初次单侧全膝关节置换术静脉与局部应用氨甲环酸有效性和安全性的Meta分析

[目的]探讨静脉与局部应用氨甲环酸(tranexamic acid,TXA)在初次单侧全膝关节置换术(TKA)中应用的安全性和有效性。[方法]通过计算机检索Pub Med、Cochrane Library、Embase、CNKI、CBM、万方数据库有关TKA术中应用TXA行关节腔注射的随机对照试验(RCT)和半随机对照试验(qRCT),同时手工检索图书馆馆藏期刊。依照纳入标准对文献进行筛选、提取资料后,使用Cochrane系统评价方法评价纳入文献的质量,采用Rev Man5.2对资料进行Meta分析。[结果]共纳入9篇文献,合计1 422例。Meta分析结果显示:1有效性:静脉组与局部组对比,术后总失血量[SMD=0.14,95%CI(-0.28,0.57),P=0.51]、TKA术后血红蛋白(Hb)的丢失量[SMD=-0.29,95%CI(-0.91,0.33),P=0.36]、术后输血率[RR=1.06,95%CI(0.72,1.58),P=0.76]以及术后引流量[SMD=0.31,95%CI(-0.36,0.98),P=0.37];2安全性:静脉组与关节组对比,术后发生深静脉血栓(DVT)的风险[RR=0.64,95%CI(0.28,1.46),P=0.29]。[结论]本研究结果表明,行初次单侧全膝关节置换术静脉与关节腔局部使用氨甲环酸对血红蛋白(Hb)丢失量、输血率、引流量、总失血量以及DVT发生率方面差异均无统计学意义,所以关节腔局部注射氨甲环酸有着和静脉应用氨甲环酸同样的临床应用价值。     

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。     

氨甲环酸局部与静脉应用在初次单侧全髋关节置换围手术期安全性及有效性的Meta分析

[目的]用Meta分析的方法探讨局部与静脉应用氨甲环酸(tranexamic acid,TXA)对全髋关节置换术(total hip arthroplasty,THA)的安全性及有效性。[方法]计算机检索Pub Med、EBSCO、The Cochrane Library数据库、中国知网、万方数据库,检索内容为关于局部应用TXA减少THA出血量的临床随机对照试验(randomized controlled trial,RCT)和半随机对照试验(q RCT),检索时限为1999年1月~2016年6月。按纳入、排除标准进行文献筛选和质量评估,应用Rev Man 5.2软件进行Meta分析。[结果]纳入8篇文献,2 144例患者,局部应用氨甲环酸组789例,静脉组1 355例。Meta分析结果显示:(1)安全性:局部组与静脉组相比,术后深静脉血栓(DVT)发生率[RR=0.76,95%CI(0.22,2.59),P=0.66]、肺栓塞(PE)发生率[RR=0.73,95%CI(0.08,7.02),P=0.79]、切口感染率[RR=1.26,95%CI(0.54,2.93),P=0.59]差异均无统计学意义;(2)有效性:局部组与静脉组对比,术后总失血量[WMD=16.75,95%CI(-30.07,63.57),P=0.48]、血红蛋白下降值[WMD=0.30,95%CI(0.02,0.58),P=0.03]、输血率[RR=1.37,95%CI(0.97,1.93),P=0.07]差异均无统计学意义。[结论]初次单侧全髋关节置换术局部应用氨甲环酸与静脉应用相比具有相当的安全性和有效性。     

联合氨甲环酸和肾上腺素对全膝关节置换术失血的研究

目的评价联合使用氨甲环酸(TXA)和稀释的肾上腺素(DEP)对初次全膝关节置换术(TKA)围术期失血量等指标的影响及其安全性。 方法检索电子数据库包括PubMed,荷兰医学文摘数据库(EMBASE),Cochrane对照研究注册中心,Web of Science,万方数据库和中国知网,根据纳入排除标准,包括初次TKA患者的随机对照研究,干预措施实验组为TXA＋DEP,对照组为TXA。采用RevMan 5.2软件进行Meta分析。 结果经过全面严格筛选,共纳入高质量随机对照研究6篇。Meta分析结果显示,使用TXA＋DEP可以减少病人平均总失血量[MD ＝－184.32,95%CI(－251.11,－117.52), P<0.01];平均减少隐性失血量[MD ＝－150.89,95%CI(－179.83,－121.95), P<0.00001];平均减少引流量[MD ＝－63.16,95%CI(－116.29,－10.02), P＝0.02]。联合TXA＋DEP可以显著降低输血率[RR ＝0.51, 95%CI(0.28,0.93), P＝0. 03];两组间深静脉血栓发生率差异无统计学意义(P＝1.00)。 结论联合TXA＋DEP能有效减少初次TKA的失血量和降低输血率,并不增加术后DVT的发生率。     

经胸封堵术与直视修补术治疗室间隔缺损的系统评价与Meta分析

目的比较经胸微创封堵与开胸直视修补治疗室间隔缺损的疗效。方法计算机检索Pub Med、EMbase、The Cochrane Library、VIP、CNKI、CBM、Chinese Clinical Trial Register、Clinical Trials.gov及万方数据库,检索时间为建库至2016年7月31日。筛选满足纳入标准的文献,提取数据并评价文献质量,采用Rev Man 5.0和Stata 14.0进行Meta分析。结果 11篇文献满足纳入标准,其中5篇随机对照试验(RCT),6篇队列研究,共2 504例患儿。RCT的Meta结果显示两种手术成功率差异无统计学意义(RR=0.99,95%CI 0.96~1.03,P=0.70);队列研究发现经胸封堵组的手术成功率低于直视修补组(OR=0.21,95%CI 0.08~0.55,P=0.002)。RCT和队列研究的结果一致发现经胸微创封堵组相对于开胸直视修补组,手术时间(RCT MD=–79.38,95%CI–95.00~–63.76,P0.000 01;队列研究MD=–66.26,95%CI–71.20~–61.31,P0.000 01),住院时间(RCT MD=–2.10,95%CI–2.65~–1.55,P0.000 01;队列研究MD=–3.99,95%CI–6.03~–1.94,P=0.000 1)均缩短,且需输血例数也减少(RCT RR=0.04,95%CI 0.01~0.11,P0.000 01;队列研究OR=0.01,95%CI 0.00~0.13,P=0.001)。RCT和队列研究结果均发现经胸封堵术能降低术后心律失常发生率(RCT RR=0.20,95%CI 0.13~0.32,P0.000 01;队列研究OR=0.46,95%CI 0.31~0.67,P0.000 1)。RCT发现经胸封堵术会增加瓣膜反流风险(RR=1.45,95%CI1.07~1.96,P=0.02);队列研究提示经胸封堵术能降低瓣膜反流发生率(OR=0.43,95%CI 0.20~0.92,P=0.03)。RCT和队列研究均未发现两组间术后残余分流发生率差异有统计学意义(RCT RR=0.96,95%CI 0.57~1.62,P=0.89;队列研究OR=0.52,95%CI 0.12~2.25,P=0.38)。结论经胸微创封堵治疗室间隔缺损能缩短患者手术时间、住院时间,减少术中术后的输血例数和术后心律失常的发生。对于合适的室间隔缺损患者,经胸微创封堵术优于开胸直视修补术。     

右美托咪定对体外循环心脏手术后患者围术期预后影响的系统评价与Meta分析

目的评价右美托咪定对体外循环心脏手术后患者围术期预后的影响。方法检索PubMed、EBSCO、Web of Science、Cochrane Library、万方数据库、中国知网、中国生物医学文献数据库,每个数据库从建库至2016年12月,查找符合要求的随机对照试验,采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果最终共纳入16项随机对照研究,其中国外文献7篇,国内文献9篇,共1 432例患者。Meta分析结果显示,与安慰剂相比,右美托咪定能够明显降低体外循环下心脏手术后谵妄发生率[RR=0.28,95%CI(0.18,0.44),P0.000 01]、术后心房颤动发生率[RR=0.65,95%CI(0.44,0.98),P=0.04],缩短气管插管拔管时间[RR=–1.96,95%CI(–2.07,–1.86),P0.000 01]、住ICU时间[RR=–0.49,95%CI(–0.74,–0.24),P=0.000 1]及住院时间[RR=–1.24,95%CI(–2.26,–0.22),P=0.02]。右美托咪定组蒙特利尔认知评估量表(Mo CA)评分显著高于对照组[RR=0.88,95%CI(0.42,1.35),P=0.000 2]。结论右美托咪定可显著减少心脏手术后并发症,将其作为心脏手术患者围术期用药是安全有效的。但上述结论受纳入文献质量的限制,需要更多高质量的随机对照双盲研究,以便进一步的评价。     

红花黄色素联合低分子肝素预防骨科术后深静脉血栓Meta分析

目的:评价红花黄色素联合低分子肝素预防骨科术后深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的疗效及安全性。方法:全面检索PubMed、EMbase、Cochrane Library、CNKI、维普和万方数据库中收录的红花黄色素联合低分子肝素预防骨科术后DVT的随机对照研究(RCT),检索时限从2000年1月—2018年6月。提取资料进行质量评价,采用Rev Man5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入8个RCT,包括624例患者。与对照组相比,联合组显著降低了DVT发生率[RR=0.28,95%CI(0.16,0.51),P0.0001];联合组活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)[MD=5.34,95%CI(2.31,8.36), P=0.0005]、凝血酶原时间(PT)[MD=3.09,95%CI(1.75,4.44), P0.00001]显著优于对照组。两组不良反应发生率无明显差异。结论:红花黄色素联合低分子肝素预防骨科术后DVT疗效优于单用低分子肝素。     

针灸治疗下腰痛疗效的Meta分析

目的 :对针灸治疗下腰痛(LBP)的临床疗效进行Meta分析。方法 :计算机检索2004年1月至2014年5月Pub Med、EMbase、The Cochrane Library、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)、中国知网(CNKI)、维普(VIP)和万方数据库(Wanfang Data),查找针灸与其他疗法比较治疗LBP患者疗效的随机对照试验(RCT),由2位评价员依据纳入排除标准分别独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究的方法学质量后,通过Rev Man 5.2软件对治疗前后VAS、ODI、JOA、RMDQ等评分变化进行Meta分析。结果 :最终纳入10个RCT,共计751例患者。Meta分析结果显示:单纯针灸治疗组VAS评分改善优于非针灸治疗组[RR=-1.32;95%CI(-1.41,-1.22);Z=27.28;P0.000 01];单纯针灸治疗组ODI评分改善优于非针灸治疗组[RR=-5.07;95%CI(-7.50,-2.65);Z=4.10;P0.000 1];单纯针灸治疗组JOA评分改善优于非针灸治疗组[RR=2.83;95%CI(2.02,3.63);Z=6.90;P0.000 01];单纯针灸治疗组RMDQ评分改善优于非针灸治疗组[RR=-2.80;95%CI(-3.49,-2.11);Z=7.95;P0.000 01]。结论:单纯针灸疗法在改善下腰痛患者疼痛症状和腰部功能障碍方面具有一定的疗效和优势。     

肺癌术后单管与双管胸腔闭式引流疗效比较的系统评价与Meta分析

目的比较单管(single tube,ST)胸腔闭式引流与双管(double tube,DT)胸腔闭式引流对肺叶切除术后临床效果的影响。方法计算机检索PubMed、Medline、EMbase、Web of Science、中国知网、万方、维普和中国生物医学文献数据库,查找ST与DT引流在肺叶切除术后应用的随机对照试验(RCT),检索时间为建库至2018年3月30日。根据纳入和排除标准筛选最终纳入Meta分析的文献,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入12篇RCT研究,包括1 442例患者。对比DT组与ST组发现:(1)ST组术后疼痛评分优于DT组[MD=–0.64,95%CI (–0.71,–0.56),P0.000 01];(2)术后ST组引流管放置时间短于DT组[MD=–0.62,95%CI(–0.78,–0.46),P0.000 01];(3)ST组术后住院时间较DT组短[MD=–0.55,95%CI(–0.80,–0.29),P0.000 1];(4)两组并发症发生率差异无统计学意义[RR=1.11,95%CI(0.83,1.49),P=0.49];(5)两组术后重新置管率差异无统计学意义[RR=0.89,95%CI(0.51,1.54),P=0.67];(6)两组术后漏气情况差异无统计学意义[RD=0.03,95%CI(–0.02,0.08),P=0.19]。结论肺叶切除术后ST引流在术后疼痛、拔管时间和住院时间方面显著优于DT引流,且ST引流并不增加术后并发症。     

全膝关节表面置换患者应用固定平台和移动平台术后中期临床疗效Meta分析

[目的]通过Meta分析评价两种假体(固定平台和移动平台)在TKA患者术后3年以上临床疗效的差异。[方法]文献检索Pubmed、Ovid、Cochrane Library、Science Direct、Springer Link数据库,严格按照纳入和排除标准筛选文献,收集TKA患者应用移动平台和固定平台的高质量的随机对照研究,提取相关数据,采用Review Manager 5.0进行数据分析。[结果]共纳入9篇随机对照研究,Meta分析结果显示:移动平台与固定平台在膝关节评分(KSS)上差异无统计学意义,RR=0.19,95%CI(1.01,1.38),P=0.74,移动平台与固定平台术后膝关节活动度(ROM)差异无统计学意义,RR=1.11,95%CI(1.0,3.21),P=0.30;两者术后并发症的发生率差异无统计学的意义,RR=1.03,95%CI(0.63,1.68),P=0.92;两种假体在膝关节置换术后3年以上患者的满意率差异无统计学意义,RR=0.80,95%CI(0.34,1.91),P=0.62。[结论]对于TKA术后3年以上的患者,移动平台相对于固定平台没有明显的优势。     

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.