[Effect of naloxone on seizure duration after electroshock therapy [ECT]]

ECT is a process in which a generalized seizure is induced by passing electrical current for 25 to 150 seconds through the brain under general anesthesia. It is a highly effective treatment for major depression, mania and schizophrenia. Seizure is terminated by active inhibitory processes. The inhibition of seizure is due to the production of endogenous opioids. Naloxone, as an opioid antagonist, may lessen the effect of endogenous opioids. This clinical trial study was conducted to determine the effect of naloxone on length of the seizure. Sixty patients [30 male and 30 female], who met the diagnostic criteria were included in this study. The control group comprised of 30 patients, received ECT without naloxone, and the experimental group comprised of 30 patients, received ECT and 2 mg naloxone [i.v.]. Duration of seizure was compared between two groups by t-test. The mean of seizure length was 21.3s in the control and 27.8s in the experimental group. Therefore naloxone can be used for lengthening of seizure and consequently for improving its treatment benefit

[ effect of cyproheptadine on prevention of Vomiting and Nausea induced by contrast agent during coronary angiography and ventriculography of left ventricle]

Background and aim: coronary artery disease is one of the most common problems in medicine. The correct diagnosis of the affected artery and its treatment can prevent further development of atherosclerosis. Coronary angiography is the gold diagnostic standard of coronary atherosclerosis disease, but causes some dangers for the patients, such as adverse reaction to contrast agent media. Vomiting and nausea are the most common problems during angiography that increase the length of angiography and cause unstrile condition. Nausea and vomiting are related to the serotonin receptors in the brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cyproheptadine [a serotonin blocker] on vomiting and nausea during angiography and ventriculography

Methods: in this study, 400 patients were divided into two equal groups. One group received a placebo and the other received 8 mg of cyproheptadine one hour before the angiography. The patients were visited during 12 hours after the angiography and a questionnaire was filled. The data was analyzed using x[2] and t tests by SPSS

Results: minor adverse reaction rate, which was 78 cases, reduced to 27 cases by using cyproheptadine tablet. In the patient, who received placebo the rate of nausea was 27%, vomiting 5.5% and retching 3%. But in those who received cyproheptadine the rate of nausea was 8%, vomiting 2% and retching 1%. The adverse reactions were not correlated to sex, ejection fraction and coronary artery obstruction

Conclusion: cyproheptadine had an important role in decreasing nausea and vomiting during angiography

[Analysis of the etiology and mortality in the ICU of Kashani General Hospital of Shahrekord between 1998 until 2001]

Background and aim: the rate of mortality in an intensive care unit [ICU] is one of the most important criteria for evaluation of a hospital. In this article the moralities of the ICU of Kashani General Hospital of Shahrekord from 23 Sept 1998, until 23 Sep 2001 have been analyzed

Method: a cross-sectional survey was performed on all the patients admitted to the ICU during this period

Results: in this period 296 patients were admitted and 79 patients [27.9%] died. 35.8% of the patients were females, 60.5% were males and 3.7% were neonates. The main reasons of mortality were respiratory failure [37.9%] and brain trauma [27.8%].There was no difference between the times of death during 24 hours. Most of the patients were expired or discharged from the ICU during the first four days. Mortality was more prevalent in the patients older than 55 years and in neonates

Conclusion: more attention during the first four days of the admission to the ICU is necessary