The role of continuous background infusions in patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor and delivery.

The use of a background infusion with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) increases drug consumption without any additional contribution to analgesia. There are no data on the potential advantage of a background infusion administered with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for labor and delivery. Sixty women were randomized to one of four groups and received either: (a) demand dose PCEA (demand dose = 3 mL; lockout interval = 10 min); (b) continuous infusion plus demand dose PCEA (two separate infusion rates: 3 mL/h and 6 mL/h); or (c) a fixed-rate continuous epidural infusion (CEI) at 12 mL/h. All patients received 0.125% bupivacaine with 2 micrograms/mL of fentanyl. The study protocol was double-blind and placebo-controlled. Visual analog pain scores, motor strength, and bilateral pinprick analgesia were assessed every half hour by a blinded observer. Pain scores, cephalad extent of sensory analgesia, and motor block were no different among the study groups during the first and second stages of labor. Cumulative hourly bupivacaine use was similar among all PCEA study groups. However, use of PCEA (in whatever mode) provided a 35% dose-sparing effect in comparison to CEI. The PCEA groups receiving no background infusion or a 3-mL/h background infusion had a greater need for physician-administered supplemental bupivacaine during the first stage of labor. While not statistically significant, a trend toward increased need for supplementation was seen in these same patient groups over the entire course of labor and delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Scanning electron microscopy of Thebesian ostia (microdissection by ultrasonication: enzymatic digestion).

Thebesian vasculature provides for communication between the coronary system and the chambers of the heart. Anatomic, embryologic, physiologic, and therapeutic investigations have involved this component of cardiac anatomy from the early 18th century to the present time. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) now affords an innovative approach to the study of the ostia of these veins as they open into the chambers of the heart. The surface of the intact endocardium is continuous, whether it is treated with boric acid or not, as long as it remains intact. Enzymatic microdissection of tissues with trypsin, hyaluronidase and pronase, followed by similar treatment with boric acid, reveals continuity of successive component layers of the endocardium extending into Thebesian substructure. Thebesian tributaries are easily visualized from the ostia but the deeper capillary network of the Thebesian system is not demonstrable by this approach. Valvular structures such as might prevent retroflow during the cardiac cycle are not present. Our observations with SEM support anatomic relationships indicated by previously published work.