大鼠肝/小肠联合整块移植模型建立

目的建立大鼠肝/小肠联合整块移植模型。方法分别以Wistar和SD大鼠为供、受体进行肝/小肠联合移植,并进行单独肝移植或小肠移植作为对照,不同移植组各取12只受体进行生存期观察。结果肝/肠联合移植手术52次,手术成功43例,成功率82.7%。联合移植组受体有9只(75%)存活时间超过60 d,且小肠移植物存活。单独小肠移植组受体均于20 d内死亡,单独肝移植组10只受体(83.3%)存活60 d以上。结论肝/小肠联合整块移植模型是研究肝/肠联合移植免疫学特性的有力模型。     

不同比例缩小体积肝移植的大动物研究

目的研究不同比例缩小体积肝移植的结果,确定猪能耐受的最小体积的肝移植。方法远系繁殖猪70头分为原位全肝移植作为对照组和3组不同比例缩小体积原位肝移植(按照缩小体积的移植肝占受体切除肝脏重量的百分比;1组:60%;2组:30%;3组:20%);实验采用原位经典肝移植方式(静脉转流)。术后第3天和第5天取肝标本。结果对照组和3组不同比例缩小体积肝移植的移植物与受体肝脏重量百分比(GIWRW)分别为87·4%±8·3%、59·9%±5·2%、33·6%±4·9%和22·1%±3·4%;移植物与受体体重百分比(GIWBW)分别2·4%±0·4%、1·43%±0·17%、0·81%±0·09%和0·53%±0·06%。对照组、1组和2组存活率达100%;3组存活率仅为53%。4个组的动物处死后肝脏移植物重量均有显著的增加。结论安全的缩小体积肝移植,应以移植物与受体肝脏重量百分比不小于33%,同时移植肝与受体重量百分比不小于0·8%为限。     

IL-12/STAT4途径激活对同种部分肝移植排斥反应的影响

目的　探讨白细胞介素 12 /信号传导子及转录激活子 (IL 12 /STAT4)信号途径激活在同种部分肝移植排斥中的作用。方法　将供者SD大鼠与受者LEW大鼠随机分为 4组 ,每组供、受者各 40只。A组 :全肝移植组 ;B组 :部分肝移植组 ;C组 :部分肝移植 IL 12硫代修饰反义寡脱氧核苷酸 (ASPODN )治疗组 ;D组 :部分肝移植 IL 12硫代修饰正义寡脱氧核苷酸 (SPODN)对照治疗组。观察移植肝排斥病理以及受者存活时间。分别采用Western blot及EMSA检测肝移植后 0h和4d移植肝IL 12蛋白表达、STAT4蛋白表达及其DNA结合活性 ;ELISA检测受者血清IL 2、IL 10及IFN γ水平。结果　B组和D组移植肝于移植后 4d出现排斥反应 ,早于A组和C组。B组受者存活时间 (13 .5± 0 .48)d ,较A组存活时间 (2 2 .6± 0 .59)d明显缩短 (P <0 .0 0 1) ;C组存活时间 (56.8±2 .5)d ,明显长于A组和B组 (P <0 .0 0 1)。肝移植后 4d ,移植肝IL 12、STAT4蛋白表达及其DNA结合活性、受者血清IL 2、IL 10和IFN γ水平 ,B组较A组明显增高 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,C组较B组明显降低 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,D组各项指标与B组相似。结论　IL 12 /STAT 4信号途径激活可能是同种部分肝移植免疫排斥发生的重要机制     

大鼠小肠移植早期应用趋化因子受体拮抗剂抑制移植物急性排斥反应

目的探讨趋化因子受体拮抗剂(MetRANTES)在小肠移植早期应用对排斥反应的免疫抑制作用及其与他克莫司的协同效应。方法SD大鼠为供者,Wistar大鼠为受者,建立异基因节段性异位小肠移植模型。移植后将大鼠分为4组,每组24只。第1组为对照组,移植前后不作任何处理;第2组为MetRANTES组,小肠移植后(0～7d)腹腔注射MetRANTES200μg/d;第3组为小剂量他克莫司(FK506)组,小肠移植后(0～7d)腹腔注射FK5060.5mg·kg-1·d-1;第4组为MetRANTES联合FK506组,2种药物的应用方法与第2、3组相同。观察移植大鼠的一般状况和存活时间以及免疫细胞浸润情况,并于移植术后3、5、7d分别取各组大鼠移植肠标本(n=6)进行组织病理学检查,采用免疫荧光染色和激光扫描共聚焦显微镜技术对移植肠RANTES和CD4 、CD8 、CD25 T淋巴细胞的表达进行连续定量测定。结果第1～4组大鼠平均存活时间分别为(7.37±1.19)d、(22.32±8.60)d、(23.64±6.58)d和(30.55±4.18)d,第2、3、4组大鼠与第1组相比,存活时间明显延长(P<0.01);第4组大鼠存活时间更长,与第2、3组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。第1组全部死于急性排斥反应及感染,组织病理学检查显示移植后第3、5、7d分别符合轻、中、重度排斥反应。第2、3、4组病理学检查无明显排斥反应征象。第1组大鼠的移植肠RANTES表达在术后各时段均显著高于其他3组(P<0.01),其动态变化与急性排斥反应的进程呈正相关;第2组和第4组大鼠移植肠RANTES、CD4 、CD8 和CD25 T细胞的表达均明显低于第1组(P<0.01)。结论MetRANTES能明显抑制小肠移植急性排斥反应,有效保护移植肠功能,显著延长移植物的存活时间,并可增强小剂量他克莫司的免疫抑制作用。     

抗CD-40L单抗加小剂量、短程CsA对肝移植大鼠生存期和Th1/Th2平衡偏移的影响

目的 采用抗CD-40L单抗加小剂量CsA的联合免疫治疗,观察其对大鼠肝移植受体生存时间和Th1/Th2细胞因子谱变化的影响.方法 在建立稳定大鼠肝移植模型的基础上,将整个实验分为4组.A组(同基因对照组):SD→SD;B组(同种异体基因免疫排斥组):SD→Wistar,不用任何治疗措施;C组:SD→Wistar,CsA应用d1～d5;D组:SD→Wistar,CsA应用d1～d5加抗CD-40L(CD-154)单抗应用d0、d2.观察各组大鼠肝移植受体生存时间,移植后第7天用ELISA法检测外周血细胞因子水平.结果 A组、D组受体大鼠均可长期存活,B组生存时间仅为(13.8±2.4)d.IL-2、IFN-γ在B组的血清水平显著高于其余各组(P＜0.05),TNF-α在B组的表达水平高于不同免疫抑制组,但差异无显著统计学意义.IL-4、IL10较A组均有所增加,尤其D组的IL-10表达水平较B组显著增高(P＜0.05).结论 抗CD-40L单抗加小剂量CsA(伴或不伴DSBT)联合免疫治疗,可有效延长大鼠肝移植受体的生存时间,Th2类细胞因子的高水平表达与诱导移植耐受、抑制排斥反应有重要关联,有助于大鼠肝移植受体和移植肝的长期存活.     

以预置门静脉侧壁袖套法成功建立大鼠肝肠联合移植模型

肝肠联合移植可以治疗短肠综合征合并终末期肝病。自Grant等[1] 1988年成功实施首例肝肠联合移植以来,全世界46个移植中心共进行了186例肝肠联合移植,但例数远少于其他大器官移植。其原因是需要进行肝肠联合移植的病例数相对较少,并且有很多临床问题有待解决,所以通过建立动物模型进行深入研究仍属必要。我们在成功建立大鼠小肠移植和肝移植模型基础上,逐步探索出利用供体下腔静脉预置门静脉侧壁袖套、一期整体移植的方法建立大鼠肝肠联合移植的动物模型,手术成功率高。一、材料和方法1.材料:封闭群SD大鼠,体重(2 5 0±2 0 )g ,术前禁食2 …     

袖套式血管吻合法建立肝肠联合移植的实验研究

目的 建立一种新肝肠联合移植手术模型,探讨移植肝脏对移植小肠的保护作用.方法Wistar大鼠同种异体肝肠联合移植,供体手术时门静脉和肠系模上动脉进行双重冷灌注,用冷新霉素液冲洗小肠肠腔并清洁.受体手术的先进行肝脏移植,再进行小肠移植,门静脉、肝下下腔静脉袖套式吻合,肠系膜上动脉在显微镜下与左肾动脉油套式吻合,供体肠系膜上静脉袖套式与受体左肾静脉吻合,回肠下端在左下腹部造□,完成肝肠联合移植.结果 手术成功率为62.5%(15/24),手术平均存活为11.2天.手术后组织学发现:移植肝脏和小肠发生排斥反应.结论(1)袖套式血管吻合技术在大鼠身上建立的肝肠联合移植模型是可行的.(2)肝肠联合移植后移植的肝脏不能起到保护移植小肠的作用.     

脾肠联合移植对大鼠小肠移植免疫耐受的影响

目的　探讨脾肠联合移植对小肠移植免疫耐受的诱导作用。方法　选用SD大鼠为供体、Wistar大鼠为受体 ,进行异位全小肠和脾脏联合移植。实验分 3组 ,每组 6只。A组 :小肠移植非免疫干预组 ;B组 :受体脾切除 ,脾肠联合移植组 ;C组 :小肠移植环孢霉素A(CsA)治疗组。术后 3、5、7、10d取移植小肠回肠段 0 .5～ 1.0cm进行病理学检查 ,用病理图像分析系统测量黏膜厚度 ,绒毛高度和隐窝深度。采用TdT介导的脱氧核苷酸原位末端标记法 (TUNEL)检测 3、5、7d移植小肠黏膜细胞凋亡 ,评价移植小肠急性排斥反应损伤程度。结果　A、B两组均有不同程度的急性排斥反应损伤 ,但A组高于B组 ,移植后 3、5、7d分别属于轻、中、重度排斥 ,10d黏膜基本完全脱落。B组移植后 3、5d符合轻度排斥 ,7d中度以下排斥 4只 ,重度排斥 2只 ,10d中度排斥 2只 ,重度 4只 ,但仍可见黏膜层。C组移植后 10d 1只出现轻度排斥其余未见明显损伤。黏膜厚度、绒毛高度和隐窝深度B组明显高于A组 ,黏膜上皮细胞凋亡数目较A组低。结论　受体脾切除 ,脾肠联合移植可减轻移植小肠急性排斥反应损伤 ,诱导一定程度的小肠移植免疫耐受     

猪肝肠联合移植免疫耐受的实验研究

目的 研究猪肝肠联合移植中肝移植物对同源小肠移植物免疫耐受的作用.方法 70头杂交长白猪分为4组,A、B、C组为辅助性同种异体肝肠联合移植(每组20头);D组为节段性间种异体小肠移植(10头).移植后A、D组未用免疫抑制剂治疗,B、C组分别采用常规剂量和小剂量的环孢素和甲基强的松龙治疗.结果 A组术后小肠移植物较D组排斥反应时间延迟,程度明显减轻(P＜0.05).常规剂量的B组与小剂量的C组在术后存活时间、排斥反应开始时间以及排斥反应程度方面差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 猪同种异体肝肠联合移植中肝移植物可以诱导同源小肠移植物免疫耐受.     

联合输注供体特异性不成熟树突状细胞及环胞素A对受体Th1/Th2淋巴细胞分化的影响

目的探讨联合应用体外培养供体特异性不成熟树突状细胞及环胞素A(CsA)对受体体内Th1 /Th2淋巴细胞分化的影响。方法建立大鼠同种异体原位肝移植模型 ,88只LWE大鼠和SD大鼠随机分为 3组 :(1 )对照组 :术后不予免疫抑制剂 ;(2 )CsA组 :术后第 2天起隔日腹腔内按1mg/ 1 0 0 g 体重注射CsA ,共 3次 ;(3)CsA DC组 :除术后按CsA组腹腔注射CsA外 ,第 8天阴茎背静脉注射 1 0 6个供体骨髓体外培养的不成熟树突状细胞 (DCim)。术后观察各组的生存时限及 5、1 0、1 5、2 5d分别取标本行肝脏免疫病理学检查、腹腔淋巴结中INF γmRNA、IL 6mRNA含量的检测。结果CsA DC组的生存时限为 (2 7 0± 1 0 )d ,较对照组及CsA组显著延长 (P <0 0 5 ) ;CsA DC组受体腹腔淋巴结中的INF γmRNA含量较对照组及CsA组低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而IL 6mRNA含量则较前两组升高 (P <0 0 5 )。结论联合应用环孢素A和体外培养的供体特异性DCim后受体体内Th2型淋巴细胞含量升高 ,而Th1型淋巴细胞含量降低 ;通过调节受体体内Th1 /Th2淋巴细胞比例是其降低大鼠肝移植术后免疫排斥反应的机制之一     

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.