A novel step-down infusion method of barbiturate therapy: Its safety and effectiveness for intracranial pressure control.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) has to be maintained quite constant, because increased ICP caused by cerebrovascular disease and head trauma is fatal. Although controlling ICP is clinically critical, only few therapeutic methods are currently available. Barbiturates, a group of sedative-hypnotic drugs, are recognized as secondary treatment for controlling ICP. We proposed a novel "step-down infusion" method, administrating barbiturate (thiamylal) after different time point from the start of treatment under normothermia, at doses of 3.0 (0-24 h), 2.0 (24-48 h), 1.5 (48-72 h), and 1.0 mg/kg/h (72-96 h), and evaluated its safety and effectiveness in clinical. In 22 patients with severe traumatic brain injury or severe cerebrovascular disease (Glasgow coma scale ≤8), thiamylal concentrations and ICP were monitored. The step-down infusion method under normothermia maintained stable thiamylal concentrations (<26.1 µg/ml) without any abnormal accumulation/elevation, and could successfully keep ICP <20 mmHg (targeted management value: ICP <20 mmHg) in all patients. Moreover the mean value of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was also maintained over 65 mmHg during all time course (targeted management value: CPP >65 mmHg), and no threatening changes in serum potassium or any hemodynamic instability were observed. Our novel "step-down infusion" method under normothermia enabled to maintain stable, safe thiamylal concentrations to ensure both ICP reduction and CPP maintenance without any serious side effects, may provide a novel and clinically effective treatment option for patients with increased ICP.

Possible Role of High-Dose Barbiturates and Early Administration of Parenteral Ketogenic Diet for Reducing Development of Chronic Epilepsy in Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome: A Case Report.

We describe the efficacy of high-dose barbiturates and early administration of a parenteral ketogenic diet (KD) as initial treatments for acute status epilepticus (SE) in an 8-year-old girl with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES). The patient was admitted to our hospital with refractory focal SE. Abundant epileptic discharges over the left frontal region were observed on electroencephalogram (EEG). Treatment with continuous infusion of thiamylal for 4 hours, increased incrementally to 40 mg/kg/h, successfully ended the clinical SE, and induced a burst-suppression coma. The infusion rate was then gradually decreased to 4 mg/kg/h over the next 12 hours. Parenteral KD was administered from days 6 to 21 of illness. Continuous infusion of thiamylal was switched to midazolam on day 10 without causing seizures or EEG exacerbations. The patient has remained seizure free in the 15 months since hospital discharge. The effectiveness of KD for the treatment of FIRES has attracted attention amongst clinicians, but KD treatment may need to last for 2 to 4 days before it can stop SE, a time period that could cause irreversible brain damage. Considering the severity of SE in our patient and the dose of barbiturates needed to treat it, we consider this case to have had a good clinical outcome. The results suggest that rapid termination of seizure using high-dose barbiturates in conjunction with early administration of parenteral KD could reduce the development of chronic epilepsy in patients with FIRES.

Pediatric procedural sedation in Japan: A single-facility study of 1,436 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric procedural sedation (PPS) has been established worldwide as standard practice for several decades. However, there are no comprehensive guidelines or multi-facility databases of PPS in Japan, and the current status of PPS and PPS-related adverse events is unclear. The objectives of this study were to investigate the status of PPS in Japan and clarify the adverse events and risk factors. METHODS: This study was a single-facility, database survey performed at Oita University Hospital from September 2016 to March 2019. Children under 18 years of age who had been kept sedated for medical procedures with intravenous sedatives were enrolled in this study. Adverse events were recorded and defined according to the Quebec Guideline. RESULTS: During the study period, PPS was performed for 1,436 consecutive cases. The majority (94%) of the sedatives used were thiamylal alone or thiamylal combined with ketamine. There were a total of 253 adverse events in 233 cases (16.2%), including oxygen desaturation, airway hypersensitivity, and vomiting. Patients recovered from respiratory-related adverse events immediately with simple intervention. No patient required endotracheal intubation and no severe adverse event occurred. Four risk factors (a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, longer procedure time, non-compliance of nil per os status, and no Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification for sedation personnel) were associated with the occurrence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse events occurred in 16.2% of all PPS cases. Further studies are needed to analyze the serious adverse events and risk factors for PPS in Japan.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous thiamylal in pediatric procedural sedation for magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (i.v.) thiamylal in pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sedation. METHODS: Infants and children from 1 month up to 8 years of age who underwent MRI in our hospital between April 2017 and March 2019 were included in this prospective observational study. Initial dose of 2 mg/kg thiamylal was given intravenously; however, additional doses were administered as needed. MRI was performed after adequate sedation was achieved. The primary endpoint was the success rate of MRI, while secondary endpoints were adverse events related to sedation, time to sedate, recovery time, and the dose of thiamylal. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included in the analysis with median age and weight of 31.5 months (14.0-56.8 months) and 12.6 kg (9.5-15.7 kg), respectively. The success rate of MRI was 96.6% (114/118), and the median dose of thiamylal per body weight was 3.6 (2.8-4.0) mg/kg. The median time from the first dose of thiamylal to MRI was 7 min (4-10 min) and that from the end of MRI scanning to the confirmation of emergence was 8 min (5-25 min). Adverse events encountered included respiratory arrests (n = 3) and reduction in oxygen saturation (SpO2; n = 9). There were no significant differences in the age, dose of thiamylal, sex, body weight, the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, and neurological abnormalities between the groups with and without respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an adequate efficacy and safety of i.v. thiamylal, with rapid sedation and patient recovery.

Thiamylal Plus Pentazocine Shows Similar Efficacy as Ketamine Plus Midazolam for Painful Procedures in Children With Leukemia.

This retrospective study compared the use of thiamylal plus pentazocine (TP) to ketamine plus midazolam (KM) in children with leukemia who were undergoing bone marrow aspiration and/or intrathecal chemotherapy. A total of 268 procedures in 35 children with leukemia were retrospectively analyzed for efficacy and adverse events. All procedures were successfully completed without severe adverse events. TP induced significantly faster sedation. The incidents of desaturation were significantly greater in the TP group, but were transient and recovered by oxygen supplementation alone. Therefore, TP can be a useful combination with a similar efficacy as KM for painful procedures in children.

Comparison of the effect of intravenous anesthetics used for anesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy on the hemodynamic safety and the course of ECT. / Porównanie wplywu anestetyków dozylnych stosowanych do znieczulenia w trakcie leczenia elektrowstrzasowego na bezpieczenstwo hemodynamiczne i przebieg zabiegów elektrowstrzasowych.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the treatment method widely used in psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The advantage of ECT is therapeutic response that occurs significantly earlier than during pharmacotherapy. Initially ECTwas used without anesthesia. Then, in the 1950s procedures with general anesthesia were introduced to reduce the complications that may occur during a seizure caused by ECT, such as broken bones, teeth, tendon rupture, muscle damage. Currently, in general anesthesia for ECTseveral medications are used interchangeably: thiopental, propofol, etomidate and ketamine. In different resorts and different countries different anestethics are used, the choice is determined mainly by the experience of each resort and a kind of tradition. The authors provide an overview of objective data showing how various anesthetics affect the quality of ECT and the presence of any hemodynamic complications after ETC. Selection of articles included in this paper was made by searching Medline and PubMed databases using specific keywords: electroconvulsive therapy, general anesthesia, the risks and benefits of thiopental, ketamine, propofol and etomidate. The results of this review are inconclusive when it comes to the effect of intravenous anesthetics on the quality of the ECT treatment and side effects relating to respiratory and cardiovascular system. On this basis it is impossible to determine which of intravenous anesthetics is most advantageous from the point of view of the patient. To develop the optimum scheme of anesthesia for ECT, it is necessary to conduct further, methodologically correct studies.

General Anesthesia for a Patient With Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease.

We report the successful management of general anesthesia for a patient with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD). PMD is one of a group of progressive, degenerative disorders of the cerebral white matter. The typical clinical manifestations of PMD include psychomotor retardation, nystagmus, abnormal muscle tone, seizures, and cognitive impairment. General anesthesia for a patient with PMD may be difficult mainly because of seizures and airway complications related to poor pharyngeal muscle control. In addition, the possibility of exacerbation of spasticity should be considered. A 20-year-old man with PMD required removal of impacted wisdom teeth under general anesthesia. General anesthesia was induced with thiamylal, fentanyl, and desflurane. Anesthesia was maintained with desflurane and continuous intravenous remifentanil under bispectral index and train-of-4 monitoring. Anesthesia lasted 1 hour 20 minutes and was completed uneventfully. Airway complications, seizures, and exacerbation of spasticity did not occur postoperatively. Preoperatively, our patient had no history of epilepsy attacks or aspiration pneumonia, and no clinical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Therefore, exacerbation of spasticity was one of the most likely potential complications. Identification of these associated conditions and evaluation of risk factors during preoperative examination is important for performing safe anesthesia in these patients.

Influence of intravenous anesthetics on neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.

Limited reports are available in the literature on the impact of intravenous administration of anesthetics on laryngeal electromyographic (EMG) activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the two commonly used intravenous anesthetics (propofol and thiamylal) on EMG amplitude evoked from the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroid surgery. A total of 40 patients were randomized to receive a bolus of propofol (0.5 mg/kg; n = 20) or thiamylal (1.5 mg/kg; n = 20) to increase anesthetic depth when the surgeon found patient movement intraoperatively. Evoked potentials were obtained before and every 1 minute after the administration of each agent for up to 5 minutes by stimulating the RLN. The magnitude of evoked potentials at each time point and hemodynamic response were compared within groups. The mean amplitude of evoked potentials did not change significantly after administration of either propofol or thiamylal (p > 0.05 within groups). Mean arterial pressure measured from 1 minute to 5 minutes was significantly lower in the propofol group than in the thiamylal group (p < 0.05). Heart rate measured within 5 minutes did not differ significantly within groups. Low dose of propofol (0.5 mg/kg) or thiamylal (1.5 mg/kg) did not affect EMG readings during neuromonitoring of the RLN in thyroid surgery. Our results show that thiamylal provides better hemodynamic stability than propofol, and is therefore a preferable agent to increase anesthesia depth and prevent further patient movement during intraoperative neuromonitoring.

Appropriate head position for nasotracheal intubation by using lightwand device (Trachlight).

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the head position and the subsequent ease of nasotracheal intubation by using the lightwand device Trachlight (TL). Patients requiring nasotracheal intubation were subdivided into 3 groups according to the intubated head position (group S: sniffing position; group E: extension position; and group N: neutral position). The number of attempts, the total intubation time, and the failures of the TL intubation were recorded. Intubation difficulty by means of TL was assessed by the ordinal 6-point scale. Of the 300 patients enrolled in the study, TL intubation was successful in 91.3% of them. There was no significant difference in the success rate of the first attempt between the groups. No correlation between the ordinal scale and the head position was observed. The total intubation time and the ratio of "unsuccessful" cases were not significantly different among the 3 groups. TL is an effective alternative for patients who require nasotracheal intubation. Our study did not determine the most favorable head position for nasotracheal intubation with the TL, so we recommend that nasotracheal intubation with TL be started with the head in the neutral position and then changed to a more appropriate position, if necessary, on an individual basis.

Different regimens of intravenous sedatives or hypnotics for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adult patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental disorder. It affects millions of people worldwide and is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the leading causes of disability. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established treatment for severe depression. Intravenous anaesthetic medication is used to minimize subjective unpleasantness and adverse side effects of the induced tonic-clonic seizure. The influence of different anaesthetic medications on the successful reduction of depressive symptoms and adverse effects is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This review evaluated the effects of different regimens of intravenous sedatives and hypnotics on anti-depression efficacy, recovery and seizure duration in depressed adults undergoing ECT. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2012, Issue 12); MEDLINE via Ovid SP (from 1966 to 31 December 2012); and EMBASE via Ovid SP (from 1966 to 31 December 2012). We handsearched related journals and applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cross-over trials evaluating the effects of different intravenous sedatives and hypnotics for ECT. We excluded studies and trials using placebo or inhalational anaesthetics and studies that used no anaesthetic. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. When possible, data were pooled and risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs), each with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were computed using the Cochrane Review Manager statistical package (RevMan). MAIN RESULTS: We included in the review 18 RCTs (599 participants; published between 1994 and 2012). Most of the included trials were at high risk of bias.We analysed the results of studies comparing six different intravenous anaesthetics.Only a few studies comparing propofol with methohexital (four studies) and with thiopental (three studies) could be pooled.No difference was noted in the reduction of depression scores observed in participants treated with propofol compared with methohexital (low-quality evidence). These four studies were not designed to detect differences in depression scores.The duration of electroencephalograph (EEG) and of motor seizures was shorter in the propofol group compared with the methohexital group (low-quality evidence). No difference was seen in EEG seizure duration when propofol was compared with thiopental (low-quality evidence).Time to recovery (following commands) was longer among participants after anaesthesia with thiopental compared with propofol (low-quality evidence).For the remaining comparisons of anaesthetics, only single studies or insufficient data were available. Adverse events were inadequately reported in eligible trials, and none of the included trials reported anaesthesia-related mortality. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Most of the included studies were at high risk of bias, and the quality of evidence was generally low. The studies were not designed to detect clinically relevant differences in depression scores. Anaesthetic agents should be chosen on the basis of adverse effect profile, emergence and how these medications affect seizure duration. If it is difficult to elicit an adequately long seizure, methohexital may be superior to propofol (low-quality evidence). If a patient is slow to recover from anaesthesia, propofol may allow a faster time to follow commands than thiopental (low-quality evidence). A factor of clinical concern that was not addressed by any study was adrenal suppression from etomidate. Optimal dosages of intravenous sedatives or hypnotics have not yet been determined.Larger well-designed randomized studies are needed to determine which intravenous anaesthetic medication leads to the greatest improvement in depression scores with minimal adverse effects.

Intravenous thiamylal and local anesthetic infiltration for pediatric facial repair procedures performed in emergency departments.

Thiamylal is widely used for procedural sedation in emergency departments (ED); however, there are limited safety data for doses of thiamylal > 5 mg/kg in children. We investigated whether intravenous thiamylal in combination with local anesthetics is safe and effective for pediatric procedural sedation in the ED and to identify the association between increasing doses thiamylal and adverse events. Between July 2004 and June 2008, 227 children who underwent procedural sedation met the inclusion criteria, including 105 males (46.3%) and 122 females (53.7%). Facial laceration was the most common indication for procedural sedation. All children received an intravenous injection of thiamylal, with a loading dose of 5 mg/kg. Eighty-one children (35.7%) received a supplemental dose of 2.5 mg/kg thiamylal because of inadequate sedation. Of these, 27 (11.9%) received a second supplemental dose of 2.5 mg/kg because of inadequate sedation. Sixty-six patients (29.1%) experienced 75 mild and self-resolving adverse events, and most of which (15/75; 20%) were drowsiness. Four (1.8%) patients experienced oxygen saturation below 96%, which was related to the supplemental dose of thiamylal (p = 0.002). No children suffered from any lasting or potentially serious complications. Our results indicate that intravenous thiamylal in combination with local anesthetic infiltration is a well tolerated for therapeutic procedures in the ED. Thiamylal offers rapid onset of sedation without compromising the patient's cardiorespiratory function during pediatric procedural sedation.

Efficacy and adverse effects of rectal thiamylal with oral triclofos for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.

We studied the efficacy and adverse effects of rectal thiamylal in combination with oral triclofos in sedation for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging. Five hundred forty-six children underwent MRI examination from January of 1997 to December of 2001. Among them, 10mg/kg of rectal thiamylal was administrated after oral triclofos in 378 children. Successful sedation was obtained in 321 of 378 patients (85%) after a single rectal administration of thiamylal. Totally, 369 children (98%) could undergo MRI examination completely under successful sedation. Adverse effect was observed only in one patient showing respiratory depression. Rectal thiamylal is effective for sedation for MRI in children. Adverse effect was rare in our patients. Although the risk of side effect was considered to be rare, we should follow principles for the sedation of children.

In vivo interaction of pulmonary intravascular macrophages with activated platelets in microvessels of equine lung after multiple exposures to halothane, isoflurane, and thiamylal: a comparative ultrastructural and cytochemical study.

The pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) of equines contain a unique electron-dense surface coat that is predominantly composed of lipoproteins. A single exposure of inhalatory halothane causes mobilization of the surface coat into the endocytotic system of the PIMs, followed by expansion of the Golgi apparatus and its enrichment with acid phosphatase. Simultaneously, the cells of the lymphocytic series show hyperplasia in the form of mitotic changes inside the microvascular compartment of the lung. Halothane is known to cause acute and chronic hepatotoxicity because of its biotransformation into trifluoroacytelated polypeptides. The present study was designed to examine the comparative effects of reexposures of inhalatory doses of halothane, isoflurane, and the intravenous barbiturate thiamylal sodium in ponies to evoke a stronger response in the PIMs after four exposures at increasing intervals of 1, 2, and 6 weeks. Ultrastructural and cytochemical evidence is presented that halothane induced translocation of the surface coat into the vacuolar system of the PIMs, followed by expansion of the Golgi apparatus and its enrichment with acid phosphatase. The cell membrane was thrown into extraordinary lamellipodial extensions, which enabled the PIMs to interact with platelets within the narrow confines of the pulmonary capillaries. The relationship between PIMs and platelets developed into large platelet aggregates. Isoflurane and thiamylal sodium did not affect the circulating platelets, although the surface coat was translocated into the endolysosomes in both situations. Although isoflurane is a lipid-soluble inhalant anesthetic similar to halothane, it is subject to very little biotransformation after use and in the present model demonstrates no immune response.

Deep sedation with methohexital or thiamylal with midazolam for invasive procedures in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Pediatric oncology/hematology patients, especially those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), often undergo repeated painful invasive procedures. Deep sedation, mandatory for these procedures in young children, can reduce patient anxiety and get their compliance during procedures. This study assessed clinical experience of employing methohexital or thiamylal with midazolam as sedative for elective invasive procedures in children with ALL. Between November 1997 and March 2004, 20 out of 33 ALL children received deep sedation after evaluation, mainly because of relatively young age (mean age 4.60 +/- 2.03 years). A total of 176 procedures were done, with 139 being intrathecal therapy. There were 98 and 78 procedures for the methohexital and thiamylal groups, respectively. The average dosages to complete the procedures were 2.2 +/- 1.2 mg/kg for methohexital and 3.4 +/- 2.1 mg/kg for thiamylal. One out of the 176 procedures was failed due to bradycardia, hypotension and cyanosis, in the methohexital group. Otherwise, no significant adverse events were found. Increased heart rate (HR) during stable blood pressure (BP) was observed in both groups. In conclusion, under careful monitoring and performed by experienced practitioners, the application of methohexital or thiamylal combined with midazolam to achieve deep sedation for invasive procedures in young children with ALL is safe.

Effects of the intravenously administered anaesthetics ketamine, propofol, and thiamylal on the cortical renal blood flow in rats.

Intravenous anaesthetics such as ketamine, propofol, and thiamylal are widely used, although the direct effects of these anaesthetics on the renal blood flow (RBF) have not been well elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of bolus and continuous administrations of ketamine, propofol, and thiamylal on cortical RBF and the effects of noradrenaline (NA) on RBF under continuous administration of these anaesthetics. We used laser Doppler flowmetry to measure the effects of bolus injection and continuous infusion of ketamine, propofol, and thiamylal on cortical RBF in male Wistar rats. We also examined the effects of the anaesthetics on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Bolus injections of ketamine, propofol, or thiamylal (1-8 mg/kg each, n = 10) at clinically relevant concentrations did not affect MAP, HR, or RBF. Continuous administration of ketamine, propofol, or thiamylal (1-8 mg/kg/h each, n = 10) did not affect MAP, HR or RBF. Exogenous NA (2 microg/kg) caused an increase in MAP and a decrease in RBF and HR. In experiments with continuous infusions of propofol or thiamylal (1-8 mg/kg/h each, n = 10), similar results were observed without infusion of any anaesthetics. However, bolus injection of NA did not result in a decrease in RBF during continuous ketamine infusion (98.8 +/- 6.7% of control, n = 6, p < 0.05), while ketamine did not affect the NA-induced increase in MAP. In conclusion, bolus and continuous administrations of ketamine, propofol, and thiamylal did not affect the RBF. From our present findings, ketamine would be useful for maintaining the RBF.

Effects of epidural anesthesia on the cardiovascular response to a rapid increase in isoflurane concentration.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare circulatory variables to an abrupt increase in isoflurance concentration via mask in patients who received either upper thoracic or lumbar epidural anesthesia, or neither. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room at a university hospital. PATIENTS: 45 ASA physical status I female patients scheduled for elective surgeries with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received thoracic (TEA group) or lumbar (LEA group) epidural anesthesia, or neither (control group) (n = 15 per group). An epidural catheter was inserted through the T1-T2 intervertebral space in the TEA group or L2-L3 in the LEA group, and 10 mL of 2% lidocaine without epinephrine was injected. Two minutes after induction of anesthesia with thiamylal, the inspired isoflurane concentration was rapidly increased from 0.5% to 5% and maintained for 5 minutes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured every minute. Mean analgesic levels obtained by epidural block were C4-T6 and T10-S1 in the TEA and LEA groups, respectively. Heart rate increased after the increase in isoflurane concentration in all groups, but increased significantly less in the TEA group than in the control or LEA groups (p < 0.05). Isoflurane also increased MAP in the control group throughout the 5-minute period, but only at the first minute of inhalation in the TEA and LEA groups. The increases in MAP in the TEA and LEA groups were significantly less than that in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia can blunt circulatory responses to a sudden increase in isoflurane concentration.

Time dependency of the ratio of umbilical vein/maternal artery concentrations of vecuronium in caesarean section.

BACKGROUND: The ratio of umbilical vein (UV) and maternal artery (MA) concentrations of vecuronium may more accurately determine the placental transfer ratio during caesarean section. This ratio potentially correlates with the time from induction of anaesthesia to delivery (I-D time). The aim of this study was to determine the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium and its relationship with the I-D time. METHODS: Eighteen pregnant women at full term undergoing caesarean section were studied. The parturient was given intravenously 0.01 mg/kg vecuronium as a priming dose, followed 180 s later by 0.11 mg/kg vecuronium as an intubation dose and 4 mg/kg thiamylal. The time from the injection of the intubation dose to the clamping of the umbilical cord was regarded as the I-D time. At the time of clamping the umbilical cord, blood samples were collected and the UV and MA of vecuronium were measured. RESULTS: The UV/MA ratio and the I-D time, expressed as the mean (SD), were 0.056 (0.016) and 280 (57) s, respectively. The regression equation indicated y = 0.0083 + 0.00017 x (R2 = 0.381, r = 0.617, P = 0.0063, I-D time (s) = x, UV/MA = y). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium as an index of the placental transfer becomes smaller as the delivery time after injection of this drug becomes shorter during caesarean section.

Effects of propofol anesthesia on cognitive recovery of patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy.

The effects of different doses of propofol on post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) cognitive recovery were evaluated together with the effects on seizure duration and hemodynamic changes during ECT in 15 depressive patients. Propofol attenuated the increase in arterial blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent manner compared with thiamylal. Propofol showed a clinically significant anticonvulsant effect during ECT in a dose-dependent manner. There were no significant differences among the four different induction groups in the mean recovery time from anesthesia, however, a low dose of propofol suppressed the early recovery of cognitive function. For early cognitive recovery after ECT, a deep anesthetic level is necessary when the traditional ECT apparatus is used which produces sine curve wave stimuli.

[Circulatory changes at the time of anesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation--comparison of thiamylal induction group and propofol induction group].

We examined the circulatory changes after intravenous thiamylal with additional injection of thiamylal 1 minute before intubation and after propofol at the time of anesthetic induction and endotracheal intubation. Sixty ASA I or II patients were studied after the institutional and informed consents. We compared the following three groups. Group I (n = 20): Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal 5 mg.kg-1 and intubation with the aid of vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1. Group II (n = 20): Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal 3 mg.kg-1 and vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1. One minute before the intubation, the patients received additional thiamylal 4 mg.kg-1. Group III (n = 20): Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 and intubation was performed with the aid of vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1. We examined the systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures, heart rate, and rate pressure product (RPP) in the three groups. The examinations were performed before and after induction, soon after intubation, and every one minute after intubation for 5 minutes. After the endotracheal intubation, the systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased in Group I. But the systolic and diastolic pressures were significantly more stable in Group II and Group III. The change of the RPP was slight and most stable in Group II compared with the other two groups. We conclude that additional injection of thiamylal 4 mg.kg-1 following induction of anesthesia with thyamylal 3 mg.kg-1 1 minute before endotracheal intubation is an effective method for minimizing the increase in blood pressure and circulatory changes at the time of rapid induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation.