British journal of anaesthesia
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Sequential plasma samples from 30 patients showing clinical signs of hypersensitivity to Althesin were investigated to determine if a specific immune response to the drug was present (as measured by classical complement pathway activation) or if a non-antibody-dependent alternative complement pathway activation was taking place. The patients were classified as those reacting on first exposure to Althesin and those who reacted adversely only on a second exposure. ⋯ In contrast, classical complement pathway activation was demonstrated in the blood samples of all 17 patients reacting on repeat exposure. Severe reactions occurred in nine of the 17 previously exposed patients compared with only one of the 13 reacting on first exposure to Althesin.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Effect of extradural analgesia using bupivacaine and 2-chloroprocaine on intervillous blood flow during normal labour.
The effect of lumbar extradural analgesia on intervillous blood flow (IBF) during labour was studied in 26 healthy parturients using an i.v. bolus injection of xenon-133. There was a 19% decrease (n.s.) in mean IBF in six parturients (non-extradural control group). ⋯ This increase is statistically significant (P less than 0.05). The improvement in IBF after extradural block was considered to be a result of the decreased uterine vascular resistance, as no significant changes were observed in arterial pressure, uterine activity or uterine tone.