Articles: function.
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Patients undergoing surgery frequently develop neuropsychological disturbances, including cognitive decline or memory impairment, and routine clinical procedures such as mechanical ventilation (MV) may affect acute-phase brain outcome. We aimed to investigate the effect of the prolonged MV on postoperative memory dysfunction in surgical mice. ⋯ Prolonged MV after surgery further aggravates cognitive decline that may stem from upregulation of hippocampal IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, partially via activation of gliocytes in the surgical mouse hippocampus.
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Hyperalgesia is one of the negative consequences following intraoperative analgesia with remifentanil. Peroxynitrite is a critical determinant in nociceptive process. Peroxynitrite inactivates iron-sulfur cluster that results in mitochondrial dysfunction and the release of iron, leading to mitochondrial iron accumulation. Iron accumulation mediated by divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) plays a key role in N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotoxicity. This study aims to determine whether peroxynitrite contributes to remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia via DMT1-mediated iron accumulation. ⋯ Our study identifies that spinal peroxynitrite activates DMT1(-)IRE, leading to abnormal iron accumulation in remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia, while providing the rationale for the development of molecular hydrogen and "iron-targeted" therapies.
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Concussion after a force to the head is called mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Approximately 1 in 5 patients with mTBI will develop chronic pain (headache and widespread pain, possibly of central origin) and/or sleep problems (insomnia, disordered breathing, periodic limb movements). However, the predisposing mechanisms for chronic pain in patients with mTBI are unknown. ⋯ Customized approaches are indicated for mTBI, pain, and sleep complaints. Further studies in pediatric, sport, and transportation populations are needed to prevent TBI chronification. Improvements are emerging in biomarker sensitivity and specificity and management strategies for TBI, pain, and sleep comorbidities.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2015
Clinical TrialPre-operative baroreflex sensitivity and efferent cardiac parasympathetic activity are correlated with post-operative pain.
A maladaptation of the autonomic nervous system may been seen in patients with chronic pain that includes persistent changes in the autonomic tone, increased heart rate, and reduced heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. Baroreflex sensitivity and acute pain intensity have been reported to be inversely correlated. However, it is unknown whether the same correlation applies with regard to post-operative pain. In the present study, autonomic function was measured in patients scheduled for minor hand surgery and correlated with early and persistent pain after the procedure. Thus, the cause (autonomic imbalance) was present before the effect (post-operative pain). Our primary hypothesis was that a lower level of pre-operative baroreflex sensitivity is correlated with increased early post-operative pain. ⋯ The findings suggest that a low pre-operative level of baroreflex sensitivity is associated with higher post-operative pain intensity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the correlation between baroreflex sensitivity and post-operative pain.
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Sepsis, defined by the presence of infection and host inflammation, is a lethal clinical syndrome with an increasing mortality rate worldwide. In severe disease, the coagulation system becomes diffusely activated, with consumption of multiple clotting factors resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). When present, DIC portends a higher mortality rate. Understanding the mechanisms that tie inflammation and diffuse thrombosis will allow therapeutic interventions to be developed. The coagulopathy of acute sepsis is a dynamic process that is time and disease burden specific. Whole-blood testing of coagulation may provide more clinically useful information than the classical tests. Natural anticoagulants that regulate thrombosis are downregulated in sepsis. Patients may benefit from the modulation of the coagulation system when systemic inflammation and hypercoagulopathy exist. Proper timing of anticoagulant therapy may ultimately lead to decreased incidence of multisystem organ dysfunction. ⋯ The prevention of DIC in septic patients is a key therapeutic target in preventing death from multisystem organ failure. Stratifying patients for therapy using thromboelastometry, specific markers for DIC, and composite scoring systems is an area of growing research.