Abstract
Research of medical gases is well established in Poland and has been marked with the foundation of several professional societies. Numerous academic centers including those dealing with hyperbaric and diving medicine conduct studies of medical gases, in vast majority supported with intramural funds. In general, Polish research of medical gases is very much clinical in nature, covering new applications and safety of medical gases in medicine; on the other hand there are several academic centers pursuing preclinical studies, and elaborating basic theories of gas physiology and mathematical modeling of gas exchange. What dominates is research dealing with oxygen and ozone as well as studies of anesthetic gases and their applications. Finally, several research directions involving noble gas, hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide for cell protection, only begin to gain recognition of basic scientists and clinicians. However, further developments require more monetary spending on research and clinical testing as well as formation of new collective bodies for coordinating efforts in this matter.
Highlights
This paper summarizes and critically reviews research of medical gases in Poland done up to the year of 2012, predominately emphasizing interesting findings and promising directions to follow
We have searched bibliographical databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge and used Polish search engines such as Expertus with publication records for employees of medical, agricultural, and military universities and research institutes in Poland. Timeline of these records stretched from April 1974 until January 2013
In general we focused on medical gases administered as exogenous agents, keeping in mind though that some of these gases can be formed
Summary
This paper summarizes and critically reviews research of medical gases in Poland done up to the year of 2012, predominately emphasizing interesting findings and promising directions to follow. Quite a few Polish studies investigated the very mechanism of anesthetic action of halogenated gases both on basic science and clinical grounds where the understanding is far from complete These studies showed that once postulated theory of anesthesia, referring to endogenous opioid peptides may appear plausible as leu-enkephalin has been found increased in hypothalamus, hippocampus, mesencephalon and lumbar segment of spinal cord in isoflurane anesthetized rabbits. As stressed in one original paper by Baranowska et al neurological complication during heart surgery relate to long duration of ventilation, prolonged crossclamping and CPB while low CPP, history of atrial fibrillation or stroke as well as advanced age, the need for clinically effective preconditioning procedures [97] Both isoflurane and sevoflurane could reduce biochemical markers of brain injury including MMP-9, GFAP and S-100β, and ameliorated disturbed arteriovenous magnesium concentration differences in patients after CABG, as compared to intravenous anesthesia [98,99].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call