Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2008
Comparative StudyThe concentration-dependent contractile effect of methylene blue in the human internal mammary artery: a quantitative approach to its use in the vasoplegic syndrome.
To quantitate the contractile effect of methylene blue on isolated human internal mammary artery (IMA) as used in the vasoplegic syndrome. ⋯ Methylene blue caused concentration-dependent contraction in human IMAs. Furthermore, the inhibition of ACh-induced relaxation for 6 hours after the methylene blue challenge points out an additional mechanism (ie, receptor occupation). The concentration-dependent contractile effect of methylene blue justifies its use in the vasoplegic syndrome. The findings also suggest that the time course of contraction is longer than the exposure to methylene blue.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyChanges in intensive care unit performance measures associated with opening a dedicated thoracic surgical progressive care unit.
To determine the effect of the introduction of a specialty-specific progressive care unit (PCU) on the intensive care unit (ICU) to which relatively low-acuity patients had previously been admitted. ⋯ The introduction of a nonintensivist-directed PCU to care for thoracic surgical patients had a significant impact on the parent ICU. Of concern is that outcome and quality measures appeared to worsen and ICU readmission rate increased.