青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性评价

目的：探讨青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性，以减少相关手术并发症。方法：32例青少年脊柱侧凸患者术前均对畸形脊柱进行标准俯卧位CT加密扫描，测量进钉点至椎体前缘的深度、进针角度、椎弓根直径和椎体的旋转角度，根据测得数据确定椎弓根螺钉置入的深度和方向，置入螺钉后再行脊柱全长X线片及CT扫描评价置钉的准确性和安全性。结果：32例共置入226枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉，术后CT加密和X线片观察到205枚螺钉（90．7％）完全在椎弓根皮质骨内。10例21枚螺钉（9.3％）发生错置，7枚螺钉（3．1％）偏外，5枚螺钉（2．2％）偏前外侧（其中2枚螺钉靠近节段血管），4枚螺钉（1．8％）偏下，4枚螺钉（1．8％）直径过大导致椎弓根内壁膨胀内移，1枚螺钉（0．4％）误入椎管导致完全性脊髓损伤。T1～T4错置12枚（18．2％），T5～T12错置9枚（6．1％）；凸侧椎根螺钉置入的准确率为93．8％，凹侧为83．1％。结论：脊柱畸形患者术前应常规采用标准俯卧位CT加密扫描，根据扫描图像测得的相关数据可为术中准确置入椎弓根螺钉提供重要参考依据。在青少年脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入有一定的误置率，螺钉发生错置多见于上胸椎和凹侧．术中应高度重视。     

个体化导航模板在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的初步临床应用

目的:通过临床应用评价个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的准确性和安全性。方法:2008年7月～2009年9月,对11例需要行胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入手术的患者(青少年特发性脊柱侧凸7例,先天性脊柱侧凸2例,胸椎结核后凸畸形1例,多发性胸椎骨折1例)术前根据CT三维重建图像利用计算机辅助设计及快速成型技术设计制作46个胸椎个体化导航模板,术中应用个体化导航模板辅助在T2～T12置入椎弓根螺钉92枚,术后CT扫描评价螺钉位置,记录有无与螺钉置入相关的并发症。结果:通过个体化导航模板辅助置入的92枚胸椎椎弓根螺钉中,83枚完全在椎弓根内,9枚穿破椎弓根壁(其中椎弓根内侧壁穿破2枚、椎弓根外侧壁穿破7枚),其中5枚螺钉因椎弓根宽度小于4mm(3.0～3.8mm)而采用椎弓根旁固定方法(椎弓根螺钉轻度穿破椎弓根外侧壁经胸肋关节内侧进入椎体),椎弓根壁非故意穿破率为4.3%,置钉准确率为95.7%,所有穿破椎弓根壁的螺钉的穿出距离均小于2mm,螺钉位置可接受率为100%。无与螺钉置入有关的神经、血管、内脏损伤等并发症的发生。结论:个体化导航模板辅助胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入的置钉准确率高,安全、可行。     

个体化选择脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点的研究

目的:探讨个体化选择脊柱侧凸患者胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点对置钉准确性的影响.方法:2006年3月至2008年6月手术治疗脊柱侧凸患者57例,其中青少年特发性脊柱侧凸44例,先天性脊柱侧凸12例,马凡综合征1例.根据患者术前CT设计拟固定胸椎的椎弓根螺钉进钉点并用于指导术中的进钉点选择,术后根据螺钉是否突破椎弓根的皮质壁来判断置钉准确性.结果:全部患者共置入椎弓根螺钉591枚,胸椎417枚,腰椎174枚,术后530枚螺钉的轴线完全位于椎弓根皮质内,准确率为89.7%, 其中胸椎置钉准确率为86.8%(362,417).61枚螺钉的轴线突破椎弓根皮质壁,胸椎55枚,腰椎6枚.55枚偏置的胸椎椎弓根螺钉中52枚螺钉的实际进钉点与术前设计一致,其中19枚钉尖位于椎体内;3枚螺钉为术中实际进钉点选择失误,螺钉轴线突破椎弓根皮质壁的距离均不超过4mm.无脊髓、大血管及脏器损伤等严重并发症发生.结论:个体化选择胸椎椎弓根螺钉进钉点可提高脊柱侧凸患者胸椎置钉的准确率,减少术中进钉点选择失误所致的并发症.     

改良3D打印导板辅助颈椎椎弓根螺钉置钉的准确性研究

【摘要】 目的：探讨改良3D打印导板辅助颈椎椎弓根螺钉置钉的准确性。方法：回顾性分析2016年1月~2023年1月在我院行颈椎后路椎弓根螺钉内固定手术的60例患者的临床资料,其中男30例,女30例,年龄58.7±13.8岁（17~84岁）;根据颈椎后路手术是否使用导板辅助置钉分为导板组及徒手置钉组。导板组（30例）采用改良3D打印导板辅助颈椎椎弓根置钉,徒手置钉组（30例）采用角度尺辅助颈椎弓根置钉,两组患者年龄、性别、术前诊断无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。所有患者术后1周行颈椎CT扫描,按照Kaneyama标准判断椎弓根置钉准确性：0级,螺钉完全处于椎弓根中,没有穿破骨皮质;1级,螺钉穿破皮质<螺钉直径的50％;2级,螺钉穿破皮质≥螺钉直径的50％但没完全穿出;3级,完全穿出骨皮质。记录椎弓根置钉准确率（0级+1级螺钉占比）及因螺钉误置导致的血管神经损伤、切口感染、脑脊液漏、螺钉松动断裂等并发症。结果：导板组共置入椎弓根螺钉152枚,其中0级74枚,1级68枚,2级10枚,3级0枚,置钉准确率93.4%;徒手置钉组共置入椎弓根螺钉136枚,其中0级53枚,1级61枚,2级18枚,3级4枚,置钉准确率83.8%,导板组置钉准确率高于徒手置钉组（P＜0.05）。所有患者均未出现因椎弓根螺钉误置导致的血管神经损伤、切口感染及脑脊液漏等相关并发症。所有患者随访5～29个月（14.2±7.7个月）,无内固定松动、断裂等并发症。结论：改良3D打印导板辅助颈椎椎弓根置钉可提高置钉精准度。     

MSCT钉道设计在胸腰椎骨折伤椎置钉术中的应用

目的探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)设计钉道在胸腰椎骨折伤椎置钉术中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析自2014-01—2015-12行后路短节段椎弓根钉内固定联合伤椎置钉的102例胸腰椎骨折,52例采用MSCT设计钉道置入伤椎椎弓根钉(观察组),50例采用传统Weinstein法置入伤椎椎弓根钉(对照组)。结果观察组52例中伤椎共置入102枚椎弓根钉,其中2例伤椎单侧置钉;8枚螺钉穿破伤椎椎弓根皮质,其中2枚穿破内侧皮质,4枚穿破外侧皮质,1枚穿破上皮质,1枚穿破下皮质,置钉准确率为92.2%。对照组50例中伤椎共置入96枚椎弓根钉,其中4例伤椎单侧置钉;23枚螺钉穿破伤椎椎弓根皮质,其中6枚穿破椎弓根内侧皮质,9枚穿破外侧皮质,5枚穿破上皮质,3枚穿破下皮质,置钉准确率为76.0%。观察组置钉准确率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论采用MSCT三维重建技术设计钉道能够有效提高胸腰椎骨折伤椎置钉的准确率。     

微创经皮椎弓根螺钉误置的临床及影像学特征分析

目的探讨微创经皮椎弓根螺钉内固定置钉的准确性及安全性。方法分析微创经皮椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗64例胸腰椎骨折患者的临床及影像学资料,评价椎弓根螺钉的位置。按照Lee等的评价方法将螺钉位置分为4级,0级:螺钉完全在椎弓根内;1级:穿破椎弓根部分小于螺钉直径的25%;2级:穿破椎弓根部分达到螺钉直径的25%~50%;3级:穿破椎弓根部分大于螺钉直径的50%。0级和1级认为置钉满意,2级和3级认为螺钉误置,观察血管神经损伤等并发症情况。结果 64例患者共置入椎弓根螺钉256枚,术后复查CT显示椎弓根螺钉位置0级223枚,椎弓根螺钉位置1级25枚,椎弓根螺钉位置2级7枚,椎弓根螺钉位置3级1枚。椎弓根螺钉的误置率为3.1%。其中误置的8枚椎弓根螺钉中5枚穿破椎弓根内侧壁,3枚穿破外侧壁,无椎弓根上、下壁穿破情况。有1例患者术后出现下肢根性疼痛症状,予对症治疗后症状消失,无血管损伤等并发症发生。结论微创经皮椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗腰椎骨折患者置钉准确性高,相关并发症少,在胸腰椎骨折治疗中值得广泛应用。     

漏斗技术在胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入中的临床应用

目的:探讨采用"漏斗技术"置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的准确性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析了2005年8月至2008年3月至少有1枚螺钉置于T1-T10之间的39例患者的临床资料。其中,男27例,女14例,年龄17～56岁,平均38.5岁;1例失访,1例在随访前因非相关性原因死亡。根据术后薄层CT扫描评估置钉的安全性和准确性以及各种并发症。结果:39例均获随访,时间18～30个月,平均23.2个月,未见血管、神经和内脏损伤等并发症。共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉208枚,置钉准确性T1-T4低于T5-T8(P=0.80),T5-T8低于T9-T10(P=0.07),T1-T4低于T9-T10(P=0.06)。27枚螺钉(13.0%)发生错置,其中,14枚(6.7%)穿破椎弓根外侧皮质,7枚(3.4%)穿破内侧皮质,5枚(2.4%)穿破椎弓根上壁,1枚(0.5%)穿出椎体侧方,未见椎弓根下壁和前壁穿破,4枚螺钉(1.9%)为危险性穿破。结论:漏斗技术是一种简单、安全、准确和经济的椎弓根螺钉置入方法,通过该技术使年轻医师迅速安全、准确置入胸椎弓根螺钉成为可能。     

多层螺旋CT三维重建技术在胸腰椎骨折经椎弓根螺钉内固定术中的应用价值

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)三维重建技术在胸腰椎骨折患者经椎弓根螺钉内固定术中的应用价值。方法:2007年1月~2008年12月,78例胸腰椎骨折患者在我院行椎弓根螺钉内固定术,其中38例使用传统置钉法(Weinstein法或AO法)进行椎弓根螺钉置入(A组),40例采用MSCT三维重建设计钉道的置钉方法进行螺钉置入(B组),术后两组均复查胸腰椎正、侧位X线片和CT了解置入螺钉位置情况,应用Lonstein等的方法评判置钉准确率。结果:78例患者共置入椎弓根螺钉436枚,A组38例共置入212枚,12例32枚螺钉穿破椎弓根皮质,其中穿破椎弓根内外皮质21枚,穿破椎弓根上下皮质11枚,置钉准确率84.91%;B组40例共置入224枚,5例6枚螺钉穿破椎弓根皮质,其中穿破椎弓根内外皮质4枚,穿破椎弓根上下皮质2枚,置钉准确率97.33%。两组置钉准确率有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论:胸腰椎骨折患者行椎弓根螺钉内固定时应用MSCT三维重建设计钉道的置钉方法较传统置钉方法成功率高。     

徒手胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入技术治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸的安全性评价

目的 评价徒手胸椎椎弓根螺钉置入技术治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸的安全性。方法从2002年7月～2004年6月对38例青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者，徒手应用胸椎椎弓根螺钉进行后路矫形内固定，所有患者术中进行神经电生理监测及X线透视确认，术后进行X线成像、CAT扫描评估螺钉位置，并对其中35例进行随访，从而评价本技术的安全性。结果共置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉326个，每一水平置入的螺钉数如下：T1,n=2；T2，n=10;T3，n=19；T4，n=27；L，n=28；T6，n=24；T7，n=23；TB，n=25；T9，n=29；T10,n=34；T11,n=48；T12，n=57。通过胸椎CT扫描评价326枚置入畸形胸椎的螺钉位置。共有19枚螺钉（5．8％）有中等程度的皮质穿破，即螺钉的中线在椎弓根壁皮质之外，其中6枚螺钉（1．8％）穿破椎弓根内侧壁。对35例患者进行术后跟踪随访，平均随访时间2年，未发现任何与置入的胸椎椎弓根螺钉（全部326枚螺钉）相关的神经、血管或内脏并发症。结论遵循严格步骤，逐步置入胸椎椎弓根螺钉的徒手技术在治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸中具有可靠的安全性。     

超声骨动力椎弓根寻路器的研制及其引导置钉的可行性研究

目的 :探讨自行研制的超声骨动力椎弓根寻路器辅助椎弓根螺钉置入的准确度及安全性。方法 :自行研制一种超声骨动力椎弓根寻路器,选择2具成年人脊柱标本(T1～L5节段),男性1具,年龄62岁,女性1具,年龄57岁,排除畸形、外伤及骨质疏松症等骨科疾病,将标本左侧椎弓根设置为实验组,通过超声骨动力椎弓根寻路器引导下置钉;右侧椎弓根设置为对照组,直视下徒手置钉。术中及术后即刻分别对两组标本行CT扫描,通过术中CT测量定位针长轴中线距椎弓根内外侧皮质距离;通过术后CT测量椎弓根螺钉穿出椎弓根皮质的距离并依据Neo法对置钉进行分级,统计两组精确置钉(0级置钉)、可接受置钉(Neo分级0级或1级)和不良置钉(Neo分级2级或3级)的情况。通过比较两组精确置钉率与不良置钉率上的整体差异,以及分别在上、中、下胸椎及腰椎的穿破皮质螺钉(Neo分级1、2、3级螺钉)的差异,评估两组间置钉精确性与安全性的差异。结果:两组各置入34枚定位针。实验组与对照组的定位针在上胸椎距皮质骨最小距离分别为2.77mm±1.05mm和0.59±2.31mm,中胸椎为1.97±1.01mm和0.98±1.70mm,下胸椎为3.02±0.93mm和2.53±0.83mm,腰椎为4.14±1.04mm和3.80±0.59mm。实验组有6枚定位针存在穿出的风险,对照组有14枚存在穿出的风险。在置钉方面,实验组与对照组的精确置钉率分别为82.36%和58.82%,可接受置钉率分别为97.06%和82.36%,不良置钉率分别为2.94%和17.64%。在所有穿破皮质螺钉中,实验组有1枚位于上胸椎(1级),2枚位于中胸椎(1级、2级各1枚),2枚位于下胸椎(1级2枚),1枚位于腰椎(1级);而对照组有6枚位于上胸椎(1级2枚、2级2枚、3级2枚),5枚位于中胸椎(1级3枚、2级1枚、3级1枚),3枚位于下胸椎(1级)。实验组在胸腰椎精确置钉率、可接受置钉率上明显高于对照组,而在不良置钉率上明显低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组与对照组在上胸椎节段(T1～T4)穿破皮质螺钉比率存在统计学差异(P0.05),而在中下胸椎及腰椎无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:与徒手置钉相比,超声骨动力椎弓根寻路器引导下置钉在胸腰椎节段具有较高的准确性与安全性。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.