Neurological research
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Fosphenytoin is a phenytoin prodrug that has been introduced to overcome some of the problems and limitations associated with parenteral phenytoin sodium administration. Fosphenytoin is a phosphate ester prodrug that is converted to phenytoin in vivo by peripheral esterases. ⋯ Disadvantages with fosphenytoin include rate and dose related paresthesias and pruritus, delayed decreases in blood pressure, the potential for therapeutic drug monitoring errors, and higher drug acquisition costs. In general, given the pros and cons of the new drug, fosphenytoin offers an attractive alternative for parenteral phenytoin in select individuals.
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Near infrared optical spectroscopy is becoming a useful method for monitoring regional cerebral oxygenation status. The method is simple, reliable and noninvasive and the information which it provides is clinically significant in managing a growing number of neurological ailments. Use of this technique has been described previously by numerous authors. ⋯ There were 68 light-skinned individuals and 35 with darker skin comprising various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Mean regional cerebral hemoglobin oxygen saturation was recorded as 67.14 +/- 8.84%. The association of the man regional cerebral hemoglobin oxygen saturation in various groups of individuals with relationship to their age, race, sex and skin color is examined.