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Summary. Background: Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is increasingly used to secure hemostasis in hemorrhagic situations in trauma and surgical patients. Hypothermia is often observed in these clinical settings. Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa in hypothermia in a rabbit model of bleeding and thrombosis. Methods: Sixty-nine rabbits were anesthetized, ventilated and monitored for blood pressure, temperature and carotid flow. The Folts model was used: a stenosis (75%) and an injury were carried out on the carotid artery, inducing thrombosis. Blood flow decreased as thrombus size increased until the pressure gradient was such that the thrombus was released and local arterial blood flow was suddenly restored. This is known as a cyclic flow reduction (CFR). After counting baseline CFRs during a 20-min period (P1), rabbits were randomized blindly to one of four groups: normothermic (NT) placebo or rFVIIa (150 μg kg−1), hypothermic (HT) (34 °C) placebo or rFVIIa. Then CFRs were recorded over a second period (P2). At the end of the experiment, a hepato-splenic section was performed and the amount of blood loss was recorded. After each period, the following were measured: ear immersion bleeding time (BT), hemoglobin, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and fibrinogen. Results: Hypothermia increased BT and blood loss. These effects were reversed by rFVIIa. In NT rabbits, rFVIIa shortened BT but did not reduce blood loss. rFVIIa-treated rabbits bled similarly regardless of temperature. The incidence of CFRs was higher in treated than placebo animals regardless of temperature. rFVIIa decreased PT and aPTT without modifying platelet count or fibrinogen level. Conclusion: Hemostatic efficacy of rFVIIa was maintained in hypothermia. However, the number of CFRs was higher in the rFVIIa-treated group than in the placebo groups, whether for NT or HT rabbits.

Les nevralgies residuelles, apres cure de hernie inguinale, posent un probleme diagnostique delicat et frequent, leur meconnaissance a conduit souvent a des reinterventions inutiles. Ce travail, base d’une part sur des travaux anatomiques, d’autre part sur l’etude de 41 patients aborde successivement les mecanismes lesionnels, la semiologie et les traitements de ces nevralgies.

This study was undertaken to quantify the use of chronic medication and herbal remedies in the presurgical population.Prospective multicenter survey.Adult patients presenting for anaesthesia were directly asked if they were currently using chronic medication or herbal remedies.Among 1057 patients (age 54+/-17 yrs, woman 54%, ASA 2 [1-4], 74%) were taking one or more chronic medication. The most commonly used treatments were, in descending order angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (15%), beta blockers (11%) and platelet inhibitors (10%). Also, 9% were taking one or more of the following herbal remedies known to interact with the perioperative period: valeriane, ginseng, ginkgo, St John's wort, echinacea and ephedra. Women and patients aged 40-70 yr were most likely to be taking a herbal product (p0.001 and p0.01 respectively).Chronic medication and herbal remedies are common in patients presenting for anaesthesia. Because of the potential interactions between anaesthetic drugs or techniques and such medication it is important for anaesthetists to be aware of their use.

To avoid postoperative residual neuromuscular block there is a need for a change in clinician's attitude towards monitoring and reversal. This study aims to evaluate changes of perioperative neuromuscular block management during the last decade in our institution and to quantify the incidence of postoperative residual neuromuscular block.Patients receiving intermediate-acting neuromuscular blocking agents for scheduled surgical procedures during 3-month periods in 1995 (n=435), 2000 (n=130), 2002 (n=101), and in 2004 (n=218) were prospectively and successively enrolled in our study. The management of neuromuscular block in the operating room and the adequacy of the recovery were at the discretion of the anaesthesiologist. An attempt was made between each study period to promote a change in the management of neuromuscular block. In the post-anaesthesia care unit, train-of-four (TOF) stimulations were used to assess the presence of a residual neuromuscular block.Between 1995 and 2004 quantitative measurement and reversal of neuromuscular block in the operating room increased from 2 to 60% and from 6 to 42%, respectively (P0.001). During the same time, the incidence of residual neuromuscular block defined as a TOF ratio less than 0.9 decreased from 62 to 3% (P0.001). Use of objective neuromuscular monitoring and/or anticholinesterase drugs was less likely in patients with an inadequate recovery (P0.001).During the last decade the incidence of residual neuromuscular block strongly decreased in our institution. It confirms the positive impact of neuromuscular monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular block in routine anaesthetic practice.

Remifentanil has a unique metabolic pathway that holds potential benefits for long-term sedation. We compared remifentanil-midazolam to sufentanil-midazolam in 41 critically ill adults requiring mechanical ventilation.Randomized double-blind trial.Infusion rates were titrated every 4 hours to achieve the desired Ramsay score. Five fold increases in dose requirement was considered as the development of tolerance. Drugs requirement, development of tolerance and weaning time of ventilation were compared.The study was stopped after an interim analysis. The remifentanil and sufentanil groups were comparable regarding IGS II: 56+/-22 vs 64+/-26, mean+/-SD, ICU length of stay: 26 (8-45) vs 19 (11-34) days, and sedation duration: 6 (4-19) vs 6 (3-16)days, median [interquartile range, IQR]). There was a shorter weaning time in the remifentanil group as compared to sufentanil group: 22 h (12-53) vs 96 (47-142) h, median [IQR], p=0.04). The daily opioid infusion rate needed to be decreased over time only in sufentanil group, p0.001. Tolerance occurred in 6 (30%; CI(95), 10 to 40%) remifentanil and no sufentanil patients (P=0.02).Sufentanil infusion needed to be reduced over time and prolonged the weaning time when compared to remifentanil.

To study direct and indirect effects of EPO on haemostasis.Experimental, randomised.Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits.Animals were anaesthetised, ventilated and monitored continuously for blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and carotid blood flow variations and were randomised into four groups: control, EPO bolus 2400 IU kg(-1), fractionated EPO (one injection a week of 600 IU kg(-1) for 4 weeks), homologous red blood cell transfusion to reach the Ht level of the fractionated EPO group. A compression injury and a 75% stenosis of the carotid artery triggered a series of cyclic flow reductions (CFRs). CFRs were observed for a 20 min period in each group. Ear immersion bleeding time (BT) and hepato-splenic bleeding were performed at the end of the experiment. Biology was performed at the end of the thrombosis period: blood cells count, Hte, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, arachidonic-induced platelet aggregation, EPO dosages.No significant increase in thrombosis (CFRs) in the two EPO groups and in the transfused group. Increase in Hte in the fractionated EPO group versus control. Group EPO bolus: decrease in BT and hepato-splenic bleeding versus control; decrease in hepato-splenic bleeding versus fractionated EPO group, increase in platelet aggregation velocity versus control.EPO did not increase the thrombotic risk in this rabbit model. EPO bolus decreased BT and hepato-splenic bleeding.

Law of the 4 March 2002 allowed patient's access to his medical record. This law could increase the number of requests in medical dispatching centers and prehospital intensive care units.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of this law on the number of requests for medical information received in our unit.Since the promulgation of the law, from March to December 2002, medical requests were prospectively collected and classified in categories including request for transmission of medical record. Requests received before the law, from January 2000 to February 2002 were classified according to the same items. Number of requests received during the two periods were compared according to the total number of medical record managed in our medical dispatching center and prehospital intensive care unit.The total number of requests for medical information significantly increased since the law of March 2002 (results are expressed as cases per month per 10 000 record: 4.8 +/- 2.5 vs. 8.0 +/- 4.5; p = 0.04). Specific request for transmissions of medical record significantly increased since the law (1.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 3.0 +/- 3.0; P = 0.046). This increase was progressive and constant since March 2002.Physicians and patients should take in consideration consequences of this law. Physician should be vigilant with the quality of their medical dossiers. Interpretation of this law and its ethics consequences will probably be discussed again as one should not exclude perverse impact of this law. In effect, insurances and mutual insurances companies could find in this law a way to obtain medical information, such as circumstances of death, previously unavailable.The law of 4 March 2002 relative to patients' rights significantly increased number of requests for medical information received in our dispatching center and prehospital intensive care unit.

We conducted a survey regarding the organization of medical rescue during major events (catastrophes with limited effects) occurring in urban areas (Paris and immediate suburbs). The goal of this work was to study the availability of on site medical help and the real needs.Study design - Retrospective survey.Thirty-eight major events were analysed between 1988 and 2000. The median number (25th-75th percentiles) of victims per event was 42 (21-68) (range 8 to 424).The median percentage of true emergencies (TE) was 5% with regard to the total number of victims per event. Thirty minutes after the event, 92% of the sites had a number of physician-manned ambulances greater than the number of severe victims. The median time to first evacuation was 79 (62-102) min.Disasters with limited effect occurrence in Paris and its immediate suburbs are characterized by a small percentage of TE and by a constant oversupply of medical means onsite. These observations led us to propose a new organization of medical rescue during this type of catastrophe, abandoning the classical notion of forward medical command post (FMCP) for a collection point of medical services (CPMS) consisting all means of evacuation (physician-manned and other ambulances). Also, a new type of victim identification, based on hospital base-station medical direction is discussed in this paper.

Reports about anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions to rocuronium have increased recently. We report two new cases of documented grade III anaphylaxis, leading to death in one patient. The first case occurred in an 81-year-old ASA II woman scheduled for emergency abdominal surgery. Severe hypotension and tachycardia were observed after rocuronium, without bronchospasm. Neosynephrine allowed rapid resuscitation, and the patient recovered fully. The second patient was a 64-year-old ASA II man scheduled for abdominal surgery. Severe haemodynamic instability and bronchospasm occurred after rocuronium. Despite immediate life support, the postoperative period was complicated by persistent low systolic pressure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and pancreatitis, leading to the death of the patient.

Whereas patients most often select their surgeon, they don't usually select their anesthesiologist. Further, anesthesia frequently involves different physicians at different stages perioperatively. This inability to choose and the multiplicity of interveners may reduce patient satisfaction. Our study examined patients' willingness to choose their anesthesiologist for the operation, as well as their opinion on the way anesthesia is practiced presently.Nine hundred and twelve patients (mean age 51 +/- 16 yr, 58% moles) were requested, immediately after the preoperative visit, to choose their anesthesiologist for the operation. The request was formuled by a nurse, in the absence of the anesthesiologist, in order to avoid a courteous response. After surgery, prior to leaving the hospital, patients were invited to give their opinion on the anesthesia core received and to name the anesthesiologist(s) and surgeon involved.Women chose an anesthesiologist more frequently than men, but only 34% of patients overall elected to do so. Eighty percent of patients were cared for by an anesthesiologist other than the one seen at the preoperative visit. Four percent of patients regretted the change. Patients recalled the surgeon's name more frequently (60%) than the attending anesthesiologist's (4%).In France, the preoperative visit is required by law and must precede the operation by at least 48 hr. Despite this preoperative interview, patients were unwilling to choose the anesthesiologist responsible for surgery, did not object to multiple interveners and seldom remembered their anesthesiologist's name. Efforts to improve the image of the profession are required.

The purpose of this study is to describe all degrees of endotracheal intubation difficulty among patients attended by eight anesthesiologists during routine surgery over a six-month period. Airway characteristics were routinely assessed preoperatively, according to the anesthesiologists' usual practice.Difficult tracheal intubation was evaluated by the Intubation Difficulty Scale (IDS), a quantitative score based on seven variables. An IDS value of 0 is consistent with a procedure without difficulty, and an IDS5 with a procedure involving moderate to major difficulty.For 1171 patients undergoing tracheal intubation, IDS was 0 in 55%, and greater than 5 in 8% of cases. External laryngeal pressure, repositioning the patient and added use of a stylet were the most frequent methods chosen to facilitate tracheal intubation.There was a high incidence (37%) of minor difficulties encountered during routine surgery.

We have investigated residual block after anaesthesia which included the use of the neuromuscular blocking agent vecuronium but no anticholinesterase, in 568 consecutive patients on admission to the recovery room. The ulnar nerve was stimulated submaximally using TOF stimulation (30 mA). Postoperative residual curarization was defined as a TOF ratio0.7. Of the 568 patients, 239 (42%) had a TOF0.7 in the recovery room. These patients had received a larger cumulative dose of vecuronium than patients who had full recovery (mean 7.7 (SD 3.6) mg vs 6.2 (2.7) mg; P0.05) and a shorter time had elapsed since the last vecuronium dose (117 (70) min vs 131 (80) min; P0.05). Of 435 patients whose trachea was extubated, 145 (33%) exhibited inadequate recovery from neuromuscular block. Six of these had one or no response to TOF stimulation and were reintubated. In the remaining 139 patients, neuromuscular block was successfully antagonized. Only 20 patients (3.5%) remembered TOF stimulation when questioned 2 h later in the recovery room, and discomfort associated with it was assessed using a visual analogue scale before discharge. We conclude that it is necessary to antagonize residual block produced by vecuronium.

Ten critically ill patients underwent this prospective study to assess the reliability of the continuous thermodilution versus transoesophageal Doppler techniques in the determination of continuous cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). A total of 145 pairs of CO and SVR measurements were obtained by both a pulmonary artery catheter with a heated filament and a transoesophageal Doppler apparatus (ODM II). Total CO ranged from 2.4 and 13 l.min-1; the bias of all measurements was 0.01±0.48 l.min-1, and the 95% confidence limits (mean difference±2 SD) were 0.97/0.96 l.min-1. Total SVR ranged from 309 and 2643 dyn.s.cm-5; the bias of all measurements was 18±127 dyn.s.cm-5, and the 95%, confidence limits were 272/236 dyn.s.cm-5. Transoesophageal Doppler accurately measures continuous CO and SVR in critically ill patients. It should be viewed as complementary to pulmonary catheterization.

Middle ear microsurgery requires a bloodless operative field, achieved through deliberate hypotension techniques. The present work was designed to analyze the quality of the deliberate hypotension induced by the combination of isoflurane with nicardipine, an injectable calcium channel blocker. Eleven patients, ASA I, 10 minutes after induction of anaesthesia, received nicardipine as a bolus of 25 mg renewed every five minutes (maximum 4) and as a perfusion (5 mg/hour). The bloodless operative field was excellent in all cases with a 29.7% drop in arterial blood pressure after 15 minutes (heart rate: +22.3% after 25 min); values then remained stable until nicardipine was stopped; then hemodynamic data returned to the preanaesthetic values in 66 +/- 56 minutes. No side effect was registered. As a conclusion, deliberate hypotension induced by isoflurane--nicardipine combination provides good conditions for middle ear microsurgery.

A case is reported of a 68-year-old woman admitted to the intensive care unit with an adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to accidental poisoning with anhydrous phthalic acid. She was given prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine). During the period of intensive care (mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure), the patient experienced a stroke from which she recovered only partially. During pleurectomy for persistent pneumothorax, a lung biopsy was carried out. It confirmed the diagnosis of ARDS and recognized multiple pulmonary arterial thrombi. Because of these two thrombotic phenomena, a coagulation defect was searched for. Platelet aggregation tests were all positive with heparin and two low molecular weight fractions. The patient recovered remarkably once she was no longer given Fraxiparine, being extubated nine days afterwards. Six months after discharge, the patient's platelets still aggregated with heparin. The possible mechanism was a heparin-platelet-endothelium complex. It is noteworthy that, in this case, no thrombocytopaenia was found. It may have been countered by thrombocytosis, induced by cellular factors released during ARDS.

A study of the key wordings used by the doctors in medical records in ICU preceded this implementation: they constitute a thesaurus (2700 strings) organized in 2 trees. These strings are proposed along the dialogue which occurs between the microcomputer and the user; on these bases, several graphs allows movement in the tree by minimization of the pathway. The use of the thesaurus with the corresponding graphs necessitates only one automaton program. This medical data microcomputerized system is transparent for the user, thanks to a multilayered software. In the external layer the microcomputer provides access to the system by one of the following function keys: creation of a medical record, additional information on a medical record already known, research of a medical record, listing of the open medical records, printing of a medical record. Each one of these function keys provides access to the following 5 chapters: identity, antecedents, reasons for admission, evolution, destiny; these chapters use parameterized procedures. This software is implemented on a low-cost microcomputer fitted with a dual drive disk (170 kilobytes each) and a printer (90 characters/s).

The clinical applications of calcium channel blockers are rapidly growing; as barbiturates interfere with intracellular calcium movements, the possibility of drug interaction at this level must be considered. We have studied the haemodynamic interaction of Thiopentone and Diltiazem in pigs. A loading dose of Diltiazem (0.15 mg X kg-1) was injected followed by a continuous administration of 0.07 mg X kg-1 X hour. From the fifth to the tenth minute, the reduced afterload was associated with a moderate depression of the contractility of the left ventricle. These values returned to the initial level within 30 minutes. Heart rate and cardiac output were not modified. The stability of these two parameters is thought to result from the complex interaction of both drugs on the sympathetic nervous system and the ventricular function.

From October 1983 to January 1985, 46 patients (38 men and 8 women; mean age 60 years, range 37-83) underwent peripheral vascular surgery either of the internal carotid artery or of arteries of the lower limbs. All patients had thorough clinical examination, ECG and thallium dipyridamole myocardial scanning before operation, as a result of which they were divided into 20 with, and 26 without chronic ischemic heart disease. Three major cardiac events were noted during or following a period of one month after surgery: two deaths due to a cardiac ischemic event and one post-operative unstable angina pectoris. The three patients with these complications were classified in the coronary group (NS). When the patients were reclassified according to the presence or absence of thallium redistribution on serial images after dipyridamole, 14 had redistribution and 32 had no redistribution. The three major cardiac events were found to have occurred in the group with redistribution (P less than 0.04). Our study suggests that patients with redistribution have a high incidence of postoperative ischemic events. They should be considered for a particular pre-operative coronary management to avoid post-operative major cardiac events and to improve survival.

We investigated the effect of small inspiratory resistive loads on the breathing patterns of patients with COPD admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure. Patients were in stable clinical condition three days after weaning from the acute-phase ventilation. Healthy nonsmokers served as controls. Breathing patterns were recorded for 20-min periods during unloaded breathing (R0), then with small inspiratory resistive loads (R1 = 2.5 cmH2O L/s and R2 = 5.2 cmH2O L/s) applied in random order. Respiratory parameters were memorized in real time and blood gases measured continuously with a transcutaneous PO2/PCO2 monitor and compared periodically with arterial blood gases. Minute volume (VE) and respiratory rate decreased with no modification in blood gas values. In the COPD patients, R1 was too small to be perceived; when R2 was applied, no increase in TI was observed, and VT and VT/TI decreased. The VE could not be maintained despite a shortening of expiratory time. The COPD patients did not have significant increase of occlusion pressure (P0.1). Mean blood gas values did not change during the testing, but the coefficient of variation of tcPCO2 increased. During the critical period following weaning from artificial ventilation, COPD patients did not respond in the same manner as normal subjects to inspiratory resistive loads, but did not have modified gas exchange during the 20-min period.

From October 1983 to January 1985, 46 patients (38 men and 8 women; average age, 60 years; range, 37 to 83 years) underwent peripheral vascular surgery of either the internal carotid artery or the arteries of the lower limbs. Each patient had a thorough clinical examination, an ECG, and a dipyridamole-thallium-201 myocardial scan before operation. On the basis of results, they were divided into two groups: 20 patients with and 26 patients without chronic ischemic heart disease. Three major cardiac events were noted during or after a period of 1 month after surgery: There were two deaths due to cardiac ischemic events and one patient had postoperative unstable angina pectoris. These three patients were classified in the coronary group (NS). When the patients were classified on the basis of whether or not there was thallium redistribution on serial images after infusion of dipyridamole, 14 with redistribution and 32 without redistribution were noted. The three patients who had major cardiac events were in the former group (p less than 0.04). Our data suggest that patients in whom redistribution occurs have a high incidence of postoperative ischemic events. These patients should be considered for particular preoperative coronary care to avoid major postoperative cardiac events and to increase chances of survival.

The hemodynamic respiratory results and analgesic quality of ketamine administered as an IV infusion are studied. For the infants weighing less than 10 kg. The increases in arterial pressure and heart rate are not readily acceptable all the less as the ketamine requirement for good analgesia is very important. For the infant weighing more than 10 kg, the procedure of this technique is approximatively the same for the adult. The explanation of these problems is perhaps connected to the larger extra-cellular fluid volumes of young children and to their brain immaturity.

About one case of necrotising enterocolitis following an extra-peritoneal and aseptic operation, it seems that a post-operative ileus, by the ischemia of mucous membrane and the swarming of anerobics that it involves, seems to be responsable of this dreadful complication. The macroscopic and deceiver aspect of intestine to an early re-operation can impeed this diagnosis. The hyperbaric oxygenotherapy seems to be a perceptible adjuvant treatment.

Almitrine is a respiratory analeptic acting on peripherical chemoreceptors. The hemodynamic effects have been studied with chronic respiratory diseases. The works have shown that almitrine produces an increase of pulmonary arterial pressure due to the raising of pulmonary vascular resistances by stimulation of peripherical chemoreceptors. Studying again the hemodynamic investigations with chronical respiratory failure it has been interesting to consider the effects of the produce with patients whose gazometric parameters have been normalized by artificial ventilation at FiO2 = 1, so as to produce a saturation of peripherical chemoreceptors. The results show that infused almitrine keeps hypertensive properties on pulmonary arterial with raising of pulmonary arterial resistances; the pulmonary vasoconstrictor effect is kept in spite of a normalization of blood gases. So it is necessary to look after pulmonary arterial pressure of patients receiving almitrine, that whatever the pre-existing pulmonary arterial pressure may be.

It is reported the first observation of cardiogenic shock without delay, in a leukemic patient during a first injection of Rubidazone (22050 RP) which is recognized so far, as one of the least cardiotoxic anthracyclines. It has been concluded: --anthracyclines, beside the risk of a progressive cardiomyopathy which is related to the dose and very well known, can induce immediate cardiac injuries, which cannot be predicted yet; --the perfect myocardial protector is still to be discovered; --in this case, beta-adrenergic stimulators appeared to be able to control the cardiotoxic effect of Rubidazone; --the last fact could be considered in the decision to maintain the treatment when such an injury occurs during a chemotherapy or when it seems absolutely necessary to use such a drug.

Study of changes in erythrocyte lipids after the infusion of 1,000 ml of modified fluid gelatin (Plasmion) demonstrated disturbances at the level of the lipid double layer with, in particular, a decrease in phosphatidyl-ethanolamines found in the serum. No erythrocyte deformation was seen.

The high risk pregnancies must be admitted in maternity wards with intensive care units for children. As this rule is partially applied, since 1976 the emergency medical service of the Seine-Saint-Denis department accepts to dispatch a mobile care unit for children before birth. So, 182 newborns are taken care of from the very early minutes of life and then leaded in best conditions to a special unit. This work states the place of this type of intervening during the activity of paediatric mobile care unit, the benefits for the newborn, the obstacles and the limits for starting before the birth of such a special unti.

The authors have added to the usual therapy (corticoids, antibiotics, bronchodilatators) of 13 cases of status asthmaticus the following association: sodic gamma hydroxybutyrate and pancuronium bromid so they have noted in every case of quick decrease of bronchospasm allowing the stopping of the mechanical ventilation.

Following orthopedic surgery of the lower limb, ten patients were given fentanyl 5 micrograms . kg-1 in a single epidural injection. Almost complete analgesia (P less than 0.001) was rapidly obtained. The total period of analgesia was rather short (182.3 +/- 32.1 min). The maximal analgesia period was 87 +/- 8.34 minutes. Despite this high dose of fentanyl (245 to 450 micrograms), in five patients the passive mobilization of the knee following surgery was extremely painful and, for that matter, impossible in three of them. Such high doses of fentanyl entail the risk of respiratory depression as respiratory rate is decreased (P less than 0.01) and the Pco2 is increased (P less than 0.01). Fentanyl should not be used at such high dosage and should probably not be preferred to morphine, considering that the duration of analgesia is short, that the analgesic score is identical to that obtained with lower doses or with longer lasting narcotics, that it does not prevent passive mobilization pains and that it entails a definite risk of respiratory depression.

Ten patients with severe chronic heart failure (class III and IV of the NYHA classification) received treatment for severe heart failure with dobutamine (10, then 15 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), then with dobutamine combined with amrinone (7.5, then 10 micrograms.kg-1.min of each). Used alone, dobutamine improves cardiac performance (cardiac index from 1.8 +/- 0.24 l.min-1.m-2 to 2.65 +/- 0.44 l.min-1.m-2). These results are further improved when amrinone is associated with dobutamine. Blood pressure increases with dobutamine and no decrease is recorded when amrinone is introduced, despite a gradual decrease in systemic arterial resistances. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure shows a significant decrease only when the strongest dose of the combined drugs is used. However, this positive effect is counterbalanced by an increase in pulse frequency. Side effects, be it on the blood count (platelets count reduced from 255,600 +/- 3974 mm-3 to 207,400 +/- 3380 mm-3 with no clinic sign) or cardiovascular activity (one case of premature ventricular contraction; one case of transient junctional rhythm), do not require the suspension of treatment. Thus, the dobutamine-amrinone combination treatment seems a promising one.

The ambulatory intervention in ORL surgery presents a certain amount of constraint : anaesthetic, surgical, medicolegal and socio-economic. In spite of the lack of medicolegal definition for ambulatory anaesthesia, these anaesthetic intervention may take place in conditions approaching the other anaesthetic intervention provided that some rules are respected. The authors propose a practical treaty for the ambulatory intervention ORL surgery and as an illustration to this presentation propose a sample of a hundred ambulatory interventions.

Adequate preparation for surgery can be achieved in patients with Grave's disease by a combination anti-thyroid medication, Lugol's solution and beta-blockers, mainly propranolol. Only in rare cases when this treatment had failed has plasmapheresis been used. No thyroid storm occurred in the 35 cases reported. Should this complication be encountered, plasmapheresis appears to be the treatment of choice.

In cases of major sepsis the erythrocyte lipids undergo significant change especially when there is concomitant hepatic insufficiency and this in turn lead to alteration in the blood viscosity and very probably to the genesis of disorders of coagulation.