腰方肌阻滞与腹横肌平面阻滞用于成人腹部手术术后镇痛效果的Meta分析

目的评价超声引导下腰方肌阻滞(QLB)与腹横肌平面阻滞(TAPB)在成人腹部手术术后镇痛的效果。方法检索Cochrane、Pubmed、Embase、中国知网、万方和维普数据库,纳入腰方肌阻滞(QLB组)与腹横肌平面阻滞(TAP组)在成人腹部手术后镇痛比较的随机对照试验(RCT)。主要结局指标为术后VAS疼痛评分,次要结局指标包括术后24 h内补救性镇痛率及术后不良反应发生率。采用RevMan 5.3进行Meta分析。结果最终纳入19项RCTs,共1412例患者。与TAP组比较,QLB组术后8 h静息(MD=-0.29, 95%CI-0.52～-0.06,P0.05)及运动状态(MD=-0.47, 95%CI-0.80～-0.14,P0.05)和12h静息(MD=-0.30,95%CI-0.48～-0.13,P0.05)及运动状态(MD=-0.68, 95%CI-1.03～-0.33,P0.05)时VAS评分均明显降低。QLB组术后24 h内补救性镇痛率明显低于TAP组(RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.17～0.42,P0.05),同时恶心呕吐、眩晕的发生率明显低于TAP组(RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.24～0.56,P0.05; RR=0.29, 95%CI 0.14～0.57,P0.05)。结论腰方肌阻滞用于成人腹部手术术后镇痛效果优于腹横肌平面阻滞,且不良反应更少。     

温阳活血利水法治疗糖尿病肾病的Meta分析

目的系统评价温阳活血利水法治疗糖尿病肾病(diabetic nephropathy,DN)的疗效及安全性。方法电子检索外文数据库PubMed、EMbase、The Cochrane Library及中国期刊全文数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、万方数据库、维普数据库,并辅以手工检索,全面收集温阳活血利水法治疗DN的随机对照临床研究,检索时间为建库至2016年4月1日,对符合标准的文献采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入16个临床随机对照试验,合计1 107例DN患者。Meta分析结果显示:以温阳活血利水法为主的中西医结合治疗组治疗DN显效率、总有效率优于西医常规对照组(RR=1.97,95%CI 1.50~2.59,Z=4.86,P0.01;RR=1.48,95%CI 1.35~1.62,Z=8.58,P0.01);治疗组较对照组降低血肌酐明显(MD=-32.33,95%CI-58.20~-6.47,Z=2.45,P=0.01);升高高密度脂蛋白效果明显(MD=0.16,95%CI 0.09~0.23,Z=4.33,P0.01);降低胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白效果明显(胆固醇MD=-0.82,95%CI-1.28~-0.36,Z=3.49,P=0.000 5;三酰甘油MD=-0.40,95%CI-0.53~-0.26,Z=5.95,P0.01;低密度脂蛋白MD=-0.49,95%CI-0.76~~0.21,Z=3.46,P=0.000 5);减少尿蛋白效果更明显(MD=-0.46,95%CI-0.61~-0.31,Z=6.01,P0.01);在控制空腹血糖方面更为明显(MD=-0.34,95%CI-0.57~-0.12,Z=3.00,P=0.003);而在降低肿瘤坏死因子-α水平方面疗效相当(P=0.33)。结论以温阳活血利水法为主的中西医结合方法治疗DN的临床综合疗效显著优于西医常规治疗方法,且安全性较好,值得在临床推广应用。     

髂筋膜间隙阻滞对老年患者髋部骨折手术围术期镇痛的影响Meta分析

目的采用Meta分析的方法系统评价髂筋膜间隙阻滞(FICB)对老年患者髋部骨折手术围术期镇痛效果及安全性的影响。方法检索Medline、Ovid、Cochrane、Embase、知网、万方、维普等数据库,收集1996—2020年发表的FICB用于老年患者髋部骨折手术的随机对照试验(RCT),对照组在围术期给予生理盐水。按Cochrane指导手册的方法选择文献、提取资料及评价研究质量。采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入9篇发表于2007—2019年的RCT研究,共计675例患者,其中研究组353例,对照组322例。与对照组比较,研究组术后24 h内患肢活动时VAS疼痛评分明显降低(SMD=-1.82,95%CI-2.26～-1.38),术后24 h内阿片类药物累计用量明显减少(SMD=-0.69,95%CI-0.95～-0.42)。两组术后24 h内患肢静息时VAS疼痛评分(SMD=-0.56,95%CI-1.44～0.31)、爆发痛发生率(RR=0.66,95%CI 0.36～1.23)、总住院时间(SMD=0.36,95%CI-1.50～2.23)以及术后恶心呕吐发生率(RR=2.31,95%CI 0.24～22.53)差异无统计学意义。结论围术期使用髂筋膜间隙单次阻滞能够缓解老年患者髋部骨折术后早期运动疼痛程度及总体麻醉药用量,但不会缩短住院时间。     

快速康复外科在开腹肝癌切除术中应用的Meta分析

目的:评价在开腹肝癌切除术围手术期应用快速康复外科(ERAS)的安全性、有效性及对患者术后恢复的影响。方法:检索多个国内外数据库收集有关开腹肝癌肝切除中应用ERAS的随机对照研究(RCT),对纳入的文献进行质量评价和数据提取后,应用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:最终纳入RCT研究16篇,1770例患者,其中ERAS组888例,对照组882例。Meta结果显示,与对照组比较,ERAS组术后并发症的发生率明显降低(MD=0.47,95%CI=0.35～0.63,P0.001);术后首次排气时间明显缩短(SMD=-3.64,95%CI=-4.72～2.56,P0.001);术后第3、7天丙氨酸氨基转移酶水平(MD=-50.23,95%CI=-59.35～-41.11,P0.001;MD=-37.48,CI=-42.19～-32.78,P0.001)与术后第1、3天C-反应蛋白水平(MD=-38.64,95%CI=-61.14～-16.14,P0.001;MD=-26.75,95%CI=-46.03～-7.47,P0.01)均明显降低;术后住院时间(MD=-2.71,95%CI=-3.86～-1.55,P0.001)和总住院时间(MD=-2.86,95%CI=-4.11～-1.62,P0.001)及住院费用(MD=-1.20,95%CI=-1.84～-0.57,P0.05)均明显减少。结论:开腹肝癌切除术围术期实施ERAS方案安全、有效,有利于患者术后恢复,减少住院时间和降低医疗费用。     

手助腹腔镜与开放手术活体供肾取肾术的系统评估

目的系统评价手助腹腔镜下活体供肾切取术(HLDN)与开放活体供肾切取术(ODN)的安全性及效果。方法采用计算机互联网检索Pubmed数据库、Sciverse数据库、考克兰图书馆数据库、中国知网、中文科技期刊数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库及万方数据库收录期刊已发表的包含HLDN和ODN两种术式的随机对照试验(RCT)研究。两位研究者根据纳入、排除标准独立筛选文献,应用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果通过筛选共纳入10个RCT,共1 230例患者。Meta分析结果提示,活体供肾取肾时,与ODN术式比较,HLDN术式的手术时间和热缺血时间较长[合并比值比(OR)值为35.81,95%可信区间(CI)13.98～57.65,P=0.001;合并OR43.99,95%CI 32.31～55.66,P0.00001],但HLDN术式的术中出血量较少(合并OR-78.90,95%CI-123.59～-34.22,P=0.0005)、并发症发生率较低(合并OR 0.58,95%CI 0.39～0.86,P=0.006)、住院时间较短[权重均差(WMD)为-1.15,95%CI-1.40～-0.90,P0.00001];两组患者的术后进普食时间差异无统计学意义(WMD为-0.11,95%CI-0.67～-0.45,P=0.70)。结论与ODN术式比较,HLDN术式提高了手术的安全性,降低了手术难度,值得临床推广应用。     

加巴喷丁术前用药在开腹子宫切除术后镇痛效应的Meta分析

目的系统评价加巴喷丁术前用药对开腹子宫切除术患者术前用药的效果及安全性。方法电子检索PubMed、Cochrane、Embase、Ovid、Springer Link、Web of Science、CNKI、万方、维普等数据库,收集2000~2016年发表的加巴喷丁术前用药的随机对照试验(randomized controlled trial,RCT)文献,按Cochrane指导手册的方法选择文献、提取资料及评价研究质量后,采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入10篇RCT文献,共计609例患者。Meta分析结果显示,与对照组比较,加巴喷丁组术后24h阿片类麻醉药物的累积用量明显减少(WMD=-8.83mg,95%CI-12.70~-4.97,P0.001);VAS评分无明显降低(WMD=-7.70mm,95%CI-18.22~2.82,P=0.15);呕吐的发生率明显降低(RR=0.49,95%CI 0.35~0.69,P0.001)。两组术后24h内恶心的发生率(RR=0.73,95%CI 0.45~1.17,P=0.19)和嗜睡的发生率(RR=2.08,95%CI0.62~6.92,P=0.23)差异无统计学意义。结论开腹子宫切除术的患者加巴喷丁术前用药能够有效地降低阿片类麻醉药物的累积用量,减少呕吐的发生率,而对术后疼痛、恶心以及嗜睡无明显影响。     

乌司他丁对患儿心肺转流手术后肺功能影响的Meta分析

目的系统评价乌司他丁对患儿心肺转流(CPB)心脏直视手术后肺功能的影响。方法计算机检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library(2014年第1期)、知网、中国生物医学文献数据库、维普和万方数据库,时间从建库至2015年10月,查找CPB心脏手术围术期患儿使用乌司他丁对呼吸系统功能影响的随机对照试验(RCT),使用RevMan 5.1软件进行Meta分析。结果最终共纳入19篇RCT,共计657例患儿。乌司他丁可以明显改善患儿术后PaO2(SMD=0.90,95%CI 0.52~1.28,P0.01)及氧合指数(OI)(SMD=1.01,95%CI 0.45~1.56,P0.01);减小肺泡-动脉血氧分压差PA-aO2(SMD=-0.87,95%CI-1.70~-0.03,P=0.04)、呼吸指数(RI)(SMD=-0.81,95%CI-1.51~-0.11,P=0.02)、气道峰压(Ppeak)(SMD=-0.83,95%CI-1.18~-0.48,P0.01),改善肺动态顺应性(Cd)(SMD=1.10,95%CI 0.57~1.62,P0.01),缩短呼吸机通气时间(MVT)(SMD=-0.98,95%CI-1.59~-0.36,P0.01)。结论乌司他丁可在一定程度上改善心脏手术CPB过程中患儿的肺功能,但所选文章均非多中心、严格对照论文,结论有待进一步研究。     

精准肝切除治疗原发性肝癌近期疗效的Meta分析

目的:系统性评价精准肝切除治疗原发性肝癌的近期疗效。方法:检索国内外数据库,收集有关比较精准肝切除与常规肝切除治疗原发性肝癌疗效的随机对照试验(RCT)与临床对照试验(CCT)。按纳入标准筛选后进行质量评分,提取数据,采用Rev Man 5.3软件行Meta分析。结果:共纳入了6个RCT及9个CCT,其中患者1 367例,精准肝切除术685例(精准组),传统肝切除术682例(对照组)。Meta分析结果显示,与对照组比较,精准组术中出血量、围手术期输血量、住院时间减少,但手术时间延长(MD=-175.45,95%CI=-234.37~-116.53;MD=-311.04,95%CI=-444.53~-177.55;MD=-3.11,95%CI=-4.36~-1.87;MD=31.72,95%CI=12.00~51.44,均P0.05);肿瘤完整切除率提高(OR=0.18,95%CI=0.07~0.45,P=0.0003);肝功能恢复加快(ALT:M D=-81.75,95%C I=-109.50~-54.00;AST:M D=-67.27,95%C I=-94.36~-40.18;TBIL:M D=-4.54,95%CI=-7.33~-1.75;ALB:MD=3.75,95%CI=0.54~6.97,均P0.05);并发症发生率减少(OR=0.24,95%CI=0.17~0.35,P0.05);1年复发率降低、1年生存率提高(OR=0.56,95%CI=0.37~0.85;OR=1.61,95%CI=1.01~2.57,均P0.05)。结论:精准肝切除治疗原发性肝癌较常规肝切除创伤小、恢复快,且近期预后好。     

局部应用联合静脉注射氨甲环酸对全膝关节置换术术后出血的Meta分析

目的通过Meta分析评价局部应用联合静脉注射氨甲环酸(tranexamic acid,TXA)对全膝关节置换术(total knee arthroplasty,TKA)的有效性及安全性。方法计算机检索Cochrane Library、Medline、Embase、Pubmed英文数据库以及中国生物医学文献数据库、维普中国科技期刊数据库、万方数据库及中国知网数据库,根据纳入标准纳入所有关于静脉注射联合局部应用TXA治疗TKA术后出血的随机对照试验(randomized controlled trials,RCT),采用麦考兰系统评价手册中关于RCT的质量评价标准进行评估,使用Stata 12.0进行Meta分析。结果共纳入12篇文献,1 164例患者,其中静脉注射联合局部应用TXA 575例,对照组589例。静脉注射联合局部应用TXA可以减少TKA术后输血率(RR=0.34,95%CI:0.23~0.50,P0.001)、术后总失血量(WMD=-491.22,95%CI:-713.58~-268.88,P0.000 01),并不增加术后DVT的发生(RR=0.74,P=0.557)。结论静脉注射联合局部应用TXA可以减少TKA患者术后输血率和失血量而不增加其血栓形成的风险。     

清热凉血法治疗脑卒中后应激性溃疡的Meta分析

目的 对国内外已发表的有关中医清热凉血法治疗脑卒中后应激性溃疡的临床疗效及优势进行 Meta分析。方法:计算机检索中国医学文献数据库、维普数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、万方数据库、PubMed、Cochrane Library数据库,检索时限为建库至2022年11月,由2名评价者独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究偏倚后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:最终纳入10项随机对照试验(RCT)文献,纳入病例总数1 044例,其中观察组488例,对照组566例。Meta分析结果显示:与对照组比较,中医凉血止血法联合常规西医治疗脑卒中后应激性溃疡患者总有效率更高[OR = 3.99,95%CI(2.40,6.63),P < 0.001]、病死率更低[OR = 0.43,95%CI(0.28,0.66),P< 0.001]、止血时间更快[MD = -15.73,95%CI(-19.40,-12.06),P < 0.001]、恢复清醒率更高[OR = 2.59,95%CI(1.58,4.23),P < 0.001]、恢复清醒时间更短[MD = -18.58,95%CI(-28.48,-8.67),P < 0.001]、不良反应发生率更低[OR = 0.19,95%CI(0.08,0.49),P < 0.001]。在治疗后胃液pH值方面,观察组和对照组未见明显差异[MD = 0.77,95% CI(-0.07,1.60),P = 0.07]。结论:清热凉血法联合常规西医治疗可以提高治疗有效率、降低病死率、降低不良反应发生率、缩短止血时间、提高昏迷患者恢复清醒率及缩短恢复清醒时间。但纳入文献质量偏低,尚需更高质量RCT研究进行验证。     

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.