Release of beta-endorphin immunoreactive material under perioperative conditions into blood or cerebrospinal fluid: significance for postoperative pain?

The function of beta-endorphin immunoreactive material (IRM) released under perioperative conditions remains to be clarified. In 17 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, we determined beta-endorphin IRM in venous blood plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) before surgery (t(A)); after termination of surgery and general anesthesia, but still under spinal anesthesia (t(B)); on occurrence of postoperative pain (t(C)); and 1 day after the operation (t(D)). Pain severity was rated by the patients by using a visual analog scale.

RETRACTED: The role of the protein C-thrombomodulin system and fibrinolysis during cardiovascular surgery: influence of acute preoperative plasmapheresis.

Objectives: To assess the benefits of withdrawn autologous plasma, the objective of this study was to investigate whether withdrawal of acutely performed platelet-rich or platelet-poor plasmapheresis allays changes in the protein C-thrombomodulin and fibrinolytic systems after retransfusion secondary to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In addition, the study attempted to determine the influence of acute plasmapheresis (APP) on the protein C-thrombomodulin and fibrinolytic systems as well as on homologous blood consumption and perioperative blood loss in elective aortocoronary bypass patients.

Design: The investigation was scheduled as a prospective, randomized, unblinded study.