预防预致敏受者尸体肾移植术后急性排斥反应的临床研究

目的 探讨HLA配型及新型免疫抑制剂治疗方案对预防致敏患者肾移植术后急性排斥反应的影响.方法 实验组选择46例术前致敏患者(术前PRA>10%),对照组选择同期705例未致敏患者(术前PRA<10%),实验组患者均采用诱导治疗(ATG 100 mg/d,5～7 d)+三联免疫抑制剂维持治疗方案(FK506+MMF+激素),比较两组间患者术后急性排斥反应发病率、移植肾功能延迟恢复比例、移植肾/患者一年存活率,同时分析HLA配型对移植肾急性排斥反应的影响.结果 实验组与对照组急性排斥反应的发病率分别为30.43%和19.57%(P<0.05);移植肾功能延迟恢复发病率分别为60.86%和11.87%(P<0.01).患者一年存活率分别为95.65%和98.44%,一年移植肾存活率分别为93.48%和96.88%;一年时平均血肌肝分别为130 mmol/dL和125 mmol/dL,差异无统计学意义.实验组患者HLA相配率(4.2)明显高于对照组患者(2.8)(P<0.05).实验组中HLA配型2-4错配的患者与0-2错配患者的急性排斥反应发病率有显著性差异,高度致敏患者(移植术前PRA>50%)急性排斥反应发病率较低度致敏患者(PRA 10%～20%)发病率高,移植术后PRA水平持续升高者更容易出现急性排斥反应.结论供、受者之间良好的HLA配型及采用新型免疫抑制药物治疗方案,对预防及减轻致敏患者移植术后急性排斥反应疗效确切.     

静脉注射用免疫球蛋白对降低高致敏肾移植受者群体反应性抗体的作用

目的 观察并分析静脉注射用免疫球蛋白(IVIG)在高致敏受者肾移植中的应用效果.方法 回顾性分析18例群体反应性抗体(PRA)阳性的高致敏肾移植受者的临床资料,所有受者均应用IVIG进行治疗.观察治疗后受者的抗体水平、术后排斥反应发生率,并结合文献资料对IVIG的应用进行综合评价.结果 应用IVIG前,18例受者中有2例PRA水平为100%,4例＞70%、8例＞50%、4例＞30%,应用IVIG后所有受者PRA水平明显下降,其中2例受者转为全阴性,15例受者抗HLA-Ⅰ类和抗HLA-Ⅱ类抗体＜30%,两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),应用IVIG后肾移植效果良好,受者术后急性排斥反应发生率为38.5%,未出现移植肾的丢失.结论 应用IVIG能有效降低高致敏肾移植受者的PRA水平,联合应用生物抗体和免疫抑制剂可以使更多高致敏受者获得肾移植机会,并且术后应用IVIG具有抗排斥反应作用.     

术前预处理及组织配型对高度致敏患者移植肾功能的影响

目的：探讨术前预处理及组织配型对高度致敏患者移植肾功能的影响。方法：对38例高度致敏患者(高敏组)肾移植术前进行预处理及组织配型,观察患者术后移植肾功能延迟(DGF)、排斥反应的发生和血肌酐(SCr)水平的变化。结果：高敏组术后发生超急性排斥反应(HAR)2例;其加速性排斥反应(ACR)、急性排斥反应(AR)以及DGF发生率均高于非高敏组受者,1年移植肾存活率则较低。高敏组中组织配型良好的受者较配型欠佳者AR发生率及术后1年SCr水平较低;术前预防性使用赛尼哌可降低术后的AR发生率。结论：预处理降低高度致敏患者群体反应性抗体(PRA),使患者易于配型成功,良好的组织配型和使用赛尼哌可降低术后AR的发生,均有助于移植肾功能的恢复。     

致敏患者经双滤过法血浆分离方案预处理后行肾移植的临床效果分析

目的 分析致敏患者经双滤过法血浆分离(DFPP)方案预处理,并联合使用抗CD25单抗诱导治疗后行肾移植的临床效果和安全性.方法 回顾性分析2000年11至2012年1月45例致敏受者在肾移植前经DFPP方案预处理,并联合使用抗CD25单抗诱导治疗后接受肾移植的临床资料.所有受者预处理前的群体反应性抗体(PRA)水平均大于20％,为(56.5±19.9)％,预处理后PRA水平降至(18.9±19.1)％.受者与供者的HLA抗原错配数为(2.1±0.7)个,术前2次供、受者淋巴细胞毒交叉配型试验均为阴性.所有受者术后至少随访1年,观察术后1年受者和移植肾存活率,以及排斥反应和肺部感染的发生情况.结果 随访期间,无受者死亡,有2例受者发生移植肾功能丧失,术后1年受者存活率为100％(45/45),移植肾存活率为95.6％ (43/45).术中肾血管开放后1例发生超急性排斥反应,发生率为2.2％,受者在切除移植肾后恢复血液透析;术后发生急性排斥反应12例,发生率为26.7％(12/45),经甲泼尼龙和(或)ATG冲击治疗后,11例完全逆转,1例出现移植肾功能丧失而恢复血液透析.术后肺部感染发生率为8.9％(4/45),经抗感染治疗后均好转,未发生重症肺部感染.结论 肾移植前采用DFPP 预处理,并联合使用抗CD25单抗诱导治疗安全有效,能使致敏受者获得良好的肾移植效果.     

HLA配型对群体反应性抗体阳性的肾移植受者人/肾存活率的影响

目的探讨HLA交叉反应组（CREGs）配型对群体反应性抗体（PRA）阳性肾移植受者人／肾存活率的影响。方法应用美国莱姆德公司LAT1240、LM720R、SSP2LB试剂，准确检测112例PRA阳性肾移植受者体内PRA的水平及其抗体的特异性，评估其致敏状态，应用CREGs配型标准选择最匹配的供者。结果112例受者中，HLA-Ⅰ类抗体阳性43例，Ⅱ类抗体阳性39例，Ⅰ、Ⅱ类抗体均为阳性30例；HLA配型0～5个位点错配数分别为6、39、38、21、7、1例，术后移植肾发生加速性排斥反应2例、急性排斥反应18例、慢性排斥反应5例、移植肾功能延迟恢复（DGF）4例，因排斥反应导致移植肾切除1例，死亡13例（其中移植肾带功能死亡5例）。目前人存活99例，肾存活96例，5年、3年和1年肾存活率分别为86．21％、86．96％和91．96％。结论运用CREGs配型原则，能使供、受者间的HLA相配率显著提高，可减少PRA对肾移植的不良影响，提高PRA阳性受者的人／肾存活率。     

活体肾移植前对致敏患者的处理经验及疗效分析

目的 总结活体肾移植前对致敏患者的处理经验,并对移植效果进行分析.方法 回顾性分析609例活体肾移植受者的临床资料.根据移植前群体反应性抗体(PRA)水平将受者分为高致敏组(41例,PRA≥30％),低致敏组(102例,PRA为0～30％)和非致敏组(466例,PRA为0).所有受者经HLA抗体检测和淋巴细胞毒交叉配合试验(CDC)确认没有针对供者的HLA抗体后进行肾移植.高致敏组给予抗胸腺细胞球蛋白诱导治疗,低致敏组给予抗白细胞介素2受体单抗诱导治疗.随访1年以上,观察各组术后移植肾功能、急性排斥反应发生率、受者和移植肾存活率及并发症发生率.结果 高致敏组、低致敏组和非致敏组受者术后移植肾恢复正常的时间和1年时肾小球滤过率均无明显差异;3组均未发生超急性排斥反应,急性排斥反应发生率分别为9.76％(4/41)、8.82％(9/102)和8.15％(38/466),术后1年移植肾存活率分别为97.6％(40/41)、97.1％(99/102)和98.1％(457/466),受者存活率分别为97.6％(40/41)、98.0％(100/102)和98.9％(461/466),3组间上述指标的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).高致敏组的感染发生率为31.7％(13/41),明显高于低致敏组的26.5％(27/102)和非致敏组的21.6％ (101/466) (P＜0.05).结论 致敏受者肾移植前经HLA抗体检测和CDC配型,避开受者体内供者特异性抗体针对的供肾,并给予免疫诱导治疗,可以获得与非致敏受者相似的良好效果.     

肾移植后急性排斥反应发生相关术前因素分析

目的探讨影响肾移植术后发生急性排斥反应的相关术前因素,为预防移植肾急性排斥反应的发生提供临床依据。方法回顾性分析2002年1月～2008年12月在浙江大学医学院附属第一医院肾脏病中心首次接受同种异体尸体肾移植受者1316例资料,记录基线资料及术后急性排斥反应发生情况;按群体反应性抗体(PRA)水平10%和≥10%将受者分为PRA阴性组和致敏组;以2005年10月1日为界分为回顾性HLA配型组和前瞻性HLA配型组。统计分析各基线资料对术后急性排斥反应发生的影响以及不同组间急性排斥反应发生率的差异。结果手术时受者年龄、术前PRA水平、热缺血时间、HLA错配数对术后急性排斥反应的发生有显著影响。致敏组术后6个月内急性排斥反应发生率(58.8%比17.9%,P0.001)以及6个月内组织病理学检查证实急性排斥反应发生率(29.4%比11.9%,P=0.028)均显著高于PRA阴性组。采用前瞻性HLA配型后受者HLA错配数减少,且术后6个月内急性排斥反应发生率也降低(20.9%比15.5%,P=0.012)。结论术前检测受者的PRA水平从而准确评估其致敏状态,尽可能选择良好的HLA配型谱可减少移植肾术后急性排斥反应的发生。     

高度致敏肾移植患者的围术期处理

目的 探讨高度致敏肾移植患者的围手术期处理.方法 对22例高度致敏肾移植患者术前组织配型及预处理,术后抗排异方案以及肾功恢复情况进行研究.结果 17例患者术前经血浆置换3～8次后群体反应性抗体(PRA)降至30%以下,5例患者术前PRA仍大于50%.术后发生超急性排斥反应(HAR)1例(9.9%),抗排异反应未能逆转,予以切除移植肾;急性排斥反应(AR)8例(36.3%),经甲强龙+ATG(ALG)冲击治疗后6例肾功恢复正常,2例转为肾功能延迟恢复(DGF);术后DGF5例(22.7%),予以血液透析+低剂量抗排异药物维持,肾功均恢复正常.结论 避开相应抗体进行良好的组织配型,是高度致敏患者肾移植成功的关键;术前行血浆置换降低高度致敏患者PRA,使用ATG或ALG可降低手术风险,提高排斥反应逆转率.     

高度致敏受者肾移植的临床处理

目的 总结高度致敏受者肾移植的临床处理经验.方法 26例群体反应性抗体(PRA)峰值≥50%的高致敏患者行同种异体肾移植术.男8例,女18例.平均年龄(47.6±7.4)岁.首次接受移植者15例,二次移植者10例,三次移植者1例.亲属供肾1例,尸体供肾25例.术前要求交叉配型阴性.术后采用抗CDzs单克隆抗体诱导,他克莫司加吗替麦考酚酯加激素三联维持治疗.结果 18例移植后1周内血肌酐(SCr)降至正常.2例分别于术后第2、3天出现加速性排斥反应,经过血浆置换3次及抗CD3单克隆抗体5 mg/d治疗5 d后,1例3周后移植肾功能逐渐恢复正常,另1例排斥反应未能逆转,最终摘除移植肾.发生急性排斥反应6例,2例经激素冲击治疗后逆转,4例为耐激素排斥反应,经抗CD3单克隆抗体5 mg/d治疗5 d和血浆置换治疗3次后,排斥反应逆转.1年移植肾存活率96%(25/26).结论 高度致敏受者肾移植不仅需要HLA配型良好,并且要求供者HLA抗原避开受者所有预存的抗HLA抗体;术后采用抗CD25单克隆抗体诱导,他克莫司加吗替麦考酚酯加激素三联维持治疗,能有效预防和治疗急性排斥反应.     

广泛致敏受者肾移植的处理策略

广泛致敏受者 (PRA >5 0 % )肾移植是器官移植领域难题之一 ,由于较难寻找与其相匹配的肾脏 ,故经常需要一个长时间等待 ,致使大部分患者丧失移植机会 ;并且行肾移植术后其超急性排斥反应和急性排斥反应的发生率高 ,严重影响肾移植成功率和移植肾的存活率。目前国内外对广泛致敏受者的处理策略为 :良好的组织配型、血浆置换和免疫吸附、静脉注射用免疫球蛋白、一些免疫诱导剂和免疫抑制剂的应用等。     

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.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

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.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

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.