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The hemodynamic effect of levosimendan was compared to that of dobutamine in a trial enrolling 30 adults undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to receive levosimendan in a single dose of 18 microg x kg(-1) followed in 15 to 20 minutes by start of infusion at a rate of 0.2 microg x kg(-1) min(-1) for 24 hours (levosimendan group). Another 15 randomized patients received dobutamine infused at a rate of 7.5 microg x kg(-1) min(-1). Hemodynamic parameters were measured before starting infusion of the drug and after 24 hours of treatment. Changes in the main hemodynamic parameters were as follows. In the levosimendan group heart rate (beats/min) was 87.15 (SD 10.22) at baseline and 87.91 (6.00) at 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.96 (10.57) at baseline and 86.41 (13.29) after 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.21 (0.23) at baseline and 2.53 (0.35) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec(-1)/cm(-5)) was 1436.74 (311.48) at baseline and 1378.35 (320.68) at 24 hours. In the dobutamine group heart rate (beats/min) was 84.28 (2.18) at baseline and 96.02 (9.10) after 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.59 (9.05) at baseline and 74.29 (6.33) at 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.16 (0.28) at baseline and) 3.02 (0.34) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec(-1)/cm(-5)) was 1578.93 (334.88) at baseline and 1136.68 (158.60) at 24 hours. We found that mean arterial pressure and both systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly in the levosimendan group (P < 0.05), but not in the dobutamine group. On the other hand, both heart rate and cardiac index increased in the levosimendan group only (P < 0.05). We conclude that levosimendan improves hemodynamic stability in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and that it is a good alternative for treating postoperative low cardiac output syndrome.

Acute renal insufficiency is characterized by a sudden decrease in renal function. Various causes are implicated and the physiopathological mechanisms are quite complex. When kidney failure is associated with other organ or system failure, the patient is usually treated in an intensive care unit. Such "critical status" patients are characterized by severe cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic unstability that may make conventional methods of dialysis (intermittent hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) impossible or inadvisable. Continuous methods of renal replacement include 24-hour extracorporeal blood filtration for an indefinite period of time. Such aspects of renal function as electrolyte regulation of nitrogenated products, inflammatory mediators and so forth are replaced or supplemented by various continuous modes available. In this review we discuss the functions and indications for the continuous renal replacement techniques available. The components of each technique are studied exhaustively with a view to obtaining benefit.

A 69-year-old man was admitted to the Intensive Care Recovery Unit after heart surgery, carrying an intra balloon counterpulsation (IABCP) device inserted percutaneously days before surgery to provide hemodynamic support and which was still required after surgery. Fifteen days after insertion, blood was observed in the safety chamber. Surgical removal of the catheter was required when attempts to remove it manually failed. The balloon was seen to be perforated and clotted blood was found inside. We believe that long-term maintenance of IABCP carries high risk of perforation and entry of blood, which will clot, as well as of catheter entrapment unless removal is prompt.

We report the case of a male patient with a carcinoma of the upper third of the esophagus who presented a tracheal rupture during a transhiatal esophagectomy. The clinical picture was characterized by a severe alteration of the ventilatory function that required selective intubation and, later on, a right thoracotomy for repairing the tracheal lesion. After surgery the patient was treated at the Recovery Unit. He received high-frequency mechanic ventilation (jet ventilation type) during nine days in a attempt to decrease the risk for dehiscence of the tracheal suture and to ensure an adequate oxygenation and hemodynamic control. The clinical course was favourable.