心脏瓣膜置换患者术后急性肾损伤风险预测模型的建立与验证

目的建立心脏瓣膜置换术后急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury, AKI)的风险预测模型并进行验证。方法选择2016年1月1日至2021年12月31日在徐州市中心医院接受心脏瓣膜置换术的患者为研究对象, 采用Logistic回归模型筛选患者发生AKI的独立危险因素, 并建立列线图预测模型。采用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)、校准曲线及决策曲线分析法(DCA)对预测模型进行验证。结果共619例心脏瓣膜置换患者入选本研究, 其中术后发生AKI 74例(11.95%)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示, 高龄(OR=3.826, 95%CI 2.267～6.458)、合并高血压(OR=2.376, 95%CI 1.162～4.861)、体外循环时间延长(OR=1.049, 95%CI 1.024～1.074)、血白细胞计数升高(OR=1.066, 95%CI 1.027～1.106)、血小板计数降低(OR=0.994, 95%CI 0.990～0.997)及淋巴细胞比例降低(OR=0.873, 95%CI 0.774～0.985)是心脏瓣膜置换患者术后发生AKI的独立危险...     

基于深度学习算法的前列腺癌病理分期预测

目的 利用深度学习算法建立前列腺癌病理分期预测模型,为临床医生制定治疗方案提供参考。方法利用2001年3月至2016年12月北京大学第一医院泌尿外科具有前列腺癌术后病理的484例患者的临床信息作为变量,随机分配划分训练集(n=389)及测试集(n=95),应用深度学习算法,包括卷积神经联合门控循环单元(convolutional neural network-gated recurrent unit,CGRU)、双向门控循环单元(bi-gated recurrent unit,BiGRU)及卷积神经联合长短期记忆模型(convolutional neural network-long short-term memory,CLSTM),通过训练集构建前列腺癌病理分期预测模型,测试集评估模型预测的准确率。结果 在三种机器学习算法中,CGRU模型的AUC为0.863 (95%CI 0.838～0.887),精确度为55.2%(95%CI 5.37%～56.6%),准确度为59.7%(95%CI 59.2%～60.1%);BiGRU模型的AUC为0.869 (95%CI 0.858～0.873...     

急性A型主动脉夹层患者术后死亡风险的预测模型

目的采用不同的机器学习算法, 构建并筛选预测急性A型主动脉夹层患者术后30天内死亡风险的最佳预测模型。方法纳入2015年至2022年间行手术治疗的急性A型主动脉夹层患者521例, 收集其围手术期资料并进行筛选后保留329例。分别通过Lasso回归和主成分分析确定两组不同的预测变量后, 使用逻辑回归和支持向量机、随机森林、梯度提升、超级学习算法建立预测术后30天内死亡风险的预测模型, 并使用ROC曲线、敏感度值和特异度值等指标对各个模型进行比较。结果所有模型的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)0.791～0.959, 使用Lasso回归确定预测变量, 并通过超级学习算法建立的模型预测效果最佳, AUC 0.959。结论在对急性A型主动脉夹层术后30内死亡的预测中, 超级学习算法优于其他算法。     

老年患者胃肠道肿瘤术后急性肾损伤的危险因素

目的 分析老年患者胃肠道肿瘤术后急性肾损伤（AKI）的危险因素。
方法 回顾性收集2018年9月至2021年12月行胃肠道肿瘤手术的老年患者343例，男251例，女92例，年龄65～85岁，ASA Ⅰ—Ⅲ级。根据术后是否发生AKI分为两组：AKI组（n=63）和非AKI组（n=280）。查阅电子病历系统收集年龄、心功能分级、高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、低蛋白血症、术前1周贫血程度，手术类型、术前肌酐、肾小球滤过率、尿酸和尿素氮水平、术中和术后转归等情况。单因素分析后将P<0.1的变量纳入二元逻辑回归进行多因素分析，筛选AKI的独立预测因素并建立风险预测模型，通过Medcalr软件绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线。
结果 有63例（18.4%）患者发生术后AKI。单因素分析结果显示，与非AKI组比较，AKI组年龄明显增大，心功能分级明显升高，术前高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、低蛋白血症、轻中度贫血比例明显升高（P<0.1）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，术前高血压（OR=2.119，95%CI 1.181～3.800，P=0.012）、冠心病（OR=2.931，95%CI 1.024～8.386，P=0.045）、低蛋白血症（OR=2.640，95%CI 1.107～6.295，P=0.029）、轻度贫血（OR=3.890，95%CI 1.922～7.875，P<0.001）、中度贫血（OR=3.089，95%CI 1.437～6.637，P=0.004）为术后AKI的独立危险因素，最后根据各独立预测因素建立术后AKI的风险预测模型ROC曲线下面积为0.740（95%CI 0.690～0.785，P<0.001），敏感性为79.4%，特异性为56.1%。
结论 术前存在高血压、冠心病、低蛋白血症、轻中度贫血为胃肠道肿瘤手术老年患者术后AKI的独立危险因素。     

合并巨大左心室的心脏瓣膜病患者术后发生急性肾损伤的危险因素分析

目的 探讨合并巨大左心室的心脏瓣膜病患者心脏瓣膜术后发生急性肾损伤(AKI)的危险因素。方法 回顾性分析2018-01—2020-12在阜外华中心血管病医院行心脏瓣膜手术且合并巨大左心室的心脏瓣膜病患者的临床资料，根据术后是否发生AKI,分为AKI组和非AKI组。比较2组患者的基线、术中和术后资料。将单因素分析中P<0.2的变量放入多因素Logistic回归方程中，分析AKI与各因素的相关性。随后将连续型变量放入构建的回归模型中进行趋势性检验，进一步分析连续型变量对AKI的影响。结果 研究共纳入132例合并巨大左心室的心脏瓣膜病患者，年龄(52.9±12.5)岁；28例于术后发生AKI,非AKI组104例。单因素分析结果显示，合并糖尿病、合并脑血管疾病、围术期输血、主动脉阻断时间、体外循环时间等项目的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，基础血肌酐升高(OR=3.311,95%CI 1.086～10.096,P=0.035)、主动脉阻断时间(OR=1.022,95%CI 1.008～1.037,P=0.003)、围术期输血(OR=2.850,...     

老年患者腰椎术后急性肾损伤的危险因素及其预测模型

目的筛选老年患者腰椎术后急性肾损伤(AKI)的危险因素, 并建立评分预测模型。方法回顾性分析行腰椎手术的老年患者, 根据改善全球肾脏病预后组织指南中的诊断标准将患者分为AKI组和非AKI组。收集患者的人口学资料、基础疾病史、围术期一般状况及相关实验室检查, 将组间比较差异有统计学意义的因素纳入logistic回归模型, 筛选危险因素并建立加权评分回归预测模型, 绘制受试者工作特征曲线并对模型进行评价。结果术后87例患者(11.9%)发生AKI。logistic回归结果显示:年龄增加、高血压、贫血、低蛋白血症、糖尿病、术中低平均动脉压持续时间和输血是老年患者腰椎术后AKI的独立危险因素, 受试者工作特征曲线下面积及其95%置信区间为0.909(0.870～0.947), 灵敏度为79.36%, 特异度为92.74%, 约登指数为0.719。列线图预测模型经Hosmer-Lemshow检验, P=0.413, 可视化列线图模型C指数为0.908。结论年龄增加、高血压、低蛋白血症、糖尿病、贫血、术中低平均动脉压持续时间和输血是老年患者腰椎术后AKI的独立危险因素;由此建立的风险预测模型可有效...     

结直肠癌患者术后急性肾损伤的相关因素分析

目的分析影响结直肠癌患者术后发生急性肾功能损伤(AKI)的相关因素。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2021年6月在郑州大学附属肿瘤医院接受结直肠癌手术376例患者的临床资料, 根据改善全球肾脏病预后组织AKI诊断标准将患者分为AKI组(n=29)和非AKI组(n=347), 比较两组患者的人口学信息、围手术期状况、实验室检查结果, 采用多因素Logistic分析结直肠癌患者术后发生AKI的独立危险因素。结果 376例患者中有29例(7.7%)患者术后发生AKI。多因素分析显示:术前合并高血压(OR=3.487, 95%CI:1.081～11.251, P=0.037)、术前贫血(OR=3.158, 95%CI:1.114～8.953, P=0.031)、术中输注晶体量不足(OR=0.998, 95%CI:0.997～0.999, P=0.007)、术中最低平均动脉压值较低(OR=0.915, 95%CI:0.863～0.970, P=0.003)及术后Hb中～重度下降(OR=4.105, 95%CI:1.487～11.335, P=0.006)是结直肠癌患者术后发生AKI的独立危险因素...     

肺部手术重症患者出现术后心房颤动的危险因素分析及列线图预测模型构建

目的探讨肺部手术重症患者出现术后心房颤动(POAF)的危险因素并构建列线图预测模型。方法纳入首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院重症医学科2018年1月至2021年12月收治的接受肺部手术患者213例。根据术后7天内是否出现POAF分为POAF组(42例)和非POAF组(171例)。采用logistic回归分析患者出现POAF的危险因素, 并根据危险因素构建列线图预测模型。结果 POAF的发生率为19.7%。二尖瓣反流(OR=4.270, 95%CI:1.380～13.213, P=0.012)、术中使用西地兰(OR=14.619, 95%CI:2.913～73.373, P=0.001)、术中使用儿茶酚胺(OR=3.244, 95%CI:1.144～9.203, P=0.027)、心包切开(OR=6.079, 95%CI:1.362～27.128, P=0.009)及系统淋巴结清扫(OR=5.460, 95%CI:1.770～16.846, P=0.003)是肺部手术重症患者术后7天内出现POAF的独立危险因素。基于上危险因素构建POAF的列线图, ROC曲线下面积为0.801(95%CI:...     

成人原位肝移植受者术后急性肾损伤的危险因素分析

目的分析成人原位肝移植受者术后发生急性肾损伤(AKI)的危险因素。方法回顾性分析2019年1月至2021年4月于郑州大学第一附属医院进行原位肝移植手术的232例受者的临床资料, 其中男性195例, 女性37例, 年龄(49.1±9.4)岁。依据术后7 d内是否发生AKI分为两组:AKI组(n=112)和非AKI组(n=120)。对比两组患者基本信息、术前血液学指标、手术时间、术后住院时长等临床资料。对原位肝移植术后AKI的相关因素进行单因素分析, 将差异有统计学意义的因素纳入多因素logistic回归分析。结果在232例接受原位肝移植的患者中, 有112例在术后发生AKI, 发生率为48.3%(112/232), 其中AKI 1期64例(57.1%, 64/112), AKI 2期30例(26.8%, 30/112), AKI 3期18例(16.1%, 18/112)。logistic回归分析结果显示, 高血压(OR=5.874, 95%CI:1.931～17.863, P=0.002)和高终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分(OR=1.041, 95%CI:1.010～1.074, P=0...     

住院老年人短暂性与持续性急性肾损伤发生情况及临床特点分析

目的对老年急性肾损伤(AKI)患者进行随访观察,分析短暂性AKI与持续性AKI的发生率、临床特点及相关危险因素。 方法选择2007年1月至2015年12月就诊于解放军总医院老年病房≥75岁的住院患者为研究对象。根据发生AKI后3 d时肾功能恢复情况将患者病历资料分为短暂性AKI与持续性AKI进行分析。多因素Logistic回归分析老年人发生持续性AKI的相关危险因素。 结果研究期间,共有652例住院患者发生AKI,其中男性623例,占95.6%,中位年龄87(84～91)岁。652例AKI患者,短暂性AKI 270 (41.4%)例,持续性AKI 382(58.6%)例。多因素Logistic回归分析显示Scr峰值(OR＝1.020; 95%CI: 1.015～1.026; P<0.001)、血尿素氮(BUN)增高(OR＝1.028; 95%CI: 1.000～1.056; P＝0.047)、高尿酸(OR ＝1.002; 95%CI: 1.000～1.003; P＝0.040)、伴有机械通气(OR＝1.610; 95%CI: 1.012～2.562; P＝0.044)是影响高龄老年患者发生持续性AKI的独立危险因素;平均动脉压(OR＝0.985; 95%CI: 0.971～1.000; P＝0.043)升高和血红蛋白升高(OR＝0.989; 95% CI: 0.980～0.999; P＝0.025)是影响高龄老年患者发生持续性AKI的独立保护因素。 结论住院高龄老年患者短暂性AKI的发生率高达近42%。提高临床医师的重视程度,增加对Scr的监测频率,是降低AKI漏诊率的有效手段。早期识别危险因素,可改善AKI患者的短期预后。     

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 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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

Systemic analgesia adapted to the children's condition

A concept of balanced analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol (acetaminophen), opioids, and corticosteroids can also be used in patients with pre-existing illnesses. NSAIDs are the most effective treatment for acute pain of moderate intensity in children; however, these drugs should be avoided in patients at increased risk for serious side effects, e.g. patients with renal impairment, bleeding tendency, or extreme prematurity. NSAIDs can be given with minimal risks to the younger child with mild to moderate asthma, and, in these patients, the use of steroids can be encouraged; in addition to their antiemetic and analgesic action, a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms can be expected. In the non-intubated child with cerebral trauma, exaggerated sedation caused by opioids and increased bleeding tendency caused by NSAIDs must be avoided. In neonates and small infants, the oral administration of sucrose or glucose is helpful to minimize pain reaction during short uncomfortable interventions.