Articles: cations.
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The International Headache Society applies the term exertional headache to head pain precipitated by exertion. The Society recognizes cough headache and sexual headache as distinct diagnoses. All three types of headache share characteristics and mechanisms, and together may be considered as headache provoked by exertional factors ( Table 1). ⋯ The consensus to date is that secondary HAPEF resolves if the underlying illness can be treated; primary HAPEF responds well to prophylactic treatment. Treatment strategy varies little among headaches precipitated by cough, sex, or other forms of exertion. Avoidance strategies, sometimes combined with medication (particularly indomethacin), can effectively treat headaches produced by exertional factors in most cases.
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The application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) to human studies has been limited by the lack of the detailed organ information that is required for this analysis. PKQuest is a new generic PBPK that is designed to avoid this problem by using a set of "standard human" default parameters that are applicable to most solutes. ⋯ This approach greatly increases the predictive power of the PBPK. For inert volatile solutes the pharmacokinetics are determined just from the water/air and oil/water partition coefficient. Methoxyflurane cannot be modeled by this PBPK because the arterial and end tidal partial pressures are not equal (as assumed in the PBPK). This inequality results from the "washin-washout" artifact in the large airways that is established for solutes with large water/air partition coefficients.PKQuest and the worked examples are available on the web www.pkquest.com.
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Rofecoxib was the first specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) approved for the treatment of acute pain. It has been shown to provide analgesia that is significantly better than placebo and has an onset of action and efficacy similar to that of traditional nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen. In addition, the analgesic efficacy of rofecoxib has been demonstrated to be superior to that of the opioid combination of codeine 60 mg/acetaminophen 600 mg in an acute dental pain model. ⋯ Rofecoxib is a safe and highly effective alternative to previously available NSAIDs and should be considered for the treatment of acute pain conditions in adult patients, especially those at risk for developing gastrointestinal complications. It is preferred in the perioperative setting because of its analgesic efficacy and lack of platelet effects. Because of its more favorable gastrointestinal toxicity profile compared with nonselective NSAIDs, rofecoxib is safer in patients, especially older patients, for whom chronic anti-inflammatory or analgesic therapy is indicated.
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The capabilities of interventional radiology are developing faster than perhaps any other branch of medicine. Coupled with and fuelled by parallel advances in computer technology, medical physics and developments in endovascular catheter technology, interventional radiologists are innovating not only replacements for open surgeries, but entirely new therapies as well. This has, however, provided a range of new potential complications for the patient and, in contrast to other areas, presents risks for the anesthesiologist as well. ⋯ In the light of these new developments in interventional radiology there is much research to be done. Further developments in imaging and computer processing technology will doubtless make possible the real time integration of anatomical image with metabolic state and functional anatomy. The impact of the hazards of these new techniques on the safety of anesthesia has, however, been the subject of virtually no research. A particularly needy area will be the ergonomics of the delivery of anesthesia care in these new environments.