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Biomedical subjects

B Riou

Publications and source records attributed to B Riou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Tracheal intubation in patients with cervical spine injuries using a fiber optic laryngoscope].

Eleven patients, with a cervical spine injury and scheduled for elective cervical spine fusion at least 48 h after their initial trauma, were intubated using a new fiberoptic laryngoscope (Bullard). This technique uses either a semi-rigid guide independent of the laryngoscope blade, or a rigid one attached to the blade. The cervical spine was immobilized with either a collar or a halo. General anaesthesia was carried out with thiopentone, fentanyl and vecuronium bromide. Orotracheal intubation was successful at the first attempts in 10 out of the 11 patients. No mobilization of the cervical spine occurred. In the first six patients, the semi-rigid guide was used, and the rigid one in the remaining five. The anaesthetist who carried out the intubations was always the same. Using the rigid guide was easier than the semi-rigid one. This is confirmed by the time required, 44 +/- 22 sec for the rigid guide, and 97 +/- 92 sec for the semi-rigid one. In the patient in whom this technique failed at the first attempt, endotracheal intubation was carried out by the nasal route and controlled by the fiberoptic laryngoscope. This technique enables a rapid and easy orotracheal intubation in trauma patients with an immobilized cervical spine, but careful training is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

In vitro effects of propofol on rat myocardium.

Propofol is a short-acting intravenous induction agent that induces cardiovascular depression. However, the effects of propofol on intrinsic myocardial contractility remain debatable. Thus, we studied the effects of three concentrations of propofol (1, 3, and 10 micrograms.ml-1, respectively) and its solvent on the mechanics and energetics of isolated rat left ventricular papillary muscles. Propofol and its solvent did not induce any significant inotropic effect as shown by the lack of significant changes in maximum unloaded shortening velocity and in active isometric force. Nevertheless, propofol induced a slight decrease in isometric force (92 +/- 6%, 95 +/- 5%, and 95 +/- 4%, respectively, all P less than 0.01) under certain experimental conditions (i.e., after isometric stabilization). Using various afterloaded twitches, the peak power output and the curvature of the force-velocity curve were calculated. Propofol and its solvent did not significantly modify these two energetic parameters, indicating that it did not change myothermal economy and cross-bridge kinetics. Propofol impaired isotonic relaxation, suggesting that it decreased calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, whereas its solvent alone did not. However, alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum function was moderate, since postrest potentiation and postrest recovery were unmodified after propofol. It was concluded that propofol induces moderate changes on intrinsic myocardial contractility. These results suggest that cardiovascular depression observed with propofol in vivo is not related to intrinsic myocardial depression.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Elevated blood cyanide concentrations in victims of smoke inhalation.

BACKGROUND: The nature of the toxic gases that cause death from smoke inhalation is not known. In addition to carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide may be responsible, but its role is uncertain, because blood cyanide concentrations are often measured only long after exposure. METHODS: We measured cyanide concentrations in blood samples obtained at the scene of residential fires from 109 fire victims before they received any treatment. We compared the results with those in 114 persons with drug intoxication (40 subjects), carbon monoxide intoxication (29 subjects), or trauma (45 subjects). The metabolic effect of smoke inhalation was assessed by measuring plasma lactate at the time of admission to the hospital in 39 patients who did not have severe burns. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) blood cyanide concentrations in the 66 surviving fire victims (21.6 +/- 36.4 mumol per liter, P less than 0.001) and the 43 victims who died (116.4 +/- 89.6 mumol per liter, P less than 0.001) were significantly higher than those in the 114 control subjects (5.0 +/- 5.5 mumol per liter). Among the 43 victims who died, the blood cyanide concentrations were above 40 mumol per liter in 32 (74 percent), and above 100 mumol per liter in 20 of these (46 percent). There was a significant correlation between blood cyanide and carbon monoxide concentrations in the fire victims (P less than 0.001). Plasma lactate concentrations at the time of hospital admission correlated more closely with blood cyanide concentrations than with blood carbon monoxide concentrations. Plasma lactate concentrations above 10 mmol per liter were a sensitive indicator of cyanide intoxication, as defined by the presence of a blood cyanide concentration above 40 mumol per liter. CONCLUSIONS: Residential fires may cause cyanide poisoning. At the time of a patient's hospital admission, an elevated plasma lactate concentration is a useful indicator of cyanide toxicity in fire victims who do not have severe burns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effects of hydroxocobalamin on rat cardiac papillary muscle.

Hydroxocobalamin is a rapid and powerful antidote in acute cyanide poisoning. The effects of hydroxocobalamin (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mM) on intrinsic myocardial contractility were studied on isolated rat cardiac papillary muscles (n = 10). Whatever the concentration, hydroxocobalamin did not modify the active isometric force and a slight increase in maximum unloaded shortening velocity was noted at 1 mM. Only 0.3 mM significantly impaired contraction-relaxation coupling under low load, suggesting a slight decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum function. No changes in contraction-relaxation coupling under heavy load were noted, suggesting the lack of modification of myofilament calcium sensitivity. These results suggest that hydroxocobalamin does not induce noticeable changes in intrinsic myocardial contractility. An indirect mechanism might be involved in the previously reported decrease in cardiac function at supratherapeutic concentrations of hydroxocobalamin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Intratracheal intubation using a fiberoptic laryngoscope].

Experience with a new type of laryngoscope (Bullard) is reported. It weighs 1,200 kg, and has fiberoptic fibers both for lighting and viewing. Angle of vision is about 55 degrees. Endotracheal intubation with this device requires a semi-rigid stylet to bend the tracheal tube at 90 degrees just above its cuff, so as to reproduce the curvature of the laryngoscope blade. Intubation is carried out in five steps: 1) introducing the laryngoscope blade, and visualising the vocal cords through its lens; 2) introducing the tube with its stylet, just above the laryngoscope blade; 3) placing the tube between the vocal cords under fiberoptic vision; 4) adjusting tube position in the trachea, the stylet still in place; 5) removing both stylet and laryngoscope. The use of this apparatus in an obese patient with reduced mobility of the cervical spine, who was ranked 4 on the Mallampati scale, is reported. The Bullard laryngoscope enabled easy tracheal intubation (duration 1 min 30 s), whereas direct laryngoscopy and the use of a Huffman prism were unsuccessful. The fiberoptic laryngoscope may be of help in case of difficult intubation.

Female↗
PubMed1991

Hemodynamic effects of hydroxocobalamin in conscious dogs.

Hydroxocobalamin has been shown to be a rapid and powerful antidote in acute cyanide poisoning and to prevent cyanide poisoning during sodium nitroprusside administration. However, its hemodynamic effects remain unknown. The authors therefore investigated the effects in chronically instrumented conscious dogs (n = 8) that were randomly given hydroxocobalamin (20, 70, and 140 mg.kg-1) or saline. Determination of peak cobalt plasma concentrations showed that 20 and 70 mg.kg-1 hydroxocobalamin correspond to "therapeutic doses," whereas 140 mg.kg-1 corresponds to a supratherapeutic dose. Hydroxocobalamin did not modify heart rate, mean arterial pressure, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure, and PR and QT intervals, regardless of the dose administered. The largest dose (140 mg.kg-1) induced a decrease in the maximum increase of LV pressure (-7 +/- 3%; P less than 0.05), maximum aortic blood flow acceleration (-17 +/- 5%; P less than 0.05), and cardiac output (-19 +/- 6%; P less than 0.05), whereas systemic resistance increased (+41 +/- 9%; P less than 0.05). In six other dogs, local administration of hydroxocobalamin (0.5, 1.5, and 5.0 mg.kg-1.min-1) confirmed that, in large doses, this drug has direct vasoconstrictor properties affecting both conductance (decrease in iliac artery diameter: -2.5 +/- 0.8%) and resistance (decrease in iliac artery blood flow: -19.5 +/- 3.4%) vessels. Thus, hydroxocobalamin should be a safe cyanide antidote, considering the lack of hemodynamic effects within the therapeutic range of doses.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Ventilatory effects of medical antishock trousers in healthy volunteers.

The ventilatory effects of medical antishock trousers (MAST) were investigated using 10 healthy volunteers. Use of the MAST (60-80 mm Hg) decreased forced expiratory volume (-8% +/- 4%, p less than 0.01), vital capacity (-8% +/- 5%, p less than 0.01), and functional residual capacity (-12% +/- 6%, p less than 0.01) and induced a significant decrease in tidal volume (-30% +/- 17%, p less than 0.05), but minute ventilation was unmodified because of a concomitant increase in respiratory rate (+17% +/- 8%, p less than 0.001). The MAST modified the breathing pattern: the abdominal contribution to ventilation was markedly decreased (-57% +/- 22%, p less than 0.001), suggesting a decrease in the diaphragmatic contribution to ventilation. The MAST increased both the end-expiratory (+131% +/- 115%, p less than 0.01) and inspiratory variation (delta Pgas: +42% +/- 40%, p less than 0.05) of gastric pressure, whereas the end-expiratory and inspiratory variation of esophageal pressure remained unchanged. Because of a higher delta Pgas, the dynamic compliance of the abdominal compartment markedly fell (-77% +/- 10%, p less than 0.001). Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi: +28% +/- 30%, p less than 0.05) significantly increased and the pressure-time index of the diaphragm significantly increased (+32% +/- 32%, p less than 0.05) after inflation of the MAST, suggesting an increase in the diaphragmatic cost of breathing. Inspiratory activity of the parasternal intercostal muscles significantly increased after the MAST was inflated. Computerized tomography showed that the MAST induced a cephalad shift of the diaphragm, which reduced pulmonary height.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Hypertonic sodium chloride and hemorrhagic shock].

Numerous experimental studies on the effects of hypertonic saline in haemorrhagic shock have been published and controlled clinical studies are now beginning to be reported. Animals suffering from an otherwise lethal haemorrhagic shock survived when given hypertonic sodium chloride solution (7.5%, 2,400 mosmol.1-1). In most studies, this solution was more efficient than isotonic fluids in treating controlled haemorrhage. Although the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood, they certainly include the following: 1) plasma volume expansion due to osmotic fluid shifts into the vascular compartment from intra- and extra-cellular fluid reservoirs, as hypertonic saline induces hypernatraemia and hyperosmolarity, both effects linked to the sodium load; 2) non specific precapillary vasodilation of renal, coronary and splanchnic vessels; 3) arterial and venous vasoconstriction in muscle and skin, due to a vagal reflex set off by the lung osmoreceptors, the efferent pathway of which is likely to be the sympathetic nervous system; 4) increased myocardial contractility. Hypertonic saline also decreases intracranial pressure, and improves lung function during resuscitation of haemorrhagic shock. However, hypertonic saline should not yet be used routinely in man, except in controlled clinical studies. Indeed, there are as yet not enough data concerning humans. Moreover, during uncontrolled haemorrhage, hypertonic saline increased blood pressure, and therefore bleeding, thus reducing survival rates. Further clinical studies are required before hypertonic saline could be safely recommended for treatment of haemorrhagic shock.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Respiratory tract obstruction caused by ballooning of an intubation tube cuff during nitrous oxide inhalation].

A typical case of upper airway obstruction due to deformation of a low pressure tracheal tube cuff is reported. It would seem that this herniation may have been due to nitrous oxide diffusing with in the air-filled cuff, thereby causing it to overdistend. This increase in pressure occurred after 3 hours of inhalation of a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. The deformed cuff may either block the lumen at the end of the tube, or push the tube against the tracheal wall. The result is, in either case, a mechanical obstruction of the airway, with hypoxia, and then anoxia. In the reported case, it was the decrease of SpO2 which alerted the anaesthetist. Pulse oximetry was helpful for an early diagnosis. To avoid such accidents, it is suggested either to inflate the cuff with the gas mixture with which the patient is ventilated, or to deflate it every 30 min.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The contraction-relaxation coupling during pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Contraction-relaxation coupling was studied in rat and guinea-pig papillary muscles during chronic pressure overload induced by aortic stenosis and during acute hypoxia. Coefficient R1 (ratio between maximum shortening and lengthening velocities of the isotonic twitch loaded with preload only) and coefficient R2 (ratio between the positive and negative peak force derivatives of the isomeric twitch) tested the contraction-relaxation coupling under low and heavy load respectively. Cardiac hypertrophy was similar in guinea-pigs (+43 +/- 5%) and rats (+55 +/- 7%). In both species, cardiac hypertrophy significantly impaired contraction and relaxation phases. In the rat, neither R1 (-1 +/- 4%) nor R2 (-5 +/- 4%) varied significantly during cardiac hypertrophy whereas, in the guinea-pig, an increase in R1 (+56 +/- 18%), P less than 0.001) and in R2 (+26 +/- 9%, P less than 0.01) was noted. These species-related differences might be linked in part to differences in sarcoplasmic reticulum function and myosin ATPase activity. Acute hypoxia, which leads to a decrease in cellular ATP levels, was responsible for a marked decrease in myocardial performance, while R1 increased (+66 +/- 8%, P less than 0.05) and R2 decreased (-14 +/- 1%, P less than 0.05). These results showed that chronic pressure overload modified the contraction-relaxation coupling in a characteristic manner according to the species studied and these changes differed from those observed during acute hypoxia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

In vitro effects of etomidate on intrinsic myocardial contractility in the rat.

Etomidate is available in two different solvents: propylene glycol for induction of anesthesia and ethanol for maintenance of anesthesia. The direct effect of etomidate (1 and 5 micrograms/ml) and of its solvents on cardiac muscle was studied using rat left ventricular papillary muscle. Etomidate induced a slight positive inotropic effect in both solvents, as shown by an increase in maximum unloaded shortening velocity (Vmax) but not in force. At 0.5 mM Ca++ 5 micrograms/ml etomidate increased Vmax (128 +/- 18%, P less than 0.05) but not force (103 +/- 16%, NS). Using various afterloaded twitches, the peak power output (Emax) was calculated: 1 and 5 micrograms/ml etomidate increased Emax (107 +/- 8%, P less than 0.05, and 108 +/- 10%, P less than 0.05, respectively). This increase was related to the increase in Vmax and not in isometric force. Etomidate did not modify the elastic components of papillary muscle, isometric relaxation, and contraction-relaxation coupling under high load. Several findings suggest that etomidate in propylene glycol impaired the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function: 1) it impaired the isotonic relaxation, the contraction-relaxation coupling under low load, and the load sensitivity of relaxation; and 2) it decreased postrest potentiated contraction, which is highly dependent on the SR. Nevertheless, alteration of SR function was only significant at high [Ca++]o and the beat-to-beat postrest recovery was not modified, indicating that the deleterious effects on SR function were moderate. The isotonic relaxation (max Vr) was more impaired by etomidate in propylene glycol (78 +/- 9%, P less than 0.001) and by propylene glycol alone (69 +/- 9%, P less than 0.001) than by etomidate in ethanol (97 +/- 12%, NS) and by ethanol alone (92 +/- 8%, P less than 0.05). This suggests that propylene glycol was responsible for the decrease in SR function. Etomidate in propylene glycol thus has a dual action on rat myocardium: 1) a slight positive inotropic effect due to etomidate per se, and 2) a slight decrease in SR function probably related to propylene glycol. However, because etomidate in propylene glycol induced a slight decrease in isometric force under certain experimental conditions (i.e., after isometric stabilization), etomidate in propylene glycol may induce a slight negative inotropic effect in some clinical conditions as a result of its dual action on the myocardium.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of ketamine on the cardiac papillary muscle of normal hamsters and those with cardiomyopathy.

The effect of ketamine (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) on the intrinsic contractility of left ventricular papillary muscle from normal hamsters and those with cardiomyopathy (BIO 82.62, 6-month old) was investigated. At these concentrations, ketamine induced a positive inotropic effect on normal papillary muscle, as shown by an increase in maximum unloaded shortening velocity (+19 +/- 4 and +34 +/- 5%, P less than 0.05), active isometric force (+32 +/- 8 and +57 +/- 11%, P less than 0.05), and peak power output (+40 +/- 8 and +80 +/- 16%, P less than 0.05), and induced a slight decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum function. Ketamine had no effect on the curvature of the total force-velocity curve, suggesting that it does not modify myothermal economy. Contractility of papillary muscle from hamsters with cardiomyopathy was less than that of controls, as shown by the decrease in isometric active force (-41%, P less than 0.02), peak power output (-33%, P less than 0.05), and sarcoplasmic reticulum function. The positive inotropic effect of ketamine on papillary muscle from hamsters with cardiomyopathy was less marked than in controls and almost suppressed in some cases: only the maximum unloaded shortening velocity was significantly increased with 10(-5) M ketamine (+7 +/- 6%, P less than 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in active isometric force (+14 +/- 8 and +13 +/- 11%; nonsignificant [NS]) and peak power output (+9 +/- 5 and +13 +/- 8%; NS) with ketamine (10(-5) and 10(-4) M, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of chronic growth hormone hypersecretion on intrinsic contractility, energetics, isomyosin pattern, and myosin adenosine triphosphatase activity of rat left ventricle.

We studied papillary muscle mechanics and energetics, myosin phenotype, and ATPase activities in left ventricles from rats bearing a growth hormone (GH)--secreting tumor. 18 wk after tumor induction, animals exhibited a dramatic increase in body weight (+101% vs. controls) but no change in the ventricular weight/body weight ratio. The maximum isometric force of papillary muscles normalized per cross-sectional area rose markedly (+42%, P less than 0.05 vs. controls), whereas the maximum unloaded shortening velocity did not change. This was observed despite a marked isomyosin shift towards V3 (32 +/- 5% vs. 8 +/- 2% in controls, P less than 0.001). Increased curvature of the force-velocity relationship (+64%, P less than 0.05 vs. controls) indicated that the muscles contracted more economically, suggesting the involvement of V3 myosin. Total calcium- and actin-activated myosin ATPase activities assayed on quickly frozen left ventricular sections were similar in tumor-bearing rats and in controls. After alkaline preincubation, these activities only decreased in tumor-bearing rats, demonstrating that V3 enzymatic sites were involved in total ATPase activity. These data demonstrate that chronic GH hypersecretion in the rat leads to a unique pattern of myocardial adaptation which allows the muscle to improve its contractile performance and economy simultaneously, thanks to myosin phenoconversion and an increase in the number of active enzymatic sites.

Actomyosin↗