Prolonged curarization associated with propranolol.

The Care of Blood during Transport and in Hospitals. Recommendation of the National Blood Transfusion Committee of the Australian Red Cross Society. Med.]. A1£st., 1971, ~: 1081-1084. During storage of blood it is essential that every effort be made to prevent (a) deterioration of the cellular and protein elements; (b) changes which may cause difficulty in administering the blood; and (c) multiplication of am· microorganisms which may be present. The article sets out mechanisms of changes in blood, and the subsequent consequences, resulting from inadequate storage and transport facilities. Recommendations are made for conditions considered necessary for safe practice. Advice is given on the organization of blood transfusion services within hospitals so that an adequate and consistent control of conditions is established and maintained. Prolonged Curarization Associated with Propanalol. M. S. Rosen and F. McK. Wban. JJcd.]. A.ust., ]97~, 1 : J67-469. The beta-blocker propanalol was used in the preparation of two thyrotoxic patients for surgery and appeared to prolong the action of curare. The case histories are reported witb a brief review of the literature. Previous workers have reported an intefaction between the two drugs but the clinical significance is not clear. In \"iew of these case reports it is suggested that dosage requirements of relaxants, in patients receiving large doses of propanalol, should be carefulh· monitored. Creatine Phosphokinase m Clinical Medicine. J. O. King and P. Zap£. JIed. ]. Aust., ]972, 1 (14): 699. The biochemistry of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and the factors which influence its level in human serum are reviewed. For the clinician, most uSe for this biochemical estimation will be found in the care of patients with myocardial infarction and muscle diseases, but grossly abnormal values may be found in hypothyroidism, cerebrovascular accidents, alcoho·lism, acute psychoses, and occasionally in mam" other conditions. In interpreting the result for a particular patient, special consideration must be given to the ease of venepuncture, problems in estimation, the effects of exercise, physical agents, drugs, injections, and the timing of sample collections. These factors are considered with a view towards assisting in the evaluation of the result of the CPK estimation in a particular case. Ketamine and Methohexital in Electroconvulsive Therapy. E. J. McInnes and N. ~fcI. J ames. JI ed. ]. A lIst., 1972,