This study demonstrated that ketamine isomers suppressed SEB-induced TNF-, IL-6, and IL-8 production in human whole blood.

No abstract

Using juguloarterial gradients to measure cerebrovascular cytokine production is novel in the setting of cardiopulmonary bypass and implicates the cerebral activation of inflammatory processes, which may contribute to brain dysfunction. Hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass may significantly attenuate this response.

We investigated the effect of sevoflurane, isoflurane and propofol on jugular venous bulb oxygen saturation (SjO2) in 21 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) during and after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients received a standardized anaesthetic consisting of fentanyl, midazolam and were then randomly allocated to receive either isoflurane, sevoflurane or propofol for maintenance. SjO2 values were significantly lower than baseline 1 h after CPB in the propofol but not the isoflurane or the sevoflurane groups. Furthermore, SjO2 values were significantly higher during CPB in the isoflurane group (P = 0.0081) and significantly lower 6 h after CPB in the sevoflurane group (P = 0.0447) when compared to the propofol group. We conclude that jugular venous desaturation during and after normothermic CPB is more likely during propofol anaesthesia.

The Compass pressure transducer for CVC placement performed as intended in 298 cases from 4 academic medical centers. There were 5 inadvertent arterial punctures despite the use of ultrasound guidance, all of which were correctly identified by pressure measurement using the Compass. The device was easily used by trainees, and users expressed a positive level of satisfaction.