In a randomized study, the authors examined the changes in plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations associated with induction of anesthesia and surgery in 33 patients with good ...ventricular function undergoing elective coronary artery surgery. After premedication with morphine and scopolamine, patients received either fentanyl, 100 micrograms/kg (n = 16), or sufentanil, 15 micrograms/kg, (n = 17), intravenously (IV), over 10 minutes to induce anesthesia. Metocurine, 0.42 mg/kg, IV, produced muscle relaxation. Arterial blood for plasma catecholamine determinations was drawn prior to induction, every two minutes throughout induction, one minute following endotracheal intubation, and one minute after sternotomy. Plasma epinephrine concentration was unchanged with either induction agent. Plasma norepinephrine concentration increased significantly after administration of either narcotic, peaked between six and ten minutes into induction, and returned to the preinduction value after intubation. Induction-related changes in arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were significantly correlated with changes in the logarithm of plasma norepinephrine concentration. Similar degrees of endogenous norepinephrine release appear to accompany induction with equipotent doses of fentanyl and sufentanil in patients premedicated with morphine and scopolamine. Norepinephrine release may influence the hemodynamic response to induction with narcotics.
Phospholipids have been demonstrated to be present in the peritoneal dialysis effluent of 34 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The phospholipids present have been ...characterized by chromatography and their relative concentrations are fairly consistent from patient to patient. The predominant phospholipid is phosphatidylcholine (81%). Surface activity of this phospholipid has been demonstrated. The concentration of total phospholipid correlates with the time the patient had been on CAPD. It is lower in those patients who have been on dialysis longer.
In a prospective randomized study, patients with a valid obstetric indication for induction of labor received either 3 mg prostaglandin E2 vaginal pessaries immediately prior to oxytocin ...(prostaglandin group, n = 99), or oxytocin alone (oxytocin group, n = 103). At the conclusion of the second day of induction, a significant reduction was noted in the incidence of failed induction in the prostaglandin group (4%) as compared to the oxytocin group (13%) (p less than 0.05). Twenty percent of patients in the prostaglandin group experienced successful induction with prostaglandin pessaries only. When oxytocin was required in the prostaglandin group, the maximal concentration of oxytocin infused and the duration at this concentration were significantly less than in the oxytocin group. No perinatal complications were attributed to the use of prostaglandin. Three minor maternal complications that were attributed to vaginal prostaglandin E2 did not require treatment. Our conclusion is that patients who require an induction of labor, when artificial rupture of the membranes is not feasible, benefit from the use of prostaglandin pessaries before the administration of oxytocin.
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