Lumbar fusion with collagen type I and polyvinylpyrrolidone in combination with autograft. An experimental study in New Zealand rabbits / Colágena tipo I y polivinilpirrolidona en combinación con autoinjerto para artrodesis lumbar. Estudio experimental en conejos de Nueva Zelanda

Abstract: Introduction: Multiple strategies have been developed looking for upgrading the consolidation rate of spine arthrodesis with autolog bone graft, but no evidence exists that adhesion with Collagen type 1 and polyvinylpyrrolidone (FibroquelMR) have application on this field. Objective: Determine if collagen type 1 + Polyvinylpyrrolidone are effective as bone enhancer in posterolateral arthrodesis on rabbits. Method: Posterolateral arthrodesis in 15 New Zealand rabbits on level L5-L6 using autolog bone graft in left side (control group) and autolog bone graft + 1 ml FibroquelMR (study group) in right side of arthrodesis. Euthanasia and block resection of lumbar segment eight weeks post surgery. Radiographic analysis, manual exploration and light microscopy of fussed segments. Results: Radiographic consolidation was observed in 80% in control group and 95% in study group, interleaved trabecular pattern with bone continuity and normal characteristics in 12 left sides and 14 right sides. Conclusion: Collagen type 1 and polyvinylpyrrolidone use is likely to have positive effect in bone consolidation process, therefore it can be recommended to use it as a bone enhancer.

Resumen: Introducción: Existen diversas estrategias para aumentar la tasa de consolidación de la artrodesis de columna en presencia de injerto óseo autólogo, sin aún comprobar si la adhesión de Colágena tipo I y polivinilpirrolidona (FibroquelMR) tienen aplicaciones en este campo. Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad de la colágena tipo I con polivinilpirrolidona como potenciador óseo en artrodesis posterolateral de conejos. Métodos: Artrodesis posterolateral en 15 conejos de Nueva Zelanda L5-L6 colocando injerto autólogo del lado izquierdo (Control) e injerto autólogo + 1 ml FibroquelMR (Estudio) en el lado derecho de la artrodesis. Eutanasia con resección en bloque del segmento lumbar a las ocho semanas del postoperatorio. Análisis radiográfico, palpación manual y por microscopia de luz de los segmentos fusionados. Resultados: Se observó consolidación radiográfica en 80% en grupo control y 93% en el estudio, continuidad ósea con patrón trabecular intercalado y hueso de características normales en 12 del lado izquierdo y 14 en el lado derecho. Conclusiones: La utilización de Colágena tipo I y polivinilpirrolidona puede tener efectos positivos en el proceso de consolidación ósea por lo que se puede recomendar su utilización como reforzador óseo.

Conservative treatment of Angle Class III malocclusion with anterior crossbite

Angle Class III malocclusion is characterized by anteroposterior dental discrepancy which might be associated or not with skeletal changes. Class III molar relationship is associated with vertical or lingually tipped mandibular incisors and a usually concave profile. These characteristics seriously affect facial esthetics and most frequently are the reason why patients seek orthodontic treatment. This case was presented to the committee of the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics (BBO) as part of the requisites to become a BBO Diplomate.

A má oclusão de Classe III de Angle é caracterizada por uma discrepância dentária anteroposterior, que pode ou não estar acompanhada por alterações esqueléticas. Observa-se uma relação molar de Classe III associada ao posicionamento vertical ou retroinclinado dos incisivos inferiores e, geralmente, perfil facial côncavo. Esse aspecto gera grande comprometimento estético na face, sendo justamente esse o fator que, na maioria das vezes, motiva o paciente a procurar pelo tratamento ortodôntico. O presente caso clínico foi apresentado à Diretoria do Board Brasileiro de Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial (BBO) como parte dos requisitos para a obtenção do título de Diplomado pelo BBO.

Effect of protective solutions and hydroxyethyl starch in the attenuation of the injuries of ischemia and reperfusion of splanchnic organs

PURPOSE: Vogt´s antioxidant solution (red blood cells, Ringer's solution, sodium bicarbonate, mannitol, allopurinol and 50% glucose) or its modification including hydroxyethyl starch (HES) were tested for the prevention of splanchnic artery occlusion shock. METHODS: Seventy rats were distributed in treatment (3), control (1), and sham (3) groups. Ischemia and reperfusion were induced by celiac, superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric arteries occlusion for 40 min, followed by 60 min reperfusion or sham procedures. Controls received saline, both treatment and sham groups received the Vogt's solution, modified Vogt's solution (replacing Ringer's solution by HES), or HES. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), ileal malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasmatic MDA were determined, and a histologic grading system was used. RESULTS: At reperfusion, MABP dropped in all I/R groups. Only HES treatment was able to restore final MABP to the levels of sham groups. Plasmatic MDA did not show differences between groups. Ileum MDA was significantly higher in the control and treatment groups as compared to the sham group. Histology ranking was higher in the only in control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxyethyl starch was able to prevent hemodynamic shock but not intestinal lesions. Both treatments with Vogt's solutions did not show any improvement. .

Dehydration, hemodynamics and fluid volume optimization after induction of general anesthesia

OBJECTIVES: Fluid volume optimization guided by stroke volume measurements reduces complications of colorectal and high-risk surgeries. We studied whether dehydration or a strong hemodynamic response to general anesthesia increases the probability of fluid responsiveness before surgery begins. METHODS: Cardiac output, stroke volume, central venous pressure and arterial pressures were measured in 111 patients before general anesthesia (baseline), after induction and stepwise after three bolus infusions of 3 ml/kg of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (n = 86) or Ringer's lactate (n = 25). A subgroup of 30 patients who received starch were preloaded with 500 ml of Ringer's lactate. Blood volume changes were estimated from the hemoglobin concentration and dehydration was estimated from evidence of renal water conservation in urine samples. RESULTS: Induction of anesthesia decreased the stroke volume to 62% of baseline (mean); administration of fluids restored this value to 84% (starch) and 68% (Ringer's). The optimized stroke volume index was clustered around 35-40 ml/m2/beat. Additional fluid boluses increased the stroke volume by ≥10% (a sign of fluid responsiveness) in patients with dehydration, as suggested by a low cardiac index and central venous pressure at baseline and by high urinary osmolality, creatinine concentration and ...

Injúria Renal Aguda no paciente politraumatizado / Acute Renal Injury in polytrauma patients

A Injúria Renal Aguda (IRA) no contexto do paciente politraumatizado ocorre, na maioria das vezes, por uma conjuntura de fatores que passam por eventos correlacionados à ressuscitação volêmica inicial, ao grau de resposta inflamatória sistêmica associada ao trauma, ao uso de contraste iodado para procedimentos diagnósticos, à rabdomiólise e à síndrome compartimental abdominal. Atualmente, passamos por uma fase de uniformização dos critérios diagnósticos da IRA com o Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), sendo a referência mais aceita. Consequentemente, o estudo da IRA no politraumatismo também passa por uma fase de reformulação. Esta revisão da literatura médica visa trazer dados epidemiológicos, fisiológicos e de implicação clínica para o manuseio destes pacientes, bem como expor os riscos do uso indiscriminado de expansores volêmicos e particularidades sobre a instituição de terapia renal substitutiva em indivíduos sob risco de hipertensão intracraniana.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in trauma is, in most cases, multifactorial. Factors related to the initial ressuscitation protocol, degree of the systemic inflamatory response to trauma, contrast nephropathy in diagnostic procedures, rhabdomyolysis and abdominal compartment syndrome are some of those factors. Nowadays a uniformization in diagnostic criteria for AKI has been proposed by the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) and as a result the incidence of AKI and its impact in outcomes in trauma patients also needs to be reconsider. In this review we aim to approach epidemiologic, physiologic and clinical relevant data in the critical care of patients victims of trauma and also to expose the risks of indiscriminate use of volume expanders and the interaction between renal replacement theraphy and intracranial hypertension.

The effect of 6% Hydroxyethyl starch vs. Ringer's lactate on acute kidney injury after renal ischemia in rats

PURPOSE: To compare fluid replacement therapy with Hydroxyethyl starch 6% (HES) versus Ringer's lactate (RL) in a rodent model of non-septic renal ischemia. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomized to receive HES 2 ml.kg-1.hr-1or RL 5 ml. kg-1.hr-1 that underwent 30 minutes of renal ischemia followed by reperfusion. Twelve hours after kidney ischemia, the kidneys were evaluated for histological changes. Serum NGAL levels were obtained at different times of the experimental protocol. RESULTS: Rodents in the HES group had a median (IQR) grade of renal injury 3 (3 to 5) compared to 2 (2 to 4) in the RL group (p=0.03). NGAL levels were not associated with the severity of kidney injury. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyethyl starch administration caused more kidney injury than Ringer's lactate in a non-infectious model of renal hypoperfusion.

Protective perioperative strategy using a third generation hydroxyethyl starch during surgery in a murine model of liver reperfusion injury / Estratégia protetora perioperatória usando um hidroxietilamido de terceira geração para expansão volêmica durante a cirurgia em modelo murino de lesão de reperfusão hepática

PURPOSE: To investigate whether a third generation colloid, hydroxyethyl starch (HES 130/0.4), used for perioperative fluid therapy, protects the rat liver against the late-phase response of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and if inhibition of neutrophil hepatic infiltration plays a part in this mechanism. METHODS: Wistar rats were used (8 in each group). Three groups had IRI induced by lobar vascular occlusion (60 minutes) and reperfusion (24 hours) and received HES (13 mL/kg iv), 7.5 percent saline (HS) (13 mL/kg iv) or no fluid. Three other groups were sham-operated and received the same fluid as the test groups. After 24 hours of reperfusion, blood was drawn for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) quantification and ischemic liver samples were taken for histological study (hematoxylin and eosin and chloroacetate staining of neutrophils). RESULTS: HES treatment attenuated the elevation in serum ALT (P=0.001) and reduced the extent of hepatocellular necrosis (P<0.01) compared with the IRI controls. HES-mediated cytoprotection was associated with a decrease of infiltration of neutrophils in the necrotic areas (P<0.05) compared with the untreated IRI rats, but not with the volume control IRI rats (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydroxyethyl starch suppresses inflammatory response and ameliorates the late-phase response of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

OBJETIVO: Investigar se um colóide de terceira geração (HES 130/0.4), utilizado para fluidoterapia perioperatória, protege o fígado de rato contra a resposta da fase tardia de isquemia/reperfusão e se a inibição da infiltração hepática de neutrófilos desempenha um papel neste mecanismo. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados ratos Wistar (8 em cada grupo). Três grupos tiveram lesão de isquemia/reperfusão (IRI) induzida por oclusão vascular lobar (60 minutos) e reperfusão (24 horas) e receberam HES (13 ml / kg iv), soro fisiológico a 7,5 por cento (HS) (13 ml / kg iv) ou nenhum fluido. Três outros grupos foram sham-operados e receberam o mesmo tipo de fluido dos grupos de teste. Após 24 horas de reperfusão, o sangue foi retirado para quantificação da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e amostras de fígado isquêmico foram retiradas para estudo histológico (hematoxilina e eosina e coloração cloroacetato para neutrófilos). RESULTADOS: O tratamento com HES atenuou a elevação da ALT sérica (P = 0,001) e reduziu a extensão da necrose hepatocelular (P<0,01) em comparação com os controles da IRI. A citoproteção mediada por HES foi associada a uma diminuição da infiltração de neutrófilos nas áreas de necrose (P<0,05) em comparação com os ratos não tratados IRI, mas não com os ratos controlo IRI (P> 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: HES suprime a resposta inflamatória e melhora a resposta na fase tardia da isquemia/reperfusão hepática.

Validation of a decision-making strategy for systolic anterior motion following mitral valve repair.

Low cardiac output syndrome and hypotension are dreadful consequences of systolic anterior motion (SAM) after a mitral valve (MV) repair. The management of SAM in the operating room remains controversial. We validate a recently suggested two-step management method and classification of this complication. This was a teaching hospital-based observational study. We validated a novel two-step conservative management method, consisting in intravascular volume expansion and discontinuation of inotropic drugs (step 1), and increasing the afterload by ascending aorta manual compression while administering esmolol e.v. (step 2). We also validate a novel classification of SAM: easy-to-revert (responding to step 1), difficult-to-revert (responding to step 2), or persistent. Fifty patients had an easy-to-revert while 26 had a difficult-to-revert SAM; 4 patients had a persistent condition (promptly diagnosed through our decisional algorithm) and underwent an immediate second pump run to repeat the mitral repair surgery. We confirmed that SAM after a repair of a degenerative MV is common and validated a simple two-step conservative management method that allows to clearly identify those few patients who require immediate surgical revision.

Curso de Atualização em Emergências Médicas: aula 19: reposição volêmica / Course of Updating in Medical Emergencies: class 19: volemic replacement

Hipovolemia em pacientes agudamente enfermos é um evento relativamente comum, e com importância clínica para o paciente, sendo a rápida e vigorosa reposição volêmica capaz de diminuir o risco de morte inicialmente e de evolução para falência renal na sequência. Neste artigo revisaremos os diferentes tipos de expansores, suas propriedades, vantagens e desvantagens. Os cristaloides se mantêm como preferência pela segurança, eficácia e baixo custo, com a desvantagem da importante formação de edema. As soluções hipertônicas têm indicação no atendimento pré-hospitalar por ser eficaz, porém com estabilização hemodinâmica de caráter efêmero, e pela possibilidade de distúrbios eletrolíticos. Estudos clínicos randomizados não demonstraram superioridade da albumina aos cristalóides e assim como são de custo alto ficam como segunda alternativa ou casos selecionados.

Hypovolemia in critically ill patients is a common event in intensive care patients, and it is clinically relevant for the patient. The fluid replacement is used to try to reduce risk of death and evolution to renal failure. In this article we review different types of expansors, their properties, advantages and disadvantages. Crystalloids are indicated for the safety, efficacy and low cost, the only disadvantage is oedema formation. Hypertonic crystalloid are indicated only in prehospitalar fluid resuscitation, because of your efficacy, but for a short period of time, and the possibility of hydroeletrolitic derangements. There is no evidence that colloids are more effective than crystalloids in reducing mortality in people who are critically ill or injured, and the high cost, turn them the second choice.

Hemodynamic effects of volume replacement with saline solution and hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch in dogs / Efeitos hemodinâmicos da reposição volêmica com solução salina e hidroxi-etil amido hipertônico em cães

PURPOSE: To investigate hemodynamic response to volume replacement with saline solution and hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch in hypovolemic dogs. METHODS: Forty dogs under general anesthesia and hemodynamic monitoring, following measurements at baseline, were bled 20 ml.Kg-1 and parameters were measured again after 10 minutes. The animals were randomly divided in two groups and volume replacement was performed with saline solution twice the volume removed or 4 ml.Kg-1 of hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch. Hemodynamic data were again measured after 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. RESULTS: With both solutions values returned to satisfactory hemodynamic levels. With saline solution, there was a greater amplitude in variations that tended to decrease progressively. With hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch, the parameters studied returned more rapidly to levels similar to those at baseline and varied less. CONCLUSION: Both solutions proved to be efficient at replacing volume in the short period studied, although hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch produced more stable results.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar em cães hipovolêmicos as respostas hemodinâmicas da reposição volêmica com solução salina e hidroxi-etil amido hipertônico. MÉTODOS: Quarenta cães sob anestesia geral e monitorização hemodinâmica, após medidas em repouso foram sangrados 20 ml.Kg-1 e tiveram os parâmetros novamente medidos após 10 minutos. Os animais foram aleatoriamente divididos em dois grupos nos quais foi realizada reposição volêmica com solução fisiológica duas vezes o volume retirado ou 4 ml.Kg-1 de hidroxi-etil amido hipertônico e os dados hemodinâmicos medidos novamente após 5, 15, 30, 45 e 60 minutos. RESULTADOS: A reposição volêmica com as duas soluções fez os valores retornarem a níveis hemodinâmicos satisfatórios, a amplitude das variações com solução fisiológica foi maior, mas tendeu a diminuir progressivamente, com o hidroxi-etil amido hipertônico os parâmetros estudados retornaram a semelhantes ao repouso mais rapidamente e variaram menos. CONCLUSÃO: Ambas soluções se mostraram eficientes na reposição volêmica, o hidroxi-etil amido hipertônico proporcionou resultados mais estáveis.

Choice of colloidal solutions in dengue hemorrhagic fever patients.

BACKGROUND: DHF is characterized by plasma leakage and abnormal hemostasis. About 20% of DHF patients do require colloidal solution in addition to conventional crystalloid solution for the treatment. There is only one colloidal solution, 10% Dextran-40 in NSS that proved to be effective for this group of DHF patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare 10% dextran-40 in NSS with 10% Haes-steril in NSS in the management of DHF cases with severe plasma leakage for their effectiveness and impact on renal function, hemostasis, disease severity, and complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: DHF patients admitted to Dengue Unit, QSNICH, who do not respond to conventional crystalloid solution, are randomly assigned to receive either dextran or haes-steril. Clinical and laboratory comparison are recorded and analyzed using SPSS for Window version 14.0. RESULTS: There are 104 DHF patients enrolled in the study; 57 are assigned in dextran and 47 in haes-steril group. The mean ages are 8.6 +/- 3.9 years. About half of the patients in both groups require one dose of colloidal solution and 25% require 2 and 3 doses (p = 0.138). The average amount of IV fluid infused in dextran and haes-steril group are 119.4 and 129.3 ml (p = 0.227). The average drop in Hct after the bolus dose of both colloid are 7.9 and 8.5% (p = 0.381). About 80% of the patients in each group have shock (p = 0.843). The mean elevation of AST are 598 and 822 U (p = 0.548) while ALT elevation are 182 and 306 U (p = 0.265) in dextran and haes-steril group, respectively. BUN and creatinine are within normal limits and are decreased after the use of colloidal solutions. The amount of urine on day 1, 2 and 3 after the use of both colloidal solutions are not different. Coagulogram studies (PT, PTT and TT) in both groups are not different. Patients with significant bleeding and who require blood transfusions are 15.8 and 19.2% in dextran and haes-steril group (p = 0.423).The incidence of fluid overload in dextran and haes-steril group are 35.1 and 40.4% (p = 0.360). Other complications are not different between dextran and haes-steril group as follows: hypocalcaemia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia and acidosis. The overall severity and complications in both groups of patients are much higher than in DHF patients who respond to conventional crystalloid solution. No allergic reaction was found after the use of both colloidal solutions. CONCLUSION: 10% Haes-steril is as effective as 10% dextran-40 in the treatment of DHF patients who have severe plasma leakage. There are no differences in DHF disease severity and complications in both groups but the disease severity and complications, especially fluid overload are observed to be more comparative with admitted DHF patients. Both colloidal solutions are safe in DHF patients with no allergic reaction observed and no interference in renal functions and hemostasis.

Two Cases of Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome that were Treated with Pentastarch

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a condition that's caused by the shift of fluid and protein from the intravascular space to the interstitial space as a result of repetitive episodes of capillary hyperpermeability. The pathogenesis of SCLS is still unclear, but there's recently been a report showing this syndrome in association with monoclonal gammopathy. This syndrome can be a fatal disease because cardiovascular collapse can occur in the initial capillary leak phase. Although theophylline, diuretics, terbutaline, steroids, calcium antagonist, Ginkgo biloba extracts and plasmapheresis have been suggested as medication, none of them have been proven to be effective. Considering that this disease is self-limiting, conservative treatment in the acute phase is believed to be very important. Because hypoalbuminemia is very a common manifestation of SCLS, Pentastarch, which has a higher molecular weight than albumin, could be efficient to prevent cardiovascular collapse. We used 10% Pentastarch during the acute SCLS attacks of 2 patients and the patients both showed a dramatic response. Pentastarch may be helpful to treat SCLS in its initial capillary leak phase by the elevating blood pressure, and this might contribute to somewhat decreasing the acute mortality of SCLS.

Randomized evaluation of fluid resuscitation with crystalloid (saline) and colloid (polymer from degraded gelatin in saline) in pediatric septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of crystalloid (Normal saline) and colloid (polymer from degraded Gelatin in saline Haemaccel) intravenous fluid in restoration of circulating volume in children with septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, open-label trial. SETTING: Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care referral and teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND INCLUSION CRITERIA: Sixty patients, between 1 month to 12 years of age, with septic shock, without clinical evidence of organ failure at admission or underlying immunodeficiency. INTERVENTION: Resuscitation with normal saline or polymer from degraded gelatin (Haemaccel) in the boluses rate of 20 mL/kg till hemodynamic stabilization or if central venous pressure (CVP) exceeded 10 mmHg (fluid requirement beyond 40 mL/kg guided by BP and CVP). METHODS: Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, capillary filling time, pulse volume, and blood pressure) were recorded before and during resuscitation, and then 2 hourly for 12 hours. Central venous pressure line was placed within first hour, soon after starting fluids. Estimation of plasma volume and body water was done at the end of first hour of fluid resuscitation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemodynamic stabilization (heart rate, capillary refill time, systolic BP in normal range), plasma volume at the end of fluid resuscitation and incidence of organ dysfunction. RESULTS: 31 patients were randomized to normal saline and 29 to gelatin polymer. Both the groups were similar with respect to age, gender, primary diagnosis, initial hemodynamic parameters and PRISM score. Pneumonia (n = 22; 36%), gut-associated sepsis (n = 13), and dengue hemorrhagic fever (n = 11) were the common primary diagnosis. Initial hemodynamic stabilization was achieved in all. The mean (SD plasma volume (saline--53.4 (2.0 mL/kg, gelatin polymer--53.2 (1.9 mL/kg), extracellular fluid volume, total body water and interstitial fluid volume at the end of first hour of resuscitation were similar. The requirement of inotropes, incidence of organ dysfunction and case fatality rate (Saline--29%, gelatin polymer--31%), were similar in two groups. CONCLUSION: Both normal saline and gelatin polymer solution were equally effective as resuscitation fluid with respect to restoration of plasma volume and hemodynamic stability. Normal saline upto 110 mL/kg, and gelatin polymer solution upto 70 mL/kg may be required in first hour for successful fluid resuscitation of septic shock in children.

Choosing a volume expander in critical care medicine.

The debate concerning the choice of crystalloids or colloids for resuscitation of the critically ill child is still unsettled. Moreover, the use of albumin in critically ill patients has been increasingly questioned because of the lack of clear-cut advantages over crystalloids as well as the concern for cost and the very minor risk of infection. Despite several meta-analyses addressing these issues, there is no data that supports the use of albumin unequivocally in any specific disease states. The suggestion that the use of albumin increases mortality in critically ill patients is not supported by data. There may be niche areas such as hypoalbuminic states, cirrhosis and burns where albumin may have distinct benefits. Alternatively synthetic colloids may be useful, however, concerns about coagulation problems and organ dysfunction persists.

Postoperative hypertensive-hypervolaemic-haemodilution (Triple H) therapy in the treatment of vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Twenty five patients with post operative ischaemic deficits, following clipping of intracranial aneurysms, were studied. Hypertensive-hypervolaemic-haemodilution (triple H) therapy was given to all patients using colloids and crystalloids. CVP was used to monitor the fluid therapy. Dopamine was needed in 22 patients to elevate the systemic blood pressure. Vasospasm was confirmed in 20 patients with transcranial doppler studies (TCD). 20 (80%) patients survived, 10 (40%) with good outcome, 7 (28%) with fair, 2 (8%) with poor outcome and 1 (4%) with vegetative state. There were 5 (20%) deaths, 4 of which occurred due to infarct. All these patients had poor Hunt and Hess grade at admission, high Fisher grade haemorrhages in the initial CT scan and/or required prolonged temporary clipping at surgery. One death occurred due to central venous line induced septicaemia. The duration of 'triple H therapy' amongst the survivors varied from 2-7 days with an average of 4.6 days. The complications of 'triple H therapy' included hypokalaemia (3 patients), haemorrhagic infarct (1 patient) and septicaemia (1 patient). It is concluded that 'triple H therapy' is useful in treating vasospasm induced ischaemic deficits. It worsens brain oedema in presence of acute infarcts and hence is contraindicated in such patients. A further study involving a larger number of patients with strict haemodynamic and ICP monitoring is suggested to determine the usefulness of individual components of 'triple H therapy'.

Neonatal polycythemia: effects of partial exchange transfusion using fresh frozen plasma, Haemaccel and normal saline.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal polycythemia remains a significant clinical problem in Thailand. Partial exchanges transfusion (PET) with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) has been the mainstay of management for this condition in Thailand. Since FFP is difficult to find in certain areas and can cause concerns of transfusion related diseases, this study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of using plasma substitute and normal saline (NSS) for PET in the newborn infant with polycythemia. OBJECTIVE: 1. To compare the rate and duration of decrease of venous hematocrit (Hct) before and after PET with FFP, Haemaccel and NSS. 2. To compare any complications from using FFP, Haemaccel and NSS such as coagulation defect, electrolytes change, etc. in PET. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: A randomized prospective trial was conducted in Neonatal Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital. The first phase of study: July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994: randomized prospective trial using FFP or Haemaccel for PET in 26 newborn infants with polycythemia. The second phase of study: July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995: consecutive enrollment trial using NSS for PET in 38 consecutive newborn infants with polycythemia. RESULTS: There was significant decrease in Hct in both groups after PET but there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of decrease of Hct. There was no significant difference in biochemical profiles in both groups of infants 24 hours after PET. In the NSS group, there was significant decrease of Hct level after PET. There was no significant change of biochemical profiles and coagulation activity in these patients 24 hours after exchange transfusion. There were 2 patients with complications related to umbilical venous catheter and PET. CONCLUSION: Haemaccel and NSS can be safely used for PET to treat neonatal polycythemia. However, the attending physician should be aware of possible complications related to umbilical venous catheterization and PET.