The cavity electrocardiogram in emergency artificial pacing

Effective temporary pacing was achieved using the cavity ECG as a guide in twenty-five of twenty-six patients, twenty of whom were too ill to be moved to the fluoroscope.

In all patients U.S.C.I. unipolar or bipolar electrodes were used and in eleven patients this method of pacing was applied during resuscitation; four patients survived to leave hospital.

This technique is described and is recommended for emergency pacing when a bedside image intensifier is unavailable.

Coeliac axis compression syndrome

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A biological assay for calcitonin

(1) Calcitonin preparations from acetone-dried thyroid were administered to rats by various routes.

(2) Intravenous administration, especially by infusion, produced a much greater fall in plasma calcium than s.c. or i.p. injection.

(3) The log dose-effect curves after i.v. injection or infusion showed no evidence of non-linearity over a 100-fold dose range and had highly significant slopes.

(4) The potency ratio of two preparations was estimated by means of a (2+2) assay design using both i.v. infusion and single i.v. injection. There was satisfactory agreement.

(5) The i.v. injection method is recommended for the routine assay of calcitonin. A simple assay schedule is given in the Appendix.

(6) A unit of calcitonin activity is defined in terms of a standard preparation.