雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚在老年患者无痛肠镜检查中的应用

目的比较不同剂量雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚在老年患者无痛肠镜检查中的应用。方法60例ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级无痛肠镜检查老年患者(>65岁),随机分为三组。丙泊酚负荷剂量为0.8mg/kg、雷米芬太尼0.5μg/kg,静注时间各60s,丙泊酚维持量6mg·kg-1·h-1。A组雷米芬太尼维持量0.03μg·kg-1·h-1,B组0.06μg·kg-1·h-1,C组0.09μg·kg-1·h-1,持续输注至肠镜进至回盲部停药。根据患者反应,单次静脉追加丙泊酚10mg,观察并记录患者检查前、丙泊酚给药后、雷米芬太尼给药后、镜检开始后1、5min、退镜完毕后1、5min的MAP、SpO2、HR、BIS、RR、VT、PETCO2和麻醉起效时间、入镜时间、苏醒时间,镇静评分、定向力恢复、术后视觉模拟评分、离院时间以及不良反应。结果镜检中A组MAP、BIS低于B、C组(P<0.05),C组HR慢于A组(P<0.05)。各组给药后、镜检中的MAP、HR、BIS、RR、VT低于检查前(P<0.05,P<0.01),PETCO2高于检查前(P<0.05,P<0.01)。A组丙泊酚用量较B、C组大,苏醒时间、离院时间较B、C组长(P<0.05,P<0.01),BIS下降明显(P<0.05,P<0.01)。所有患者麻醉满意度为100%。结论雷米芬太尼0.06μg·kg-1·h-1配伍丙泊酚用于门诊老年患者无痛肠镜检查较为合适,但应注意注药速度,并加强监测,尽可能避免心动过缓和低血压的发生。     

丙泊酚复合雷米芬太尼麻醉时不同脑电双频指数对斜视矫正术眼心反射的影响

目的观察丙泊酚复合雷米芬太尼麻醉时不同脑电双频指数(BIS)下眼心反射发生情况。方法2~12岁择期行斜视矫正术患儿63例均分为P1、P2和P3三组,输注雷米芬太尼12μg.kg-1.h-1和丙泊酚3~7 mg.kg-1.h-1麻醉。术中调节丙泊酚输注速度,使BIS维持于60(P1组)、50(P2组)和40(P3组)。记录麻醉前和术中牵拉眼肌时的HR和眼心反射发生率。结果P1、P2和P3组眼心反射发生率分别为66.7%、33.3%和9.5%,P2、P3组明显低于P1组(P0.01)。结论麻醉时维持BIS在40~50时,眼心反射发生率较低。     

丙泊酚诱导时雷米芬太尼对老年患者意识消失的影响

目的研究靶控输注丙泊酚麻醉诱导时雷米芬太尼对老年人意识消失的影响。方法30名老年患者,随机分两组靶控输注雷米芬太尼4ng/ml组(R组)和生理盐水对照组(C组)。10min后同时靶控输注丙泊酚,效应浓度逐步上升(1,2,4μg/ml)。记录BIS、OAA/S、血液动力学变化、丙泊酚效应浓度及用量。结果OAA/S1分时,R组BIS值为62±18,C组为61±11。R组丙泊酚效应浓度为(1·1±0·4)μg/ml,C组为(2·0±0·4)μg/ml(P<0·05)。R组丙泊酚用量为(63±24)mg,C组为(141±34)mg(P<0·01)。结论雷米芬太尼能协同丙泊酚加强对老年人意识消失的作用。     

雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚静脉麻醉的临床应用

目的观察雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚静脉麻醉的效果。方法全身麻醉下腰椎手术患者60例,随机均分为雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚静脉麻醉组(Ⅰ组)和静吸复合麻醉组(Ⅱ组)。雷米芬太尼和丙泊酚的负荷量分别为1μg/kg和1mg/kg,雷米芬太尼以0.5μg·kg-1·min-1速率输注。麻醉中通过增减雷米芬太尼0.1μg·kg-1·min-1输注速率调整麻醉深度。丙泊酚按5∶4∶3方案输注,即5mg·kg-1·h-1输注10min,4mg·kg-1·h-1输注10min,20min后3mg·kg-1·h-1恒速输注。观察两组气管插管反应、麻醉效果、苏醒质量。结果两组麻醉效果相同,均可抑制气管插管反应(P<0.01),且Ⅰ组较Ⅱ组明显(P<0.05)。Ⅰ组苏醒质量较Ⅱ组好(P<0.01),不良反应较Ⅱ组高(P<0.01),术中无知晓。结论雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚用两个注射泵静脉麻醉,采用负荷量加两种以上速率输注全凭静脉麻醉简便易行。     

靶控输注丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼在意识消失和对疼痛刺激反应时的相互关系

目的探讨靶控输注(TCI)丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼的相互关系及对脑电双频指数(BIS)的影响。方法全身麻醉患者100例,根据丙泊酚不同血浆靶浓度随机均分为五组:P1.5组,1.5μg/ml;P2组,2μg/ml;P2.5组,2.5μg/ml;P3组,3μg/ml;P3.5组,3.5μg/ml。待血浆浓度和效应室浓度达到平衡后TCI雷米芬太尼,以血浆浓度0ng/ml为起点,每30秒增加0.3ng/ml,直至患者意识消失及对疼痛刺激(50Hz,80mA,0.25ms强直刺激)无体动反应。记录患者在不同丙泊酚血药浓度下意识消失时和对疼痛刺激无反应时雷米芬太尼的血浆浓度(Cp)和效应室浓度(EC)。结果意识消失时雷米芬太尼Cp50从P1.5组至P3.5组分别为5.0、3.0、2.1、1.2、0ng/ml;疼痛刺激无反应时雷米芬太尼Cp50从P1.5组至P3.5组分别为5.4、4.3、3.9、3.5、3.0ng/ml;疼痛刺激无反应时与意识消失时BIS值的差异无统计学意义。结论BIS值变化与丙泊酚血药浓度呈反比关系,雷米芬太尼对BIS值影响不大。BIS值50～60可以作为丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼静脉复合麻醉时监测意识消失的良好指标。     

小波指数用于麻醉深度监测的研究

目的研究在靶控联合输注丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼时小波指数(wavelet index,WLI)监测麻醉深度的可行性。方法选择30例行腹腔镜胆囊切除或妇科腹腔镜手术的全麻患者。全麻诱导采用血浆浓度靶控输注丙泊酚,从1.5μg/ml开始,达到浓度后1min增加0.5μg/ml,最终达到4.0μg/ml,于切皮前5min开始靶控输注雷米芬太尼4.0ng/ml,至开始缝皮时停止靶控输注丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼。患者麻醉全程同时监测WLI和BIS值。结果随着诱导过程中靶控丙泊酚血浆浓度的增加,WLI和BIS值均呈下降趋势(P0.05),丙泊酚血浆靶浓度为0、1.5、4.0μg/ml时,WLI较BIS值明显升高(P0.01)。缝皮停药后WLI和BIS值均呈上升趋势(P0.05),与BIS值比较,停药后1～6minWLI明显升高(P0.01)。意识消失时WLI(57.8±6.7)和BIS值(57.7±5.7)差异无统计学意义。意识恢复时WLI(82.4±5.9)明显高于BIS值(76.3±5.5)(P0.01)。经Bland-Altman一致性分析,WLI和BIS在诱导和苏醒期间一致性在可接受范围内(偏差为-4.2,2SD为11.7%和-24.7%)。结论在靶控输注丙泊酚和雷米芬太尼进行全麻时,WLI具有和BIS相似的麻醉深度监测作用。     

喉罩-雷米芬太尼复合七氟醚或丙泊酚麻醉在烧伤整形术中的应用

目的 比较喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合七氟醚与喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合丙泊酚两种麻醉方法在整形手术中应用的优缺点.方法 30例择期疤痕切除植皮术患者,随机均分为喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合七氟醚(S)组与喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合丙泊酚(P)组.静脉诱导置人喉罩后,S组静脉泵入0.15μg·kg-1·min-1雷米芬太尼及吸入2%～3%七氟醚维持麻醉.P组患者通过外周静脉泵入雷米芬太尼0.15μg·kg-1·min-1及丙泊酚6～8 mg·kg-1·h-1维持麻醉.记录患者术中生命体征、苏醒时间、术中及术后并发症发生情况.结果 麻醉诱导后两组患者MAP及HR均明显低于麻醉前水平(P<0.05),S组MAP、HR在切皮前已恢复到术前水平,而P组术中各个时点MAP及HR仍明显低于麻醉前水平及对应时间点的S组(P<0.05).结论 与喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合丙泊酚比较,喉罩-雷米芬太尼联合七氟醚用于烧伤整形手术具有血流动力学更稳定、麻醉更平稳等优点.     

雷米芬太尼复合丙泊酚靶控输注对肺叶切除患者术中血流动力学的影响

目的观察复合丙泊酚靶控输注(TCI)时雷米芬太尼对肺叶切除术中患者血流动力学的影响,探讨雷米芬太尼用于开胸手术中安全、有效的血浆靶浓度。方法肺叶切除术患者40例,ASAⅡ级,年龄40~60岁,体重52~74kg。随机均分为R6组和R8组。麻醉诱导雷米芬太尼血浆靶浓度分别为6、8ng/ml,丙泊酚血浆靶浓度设定为3μg/ml,术中两组雷米芬太尼血浆靶浓度不变。HemosonicTM100监测各项血流动力学指标,记录患者基础值(T0)、切皮即刻(T1)、断肋即刻(T2)、开胸探查即刻(T3)、关胸即刻(T4)、缝皮完毕即刻(T5)时MAP、HR、心输出量(CO)、每搏量(SV)、血流峰速度(PV)、血流加速度(ACC)、左室射血时间(LVET)、体循环血管阻力(TSVR)及脑电双频指数(BIS)。结果与T0比较,R6组在T1、T2、T4、T5各时点血流动力学指标波动较小;组间比较,R6组T3时MAP、HR、TSVR高于R8组(P<0.05);两组T1~T5时BIS均低于T0时(P<0.01),T2、T3时R8组BIS低于R6组(P<0.05)。结论在胸科手术中复合丙泊酚3μg/ml靶控输注,雷米芬太尼血浆靶浓度可采用初始6ng/ml,在较强手术刺激时调至8ng/ml,以确保血流动力学稳定,从而获得较为满意的麻醉效果。     

右旋美托咪啶的镇静效应及其对全麻镇静深度的影响

目的研究右旋美托咪啶(Dex)的镇静效应及其对全麻患者麻醉深度的影响。方法择期手术的患者60例(ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级),根据不同用药时期情况均分为镇静组和麻醉组,镇静组30例又分为Dex组(D1组)和对照组(C1组):D1组静脉泵注Dex负荷剂量0.4μg/kg(5min注完),然后以0.4μg·kg-1·h-1维持静注30min;C1组以同样方式输注生理盐水。记录不同时点的脑电双频指数(BIS)、MAP、HR,并对患者进行OAA/S、Ramesay镇静评分。麻醉组30例全麻患者也随机分为D2和C2组:D2组术中静脉Dex0.4μg/kg5min注完;C2组输注生理盐水。术中以丙泊酚靶控输注(TCI)和雷米芬太尼静脉维持麻醉,调节丙泊酚血浆靶控浓度(Ct),使BIS维持在50±3。结果D1组Dex负荷剂量输注后以及维持期间BIS比基础值降低17.0%～30.9%(P<0.05),镇静效应明显,OAA/S和Ramsay镇静评分明显降低(P<0.05);D2组患者麻醉前BIS为92±1,给予Dex后BIS由51±2降至42±16,C2组则仍为51±3。D2组丙泊酚的用量比C2组减少8%～14%(P<0.05)。结论Dex对清醒患者产生明显镇静效应,并能加深全麻患者的麻醉深度,减少丙泊酚TCI的用量。     

小剂量氯胺酮对脑电熵指数和脑电双频指数的影响

目的比较小剂量氯胺酮对脑电熵指数(RE、SE)和脑电双频指数(BIS)的影响。方法22例ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级择期行腹腔镜子宫切除术及卵巢囊肿切除术患者,随机均分为氯胺酮组(K组)和生理盐水组(S组)。麻醉诱导:丙泊酚1～2mg/kg、雷米芬太尼1～1.5μg/kg和维库溴铵0.1～0.15mg/kg,气管插管。麻醉维持:丙泊酚6～8mg.kg-1.h-1、维库溴铵0.1mg.kg-1.h-1和雷米芬太尼7～10μg.kg-1.h-1。在稳定的麻醉和手术状况下,分别单次给予患者氯胺酮0.5mg/kg(K组)或等量的生理盐水(S组),记录给药前(基础值)、给药后5、10、15、20、25和30min七个时点MAP、HR、RE、SE和BIS的数值。结果K组和S组MAP、HR、RE、SE和BIS的基础值差异均无统计学意义。K组RE、SE和BIS在给药后迅速升高,然后逐渐下降,在给药后10min达到峰值,分别比基础值升高了43.8%(P<0.01)、43.2%(P<0.01)和28.8%(P<0.01)。RE和SE增加的幅度显著高于BIS,熵指数和BIS增加持续的时间分别为25min和20min。S组在给药后RE、SE和BIS值与基础值相比差异均无统计学意义。K组和S组在给药前后MAP和HR变化差异无统计学意义。结论在丙泊酚-雷米芬太尼麻醉期间,单次加入小剂量的氯胺酮,熵指数和BIS均不能准确反映其真正的麻醉深度。     

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.