[Intravenous perfusion of 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol) in the maintenance of emergency anesthesia]. / Perfusión intravenosa de 2,6 diisopropilfenol (propofol) en el mantenimiento de anestesia de urgencias.

In the present study, we describe the use of 2,6 diisopropylphenol (propofol) in emergency surgery. Twenty ASA I and II patients underwent intravenous induction with thiopental (group I) and maintenance with a combination of oxygen/nitrous oxide (30/70%) and in other group of similar characteristics, propofol was used as single induction and maintenance hypnotic (group II). In both groups, atracurium besylate and fentanyl were used according to demand. In group II, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (16%; p less than 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (12%; p less than 0.01) during induction as well as a lower incidence of side effects and a more progressive and rapid recovery (eye opening: group II = 16.3 +/- 3.3 minutes; group I = 39.7 +/- 6.3 minutes; p less than 0.01). On the basis of these findings, we believe propofol is a good alternative as single intravenous anesthetic for those patients undergoing emergency surgery and have no marked hemodynamic alterations.

[Effect of several inhalation anesthetics on ectopic cardiac automaticity. Intervention of the calcium ion]. / Efecto de diferentes anestésicos inhalatorios sobre el automatismo cardíaco ectópico. Intervención del ion calcio.

The effect of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane (at concentrations ranging from 0.1 v/v% to 5 v/v%) on ventricular automaticity induced by a local injury, has been studied in the isolated right ventricle of the rat. Both, halothane and isoflurane, effectively reduces ventricular frequency at all concentrations tested. On the contrary, enflurane (0.3, 0.5 and 1 v/v%) increases ventricular automaticity. The effect of enflurane was either potentiated or reduced respectively in the presence of lower or higher calcium concentrations.

[Cardiorespiratory failure caused by delayed dural perforation]. / Fallo cardiorrespiratorio por perforación dural diferida.

The epidural administration of drugs is today a common approach to chronic pain therapy. Many patients benefit from this therapeutic modality. However, the more extensively this method is used, the bigger are the number of reported complications. In this case we describe a time-delayed dural tap and a secondary respiratory arrest on a patient with an epidural cervical catheter for treatment of a postherpetic neuralgia.