腔内修复术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤7例分析

目的总结腔内修复术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的经验。方法回顾性分析2004年10月至2006年3月复旦大学附属中山医院血管外科收治的腔内修复孤立性髂动脉瘤7例的临床资料。其中,右髂总动脉瘤4例,左髂总动脉瘤2例,左髂内动脉瘤破裂1例。结果7例均取得技术成功。3例右髂总动脉瘤累及右髂内动脉,选用分叉支架型人工血管行腔内修复术。1例右髂总动脉瘤累及腹主动脉下端,选用AUI(Aortouniiliac)支架型人工血管腔内修复加股动脉旁路术。2例左髂总动脉瘤选用直型支架型人工血管。1例左髂内动脉瘤破裂急诊行钢圈栓塞后选用直型支架覆盖左髂内动脉开口。术后即刻数字减影血管造影(DSA)造影显示动脉瘤消失,远近端支架型人工血管与宿主动脉结合处均未见明显渗漏。1例术后出现急性左心功能不全和肺水肿,经抢救痊愈,其余6例无手术并发症。术后随访1～19个月(平均10.6±6.42个月),瘤体无增大,支架无移位,无内漏,旁路人工血管通畅。结论腔内修复术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤具有可行、安全、微创等特点,近期疗效较好,远期效果尚须进一步随访。     

孤立性髂动脉瘤19例诊治经验

目的 探讨孤立性髂动脉瘤(solitary iliac aneurysms,SIA)的诊治方法.方法 回顾性分析1985年1月至2008年1月23年间19例SIA患者的临床资料.其中,男性18例,女性1例,年龄39～77岁,平均(62±7)岁.19例患者中16例行择期动脉瘤切除、人工血管移植,1例行腔内修复术,1例破裂性SIA急诊行动脉瘤切除、人工血管移植,1例破裂性SIA未手术即死亡.结果 19例患者共有30个SIA,其中25个(83.3%)位于髂总动脉,4个(13.3%)位于髂内动脉,1个(3.3%)髂外动脉瘤.11例(57.9%)患者具有多发性动脉瘤,其中9例(47.4%)为双侧髂动脉瘤,另2例合并其他部位的动脉瘤.2例(10.5%)合并动脉闭塞性疾病.2例破裂SIA,1例抢救成功,1例抢救无效死亡.开腹手术的17例患者无围手术期死亡,无盆腔脏器缺血等并发症;1例腔内修复术治疗后无内漏等并发症.术后移植血管通畅,无新发动脉瘤形成早期诊断和治疗SIA非常重要,应通过CTA等方法明确诊断及有否合并多发性动脉瘤或动脉闭塞性疾病.SIA的手术效果良好,术后应长期随访,注意有否吻合口动脉瘤或新生动脉瘤.     

腔内修复术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤14例

目的探讨腔内治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的疗效。方法回顾性分析2004年10月至2006年5月腔内修复孤立性髂动脉瘤14例的临床资料。其中,右髂总动脉瘤8例,左髂总动脉瘤5例,左髂内动脉瘤破裂1例。髂动脉瘤腔内修复的标准是瘤体直径〉3．0cm。结果14例均取得技术成功。8例右髂总动脉瘤,钢圈栓塞右髂内动脉后选用分叉支架型人工血管行腔内修复术。其中1例右髂总动脉瘤累及腹主动脉下端,选用AUl支架型人工血管腔内修复加股．股动脉旁路术。5例左髂总动脉瘤栓塞同侧髂内动脉后选用直型支架型人工血管。1例左髂内动脉瘤破裂急诊行钢圈栓塞后选用直型支架覆盖左髂内动脉开口。术后即刻数字减影血管造影显示动脉瘤消失,远近端支架型人工血管与宿主动脉结合处均未见明显渗漏。1例术后出现急性左心功能不全和肺水肿,经抢救痊愈,其余13例无手术并发症。术后CTA随访10．2个月（3～19个月）,瘤体无增大,支架无移位,无内漏,旁路人工血管通畅。结论腔内修复术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤具有可行、安全、微创等特点,近期疗效较好,远期效果需进一步随访。     

孤立性髂动脉瘤治疗方法的选择与分析

目的总结孤立性髂动脉瘤治疗方法的选择并分析其优缺点。方法回顾性分析笔者所在医院科室2006年1月至2017年1月期间收治的21例孤立性髂动脉瘤患者的临床资料。结果有4例患者分别接受瘤体切开人造血管移植、腹主动脉及双侧髂动脉瘤切开分叉型人造血管移植、髂内动脉近远端结扎等传统手术。有17例患者分别接受了单纯髂动脉覆膜支架置入、髂内动脉弹簧圈栓塞联合髂动脉覆膜支架置入、弹簧圈封闭髂内动脉瘤近远端等腔内治疗。1例破裂孤立性髂动脉瘤在急诊腔内治疗过程中,因失血性休克虽经积极治疗无效死亡,余下病例均治愈出院。4例开放手术者平均手术时间2.83 h,术中及术后平均输血900 m L,平均住院时间17.5 d。17例采用腔内治疗患者平均手术时间1.58 h,术中及术后平均输血160 m L,平均住院时间7.7 d。仅腔内治疗患者术中造影发现Ⅰ型内漏1例、Ⅱ型内漏1例。采用两种手术方式者均未发生输尿管或肠管损伤、臀肌跛行、乙状结肠缺血等并发症。17例获得随访,随访率为85%,随访时间1~60个月,平均22个月。随访过程中,人工血管及支架移植物均通畅,未发现原有动脉瘤扩张。1例合并系统性红斑狼疮患者出现髂窝脓肿,经对症处理后好转。有2例患者在随访期间因其他疾病死亡,其余无明显的临床症状。结论从本组有限的临床病例资料可以初步看出,对于孤立性髂动脉瘤,采用传统手术及腔内治疗均是比较安全、有效的治疗方式。腔内治疗具有创伤小、恢复快特点,但对于一些特殊的孤立性髂动脉瘤,采用传统手术的可控性要好于腔内介入治疗,在临床上应根据动脉瘤的解剖形态与患者的全身状况选择合适的治疗方法。     

腹主动脉瘤腔内修复术中髂动脉瘤的处理策略

目的:探讨腹主动脉瘤合并髂动脉瘤的腔内修复术(EVAR)方法。方法:回顾性分析2007年8月—2014年3月35例腹主动脉瘤合并髂动脉瘤行EVAR术患者资料,其中9例合并单侧髂内动脉瘤,1例合并双侧髂内动脉瘤,14例合并单侧髂总动脉瘤(直径18 mm),11例合并双侧髂总动脉瘤,所用腔内技术包括栓塞髂内动脉瘤后覆盖,髂内动脉瘤单纯覆盖,"喇叭口"支架,以及"三明治"技术重建一侧髂内动脉等。结果:所有腔内技术均获得成功,手术时间(125±40)min,出血量(173±65)m L。术中发现内漏8例(22.9%),其中I型内漏4例(近端2例,远端2例)均经球囊扩张后内漏消失,III型内漏1例,经扩张及部分加弹簧圈栓塞后内漏消失,II型内漏2例及IV型内漏1例,均未予处理。35例术后随访6~60个月,无动脉瘤破裂,2例术后6个月发现腹主动脉瘤体增大,造影确诊远端I型内漏,经弹簧圈栓塞后内漏消失,其余33例瘤体直径无增大。结论:对于合并髂动脉瘤的腹主动脉瘤患者,有效处理髂内动脉,然后根据髂总动脉直径选择合适的治疗方法可以达到理想的近期效果。     

孤立性髂动脉瘤的外科及腔内治疗

目的总结孤立性髂动脉瘤的治疗经验。方法回顾性分析收治的8例孤立性髂动脉瘤患者的临床资料。4例患者接受髂动脉瘤切除,人工血管重建手术;4例高龄且合并症较多的患者接受腔内支架修复术。结果所有患者治疗均获成功,1例接受腔内治疗患者术后出现腹膜后脓肿,经积极抗感染及手术引流后治愈;余7例未出现并发症。术后随访3个月至2年,所有患者存活良好,无复发。结论外科开放手术及腔内手术均可以安全有效地治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤,临床上需根据患者具体情况选择合理的治疗方式,对于高龄且合并症较多的高危患者应首选腔内手术治疗。     

人工血管移植治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的手术探讨

目的探讨孤立性髂动脉瘤的手术治疗方法,包括复杂病理情况下动脉瘤切除、人工血管移植以及吻合口处理和缝合问题。方法回顾性总结1997年1月至2007年6月间收治的33例孤立性髂动脉瘤的临床资料,其中单侧髂动脉瘤29例,双侧4例。均在全身麻醉下行动脉瘤切除、人工血管移植血管重建术。结果4例双侧病变中,行主动脉-双侧股动脉人工血管移植1例,主动脉-双侧髂总动脉人工血管移植3例;29例单侧病变中,主动脉-髂总动脉人工血管移植1例,髂动脉-股动脉人工血管移植3例,髂总动脉-髂外动脉人工血管移植21例,髂总-髂总动脉转流4例。33例平均随访5（0.5-10）年。2例分别于术后3年和6年死于急性脑梗塞和心肌梗塞,1例术后2年死于交通事故,余健康存活,无复发,无吻合口狭窄或下肢缺血表现。结论动脉瘤切除人工血管移植是治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的良好措施,仍然是目前医疗条件下有效治疗本病的主要手术方式。     

孤立性髂动脉瘤的腔内治疗

目的探讨利用血管腔内技术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤的安全性、可行性、有效性和存在的问题。方法自1997年5月至2006年1月,对15例孤立性髂动脉瘤患者行血管腔内治疗。真性动脉瘤12例(80％),假性动脉瘤3例(20％);髂总动脉瘤9例(60％),髂内动脉瘤3例(20％),髂外动脉瘤3例(20％)。瘤径3．5-9．0 cm,平均(5．97±1．49)cm。髂内动脉瘤采用直接栓塞技术;髂总以及髂外动脉瘤采用支架型血管腔内修复技术或结合外科手术方法及栓塞技术进行治疗。术后观察瘤腔内血液动力学改变、髂内动脉以及下肢动脉供血的改变。结果术后仅1例保留双侧髂内动脉,其余仅保留单侧。术后2例发生内漏(13％)。无围手术期死亡,无移植物错放、移位、瘤体破裂、中转手术以及由于覆盖单侧髂内动脉而引起的肠道缺血、性功能改变等并发症发生,1例术后出现一侧臀肌酸痛症状。手术时间0．5-4．0 h,平均(1．9±1．1)h;出血量30-300 ml,平均(126．7±70．1) ml;恢复活动时间0．5-4 d,平均(2．1±1．1)d;住院时间3-12 d,平均(5．5±4．7)d。结论腔内技术治疗孤立性髂动脉瘤是一种安全、可行、有效的方法。髂内动脉的处理以及内漏防治仍是困难的问题。     

腹主动脉瘤的治疗

目的 探讨腹主动脉瘤(AAA)的治疗方法。方法 回顾性分析26例AAA的临床资料。结果 26例中夹层动脉瘤3例，真性动脉瘤21例，动脉瘤破裂后再形成的假性动脉瘤1例，动脉瘤穿破十二指肠空肠曲形成腹主动脉肠瘘1例。病变累及肾动脉平面以上者3例，肾动脉平面以下者23例：病变仅累及腹主动脉者4例，病变除累及腹主动脉外，尚合并有单侧或双侧髂总动脉瘤者／2例，合并双侧髂总动脉瘤及一例或双侧髂内动脉瘤者5例，合并一侧髂总、髂内、髂外动脉瘤1例，合并有双侧髂总、髂内、髂外动脉瘤1例。施行紧急手术治疗3例，择期手术治疗14例，施行支架型人工血管腔内微创治疗7例，未手术2例。术后发生并发症3例，无瘫痪、下肢动脉栓塞等发生。术中及术后30d死亡率为3．8％(1例)。支架型人工血管治疗的7例无漏血、移位等并发症发生，均痊愈出院。22例随访3个月至4年，均存活良好。结论 AAA的腔内血管外科治疗具有创伤小，术石恢复快，并发症少等优点，有条件行支架型人工血管作腔内治疗的应优先考虑腔内治疗，传统手术方法在技巧等方面的改进有利于提高手术的成功率，并能为不具备腔内治疗条件的患者解除疾患。     

脾动脉瘤的传统手术和腔内治疗的比较

目的:比较脾动脉瘤的传统手术方法与血管腔内微创治疗。方法:回顾性总结1999年7月至2009年10月收治的46例脾动脉瘤病例,其中20例采用传统手术方法,包括近、远端动脉结扎加脾动脉瘤旷置术,动脉瘤切除加脾动脉重建术,脾动脉瘤切除加脾脏切除术等3种术式;26例采用血管腔内治疗方法,即脾动脉介入栓塞术。比较两组的手术时间、术后并发症、术后死亡率及近期随访的结果。结果:腔内治疗组的平均手术时间和住院天数明显少于传统手术组,差异有统计学意义[(47.3±14.5)min比(108.7±16.4)min,P=0.037;(3.6±1.3)d比(9.2±1.6)d,P=0.025]。传统手术组术中术后需输血的有3例,1例合并亚急性心内膜炎病人术后因心功能不全引发多脏器功能衰竭而死亡;而血管腔内治疗组术中、术后无输血病例,无围手术期死亡病例。血管腔内治疗组术后平均随访14个月,1例术后12个月瘤体仍有少量内漏,但瘤体直径未增大;其余病例瘤体均缩小。结论:与传统手术相比,血管腔内治疗具有安全、微创、恢复快等特点,应成为脾动脉瘤治疗方法的首选。     

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.     

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.     

Immunomodulation in Transplantation with Photopheresis

Abstract: Photopheresis is a technique in which peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in the presence of a photoacti-vatable compound, are exposed extracorporeally to ultraviolet A light and reinfused, inducing a host autoregula-tory immune response. Experimental work and ongoing clinical studies are helping to define the role of this novel, safe, and non-toxic immunomodulating technology in the field of transplantation.