samples taken on the day of renal biopsy from renal allograft recipients showing chronic graft dysfunction(n=31), at least one year after renal transplantation, were examined and compared with those from healthy control(n=20), or end stage renal failure patients(n=18), for the measurement of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. Specific enzyme-linked immunometric method were used. No pateints was experiencing concurrent infection. The indications of the biopsy were slow increment of serum creatinine, significant proteinuria(over 1 gram per day) or newly-developed microscopic hematuria with or without small amount of proteinuria. RESULTS: sVCAM-1 was increased in end stage renal failure patients as well as transplant recipients as compared with the healthy controls. However, sICAM-1 was not increased either in end stage renal failure patients or renal allograft recipients. The degree of chronic rejection and cyclosporine toxicity did not correlate with the serum level of sVCAM-1. The level of serum creatinine did not correlate with the serum levels of either sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Increase of sVCAM-1 but not of sICAM-1 may have some role in the mechanism of chronic renal allograft dysfunction.
Allografts* ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Cyclosporine ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Kidney Transplantation ; Proteinuria ; Renal Insufficiency ; Transplantation ; Transplants ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Perfusion*

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil combined with propofol is usually used to induce anesthesia. However, remifentanil and propofol depress the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the effects of a continuous infusion of remifentanil on the propofol dose and hemodynamics using the bispectral index (BIS) during anesthetic induction. METHODS: Sixty female ASA physical status class I or II patients, who were scheduled to undergo gynecologic surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20). Normal saline 20 ml/hr (Group S), remifentanil 0.25microgram/kg/min (Group 0.25), or remifentanil 0.5microgram/kg/min (Group 0.5) was infused intravenously. Propofol was administered slowly two minutes after administering remifentanil or normal saline. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and BIS were measured at baseline, preintubation and postintubation. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the changes in the BIS among the groups. The MAP and heart rate decreased at preintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The MAP of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The heart rate in all groups increased at postintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The heart rate of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that of Group S (P < 0.05). The propofol requirement for unconsciousness was lower in Groups 0.25 and 0.5 than in Group S. The propofol requirement in Groups S, 0.25 and 0.5 was 1.56+/-0.2 mg/kg, 1.07+/-0.2 mg/kg and 0.9+/-0.1 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A combined injection of 0.5microgram/kg/min remifantanil with 0.9 mg/kg of propofol decreases the heart rate and MAP at preintubation without adverse effects and appropriately prevents the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation, and reduces the propofol dose needed for a loss of consciousness.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiovascular System ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Propofol* ; Unconsciousness

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil combined with propofol is usually used to induce anesthesia. However, remifentanil and propofol depress the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the effects of a continuous infusion of remifentanil on the propofol dose and hemodynamics using the bispectral index (BIS) during anesthetic induction. METHODS: Sixty female ASA physical status class I or II patients, who were scheduled to undergo gynecologic surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20). Normal saline 20 ml/hr (Group S), remifentanil 0.25microgram/kg/min (Group 0.25), or remifentanil 0.5microgram/kg/min (Group 0.5) was infused intravenously. Propofol was administered slowly two minutes after administering remifentanil or normal saline. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and BIS were measured at baseline, preintubation and postintubation. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the changes in the BIS among the groups. The MAP and heart rate decreased at preintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The MAP of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The heart rate in all groups increased at postintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The heart rate of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that of Group S (P < 0.05). The propofol requirement for unconsciousness was lower in Groups 0.25 and 0.5 than in Group S. The propofol requirement in Groups S, 0.25 and 0.5 was 1.56+/-0.2 mg/kg, 1.07+/-0.2 mg/kg and 0.9+/-0.1 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A combined injection of 0.5microgram/kg/min remifantanil with 0.9 mg/kg of propofol decreases the heart rate and MAP at preintubation without adverse effects and appropriately prevents the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation, and reduces the propofol dose needed for a loss of consciousness.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Cardiovascular System ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Propofol* ; Unconsciousness

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dipyridamole* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary and oscillatory movement of body parts, and it is the most common movement disorder. Spasticity is also one of the movement disorders that is commonly accompanied with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; however, the basic nature of spasticity has not yet been proved. A 25-year-old male patient had two operations and he was being treated because of a back injury that occurred 4 years ago. He suffered from pain, tremor and spasticity on both his lower legs, and his symptoms were diagnosed as failed back surgery syndrome. The tremor and spasticity were aggravated despite of continuous treatments. We then treated him with spinal cord stimulation. His pain, tremor and spasticity disappeared after spinal cord stimulation.
Adult ; Back Injuries ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome* ; Human Body ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Movement Disorders ; Muscle Spasticity* ; Spinal Cord Stimulation* ; Spinal Cord* ; Tremor*

BACKGROUND: This study was done to evaluate the effect on pain relief when acetaminophen was added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing hand or forearm surgery received IVRA were assigned to three groups: Group C received 0.5% lidocaine diluted with 0.9% normal saline to a total volume of 40 ml (n = 20), Group P received 0.5% lidocaine diluted with intravenous acetaminophen 300 mg to a total volume of 40 ml (n = 20) and Group K received 0.5% lidocaine diluted with 0.9% normal saline plus ketorolac 10 mg made up to a total volume of 40 ml (n = 20). Sensory block onset time, tourniquet pain onset time, which was defined as the time from tourniquet application to fentanyl administration for relieving tourniquet pain and amount of analgesic consumption during surgery were recorded. Following deflation of tourniquet sensory recovery time, postoperative pain and quantity of analgesic uses in post-anesthesia care unit were assessed. RESULTS: Sensory block onset time was shorter in Group P compared to Group C (P < 0.05). Tourniquet pain onset time was delayed in Group P when compared with group C (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain and analgesic consumption were reduced in Group P and Group K compared to Group C (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of acetaminophen to lidocaine for IVRA shortens the onset time of sensory block and delays tourniquet pain onset time, but not with ketorolac. Both acetaminophen and ketorolac reduce postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.
Acetaminophen ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; Fentanyl ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Ketorolac ; Lidocaine ; Pain, Postoperative ; Tourniquets

Fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare disease that is characterized by the proliferation of dense fibrous tissue of the mediastinum. The pathogenesis of fibrosing mediastinitis is unknown in most cases. However, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, radiation therapy, and other idiopathic fibroinflammatory diseases have been implicated in some cases. Most clinical features are related to an obstruction or compression of the mediastinal structure. Fibrosing mediastinitis is often progressive and occurs diffusely throughout the mediastinum. We encountered a case of fibrosing mediastinitis of a very focal lesion without evidence of mediastinal involvement. The condition was confirmed by biopsy and graft bypass surgery was performed because of SVC syndrome.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Histoplasmosis ; Mediastinitis* ; Mediastinum ; Rare Diseases ; Transplants ; Tuberculosis

Thoracic outlet syndrome has neurologic symptoms caused by compression of brachial plexus, blood vessel symptoms are caused by compression of the artery or vein. The authors report a case of sudden decrease in blood pressure of the left arm after turning the patient from supine position to prone position. They confirmed that the patient had thoracic outlet syndrome after performing computed tomography.
Arm ; Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Vessels ; Brachial Plexus ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prone Position ; Supine Position ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ; Veins