Anesthesiology
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Decreasing blood glutamate concentrations after traumatic brain injury accelerates brain-to-blood glutamate efflux, leading to improved neurologic outcomes. The authors hypothesize that treatment with blood glutamate scavengers should reduce neuronal cell loss, whereas administration of glutamate should worsen outcomes. The authors performed histologic studies of neuronal survival in the rat hippocampus after traumatic brain injury and treatment with blood glutamate scavengers. ⋯ The authors demonstrate that the blood glutamate scavengers oxaloacetate and pyruvate provide neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury, expressed both by reduced neuronal loss in the hippocampus and improved neurologic outcomes. The findings of this study may bring about new therapeutic possibilities in a variety of clinical settings.
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The authors previously found that 50-60 mmHg mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was an optimal target resuscitation pressure for hemorrhagic shock before bleeding was controlled in rats. However, the optimal target resuscitation pressure for hemorrhagic shock after bleeding has been controlled has not been determined. ⋯ Mildly hypotensive resuscitation is also needed for hemorrhagic shock after bleeding has been controlled, irrespective of whether crystalloids or colloids are used. The optimal target pressure was 70 mmHg in our rat model. A resuscitation pressure that is too low or too high cannot produce a good resuscitative effect.
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Editorial Comment
Random clinical decisions: identifying variation in perioperative care.