高MELD评分终末期肝病患者接受中国公民逝世后器官捐献供肝肝移植的近期疗效评价

目的探讨高终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分终末期肝病患者接受中国公民逝世后器官捐献供肝肝移植的近期疗效和安全性。方法回顾性分析2011年9月至2014年6月在佛山市第一人民医院实施公民逝世后器官捐献供肝肝移植并存活的34例受者的临床资料。根据术前MELD评分,将受者分为高MELD组(MELD评分≥25分,8例)和低MELD组(MELD评分25分,26例)。比较两组受者肝移植术前、术中和术后情况。结果术前,高MELD组需要人工肝治疗者比例、急性肝衰竭和慢加急性肝衰竭的发生率均高于低MELD组(均为P0.05)。术中,两组受者的出血量、输血量、供肝热缺血时间、供肝冷缺血时间、无肝期、手术时间、手术方式等比较,差异均无统计学意义(均为P0.05)。术后,高MELD组的入住ICU时间长于低MELD组(P0.05)。两组术后住院时间、住院病死率、早期并发症发生率、随访时间、总体生存率方面比较,差异无统计学意义(均为P0.05)。肝移植术后高MELD组的天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)峰值高于低MELD组。两组受者术后胆漏、腹腔脓肿和肝功能不全的发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(均为P0.05)。结论高MELD评分终末期肝病患者接受中国公民逝世后器官捐献供肝肝移植能取得较好的近期效果且安全可行。     

心脏死亡器官捐献供者应用血管活性药物对供肝质量及肝移植受者的影响

目的 探讨心脏死亡器官捐献(DCD)供者维护中的血管活性药物应用对肝移植受者及移植物的影响.方法 回顾分析2011年7月至2012年7月间19例DCD供肝移植的临床资料,依据DCD供者在器官切取前是否使用血管活性药物维持血压,将19例DCD供肝移植的供、受者分为血管活性药物组(用药组)和未使用血管活性药物组(未用药组).观察和比较两组供、受者间的临床特征、术后并发症、受者和移植物存活时间等.结果 术后两组受者间肝功能指标均无显著差异.两组受者均未出现与供者相关的胆道并发症、原发性移植物功能不全、门静脉狭窄、肝动脉血栓形成等.用药组受者及移植物的存活时间为(4.2±4.2)个月,未用药组为(6.2±4.2)个月,两组受者及移植物的存活时间基本相同(P＞0.05).结论 在DCD供者的维护中,血管活性药物的应用对肝移植后移植肝功能、胆道并发症、原发性移植物功能不全、门静脉狭窄、肝动脉血栓形成及受者和移植物的存活时间并无明显影响.     

肝移植术后早期肝肾功能变化及其对预后的影响

目的 观察肝移植术后受者早期肝肾功能的动态变化,并评估其对预后的影响.方法 回顾性研究161例成人尸肝肝移植临床资料,观察本组肝移植术后受者1周内血清总胆红素(TB)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)和血清肌酐(SCr)的变化趋势;对患者移植术后1 d的各参数进行多因素COX分析.结果 患者肝移植术后1～7 d,TB由116.2 mmol/L降至66.7 mmol/L(Z=5.901,P<0.01),PT由19.4 s降至15.0 s(Z=11.657,P<0.01),ALT由285 U/L降至100 U/L(Z=12.619,P<0.01),AST由264 U/L降至50 U/L(Z=9.776,P<0.01),SCr由103.4 mmol/L降至86.6 mmol/L(Z=1.353,P 0.05).COX分析结果 显示,SCr(RR=3.477,P<0.01)和TB(RR=2.088,P<0.05)为受者预后的独立性影响因素.由此建立肝移植受者预后评分公式为1.276×lnSCr(mmol/L)+0.730×lnTB(mmol/L).结论 肝移植术后受者肝功能可早期恢复,肝移植术后1 d的SCr与TB水平影响受者预后.     

心脏死亡器官捐献肝移植术后并发急性肾损伤危险因素分析

目的探讨心脏死亡器官捐献(DCD)肝移植术后并发急性肾损伤(AKI)的危险因素。 方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2018年11月宁波市医疗中心李惠利医院肝胆胰外科159例DCD肝移植受者临床资料,根据改善全球肾脏病预后组织临床实践指南中AKI诊断标准将159例受者分为AKI组(34例)和对照组(125例)。采用两独立样本t检验比较两组受者年龄和术前血清白蛋白。采用Wilcoxon符号秩和检验比较两组受者术前终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分、术前体质指数(BMI)、供肝冷/热缺血时间、术中输液量、术中出血量、术中输血量、术中尿量、手术时间、术中去甲肾上腺素总用量及总住院天数。采用卡方检验比较两组受者性别、术前乙型肝炎、术中低血压、术后感染、肝移植术式及术后再次手术情况。将单因素分析中有统计学差异的变量纳入Logistic回归进行多因素分析。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果肝移植术后AKI发生率为21.4%(34/159)。单因素分析结果表明,AKI组与对照组受者术前MELD评分、术前血清白蛋白、术中输液量、术中出血量、术中尿量、手术时间、术中低血压及术后再次手术差异均有统计学意义(Z＝2.763, t＝－2.250, Z＝2.040, Z＝2.092, Z＝－3.303, Z＝－2.170, χ²＝8.227, χ²＝5.294, P均<0.05)。Logistic回归多因素分析结果显示：术前MELD评分、术前血清白蛋白、术中尿量和手术时间是DCD肝移植术后并发AKI的独立危险因素,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。 结论DCD肝移植术前应改善受者一般情况,提高围手术期营养水平,术中控制液体出入量,合理使用利尿剂和缩短手术时间,以降低受者术后AKI发生率。     

肝移植术后初始肝功能不良的危险因素分析

目的 分析肝移植术后导致初始肝功能不良(IPGF)的危险因素.方法 随机选取2004年4月至11月行肝移植的32例患者为观察对象;将肝移植术后3 d内血清丙氨酸转氨酶(AI一)和/或天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)峰值≥1 500 U/L的受者分为IPGF组,<1 500 U/L的受者分为非IPGF组.受者肝移植前分析指标为:年龄和MELD评分;供者分析指标为:年龄,供肝冷保存时间(CIT),供肝冷保存末期(Pr)、门脉灌注后4 h(Po)以及缺血再灌注损伤(IRI)的活检病理学评分;手术中的分析指标为:受者手术时间和移植肝复温缺血时间(RWIT).结果 所有受者术后均获得长期随访.32例受者中,IPGF组有10例,非IPGF组有22例.IPGF组和非IPGF组移植肝复温缺血时间分别为(55.00±12.91)min和(41.55±8.55)min,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);IPGF组术后肝功能恢复时间显著长于非IPGF组(P<0.01);IPGF组受者术后感染率明显高于非IPGF组(P<0.05).两组移植肝总体存活率分别为90.0%和95.5%,差异无统计学意义.两组移植肝按P0评分和IRI评分中的重度损伤标准发生IPGF的概率与轻、中度损伤比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 经二项分类logistic回归分析发现,移植肝复温缺血时间和缺血再灌注损伤是引起IPGF的危险因素.     

供体热缺血时间对移植肝的影响

目的 探讨大鼠动脉化原位肝移植中供体热缺血时间对移植肝的影响.方法 实验分为4组:对照组(C)和移植组,移植组根据供肝获取前经历供体心脏停搏时间的不同分为三组:热缺血0 min(W0)、热缺血15 min(W15)和热缺血30 min(W30),其后建立近交系大鼠动脉化原位肝移植模型,每组均为30只大鼠,分别于术后3、7、14和30 d处死,每个时间点各取6只大鼠,分别测定移植肝组织学、肝功能的变化.此外,移植组各组随机选取6只大鼠观察长期生存率(＞100 d).结果 随着供肝热缺血时间的延长,移植肝损伤加重,恢复过程延长.移植组和对照组术后3、7、14和30 d血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)变化无显著性差异.血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)随着供肝热缺血时间的延长逐渐增高,14 d达到高峰后逐渐下降.术后3、7、14和30 d ALP与供肝热缺血时间具有显著相关性.术后热缺血0、15、30 min长期生存率组分别为100.0%(6/6)、83.3%(5/6)、66.7%(4/6),3组间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.285).结论 肝移植过程中供肝热缺血主要损伤肝细胞,并随着供肝热缺血时间的延长移植肝细胞损伤加重,肝细胞功能恢复早于其形态学恢复.肝移植术后早期存在胆汁淤积,供肝热缺血时间的延长明显加重胆汁淤积的程度,胆汁淤积的恢复明显晚于肝细胞损伤指标的恢复.在热缺血30 min内来自于心脏停搏的供肝肝移植术后是安全的.     

心脏死亡器官捐献边缘供肝肝移植三例临床分析

目的探讨心脏死亡器官捐献(DCD)边缘供肝应用的可行性。方法回顾性分析吉林大学白求恩第一医院肝移植中心2015年4月至5月施行的3例边缘供肝肝移植供、受者临床资料。结果 3例边缘供肝供者均为男性,包括61岁老年供者供肝1例,重度脂肪变性(肝细胞气球样脂肪变65%)供肝1例,冷缺血时间延长(15.7 h)1例。均实施中国三类标准器官捐献。老年供肝肝移植受者术后肝功能恢复良好,未出现排斥反应。重度脂肪变性供肝肝移植受者术后肝功恢复差,术后1周因移植肝原发性无功能再次行肝移植。冷缺血时间延长供肝肝移植受者术后恢复顺利,术后10 d发生轻度急性排斥反应,将他克莫司由2.0 mg(2次/d)调整为2.5 mg(2次/d),肝功能恢复良好。结论在综合评估供肝状况及合理匹配受者的前提下,边缘供肝能够安全使用,并能取得良好的临床效果。老年供肝可以匹配终末期肝病模型评分低的老年受者;冷缺血时间延长供肝可通过增加灌注次数以适当缓解术后肝功能恢复延迟情况;重度脂肪变性供肝仍应谨慎使用,要综合其他影响供肝的因素及受者状况来决定。     

心脏死亡供者供肝肝移植11例疗效观察

目的 观察利用Maastricht分类第Ⅲ型心脏死亡供者(donors after cardiac death,DCD)供肝行原位肝移植的疗效.方法 2011年9月至2012年6月期间,吉林大学白求恩第一医院共有14例DCD供者进行器官捐献,其中11例行原位肝移植,分析总结心脏死亡供肝行肝移植的疗效.结果 本组11例DCD供肝热缺血时间为(21.3 ±2.6)min,冷缺血时间为(2.5±0.8)h,供肝质量为(1245 ±180)g.11例受体行原位肝移植术,术中无肝期42～ 80 min,手术时间380 ～ 740 min,术中出血量600 ～ 3000 ml,平均1750 ml.除l例受体于术后第3天死于原发移植肝无功能外,其余受体术后均恢复良好.在全程随访期间预后较好,均未出现排斥反应及胆管、血管并发症.结论 通过规范捐献流程、尽量减少冷、热缺血时间及加强器官功能维护,利用Maastricht分类第Ⅲ型心脏死亡供者供肝对终末期肝脏疾病患者行肝移植,疗效良好.     

中国一类供者二例供肝在体劈离后行肝移植临床报道

目的 总结在体劈离式肝移植的临床经验.方法 回顾性分析2例中国一类心脏死亡器官捐赠(DCD)供者接受供肝在体劈离手术,并将劈离后的供肝移植给4例终末期肝病患者的临床资料.供肝的劈离手术中,在保证供者循环稳定的情况下使用超声吸引刀劈离肝实质,离体劈离肝脏血管和胆道,并对供肝进行修整.供者例1的全肝质量为1800 g,劈离成右三叶供肝和左外叶供肝,右三叶供肝移植给1例成人受者,左外叶供肝经减体积后移植给1例儿童受者.供者例2的全肝质量达2100 g,在体劈离成左右半肝,分别移植给2例成人受者.结果 在体劈离肝实质的手术耗时分别为1h和45 min,离体劈离肝血管和胆道的耗时分别为30 min和40 min.供肝热缺血时间均为0 min,冷缺血时间为120～360 min,移植肝质量与受者体质量比(GRWR)为1.5％～2.2％.肝移植后,1例成人受者出现门静脉血栓形成,经手术取尽门静脉血栓后,行门静脉-腔静脉搭桥,术后早期出现肝性脑病症状,经内科治疗后好转.肝移植后4例受者均恢复顺利,随访期间移植肝功能正常,均未发生排斥反应和感染并发症.结论 对于中国一类供者,实施在体劈离式肝移植是安全可行的,此项术式有望成为扩展供肝来源的重要途径,详细的术前评估技术和精细的手术操作是保证肝移植顺利进行的关键.     

心脏死亡供者供肝移植三例报告

目的 总结心脏死亡器官捐献(DCD)供肝移植的临床经验.方法 共有7例心脏死亡器官捐献者,原发病包括脑出血3例(其中1例合并高血压),颅脑外伤2例,脑基底动脉闭塞1例,颅脑肿瘤(脑胶质瘤Ⅱ级)卒中1例.依据《中国心脏死亡器官捐献指南》实施捐献,采用腹部器官联合快速切取方法切取器官.受者的原发疾病为乙型肝炎后肝硬化(失代偿期)和原发性肝癌.术后预防感染,根据凝血酶原时间采取抗凝治疗,采用他克莫司+吗替麦考酚酯+泼尼松预防排斥反应.结果 有3例供者分别因合并酒精性肝硬化、家属拒绝捐献肝脏和肝脏热缺血时间超过30 min而未能切取肝脏,1例由红十字会协调至其他移植中心,3例完成肝移植.供肝热缺血时间分别为7.5、9和10 min,冷缺血时间为4.5、8.2和6.5h.受者术后随访2～9个月,术后近期无原发性移植物无功能,未发生血栓形成和排斥反应等并发症,肝功能恢复良好,均顺利出院.结论 DCD供肝移植的近期效果良好,选择可控制的中国三类供者、中高度风险的UW评分以及较短的热缺血时间是保障肝移植成功的重要因素.     

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.     

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.     

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.