二种胰肠吻合术吻合口创伤愈合的实验研究

目的　观察比较两种胰肠吻合方法创伤愈合过程。　方法　按吻合方法不同将动物分为捆绑式胰肠吻合组 (Ⅰ组 )和套入式胰肠端端吻合组 (Ⅱ组 ) ,分别在术中、术后 5、10d活体测定吻合口破裂压和离断力 ,并做病理观察。　结果　 (1)破裂压 :Ⅰ组 ,0、5、10d分别为 (139 7± 8 0 )mmHg、(178 7± 9 7)mmHg和 (2 6 8 8± 12 8)mmHg ,Ⅱ组则为 (6 7 3± 7 9)mmHg、(96 2± 10 4 )mmHg和 (130 6± 9 3)mmHg。Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组在 0至 5d和 5至 10d两时间段分别增加 2 7 9%、5 0 5 %和 4 2 9%、35 7% ,两组间在 0、5、10d时差异具有非常显著性 (P <0 0 1)。 (2 )离断力 :Ⅰ组 ,0、5、10d分别为 (4 5± 0 4 )N、(6 6± 0 4 )N和 (10 0± 0 6 )N ;Ⅱ组为 (4 6± 0 6 )N、(5 8± 0 5 )和 (7 1± 0 6 )N。两组在 0天时基本相同 ,但Ⅰ组在 0至 5d和 5至 10d两时间段有较快增长(44 8%和 5 2 9% ) ,两组间在 5、10d时差异具有显著和非常显著性 (P <0 0 5和P <0 0 1)。 (3)组织病理学 :Ⅰ组在 10d时吻合口已由结缔组织基本修复 ,胰腺残端断面已基本由黏膜上皮覆盖。而Ⅱ组则由肉芽组织不完全修复 ,胰腺残端断面尚无上皮再生。　结论　捆绑组 (Ⅰ组 )吻合口强度更强 ,愈合更快。     

双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术预防术后胰瘘的动物实验

目的：探讨双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术在降低胰肠吻合术后胰瘘等并发症发生率中的作用。 方法：采用实验猪建立胰肠吻合手术模型,将实验猪随机分为双U组及套入组,每组5只,分别采用双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术和普通套入式胰肠吻合术,术后1周将猪处死,观察胰肠吻合口大体及镜下改变,对比研究两组实验动物术后胰瘘及吻合口出血等并发症的发生率。 结果：两组间手术时间及术中出血量无统计学差异（P>0.05）;与套入组比较,双U组实验猪术后胰瘘及吻合口出血的发生率均降低（P<0.05）。 结论：双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术能显著降低胰肠吻合术后胰瘘及出血的发生率,并且简单易行,是一种值得推广的新的胰肠吻合术式。     

捆绑式胰肠吻合术与传统胰肠吻合术治疗壶腹周围癌体会

目的 探讨捆绑式胰肠吻合术在治疗壶腹周围癌中的作用。方法 回顾分析1998年3月～2003年3月手术切除的壶腹周围癌患者39例，采用捆绑式胰肠吻合术(捆绑组)17例，传统胰肠吻合术(传统组)22例。分别观察胰瘘、胆瘘、胃排空障碍等并发症的发生率。结果 捆绑组胰瘘、胆瘘、胃排空障碍的发生率分别为0(0／17)、5．9％(1／17)、11．80k，(2／17)，平均术后住院时间28．3d。传统组胰瘘、胆瘘、胃排空障碍的发生率分别为22．7％(5／22)、18．2％(4／22)、13．6％(3／22)，平均术后住院时间39．2d。结论 捆绑式胰肠吻合术应用于壹腹周围癌治疗有助于避免胰瘘发生，是一种较为安全的手术方式。     

不同胰肠吻合方式在PD术中的临床应用比较

目的探讨并分析胰管-空肠黏膜吻合术和捆绑式胰肠套入吻合术在胰十二指肠切除术中的临床应用效果。方法回顾性研究我院近五年行胰十二指肠术患者57例,其中胰管-空肠黏膜吻合式31例,捆绑式胰肠套入吻合式26例,收集患者术前一般情况及术中术后各项指标,分析两种方式有无差异。结果捆绑式胰肠套入吻合较胰管-空肠黏膜吻合手术时间缩短(358.7±7.8 min vs 307.4±5.8 min,P0.05),术后主要并发症胰瘘、腹腔出血以及住院时间两组无统计学差异。结论胰管-空肠黏膜吻合和捆绑式胰肠套入吻合均具有较好的临床效果,捆绑式胰肠套入吻合较胰管-空肠黏膜吻合节省手术时间,具体吻合方式因根据个人习惯和熟练程度灵活选择。     

胰十二指肠切除术后不同胰肠吻合方式的效果与评价

目的比较胰十二指肠切除术后三种不同胰肠吻合方式的胰肠吻合口瘘发生率,探讨实施不同吻合方式的适用条件及其合理性。方法回顾性分析92例胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床资料。按吻合方式不同分为捆绑式胰肠吻合组(A组)、胰管对空肠粘膜端侧吻合组(B组)和套入式端侧吻合组(C组),观察其术后胰瘘的发生率。结果胰肠吻合口瘘的发生率为:A组1例(1/41,2.44%);B组无胰肠吻合口瘘发生;C组3例(3/19,15.79%)。A、B两组间胰肠吻合口瘘发生率无统计学差异(P>0.05);C组胰肠吻合口瘘发生率显著高于A、B两组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论胰管对空肠粘膜吻合法和捆绑式吻合法均为较安全的胰肠吻合方法。在条件许可下,胰管对粘膜吻合法应作为胰十二指肠切除术首选的胰肠吻合方法。     

Effect and appraisals of three different pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy

目的 比较胰十二指肠切除术后三种不同胰肠吻合方式的胰肠吻合口瘘发生率,探讨实施不同吻合方式的适用条件及其合理性.方法 回顾性分析92例胰十二指肠切除术患者的临床资料.按吻合方式不同分为捆绑式胰肠吻合组(A组)、胰管对空肠粘膜端侧吻合组(B组)和套入式端侧吻合组(C组),观察其术后胰瘘的发生率.结果 胰肠吻合口瘘的发生率为:A组1例(1/41,2.44％);B组无胰肠吻合口瘘发生;C组3例(3/19,15.79％).A、B两组间胰肠吻合口瘘发生率无统计学差异(P＞0.05);C组胰肠吻合口瘘发生率显著高于A、B两组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论胰管对空肠粘膜吻合法和捆绑式吻合法均为较安全的胰肠吻合方法.在条件许可下,胰管对粘膜吻合法应作为胰十二指肠切除术首选的胰肠吻合方法.     

空肠浆肌鞘套入双捆绑预防胰肠吻合术后胰瘘的效果观察

目的:通过与传统的胰十二指肠切除术进行比较,探讨空肠浆肌鞘套入双捆绑胰肠吻合对预防胰十二指肠切除术后胰瘘的效果.方法:行胰十二指肠切除患者40例,其中行空肠浆肌鞘套入双捆绑胰肠吻合的患者28例作为观察组,传统胰十二指肠切除术后套入式胰肠吻合的12例作为对照组.对2组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后胰瘘、术后并发症和住院时间以及住院费用等方面进行对比研究.结果:观察组术后胰瘘的发生率明显低于对照组(0 vs2/1 2,P<0.05),2组在手术中出血量及手术后并发症发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但手术时间、术后住院时间短于对照组(P<0.05).结论:相对于传统的胰十二指肠切除术中套入式胰肠吻合重建方式,空肠浆肌鞘套入双捆绑胰肠吻合方式简化了胰肠吻合过程,固定更牢靠,操作更简单,有双重保险的效果,预防术后胰瘘效果明显.     

双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术在IV、V 型胰腺外伤中的应用

目的:探讨双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术在胰腺外伤中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2011年1月—2015年1月收治的9例IV、V型胰腺外伤患者的临床资料。结果:胰腺外伤IV型7例,其中5例行胰头断端缝闭(U形交锁+连续缝扎),双U套入荷包捆绑式胰体尾空肠Roux-en-Y内引流术后治愈;2例合并十二指肠碎裂伤行胰十二指肠切除术、双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术后治愈。V型患者2例,均行胰十二指肠切除术、双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合术后治愈。全组患者术后均未出现胰瘘、吻合口出血等严重并发症。所有患者均获得随访,一般情况良好,均无糖尿病、腹泻、消化不良等胰腺功能减退情况发生,无死亡。结论:双U套入荷包捆绑式胰肠吻合法在胰腺外伤手术中是可行的,能够有效的防止术后胰瘘的发生。     

一种简易胰肠套入捆绑式吻合术式的临床应用观察

目的 探讨胰十二指肠切除术简易的胰肠套入捆绑式吻合方法的临床应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2003年5月至2013年5月在我院行胰十二指肠切除术56例患者的临床资料,其中残胰重建方式为简易胰肠套入捆绑式吻合方式手术者32例（简易组）,胰空肠端端常规套入吻合手术者24例（常规组）;比较两组的胰肠吻合手术时间、术中出血量、术后住院时间等情况;并根据Clavien术后并发症诊断和分级标准分析此两种吻合方式与术后并发症发生率及其严重程度的关系.结果 简易吻合组的术中出血量与常规吻合组比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,而两组胰肠吻合时间、术后住院时间相比较有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;在术后并发症的严重程度分级中简易吻合组的Ⅱ级和Ⅴ级并发症发生率分别为9.36％ （3/32）和3.13％ （1/32）,显著低于常规吻合组的25.00％ （6/24）和12.5％ （3/24）,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 在行胰十二指肠切除术中使用简易胰肠套入捆绑式吻合方式明显降低术后并发症的发生率,缩短胰肠吻合手术时间及术后住院时间,可能更有利于患者术后的恢复,此吻合方式值得在临床工作中推广运用.     

套入式双层连续缝合加捆绑在胰肠吻合术中的应用

目的改进胰肠吻合缝合技术,预防胰瘘发生。方法24例胰十二指肠手术,采用2-0或3-0嶶乔吸收缝线行套入式双层连续缝合加捆绑胰肠吻合术。结果吻合时间平均18min,均未出现胰肠吻合口漏,无手术死亡病例。结论双层连续缝合加捆绑胰肠套入式吻合,操作简便、省时、并发症少,是胰肠吻合术的一种有效改进。     

Effect of persistently elevated intraabdominal pressure on healing of colonic anastomoses

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of elevated intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on abdominal organs are realized, but its influence on anastomotic healing has not been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of elevated IAP on healing of colonic anastomoses. METHODS: Thirty rats, which all had right colonic anastomoses, were divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group, and group 2 had fecal peritonitis. IAP was maintained between 4 to 6 mm Hg in group 3, 8 to 12 mm Hg in group 4, and 14 to 18 mm Hg in group 5 until all rats were sacrificed on day 4. Bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline concentrations of anastomoses were then analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM of bursting pressures were 143+/-2.9 mm Hg in group 1, 72+/-14.4 mm Hg in group 2, 77.3+/-7.9 mm Hg in group 3, 57.5+/-11.2 mm Hg in group 4, and 40.1+/-9.6 mm Hg in group 5 (P<0.0001, one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Mean +/- SEM of tissue hydroxyproline concentrations were 5.3+/-0.3 microg/mg in group 1, 4.7+/-0.5 microg/mg in group 2, 4.6+/-0.6 microg/mg in group 3, 3.6+/-0.5 microg/mg in group 4, and 2.4+/-0.2 microg/mg in group 5 (P = 0.0026, one-way ANOVA). The bursting pressure and hydroxyproline concentrations had good correlation (P<0.001, r = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IAP delays healing of colonic anastomoses and 4 to 6 mm Hg IAP delays healing as much as fecal peritonitis. More elevated IAP delays healing more than fecal peritonitis. These events may be clinically important and may result from local-systemic effects of IAP.     

Improved healing of extraperitoneal intestinal anastomoses in the early phase when surrounded by omentum

BACKGROUND: The extra-anatomical position of a cervical oesophagogastrostomy is a reason for impaired anastomotic healing, but transposition of the omentum that is covered with mesothelial cells may be a way to improve that. METHOD: This hypothesis was tested in a rat model. An end-to-end jejuno-jejunostomy was placed subcutaneously in group I (n = 29), subcutaneously surrounded by omentum in group II (n = 29) and intra-abdominally surrounded by omentum in group III (n = 20). After 3, 7 or 14 days, the rats were sacrificed and bursting pressure (BP) of the anastomosis or jejunum was measured and the hydroxyproline (HP) level was determined. RESULTS: In group I 5/29, in group II 2/29 and in group III 0/20 rats died following anastomotic leakage (nonsignificant) and were excluded from other measurements. BP was decreased after 3 days in group I (60+/-9 mm Hg) compared with group II (101+/-8 mm Hg) and group III (107+/-11 mm Hg) (p = 0.002). After 7 days, BP in groups I (122+/-10 mm Hg) and II (132+/-10 mm Hg) were lower as compared with group III (230+/-8 mm Hg) (p<0.001). Differences in HP levels were not statistically significant between the groups after 3, 7 and 14 days. CONCLUSION: The healing of intestinal anastomoses in an extraperitoneal position is improved in the early phase only when surrounded by omentum.     

Glomerular filtration dynamics in the dog during elevated plasma colloid osmotic pressure.

To determine if the glomerular filtration coefficient (Kf) of the dog is influenced by changes in plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP), we conducted micropuncture experiments in dogs given concentrated albumin solutions. In one group (N = 9), filtration dynamics were evaluated following infusion of 450 to 600 ml of a 25% bovine albumin solution. To minimize the effects of acute volume expansion, we also achieved high COP levels in another group (N = 7) by albumin loading on the day prior to the experiment. In all experiments, renal arterial pressure was reduced to approximately 90 mm Hg to minimize potential errors that might lead to overestimation of single nephron filtration rate (SNGFR) and glomerular pressure (GP). In the acutely expanded dogs, COP increased to 23.0 +/- (SEM) 0.9 mm Hg, SNGFR was 59 +/- 6 nl/min, estimated GP was 61.0 +/- 2.0 mm Hg, proximal tubule pressure (PTP) was 23.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg, and superficial filtration fraction (SFF) was 0.13 +/- 0.02. A similarly reduced whole kidney filtration fraction was also observed, due almost entirely to a marked increase in renal blood flow. When compared to noninfused control dogs (N = 13), Kf was significantly higher in the dogs with elevated COP, being 5.3 +/- 0.6 nl/min/mm Hg as compared to 3.4 +/- 0.3 nl/min/mm Hg. Average effective filtration pressure (EFP) was 12 +/- 1mm Hg, and EFP at the efferent end of the glomerular capillaries was 8.9 +/- 1.2 mm Hg. In the group infused on the prior day, COP was 20.0 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, SFF was 0.26 +/- 0.01, SNGFR was 70 +/-8 nl/min, GP was 59 +/- 2 mm Hg, and PTP was 19.0 +/- 1.5 mm Hg. Average EFP was 15 +/- 1 mm Hg, and EFP at the efferent end of the capillaries was 7.5 +/- 0.7 mm Hg. kf was 4.85 +/- 0.66 nl/min/mm Hg, a value significantly higher than that obtained in control dogs having a COP of 15.0 +/- 0.6 mm Hg. Furthermore, one group of control dogs (N = 4), expanded with an isooncotic albumin solution, did not exhibit significant changes in Kf even though the degree of plasma volume expansion was similar to the group expanded with concentrated albumin solution. These experiments are consistent with previous findings obtained in the rat that Kf is influenced by the COP, although the changes in Kf appear to be less than they are in the rat. The data indicate that even under these conditions of elevated COP, the filtration process in the dog is characterized by positive filtration pressures throughout the length of the glomerular capillaries.     

Profile of interdialytic blood pressure in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Hypertension is a common problem in hemodialysis (HD). However, its behavior during the interdialytic period is not completely known and is infrequently monitored in clinical practice. Thus, for better understanding of interdialytic blood pressure (BP), we analyzed the interdialytic blood pressure profile using 44-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data in 71 unselected, stable HD patients. RESULTS: There was an increase in BP during the interdialytic period (awake day 1: 135/84 +/- 23/14 mm Hg; awake day 2: 140/86 +/- 22/15 mm Hg, p < 0.05; sleep day 1: 130/77 +/- 24/15 mm Hg; sleep day 2: 136/80 +/- 24/15 mm Hg, p < 0.05). The correlation between the average 44-hour BP and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) was not significant (r = -0.07 for systolic BP and r = -0.09 for diastolic BP). The number of non-dipper patients was high, 77% on interdialytic day 1 and 83% on interdialytic day 2 for systolic BP. Uncontrolled hypertension (average 44 h BP > or =135/85 mm Hg) was diagnosed in 58 (55%) patients. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension had higher pre- and posthemodialysis BP, higher BP on each interdialytic day and night, and higher night/day diastolic BP ratio on the second interdialytic day. These patients were also taking a greater number of vasoactive medications (1.5 vs. 0.6 in those with controlled BP, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences related to kt/V, hematocrit, or weekly erythropoietin dose between patients with controlled or uncontrolled BP. Hemodialysis shift assignment (morning or afternoon) did not impact on BP levels or diurnal profile. CONCLUSION: In HD patients, interdialytic BP is often poorly controlled, there is a progressive rise in BP, and a trend toward loss of nocturnal decline in BP as the interdialytic period progresses. Further research is needed to determine whether treatment directed to interdialytic BP changes can alter outcomes in HD patients.     

End-to-end versus end-to-side proximal anastomosis in aortobifemoral bypass surgery: does it matter?

The proximal anastomosis is still a controversial issue in vascular surgery. To compare end-to-end (EE) and end-to-side (ES) proximal anastomoses, the authors undertook a prospective study with 3 years' follow-up involving 120 patients, all of whom had aortobifemoral bypass. Fifty-one (42.5%) patients received the EE and 69 (57.5%) the ES anastomosis. The indications for surgery were abdominal aortic aneurysm (EE 51%, ES 0%; p less than 0.05), claudication (EE 33.3%, ES 53.6%; p less than 0.05) and critical ischemia (EE 15.7%, ES 46.4%; p less than 0.05). Patients in the EE group were older (mean age: EE 66.1 +/- 2.8 years, ES 60.9 +/- 1.1 years; p less than 0.05) and had more ischemic heart disease (EE 39.2%, ES 27.5%; p less than 0.05). Postoperative mean increases in transcutaneous oximetry (EE 15.5 +/- 3.9 mm Hg, ES 12.6 +/- 2.3 mm Hg) and the ankle-brachial pressure index (EE 0.34 +/- 0.05, ES 0.30 +/- 0.03) were not significantly different in the two groups. The operative death rate was higher for the EE group (EE 11.8%, ES 1.4%; p less than 0.05). Early thrombosis occurred in six patients, two in the EE group and four in the ES group. Computed tomography, done 1 year postoperatively in 95 patients, revealed two small (less than 3 cm) distal anastomotic dilatations, one in each group. At 3 years, cumulative survival and patency were similar in both groups. The authors conclude that the two anastomotic groups had very similar short- and long-term results, except for the operative death rate which was higher in the EE group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of intraluminal infusion of short-chain fatty acids on the healing of colonic anastomosis in the rat

The effects of an intracolonic infusion of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) on the healing of colonic anastomosis in the rat were investigated. Thirty-three Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transection and anastomosis of the descending colon and transection and diversion of the ascending colon. The proximal limb of the ascending colon was exteriorized as an end colostomy, and the distal (defunctionalized) limb was cannulated for continuous infusion. Rats received either no infusion (N = 11) or an infusion of either electrolytes (N = 11) or SCFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; N = 11) into the defunctionalized colonic segment. On the sixth postoperative day bursting pressure (BP) and bowel wall tension (BWT) were determined. The occurrence of spontaneous anastomotic dehiscence was significantly less for the SCFA group (0/11) compared with the no infusion group (5/11, p less than 0.01). The anastomotic suture line burst in significantly fewer colons from the SCFA group (1/11) than either the electrolyte infusion (8/11, p less than 0.003) or the no infusion (6/6, p less than 0.001) groups. BP and BWT were significantly higher for the SCFA group (BP: 147 +/- 10 mm Hg; BWT: 59 +/- 1.0 dyne 10(3)/cm) than for either the electrolyte (BP: 99 +/- 30 mm Hg, p less than 0.002; BWT: 45 +/- 19, p less than 0.03) or no infusion (BP: 111 +/- 42, p less than 0.02; BWT 36 +/- 15, p less than 0.007) groups. The results of this study indicate that intracolonic infusion of SCFA resulted in significantly stronger colonic anastomosis in the rat.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty treatment of renal transplant artery stenosis

Since June 1979, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been the procedure of choice for renal transplant artery stenosis (RTAS) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Of 241 renal allograft recipients, 17 (7%) when studied by arteriogram because of suspected RTAS proved to have significant stenosis (the mean reduction in luminal width for the group being 68%) and underwent PTA. RTAS was equally prevalent in cadaver and related kidney allografts and was no less common in HLA-identical related donor grafts, arguing against the importance of immune factors in etiology. RTAS was equally prevalent whether the anastomotic technique was end to end or end to side. However, when RTAS occurred after end to side anastomoses, it was usually postanastomotic. Fifteen of 17 of the attempts at dilation by PTA were successful by angiographic analysis. Thirteen of the 15 successfully dilated patients had long-term allograft survival and in all of these instances blood pressure (BP) was decreased after PTA. After a mean of 67 weeks, BP decreased from a systolic of 184 +/- 24 mm Hg pre-PTA to 135 +/- 15 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and from a diastolic of 115 +/- 10 mm Hg pre-PTA to 87 +/- 11 mm Hg (P less than 0.001). The majority of patients continue to require antihypertensive drugs but in a less vigorous regimen than pre-PTA. Serum creatinine level fell following PTA from 1.9 +/- 0.6 to 1.7 +/- 0.5 mg/100 ml (P less than 0.01). Repeat angiographic study was done in nine patients, an average of 61 weeks after PTA, and no recurrent RTAS was identified. Three minor complications of PTA occurred but none led to long-term sequelae. Thus, we believe PTA of RTAS is relatively safe, carrying less mortality and morbidity than operative treatment, and is capable of improving BP control and renal allograft function.     

Efficacy and safety of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, in hypertension after renal transplantation: a randomized multicenter study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of posttransplant hypertension is high, and it appears to be a major risk factor for graft and patient survival. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of valsartan, an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), in the treatment of posttransplant hypertension. METHODS: A multinational, multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed on the treatment of hypertension (systolic blood pressure [BP] >/= 140 and/or diastolic BP >/= 90 mm Hg) in adult cyclosporin-treated renal transplant recipients randomized to receive either valsartan (80 mg once daily) or a matching placebo for 8 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, furosemide 20 mg twice daily was added on a open basis if systolic BP remained >/= 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP remained >/= 85 mm Hg. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen (valsartan = 57, placebo = 58) uncontrolled hypertensive patients despite monotherapy for hypertension, other than angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or ARB, were randomized. In the valsartan group, significant decreases were seen in systolic BP (from 153 +/- 11 to 140.9 +/- 18.35 mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 136.5 +/- 15 mm Hg at 8 weeks) and diastolic BP (from 93 +/- 9 to 85.2 +/- 11.28 mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 83.8 +/- 9.2 mm Hg at 8 weeks). There was no significant change in the placebo group. In the valsartan group, a statistically but not clinically significant reduction was observed in the mean hemoglobin concentration (12.9 +/- 1.6 g/dL versus 13.8 +/- 1.6 g/dL at 4 weeks, P < .01; and 12.3 +/- 1.6 versus 13.8 +/- 1.7 at 8 weeks; P < .001) as well as a significant increase in serum potassium (4.4 +/- 0.5 mmol/L versus 4.1 +/- 0.4 mmol/L at 4 weeks, P < .01) vs placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Valsartan is effective in the treatment of posttransplant hypertension and is well tolerated.     

Influence of respiratory stress and hypertension upon the blood-brain barrier

The effects of acute hypertension and respiratory stress induced by Aramine (metaraminol bitartrate) upon blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were studied in adult inbred white rats. The BBB permeability was quantitated by slicing the brain of each animal into 500-mu thick sections, incubating the sections using the Reese-Karnovsky method, and counting all observed HRP perivascular exudates. No evidence of BBB compromise or significant elevation of blood pressure (BP) was observed in the following experimental groups: 1) control group of five animals; 2) hyperventilated group of five animals (final mean arterial blood gases; pO2, 104.2 mm Hg; pCO2, 24.8 mm Hg; pH, 7.53); 3) anoxic-stress group of five animals (final mean arterial blood gases; pO2, 31.4 mm Hg; pCO2, 58.2 mm Hg; pH 7.21). However, in a group of 15 animals subjected to anoxic stress followed by hyperventilation, in addition to extreme changes in the levels of arterial blood gases, a significant BP increase occurred (mean BP increase per second, 3.43 +/- 0.25 mm Hg; final mean BP, 163.3 +/- 3.18 mm Hg); as well as significant BBB opening (mean number of HRP exudates per animal, 12.2 +/- 0.85). Likewise, a final group of 10 animals given intravenous Aramine displayed a significant systemic BP elevation (mean BP increase per second, 6.9 +/- 0.38 mm Hg; final mean BP, 165.8 +/- 3.16 mm Hg), accompanied by BBB opening (mean number of exudates per animal, 51.5 +/- 5.95). The variable most strongly associated with the degree of barrier opening was the rate of BP rise (correlation coefficient = +0.84).