Lidocaine (L) levels were measured by gas chromatography (GC) and a new technique of direct measurement by enzyme immunoassay (EMIT) in 50 consecutive patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit who received L. There was no significant difference between the levels by the two techniques. There was eradication of most ventricular arrhythmias in 78% of patients, partial effectiveness in 16%, and no improvement in 6%. Toxicity was mainly mild central nervous system effects, noted in 26 of the 50 patients. All six patients with serum L above 5.9 microgram/ml had signs of toxicity. EMIT was found to be accurate and much faster than the traditional GC method.

Abstract. The arterial blood pressure has been measured with a cuff in the arm and forearm of 44 patients, and the cuff pressures were compared with contralateral, intraarterial brachial pressures in another 52 patients. 1) A technique for recording of Korotkoff sounds and pressures in the forearm with a standard cuff is described. 2) There were no systematic differences between contralateral arms or forearms as regards intraarterial or cuff pressures. 3) The cuff systolic as well as diastolic pressure was higher in the forearm than in the arm. 4) Systolic intraarterial pressure agreed well with corresponding contralateral arm cuff pressure but intraarterial diastolic pressure was systematically lower than corresponding cuff pressure. 5) The absolute pressure level, arm circumference or skinfold thickness did not influence the results given under paragraphs 3 and 4 as long as the standard cuff was used. 6) In extremely obese patients necessitating the use of a big cuff on the arm there was a big difference between intraarterial and cuff systolic or diastolic pressure, but use of the standard cuff on the forearm gave good results.

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Early identification of cardiac patients at risk for problems in recovery can be of help to social workers who work in crowded inpatient services. The study described here found preonset stress, measured by a stressful life events questionnaire, to be associated with the level of recovery from a heart attack. The questionnaire may be a valuable tool for social workers working with cardiac patients.