[Level of immunoglobulins A, G and M in the postoperative period].

There are very different points of view in the literature concerning the application of immunoglobulin preparations in the prophylaxis of septic complications or in the therapy of the sepsis syndrome. Indication for immunoglobulin substitution therapy with commercial products requires a critical new approach. Daily measurement of the immunoglobulin A, G and M serum levels may help in cases of deficiency.

[The value of blood lactate determination in the postoperative phase].

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of blood lactate in the early postoperative period would be useful for an assessment of the postoperative course. For the determination of a reference curve, the lactate concentration was measured in 10 patients (control group) with uncomplicated courses of the operation which lasted for up to two hours. The investigation group included 111 patients with complicated courses of the operation and/or a duration of the operation of more than 2 hours.

[The characteristics of colloid osmotic pressure and hematocrit following human albumin substitution as an indication of permeability disorders in septic complications].

Out of a pool of the postoperative intensive care patients in Anaesthesiological and Intensive Care Clinic, Berlin-Friedrichshain, 26 patients with hypoalbuminaemia after major abdominal surgery were selected. Septic complications occurred in 13 patients. In a comparative study we analysed colloid osmotic pressure and haematocrit after substitution of human serum albumin.

Changes in ceruloplasmin activity and lactate concentration in patients at high risk of acute organ system failure.

In 241 critically ill patients at a high risk of acute organ system failure (OSF) the activity of ceruloplasmin (CPL) and the concentration of lactate in blood was measured. In patients with acute OSF the lactate concentration is high, and the CPL activity is lower in comparison with patients without OSF. These changes are particularly distinct in nonsurviving patients with OSF.