Frontiers in pharmacology
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Block Remifentanil-Induced Hyperalgesia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
Background: Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (r-IH) involves an imbalance in the inhibitory and excitatory systems. As the transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) modulates the thalamocortical synapses in a top-down manner, we hypothesized that the active (a)-t-DCS would be more effective than sham(s)-tDCS to prevent r-IH. We used an experimental paradigm to induce temporal summation of pain utilizing a repetitive cold test (rCOLDT) assessed by the Numerical Pain Score (NPS 0-10) and we evaluated the function of the descending pain modulatory system (DPMS) by the change on the NPS (0-10) during the conditioned pain modulation (CPM)-task (primary outcomes). ⋯ Thereby, tDCS could be considered as a new approach to contra-regulate paradoxical mechanisms involved in the r-IH. Clinical trials identification: NCT02432677. URL:https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Effects of Ketamine on Postoperative Pain After Remifentanil-Based Anesthesia for Major and Minor Surgery in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been postulated as an adjuvant analgesic for preventing remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia after surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of ketamine [racemic mixture and S-(+)-ketamine] in reducing morphine consumption and pain intensity scores after remifentanil-based general anesthesia. We performed a literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases in June 2017 and selected randomized controlled trials using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. ⋯ Time to the first rescue analgesia was longer in patients who received ketamine and underwent major surgery. No significant differences in the incidence of ketamine-related adverse effects were observed among patients in the intervention group and controls. This systematic review and meta-analysis show that low-dose (≤0.5 mg/kg for iv bolus or ≤5 μg/kg/min for iv perfusion) of ketamine reduces postoperative morphine consumption and pain intensity without increasing the incidence of adverse effects.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Sulodexide for Secondary Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background: Patients with venous thromboembolism have high risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment. Extended anticoagulation, such as traditional anticoagulants, can reduce the risk of recurrence but is associated with increased risk of hemorrhage. Sulodexide is a natural glycosaminoglycan mixture which can prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism. ⋯ The safety of sulodexide was also reliable. The rate of bleeding was 0.28% in the sulodexide group and 1.60% in the control group, and design of study did not influence these results. Conclusions: Sulodexide could significantly reduce the recurrence of VTE after discontinuation of anticoagulation treatment as compared with placebo.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
The Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Woman of Reproductive Age.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), previously known as menorrhagia, is in place with heavy flow and longer lasting days of bleeding during menstrual period, sequentially leading to anemia. We reported a rare case of HMB in a 33-year-old patient after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), who presented with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), uremia and systemic lupus erythematosus before PCI. This patient received three times of hemodialysis weekly (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). ⋯ In addition, uterine myoma, cervical canal cyst, renal insufficiency and CYP2C19∗2 heterozygous are also possible contributors to HMB. There is no such case of whom had HMB in reproductive age with ACS, uremia and systemic lupus erythematosus under hemodialysis and antiplatelet therapy. More clinical safety data on HMB of reproductive age women who are under antithrombotic therapy are required.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Case ReportsFirst Case in Italy of Fatal Intoxication Involving the New Opioid U-47700.
The drug commonly known as U-47700 is a strong μ-opioid agonist with an approximate potency 7.5 times higher than morphine. It has been available in Europe since 2014, where it is usually sold through the internet or black market as an abuse morphine-like substance. In the case reported here, a Caucasian man was found dead in his apartment. ⋯ Finally, U-47700 was identified as the main component of the powder and the liquids contained in the nasal spray bottles. The combined circumstantial elements and toxicological results of the case revealed the occurrence of an acute intoxication produced by U-47700 abuse. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fatal intoxication case reported on the Italian territory involving the synthetic opioid U-47700.