肾移植联合造血干细胞移植诱导治疗七例

目的 探讨肾移植联合造血干细胞移植诱导治疗的安全性和有效性,并总结其经验.方法 2009年实施7例亲属活体肾移植联合造血干细胞移植,其中1例为供受者HLA抗原全相合,其余为半相合.肾移植前5d使用粒细胞集落刺激因子动员供者造血干细胞,术前1d采集供者造血干细胞.肾移植前3d受者开始接受全身淋巴照射,连续3d,肾移植术中给予受者抗胸腺细胞球蛋白50 mg,术后第2、4、6天输注供者造血干细胞.术后常规采用三联免疫抑制方案,监测受者血常规、淋巴细胞亚型变化及移植肾功能等情况.结果 全身淋巴照射后受者淋巴细胞数进行性降低,以B淋巴细胞(CD19+)的比例下降幅度最大,其他血细胞数量变化不大.HLA全相合受者诱导出30％～50％的嵌合体,其余受者仅诱导出1％～5％的嵌合体.术后随访3年,7例受者移植肾功能稳定,均未出现骨髓抑制和移植物抗宿主病,未增加感染风险.经移植肾活检证实,1例受者出现轻度急性排斥反应,其余6例受者未发生排斥发生.7例受者中,有3例减少了免疫抑制剂的用量.结论 肾移植联合造血干细胞移植诱导治疗的方案安全、有效.     

供者使用粒系集落刺激因子后供髓对异基因骨髓移植受者的影响

目的　观察供者使用粒系集落刺激因子 (G CSF)后供髓对异基因骨髓移植受者造血重建及移植物抗宿主病 (GVHD)发生的影响。方法　用HLA相合 ,混合淋巴细胞培养 (MLC)阴性的供者骨髓 ,给受者行异基因骨髓移植 ,在预处理方案、GVHD的预防及支持治疗方法相同的条件下 ,比较研究组 30例供者应用G CSF 3～ 4μg·kg-1·d-1,连用 7d后采髓和对照组 15例供者常规采髓对受者异基因骨髓移植造血重建和GVHD发生的作用。结果　在类同采髓量中研究组所获单核细胞(MNC)、粒细胞巨噬细胞集落生成单位 (CFU GM )及CD34数显著大于对照组 (P <0 .0 1)。研究组受者移植后中性粒细胞计数 >0 .5× 10 9/L与血小板 >2 0× 10 9/L时间分别为 (16 .7± 3.2 )d与 (18.4± 3.0 )d ,对照组为 (2 2 .5± 5 .1)d与 (2 6 .3± 5 .90 )d ,P <0 .0 1,研究组造血重建加速。研究组受者急性Ⅱ Ⅳ度GVHD发生 1例 (发生率 3 .3% ) ,对照组发生率 2 6 .7% (P <0 .0 5 )。慢性GVHD两组差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。输入的T淋巴细胞总数无明显改变 ,通过比较 ,研究组受者CD4减少 ,CD8增加 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　HLA相合的异基因骨髓移植 ,使用经G CSF动员的供者骨髓 ,可使受者造血重建加快 ,尤其减轻重度急性GVHD ,这一作用可能与骨髓内T淋巴细胞亚群     

非清髓性造血干细胞移植后移植物抗宿主病的临床观察

目的 观察非清髓性造血干细胞移植（NST）后移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）的发生情况。方法 将18例患者分为3组：A组为6例重型再生障碍性贫血（SAA）成人患者，行无关供者脐血造血干细胞移植；B组为5例SAA患者，行同胞供者骨髓联合外周血造血干细胞移植；C组为7例肿瘤性血液病患者，其中3例行同胞供者骨髓移植，4例行外周血造血干细胞移植。均采用以抗胸腺细胞球蛋白或抗淋巴细胞球蛋白为基础的预处理方案。A组和B组应用环孢素A（CsA）和甲泼尼龙预防GVHD，C组应用CsA和甲氨蝶呤预防GVHD。C组形成混合性嵌合体后行供者淋巴细胞输注（DLI）。结果 A组有4例形成并维持混合性嵌合体状态，1例死于真菌性败血症，1例自动出院。移植后早期，B组有3例供者型嵌合体占94％以上，并在短期内转变并维持完全供者嵌合体状态，获得无病存活，其中1例在移植后8个月发生慢性GVHD；另2例行供者千细胞输注后，1例6个月后死于继发性纵隔淋巴瘤，1例造血功能恢复。C组患者早期均形成混合性嵌合体，获得血液学部分缓解，患者DLI前无急性GVHD发生，1例于2次DLI后死于严重感染，1例失访；另5例分别经过4、3、7、5、4次DLI，全部转为完全供者型嵌合体，并获得血液学完全缓解，4例并发慢性GVHD，2例并发急性GVHD。结论 对于SAA患者，NST的临床效果较好，GVHD的发生率较低；而对于肿瘤性血液病，NST后患者的早期死亡率低，急性GVHD发生率下降，但慢性GVHD和感染的发生率较高。     

单倍体相合造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注治疗异染性脑白质营养不良

目的探讨单倍体相合造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注治疗异染性脑白质营养不良的疗效。方法 7岁患儿,采用单倍体相合造血干细胞移植联合间充质干细胞输注的方法,经氟达拉滨、马利兰、环磷酰胺和抗人胸腺细胞球蛋白方案进行预处理,供者应用G-CSF动员和联合免疫抑制剂(包括环胞菌素A、氨甲喋呤、霉酚酸酯、CD25单抗)预防移植物抗宿主病。造血重建后,每周输注脐带来源的间充质干细胞1次,连续4周。结果患儿造血重建迅速,11 d时中性粒细胞0.5×109/L、血小板20×109/L;14 d时血白细胞芳基硫酸酯酶A水平明显上升;28 d时达正常水平。患者无急性GVHD发生。移植后1个月经植入证据检测,证实为完全供者造血,神经系统症状逐渐恢复。结论单倍体相合造血干细胞移植,联合间充质干细胞输注,治疗异染性脑白质营养不良,安全、有效,血白细胞芳基硫酸酯酶A水平回升迅速。这种新型疗法可能是治疗缺乏HLA全相合供者的异染性脑白质营养不良疾病患者的可靠选择。     

1例HLA半相合造血干细胞与MSC共移植治疗SAA的护理

对1例重症再生障碍性贫血(SAA)患者进行了HLA半相合非清髓性造血干细胞与间充质干细胞(MSC)共移植治疗.结果 移植后 12 d中性粒细胞数＞0.5×109/L, 21 d WBC 4.5×109/L,Hb 99 g/L,PLT 108×109/L.经HLA配型,红细胞亚型和VNTR检测,为供者型完全嵌合体.患者除口干、眼干外,随访36个月,现仍无病存活,无急慢性GVHD发生.提出在移植过程中加强心理护理,在围移植期执行规范化操作,加强无菌观念,严密观察患者的生命体征、治疗的不良反应对保证移植成功,减少并发症的发生,提高疗效具有重要意义.     

HLA单倍体相合与全相合外周血造血干细胞移植治疗恶性血液病的疗效比较

目的 观察和比较亲属间人类白细胞抗原(HLA)单倍体相合与全相合外周血造血干细胞移植(PBSCT)治疗恶性血液病的临床疗效.方法 2004年5月至2009年2月,共111例恶性血液病患者进行了异基因PBSCT(allo-PBSCT),其中单倍体相合移植受者51例(单倍体组),同期全相合移植受者60例(全相合组).两组的预处理方案均为清髓性;两组预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)均以经典环孢素A加短程甲氨蝶呤作为基础方案,HLA 1个抗原不合时,加用吗替麦考酚酯,HLA 2～3个抗原不合时,再加用抗胸腺细胞球蛋白(ATG)及抗CD25单克隆抗体.移植物为经粒细胞集落刺激因子动员的、未进行体外去除T淋巴细胞的外周血造血干细胞(PBSC).结果 111例受者均获得完全、持久供者干细胞植入.单倍体组和全相合组受者中性粒细胞≥0.5×10~9/L的中位时间分别为14 d和12 d,血小板≥20×10~9/L的中位时间分别为15 d和13 d.单倍体组有25例受者发生急性GVHD(aGVHD),其中Ⅰ度20例,Ⅱ度5例;有33例发生慢性GVHD(cGVHD),其中局限型30例,广泛型3例;4年累积发病率为70.4%;无白血病存活40例,3年预期总无白血病存活率(LFS)为74.5%,其中标危型77.3%,高危型68.2%.全相合组有14例发生aGVHD,其中Ⅰ度10例,Ⅱ度2例,Ⅲ度2例;有37例发生cGVHD,其中局限型32例,广泛型5例;4年累积发病率为58.1%.无白血病存活46例,3年预期总LFS为72.1%,其中标危型77.6%,高危型52.7%.单倍体组受者移植后aGVHD发生率高于全相合组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);但cGVHD、原发病复发率和LFS差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 应用清髓性预处理联合多种免疫抑制剂进行非体外去T淋巴细胞的、亲属间HLA单倍体相合与全相合PBSCT均为治疗恶性血液病安全有效的方案.     

非血缘关系造血干细胞移植61例分析

目的 探讨非血缘关系造血干细胞移植(URD-HSCT)的临床疗效,移植相关并发症及影响预后的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析61例接受URD-HSCT患者的临床资料.所有患者根据原发病分别给予非清髓性及清髓性预处理;供、受者HLA配型6/6抗原位点全相合21例,5/6相合5例,1个基因亚型不合24例,2个基因亚型不合11例;供、受者间ABO血型相合18例,不合43例;受者接受供者的有核细胞中位数为4.5×108/kg,CD34+细胞中位数为4.3×106/kg.术后移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的预防采用以短程甲氨蝶呤+环孢素A+霉酚酸酯为基础的方案,49例加用抗CD25单克隆抗体,9例加用抗淋巴细胞或抗胸腺细胞免疫球蛋白;并常规采用促进造血功能恢复、抗感染等治疗.术后观察受者的造血功能重建、并发症以及预后情况.结果 61例患者中,59例术后经血型、染色体及DNA多态性检测证实供者细胞植活.术后23例受者发生Ⅱ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD,25例发生慢性GVHD;术后100 d内,48例受者发生细菌和(或)真菌感染,36例发生巨细胞病毒感染,以下呼吸道感染较多.术后有18例受者死亡,受者总的2年无病存活率为(68.0±6.4)%,其中12例因移植相关并发症死亡,移植相关死亡率19.7%;6例原发病复发的受者均死亡,复发率9.8%.其余受者经治疗后好转.结论 URD-HSCT是治疗造血系统恶性疾病的有效方法.急性GVHD和感染是严重影响移植疗效和预后的危险因素,需早期预防.     

造血干细胞移植治疗儿童髓系白血病26例疗效分析

目的 了解造血干细胞移植对儿童急性髓系白血病(AML)和慢性粒细胞白血病(CML)的治疗效果.方法 髓系白血病患儿26例,平均年龄为9.8岁,其中CML 8例,AML18例.CML患儿中,第1次慢性期(CPl)6例,加速期(AP)1例,第2次慢性期(CP2)1例;AML患儿中,第1次缓解(CRl)9例,第2次缓解(CR2)7例,2例未缓解(NCR).26例中,2例接受HLA全相合同胞供者的外周血与骨髓干细胞联合移植;2例接受由HLA半相合母亲供者外周血干细胞分离出的CD34+细胞输注;2例接受脐血移植;其余20例接受外周血造血干细胞移植.每例移植有核细胞(6.8±6.0)×108/kg,CD34+细胞(4.0±5.8)×106/kg,CD3+细胞(2.6±3.8)×108/kg.所有患儿均采用白消安及环磷酰胺进行清髓性预处理.移植后采用环孢素A和甲氨蝶呤联用预防移植物抗宿主病(GVHD),接受无关供者造血干细胞移植者加用抗胸腺细胞球蛋白,6例CML患儿加用霉酚酸酯.若发生Ⅱ度以上GVHD,则给予甲泼尼龙或巴利昔单抗治疗.结果 除2例HLA半相合移植失败外,其余24例均获得造血功能重建.24例植入成功的患儿中,2例未发生急性GVHD(aGVHD),15例(62.5%,15/24)出现Ⅰ～Ⅱ度aGVHD,7例(29.2%,7/24)出现Ⅲ～Ⅳ度aGVHD(重度aGVHD).7例重度aGVHD均为CML患儿.26例平均随访20.5个月,其中原发病复发死亡者4例,治疗相关死亡者5例,尚有17例(65.4%,17/26)患儿无病存活.结论 异基因造血干细胞移植有助于提高髓系白血病患儿的存活率,只要加强预防,无关供者造血干细胞移植产生的GVHD是可以控制的.而对于高危患儿,无关供者造血干细胞移植的效果与亲缘相关供者移植相似.     

1例HLA半相合造血干细胞与MSC共移植治疗SAA的护理

对1例重症再生障碍性贫血（SAA）患者进行了HLA半相合非清髓性造血干细胞与间充质干细胞（MSC）共移植治疗。结果移植后＋12d中性粒细胞数〉0．5&#215;10^9／L，＋21dWBC4．5&#215;10^9／L，Hb99g／L，PLT10^8&#215;10^9／L。经HLA配型，红细胞亚型和VNTR检测，为供者型完全嵌合体。患者除口干、眼干外，随访36个月，现仍无病存活，无急慢性GVHD发生。提出在移植过程中加强心理护理，在围移植期执行规范化操作，加强无菌观念，严密观察患者的生命体征、治疗的不良反应对保证移植成功，减少并发症的发生，提高疗效具有重要意义。     

异基因造血干细胞移植后嵌合体的检测及临床意义

异基因造血干细胞移植后供者细胞是否成功植入，需要有可靠的证据。对移植后供者细胞植入证据的检测不仅对判断移植是否成功，而且对移植后免疫抑制剂的应用、供者淋巴细胞输注(DLI)、移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)的预防以及探讨移植后供、受者混合嵌合体形成、对疗效影响的评估皆有重要意义。     

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.