Successful prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation after a combined intoxication with a tricyclic antidepressant, a benzodiazepine and a neuroleptic.

We report the case of a patient who co-ingested a tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline), benzodiazepines (alprazolam and lormetazepam) and a neuroleptic drug (prothipendyl). Major neurologic and cardiac symptoms occurred including a prolonged cardiac arrest. The cardiopulmonary resuscitation phase was complicated by a haematoma of the liver treated by a left hepatectomy. The clinical features and management of this combined intoxication are discussed.

The effect of parenteral fish oil on leukocyte membrane fatty acid composition and leukotriene-synthesizing capacity in patients with postoperative trauma.

The incorporation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FAs) into leukocyte membranes and the leukotriene (LT)B4-, LTB5 -, LTC4-, and LTCs-synthesizing capacity in stimulated leukocytes were measured following parenteral omega-3 FA nutrition in 20 postoperative patients. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) over 5 days postoperatively was isonitrogenous (0.24 g N x kg-1 x d1) and isoenergetic (92 kJ/22 kcal x kg-1 x d-1), containing 0.15 g fish oil and 0.85 g soybean oil per kg-1 x d-1 (FO) or 1.0 g soybean oil x kg-1 x d-1 (SO). Following 5 days' FO administration, the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was increased 2.5-fold, LTB5 1.5-fold, and LTC5 sevenfold. With SO nutrition, EPA and LTB5 generation remained unaltered, whereas LTC5 doubled. The production of LTB4 and LTC4 was not affected in any of the groups. We conclude that a 5-day parenteral fish oil supplementation has an immunomodulatory effect on lipid-mediator generation in human leukocytes in postoperative trauma.

Comparison between the positive inotropic effects of enoximone, a cardiac phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and dobutamine in patients with moderate to severe congestive heart failure. A study using the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship method.

This study was designed to compare the positive inotropic properties of enoximone, a cardiac phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, with those of dobutamine in a population of moderate to severe congestive heart failure patients. The end-systolic pressure-volume relationship method was used. In addition, the haemodynamic effects of both drugs were compared. In seven of the 11 patients studied, enoximone induced a significant shift upwards and to the left of the end-ejection pressure/end-systolic volume (EEP/ESV) relation, giving evidence of a true positive inotropic effect. In the remaining patients, improvement in cardiac pump function was observed together with a shift of the EEP/ESV relation along the line of iso-inotropism and appeared to be the result of the vasodilatory effect of the drug alone. Data from nine patients were available for comparison with dobutamine which induced a shift upward and to the left of the EEP/ESV relation in seven patients. At the therapeutic doses chosen, the difference between the inotropic effects of the two drugs was not significant (P = 0.07). Of the three patients available for comparison who did not manifest inotropic response with enoximone, two were also dobutamine 'non-responders': they differed from the 'responder' patients in two respects: they had undergone surgery for correction of valvular disease and had significantly higher pulmonary artery pressures. The haemodynamic measurements confirmed the vasodilatory properties of enoximone; in particular, the fall in ventricular filling pressures was much greater with enoximone than with dobutamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Hemodynamic effects of a combination of general and peridural anesthesia during anesthesia induction in geriatric patients]. / Hämodynamische Auswirkungen der Kombination von Allgemein- und Periduralanaesthesie während der Narkoseeinleitung bei geriatrischen Patienten.

For major operative procedures in the lower abdomen and many orthopedic procedures such as total hip replacement, a combination of general and epidural anesthesia is used. In order to investigate the hemodynamic effects of such a combination in 14 geriatric patients aged 63-80 years who were undergoing total hip replacement, cardiovascular monitoring was established by an arterial line and a pulmonary artery catheter. The epidural anesthesia was achieved with bupivacaine 0.5% in a dose calculated to obtain a block up to Th 6. General anesthesia was then induced and maintained with midazolam, fentanyl, pancuronium bromide, and a 2:1 nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture. Hemodynamic measurements were established before and 30 min after induction of the epidural anesthesia and 20 min after the induction of general anesthesia. After bupivacaine was injected the loss of sympathetic tone produced a systolic arterial blood pressure decrease from 174 +/- 22 to 136 +/- 28 mmHg (p less than 0.05) and a decrease in heart rate from 73 +/- 12 to 66 +/- 10 min-1 (p less than 0.05). The cardiac index did not change, but the peripheral vascular resistance decreased significantly. Because intravenous fluids were given simultaneously, preload could be maintained. Oxygen delivery and oxygen extraction did not change. During general anesthesia a significant drop in cardiac output was observed from 3.0 +/- 0.6 l/min.m2 to 2.3 +/- 0.4 l/min.m2 (p less than 0.05). The systolic arterial blood pressure decreased to as low as 95 +/- 17 mmHg (p less than 0.05) and oxygen delivery decreased from 500 +/- 125 ml/min.m2 to 323 +/- 84 ml/min.m2 (p less than 0.05).

[Pharmacokinetic studies of a new 20% fat emulsion containing 70% medium-chain triglycerides]. / Pharmakokinetische Untersuchungen einer neuen 20%igen Fettemulsion mit einem Anteil von 70% mittelkettigen Triglyzeriden.

The aim of the study was to acquire basic knowledge on pharmacokinetic, metabolism and tolerance of a new 20% fatty emulsion with a 70% proportion of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and a 30% proportion of long-chain triglycerides (LCT) in the postoperative phase after a trauma of medium severity. - 12 female patients who had an elective rectal amputation and who needed parenteral nutrition postoperatively, were studied. The nutritional regime consisted of 4.8 g/kg/day of glucose and 1 g/kg/day of amino acids. On the second postoperative day the patients were given 0.06 g/kg body weight/h and on the third day 0.12 g/kg body weight/h of new 20% fatty emulsion during a time period of eight hours. Blood samples for the evaluation of triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB), acetoacetate, cholesterol, glucose, pyruvate and lactate were taken before and after the fat application. Ketone were measured semiquantitatively. Side effects and complications were not observed. Simultaneously to the administrated triglycerides an increase in serum triglycerides was observed. After four hours fat emulsion was infused under steady state conditions. Under the graphically measured half-life of 17 minutes for the MCT/LCT emulsion, rapid and complete elimination could be seen after the infusion had been stopped. Simultaneously with the high clearance of the infused triglycerides, free fatty acids increased significantly in the plasma without reaching a plateau; 30 minutes after the fat application the laboratory results returned to the initial levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Metabolic problems and therapeutic approaches in multiple organ failure]. / Metabolische Probleme und therapeutische Ansätze beim Multiorganversagen.

Multiple-system organ failure is associated with progressive defects of cellular metabolism involving several organ systems. The metabolic failure is caused by a neural-hormonal reaction to trauma and sepsis and by humoral mediators damaging cell metabolism. Involved are catabolic hormones like catecholamines, cortisol and glucagon as well as the humoral mediators interleukin and arachidonic acid metabolites. There is an increase in resting energy expenditure and a derangement of utilization and production of adenine nucleotides. Severe injury, sepsis and multiple-system organ failure are associated with a 30-40% decreased content of energy rich phosphates in different tissues. The low energy charge potential is caused by the inability to use nutritional substrates adequately. Relative clearance and oxidation of glucose will advance fatty infiltration of the liver. Clearance and oxidation of fat is normal or often increased. If illness is progredient fat utilization will be disturbed. Although protein synthesis is increased in critical ill patients, due to excessive proteolyses net protein loss occur. In preterminal patients the ability of the liver to synthetize protein decreases, concentrations of several free amino acids in plasma increase, while the clearance for amino acids decreases.

Caloric requirements in burned patients.

Adequate nutritional support is an important goal for the management of burn patients. Caloric requirements are higher than in any other major trauma or disease. The development of hypermetabolism and hypercatabolism leads to an increase in resting energy expenditure which depends on the severity of the injury. Therefore, with the intent to counteract these developments and their complications, a balanced carbohydrate, fat and protein intake should be adjusted to the actual needs. This paper gives a survey of the metabolic consequences of burns, reviews the underlying pathophysiology and tries to give practical guidelines for the nutritional support of the burn patient.