保留与切除后纵韧带对颈前路手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效影响

目的探讨保留与切除后纵韧带对颈前路手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效影响。方法应用颈前路手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病(CSM)62例,其中后纵韧带保留组(A组)37例,切除组(B组)25例。据JOA评分系统进行临床疗效评价,于术后6个月比较两组JOA评分提高程度、神经功能改善率和硬膜囊前后径的变化。结果术前两者比较无统计性差异,术后6个月A组JOA评分(14.20±0.25),神经功能改善率为(61.2±19.7)%,硬膜囊前后径增加值(2.59±1.33)mm,B组JOA评分(15.35±0.38),神经功能改善率为(76.3±20.5)%,硬膜囊前后径增加值(3.68±1.45)mm,两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论颈椎前路减压术中切除后纵韧带使病变节段减压更彻底,其临床疗效优于保留后纵韧带。     

颈椎前路显微手术减压治疗脊髓型颈椎病临床疗效

目的 评价颈椎前路显微手术减压治疗脊髓型颈椎病安全性与有效性.方法 应用显微手术进行减压、植骨与内固定治疗.术中监测皮层体感诱发电位(CSEP)与运动诱发电位(MEP)改变及术后有无神经功能丢失.术后观察MRI图像,判断椎管减压的彻底性;根据手术前后MRI图像,测量并比较椎管与脊髓最狭窄处前后径与面积;神经功能JOA评分评价手术疗效.结果 临床治疗38例,2例减压过程出现CSEP一般预警,发生率为6%;无1例CSEP危险预警与MEP消失;术后无神经功能损害加重.32例术后获MRI检查,椎管内骨赘与突出的椎间盘均完全清除.椎管前后径术后增加58.95%;椎管面积增加48.12%;脊髓前后径术后增加33.68%;脊髓面积增加37.38%.JOA评分平均改善率为65.2%.结论 颈椎前路显微手术减压治疗脊髓型颈椎病安全性高、减压效果好.     

多模式神经电生理监测在颈椎前路手术中的预警意义

目的:探讨多模式神经电生理监测在颈椎前路手术中的预警意义。方法:2014年9月~2015年4月对53例行颈椎前路手术的颈椎病患者术中进行多模式神经电生理监测(A组),选取60例年龄、性别、病变节段和手术方式匹配但未进行神经电生理监测的颈椎前路手术患者作为对照(B组)。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、神经根型颈椎病患者手术前后颈痛及上肢疼痛视觉模拟评分法(visual analogue scales,VAS)评分、颈部功能障碍指数(neck disability index,NDI)、脊髓型颈椎病患者术后JOA评分改善率和并发症的发生情况,分析A组病例中术中预警的类型和原因,以及与术前诊断、手术方式和手术节段之间的关系。结果:A组患者的手术时间为1.3±0.5h(0.8~2.1h),术中出血量为390±236ml(120~600ml),B组患者的手术时间为1.2±0.7h(0.6~2.4h),术中出血量为346±293ml(105~610ml),两组比较均无统计学差异(P0.05)。A、B两组神经根型颈椎病患者术前、术后的颈部和上肢VAS评分均无显著性差异(6.5±1.6 vs.6.8±1.4,7.6±2.4 vs.7.4±2.7,3.8±1.2vs.3.6±1.6,3.3±1.4 vs.3.9±1.8,P0.05),A组神经根型颈椎病患者术后NDI和脊髓型颈椎病患者JOA评分改善率明显优于B组[(19.2±7.1 vs 22.1±5.6,(84.1±10.3)%vs(73.3±9.2)%;P0.05]。在A组病例中,颈椎前路椎体次全切椎间融合手术较颈前路椎间盘切除椎间融合术的术中监测"严重预警"发生率更高(P0.05),但两种手术方式的"次要预警"发生率无显著性差异(P0.05);脊髓型颈椎病与神经根型颈椎病之间、单节段手术与双节段手术之间的术中监测"严重预警"和"次要预警"发生率均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:多模式神经电生理监测在颈椎前路手术中能及时预警神经损伤,可有效提高手术的安全性和临床疗效。     

不同入路方式治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的研究分析

[目的]比较前、后路不同入路方式对多节段脊髓型颈椎病的治疗效果。[方法]回顾性分析本院2008年9月～2011年9月分别对126例患者采用前路、后路的手术方法治疗颈椎病,术前和术后按照JOA评分系统进行评分并计算恢复率,MRI测量硬脊膜囊矢状径并计算膨胀回复率。[结果]两组患者术前、术后JOA评分比较,差异无显著统计学意义(P>0.05),改善率比较则A组优于B组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者术前、术后硬脊膜囊矢状径比较,差异无显著统计学意义(P>0.05),膨胀回复率比较则A组优于B组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。[结论]前、后路减压手术均是治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的有效方法,前路减压效果更佳。     

不同手术入路治疗脊髓型颈椎病的临床观察

目的探讨三种不同手术方式治疗脊髓型颈椎病临床疗效。方法对136例脊髓型颈椎病行不同手术入路治疗,其中采用颈前路减压植骨42例(A组)、前路减压Cage植入46例(B组)及颈椎后路单开门椎管成形术48例。结果A组的JOA评分改善率为71.3%,B组为85.5%,C组为73.6%,A组和C组JOA评分相比无统计学意义(P0.05);B组与A组或C组相比有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论前路减压结合Cage融合术是治疗脊髓型颈椎病较为理想的方法。     

放大镜辅助与常规开放颈椎前路减压治疗脊髓型颈椎病临床效果的比较

目的 比较放大镜辅助下与常规开放颈椎前路减压治疗脊髓型颈椎病临床疗效的差别.方法 回顾性分析2009年6月至2012年9月间收治的59例脊髓型颈椎病患者,分别接受放大镜辅助下(A组)和常规开放(B组)颈椎椎体次全切除手术减压治疗29例和30例.通过比较两组病例的住院费用、术后住院天数、手术时间、术中出血量、并发症、手术前及随访时的神经功能JOA评分及改善率,评估两种手术方法的临床疗效. 结果 所有患者均获得随访3 ～39个月,平均(24.64±10.07)个月.两组患者术前JOA评分、术后住院天数、住院费用等方面比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与B组比较,A组术中出血量明显减少,手术时间及术后并发症发生率明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).随访时,A组JOA评分为14.76±1.35,高于B组的14.03±1.40(P ＜0.05),A组JOA改善率平均为(62.54±14.70)％,较B组的(51.68 ±14.75)％明显增加(P＜0.05);46例患者(A组21例,B组25例)进行了颈椎MRI复查,A组颈椎椎管及脊髓最狭窄处面积较术前分别增加(52.8±11.8)％和(43.3±15.6)％,均明显高于B组的(41.8±14.2)％和(21.4±7.8)％(P＜0.05). 结论 放大镜辅助下颈椎前路手术视野更清晰,可有效减少出血量,减少手术并发症,取得更好的临床效果.     

颈前路减压植骨钢板固定治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的 探讨颈前路减压植骨钢板固定治疗脊髓型颈椎病的适应证、手术技巧及疗效.方法 回顾分析我科2007-11-2009-12收治的54例行颈前路减压植骨钢板固定术的脊髓型颈椎病患者.结果 54例均获得随访,神经功能改善依据JOA评定标准,优(改善率＞75%)25例,良(改善率50%-74%)20例,中(改善率25%～49...     

脊髓型颈椎病致压物切除的手术选择

[目的]为脊髓型颈椎病致压物切除寻求较安全的手术疗法。[方法]对随访时间超过8个月的47例硬脊膜前方骨性压迫较严重（致压物的矢状径大于椎管矢状径的50％）的脊髓型颈椎病患者进行回顾性研究，颈前路手术29例，前后路联合手术18例，对2组的JOA评分、后切线夹角、手术时间、手术出血量、出现皮层体感诱发电位（CSEP）预警的情况进行比较。[结果]颈前路组CSEP预警18次，前后路联合手术组预警3次，多发生在骨赘切除、脊髓减压期间；JOA评分平均增长值前后联合组明显高于颈前路组（P〈0．05），而后切线夹角平均减低值2组无明显差异（P〉0．05），手术出血、手术时间前后联合入路组明显多于颈前路组。[结论]此种前后联合入路手术虽然增大了创伤、延长了手术时间，但比单纯的颈前路手术有更高手术安全性，有更好神经功能恢复，同时不破坏颈椎的生物力学平衡，是此类患者的首选术式。     

两种不同术式治疗合并颈椎后纵韧带骨化的重度脊髓型颈椎病疗效分析

目的探讨前路、后-前联合入路两种不同术式治疗合并颈椎后纵韧带骨化(Ossificationof posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)的重度脊髓型颈椎病的适应证及临床疗效。方法对38例合并颈椎OPLL的重度脊髓型颈椎病患者分别行颈椎前路手术(A组,22例)和后-前联合入路手术(B组,16例)。比较两组患者椎管狭窄率、骨化节段及脊髓压迫率的差异,并根据术前及术后随访时的JOA评分,评价两组患者的神经功能恢复情况。结果所有病例随访12～30个月,平均20个月,术中未出现脊髓、椎动脉损伤等严重并发症,两组脊髓功能均获不同程度改善。A组JOA评分从术前平均(7.9+2.1)分提高至术后1年平均(13.1+1.7)分,平均改善率为(65.9+5.2)%;B组JOA评分从术前平均(6.8+1.6)分提高至术后1年平均(13.9+0.9)分,平均改善率为(69.8+4.5)%,对比两组患者疗效无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论采用前路或后-前联合入路治疗合并颈椎OPLL的重度脊髓型颈椎病,均取得彻底的椎管减压和良好的临床疗效,根据脊髓受压程度、影像学资料、骨化范围及患者全身情况合理选择恰当的手术入路是手术成功的关键。     

颈前路减压cage融合术与自体髂骨块植骨钛板内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的中期疗效

目的:观察颈椎前路减压cage植骨融合术与颈椎前路减压自体髂骨块植骨融合钛板内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的中期临床疗效。方法:2001年1月～2006年4月128例脊髓型颈椎病患者按照手术方式分为A、B两组,A组61例患者采用前路减压单纯PEEK cage植骨融合术治疗,其中病变节段与手术节段均为单节段22例,双节段39例;B组67例采用颈椎前路减压自体髂骨块植骨融合钛板内固定术,其中单节段27例,双节段40例。观察手术前后JOA评分、椎间高度和颈椎曲度情况。结果:A组手术时间为58.1±1.4min,术中出血量为42.4±2.0ml,B组分别为72.0±5.3min、82.7±3.9ml,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组23例(39.3%)出现一过性咽部不适,1例硬脊膜破裂,2例cage塌陷、移位;B组49例(73.1%)出现一过性咽部不适,1例硬脊膜破裂,5例髂骨供区痛,2例钉板松动。每组患者术后JOA评分、椎间高度和颈椎曲度均较术前明显改善(P<0.05),A、B组术后JOA评分改善率分别为(82.30±6.61)%和(83.80±4.42)%,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。随访24～60个月,平均36个月,末次随访时A、B组椎间融合率分别为95.2%和96.3%,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);末次随访时每组JOA评分、椎间高度和颈椎曲度与术后比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术前、术后和末次随访时JOA评分、椎间高度和颈椎曲度两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:颈椎前路减压cage植骨融合术与颈椎前路减压自体髂骨块植骨融合钛板内固定术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的中期疗效均较好,但前者手术方法简单、近期并发症少。     

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.     

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.     

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.