Nutrition support and treatment of motility disorders in critically ill patients - results of a survey on German intensive care units.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current clinical attitude in enteral nutrition support and motility disorders in adult critically ill patients on German intensive care units. METHODS: A total of 1493 questionnaires, including 25 items on the medical environment, treatment of motility disorders and enteral nutrition, were sent to German intensive care units in September 2005. Responses were collected during a 2-month period. RESULTS: A total of 593 questionnaires were returned (response rate 41%). The intensive care units were mainly led by anaesthesiologists (63%) or internists (17%). Standard nutrition protocols were used in 44%. Feeding was mainly started as a combined enteral-parenteral regimen (70%). Early enteral nutrition was performed in 58% using a volume of 250-500 mL (66%) and increased by 200-400 mL day-1 (55%). It was mainly delivered by gastric tube (76%) via continuous pump systems (72%) with short interruption intervals of <4 h (86%). Enteral nutrition solutions were mainly standard polymeric formulae (86%). Modified solutions for diabetics and those with renal or liver failure were uncommonly used; immunonutrition did not play a role. Prokinetic agents, especially metoclopramide, laxatives and neostigmine, were routinely used (39%). Further therapeutic options in motility dysfunction included purgative enemas (96%), gastrografin (72%) and colon massage (39%). CONCLUSIONS: The concept of early enteral nutrition has been well established and approved in German intensive care units, though the recommendations only meet level C criteria in the current ESPEN guidelines. The current survey may serve for further updates on practical nutrition support in intensive care medicine.

Preoperative microbiologic screening and antibiotic prophylaxis in pulmonary resection operations.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary resection is associated with considerable risk of infection, so antibiotic prophylaxis has become routine practice in pulmonary operations. We studied two standard flash antibiotic prophylaxis regimens and matched them to preoperatively acquired microorganisms. METHODS: In 120 patients scheduled for elective pulmonary resection, aspirates were taken separately from the left and the right lung using a double-lumen tube. Then the patients received either 1.5 g of sulbactam plus ampicillin (n = 60; group 1) or 2 g of cefazolin (n = 60; group 2) intravenously as a single-shot antibiotic prophylaxis according to a prospective randomized sequence. When bacteria were found in the aspirates, both antibiotics were tested for susceptibility. The patients were monitored for the first 3 postoperative days with regard to bronchopulmonary infections. RESULTS: Fifty-eight pathogens were isolated from the 120 patients. The cultured bacteria did not differ significantly between the two groups. In group 1 all found bacteria were susceptible to the used antibiotic prophylaxis, whereas in group 2 eight of the 25 found bacteria were not susceptible to antibiotic prophylaxis. Postoperatively, group 2 showed significantly more signs of bronchopulmonary infections than the group 1 and subsequently needed additional antibiotics more often. Intensive care unit stay was longer in patients of group 2 and costs were higher for these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative microbiologic examination could be helpful to evaluate efficacy of the antibiotic prophylaxis regimen. Sulbactam plus ampicillin was significantly more effective than cefazolin.

The influence of acute preoperative plasmapheresis on coagulation tests, fibrinolysis, blood loss and transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Withdrawal of autologous plasma and reinfusion after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) offers the opportunity of improving patients' haemostasis and reducing homologous blood consumption in cardiac surgery. The influence of acute, preoperative plasmapheresis (APP) on coagulation tests, fibrinolysis, blood loss and transfusion requirements was investigated in elective aortocoronary bypass patients. METHODS: Forty patients were randomized to a control or pheresis group. The pheresis group had platelet-rich plasmapheresis (PRP-group, n = 20) performed before incision and the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was returned after CPB. The control group (n = 20) was managed without pheresis. All patients had serial coagulation studies, including prothrombin split products (F1/F2), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), protein C (PC), thrombomodulin (TM), tissue-plasminogen-activator (t-PA), plasminogen-activator-inhibitor (PAI 1), fibrinopeptide B beta 15-42 (FPB beta 15-42), haemoglobin and platelet counts determined intra- and postoperatively. Chest tube drainage and transfusion requirements were recorded. RESULTS: APP had no negative effects on the quality of PRP. The platelet count of the withdrawn autologous plasma was 239 +/- 33 x 10(9)/l. From the end of the operation (after retransfusion of autologous plasma) until the first postoperative day platelet counts were significant higher in the PRP-group (P > 0.05). Plasma concentrations of modified antithrombin III (ATM), F1/F2 and FPA increased (166-290% from baseline) and PC- and TM-antigen decreased (11-49% from baseline) to a different extent for both groups throughout CPB. t-PA-activity increased intraoperatively peaking at the end of CPB (PRP-group: 4.8 +/- 0.8 IU/ml, control-group: 8.1 +/- 2.3 IU/ml)(P > 0.05). With onset of CPB PAI-1 levels decreased and were further reduced after CPB in control patients in comparison to PRP-patients (P < 0.05). FPB beta 15-42 occurred in peak concentrations after neutralisation of heparin by protamine. Only PRP-patients showed baseline values of coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters on the next morning (P < 0.05). Total postoperative blood loss during the first 24 h was 503 +/- 251 ml (PRP-group) and 937 +/- 349 ml in the control-group (P < 0.05). None of the PRP-patients received allogeneic blood, whereas five control-patients received 11 units of packed red cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that in elective cardiac surgery heparin cannot prevent generation of both thrombin and fibrin, born throughout CPB and postoperatively. The use of PRP withdrawn immediately preoperatively is an attractive technique to reduce allogeneic blood usage and preoperative blood loss, especially in patients in whom withdrawal of autologous whole blood cannot be performed.

The effect of the anticoagulation regimen on endothelial-related coagulation in cardiac surgery patients.

Heparin is still the most commonly used anticoagulant in cardiac surgery necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass. In recent years, endothelial-related coagulation (e.g. thrombomodulin/protein C-system) has enlarged our knowledge of the regulation of haemostasis. In a controlled randomised study, the influence of different regimens of anticoagulation on the thrombomodulin/protein C-system was studied. Sixty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 15) to receive: 300 IU.kg-1 of heparin before bypass; 600 IU.kg-1 of heparin; 300 IU.kg-1 of heparin as bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 10 000 IU.h-1 until the end of bypass; or 600 IU.kg-1 of heparin plus 'high dose' aprotinin (2 million IU of aprotinin before bypass, 500 000 IU.h-1 until the end of the operation and 2 million IU added to the bypass pump prime). Grouping was blinded for the surgeon and the anaesthetist. Plasma concentrations of thrombomodulin, protein C and (free) protein S as well as thrombin/antithrombin III were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assays after induction of anaesthesia, during and after bypass, at the end of surgery, 5 h after bypass, and on the first postoperative day. Activated clotting time was significantly longer during bypass in group 2 (566 (60)s) and group 4 (655 (59)s), whereas standard coagulation parameters showed no differences between the four groups. Blood loss and use of homologous blood and blood products were highest in groups 2 and 3. Thrombomodulin plasma levels were similar (and normal) at baseline (< 40 ng.l-1), decreased during bypass and reached baseline values postoperatively without showing significant group differences. Protein C did not show any differences among the groups within the investigation period. 'Free' protein S plasma levels were most reduced in group 1 (from 68 (8)% to 48 (9)% after bypass). Thrombin/antithrombin III plasma concentrations increased most in groups 1 (to 69 (14) micrograms.l-1 after bypass) and 2 (to 48 (7) micrograms.l-1 after bypass), whereas they remained significantly lower in groups 3 and 4. The thrombomodulin/protein C-system was not significantly influenced by the regimen of anticoagulation. Administration of 'high-dose' heparin was associated with the highest blood loss, which could not be related to endothelial-associated coagulation.

Does aprotinin influence endothelial-associated coagulation in cardiac surgery?

Aprotinin has been reported to reduce bleeding in cardiac surgery patients. Its mechanisms of action on coagulation have not been fully elucidated. In a prospectively randomized study of 40 patients undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass grafting, the influence of high-dose aprotinin (2 million IU of aprotinin before CPB, 500,000 IU/h until the end of operation, 2 million IU added to the prime) (N = 20) on endothelial-related coagulation was compared to a nontreated control group (N = 20). Thrombomodulin (TM), protein C and (free) protein S as well as thrombin/antithrombin-III (TAT) plasma concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) before the aprotinin infusion, before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), during CPB and after CPB, at the end of surgery, 5 hours after CPB, and on the first postoperative day. All standard coagulation parameters (AT-III and fibrinogen plasma levels, platelet count, partial thromboplastin time) did not differ between the two groups. At baseline, TM plasma levels were within the normal range (< 40 ng/mL) and similar in both groups. During CPB, TM plasma concentrations decreased similarly in both groups (aprotinin: 18 +/- 6 ng/mL, control: 17 +/- 7 ng/mL) followed by a comparable increase in the postbypass period until the first postoperative day (aprotinin: 60 +/- 10 ng/mL, control: 53 +/- 11 ng/mL). Protein C and (free) protein S plasma levels also showed no differences between the two groups. On the first postoperative day, baseline values for protein C and protein S had not yet been reached.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effectiveness of oral versus parenteral iron substitution in autologous blood donors]. / Wirkung oraler versus parenteraler Eisensubstitution bei Eigenblutspendern.

OBJECTIVE: Is intravenous iron therapy as efficient as oral iron supplementation in patients undergoing autologous blood donation? DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. PATIENTS AND SETTING: 30 male and 30 female patients, separated into two groups were examined prior to total hip replacement. INTERVENTIONS: Patients of group O were given 6 x 50 mg Fe2+ aspartate/day orally, and patients of group P were given 0.75 mg/kg BW complex-bound Fe3+ once a week by infusion. In both groups therapy was started two weeks prior to the first donation. The substitution was continued the following six weeks until surgery. Hemoglobin, ferritin plasma concentrations and reticulocytes were monitored. The appearance of unwanted side effects was studied by questionnaire. RESULTS: Hb decreased significantly in both groups. A difference was seen in the reticulocyte count and in the ferritin levels. Here we found a significant increase in group P compared with group O. 40% of the patients who took the iron orally complained about unwanted side effects such as obstipation and diarrhoea, whereas none of the patients of the parenteral group had any complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of the erythropoiesis appeared to be more efficient with intravenous iron therapy than with oral iron supplementation. The oral dose has in about 40% unwanted side effects. For this reason a parenteral iron therapy can be considered, but one must be aware that in some cases dangerous anaphylactic reactions could appear.

[The effect of different autotransfusion procedures on the antibiotic picture. A study on cephalosporin cefamandole]. / Der Einfluss unterschiedlicher Autotransfusionsverfahren auf Antibiotikaspiegel. Studie zum Cephalosporin Cefamandol.

Infection after open heart surgery is a serious complication since eradication of infection in these cases is difficult even with appropriate antibiotic therapy. In the attempt to avoid this problem, prophylactic administration of antibiotics is common. Their relative safety and their broad spectrum of activity make cephalosporin antibiotics popular choices for prophylaxis prior to and during operations, including cardiovascular procedures. METHODS. Preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis with 2 g cefamandole was performed in a prospective randomized study including 62 male patients divided into three groups. All patients gave informed consent, and the study was approved by the ethics committee of the hospital. Patients in group 1 (n = 21) and group 2 (n = 21) underwent aortocoronary bypass (ACVB) with extracorporeal circulation (ECC), while patients in group 3 (n = 20) had carotid surgery. Anaesthesia, coronary-bypass procedures and infusion regime were standardized. The flow rate during ECC was maintained at 2.41/min/m2 and the rectal temperature between 33 degrees and 34 degrees C. Arterial and urine specimens for the determination of plasma and urine levels of cefamandole were taken at definite times. Autologous blood salvage during operation was performed with haemofiltration techniques (HF) in group 1 (HF 80, Fresenius, Bad Homburg, Germany) and with cell separation techniques (CS) in group 2 (Hemonetics III, Hemonetics). Plasma and urine cefamandole levels were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS. After administration of 2 g cefamandole mean peak levels of 404.6 +/- 141.7 micrograms/ml were seen. Because of haemodilution at the beginning of extracorporeal circulation, group 1 and 2 showed much lower cefamandole plasma levels, 22.1 +/- 11.6 micrograms/ml and 24.3 +/- 14.4 micrograms/ml, than group 3 (after the same time course), with 47.4 +/- 19.1 micrograms/ml. For all patients in group 1 and 2 prebypass time (70.3 +/- 22.4 min) and the duration of the ECC (72.3 +/- 17.7 min) were comparable. There was a significant correlation between prebypass time and cefamandole plasma levels at the beginning of extracorporeal circulation (P < 0.001). No correlation could be seen for the plasma concentration after discontinuation of the extracorporeal circulation and the duration of extracorporeal circulation. The volume of autologous red packed cells and the enclosed amount of cefamandole showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) between group 1 (1120.0 +/- 296.8 ml, 27.5 +/- 17.1 mg) and group 2 (734.3 +/- 186.6 ml, 2.9 +/- 3.2 mg). The plasma cefamandole level after transfusion of autologous blood displayed a significant correlation (p < 0.01) with cefamandole concentration in the autologous red packed cells. Transfusion of the autologous blood produced no significant increase in plasma cefamandole levels. With an operation time of more than 2.5 h during ECC the cefamandole plasma level decreased below the necessary minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90), particularly for gram-negative bacteria. CONCLUSION. Additional administration of 1 g cefamandole shortly before the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass is recommended, particularly for surgical procedures with ECC of more than 2.5 h. Adjustment of drug dosage prior to or during surgery may be required to optimize therapy, but before this can be achieved precisely, more information on drug disposition during the operative procedures is needed.

Mutations induced by 1-nitrosopyrene and related compounds during DNA replication in human cells and induction of homologous recombination by these compounds.

The transformation of normal human cells into cancer cells is a multistep process. Evidence suggests that a minimum of five independent steps (changes) are required for the development of certain kinds of human cancer, as well as for malignant transformation of human cells in culture. Mutations are one of the mechanisms involved in bringing about such changes. A single DNA base substitution mutation can activate an oncogene or inactivate a tumor suppressor gene. Because the action of tumor suppressor genes is to prevent cells from becoming malignant, the activity of both copies of such genes must be eliminated before suppression is lifted. Homologous mitotic recombination between a mutant tumor suppressor gene allele and its non-mutant allele is one mechanism for accomplishing this. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which certain carcinogenic compounds found in diesel exhaust particles and structurally-related N-substituted aryl carcinogens induce such base substitution mutations and homologous recombination events in mammalian cells in culture, including human cells. The system we employed to determine rapidly the kinds of mutations induced by these compounds, as well as the location of the point mutations in the target gene, involved a circular DNA molecule (plasmid) carrying a small target gene, supF. The target gene was exposed in vitro to radiolabeled compounds and then was allowed to replicate in human cells where the mutations were formed. The sites of mutation induction were compared with the sites of stable binding of the carcinogens to the DNA (adducts). The system used to determine whether these agents could induce homologous recombination consisted of a thymidine kinase-deficient mouse L cell line with a recombination substrate stably integrated into the genome. To determine whether or not excision repair was involved in the mechanism by which carcinogens induced recombination, the recombination substrate was introduced into an excision repair-proficient human cell line and two repair-deficient human cell lines. These cell lines were then compared for the frequency of recombination induced by the agents. All four N-substituted aryl compounds tested in the supF mutagenesis assay produced mainly base substitutions involving guanosine-cytosine (G.C)* base pairs, primarily G.C-->thymidine-adenine (T.A) transversions. However, 1,6-dinitropyrene adducts, formed by exposing the plasmids to 1-nitro-6-nitrosopyrene in the presence of a reducing agent, also induced a significant proportion (17%) of single G.C base-pair deletions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Influence of acute preoperative plasmapheresis on platelet function in cardiac surgery.

Withdrawal of autologous plasma offers the possibility of improving patients' hemostasis and of reducing homologous blood consumption in cardiac surgery. The influence of acute, preoperatively performed plasmapheresis (APP) on platelet function was investigated in elective aortocoronary bypass patients subjected to APP producing either platelet-poor plasma (PPP; group 1; n = 12) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP; group 2; n = 12). APP-treated patients were randomly compared to patients without APP (control group; n = 12). Platelet aggregation induced by ADP (concentration 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mumol/L), collagen (4 microL/mL), and epinephrine (25 mumol/L) was determined by the turbidometric method before and after APP, as well as before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) until the morning of the 1st postoperative day. APP had no negative effects on the patients' aggregation parameters (maximum aggregation and maximum gradient of aggregation). The platelet counts in the withdrawn plasma were 25 +/- 10 x 10(9)/L (PPP-group) and 250 +/- 30 x 10(9)/L (PRP-group). Platelet counts were highest in the PRP-group at the end of the operation (after retransfusion of autologous plasma). After CPB, maximum aggregation and maximum gradient of aggregation were reduced in all groups (ranging from -6% to -25% from baseline values). Retransfusion of autologous plasma improved platelet aggregability significantly only in the PRP-group. By the first postoperative day, maximum aggregation and maximum gradient of aggregation recovered in all groups (including the control group) or even exceeded baseline values (ranging from +8% to +42% from baseline values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood conservation techniques and platelet function in cardiac surgery.

Postoperative alterations in platelet function induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are of importance. The effect on platelet aggregation of three different techniques for reducing blood consumption was studied in 30 patients undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass grafting from the beginning of anesthesia until the 1st postoperative day. The patients were randomly divided into three groups, in which 1) a cell separator was used during and after CPB; 2) a hemofiltration device was used; and 3) high-dose aprotinin was used in order to reduce the need of homologous blood. A fourth group undergoing neurosurgery procedures served as a control. Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (concentration 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 microM), collagen (4 microliters/ml), and epinephrine (25 microM) was determined by the turbidimetric method. Platelet aggregation was not significantly changed in the control group, indicating that the operation itself did not impair platelet function. At the end of the operation (after retransfusion of the salvaged pump blood), the maximum aggregation and maximum gradient of aggregation induced by all three inductors were most reduced (significantly) in the cell-separator patients. On the 1st postoperative day, platelet aggregation in the hemofiltration patients and the patients treated with aprotinin had normalized. Aggregation of patients pretreated with high-dose aprotinin was not different from that of the hemofiltration patients throughout the investigation. Blood loss was significantly highest in the cell-separator group (770 +/- 400 ml on the 1st postoperative day) but was not different between the hemofiltration (390 +/- 230 ml) and the aprotinin-treated patients (260 +/- 160 ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

RETRACTED: Acute preoperative plasmapheresis and established blood conservation techniques.

Plasmapheresis performed weeks before an operation producing autologous plasma has proved to be of benefit in elective operations. First experiences in acute plasmapheresis, which is performed immediately before the operation, have been reported recently. When acute plasmapheresis is used in cardiac operations, however, it must be viewed in connection with other techniques for reducing blood consumption such as the Cell Saver (CS) and ultrafiltration devices. In 60 patients undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass grafting, acute plasmapheresis was performed, producing either platelet-poor plasma or platelet-rich plasma, in combination with either the Cell Saver or hemofiltration. Fluid balance during cardiopulmonary bypass was significantly lower in the hemofiltration patients. Postoperatively, none of these patients received donor blood, whereas 4 patients of the Cell-Saver groups needed packed red blood cells. AT-III, fibrinogen, the number of platelets, albumin, total protein, and colloid osmotic pressure were less compromised when hemofiltration was used in combination with acute plasmapheresis in contrast to combination with the Cell-Saver technique. Plasma hemoglobin was without differences during the investigation period, and polymorphonuclear elastase was less increased when platelet-rich plasma was produced preoperatively. On the first postoperative day, most of the differences between the groups had already disappeared. We conclude that when acute plasmapheresis is used in cardiac operations, discarding of plasma by the Cell Saver should be avoided and ultrafiltration devices should replace centrifugation techniques for blood conservation.

Blood conservation in cardiac operations. Cell separation versus hemofiltration.

The effects of hemoconcentration performed during and after extracorporeal circulation by either centrifugation (cell separation group, n = 20) or hemofiltration (n = 20) were investigated in 40 patients undergoing elective aorta-coronary bypass grafting. Interest was focused on the quality of the blood concentrated from the blood remaining in the extracorporeal circuit and on the reaction of the patients after retransfusion of the concentrated products. Hemofiltration was easy to perform and produced whole blood quicker than the cell separation technique. Coagulation studies revealed no significant differences in heparin concentration, levels of fibrinogen and antithrombin III, or platelet counts. Various coagulation parameters tended to normalize completely and more quickly after hemofiltration than after centrifugation. None of the patients had severe bleeding postoperatively. Free hemoglobin levels were not affected by hemofiltration; elastase concentration was higher only immediately after retransfusion of the concentrated blood, with no effect on organ function. We conclude that both methods were effective means of hemoconcentration during extracorporeal circulation and in salvaging the diluted pump blood after extracorporeal circulation. Loss of plasma fraction is an important disadvantage in the centrifugation technique, which can be avoided by hemofiltration; derangement in colloid osmotic pressure and coagulation parameters was less pronounced after hemofiltration. Costs were lower, as well. Therefore, when a high volume of cardioplegic solution and two-stage cannulation are used, hemofiltration seems to be the method of choice for blood conservation during cardiac operations.

[Hemodynamics in donor plasmapheresis]. / Hämodynamik unter Spender-Plasmapherese.

Several studies have demonstrated that preoperative withdrawal and storage of autologous plasma as fresh frozen plasma is effective in blood conservation. For that purpose patients with elective surgery (orthopaedic surgery, open heart surgery, neurosurgery and others) have to undergo donor plasmapheresis without staying in the hospital. Depending upon the need the procedure can be performed several times preoperatively, taking about 900 ml in a normal weighting subject at once. The collection of autologous plasma should be finished at least 14 days before surgery. In order to investigate the haemodynamic effects of donor plasmapheresis 30 patients scheduled for coronary bypass surgery were devided into two groups. 15 patients underwent plasmapheresis (10 ml plasma/kgbw) by one-needle-technique using a Haemonetics seperator (PCS) after premedication but before onset of anaesthesia. Blood withdrawal was performed with 0.5 ml/kgbw x min. Another 15 patients, serving as control had no plasma withdrawal and were measured at identical times as the other group. Both groups had an identical fluid replacement with 500 ml Ringer's solution during the investigation period. Plasma withdrawn was not substituted by colloidal solution (simulating the situation when plasmapheresis is performed at the outpatient). Haemodynamic measurements (both groups) included heart rate, arterial blood pressure, right- and left-atrial pressure, systemic- and pulmonary-vascular resistance and cardiac output. There were no relevant effects of plasmapheresis on haemodynamic function during and after the investigation period in that patients: neither heart rate, blood pressure or vascular resistance changed significantly nor did pre- and afterload or cardiac index. No differences to the group without plasmapheresis could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Combination autotransfusion in heart surgery. Use of acute normovolemic hemodilution in coronary heart disease]. / Kombinierte Autotransfusion in der Herzchirurgie. Anwendung der akuten normovolämischen Hämodilution bei koronarer Herzkrankheit.

Normovolemic hemodilution (15 mg/kg body-weight: group I) was undertaken in 100 patients immediately before the start of coronary-artery surgery. In addition, a Cell-Saver (Haemonetics, Munich) was used for intra-operative autotransfusion. Another group of 100 patients (group II) was similarly operated on without autotransfusion (the study was conducted on 200 consecutive patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass). Before blood (autologous or homologous) was administered a reduction of hemoglobin to 9 g/100 ml and hematocrit to 0.28 was well tolerated (during extracorporeal circulation: 6.5 g/100 ml and 0.16, respectively). Due to intra- and postoperative complications, such as infarct bleeding (including reoperation) or septicemia, the number of patients placed in group I fell to 94, that in group II to 90. Acute normovolemic hemodilution increased cardiac output and oxygen transport capacity, while other hemodynamic parameters remained unchanged, and there was no effect on extravascular lung water. Autotransfusion reduced the need for homologous blood derivatives by 71% (fresh blood, fresh plasma, RBC concentrates). No clinically significant disadvantages occurred.

Low-dose fentanyl analgesia modified by calcium channel blockers in cardiac surgery.

The hypothesis that calcium channel blockers can potentiate and prolong the anti-nociceptive effects of opioids was tested. Forty-five men scheduled for aorto-coronary bypass operation received fentanyl according to their individual demands (haemodynamics, clinical parameters). The patients were allocated at random into three groups receiving either nimodipine 1.0 microgram kg-1 min-1 (Group 1, n = 15), nifedipine 0.70 microgram kg-1 min-1 (Group 2, n = 15), or no calcium channel blocker (Group 3, n = 15). Cerebral activity was monitored using a computerized spectral analysing system before and during the operation. The total amount of fentanyl required was significantly lower in the nimodipine group than the control group (-71%, P less than 0.001), whereas the nifedipine group did not differ from the control group. Quality of intra-operative anaesthesia was comparable in the three groups with respect to clinical observations (amnesia, sweat, tears, pupils), and the post-operative course was similar in all patients as well. Cerebral activity during the nimodipine-supplemented opioid anaesthesia was higher in the faster frequency bands (13-30 Hz). Power level in the beta range was most pronounced in Group 1, whereas power in the alpha range was similar in the calcium channel-blocker groups. The major conclusion was that nimodipine but not nifedipine administration can reduce fentanyl requirements during surgical procedures without influencing the quality of anaesthesia.

[Haemoseparation in heart surgery]. / Hämoseparation in der Herzchirurgie.

The Haemonetics Cell-Saver, a device developed for the recovery of autologous blood, was evaluated at our department, the major areas of concern being: quantity of blood salvaged, reduction in blood bank usage and possible monetary saving. In addition, various coagulation analyses were performed at frequent intervals. This study consisted of 292 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, who were randomly divided into two groups: 148 patients (group I) receiving autotransfusion (immediate centrifugation of oxygenator content after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass) were compared to 144 patients without autologous transfusion (group II). In the group of autotransfused patients, a mean of 2.27 units of bank blood were used throughout their entire hospital stay, as compared to 6.12 units of homologous blood in the other group (II) without autotransfusion. There were no significant differences between the two groups in respect of laboratory parameters and clinical course during the perioperative period. The data presented indicate a significant reduction in bank blood usage, thus protecting the patients from various hazards accompanying homologous blood transfusion (hepatitis, AIDS). Since the cost of Haemonetics software is recovered by 1.25 units of bank blood, a cost reduction of about US $135.-was achieved.

[Modified substitution of intracellular cations]. / Modifizierte Substitution intrazellulärer Kationen.

In order to ascertain the effect of modified supplementation of electrolytes and trace metals on intracellular uptake, 75 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 25) received potassium and sodium chloride while group B (n = 25) was treated with potassium aspartate; in group C (n = 25), a balanced solution of electrolytes and trace metals (Inzolen) with aspartate as the anion was given. The treatment in the three groups was administered on the basis of frequently measured plasma levels of potassium and sodium. Anesthesia was similar in all patients; cardiac arrest was performed by crossclamping of the aorta using "Bretschneider's cardioplegia" for sodium withdrawal. After removal of the mitral valve, a sample of papillary muscle was obtained and analyzed by atomic absorption for its content of sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper (Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu). Sodium levels in papillary tissue were below the normal range in all groups and without differences depending upon the kind of treatment. Potassium levels in group A, however, (KCl) were markedly below those in groups B and C (aspartates). A similar effect could be observed with respect to tissue levels of Mg, Zn, and Cu. Supplementation of trace metals (group C) had no additional effect on tissue concentrations: there were no significant differences between group B (K aspartate) and group C (K-, Mg-, Zn-, Cu-, Na aspartate). Our results stress the importance of effective treatment of electrolyte and trace metal deficiencies. The present data suggest that the utilization of intracellular cations can particularly be improved by using solutions with aspartate as the anion.

[Hemodynamic effects of nisoldipine (Bay k 5552), a calcium antagonist, in coronary surgery patients]. / Hämodynamische Auswirkungen von Nisoldipin (Bay k 5552), einem Calcium-Antagonisten, bei koronarchirurgischen Patienten.

The hemodynamic effects of the intravenous application of nisoldipine (0.2 microgram/kg bw per minute and 0.1 microgram/kg bw per minute) were studied in 70 patients with coronary artery disease. Measurements were performed before the induction of anesthesia, during anesthesia (prior to the cannulation of the great vessels) and 5 min after the end of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) (with the same preload as before ECC) as well as during ECC. Each group was compared to a group of patients who received a placebo injection. The preoperative and intraoperative application of nisoldipine produced a decrease in the mean arterial pressure and total systemic resistance, whereas the cardiac index and the stroke-volume index increased. Only during preoperative measurement did the heart-rate increase. The central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure remained unchanged. There was no change in the dp/dtmax after 0.2 microgram/kg bw per minute of nisoldipine. There was no difference in hemodynamic outcome between the three groups 5 min after the end of ECC. During ECC, nisoldipine did not reduce the vascular resistance, possibly because of the hypothermic conditions. The principal effect of nisoldipine is to increase the cardiac index by decreasing the total systemic resistance without influencing the myocardial contractility.