The use of arfonad for the alleviation of cardio-vascular stress following electro-convulsive therapy

The safety of electro-convulsive therapy (E.C.T.) has been greatly increased since muscle relaxants were first introduced for this purpose. Short-acting relaxants such as suxamethonium and suxethonium reduce the usual strong tonic and clonic contractions to faint muscle twitchings, and fractures do not occur. Respiration can be maintained throughout by positive pressure inflation so that cyanosis and stertorous breathing are avoided. This may ensure that material from small pulmonary lesions is not disseminated to other areas. It is disappointing that the cardiovascular commotion is only slightly reduced, and deaths still occur, albeit rarely.

Cardiovascular disturbances in chronic severe anemia

Cardiovascular disturbances in 60 patients with chronic severe anemia have been studied. Although in a majority the classical hyperkinetic syndrome of anemia was seen, 40 per cent of the patients showed a different pattern that was characterized by absence of tachycardia, comparatively diminished velocity of the blood flow, and a normal or diminished cardiac output even in the presence of congestive failure. Other differences in the manifestations have been evaluated. No cause could be discovered for this difference and for the high incidence of congestive failure seen in this series.