Attenuation by R 56865, a novel cytoprotective drug, of regional myocardial ischemia- and reperfusion-induced electrocardiographic disturbances in anesthetized rabbits.

We investigated the antiischemic and antiarrhythmic effects of R 56865 in pentobarbital-anesthetized, open-chest rabbits subjected to 10 min regional myocardial ischemia and 20 min reperfusion, using two experimental protocols. In the first, R 56865 (0.02-0.16 mg/kg) was administered as a bolus intravenous (i.v.) injection 5 min before ligation of a branch of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX); in the second, the drug, at the highest dose studied (0.16 mg/kg), was injected by the same route during ischemia, 5 min after coronary artery ligation. Ischemia-induced ST segment increase and reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias were determined in lead II of the four-limb ECG. Mean carotid arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) were also measured. When given before ischemia, R 56865 dose-dependently prevented ischemia-induced ST segment increase and reperfusion arrhythmias. The antiischemic and antiarrhythmic dose-response curves were superimposable, suggesting a common mechanism of action. R 56865 (0.16 mg/kg) fully attenuated ischemia-induced ST segment shift and ventricular arrhythmias on reperfusion. These protective effects were not associated with systemic hypotension or bradycardia. When high-dose R 56865 (0.16 mg/kg) was given during ischemia, ST segment shift and ventricular arrhythmias on reperfusion were not attenuated. The results strongly suggest that R 56865 affords protection against the deleterious effects of moderate ischemia by mechanisms not associated with an indirect reduction of cardiac work. R 56865 may elicit cardioprotection directly in ischemic tissue.

Pharmacological study of the antitussive and respiratory-analeptic properties of N-(2'-ethylpyrrolidino)diphenylacetamide hydrochloride (F 1459).

The antitussive and respiratory stimulant properties of N-(2'-ethylpyrrolidino)diphenylacetamide hydrochloride (F 1459) in animals are reported. In the mechanical stimulation of the trachea in guinea pigs and after intraperitoneal administration of the product, F 1459 showed a better antitussive action as compared to oxeladin, zipeprol, codeine and clobutinol. Low intraduodenal doses of F 1459 also reduced in cats the cough induced by the electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve. In anesthetized dogs whose respiratory functions had been depressed by morphine, F 1459 significantly increased the volume inspired per minute, an effect not due to any uncoupling effect on oxidative phosphorylation. F 1459 has local anesthetic and broncholytic properties that may play a role in the mechanism of its antitussive action. Contrarily to codeine, the test compound did not induce a decrease in the intestinal transit.

[Postero-lateral bone grafting in the lumbar and lumbo-sacral spine (author's transl)]. / L'arthrodèse postéro-latérale lombaire et lombo-sacrée. Historique, technique, résultats d'une série homogène de 78 cas.

78 arthrodeses of the lumbar and lumbo-sacral region were performed by a postero-lateral approach. The technique is described and the results. The patients were reviewed after an average follow-up of 4 years. Fusion was obtained in 83 p. 100 of cases. The operation was performed for low back pain, spondylolisthesis, or lumbar arthrosis. Indications are discussed in relation to the etiology.

[Dorsal tenosynovectomy of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis. Results obtained in 30 cases]. / Téno-synovectomie dorsale du poignet dans l'arthrite rhumatoïde. a propos des résultats obtenus dans 30 cas

With reference to a series of thirty synovectomies of the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the authors report the results observed after an average interval of three years and six months. There was a remarkable reduction in pain in three-quarters of the cases. On the other hand, loss of mobility was noted in 15 patients. Resection of the cubital head was carried out in half of the cases. This was followed in two cases by internal translocation of the carpus, and in three cases by internal translocation combined with cubital inclination of the hand. The results of the tenddon repairs carried out in six patients have been completely satisfactory. A study of the present cases and of data from the literature confirms the local prophylactic value of tenosynovectomy which may also prevent tendon ruptures. The best result are seen in the less evolutive forms in which the risk of relapse is least, and in cases in which surgery is carried out on stable wrists with cartilage showing little alteration. In the presence of inferior radiocubital arthritis the resection must be systematic as it makes it possible to carry out a complete synovectomy of this joint. The authors compare the value of surgical synovectomy of the wrist with that of radioactive synoviorthesis.