Retraction notice to "Haemodynamic effects of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor enoximone in comparison with dobutamine in esmolol-treated cardiac surgery patients" [Br J Anaesth 64 (1990) 611-6].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Hugh Hemmings, based on the recommendations of Justus-Liebig-University Giessen following an internal review of research conducted by Joachim Boldt at the University. This is further described in 'Further Retractions of Articles by Joachim Boldt', https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.02.024.

Retraction notice to "Influence of hypertonic volume replacement on the microcirculation in cardiac surgery" [Br J Anaesth 67 (1991) 595-602].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Hugh Hemmings, based on the recommendations of Justus-Liebig-University Giessen following an internal review of research conducted by Joachim Boldt at the University. This is further described in 'Further Retractions of Articles by Joachim Boldt', https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.02.024.

Retraction notice to "The role of enoximone in cardiac surgery" [Br J Anaesth 69 (1992) 45-50].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Hugh Hemmings, based on the recommendations of Justus-Liebig-University Giessen following an internal review of research conducted by Joachim Boldt at the University. This is further described in 'Further Retractions of Articles by Joachim Boldt', https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.02.024.

Retraction notice to "Does correction of acidosis influence microcirculatory blood flow during cardiopulmonary bypass?" [Br J Anaesth 71 (1993) 277-81].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Hugh Hemmings, based on the recommendations of Justus-Liebig-University Giessen following an internal review of research conducted by Joachim Boldt at the University. This is further described in 'Further Retractions of Articles by Joachim Boldt', https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.02.024.

Potential benefits of Anaesthesia Information Management Systems for multicentre data evaluation: risk calculation of inotropic support in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis whether it is easily possible to transfer and apply the methods of data extraction and analysis of a performed study to a data pool of a different medical centre using the same type of Anaesthesia Information Management System (AIMS). For this purpose the objective of a study in cardiac anaesthesia, investigated at the University Hospital Giessen, was applied to the data pool of the Heart Centre Siegburg. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Giessen study evaluated factors related to the use of positive inotropic drugs (PIDs) in adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The same objective and methods were applied to data of 1672 patients of the Heart Centre Siegburg. In both centres anaesthetic procedures were recorded with the AIMS NarkoData. Existing database queries were adapted according to the Siegburg database configuration for detection of patients having received PIDs during or after weaning from CPB. RESULTS: It was revealed that data from the Siegburg database using the same data model and configuration, were identical to the Giessen database except for a few items only. Thus database queries of the Giessen study could be applied to the new data pool requiring no considerable additional input. CONCLUSIONS: We could demonstrate that multicentre data analysis in anaesthesia using AIM systems can be carried out successfully. Once the methods of data extraction and analysis are established they can be transferred to data pools of different centres without requiring additional time, personnel and material resources.

Different expression of cytokines in survivors and non-survivors from MODS following cardiovascular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary bypass is often associated with pathophysiological changes in form of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). In the present study, we investigated plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in survivors and non-survivors from MODS in the early postoperative course following open heart surgery. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: A University Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: Levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and TGF- ) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured at the first four postoperative days in 16 adult male patients with an Apache II-score >24 and two or more organ dysfunctions after myocardial revascularization. MAIN RESULTS: All pro-inflammatory cytokines, except for IL-6, were significantly elevated in non-survivors from MODS, with peak values at the first two postoperative days. The plasma levels of immunoinhibitory cytokines showed no differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show a different expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in survivors and non-survivors from MODS following operations with extracorporeal circulation. In addition to Apache-II score, especially IL-8, IL-18, and PCT may be used as parameters for the prognosis of patients with organ dysfunctions after cardiac surgery.

Treatment of sepsis in cardiac surgery: role of immunoglobulins.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with an injury that may cause pathophysiological changes such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and mediator-induced multiorgan failure. Systemic endotoxinaemia, release of proinflammatory cytokines, and interactions between neutrophils and endothelium have been reported to correlate with a high incidence of organ dysfunction, infection and sepsis following cardiac surgery. This review discusses the dysregulation of the immune response as a major reason for the higher susceptibility to infections following cardiac surgery, various treatment strategies to reduce CPB-induced inflammation, and especially the prophylactic use of immunoglobulins in cardiac surgery.

Endotoxemia and cytokine generation in cardiac surgery in relation to flow mode and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass.

We investigated whether pulsatile flow in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which has been shown to improve intestinal perfusion, reduces endotoxin translocation from the gut and, in consequence, decreases cytokine generation. The study population consisted of 48 adult patients who underwent elective CPB surgery. Pulsatile flow was used during aortic cross-clamping in 24 patients and nonpulsatile flow in 24 patients. Plasma endotoxin concentration increased in all patients during CPB. Significantly (P < 0.05) lower peak levels of 8.25 +/- 1.17 (SEM) pg/mL were reached 30 min after CPB in patients with pulsatile flow in contrast to 11.26 +/- 1.42 pg/mL in patients with nonpulsatile flow. The extent of endotoxemia was not related to the duration of CPB. Following the increase of plasma endotoxin, the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 increased with delay of approximately 1 h. The peak levels of these cytokines corresponded significantly (P < 0.005 and P < 0.01, respectively) with duration of CPB, but not with flow mode. Thus, in patients with CPB of more than 97 min (median), IL-6 reached a peak of 335.5 +/- 48.87 pg/mL and IL-8 of 64.86 +/- 24.79 pg/mL in contrast to 210.9 +/- 18.45 pg/mL and 21.2 +/- 10.19 pg/mL, respectively, with bypass times of less than 97 min. The degree of endotoxemia in CPB mainly depends on the quality of tissue perfusion. Cytokine generation, however, is not triggered exclusively by endotoxin, but rather by the trauma of CPB and surgery.

[S-(+)-ketamine versus ketamine racemic mixture: hemodynamic studies]. / S-(+)-Ketamin versus Ketamin-Razemat: Hämodynamische Untersuchungen.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of hemodynamic effects of S-(+)-ketamine versus ketamine-racemic mixture during induction of anesthesia, during steady-state of a fentanyl-midazolam-anesthesia and in the period of aortic cross-clamping during extracorporeal circulation. PATIENTS: 80 patients scheduled for coronary revascularization. STUDY DESIGN: double-blind, randomized. STUDY 1: Induction of anesthesia with ketamine-racemic mixture (3 mg/kg) or S-(+)-ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) plus midazolam 0.15 mg/kg. PARAMETERS: invasive hemodynamic monitoring including right ventricular volumes and pressure. STUDY 2: Bolus of ketamine-racemic mixture (3 mg/kg), S-(+)-ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) or placebo during steady-state anesthesia with fentanyl and midazolam. PARAMETERS: see study 1, additionally left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressure and maximum speed of left ventricular pressure increase (dp/dt). STUDY 3: Bolus of ketamine-racemic mixture (3 mg/kg), S-(+)-ketamine (1.5 mg/kg) or placebo in the period of aortic cross clamping during ECC. PARAMETERS: mean systemic pressure, central venous pressure, reservoir volume. STUDY 1: Heart rate and systemic blond pressure remained unchanged until intubation, which caused significant increases of these parameters. Stroke volume Index and cardiac index decreased in the S-(+)-group compared with racemic mixture, right- and left ventricular filling parameters remained unchanged throughout the study. STUDY 2: There were no significant hemodynamic changes with time or between the groups. STUDY 3: Significant arterial vasodilation was observed in the racemic mixture group, venous parameters remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: There were no major differences in the hemodynamic profiles of S-(+)-ketamine and the racemic mixture. S(+)-ketamine did not provide hemodynamic advantages. The use of both preparations should be limited to selected clinical situations in patients with reduced coronary reserve.

Plasma levels of selectins and interleukins in cardiovascular surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to activation of a variety of inflammatory pathways, including the release of cytokines and selectins. METHODS: In 20 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting, plasma levels of interleukins IL-2, -6, -8, -10, -12 and of P-, E-, and L-selectins were measured at eight time points before, during, and after CPB using a standardized ELISA technique. RESULTS: IL-2 plasma levels decreased significantly after the start of CPB and remained low until the second postoperative day. IL-6 and IL-8 levels increased significantly after weaning off CPB, with mean peak values six hours postoperatively. Very low IL-10 plasma levels were detectable preoperatively. They remained low during CPB and peaked significantly after weaning off CPB until skin closure. The IL-12 levels decreased after weaning off CPB (p < 0.05) until 6 hours postoperatively. The plasma levels of P-selectin showed no alterations, but concentrations of E- and L-selectin decreased after the start of CPB (p < 0.05). There were no adverse postoperative events. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrate a dysregulation of cytokine and selectin production during and up to 48 h after CPB, which may be a "normal" stress reaction to CPB.

Selective Cerebral Perfusion Via Innominate Artery in Aortic Arch Replacement Without Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest.

To attain satisfactory results in aortic arch surgery a reliable method of cerebral protection, avoidance of emboli, and control of hemorrhage is mandatory. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is the most common technique at present but gives only a limited period of protection, whereas a complicated aortic arch operation may require more time than anticipated. Therefore the selective cannulation and perfusion of the innominate artery has not been widely used until now because it is uncertain whether the left hemisphere of the brain is adequately perfused. Between 1990 and 1995, 21 of 69 patients within the last 36 months, consisting of 15 men and 6 women averaging 45 +/- 13.4 years, underwent operative treatment for aneurysm (n = 9) or type A dissection (n = 12) involving the aortic valve and aortic arch; selective innominate perfusion (SCP [i]) in moderate hypothermia (28 degreesC) for brain protection was used. Extended perioperative monitoring included bilateral somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP), transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD), a computer-aided topographical electro-encephalometry (CATEEM), and analysis of the arterial and venous oxygen saturation and desaturation. Mean time periods were 229.7 +/- 56.5 minutes for extracorporeal circulation, 151.7 +/- 34.1 minutes for aortic cross-clamping, and 67.05 +/- 34.03 for selective cerebral perfusion via the innominate artery. Not once did the intraoperative monitoring reveal hints of cerebral damage due to inadequate perfusion. All patients survived surgery but two could not be weaned from the respirator; one died 2 days and the other 6 days after the operation due to multiple organ failure (MOF). Another two patients died after 13 days due to untreatable septic syndrome with pulmonary insufficiency. All four patients died within 30 days, during which time they had aortic dissection involving the complete aortic arch and severe aortic valvular incompetence (grade IV). There was no late death and follow-up time of 19.76 +/- 8.04 months revealed an overall mortality rate of 19%. Only temporary neurological affections (left-sided hemiparesis) were found in two patients (9.5%). Additionally, we observed neuropsychological disturbances in one of these. Our first experience with selective cerebral perfusion via innominate artery and the attendant CATEEM monitoring for assessment of adequate bilateral cerebral perfusion suggests that this method is a useful addition to the armamentarium in complicated aortic arch surgery.

Modulation of somatosensory evoked potentials under various concentrations of desflurane with and without nitrous oxide.

Continuous measurement of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) by means of characteristic changes in the signal pattern makes it possible to identify cerebral or spinal cord ischemia during critical phases of the operative procedure. A correct interpretation of the measurements is only possible, however, if the influence of drugs acting on the central nervous system is known. The authors were able to show that inhaled anesthetics have an impact on latencies and response amplitudes. This study examined the influence of various concentrations of desflurane on the conduction of SEP of the Median nerve. In addition, the authors determined how the supplementation of nitrous oxide (N2O) influences the stimulus response of the medianus nerve's SEP. Desflurane has been shown to produce dose-dependent increases in SEP latency (data in part for latency N2O: 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC] = 20.8 +/- 0.9; 1.5 MAC = 22.2 +/- 1.5; 1.5 MAC/N2O= 23.8 +/- 1.5) and decreases in amplitude, whereas cervically recorded subcortical SEP components are minimally influenced by desflurane. When nitrous oxide is added, there were marked reductions in amplitude (p<0.01) of the cortical stimulus response (1.5 MAC = 2.4 +/- 0.9; 1.5 MAC/N2O = 1.1 +/- 1). It can therefore be recommended that supplementation with N2O should be avoided in the presence of low initial amplitudes. Based on the study's results, the use of desflurane (up to 1.0 MAC) seems to be compatible with intraoperative monitoring of median somatosensory evoked potentials.

Cardiovascular effects of Org 9487 under isoflurane anaesthesia in man.

The cardiovascular effects of Org 9487 during isoflurane anaesthesia have been evaluated using three doses around its ED90 for neuromuscular blockade, i.e. 1 mg kg-1, 2 mg kg-1 and 3 mg kg-1. Heart rate increased to 110%, 115% and 118% in patients receiving 1 mg kg-1, 2 mg kg-1 and 3 mg kg-1 respectively. There were no significant effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressures for the two lower dose groups. Patients receiving Org 9487 3 mg kg-1 displayed significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (91% and 82% of the control values respectively). Except for heart rate in the group receiving 3 mg kg-1, all measurements returned to baseline after a maximum of 15 min. Six patients experienced a transient increase in airway pressure after administration of Org 9487, which was accompanied by a decrease in oxygen saturation in two out of six subjects, but there was no audible wheezing. These episodes were self-limiting and required no treatment. There were no other adverse reactions to this drug during this study.

Clinical experience with heart transplantation in infants.

OBJECTIVE: Orthotopic heart transplantation has become an accepted therapeutic concept for adult patients with endstage heart disease. In newborns and infants this procedure is still a matter of discussion because of unknown long-term results and the lack of donor organs. METHODS: Since March 1988 we have performed 40 orthotopic heart transplantation in 39 infants who were from 1 to 280 days of age. Indications for transplantation included hypoplastic left-heart syndrome (n = 28), dilative cardiomyopathy (n = 4), endocardial fibroelastosis (n = 4) and other complex structural anomalies (n = 3). The mean waiting period for transplantation was 53 days. A donor-recipient weight ratio up to 4.0 was accepted. Profound hypothermic circulatory arrest was used for graft implantation in all those patients who required extensive aortic arch reconstruction (71%). The initial immunomodulation was based on Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and Prednisolone. Patients who underwent transplantation during the first 6 weeks of life received a chronic single-drug therapy with Cyclosporine after 1 year. RESULTS: There were six peri-operative deaths caused by drug-resistant right-heart failure in three cases, humoral rejection (n = 1), CMV infection (n = 1) and multi organ failure (n = 1). One infant died late, due to rejection. The actuarial survival rate for the entire group is now 82%. There is a remarkable influence of increasing experience. Whereas six of 15 infants who had heart transplantation between 1988 and 1993 died early post-operatively (survival rate: 60%), only one late death occurred among 24 recipients in the period from 1994 to April 1997 (survival rate: 96%). Episodes of rejection occurred once or several times in about half of the patients in this series (48%). All surviving children are living at home in excellent condition. CONCLUSIONS: Heart transplantation during early infancy is a rational and durable therapy for heart diseases with irreversible myocardial failure or severe structural anomalies. The intermediate-term results have been encouraging in many centers, but more data must be accumulated to determine the sequelae of chronic immunosuppression. The lack of donor organs remains one of the major problems in pediatric heart transplantation.