CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF DILTIAZEM IN THE DOG

SUMMARY The effects of two bolus injections (0.2 mg kg−1) and two infusion rates (0.2 mg min−1 and 0.4 mg min−1) ofdiltiazem on global and regional left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) performance (ultrasonic dimension technique), on coronary (electromagnetic flow meters) and systemic haemodynamics, and on electrophysiology (PR, QRS, QTC intervals) were studied in eight open-chest dogs anaesthetized with droperidol and fentanyl. The two bolus injections of diltiazem resulted in plasma concentrations of 688 ± 115 and 650 ± 85 ng ml−1 (means ± SE), respectively, and caused substantial decreases in systemic and coronary vascular resistances, and in aortic pressure, and increases in LV segment shortening, stroke volume and aortic flow. Electro -physiological variables were little affected. At the low infusion rate (plasma concentration 140 ± 23 ng ml−1) coronary and systemic vaso-dilatation occurred, but global and regional RV and LV performance were little affected. PR interval increased by 15%. At the higher infusion rate (plasma concentration 282 ± 33 ng ml−1) coronary and systemic vasodilatation were maintained. Aortic pressure decreased slightly. Whereas LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions remained unchanged, they increased in the RV. In addition, the PR interval increased by 35%, and three animals developed atrio-ventricular block type I. The data indicate that diltiazem is a potent coronary and systemic vasodilator with little effect on global RV and L V performance. However, at a higher infusion rate RV dimensions clearly tend to increase, and conduction abnormalities develo

Electrometer system measures nanoamps at high voltage

Floating electrometer eliminates major source of error since any leakage from electrometer case, which is at high voltage, appears only as load on high voltage supply and not as part of current being measured. Commands to and data from floating electrometer are transferred across high voltage interface by means of optical channels

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of body psychotherapy in the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia - a multi-centre randomised controlled trial

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Cost-effectiveness of financial incentives to promote adherence to depot antipsychotic medication: economic evaluation of a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background: Offering a modest financial incentive to people with psychosis can promote adherence to depot antipsychotic medication, but the cost-effectiveness of this approach has not been examined. Methods: Economic evaluation within a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial. 141 patients under the care of 73 teams (clusters) were randomised to intervention or control; 138 patients with diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder or bipolar disorder participated. Intervention participants received £15 per depot injection over 12 months, additional to usual acute, mental and community primary health services. The control group received usual health services. Main outcome measures: incremental cost per 20% increase in adherence to depot antipsychotic medication; incremental cost of ‘good’ adherence (defined as taking at least 95% of the prescribed number of depot medications over the intervention period). Findings: Economic and outcome data for baseline and 12-month follow-up were available for 117 participants. The adjusted difference in adherence between groups was 12.2% (73.4% control vs. 85.6% intervention); the adjusted costs difference was £598 (95% CI -£4 533, £5 730). The extra cost per patient to increase adherence to depot medications by 20% was £982 (95% CI -£8 020, £14 000). The extra cost per patient of achieving 'good' adherence was £2 950 (CI -£19 400, £27 800). Probability of cost-effectiveness exceeded 97.5%at willingness-to-pay values of £14 000 for a 20% increase in adherence and £27 800 for good adherence. Interpretation: Offering a modest financial incentive to people with psychosis is cost-effective in promoting adherence to depot antipsychotic medication. Direct healthcare costs (including costs of the financial incentive) are unlikely to be increased by this intervention. Trial Registration: ISRCTN.com 7776928

Good practice in mental health care for socially marginalised groups in Europe: a qualitative study of expert views in 14 countries

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Understanding psychiatric institutionalization: a conceptual review

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