Efficacy of spinal ropivacaine versus ropivacaine with fentanyl in transurethral resection operations.

BACKGROUND: The low-dose ropivacaine provides differential spinal block to reduce adverse hemodynamic effects in elderly patients. Addition of intrathecal fentanyl with ropivacaine may enhance analgesia and early postoperative mobility. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal ropivacaine alone and in combination with fentanyl in transurethral resection operation. METHODS: Sixty male patients aged >50 years of ASA I-III scheduled for elective transurethral resection were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study and they were divided in two groups of 30 each. Group A (n = 30) received intrathecal injection of ropivacaine 2 ml (0.75%) and Group B (n = 30) ropivacaine 1.8 ml (0.75%) with fentanyl 10 µg. The characteristics of onset and regression of sensory and motor blockade, hemodynamic stability, and side effects were observed. Student's t test (for parametric data) and Mann-Whitney U test (for non-parametric data) were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups for patient demographic data, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, side effects, and satisfaction to patients and surgeon. The highest level of sensory block was at T10 in group A and T9 in group B (P = 0.001). Duration of motor block was longer in group B being 210.51 ± 61.25 min than in group A being 286.25 ± 55.65 min (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The addition of fentanyl to ropivacaine may offer the advantage of shorter duration of complete motor block, hemodynamic stability, and without any increase in the frequency of major side effects.

Is suppression of apoptosis a new therapeutic target in sepsis?

Sepsis remains as a leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Unfortunately, there have been very few successful specific therapeutic agents that can significantly reduce the attributable mortality and morbidity of sepsis. Developing novel therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes of sepsis remains an important focus of ongoing research in the field of critical care medicine. Apoptosis has recently been identified as an important mechanism of cell death and evidence suggests that prevention of cell apoptosis can improve survival in animal models of sepsis and endotoxaemia. In this review article, we summarise the critical role of apoptosis of the immune cells in the pathophysiology of sepsis and propose that blocking cell-signaling pathways leading to apoptosis may present a promising specific therapy for sepsis. Various methods to inhibit apoptosis including the cell surface Fas receptor pathway inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, over-expression of anti-apoptotic genes and small interfering ribonucleic acid therapy are discussed.

Role of active nitrogen molecules in progression of septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: Active nitrogen molecules are formed as a result of cell metabolism. They are essential for cell metabolism, but when produced in excess, they contribute to the pathogenesis of several disease processes. These nitrogen molecules play an important role in vascular instability of septic shock. This study was planned to detect the role of active nitrogen molecules in the progression of septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 118 critically ill patients admitted in ICU and from 95 healthy relatives accompanying the patients. Patients were categorized into three groups: systemic inflammatory response syndrome (n = 54), sepsis (n = 35) and septic shock (n = 29). Plasma total nitrite (nitrites and nitrates), cytokines like tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and plasma lactate were measured to assess inflammatory activity and severity of septic shock. RESULTS: High plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate (No2-/No3-) were observed in critically ill patients (mean level 78.92 µmol/l in sepsis and 97.20 µmol/l in septic shock). Mean plasma TNF-α level in sepsis was 213.50 pg/ml and septic shock was 227.38 pg/ml. CONCLUSION: Plasma No2-/No3- and TNF-α levels were high in patients with sepsis and septic shock, which increased with severity of sepsis.