898 Correspondence

labetolol: as well as in response to cold, acute fear and narcotic abstinence syndrome. None of these was applicable in this case. It has also been described in response to mast cell degradation in rats.’

We would be interested to know if any readers have noticed pilo-erection in association with drug reactions. Might pilo-erection be a useful warning of a potentially life-treating situation?

Leicester Royal Injrmary, Leicester LEI 5 WW

P.G. RABEY R.H. JAMES

References

1. RIQUIER R, PETIT J, OKSENHENDLER G, WINCKLER C. Disclosure of a fatal phaeochromocytoma during general anaesthesia (English title). Annales FranGaises d’AnesthPsie et de Rbanimation 1987; 6: 117-9.

2. STEPHENS MDB. Drug induced pilo-erection in man: An alpha- one adrenoceptor agonist activity? Human Toxicology 1986; 5:

3. LEWIS SJ, QUINN MJ, FENNESSY MR, JARROTT B. Ackte intracerebroventricular injections of the mast cell degranulator compound 48/80 and behaviour in rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 1989; 33: 75-9.

319-24.

Blood pressure cuff changeover in paediatric anaesthesia

During routine paediatric anaesthesia noninvasive blood pressure measurements are required on a wide age range of patients. Critikon have a selection of Disposa-cufs (sizes 1-5) for use in neonates. These are attached to the pneumatic hose by pressing the connectors into a connector ‘head’ (Fig. 1). For infants and children a range of Duracufs are available which require a different pneumatic hose, which has screw-on connections (Fig. 1). During the rapid patient turnover of a busy operating list, frequent changing of the pneumatic hoses at the back of the Dinamap vital signs monitor is time consuming and produces significant wear and tear on the connections. Using silicone tubing, two 3-way taps, two female connectors taken from old perished pneumatic hose and four male connectors from old blood pressure cuffs, we have made a simple tap system which allows for easy and efficient changeover between pneumatic circuits (Fig. 2).

Shackleton Department of G.A. CHARLTON Anaesthetics, A. APADOO

Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO9 4 X Y

Fig. 1. Press-in connector ‘head’ for neonatal cuffs on left. Screw-on connector for all other cuffs on right.

Fig. 2. Simultaneous attachment of both pneumatic circuits with 3-way tap allowing for selection of circuit being utilized.

Acoustic monitoring of arterial blood pressure

In a recently published letter, Dr Gilston mentioned two differentiates between the heart rate derived from the ECG, major facilities that he would like to see added to and the peripheral pulse rate (obtained by means of pulse monitoring equipment (Anaesthesia 1991; 46: 420). In the oximetry). In the second place, he underscores the first place he would like to have an acoustic signal that importance, during invasive arterial blood pressure