早期乳癌患者机体免疫功能变化的临床意义

目的　 探讨早期乳癌的机体免疫功能以及其改良根治术和术后早期化疗对机体免疫功能的影响。方法　采集 3 0名乳腺良性肿瘤患者 (术前 ) ,3 0名Ⅰ～Ⅱ期乳癌患者 (术前、术后 5d、术后10d)抗凝全血 ,应用流式细胞仪测定外周血中T淋巴细胞亚群CD 3 ,CD4 ,CD 8 ,CD 4 CD45 ,CD4 CD2 9 ,CD 8 CD2 8 和CD 8 CD2 8- 细胞的百分比 ,CD4 /CD8 比率、NK细胞的百分比。术后5d开始给予化疗 ,持续 5d。结果　 (1)乳癌患者与乳腺良性肿瘤患者术前外周血中CD3 ,CD4 ,CD8 ,CD 4 CD45 ,CD 8 CD2 8 ,NK和CD 4 /CD 8 比率均在正常范围 ,两组差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;CD 8 CD 2 8- 细胞百分比乳癌组高于良性肿瘤组 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。 (2 )术后 5d ,CD4 ,CD 4 /CD8 ,CD4 CD45 和CD8 CD2 8 略高于术前 ,NK ,CD3 ,CD8 ,CD4 CD 2 9 和CD 8 CD2 8- 略低于术前 ,但差异均不显著 (P >0 .0 5 )。 (3 )化疗前后 ,各项指标差异无显著性 ;术前与化疗前、化疗后各组相比 ,仅CD 8 CD 2 8- 差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　早期乳癌患者机体免疫系统紊乱不严重 ,但可能存在轻度免疫抑制。施行乳癌改良根治术及术后早期化疗对患者机体免疫功能影响不显著。     

结肠癌术后化疗对外周血免疫细胞比例及凋亡的影响

目的研究结肠癌术后化疗患者外周血免疫细胞亚群变化特点、淋巴细胞凋亡状况及其意义。方法应用流式细胞术对40例结肠癌患者手术前后(术前1d、术后3d、化疗前1d)、化疗过程(化疗第3d、化疗后3d)中外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及NK细胞水平进行检测,以AnnexinV/PI双标流式细胞术对淋巴细胞凋亡、坏死状况进行检测。结果结肠癌根治术后3d,患者外周血T淋巴细胞及NK细胞数量较术前有所减少,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。至化疗前1d,患者外周血CD3 ,CD4 T细胞及NK细胞数量较术前显著增高(P<0.01),但CD8 T细胞数量减少(P<0.05)。化疗3d后,患者外周血CD3 ,CD4 ,CD8 T细胞及NK细胞水平较术前全面下降(P<0.05),但CD4 /CD8 比例变化不大,而淋巴细胞凋亡坏死比例明显升高。至化疗结束后3天,T淋巴细胞各亚群及NK细胞数量开始逐渐回升。结论结肠癌根治术手术本身对患者外周血淋巴细胞及NK细胞影响不大,术后患者免疫细胞水平明显升高,机体免疫状况明显改善。化疗可造成患者机体的一过性免疫抑制,可能与其造成机体淋巴细胞的凋亡坏死有关。     

乳腺癌患者CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞的变化及意义

目的:探讨乳腺癌患者CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞(简称Foxp3+Treg)的变化及意义。方法:选择40例乳腺癌患者和32例乳腺良性肿瘤患者,采用流式细胞术检测外周血Foxp3+Treg、CD8+CD28+T细胞、NK细胞水平;用Western blot和RT-PCR病变乳腺组织Foxp3蛋白与m RNA表达。结果:乳腺癌患者外周血中Foxp3+Treg比例较乳腺良性肿瘤患者明显升高,而CD8+CD28+T细胞、NK细胞比例明显降低(均P0.05),且乳腺癌患者外周血Foxp3+Treg水平与CD8+CD28+T细胞和NK细胞水平呈负相关(r=-0.631,r=-0.578,均P0.05);乳腺癌患者术后外周血Foxp3+Treg水平较术前明显降低(P0.05)。乳腺癌组织中Foxp3蛋白与m RNA的表达均较乳腺良性肿瘤组织明显升高(均P0.05)。结论:Foxp3+Treg和其标记分子Foxp3在乳腺癌患者中的表达增加,且可能通过抑制CD8+CD28+T细胞和NK细胞而产生肿瘤免疫抑制。     

腹腔热灌注化疗对结直肠癌患者细胞免疫功能的影响

观察腹腔热灌注化疗对结直肠癌患者术后细胞免疫功能的影响。选择2013年1月—2015年12月我院结直肠癌患者50例,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各25例。对照组患者常规行开腹结直肠癌根治术,实验组在常规开腹根治术基础上行腹腔热灌注化疗。两组病例均在手术前1天、手术后第3、5、7天分别抽取静脉血,以流式细胞仪测定T淋巴细胞亚群CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+和NK细胞数量,并计算CD4~+/CD8~+比值。术后第3天两组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+及NK细胞活性较术前均明显下降(P0.05),实验组与对照组比较无明显差异(P0.05)。实验组术后第5天上述指标迅速恢复,至第7天接近术前水平,而对照组术后7 d内仍持续处于低水平。两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。腹腔热灌注化疗可以提高结直肠癌患者术后细胞免疫功能。     

不同麻醉对术前化疗乳腺癌根治术患者细胞免疫功能影响的比较

目的 比较不同麻醉对术前化疗乳腺癌根治术患者细胞免疫功能的影响.方法 拟行乳腺癌根治术患者60例,年龄28～64岁,体重55～70 kg,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,临床病理分期Ⅰ或Ⅱ期.术前进行环磷酰胺-表阿霉素-氟尿嘧啶辅助化疗患者30例,随机分为CP组和CS组(n=15);术前未化疗患者30例,随机分为NCP组和NCS组(n=15).CP组和NCP组术中静脉输注异丙酚4～6 mg·kg-1·h-1,CS组和NCS组术中吸入七氟醚维持麻醉,呼气末浓度为1.5%～2.5%.分别于化疗前、麻醉前、术毕即刻、术后72 h时抽取外周静脉血,采用流式细胞仪检测T淋巴细胞亚群及自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)水平,计算CD4+/CD8+,采用RT-PCR法检测血浆CK19 mRNA表达,计算患者肿瘤细胞微转移发生率.结果 与化疗前比较,乳腺癌患者麻醉前、术毕即刻及术后72 h CD3+、CD8+和NK细胞水平降低(P<0.05);与麻醉前比较,CP组术毕即刻CD8+和术后72 h时NK细胞水平降低,CS组术毕即刻和术后72 h时CD4+及NK细胞水平降低(P<0.05);与CP组比较,CS组术毕即刻CD4+/CD8+、术毕即刻和术后72 h时CD4+和NK细胞水平降低,(P<0.05);与NCP组比较,NCS组术毕即刻和术后72 h时CD4+和NK细胞水平降低(P<0.05);各组患者肿瘤细胞微转移发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 与异丙酚复合麻醉相比,七氟醚复合麻醉对术前化疗乳腺癌根治术患者的细胞免疫功能的抑制作用较强.     

不同麻醉方法对乳腺癌根治术患者围手术期细胞免疫功能及预后的影响

目的探讨不同麻醉方法对乳腺癌根治术患者围术期T淋巴细胞亚群、自然杀伤细胞(NK)的数量及术后5年生存率和复发率的影响。方法选择乳腺癌根治术女性患者40例,随机分为两组,每组20例,第1组为全麻组,第2组为硬外麻组。分别于麻醉前、手术开始后1小时、术后第1天及术后第3天抽取外周静脉血,用流式细胞仪测定T淋巴细胞亚群,CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+和NK细胞CD56+的数值。随访他们5年生存率及复发率。结果与麻醉前相比,两组手术开始后1小时NK细胞值上升;CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+值下降,但只在第一组发现有显著性意义(P<0.05);术后第一天两组CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+和NK细胞均显著下降(P<0.05),组间比较有显著性意义(P<0.05);术后第三天两组CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+和CD56+值均基本恢复至术前水平;CD8+在各测定点变化不明显。术后随访,其5年生存率及复发率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论两种不同麻醉方法下乳腺癌根治术患者围术期细胞免疫功能均有一过性抑制,全麻抑制程度相对较严重。但是通过随访表明这种不同程度的免疫抑制并不影响患者的生存率及复发率。     

加速康复外科对腹腔镜胃癌根治术患者炎症因子与免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨加速康复外科对腹腔镜胃癌根治术患者炎症因子及免疫功能的影响。方法:将患者分为围手术期加速康复外科模式管理的观察组(n=40)与常规围手术期管理的对照组(n=40),比较两组患者各时段炎性介质(IL-6、IL-8及IL-10)及IgA、IgG、IgM、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+免疫指标水平,并进行对比分析。结果:术后第1天、第3天、第7天,两组患者IL-6、IL-8均显著上升(P0.05),对照组较观察组升高更明显(P0.05)。术后第1天,两组患者IL-10较术前均明显升高(P0.05),观察组升高更明显。术后第1天,两组患者IgA、IgG、IgM水平较术前均明显降低(P0.05)。术后第3天,观察组IgA、IgG水平明显高于对照组(P0.05);两组患者术后IgM水平无明显差异。术后第1天两组患者CD3~+较术前均明显降低(P0.05),对照组下降更明显;观察组术后CD4~+水平与术前相比差异无统计学意义;对照组CD4~+水平明显低于术前(P0.05)。术后第1天、第3天,两组患者CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平较术前明显降低(P0.05),但两组间差异无统计学意义。结论:加速康复外科模式可减轻腹腔镜胃癌根治术后患者机体炎性反应,并保护机体免疫功能,减少过度炎症反应,同时可在一定程度上降低胃癌细胞的转移、复发。     

金克槐耳对新辅助化疗乳腺癌患者细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 观察金克槐耳颗粒对行TAC新辅助化疗乳腺癌患者细胞免疫功能的影响.方法 60例乳腺癌患者随机分成新辅助化疗联合金克槐耳颗粒组(Ⅰ组,32例)及单用新辅助化疗组(Ⅱ组,28例).检测两组患者新辅助化疗前后细胞免疫功能指标.另设对照组30例,均为乳腺良性疾病患者.结果 化疗前Ⅰ,Ⅱ组CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+,NK均低于对照组(P＜0.05),而Ⅰ,Ⅱ组与对照组之问CD8+细胞差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).Ⅰ组化疗后CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+和NK细胞均明显高于化疗前(P＜0.05),Ⅱ组化疗后各项指标与化疗前差异均无明显性(P＞0.05).Ⅰ组化疗后CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+和NK细胞均明显高于Ⅱ组(P＜0.05).结论 乳腺癌患者细胞免疫功能受到抑制,2周期TAc新辅助化疔对乳腺癌患者细胞免疫功能影响不大,联合使用金克槐耳颗粒能改善化疗后患者细胞免疫功能.     

细胞免疫疗法对转移乳腺癌患者疗效及免疫水平影响

探讨细胞免疫治疗对晚期转移性乳腺癌患者的临床效果及免疫水平的影响。2012年1月—2015年12月,87例晚期转移性乳腺癌患者分为两组。45例患者进行单纯化疗(化疗组),42例患者采用树突状细胞-细胞因子诱导杀伤(DC-CIK)联合化疗方案治疗(联合组),观察两组患者的免疫水平及治疗效果。结果显示,联合组患者的缓解率64.3%,显著的高于化疗组患者的42.2%(P0.05),联合组的总有效率85.7%与化疗组的75.56%差异无统计学意义(P0.05);化疗前,联合组和对照组的CD3~+、CD3~+/CD4~+、CD3~+/CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+、NK细胞水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05);化疗后,联合组CD3~+、CD3~+/CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+、NK细胞水平均显著的高于化疗组(P0.05),CD3~+/CD8~+水平显著低于化疗组(P0.05)。结果表明,细胞免疫治疗对晚期转移性乳腺癌患者能够提高缓解率,改善患者的细胞免疫水平。     

槐耳颗粒在三阴性乳腺癌术后辅助治疗的临床研究

目的:探讨槐耳颗粒辅助治疗对三阴性乳腺癌患者免疫功能及术后生存状态的影响。方法:将95例改良根治术后行辅助化疗的三阴性乳腺癌患者非随机分为观察组(56例)及对照组(39例),观察组的患者于化放疗同时及后期口服槐耳颗粒(每日3次,每次20 g,持续1.5年),对照组在辅助治疗过程中不使用任何中药制剂。比较两组在治疗及随访期间的生存质量、无病生存时间(DFS)及术后3、6个月与1、2年血清T细胞亚群的构成比。结果:与对照组比较,观察组Karnofsky评分(KPS)提高率明显增加,DFS明显延长(均P0.05)。两组术后各时间点CD3~+细胞百分率无明显差异(均P0.05),但观察组CD4~+细胞百分率、CD4~+/CD8~+比值、NK细胞百分率在术后各时间点均明显高于对照组(均P0.05)。与术前比较,观察组术后3个月CD3~+细胞百分率减少(P0.05),但6个月后恢复(均P0.05),术后6个月至2年的CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比值、NK细胞均明显增高(均P0.05);对照组术后3~6个月CD3~+、NK细胞百分率明显降低(均P0.05),1年后开始恢复(均P0.05),术后3个月至1年的CD4~+百分率、CD4~+/CD8~+比值均明显降低(均P0.05)。结论:三阴性乳腺癌患者在辅助治疗阶段服用槐耳颗粒有助于免疫功能的改善、生存质量的提高以及无病生存时间的延长。     

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.