Hydroxyethyl starch and modified fluid gelatin maintain plasma volume in a porcine model of septic shock with capillary leakage.

Objective: To compare the effects of different volume replacement therapies on maintenance of plasma volume in septic shock and capillary leakage syndrome.

Design And Setting: Prospective randomized, controlled animal laboratory study in a university animal laboratory.

Measurements And Results: Twenty-five fasted, anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated and multi-catheterized pigs (20.

C1-Inhibitor for treatment of acute vascular xenograft rejection in cynomolgus recipients of h-DAF transgenic porcine kidneys.

At present, the major barrier to successful discordant xenotransplantation of unmodified or complement regulator transgenic porcine xenografts is acute vascular xenograft rejection (AVR). AVR is associated with the intragraft deposition of induced recipient xenoreactive antibodies and subsequent complement activation. In a life-supporting pig to primate kidney xenotransplantation setting using h-DAF transgenic donor organs and postoperative immunosuppression, episodes of AVR were either treated with boluses of cyclophosphamide and steroids or with the same regimen supplemented by a three-day course of C1-Inhibitor, a multifunctional complement regulator.

Effects of C1 inhibitor and r-SP-C surfactant on oxygenation and histology in rats with lavage-induced acute lung injury.

Objective: To assess the effects of C1 inhibitor (INH) administration and r-SP-C surfactant application on oxygenation and lung histology in an acute respiratory distress syndrome model.

Design And Setting: Randomized, controlled experimental study in an animal research laboratory.

Material: 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Low-dose dopexamine in patients undergoing hemihepatectomy: an evaluation of effects on reduction of hepatic dysfunction and ischaemic liver injury.

Background: Hepatic dysfunction is a common problem in patients after hemihepatectomy. Treatment with low-dose dopamine has been shown to be beneficial in hemihepatectomy patients. We hypothesized that dopexamine, a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine, due to its specific pharmocodynamic profile may be more effective in reducing hidden ischaemic episodes in the hepato-splanchnic region during and after temporary total cross-clamping of hepatic inflow in these patients.

Xenon inhalation increases airway pressure in ventilated patients.

Background: The inert gas xenon, known as an anaesthetic for nearly 50 years, is also used as a contrast agent during computerised tomography (CT)-scanning. As xenon has a higher density and viscosity than air, xenon inhalation may increase airway resistance.

Methods: In a retrospective study we investigated the effects of 33% xenon/67% oxygen on airway pressure and cardio-respiratory parameters in 37 long-term mechanically ventilated patients undergoing cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements by means of stable xenon-enhanced CT.

Septic shock after liver transplantation for Caroli's disease: clinical improvement after treatment with C1-esterase inhibitor.

The extent of complement and contact activation is related to outcome in sepsis. A low functional index of their main blocker C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) is considered as a relative deficiency of C1-INH and might contribute to the development of fatal complications in the intensive care unit. The first results of therapeutic intervention with C1-INH concentrate in septic shock are promising.

[Circulatory function and oxygenation during hemihepatectomy. Dopamine versus dopexamine].

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare low dose dopamine and dopexamine with respect to of liver-venous oxygen saturation, oxygen delivery and--demand, liver function tests and cardiocirculatory effects in the reperfusion period during a hemihepatectomy operation with occlusion of the liver hilus.

Methods: Twenty patients were studied in a randomised, doubleblind setting. They either received 2 micrograms/kg per min dopamine or 0.

Compositional, structural, and functional alterations in pulmonary surfactant in surgical patients after the early onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis.

Objectives: Sepsis is one of the most important predisposing factors for the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alterations of pulmonary surfactant contribute in the pathogenesis of ARDS. However, little is known about surfactant in patients with less severe grades of lung injury related to sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).

Predictors of respiratory function deterioration after transfer of critically ill patients.

Objectives: Critically ill patients are often transferred due to the growing number of diagnostic procedures required to be performed outside the intensive care unit. These transfers have proved to be very critical. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors for the deterioration of respiratory function in critically ill patients after transfer.