凝溶胶蛋白与绝经后女性股骨颈及腰椎骨密度的相关性研究

目的探讨凝溶胶蛋白(GSN)在绝经后女性血浆中的水平并分析与股骨颈及腰椎骨密度(BMD)的相关性。方法选取我院2015年1月至2019年5月期间在我院正常体检人员。纳入绝经后女性110名。与此同时,在我院体检中心选择非绝经期女性110例。采用Hologic?QDR-4500 DXA骨密度仪测定股骨颈、腰椎(L_1-L_4)的BMD。BMD数据以g/cm~2和T评分表示。T评分-2.5定义为骨质疏松症,T评分在-1～-2.5间定义为骨量减少,T评分-1定义为骨密度正常(正常BMD组)。骨质疏松症或骨量减少定义为低BMD组,骨密度正常定义为正常BMD组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定GSN水平。结果绝经后女性年龄、SBP、DBP、TC、FBS高于绝经前女性(P0.05);而股骨颈-BMD、腰椎(L_1-L_4)-BMD、GSN低于绝经前女性(P0.05)。股骨颈-BMD组中,低BMD组的年龄、吸烟比例、TC、FBS、GSN高于正常BMD组(P0.05);而BMI、HDL低于正常BMD组(P0.05)。腰椎(L_1-L_4)-BMD组中,低BMD组的年龄、TC、FBS、GSN高于正常BMD组(P0.05);而BMI、HDL低于正常BMD组(P0.05)。股骨颈-BMD与年龄、吸烟、FBS、pGSN呈负相关(r=-0.435、-0.301、-0.243、-0.609),与HDL、BMI呈正相关(r=0.395、0.365)。腰椎(L_1-L_4)-BMD与年龄、p GSN呈负相关(r=-0.463、-0.433),与BMI呈正相关(r=0.398)。年龄、BMI、GSN是股骨颈-BMD独立影响因素;年龄、GSN是腰椎(L1-L4)-BMD独立影响因素。结论 GSN是股骨颈-BMD、腰椎(L_1-L_4)-BMD的独立影响因素。因此,GSN水平升高可能预测绝经后女性骨质疏松症的发生及进展。     

绝经后2型糖尿病女性患者骨密度与血清促甲状腺激素水平的关系

目的 通过测定甲状腺功能正常的绝经后2型糖尿病妇女的骨密度,探讨正常范围内促甲状腺激素（TSH）的水平与骨密度的关系。方法 选取在我院内分泌科住院治疗的甲功正常的绝经后T2DM女性患者220例,根据血清TSH水平,以1.60 mU/L和2.90 mU/L为界,将入选患者分为3组,即A组(0.27mU/L~1.60mU/L)、B组（1.60mU/L~2.90mU/L）、C组（2.90mU/L~4.20mU/L）。比较各组的一般情况、生化指标、骨密度（BMD）的差异。结果 ①与B组相比,A组患者左股骨颈、转子和全髋部BMD降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,而AC、BC两两比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05,P>0.05）;②对于甲功正常的绝经后T2DM女性患者,血清FT3与全髋部BMD呈正相关（r=0.292,P=0.039）,TSH、FT4与全髋部BMD无相关（r=0.078,P=0.594;r=-0.043,P=0.771）;③校正年龄、绝经年限、BMI后,FT3与全髋部BMD仍呈正相关（r=0.401,P=0.006）,TSH、FT4与全髋部BMD仍无相关（r=0.013,P=0.929;r=0.039,P=0.797）;④在多元线性回归中,FT3仍与全髋部BMD独立相关（B=0.114,P=0.006）。结论 在甲功正常的绝经后T2DM妇女中,低TSH会降低全髋BMD;血清FT3与全髋BMD呈正相关,而TSH、FT4与全髋部BMD无相关。     

维生素D缺乏的女性髋部骨折患者中血清甲状旁腺素值与股骨颈骨密度的相关性

目的探讨维生素D缺乏的女性髋部骨折患者中血清甲状旁腺素(PTH)值与股骨颈骨密度(BMD)的相关性。方法将128例维生素D缺乏(血清25-羟基维生素D水平50 nmol/L)的女性髋部骨折患者根据血清PTH水平分为PTH正常组(n=86)和PTH升高组(n=42)。测定股骨颈BMD、BMD(T值)及各临床指标。各临床指标与股骨颈BMD(T值)的相关性采用多元logistic回归分析。结果年龄、PTH:PTH正常组显著低于PTH升高组(P 0. 05)。血磷、肾小球滤过率、BMD(T值)、BMD:PTH正常组显著高于PTH升高组(P0. 05)。多元线性回归分析结果显示,血清PTH、年龄与股骨颈BMD呈负相关(P 0. 05),BMI与股骨颈BMD呈正相关(P 0. 05)。PTH正常组中有52例(60. 47%) BMD(T值)≤-2. 5,PTH升高组中有30例(71. 43%) BMD(T值)≤-2. 5。多元logistic回归分析结果显示,血清PTH、BMI是BMD(T值)≤-2. 5的影响因素(P 0. 05)。结论维生素D缺乏的女性髋部骨折患者中,PTH水平与股骨颈BMD密切相关。维生素D缺乏症的防治在血清PTH升高的女性髋部骨折患者中可能尤为重要。     

广东省女性绝经后原发性骨质疏松症调查分析

目的探讨广东省女性绝经后骨密度的变化规律及其影响因素相关分析。方法本研究通过对广东省50～87岁的1772名中老年人完成骨质疏松症问卷调查和进行双能X-ray骨密度测量。筛选绝经后原发性骨质疏松症患者274例,以5岁为1个年龄段,将其分成7个组。分析腰椎和髋部BMD值的变化规律。体重指数、脂肪含量与骨密度的关系。结果广东省不同城市女性原发性骨质疏松症患病率为11.1%～19.2%,总体患病率为15.5%。体重指数与髋部neck、Total骨密度相关系数(r=0.282,r=0.272,P<0.05),脂肪含量与腰椎正位Total骨密度相关系数(r=0.086,P<0.05)。结论广东省女性骨质疏松症患者腰椎骨密度在55～65岁和70～79岁两个年龄段丢失明显,髋部骨密度丢失在65岁以后下降速率加快。体重指数与髋部骨密度值有一定相关性,脂肪含量和腰椎骨密度值有较小相关性。     

血清Asprosin水平与绝经后女性骨密度、平衡能力和骨折发生率的相关性

目的探讨血清Asprosin(白脂素)水平与绝经后女性骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)、平衡能力和骨折发生率的相关性。方法回顾性分析海南医学院第一附属医院收治的164例绝经后女性骨质疏松症(osteoporosis,OP)患者的临床资料。记录患者一般临床资料以及骨折发生率、髋部骨密度、平衡指数评分(BIS),前后比(FBR)和左右比例(RLR)。分析白脂素与BMD、BIS、FBR、RLR以及骨折发生率的相关性。结果非骨折组血清白脂素水平为(3.56±0.54)pg/mL,骨折组血清白脂素水平为(6.56±1.01)pg/mL,两组血清白脂素水平比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Spearman试验结果显示,白脂素与BIS、FBR和RLR及BMD呈负相关(P<0.05);白脂素与年龄(r=0.384)、身高(r=0.343)、体质量指数(r=0.181)和髋部BMD显著相关(r=0.387),但与体重无显著相关性(r=0.022,P>0.05)。Logistic回归分析与线性回归分析显示,髋部BMD、身高、年龄和体质量指数是影响白脂素的独立因素。结论白脂素可能是绝经后女性出现骨密度降低和平衡能力下降及出现骨折的危险因子,与髋部BMD、身高、年龄和体质量指数密切相关。     

血清脂肪因子-CTRP3水平与绝经后妇女骨密度相关性研究

目的 观察血清脂肪因子-CTRP3水平与绝经后妇女骨密度的相关性。方法 选取2016年7月至2017年8月在我院就诊的192名绝经后女性,检测其CTRP3和骨钙素的血清水平。使用双能X线骨密度仪检测股骨颈和腰椎的骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)。结果 骨质疏松患者血清CTRP3水平[(75.5±20.6) ng/mL]低于对照组[(88.7±21.8) ng/mL](P＜0.001)。同时,在血清CTRP3的三分位数中,骨质疏松症的频率显著降低(66.6％、53.4％和35.3％,P＜0.001)。此外,血清CTRP3与骨质疏松症风险较低相关[校正比值比=0.975,95％CI(0.962～0.987),P＜0.001]。最后,在所有参与者中,血清CTRP3水平与调整后股骨BMD(r=0.423,P＜0.001)、腰椎BMD(r=0.358,P＜0.001)和HDL-C(r=0.123,P=0.014)呈正相关。同时,CTRP3与HOMA-IR(r=-0.127,P=0.005)和胰岛素(r=-0.187,P＜0.001)呈负相关。结论 血清CTRP3水平降低与绝经后女性骨密度降低密切相关。     

WISP1、sFRP5与2型糖尿病患者骨转换指标及骨密度相关性分析

目的探讨脂肪因子WISP1、sFRP5与2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者骨转换指标及骨密度(BMD)的相关性。方法选取125名2017年5月至2018年12月在本院老年内科住院且初诊为T2DM患者,年龄在50～80岁。采用双能X线吸收检测法(DXA)对以上受检者进行腰椎及髋部BMD测定,以最低T值作为分组依据,将受检者分为:T2DM并骨量正常组(n=42例);T2DM并骨量减少组(n=43例),T2DM并骨质疏松症组(n=40例)。详细记录受检者的性别、年龄、糖尿病病程、身高和体重等相关资料,计算体质指数(BMI),并测定HbA1c、FPG、N-MID、P1NP、β-CTX指标,通过酶联免疫吸附方法(ELISA)测定血清WNT1诱导型信号传导途径蛋白1(WISP1)、分泌型卷曲相关蛋白5(sFRP5)水平。结果三组间血清sFRP5比较,骨质疏松症组和骨量减少组均高于骨量正常组(P0. 05),且sFRP5与BMD呈负相关(r=-0. 417,P0. 05);(2)三组间WISP1相互比较,骨质疏松症组和骨量减少组均比骨量正常组都要低(P0. 05),且WISP1与BMD呈正相关(r=0. 22,P0. 05)。结论血清脂肪因子sFRP5、WISP1水平的变化与T2DM患者BMD有一定的相关性。     

维持性血液透析患者血浆同型半胱氨酸与骨密度的相关性研究

目的 探讨维持性血液透析（MHD）患者血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）与指骨骨密度（BMD）的关系.方法 选择2006年2月至2010年2月在我院住院的MHD患者94例,分别将男性和女性患者分为3组,骨质疏松组：T值＜-2;骨量减少组：T值-2～-1;正常骨量组：T值＞-1.分别比较3组男性和3组女性患者年龄、血钙、血磷、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、血浆Hcy.对血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD进行相关性分析,用逐步回归法以指骨BMD为自变量建立多元线性回归方程以分析指骨BMD的影响因素.结果 骨质疏松组年龄均大于骨量减少组和正常骨量组（P＜0.05）,骨量减少组年龄大于正常骨量组（P＜0.05）.3组血钙、血磷、ALP、Hcy差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.男性血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD无相关性（r=0.267,P＞0.05）.年龄是指骨BMD的影响因素（回归系数b1=-0.002,P=0.022）.骨质疏松组血浆Hcy水平均高于骨量减少组和正常骨量组（P＜0.05）,而骨量减少组和正常骨量组Hcy差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.3组血钙、血磷、ALP差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.女性血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD呈负相关（r=-0.527,P＜0.05）.年龄和Hcy是指骨BMD的影响因素（回归系数b1=-0.002,P=0.011;回归系数b4=-0.003,P=0.048）.结论 女性MHD患者高血浆Hcy水平可能与指骨BMD降低有关,男性MHD患者血浆Hcy水平与指骨BMD无相关性.血浆Hcy升高可能是女性MHD患者骨质疏松潜在的危险因素.     

血清锌、铜和脂质水平与绝经后妇女骨密度相关性研究

目的比较绝经后骨质疏松症女性和健康对照人群的血清锌(Zn)、铜(Cu)和血脂水平,并确定上述参数与骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)之间是否存在关联。方法研究对象为116名绝经后妇女,包括58例骨质疏松症患者[骨质疏松组,年龄(58.9±3.7)岁]和58名对照者[健康对照组,年龄(55.1±1.9)岁]。使用原子吸收分光光度法测定血清锌和铜含量,通过双能X线骨密度仪检测所有女性腰椎(L1～4)和左侧股骨颈的骨密度。结果两组患者血清锌和铜含量相近(P0.05);骨质疏松组血清低密度脂蛋白(LDL)和总胆固醇(TC)水平与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05);相关分析显示体质量指数(bone mass index, BMI)与BMD值之间存在显著相关性(P0.05);血清Zn、Cu水平与血脂无显著相关性(P0.05);BMD与LDL(r=-0.302,P=0.002)和总胆固醇水平(r=-0.252,P=0.007)之间呈负相关。结论本研究表明血脂异常可能是绝经后妇女骨质疏松症的独立危险因素。此外,微量元素对BMD没有直接和相关的影响。     

血清视黄醇与绝经后妇女骨密度和骨代谢指标的相关 性研究

目的探讨血清视黄醇水平与绝经后妇女骨密度和骨代谢指标的相关性。方法对154例绝经后骨质疏松症妇女( 55岁)进行横断面研究,采用双能X线骨密度仪检测所有患者的骨密度(bone mineral density, BMD),同时检测患者的血清视黄醇、骨钙素、甲状旁腺素、碱性磷酸酶、钙和磷的水平,分析其相关性。结果 Spearman分析显示患者视黄醇水平与腰椎BMD (r=-0.161,P0.05)、股骨颈BMD (r=-0.181,P0.05)、碱性磷酸酶(r=0.109;P0.05)、磷(r=-0.109;P0.05)及生育时限(r=0.157;P0.05)呈正相关。经过多变量调整后,仍然发现血清视黄醇与腰椎(r=-0.209;P0.05)和股骨颈(r=-0.324,P0.05)的BMD呈负相关。结论血清视黄醇水平升高与低骨量的风险增加有关,因此,维生素A可能是骨质疏松症的危险因素之一。     

Reduction of Plasma Fibrinogen, Immunoglobulin G, and Immunoglobulin M Concentrations by Immunoadsorption Therapy with Tryptophan and Phenylalanine Adsorbents

Abstract Immunoadsorption (1A) therapy with tryptophan (TR-350) or phenylalanine (PH-350) adsorbents has been used to reduce the concentration of serum antibodies in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-immunized patients. Other forms of plasma purification have been reported to reduce the level of fibrinogen, which affects the blood properties. In this study we investigated the effects of IA therapy using both adsorbents on plasma fibrinogen and immunoglobulins G and M in 13 patients (8 patients were treated with TR-350, and 5 patients were treated with PH-350). During each session 1 plasma volume (2.8 ± 0.4 L of plasma) was processed through the immunocolumn and then returned to the patient together with the blood cells. Compared with the pretreatment values, the plasma fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM concentrations were significantly reduced after IA therapy (p < 0.01 for TR-350; p < 0.04 for PH-350). There was a positive correlation between the degree of reduction of plasma proteins and the number of IA treatments given. A nonpara-metric test (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test or the Mann-Whitney test) was used for statistical analysis. We conclude from our study that IA therapy effectively lowers the plasma levels of fibrinogen, IgG, and IgM and thus can be considered a valuable alternative to other blood purification methods.     

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.     

The multiply injured child

Blunt trauma is the principal cause of childhood death in many developed countries. This review outlines the differences between adults and children with respect to resuscitation and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in a child with polytrauma. Recent advances in techniques of fracture stabilization are reported.     

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.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.     

Adrenaline markedly improves thoracic epidural analgesia produced by a low-dose infusion of bupivacaine, fentanyl and adrenaline after major surgery: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study with and without adrenaline

Background: Basic pharmacological research indicates that there are synergistic antinociceptive effects at the spinal cord level between adrenaline, fentanyl and bupivacaine. Our clinical experience with such a mixture in a thoracic epidural infusion after major surgery confirms this. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects on postoperative pain intensity, pain relief and side effects when removing adrenaline from this triple epidural mixture. Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, cross-over study was carried out in 24 patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Patients with only mild pain when coughing during a titrated thoracic epidural infusion of about 10 ml · h^?1 of bupivacaine 1 mg · ml^?1, fentanyl 2 μg · ml^?1, and adrenaline 2 μg · ml^?1 were included. On the 1^st and 2^nd postoperative days each patient was given a double-blind epidural infusion, at the same rate, with or without adrenaline. The effect was observed for 4 h or until pain when coughing became unacceptable in spite of a rescue analgesic procedure. Rescue analgesia consisted of up to two epidural bolus injections per hour and i.v. morphine if necessary. All patients received rectal paracetamol 1 g, every 8 h. Fentanyl serum concentrations were measured with a radioimmunoassay technique at the start and end of each study period. Main outcome measures were extent of sensory blockade and pain intensity at rest and when coughing, evaluated by a visual analogue scale, a verbal categorical rating scale, the Prince Henry Hospital pain score, and an overall quality of pain relief score. Results: The number of hypaesthetic dermatomal segments decreased (P <0.001) and pain intensity at rest and when coughing increased (P <0.001) when adrenaline was omitted from the triple epidural mixture. This change started within the first hour after removing adrenaline. After 3 h pain intensity when coughing had increased to unacceptable levels in spite of rescue analgesia (epidural bolus injections and i.v. morphine). Within 15–20 min after restarting the triple epidural mixture with adrenaline, pain intensity was again reduced to mild pain when coughing. Serum concentration of fentanyl doubled from 0.22 to 0.45 ng · ml^?1 (P <0.01), and there was more sedation during the period without adrenaline. Conclusions: Adrenaline increases sensory block and improves the pain-relieving effect of a mixture of bupivacaine and fentanyl infused epidurally at a thoracic level after major thoracic or abdominal surgery. Serum fentanyl concentrations doubled and sedation increased when adrenaline was removed from the epidural infusion, indicating more rapid vascular absorption and systemic effects of fentanyl.