Solubilidad, molaridad y actividad osmótica de los gases / Solubility, molar and act Osmotic activity in the gases

The principles of gas-induced osmosis, demonstrated in the 1979's, may indicate the orgin of fluid shifts between the intraa and extravascular compartments of an organism that is experiencing changes in atmosperic pressure (e.g. during the compression and decompression of deep-sea divers) or switching the inert gas of a breathing mixture even though there is no change in environmental pressure. In phisiological conditions there exists a permanent gradient of CO2 and O2 between the peripheric tissues and the blood which produces a "pulling" of fluids in opposite directions. The osmotic pressure of O2 respirated at 100 and at 2 ATA of pressure, the equivalent of 8,4 of the osmotic pressure of plasmatic proteins, is a value not compensated by CO2. The potencial for osmotic pressure to be induced by O2 is elevated with an increase in capilar permeability. This entails the loss of macromolecules at the instertital space, which diminishes the oncotic pressure of the plasma and makes the fall of O2 in the tissue even more evident by the efects of oedema. In these cases, gas-induced osmosis could have a decisive importance in the reabsoption of the oedema in the soft tissues, effectively breaking the vicious cycle between hypoxia and oedema

Nuevo servicio de medicina hiperbárica / Sevice new of herbal medicine

On November 26, 1999 the Departament of Hyperbaric Medicine of Colonel Olavarría Municipal Hospital adquired a hyperbaric chamber. Under standard conditions, the multiplace chamber has the capacity to hold five patients. Beyond the advantages usually gained by such a service, this events is remarkable because it is the first multiplace hyperbaric chambler to be installed in a municipal Argentine hospital

Galería de personalidades: El Dr. Jordi Desola / The Dr. Jordi Desola

This space of the Journal is dedicated to Dr. Jordi Desola. Besides his indisputable academic merits, Dr. Desola has maintained an infallible relationship with Latin America in connection with the study and medical application os diving and hyperbaric oxygen. His contributions habe been realized through publications, active participation in Latin Amercan congresses, and the education of students from almost every South American country through the post-graduate courses he has given in Spain. There is also a brief summary of te academic activities and directives he accomplished in CCCMH and in international societies such as EDTC, EUBS, and UHMS

Notas de editorial: barotraumatismos / Barotrauma: editorial

Barotraumatisms: This editorial summarizes a process well know by those who, for laboral or professional motives, are liable to experience brusque changes in environmental barometric pressure. It covers the anatomy and physiopathology of the corporal cavities that contain free gases in their interior, and are for this reason susceptible to barotraumatic processes