中药益气养阴疗法治疗肠梗阻的Meta分析

目的:采用Meta分析方法评价中药益气养阴疗法治疗肠梗阻(IO)的有效性。方法:计算机检索Pubmed、Embase、Cochrane Library、CNKI、VIP、万方及CBM等数据库,检索时限为建库至2021年3月,2名评价者独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价纳入研究偏倚后,采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:最终纳入20项随机对照试验(RCT)研究,总病例数1 583例。分析结果显示,中药益气养阴疗法治疗肠梗阻在提高总有效率[OR=4.73, 95%CI=(3.35,6.70), P＜0.001]、缩短肛门恢复排气时间[MD=-1.36, 95%CI=(-1.76,-0.96), P＜0.001]、恢复排便时间[MD=-1.13, 95%CI=(-1.71,-0.55), P＜0.001]、腹痛腹胀缓解时间[MD=-1.38, 95%CI=(-1.67,-1.09), P＜0.001]方面均优于对照组,差异有统计学意义。结论:中药益气养阴疗法治疗肠梗阻疗效优于西医常规内科治疗,各样本数值存在发表偏倚可能性较小,循证医学证据较充分,但因纳入研究总体质量不高,需高质量RCT进一步验证。     

宁泌泰联合左氧氟沙星治疗慢性前列腺炎Meta分析

目的:基于Meta分析系统评价宁泌泰联合左氧氟沙星治疗慢性前列腺炎的疗效及安全性。方法:计算机检索中国知网、万方、维普、PubMed、Medline、Corchrane Library及Embase数据库,收集有关宁泌泰联合左氧氟沙星治疗慢性前列腺炎的临床随机对照试验(RCT)研究文献。文献检索年限为建库初始至2020年9月,依据疾病的纳入和排除标准提取数据,采用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入18项RCT,涉及2 504例患者。Meta分析结果显示:与对照组相比,宁泌泰联合左氧氟沙星治疗慢性前列腺炎能显著提高患者的临床疗效[OR=2.92, 95%CI(2.35,3.63), P0.001],降低前列腺炎症状指数(NIH-CPSI评分)[MD=-5.13,95%CI(-8.72,-1.54), P0.001]、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)水平[SMD=-0.79,95%CI(-0.97,-0.60), P0.001]、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平[SMD=-0.85,95%CI(-1.04,-0.66), P0.001],两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义[RR=1.00,95%CI(0.58,1.72), P=1.00]。结论:宁泌泰联合左氧氟沙星治疗慢性前列腺炎能明显提高临床疗效,降低NIH-CPSI评分,消除炎症细胞,减少不良反应。     

国产尿卵泡刺激素在体外受精-胚胎移植促排卵治疗中有效性的Meta分析

目的系统评价国产尿卵泡刺激素(uFSH)在体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)控制性促排卵治疗中的有效性。方法计算机检索VIP、CNKI和WanFang Data等数据库,查找比较uFSH与进口重组卵泡刺激素(rFSH)在IVF-ET促排卵治疗中半随机或随机对照试验(RCT)文献,并进行系统评价,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 5篇RCT 903例患者满足纳入标准。结果显示:uFSH在促性腺激素(Gn)刺激天数[MD=0.45,95%CI(-0.42,1.31),P=0.31]、Gn用量[MD=3.37,95%CI(-0.19,6.93),P=0.06]、平均获卵数[MD=0.17,95%CI(-0.31,0.65),P=0.49]、HCG日雌二醇(E2)值[MD=-862.40,95%CI(-1858.03,133.23),P=0.09]、临床妊娠率[OR=1.02,95%CI(0.77,1.35),P=0.90]、流产率[OR=1.10,95%CI(0.54,2.26),P=0.79]、卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)发生率[OR=1.03,95%CI(0.42,2.54),P=0.95]等方面与rFSH无明显差异,仅平均Gn费用[MD=-2.98,95%CI(-4.19,-1.77),P0.000 01]显著低于rFSH。结论 uFSH与rFSH相比,在Gn用量、平均获卵数、临床妊娠率等方面相当,但采用uFSH可减少促排卵治疗费用。     

补肾健脾活血法治疗绝经后骨质疏松症疗效的Meta分析

目的 系统评价补肾健脾活血法治疗绝经后骨质疏松症的疗效。方法 利用计算机检索各大数据库,如Cochrane图书馆、知网(CNKI)、万方(Wanfang)、荷兰医学文献数据库、维普(VIP)、Web of Science、PubMed、Medline等数据库,检索各库建库时间至2021年2月补肾健脾活血法治疗绝经后骨质疏松症的随机对照试验(randomized controlled trial, RCT),并采用RevMan5.3软件对符合纳入条件的文献进行定量Meta分析。结果 共纳入14篇RCT文献进行定量分析,研究共涉及1 218名患者,分析结果显示,(1)补肾健脾活血法方药在提高绝经后骨质疏松患者临床有效率[OR=2.57, 95%CI(1.37～4.83),P=0.003]、血清E₂水平[MD=3.15,95%CI(0.28～6.02),P=0.03]以及降低患者B-ALP水平[MD=-17.63,95%CI(-26.01～-9.25),P<0.000 1]、尿Ca/Cr比值[MD=-0.14, 95%CI(-0.27～-0.01),P<0....     

血必净联合抗菌药物治疗细菌性肝脓肿疗效的Meta分析

目的：系统评价血必净联合抗菌药物治疗肝脓肿的临床疗效。方法：在PubMed、Cochrane Library、CNKI、EMbase、维普和万方数据库中全面检索血必净联合抗菌药物治疗肝脓肿的随机对照研究（RCT）文献,检索的时限为2000年1月—2021年10月。将搜索到的有效资料用软件RevMan 5.4进行Meta分析。结果：共纳入6个RCT研究,包括494例患者。相比于对照组,联合血必净治疗组体温恢复正常时间显著缩短[MD=-1.99,95%CI(-2.78,-1.21),P <0.001],血常规恢复正常时间显著缩短[MD=-1.26,95%CI(-1.51,-1.01),P <0.001],肝功能恢复正常时间显著缩短[MD=-3.01,95%CI(-3.7,-2.32),P <0.001]。结论：血必净联合抗菌药物对于肝脓肿的治疗优于抗菌药物的单独使用,上述结论有待通过更多高质量的临床研究进一步验证。     

双柏散外敷联合西药治疗外科急腹症临床效果的Meta分析

目的:对双柏散外敷联合西药治疗外科急腹症的临床疗效进行系统评价。方法:计算机检索CNKI、Wanfang、VIP、Web of Science、PubMed及Embase数据库建库至2020年5月收录的关于双柏散外敷联合西药治疗外科急腹症的随机对照试验研究(RCT),严格按照纳入及排除标准筛选文献,对纳入文献采用Review Manager 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:最终纳入10篇文献,共涉及733例患者。双柏散外敷联合西药治疗组的总体有效率优于对照组[OR=6.62,95%CI(3.65,12.00),P<0.001],治疗组腹痛缓解时间较对照组明显缩短[MD=-1.67,95%CI(-1.85,-1.49),P<0.001],治疗组白细胞计数恢复正常时间明显短于对照组[MD=-2.38,95%CI(-2.77,-2.00),P<0.001],差异均有统计学意义。结论:双柏散外敷联合西药可有效治疗外科急腹症,但由于纳入文献存在一定的局限性,还需多中心、大样本、高质量的RCT来进一步验证。     

益气通腑法对结直肠癌术后胃肠功能恢复的系统评价

目的：系统评价益气通腑法对结直肠癌术后胃肠功能恢复的疗效。方法：检索中国知网（CNKI）、万方、维普数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）、Pubmed 5个数据库从建库至2021年9月1日的相关文献。由两名研究者独立筛选文献并提取数据。采用Cochrane风险偏倚评估工具对纳入研究质量进行评估,运用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果：研究共纳入40篇文献,共涉及受试者3 486例,文献质量总体偏低。Meta分析结果显示益气通腑法可缩短患者结直肠癌术后首次排气时间[MD=-12.17,95%CI(-14.11,-10.24),P<0.001]、首次排便时间[MD=-15.41,95%CI(-18.06,-12.76),P<0.001]、肠鸣音恢复时间[MD=-10.16,95%CI(-12.90,-7.42),P<0.001],降低术后恶心呕吐腹胀等不良反应发生率[MD=0.30,95%CI(0.21,0.42),P<0.001]。结论：中医益气通腑法可以促进结直肠癌术后胃肠功能的恢复,但研究纳入文献较少且质量偏低,所得结论仍需高质量研究进一步验证...     

克氏针与钢板固定桡骨远端骨折疗效的荟萃分析

[目的]用Meta分析定量评价克氏针与钢板固定桡骨远端骨折的疗效和安全性。[方法]计算机检索Pub Med、EMBASE、Cochrane Library、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、中国科技期刊全文数据库关于克氏针与钢板固定桡骨远端骨折的随机对照试验,由2位评价员独立筛选文献、提取资料并评价纳入研究的偏倚风险/方法学质量后,采用Rev Man 5.3软件进行Meta分析。[结果]共纳入8篇随机对照试验,Meta分析结果显示:钢板和克氏针治疗桡骨远端骨折术后3个月DASH评分[MD=-7.54,95%CI(-10.66,-4.42),P<0.001]、浅表部位感染发生率[OR=0.43,95%CI(0.23,0.79),P=0.007]、总并发症的发生率[OR=0.21,95%CI(0.15,0.29),P<0.001]方面差异有统计学意义。而在术后12个月DASH评分方面[MD=-2.87,95%CI(-6.48,0.73),P=0.12],两组差异无统计学意义。[结论]钢板内固定治疗桡骨远端骨折在DASH评分和降低术后并发症方面优于克氏针固定。     

PFNA与LCP内固定治疗成年股骨粗隆间骨折疗效的Meta分析

目的对股骨近端防旋髓内钉(PFNA)与股骨近端锁定钢板(LCP)内固定治疗成年股骨粗隆间骨折的文献进行Meta分析,以比较二者的临床疗效。方法计算机检索EMBASE、Pubmed、Cochrane图书馆、中国知网、万方等数据库。收集PFNA与LCP内固定治疗成年股骨粗隆间骨折的随机对照研究(RCT)和临床对照研究(CCT),纳入符合要求的文献。选取手术时间、术中失血量、切口长度、Harris评分优良率、骨折愈合时间、术后并发症作为Meta分析评价指标,并对指标采用Rev Man 5.2软件进行分析。结果共纳入12篇文献,共1 001例研究对象,其中PFNA内固定512例,LCP内固定489例。纳入9篇CCT,3篇RCT。Meta分析结果显示,PFNA组与LCP组相比,缩短了手术时间[MD=-19.39,95%CI(-32.16,-6.63),P0.05],减少了术中失血量[MD=-125.18,95%CI(-185.76,-64.59),P0.05],缩短了切口长度[MD=-7.97,95%CI(-8.53,-7.41),P0.05]。而2组Harris评分优良率[OR=1.26,95%CI(0.87,1.83),P0.05]、骨折愈合时间[MD=-0.65,95%CI(-1.38,0.08),P0.05]、术后并发症[OR=0.76,95%CI(0.33,1.74),P0.05]差异无统计学意义。结论与LCP内固定相比,PFNA内固定在减少术中失血量、缩短手术时间、缩短切口长度方面更具有优势,但二者在Harris评分优良率、术后并发症、骨折愈合时间方面差异无统计学意义。虽然PFNA内固定治疗股骨粗隆间骨折有一定的优势,但在临床上应综合各方面因素而选择最佳的手术方式。     

低分子肝素联合激素、环磷酰胺治疗难治性肾病综合征的Meta分析

目的评价低分子肝素联合激素、环磷酰胺治疗难治性肾病综合征(refractory nephrotic syndrome,RNS)的疗效。方法电子检索知网、万方、维普、PubMed、EMbase和Cochrane Library数据库,检索时间均从建库至2018年3月,收集低分子肝素联合激素、环磷酰胺治疗RNS的临床随机对照试验(randomized controlled trials,RCT),根据纳入和排除标准筛选文献、质量评价及数据提取后,采用Revman5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入15篇中文RCT研究,1077例RNS患者,其中试验组542例,对照组535例。Meta分析结果显示,试验组完全缓解率[OR=2.28,95%CI(1.76,2.95),P<0.00001]明显高于对照组,同时实验组24 h尿蛋白定量[MD=-1.14,95%CI(-1.57,-0.72),P<0.00001]、血肌酐[MD=-7.81,95%CI(-8.87,-6.75),P<0.00001]、尿素氮[MD=-1.81,95%CI(-1.88,-1.74),P<0.00001]均明显优于对照组。结论对于我国RNS患者,低分子肝素联合激素、环磷酰胺治疗疗效显著,但仍需要更多高质量的RCT进一步证实。     

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.