轮椅越障碍训练在脊髓损伤患者康复治疗中的应用

轮椅越障碍训练在脊髓损伤患者康复治疗中的应用金宁，纪树荣轮椅训练是脊髓损伤患者的一项重要康复训练内容，轮椅越障碍比赛（Ｓｌａｌｏｍ）原是国际轮椅联合会又称国际斯托克·曼德维尔运动联盟（ＩＮＴＥＲＮＡＴＩＯＮＡＬ－ＳＴＯＫＥＭＡＮＤＥ－ＶＬＩＥＧＡＭＥ...     

急性重度颈脊髓损伤患者临床特征及早期死亡的危险因素分析

目的 探讨重度创伤性颈脊髓损伤患者临床特点及早期死亡的危险因素.方法 分析2015年1月-2020年5月在本院治疗的急性重度外伤性颈脊髓损伤患者457例,按照早期死亡(30 d内)与否分为观察组和对照组,统计其性别、年龄、体质量指数、致伤因素、损伤节段、AISA分级、合并伤、基础疾病、是否手术、手术时机等指标,纳入Logistic回归分析探讨其早期死亡危险因素.结果 457例患者30 d以内死亡83例,病死率为18.16％,单因素分析发现:年龄、损伤节段、APACHEⅡ评分、受伤至手术时间、肺部感染、气管插管、低钠血症、血白蛋白等因素的组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).多因素分析发现,低白蛋白血症(OR=1.906,P=0.016),高APACHEⅡ评分(OR=9.643,P=0.004),肺部感染(OR=4.976,P=0.038),高损伤节段(OR=10.933,P=0.045),低钠血症(OR=2.103,P=0.021)是急性重度颈脊髓损伤患者早期死亡的危险因素,及早手术(OR=0.887,P=0.013)是其保护性因素.结论 高损伤节段、APACHEⅡ评分、肺部感染等反映病情严重程度和并发症的相关指标,对患者早期死亡的预测具有重要意义,而及早手术能够降低早期死亡率.     

胸腰段脊髓损伤患者术后综合性康复训练效果分析

目的探讨综合性康复训练在胸腰段脊髓损伤术后患者康复治疗中的效果。方法纳入自2014-07—2016-01诊治的48例胸腰段脊髓损伤,均行切开复位、减压及内固定治疗,24例术后采用综合性康复训练方案(综合组),24例采用常规康复训练方案(常规组)。结果综合组与常规组康复治疗后运动评分、感觉评分及巴氏指数较康复治疗前明显提高,上下肢体感诱发电位N波与P波潜伏期明显缩短,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。综合组运动评分、感觉评分、巴氏指数均高于常规组,且上肢和下肢的体感诱发电位N波、P波潜伏期明显短于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论综合性康复训练可提升胸腰段脊髓损伤术后患者的运动和感觉功能,恢复患者日常活动能力,缩短患者体感诱发电位潜伏期,其治疗效果明显优于常规康复训练。目的探讨综合性康复训练在胸腰段脊髓损伤术后患者康复治疗中的效果。方法纳入自2014-07—2016-01诊治的48例胸腰段脊髓损伤,均行切开复位、减压及内固定治疗,24例术后采用综合性康复训练方案(综合组),24例采用常规康复训练方案(常规组)。结果综合组与常规组康复治疗后运动评分、感觉评分及巴氏指数较康复治疗前明显提高,上下肢体感诱发电位N波与P波潜伏期明显缩短,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。综合组运动评分、感觉评分、巴氏指数均高于常规组,且上肢和下肢的体感诱发电位N波、P波潜伏期明显短于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论综合性康复训练可提升胸腰段脊髓损伤术后患者的运动和感觉功能,恢复患者日常活动能力,缩短患者体感诱发电位潜伏期,其治疗效果明显优于常规康复训练。     

胸腰椎骨折伴脊髓损伤患者悬吊运动训练应用价值研究

目的 探讨悬吊运动训练对胸腰椎骨折伴脊髓损伤患者的临床应用价值。方法 回顾性分析2021-10—2022-12郑州市第三人民医院骨科收治的70例胸腰椎骨折伴脊髓损伤患者的临床资料,按康复训练干预方法分为常规康复训练组(对照组)和联合悬吊运动训练组(观察组),各35例。比较2组患者的基线资料。分别于干预前和干预后1个月采用美国脊髓损伤协会量表(ASIA)评分评估神经功能;采用Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表(FMA-L)评分、Berg平衡量表(BBS)评分评价下肢功能和平衡功能,采用改良Barthel指数(BI)评分评价日常生活能力。统计并发症发生率。结果 2组患者的基线资料差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。干预后,观察组患者的ASIA评分、FMA-L和BBS评分、BI评分均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者的并发症发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 对胸腰椎骨折伴脊髓损伤患者开展悬吊运动训练可改善神经功能,增强下肢功能及平衡功能,提高日常生活能力,并可降低并发症发生风险。     

脊髓损伤后神经源性膀胱的综合康复护理

目的探讨针对脊髓损伤神经源性膀胱患者的有效康复护理模式。方法将84例脊髓损伤患者按对等原则分为常规康复护理组和综合康复护理组各42例,常规组给予间歇性清洁导尿及膀胱功能训练指导;综合组除间歇性清洁导尿外,给予膀胱功能训练、功能性电刺激、生物反馈等综合康复护理。连续8周后评价效果。结果综合组日排尿频次、膀胱容量、残余尿量及导尿间隔时间4项指标均显著优于常规组(P0.05,P0.01)。结论对脊髓损伤后神经源性膀胱患者采取综合康复护理有利于其膀胱功能的恢复。     

间歇性排尿训练在脊髓损伤排尿障碍患者中的应用

目的 探讨间歇性排尿训练在脊髓损伤排尿障碍患者中的应用.方法 对46例脊髓损伤患者均采用间歇性排尿训练(观察组),并与32例采用常规长期留王导尿治疗的脊髓损伤患者(对照组)比较.结果 观察组通过间歇性排尿训练,42例患者成功建立了反射性膀胱,有效率和尿路感染率与对照组比较,差异有显著性意义(均P＜0.01).结论 间歇性排尿训练对脊髓损伤排尿障碍患者具有重要的康复治疗意义.     

综合康复训练在重建脊髓损伤患者膀胱功能的临床研究

【摘要】 目的 探讨综合康复训练对促进脊髓损伤患者神经源性膀胱功能重建的临床疗效。方法〓选择71例神经源性膀胱患者,分成实验组(36例)和对照组(35例),实验组采用间歇性导尿和综合康复训练,包括Crede手法按摩、耻骨上区轻叩法、扳机点法及电针刺激法等康复训练,对照组则采用留置导尿法和综合膀胱功能训练,并进行比较两组患者疗效比较。结果〓与对照组相比,实验组的尿路感染较明显减少,膀胱容量与残余尿量亦接近正常水平。结论〓脊髓损伤患者采取神经源性膀胱的综合康复功能训练和间歇性导尿的等模式,有助于提高脊髓损伤患者的生存质量。     

急性重度颈脊髓损伤患者早期死亡影响因素的初步分析

目的探讨导致急性重度颈脊髓损伤患者早期死亡的影响因素。方法回顾性分析2003年1月-2007年12月78例急性重度颈脊髓损伤（ASIA A级和ASIA B级）的临床资料。按照患者是否于受伤后30天内死亡分为早期死亡组和早期存活组。分析患者年龄、损伤节段、损伤至入院时间、减压内固定手术、损伤至手术时间、神经源性休克、中枢性高热、低钠血症、血白蛋白、血淋巴细胞百分比、气管切开、肺部感染12项指标。结果死亡组高损伤节段（C1-C4）患者比例（8/9）高于存活组（49/69）（χ^2=18.086,P=0.000）,死亡组受伤至手术时间（1-12 d,中位数2 d）少于存活组（1-39 d,中位数3 d）（Z=-2.664,P=0.008）,死亡组出现神经源性休克比例（4/9）高于存活组（6/69）（χ^2=12.392,P=0.000）,死亡组出现低钠血症比例（4/9）高于存活组（19/69）（χ^2=4.526,P=0.033）,死亡组入院时血淋巴细胞百分比（11.84±5.80）%低于存活组（19.17±16.64）%（t=-4.006,P=0.000）,死亡组气管切开患者比例（7/9）高于存活组（10/69）（χ^2=29.749,P=0.000）,死亡组并发肺部感染患者比例（8/9）高于存活组（15/69）（χ^2=17.266,P=0.000）。结论影响急性重度颈脊髓损伤患者早期死亡的因素是多方面的,患者损伤节段高（C1-C4）、并发神经源性休克、肺部感染、行气管切开术可能是导致患者早期死亡的影响因素。     

已婚脊髓损伤患者婚姻结局的调查及影响因素分析

目的 :研究已婚脊髓损伤患者的婚姻状况及伤后夫妻关系的影响因素。方法 :以2016年1月1日~2016年5月31日在我院住院的已婚脊髓损伤患者为对象进行横断面调查。根据纳入标准(1经CT或MRI确诊脊髓损伤合并截瘫或四肢瘫患者;2伤前结婚的患者,性别、年龄不限;3愿意参与本研究)和排除标准[1受伤时合并有脑外伤、精神疾病(如认知功能障碍);2伤后结婚的患者],共有115例患者纳入本研究。采用问卷调查法进行资料的收集。问卷调查的内容包括性别、年龄、文化程度、受伤时的结婚年限、受伤前的家庭月收入、伤前子女个数、伤后性生活满意度、伤后夫妻关系变化及神经损伤的平面。将伤后婚姻关系按"感情升温、无变化、下降、离异"四个分类计数,对四组间定性资料采用有序多分类资料的秩和检验,对性生活满意度的组间比较采用方差分析。按"升温或无变化、下降或离异"两个分类计数,采用Logistic回归分析方法对已婚脊髓损伤患者婚姻结局因素进行分析。结果:在115例脊髓损伤患者中,13例(11.3%)伤后感情升温,43例(37.4%)感情无变化,40例(34.8%)感情下降,19例(16.5%)离异。按四分类计数进行分析,受伤时的不同结婚年限会影响伤后夫妻关系分布,经组间两两比较,仅4~6年组与10年及以上组的比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),通过比较这两组的平均秩次,10年及以上组的伤后夫妻关系较好;性别、年龄、文化程度、神经损伤的平面、受伤前的家庭月收入、伤前子女个数的伤后夫妻关系分布差异无统计学意义(均P0.05);伤后患者的性生活满意度平均为3.2,表现为比较不满意,"升温、无变化、下降、离异"四种夫妻关系的性生活满意度比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),无变化组的性生活满意度均高于感情下降组和离异组(P0.05),男性与女性比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。按照两分类计数对以上因素进行分析,单因素分析显示神经损伤的平面、受伤前的家庭月收入、伤后性生活满意度对婚姻关系有影响(均P0.05)。多因素分析显示,神经损伤的平面、伤后性生活满意度(均P0.05)对婚姻关系有影响。以颈椎为参照,胸椎、腰椎损伤的伤后夫妻关系恶化的概率分别是颈椎损伤的4.126倍和3.619倍。结论 :已婚脊髓损伤患者的离婚率为16.5%,婚姻结局受到多因素影响,其中性生活满意度和神经损伤的平面是较为重要的因素。     

老年康复期脊髓损伤患者生活质量影响因素分析

目的探讨影响老年康复期脊髓损伤脊髓损伤(spinal cord injury,SCI)患者生活质量的影响因素。方法选取2016年5月～2019年1月收治的老年康复期SCI患者187例为研究对象(观察组),另选取本院行健康体检的100例健康老年人作为对照组。采用世界卫生组织生存质量测定量表简表(WHOQOL-BREF)评价生活质量。建立多元Logistic回归模型分析影响SCI患者生存质量的风险因素。结果观察组WHOQOL-BREF生理领域、心理领域、社会关系领域评分和总分均显著低于对照组(P0.05);两组环境领域评分的比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。单因素分析结果表明,年龄(F=44.238)、婚姻状况(t=2.101)、神经损伤平面(F=8.648)、损伤性质(t=18.607)、并发症(t=7.399)、家庭功能障碍(t=6.593)和抑郁程度(F=5 8.236)与SCI患者的生活质量有关(P0.05)。多元Logistic回归分析表明,年龄(OR=1.265)、神经损伤平面(OR=0.864)、损伤性质(OR=0.564)、并发症(OR=1.085)、家庭功能障碍(OR=0.621)和抑郁程度(OR=1.021)是影响老年SCI患者生活质量的独立预测因素(P0.0.5)。结论老年康复期SCI患者的生活质量较差,年龄、神经损伤平面、损伤性质、并发症、家庭功能障碍和抑郁程度是影响生活质量的独立预测因素。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.