A Study to Observe Pulse Pressure Variation after Induction with Propofol for General Anesthesia

Background and Aims: Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is a reliable and predictive dynamic parameter presently being utilized for fluid responsiveness. In the operating room, fluid administration based on PPV monitoring helps the physician in deciding whether to volume resuscitate or use interventions in patients undergoing surgery. Propofol is an intravenous induction agent which lowers blood pressure. There are multiple causes such as depression in cardiac output, and peripheral vasodilatation for hypotension. We undertook this study to observe the utility of PPV as a guide to fluid therapy after propofol induction. Primary outcome of our study was to monitor PPV as a marker of fluid responsiveness for the hypotension caused by propofol induction. Secondary outcome included the correlation of PPV with other hemodynamic parameters like heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP);after induction with propofol at regular interval of time. Methods: A total number of 90 patients were recruited. Either of the radial artery was then cannulated under local anaesthesia with 20G VygonLeadercath arterial cannula and invasive monitoring transduced. A baseline recording of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and PPV was then recorded. Patients were then induced with predetermined doses of propofol (2 mg/kg) and recordings of HR, SBP, DBP, and PPV were taken at 5, 10 and 15 minutes. Results: Intraoperatively, PPV was significantly higher at 5 minutes and significantly lower at 15 minutes after induction. It was observed that there were no statistically significant correlations between PPV and SBP or DBP. PPV was strongly and directly associated with HR. Conclusion: We were able to establish that PPV predicts fluid responsiveness in hypotension caused by propofol induction;and can be used to administer fluid therapy in managing such hypotension. However, PPV was not directly correlated with hypotension subsequent to propofol administration.

Elevated Pulse Pressure Is a Risk Factor for Cerebral Microbleeds. A Single Center Case-Control Study

Recent developments in brain magnetic resonance imaging using advanced Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) have significantly increased the detection and prevalence of Cerebral Microbleeds (CMBs). Here, we aimed to explore the association between Pulse Pressure (PP) and CMBs. Having been implicated in various arteriopathies, we hypothesized that elevated PP could also be a risk for CMBs. A retrospective case-control study was conducted from August 2021 to September 2022 at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University China. Extracted data were analyzed in SPSS. Chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted.104 patients were analyzed. Univariate analysis showed no significant association between PP and CMBs, OR 1.65 (95% CI: 0.737 - 3.694;p > 0.05), while DBP and alcohol consumption were significant, ORs 2.956 (95% CI: 1.249 - 6.997, p < 0.05) and 2.525 (95% CI: 1.062 - 6.002, p < 0.05) respectively. Multivariate analysis, showed that PP was significantly associated with CMBs, OR 3.194 (95% CI: 1.024 - 9.964, p < 0.05) in combination with SBP, DBP, gender, age, smoking and alcohol consumption. Taken together, the study showed that elevated PP is associated with CMB, but is not an independent risk factor for CMBs.

A comparative study on the spectral characteristics of nanosecond pulsed discharges in atmospheric He and a He+2.3%H_(2)O mixture

Nanosecond pulsed discharges at atmospheric pressure in a pin-to-pin electrode configuration are well reproducible in time and space, which is beneficial to the fundamentals and applications of low-temperature plasmas. In this experiment, the discharges in helium(He) and He with 2.3%water vapor(H_(2)O) are driven by a series of 10 ns overvoltage pulses(~13 k V). Special attention is paid to the spectral characteristics obtained in the center of discharges by time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy. It is found that in helium, the emission of atomic and molecular helium during the afterglow is more intense than that in the active discharge, while in the He+2.3%H_(2)O mixture, helium emission is only observed during the discharge pulse and the molecular helium emission disappears. In addition, the emissions of OH(A-X) and Hα present similar behavior that increases sharply during the falling edge of the voltage pulse as the electrons cool down rapidly. The gas temperature is set to remain low at 540 K by fitting the OH(A-X) band. A comparative study on the emission of radiative species(He, He_(2), OH and H)is performed between these two discharge cases to derive their main production mechanisms. In both cases, the dominant primary ion is He^(+) at the onset of discharges, but their He^(+) charge transfer processes are quite different. Based on these experimental data and a qualitative discussion on the discharge kinetics, with regard to the present discharge conditions, it is shown that the electron-assisted three-body recombination processes appear to be the significant sources of radiative OH and H species in high-density plasmas.

THE EFFECTS OF PULSE BIAS VOLTAGE AND N_2 PARTIAL PRESSURE ON TiAlN FILMS OF ARC ION PLATING (AIP)

Owing to the characteristics of arc ion plating(AIP) technique, the structure and composition of TiAlN films can be tailored by controlling of various parameters such as compositions of target materials, N2 partial pressure, substrate bias and so on. In this study, several titanium aluminum nitride films were deposited on 1Cr11Ni2W2MoV steel for compressor blade of areo-engine under different d.c pulse bias voltage and nitrogen partial pressure. The effects of substrate pulse bias and nitrogen partial pressure on the deposition rate, droplet formation, microstruture and elemental component of the films were investigated.

Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） between two cylindrical glass containers with salt water generated by a nanosecond repetitively pulsed power generator is reported. The electrical parameters, luminous images and spectrum diagnosis are presented. It is shown that the DBD possesses a large discharge current and an intense optical emission from the nitrogen second positive system below 400 nm. The gas temperature remains very close to room temperature regardless of pulse polarity. Luminous photographs with a short exposure time down to 2 ns indicate that no filament is observed and the discharge is homogeneous.

Effects of body mass index on intraocular pressure and ocular pulse amplitude

AIM: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pulse amplitude(OPA). METHODS: Totally 140 healthy individuals without any systemic diseases were included in the study. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated for every individual. IOP and OPA were measured with Pascal Dynamic contour tonometer (DCT). Blood pressure was also measured along with the DCT. The patients were divided into three groups according to BMI as: Group1, BMI<25; Group2, 25≤BMI<30; Group3, BMI≥30. Mean values of IOP, OPA, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were used in statistical analysis.RESULTS: In Group1, the means of IOP, OPA, were 16.8±2.3mmHg, 2.7±0.7mmHg respectively; and SBP, DBP were 120.0±6.1mmHg, and 77.4±5.6mmHg respectively. In group2, the mean IOP, OPA, SBP, and DBP were found to be 16.6±2.1mmHg, 2.4±0.7mmHg, 121.7±5.3mmHg, and 79.5±4.9mmHg respectively. In group3, the mean IOP, OPA, SBP, and DBP were found to be 17.3±1.7mmHg, 2.1±0.7mmHg, 122.4±5.7mmHg, and 79.7±5.2mmHg respectively. There were no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of IOP, SBP and DBP, while OPA values were significantly lower in group3 (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Decreased OPA values in individuals with higher BMI may indicate that subjects with higher BMI have lower choroidal perfusion and lower ocular blood flow.

Effects of Oxygen Concentration on Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Helium-Oxygen Mixture at Atmospheric Pressure

In this work the effects of O_2 concentration on the pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in helium-oxygen mixture at atmospheric pressure have been numerically researched by using a one-dimensional fluid model in conjunction with the chosen key species and chemical reactions.The reliability of the used model has been examined by comparing the calculated discharge current with the reported experiments. The present work presents the following significant results. The dominative positive and negative particles are He_2~＋ and O_2^-, respectively, the densities of the reactive oxygen species（ROS） get their maxima nearly at the central position of the gap, and the density of the ground state O is highest in the ROS. The increase of O_2 concentration results in increasingly weak discharge and the time lag of the ignition. For O_2 concentrations below 1.1%,the density of O is much higher than other species, the averaged dissipated power density presents an evident increase for small O_2 concentration and then the increase becomes weak. In particular,the total density of the reactive oxygen species reaches its maximums at the O_2 concentration of about 0.5%. This characteristic further convinces the experimental observation that the O_2 concentration of 0.5% is an optimal O_2/He ratio in the inactivation of bacteria and biomolecules when radiated by using the plasmas produced in a helium oxygen mixture.

Arterial Pulse Pressure Variation versus Central Venous Pressure as a Predictor for Fluid Responsiveness during Open Major Abdominal Operations

Introduction: Fluid resuscitation is the cornerstone in the management of hemodynamically unstable patients. Dynamic parameters of fluid responsiveness, like pulse pressure variation, have the advantage of being more reliable index for fluid management. Objective: The aim of our study was to compare between arterial pulse pressure variation (PPV) versus central venous pressure (CVP) as a predictor for fluid responsiveness during major open abdominal operations. Patients and Methods: 60 adult patients under general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation underwent open major abdominal surgical procedures were included in our prospective randomized controlled study. Intravenous fluid was infused and monitored by CVP in control group or by PPV in the other group. Hemodynamic variables (heart rate, invasive blood pressure, PPV and CVP) were measured at baseline after anesthesia induction and every 10 min, during first hour of operation, and then every 15 min, till end of surgery. Blood loss and total i.v. fluid & blood transfusion given to patients were recorded and compared between two groups intraoperatively. Results: Patients in the PPV group required more intraoperative fluid and blood transfusion than patients in CVP group to achieve more stable hemodynamic parameters. The fall in blood pressure (>20% of baseline) and increase in heart rate are more common in CVP group (p Conclusion: PPV is a better predictor and a good guide for fluid responsiveness. More stable hemodynamic variables are observed in PPV group.

Noninvasive method for determining blood pressure and contours of arterial and volume pulses

A noninvasive method for monitoring blood pressure, based on the principles established by Riva-Rocci and Korotkoff (K), is described;it furnishes, after a single compression-deflation cycle of the arm-encircling cuff, values of sys-tolic and diastolic blood pressures as well as the contours of the brachial arterial pulse and the corresponding volume pulse. K-sounds are detected by a single microphone situated in the cubital fossa, and the time-varying cuff pressure P(t) is read by a piezoresistive pressure sensor. The behavior of P(t) during deflation is resolved into two parts, P(t)=p(t)+b(t);p is a train of posi-tive going pulses (arising from arterial pulsa-tions), whereas b is a slowly changing baseline. Noise pulses in the microphone output are re-jected by using the observation that the first few K-sounds are emitted when p is close to a maxi-mum, and the last few when dp/dt is close to a maximum. The performance of the instrument is illustrated by showing how it copes with ambi-ent noise and involuntary manual perturbations of P, and by presenting contours of various pulses.

Generation of X-ray Emission in Repetitive Nanosecond-pulse Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

Pulsed discharges can generate high power densities and high equivalent electric fields in plasma to emit X-rays,which is closely related to discharge mechanism.In this paper,discharge characteristics and X-ray emission of typical nanosecond-pulse discharges(corona,diffuse,spark or arc)are reviewed.Especially,the diffuse discharges are observed at pulse repetition frequencies up to 1 kHz.Factors influencing the discharge characteristics and X-ray emission are analyzed,such as the gap spacing,parameters of the applied pulse(amplitude,pulse repetition frequency),anode and cathode materials,and curvature radius of cathode.It is concluded that the maximum X-ray intensity is obtained in a diffuse discharge,and the X-ray intensity is affected by the pulse repetition frequency,applied voltage,anode material,and curvature radius of cathode.For example,X-ray intensity increases with the pulse repetition frequency and the atomic numbers of the anode material,but it decrease with the increase of curvature radius.It is also shown that the cathode material has no obvious influence on the X-ray intensity.

ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN POINT FOR TREATMENT OF 106 CASES OF LOW PULSE PRESSURE SYNDROME

In spite of normal mean aterlal pressure,decrease of pulse pressure can induce a seriesof clinical symptoms,which is termed as low pulse pressure syndrorne.Acupuncture at bilateralNeiguan（PC 6）is Capable of raising systolic pressure, lowering diastolic pressure, increasing pulsepressure difference and eliminating corresponding symptoms.The effective rate was more than 92％in this observation.

Generation of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma by Repetitive Nanosecond Pulses in Air Using Water Electrodes

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） excitated by pulsed power is a promising method for producing nonthermal plasma at atmospheric pressure. Discharge characteristic in a DBD with salt water as electrodes by a home-made unipolar nanosecond-pulse power source is presented in this paper. The generator is capable of providing repetitive pulses with the voltage up to 30 kV and duration of 70 ns at a 300 Ω resistive load. Applied voltage and discharge current are measured under various experimental conditions. The DBD created between two liquid electrodes shows that the discharge is homogeneous and diffuse in the whole discharge regime, Spectra diagnosis is conducted by an optical emission spectroscopy. The air plasma has strong emission from nitrogen species below 400 nm, notably the nitrogen second positive system.

Amine-containing film deposited in pulsed dielectric barrier discharge at a high pressure and its cell adsorption behaviours

With monomer allylamine, amine-containing functional films were prepared in alternative current pulsed dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） at a high pressure. This paper analyses in detail the film properties and structures, such as hydrophilicity, compounds and microstructures as well as amine density by the water contact angle, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible measurement. The influence of discharge param- eters, in particular applied power, on amine density was investigated. As an application the cell adsorption behaviours on plasma polymerization films was performed in-vitro. The results show that at a high pressure pulsed DBD plasma can polymerize films with sufficient amine group on surface, through which the very efficient cell adsorption behaviours was demonstrated, and the high rate of cell proliferation was visualized.

Characteristics of SF_6 Switch with a Small Gap under High Pressure and Nanosecond Pulse

Structural design and tests on the characteristics of the SF6 gas switch with a small gap are presented. This kind of switch often works under high pressure and nanosecond pulse for getting pulse with faster risetime. The breakdown voltage and breakdown delay of a number of switches with different geometries, gas pressures and pulse waveforms were investigated. Experimental results suggested that the breakdown voltage increases linearly with the gas pressure, and the breakdown delay decreases with an increase in the gas pressure and a reduction in the gap distance of the switch under the same applied pulse. By using this kind of switch with a gap of 3 mm as a peaking switch, a pulse generator can provide an output voltage with a peak voltage of 300 kV and a risetime of 3 ns on a resistance load of 150Ω.

Influence of Ambient Gas and Oxygen Pressure on Nd∶LuVO_4 Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

The （ 200 ） dominated Nd： LuVO4 films were fabricated successfully on polished SlOE under different ambient gases and different oxygen pressures. By XRD, it is shown that a film with good crystallization is deposited under oxygen and the optimal pressure is 20 Pa. The surface morphology of Nd：LuVO4 films was observed by AFM, and it is found that oxygen pressure influences the surface morphology of Nd ：LuVO4 films. The ratio of content of Nd：LuVO4 films was estimated according to the yields of Lu and V by using RBS spectra, this ratio is in good agreement with the target composition. The effective index refractive of every mode is 2.0044, 1.7098, measured by prism coupler method.

Dynamic effects of high-pressure pulsed water jet in low-permeability coal seams

Mine gas extraction in China is difficult due to the characteristics such as micro-porosity,low-permeability and high adsorption of coal seams.The pulsed mechanismof a high-pressure pulsed water jet was studied through theoretical analysis,experimentand field measurement.The results show that high-pressure pulsed water jet has threedynamic properties.What's more,the three dynamic effects can be found in low-permeabilitycoal seams.A new pulsed water jet with 200-1 000 Hz oscillation frequency andpeak pressure 2.5 times than average pressure was introduced.During bubble collapsing,sound vibration and instantaneous high pressures over 100 MPa enhanced the cuttingability of the high-pressure jet.Through high-pressure pulsed water jet drilling and slotting,the exposure area of coal bodies was greatly enlarged and pressure of the coal seamsrapidly decreased.Therefore,the permeability of coal seams was improved and gas absorptionrate also decreased.Application results show that gas adsorption rate decreasedby 30%-40%and the penetrability coefficient increased 100 times.This proves that high-pressurepulsed water is more efficient than other conventional methods.

Effect of music on blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of asymptomatic individuals: A randomized controlled trial

A slight reduction of blood pressure and heart rate can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Maintenance of the respiratory rate within the normal range has also being identified as crucial for a healthy heart. Use of Indian and western music have been considered among many preventive programmes for long time in order to risk reduction associated with cardio vascular diseases. Therefore the aim of this study is to describe the effect of Indian classical music on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate in asymptomatic individuals aged 45 to 65 years. Methodology: A community based randomized intervention study was conducted in 252 asymptomatic individuals. The study group (n = 127) listened to a music based on Indian classical system (entire track of 22 minutes). The control group (n = 125) was kept silent for a similar time period. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of each study participant were monitored before and after the intervention. Results: Statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (8.53 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (5.8 mmHg), pulse rate (5.16 breaths per minute) and respiratory rate (2.55 per minute) were observed in the study group after listening to the music (p < 0.01). In the control group, changes observed during the period of intervention were not significant (p > 0.05). The reduction was independent of gender, age, education level, practicing a mind relaxation technique and preferred type of music of the participant. Conclusions: Listening to Indian classical music for about 22 minutes significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of asymptomatic individuals. Hence, music may have a potential benefit in cardio vascular disease preventive programmes.

Investigation of Nanosecond Pulsed Discharge and Its Audio Characteristics in Atmospheric-pressure Air

There was no well-resolved mechanism of audible noise caused by corona discharge on UHV transmission lines. Hence we measured the sound pressure of pulsed discharges between needle-plane electrodes under different discharge conditions in air, for revealing the intrinsic relationship between discharge and its audible noise(AN). The relationship between discharge parameters and audio characte- ristics was drawn from the analysis of the electric and sound signals obtained in experiments. Experiment results showed that nanosecond pulsed discharges produce the sound pressure with a microsecond pulse lagging behind the discharge pulse in their waveforms. The peak value of the sound pulse decreases and its high frequency component gradually attenuates, when the measuring distance from discharges increases. The sound pulses correlate with the discharge current and voltage significantly, especially the current. The audible noise produced by repetitive pulsed discharge increases with the strength, duration, and pulse repetition rate of discharge.

The pulse pressure in a premature infant less than 37 weeks gestational age with a patent ductus arteriosus

A widened pulse pressure could be a sign of a patent ductus arteriosus in an infant. This is defined as a difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure of greater than 15 to 25 mmHg, in premature infants and greater than 25 mmHg in term infants [1]. It is thought that diastolic runoff from blood flow shunting across the aorta to the pulmonary artery, through the patent ductus arteriosus, will produce a lower diastolic pressure and therefore widen the pulse pressure in the affected infant [1]. In our retrospective chart review, 116 premature infants were identified with a patent ductus arteriosus and compared to 42 premature infants without a patent ductus arteriosus. The blood pressures obtained were recorded for the first 7 days of life of the patients. Our studies revealed that premature infants with a patent ductus arteriosus had a mean pulse pressure of19 mmHg (p-value 0.129) when compared to infants without a patent ductus arteriosus,16 mmHg, on day 1 of life. The mean pulse pressures were ~20 mmHg in both groups on days 2 - 3. On days 4 - 7 mean pulse pressures were greater than20 mmHg for both groups (p-values 0.35, 0.19, 0.74, 0.8). It was noticed that mean pulse pressures in the patent ductus arteriosus group were within 0-4 mmHg when compared to the group without a patent ductus arteriosus and therefore not clinically relevant or statistically significant.

Pulse Pressure as a Risk Factor of Atrial Fibrillation in Black African Elderly Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to show the prognostic role of High Pulse Pressure (PP) in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation in Black African elderly patients. Materials and Methods: In a comparative retrospective study related to 2000 patients admitted to the Institute of Cardiology of Abidjan, from January 1991 to December 2010 for atrial fibrillation, we matched pulse pressure and atrial fibrillation in Black African elderly patients. Results: The mean age of patients was 65 ± 10 years. Patients with high pulse pressure were 4.8 times more at risk to present atrial fibrillation than those with normal pulse pressure. The threshold of high risk pulse pressure was 65 mmHg. Conclusion: Pulse pressure is a factor of bad prognosis of atrial fibrillation in Black African elderly patients.