他莫昔芬治疗血液透析女性患者骨质疏松的临床观察

目的 观察他莫昔芬对维持性血液透析（MHD）女性患者骨质疏松的治疗作用.方法 选取100例MHD女性患者按有/无骨质疏松分为A组（n=60）与B组（n=40）,再将A组随机分为A1组（n=30,服用他莫昔芬、骨化三醇和碳酸钙）与A2组（n=30,不服用他莫昔芬,余同A1）;观察治疗前后（12个月）患者疗效、副作用及血清雌二醇（E2）、骨形态发生蛋白-2（BMP-2）、全段甲状旁腺素（iPTH）等指标的变化;并以E2、BMP-2水平对入组患者骨质疏松的诊断进行ROC曲线分析.结果 A1组疗效显著优于A2组（P＜0.05）,两组副作用差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;治疗前A组E2、BMP-2水平显著低于B组,治疗后A1组E2、BMP-2水平显著高于A2组（P＜0.05）,治疗前后iPTH、Ca水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;多元线性回归提示治疗前A组及治疗后A2组iPTH与BMD值呈负相关（P＜0.05）,E2、BMP-2、Ca与骨密度（BMD）值呈正相关,且E2、BMP-2对BMD值影响最大.B组及治疗后A1组各指标与BMD值无线性回归关系.ROC曲线提示E2、BMP-2与入组患者BMD值关系密切.结论 他莫昔芬可能是通过提高MHD女性患者体内E2、BMP-2水平从而安全有效的治疗骨质疏松,且E2、BMP-2是影响MHD女性患者骨质疏松的重要因子.     

血磷对血液透析患者成纤维细胞生长因子23的影响

目的：检测维持性血液透析（MHD）患者血中成纤维细胞生长因子23（FGF－23）水平,探讨血磷等因素对MHD患者FGF－23的影响。方法：MHD患者67例,对照组肾小球过滤率正常共28例,MHD患者根据血磷水平分为低磷组、血磷达标组和高磷组,酶联免疫吸附法测定血中FGF－23的水平,测定对照组及MHD患者血中碱性磷酸酶、钙、磷水平。结果：MHD组血清FGF－23高于对照组（P〈0．01）;低磷组、血磷达标组和高磷组FGF－23水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,高磷组甲状旁腺激素明显高于低磷组及血磷达标组（P〈0．01）;单因素直线相关分析未见到血磷与FGF－23的相关性（r＝0．018,P〉0．05）;多元回归分析显示1,25（OH）2D3是MHD患者FGF－23的影响因素（β＝0．521,P〈0．01）。结论：MHD患者血中FGF－23水平明显升高,血磷不是维持性血液透析患者FGF－23升高的影响因素。     

维持性血液透析患者血浆同型半胱氨酸与骨密度的相关性研究

目的 探讨维持性血液透析（MHD）患者血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）与指骨骨密度（BMD）的关系.方法 选择2006年2月至2010年2月在我院住院的MHD患者94例,分别将男性和女性患者分为3组,骨质疏松组：T值＜-2;骨量减少组：T值-2～-1;正常骨量组：T值＞-1.分别比较3组男性和3组女性患者年龄、血钙、血磷、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、血浆Hcy.对血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD进行相关性分析,用逐步回归法以指骨BMD为自变量建立多元线性回归方程以分析指骨BMD的影响因素.结果 骨质疏松组年龄均大于骨量减少组和正常骨量组（P＜0.05）,骨量减少组年龄大于正常骨量组（P＜0.05）.3组血钙、血磷、ALP、Hcy差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.男性血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD无相关性（r=0.267,P＞0.05）.年龄是指骨BMD的影响因素（回归系数b1=-0.002,P=0.022）.骨质疏松组血浆Hcy水平均高于骨量减少组和正常骨量组（P＜0.05）,而骨量减少组和正常骨量组Hcy差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.3组血钙、血磷、ALP差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.女性血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD呈负相关（r=-0.527,P＜0.05）.年龄和Hcy是指骨BMD的影响因素（回归系数b1=-0.002,P=0.011;回归系数b4=-0.003,P=0.048）.结论 女性MHD患者高血浆Hcy水平可能与指骨BMD降低有关,男性MHD患者血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD无相关性.血浆Hcy升高可能是女性MHD患者骨质疏松潜在的危险因素.     

绝经后妇女血清OPN水平与骨密度及骨转换水平的相关性研究

目的：研究绝经后女性血清骨桥蛋白（OPN）水平与骨密度（BMD）、骨标志物的关系,探索OPN在绝经后骨质疏松症（ PMOP）中的临床应用价值。方法对125名绝经后女性进行研究,双能X线骨密度仪测量腰1－4及左股骨颈BMD,测定血中I型原胶原N－端前肽（PINP）、β－胶原降解产物（β－CTX）、25羟维生素D、甲状旁腺素、OPN、骨钙素（OC）、钙（Ca）和磷（P）。结果①骨质疏松组血清OPN水平明显高于骨量减少和正常组（ F＝0．118,P＝0．000）;②血清OPN水平与BMD（腰1－4,左股骨颈）、血Ca显著负相关,与年龄、β－CTX、OC显著正相关（ P均＜0．05）;③多元线性回归分析结果表明,左股骨颈骨密度（B,－11．971;SE,2．383;标准系数,－0．402;P＝0．000）、血钙（B,－6．696;SE,2．383;标准系数,－0．225;P＝0．006）是OPN水平独立预测因子。结论高血清OPN水平与低BMD、高β－CTX水平及钙缺乏相关,该结果丰富了现有的临床证据,为防治PMOP提供了新的思路。     

绝经后骨质疏松症经脉冲电磁场治疗前后甲状旁腺激素、25OHD2和25OHD3的对比性研究

目的：对比性分析绝经后骨质疏松症（POP）经脉冲电磁场治疗前后PTH、25OHD2、25OHD3指标值的变化情况,探讨脉冲电磁场治疗POP的临床价值。方法以我院收治的100例绝经后患骨质疏松症患者为观察组,另选择同期体检的80例健康者为对照组。分别对2组对象的血清PTH、25OHD2、25OHD3指标及骨密度（ BMD）进行检测,对比分析治疗前2组对象的各指标值,分析PTH、25OHD2＋25OHD3与BMD的相关性。同时,对比分析观察组患者治疗前后各指标值的变化情况。结果观察组患者治疗前,其血清PTH指标平均值高于对照组（P＜0．05）;血清25OHD2、25OHD3指标平均值均低于对照组（P＜0．05）。观察组患者血清PTH与BMD呈负相关（r＝－0．57,P＜0．05）;25OHD2＋25OHD3与BMD呈正相关（r＝0．68,P＜0．05）。治疗后较治疗前,观察组患者的血清PTH水平降低（P＜0．05）;血清25OHD2、25OHD3水平及BMD升高（P＜0．05）。结论脉冲电磁场通过对POP患者血生化及骨代谢的调节,能够有效提高提高骨密度,起到治疗POP的临床效果。     

绝经后骨松患者替勃龙治疗半年骨代谢指标的变化

目的：观察绝经后骨质疏松（ PMOP）患者替勃龙治疗半年骨特异性碱性磷酸酶（ BALP）和抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（ TRAP）的变化。方法绝经后女性按双能X线骨密度检查结果分为PMOP组（骨松组, N＝30例）及非骨松组（ N＝30例）,30例育龄期骨密度正常女性为对照组,测定其血清BALP、TRAP水平。骨松组服用替勃龙（2．5 mg／d）6个月,测定治疗前及治疗后3、6月骨密度（ BMD）,治疗前及治疗后1、3、6月血清TRAP、BALP水平变化。结果与对照组比较,绝经后骨松组及非骨松组的血清TRAP、BALP水平均明显升高,差异有显著性（ P＜0．01）;骨松组血清TRAP、BALP水平较非骨松组进一步升高,差异有显著性（ P ＜0．01）。骨松组应用替勃龙治疗3月后 BMD较治疗前增加,但差异无显著性（ P＞0．05）,治疗6月后BMD与治疗前相比显著增加（ P＜0．05）;其血清TRAP、BALP水平在治疗1月后,与治疗前相比较均开始降低,差异有显著性（P＜0．05）,治疗3月后,骨代谢指标均下降,差异有显著性（P＜0．01）,治疗6月后,其水平进一步下降（ P＜0．01）。结论骨代谢生化指标TRAP和BALP的检测,可以早期评价骨转换情况,联合BMD测定可以及时监测替勃龙的药物疗效。     

糖尿病与非糖尿病维持性血液透析患者血管钙化的对比研究

目的探讨糖尿病维持性血液透析（MHD）患者血管钙化的影响因素。方法选择我院MHD患者90例,其中糖尿病组21例、非糖尿病组69例。检测2组透析前、后血压、心率、相关血生化指标以及全段甲状旁腺素（iPTH）、1,84-PTH、25一羟一维生素功,比较2组血管钙化情况,探讨糖尿病组患者血管钙化的相关因素。结果与非糖尿病组相比,糖尿病组透析前血肌酐较低,三酰甘油较高,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇较低（P〈0．05）。糖尿病组iPTH达标率高于非糖尿病组,而钙磷乘积低于后者（P〈0．05）。糖尿病组钙化发生率和钙化积分高于非糖尿病组（P〈0．05）。对糖尿病MHD患者,血管钙化积分与糖尿病病程、慢性肾脏病（CKD）病程、透析时间、iPTH、碱性磷酸酶呈正相关（r值分别为0．491、0499、0．652、0．727和0．564,P值均〈0．05）。结论与非糖尿病患者相比,患有糖尿病的MHD患者有较高的血管钙化发生率及较重的血管钙化程度;其中糖尿病病程、CKD病程、透析时间、iPTH、ALP可能参与糖尿病患者血管钙化的发生和发展。     

老年男性骨密度与IGF-1及骨代谢相关激素的关系研究

目的：探讨老年男性骨密度（BMD）与胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF－1）及骨代谢相关影响激素的关系。方法：采用双能X线骨密度仪测量120例正常老年男性骨密度（BMD）、血IGF－1及生长激素（GH）、雌二醇（E2）、血睾酮（T）、甲状旁腺激素（PTH）等指标，并与青中年男性对照，进行统计分析。结果：老年男性胰素样生长因子－1、雌二醇（E2）及血睾酮（T）呈现随着年龄增长而降低的趋势，并且在骨质疏松组均显低于非骨质疏松组（P＜0．01），IGF－1与骨密度（P＜0．01）、E2（P＜0．005）、T（P＜0．05）呈正相关。结论：IGF－1的增龄性减少同时伴雌激素、雄激素水平的降低可能是老年男性骨质疏松发生的重要机制。     

雄激素剥夺治疗对老年前列腺癌患者骨量丢失的影响

目的：了解雄激素剥夺治疗（ androgen deprivation therapy ，ADT）对老年前列腺癌患者骨量丢失的影响。方法选取36例接受ADT（至少半年）的前列腺癌患者为ADT组及22例口服非那雄胺治疗（至少半年）的良性前列腺增生患者为非ADT组。两组患者在治疗前后均完善血钙、血磷、血清白蛋白、糖化血红蛋白（GHb）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、血肌酐（Cr）、前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）、睾酮、雌二醇（E2）等基础资料检测，并在治疗后进行骨密度（ bone mineral density，BMD）的测定，使用随机提供的T值作为参照标准对骨质疏松进行诊断。结果 ADT组治疗后睾酮明显下降，与 ADT前及非 ADT组差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．01）；ADT组BMD较非ADT组低，在全身骨成分、腰椎（L1－4）、前臂骨两组 BMD差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．05），股骨颈BMD在ADT组较非ADT组低，但差异不明显（ P ＞0．05）；ADT组骨质疏松发生率为50．0％，非ADT组为22．7％，两组有统计学差异（ P ＜0．05）。结论 ADT可能加快老年前列腺癌患者骨量丢失，使骨质疏松的发生率升高。在对前列腺癌患者采取去势治疗前，建议先完善BMD的测定，对有明显骨量丢失或有高骨质风险的患者，建议采取适当的干预措施，以减缓骨量丢失。     

不同血液净化方式对维持性血液透析患者贫血治疗的影响

目的比较单纯血液透析与血液透析联合血液灌流治疗对维持性血液透析（maintenance hemodialysis,MHD）患者贫血治疗的影响。方法选择2013年4月至11月在我院血液净化中心MHD患者40例,入组前患者均每周3次行单纯血液透析治疗,并使用促红细胞生成素刺激剂（eryhropoises stimulating agent,ESA）纠正贫血。按照随机数表法将MHD患者40例分为单纯血液透析（hemodialysis,HD）治疗组（HD组）和血液透析联合血液灌流（hemoperfusion,HP）治疗组（HD＋HP组）,每组20例。HD组仍每周3次均行HD治疗;HD＋HP组每周行2次HD治疗,1次HD＋HP治疗,仍继续使用ESA;治疗12周。记录2组患者治疗前、后血红蛋白（hemoglobin,Hb）,ESA用量,计算ESA抵抗指数（ESA resistant index,ESARI）评价ESA治疗的反应,同时检测2组治疗前、后血清铁、白蛋白（albumin,Alb）、C反应蛋白（c-reactiveprotein,CRP）、全段甲状旁腺素（intact parathyroidism hormone,iPTH）水平及透析治疗的单室模型尿素清除指数（singlepool Kt／V,spKt／V）。结果40例患者均随访至第12周末。第12周时,HD＋HP组患者Hb水平较基线时显著升高[（119．27±12．16）g／L比（106．59±6．51）g／L,（P〈0．01）],而ESA剂量低于基线时水平[（76．99±16．6）IU·W^-1·kg^-l比（128．96±33．47）IU·w^-1·kg^-1（P〈0．05）],ESARI亦低于基线时水平[（0．56±0．20）比（1．30±0．47）,（P〈0．01）]。第12周时HD＋HP组患者的iPTH水平较基线时显著降低[（161．09±63．70）ng／L比（256．23±56．77）ng／L,（P〈0．01）],CRP水平较基线时降低[（4．65±1．32）mg／L比（7．55±3．23）mg／L,（P〈0．05）];而第12周时HD组患者的Hb水平、ESA用量、ES—ARI值及iPTH、CRP水平与基线时比较无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论HD联合HP治疗较单纯HD治疗能更有效清除CRP、iPTH,提高MHD患者对ESA治疗的反应性,减少ESA使用剂量,改善MHD患者纠正贫血治疗的效果。     

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.