大黄减轻维持性血液透析患者静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应

目的探讨大黄对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应的影响。方法选择在我院血液净化中心行MHD治疗的患者50例,随机分为静脉铁剂治疗组（A组）和静脉铁剂＋大黄治疗组（B组）。B组给予大黄泡水饮服8周。分别于治疗前后检测各组患者血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）、血清铁（SI）、铁蛋白（SF）、转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）,C反应蛋白（CRP）,肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-1β、11710等。结果治疗8周后,A组和B组Hb、Hct、SI、SF、TSAT、CRP、TNF-α、IL-1β较治疗前升高;B组CRP、TNF-α、IL-1β均较A组降低（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）;2组IL-10水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论大黄可以减轻静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症反应。     

番茄红素对血液透析患者静脉铁剂诱导微炎症状态的影响

目的：观察维持性血液透析（MHD）患者由静脉铁剂诱导的微炎症状态,探讨番茄红素对其的干预作用。方法：60例MHD患者,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组各30例。对照组：在患者透析时给予蔗糖铁注射液100mg,2次／周,共10次,观察时间8周。试验组：除蔗糖铁注射液使用外,同时口服番茄红素胶囊,2粒／次,2次／d,用药8周,观察时间8周。观察并比较两组患者治疗前及治疗8周后的血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞比容（Hct）、血清铁（SI）、铁蛋白（SF）、转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）以及白细胞介素-1β（IL-18）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF—α）、C反应蛋白（CRP）等指标的变化。结果：两组患者治疗后IL-18、IL-6、TNF—α及CRP水平较治疗前均有显著性升高（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）,但是试验组升高幅度显著性小于对照组（P〈0．01）;试验组患者治疗后IL-10水平较治疗前有显著性升高（P〈0．01）,并且试验组升高幅度显著性大于对照组（P〈0．05）;两组血清IL-6、TNF—α水平均与SF呈正相关（P〈0．01）：两组Hb、Hct、SI、SF、TSAT较治疗前均有显著性升高（P〈0．01）,并且两组升高幅度相似,差异无统计学意义。结论：静脉铁剂治疗加剧了MHD患者的微炎症状态。番茄红素可减轻这种微炎症状态。     

乌司他丁改善维持性血液透析患者微炎症及氧化应激状态

目的观察乌司他丁对维持性血液透析（MHD）患者微炎症和氧化应激状态的影响。方法选取我院行MHD治疗的患者51例，随机分为MHD对照组（M组）和乌司他丁治疗组（U组），U组患者于每次透析结束后静脉滴注乌司他丁20万U，共12周。同时设立健康对照组（C组）。分别于治疗前后检测患者血清高敏C反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）以及血浆丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSHPx）。结果①与C组相比，M组和U组治疗前hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL-6和MDA水平均明显升高（P〈0．01）；GSHPx水平下降（P〈0．01）；②U组治疗12周后与治疗前相比，hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL6和MDA水平均明显下降（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），GSHPx水平增高（P〈0．01）；③在治疗12周后，U组hs—CRP、TNF-α、IL-6和MDA水平较M组降低（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），而GSHPx水平增高（P〈0．01）。结论以上结果提示乌司他丁可改善MHD患者微炎症及氧化应激状态。     

番茄红素对血液透析患者静脉铁剂诱导氧化应激的影响

目的：观察维持性血液透析（MHD）患者由静脉铁剂诱导的氧化应激状态，探讨番茄红素对其的干预作用。方法：30例MHD患者，随机分为对照组和试验组，各15例。对照组在患者透析时给予蔗糖铁注射液100mg，2次／周，共10次，观察时间8周；试验组除蔗糖铁注射液使用外，同时口服番茄红素胶囊，2粒／次，2次／d。用药8周，观察时间8周，观察并比较两组患者治疗前及治疗8周后的血红蛋白（m）、红细胞比容（Hct）、血清铁（SI）、铁蛋白（SF）、转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）以及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—px）、丙二醛（MDA）等指标的变化。结果：两组患者治疗后SOD和GSH—px水平较治疗前均有显著下降（P〈0．01）；但是试验组下降幅度显著性小于对照组（P〈0．01）。两组患者治疗后MDA水平较治疗前有显著性升高（P〈0．01）；但是试验组升高幅度显著性小于对照组（P〈0.01）。治疗后两组血清MDA水平与SF呈正相关（P〈0.01）。治疗后两组Hb、Hct、SI、SF、TSAT较治疗前均有显著性升高（P〈0．01），并且两组升高幅度相似，无统计学差异。结论：静脉铁剂治疗加剧了MHD患者的氧化应激状态。番茄红素可减轻这种氧化应激状态。     

静脉补铁对维持性血液透析患者微炎症及氧化应激状态的影响

目的探讨静脉补铁对维持性血液透析(MHD)患者微炎症及氧化应激状态的影响。方法选择MHD患者71例,随机分为静脉组(24例)、口服组(27例)和未补铁组(20例)。观察用药前后血红蛋白(Hb)浓度、红细胞压积(Hct)、血清铁(SI)、血清铁蛋白(SF)、转铁蛋白饱和度(TSAT)等疗效指标以及血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)等炎症指标和血浆及红细胞中丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱苷肽过氧化物酶(CSH-px)、全血过氧化氢酶(CAT)等氧化应激指标,并监测不良反应。结果8周后,静脉组Hb水平及SF较治疗前明显改善(P<0.01);血浆及红细胞中MDA较治疗前显著升高(P<0.01),SOD、GSH-px和全血中的CAT均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.01或P<0.05);血清CRP、IL-1β、TNF-α均较治疗前显著升高(P<0.01或P<0.05)。相关性分析发现,8周后静脉组血浆MDA与SF呈正相关,MDA与TNF-α呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论静脉补铁可有效改善患者贫血及缺铁,但也加剧了其炎症及氧化应激状态。MHD患者体内炎症及氧化应激之间具有相关性,氧化应激似乎是形成慢性炎症的关键因素之一。     

高通量血液透析对维持性血液透析患者营养状况的影响

目的 探讨高通量血液透析（high-flux hemodialysis,HFHD）对维持性血液透析（maintain hemodialysis,MHD）患者营养状况的影响。方法 将MHD的终末期肾脏疾病患者48例,随机分为低通量血液透析（low-flux hemodialysis,LFHD）组和高通量血液透析（high-flux hemodialysis,HFHD）组,每组24例。分别于治疗前和治疗后24周检测血红蛋白（Hb）、血浆白蛋白（Alb）、转铁蛋白（transferrin,TRF）、营养不良-炎症评分（malnutrition inflammation score,MIS）等观察指标。结果 2组治疗前比较,Hb、Alb、TRF、MIS无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;HFHD组治疗后Hb、Alb、TRF较其治疗前增高,MIS较其治疗前降低（P〈0．05）;2组治疗后,HFHD组Hb、Alb、TRF较LF-HD组增高,MIS较LFHD组降低（P〈0．05）。结论 HFHD可有效改善MHD患者的营养状况。     

维持性血液透析患者微炎症状态相关因子与左心室重塑的关系

目的：分析维持性血液透析患者（MHD）血中C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素-1（IL-1）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、血清白蛋白（Alb）与其心脏结构和功能指标之间关系，探讨MHD患者微炎症状态相关因子与左心室重塑的关系。方法：选择34例MHD患者及30例健康人（对照组），分别检测CRP、IL-1、IL-6、Alb水平，并应用超声心动图测定他们的左房内径（LAD）、左心室舒张末内径（LVDs）、左心室收缩末内径（LVDd）、室间隔厚度（IVST）、左心室后壁厚度（LVPWT）、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、计算左心室心肌重量指数（LVMI），分析MHD患者微炎症状态相关因子与左心室重塑的关系。结果：MHD患者中CRP、IL-1、IL-6等指标明显高于对照组，两者有统计学差异（P〈0．05。P〈0．01），MHD患者LAD、LVDs、LVDd、IVST、LVWPT值均明显高于对照组，两者有统计学差异（P〈0．01，P〈0．05），Alb、LVEF较正常对照组明显降低（P〈0．05），LVMI较正常对照组显著升高，有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。CRP、IL-1、IL-6分别与LAD、LVDs、LVDd、IVST、LVWPT、LVMI呈正相关（P〈0．01，P〈0．05），与LVEF呈负相关（P〈0．05）。结论：MHD患者存在微炎症状态，并可能与心室重塑的发生和发展有关。     

抗坏血酸透析液对维持性血透静脉补铁患者hs—CRP、TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GSH—px因子表达的影响

目的：观察抗坏血酸透析液对维持性血透（MHD）静脉补铁患者的血超敏c反应蛋白（hs—CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、血浆丙二醛（MDA）、谷光甘肽过物氧化酶（GHS—px）等因子表达的影响。方法：选择病情稳定、透析时间达3月以上、静脉补铁纠正贫血的MHD患者48例,随机分两组,一组为常规透析液组（A组）,一组为抗坏血酸透析液组（B组）,每组24例,样本一般情况差异无统计学意义。共进行3次血hs—CRP、TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GSH—px因子的测定,第1次为首次补铁前,第2次为补铁5周,第3次为补铁7周。结果：两组在补铁前上述各项炎症因子差异无统计学意义;补铁5周后,两组之间hs—CRP、TNF—α、GSH—px因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,IL-6、MDA因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;补铁7周后,两组之间TNF—α、IL-6、MDA、GHS—px因子差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,hs—CRP因子差异无统计学意义;抗坏血酸透析液组未见恶心、呕吐、过敏和腹泻等表现。结论：静脉补铁可诱发微炎症反应及加重氧化应激反应,应用抗坏血酸透析液可明显改善静脉补铁MHD患者的微炎症和氧化应激反应。     

中老年维持性血透患者微炎症状态相关因子与左心室重塑的关系

目的：探讨维持性血液透析患者（MHD）血中C反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素-1（IL-1）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、血清白蛋白（Alb）与其心脏结构和功能指标之间关系,MHD患者微炎症状态相关因子与左心室重塑的关系。方法：随机选择老年MHD患者30例、中年MHD患者30例、健康人（对照组）28例,分别检测CRP、IL-1、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、Alb水平,并应用超声心动图测定他们的左房内径（LAD）、左心室舒张末内径（LVDd）、左心室收缩末内径（LVDs）、室间隔厚度（IVST）、左心室后壁厚度（LVPWT）、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、计算左心室心肌重量指数（LVMI）,胸部平片计算心胸比率。分析炎症与左心关系。结果：MHD患者中CRP、IL-1、IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α等指标明显高于对照组,三者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;MHD患者LAD、LVIM、LVDs、IVST、LVWPT值均明显高于对照组,三者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;Alb、LVEF较正常对照组明显降低（P〈0．05）;LVMI较正常对照组显著升高（P〈0．01）。CRP、IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α分别与LAD、LVDs、LVD、IVST、LVWPT、LVMI呈正相关（P〈0．05）,与LVEF呈负相关（P〈0．05）;IL-10分别与圳）、LVDs、LVDd、IVST、LVWPT、LVMI呈负相关（P〈0．05）,与LVEF呈正相关（P〈0．05）。老年MHD组LAD、LVPWT、IVST、LVMI水平显著高于中年组（P〈0．05）,而LVEF显著低于中年组（P〈0．05）。结论：MHD患者存在微炎症状态,与心室重塑的发生和发展有关,老年MHD患者尤为显著。     

静脉铁剂在肾性贫血中的治疗作用

目的观察右旋糖酐铁静脉注射治疗尿毒症致肾性贫血的疗效和不良反应。方法80例尿毒症血液透析病人随机分为两组。对照组：速立菲200mg，每日3次，口服。治疗组：右旋糖酐铁100mg，每周1次，静脉滴注。两组均治疗10周，并同时应用促红细胞生成素（EPO）9000U/周。结果对照组治疗后血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）较治疗前有明显升高（P〈0．01），但转铁蛋白饱和度（TSAT）、铁蛋白（FT）与治疗前对比无明显提高（P〉0．05）。治疗组治疗后Hb、Hct、TSAT、FT较治疗前均有显著升高（P〈0．001）。两组治疗后的Hb、Hct、TSAT、FT对比，治疗组比对照组有显著升高（P〈0．001）。结论静脉注射铁剂能有效补充EPO治疗中所需要的铁储备，疗效优于口服，不良反应少。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.