[Blood histamine level and anaphylactic reaction under alphadione]. / Histaminémie et réactions anaphylactoïdes sous alfadione.

Histamine release is generally thought to play a major role in anaesthetic-induced anaphylactoid reactions. In 12 patients who were developing such a reaction at the start of a slow rate intra-venous infusion of alphadione, serum histamine was measured using the enzyme-isotopic assay from a blood sample drawn within the first 5 minutes following the onset of clinical signs. Histaminemia above normal value was noted in 3 patients only without clear clinical correlation. These results would suggest that histamine release is unlikely to be principally involved in this kind of adverse reaction.

Hypersensitivity reactions to Althesin infusion: measurement of complement involvement.

Two cases of hypersensitivity reactions in the course of slow infusion of Althesin are reported. Serial examination of their complement system showed a marked activation of the alternate pathway which returned almost to normal within 24 hours.

[An electroencephalographic study of the foetus during labour. Technique and interpretation (author's transl)]. / L'enregistrement de l'E.E.G. foetal au cours du travail. Technique et intérêt.

The authors report their experiences in recording foetal E.E.Gs at the time of labour, based on 140 studies. They studied normal E.E.Gs and emphasise the existence of a sleep-waking pattern during dilatation. They consider the E.E.G. changes during the different stages of labour and assess the results against other techniques used to assess foetal well-being. They record the effects on the E.E.G. of various anaesthetics and analgesics given to the mother. The difficulty of the technique is stressed and they conclude that despite the obvious interest of the technique it is not currently suitable for routine obstetric practice.

[Effect of general anesthesia with Alfatesine on the newborn infant in obstetrical practice]. / Effets de l'anesthésie générale par l'"a'lfatésine sur le nouveau-né en pratique obstétricale

We studied in 130 parturients during childbirth the effects of general anaesthesia by Alfatesine on the state of the foetus at birth. The examinations took into account the APGAR score, blood gas analysis, pH, bases excess in the umbilical artery and vein and the foetal EEG. The subjects are divided into three groups: prophylactic caesarians, extractions during labor in the absence of any foetal distress and extractions for reasons of acute or chronic foetal distress. The results are evaluated in comparison with the same tests conducted on a series of newborn infants in normal conditions and without anaesthesia. The APGAR score is hardly affected by the Alfatesine; the EEG is perturbed (but without any clinical manifestations) during the two hours following delivery. However, theses modifications are less pronounced than those observed with barbiturates. The study of blood gases and pH shows lower values under anaesthesia than without.