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Biomedical subjects

A Lehmann

Publications and source records attributed to A Lehmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Determination of ochratoxin A in wine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after combined anion-exchange/reversed-phase clean-up.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum. It has been found and analysed in several foods and feeds. Owing to its toxicity and occurrence in food and feed, the European Community has issued directives and some countries have their own regulations for OTA contents in food, feed and beverages. This work describes a method for the determination of OTA in mulled and red wine. It is based on combined anion exchange/reversed-phase clean-up and was analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (multiple reaction monitoring). The method was validated with natural contaminated and spiked wine samples with OTA contents from 1.34 to 3.48 microg kg(-1). Owing to its accuracy, good reproducibility and repeatability, this easy method is a good alternative to liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection methods.

Chromatography, Liquid↗
PubMed2005

Reproducibility of meal-induced transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

AIM: To calculate the number of subjects required in trials investigating drugs reducing the number of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs), the inter- and intra-individual variability of TLOSRs were determined, using meal ingestion as a trigger of TLOSRs and reflux. METHODS: A total of 23 gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients with no to grade B oesophagitis and a hiatal hernia < or =3 cm underwent oesophageal manometry and pHmetry 1 h before and 3 h after ingestion of a solid meal on two separate days approximately 4 weeks apart. Reflux episodes and the underlying mechanisms and the number of TLOSRs were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of TLOSRs, reflux episodes and % time with pH < 4 after meal ingestion did not differ significantly between the two sessions. The intra-individual variation of TLOSRs in the 3 h postprandial period (24.4) was smaller compared with the inter-individual variation (47.5). Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations were the predominant cause of reflux accounting for 61 +/- 7 and 70 +/- 5% of the reflux episodes in visits 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These data for the first time provide information on the variability of TLOSRs and reflux evoked by meal ingestion, which is of crucial importance for the design and power calculations of future clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of new drugs targeting TLOSRs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Altered neuroendocrine response and gastric dysmotility in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat.

In the search for animal models that can replicate some features of functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, we turned our interest to the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rat. Gastric motility disturbances prevalent in FD patients as well as urine corticosterone and plasma prolactin were measured following buspirone challenge. Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rat was used as control. The results show that the FSL rats have a disturbed gastric motility, reflected as both an increased gastric accommodation rate and gastric volume during gastric distension as well as a delayed gastric emptying, the latter possibly as a consequence of the former. Lipid administration resulted in a significant increase in maximal gastric volume only in the FRL rats. Both the corticosterone response to buspirone and the 24-h urinary output of corticosterone were normal in FSL rats. Similar to FD patients, the FSL rat showed supersensitivity to buspirone in the increase in prolactin release. Although FSL rats show some features similar to a subset of FD patients, the increased gastric accommodation contrasts to the reduced accommodation often seen in FD patients. Further studies are warranted to determine the relevance of this rat strain as a model for FD.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[A comparison of the Arndt endobronchial blocker with a double lumen tube in robotic cardiac surgery].

OBJECTIVE: In this prospective, randomised study a double lumen tube (DLT) or an Arndt bronchial blocker (BB) was used for one lung ventilation (OLV). Intraoperative oxygenation, ventilation, haemodynamics, and ease of placement were compared. METHODS: In 32 patients undergoing robotic harvesting of the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) a left-sided DLT or a BB controlled by bronchoscopy was used for OLV of the right lung. In 2 patients randomised for DLT, a single lumen tube and BB was used for difficult visualisation of the larynx. These 2 patients were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Correct placement of DLT (8.8 +/- 5.4 min, 87.5 % of the patients) as well as BB (6.5 +/- 4.0 min; n. s.; 100 % of the patients) was achieved rapidly. The Cormack-Lehane score for visualisation of the larynx was 2, 1 - 3 (median, range) in group DLT and 3, 1 - 4 (median, range) in group BB (p < 0.05). OLV lasted for 93 +/- 29 min in group DLT and 88 +/- 34 min in group BB (n. s.). Satisfactory conditions for harvesting ITA were achieved in all patients of both groups. There was no difference in any haemodynamic parameter at any time between the two groups. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were increased without significant differences between the two groups during thoracoscopy for robotic preparation of left ITA. During OLV, index of paO (2)/FiO (2) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in DLT patients compared to BB patients. Time to extubation did not differ between the two groups (DLT 14.3 +/- 4.6 h; BB 11.8 +/- 3.8 h). CONCLUSION: OLV in patients undergoing robotic cardiac surgery was safely achieved either by BB or by left-sided DLT. Positioning of the BB was easier than that of a DLT when intubation was difficult and tube exchange at the end of surgery is avoided. Therefore, we prefer a BB in patients undergoing robotic harvesting of left ITA.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Is levosimendan an inoprotective drug in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing surgical revascularization?].

Levosimendan, is a new calcium sensitiser with 2 major effects. First, levosimendan acts as a positive inotropic agent by binding calcium dependently to cardiac troponin C. Second, levosimendan activates adenosine triphosphate-regulated potassium (K (ATP)) channels. Thus it has vasodilatory properties and cardioprotective effects at a dose enhancing myocardial contractility. These unique properties of levosimendan might be of great advantage in patients with myocardial ischemia simultaneously requiring inotropic support. The concept of perioperative inoprotection is presented in 6 patients with acute ischemia undergoing emergent cardiac surgery.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed2002

Baclofen-mediated gastro-oesophageal acid reflux control in patients with established reflux disease.

AIM: To explore the effect of baclofen on oesophageal acid exposure in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty patients with established reflux disease were included in this double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Baclofen, 40 mg, or placebo was given as a single dose with a washout period of 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed by a visual analogue scale. Oesophageal pH was registered for 12 h and analysed for the whole period and for the 0-4-h, 4-8-h, 8-12-h and 2-h post-prandial periods. RESULTS: Baclofen significantly reduced the number of reflux episodes during the 0-4-h (7.9 vs. 16.5, P < 0.0001; post-prandially: 6.0 vs. 11.2, P < 0.0001) and 0-12-h (46.5 vs. 73, P=0.0001; post-prandially: 18.8 vs. 29.3, P < 0.0001) periods. The fraction of time with pH < 4 was significantly lowered during the 0-4-h period (9.3 vs. 15.6, P=0.0019; post-prandially: 16.1 vs. 23.5, P=0.0083). Similar results were also obtained in patients with a hiatus hernia (n=13). Belching was significantly reduced (32 vs. 69 episodes, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A single oral dose of 40 mg baclofen significantly reduced both the number of reflux episodes and the fraction of time with pH < 4, an effect primarily found during the first 4 h after dosing.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Survival and quality of life after a long-term intensive care stay.

OBJECTIVE: The growing number of high-risk patients in cardiac surgery unavoidably leads to more complications, and therefore to a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of our investigation was to elaborate on the fate of patents after long-term ICU treatment. METHODS: Out of 5055 patients, 232 had to be treated for longer than 5 days in ICU. These 232 patients were analyzed for in-hospital mortality and followed up for quality of life. The Barthel mobility index and geriatric depression scale by Sheikh and Yesavage were used to evaluate physical ability and mood disturbances. Follow-up time was 82 months, and could be completed for 99 % of the patents. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 34.6 %, with the majority of cases being coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (59.9 %). Average stay in ICU was 12.0 days for the survivors and 17 days for non-survivors. During follow-up time (6 - 82 months), another 56 patients (23 %) died. Survivors (n = 98) were predominantly in NYHA classes l-ll (83 %) with a Barthel index of more than 80, representing adequate mobilization during daily life in 78 % of the patients. Results according to the geriatric depression scale were normal in the vast majority of patients (91 %) with severe or life threatening depressions in only 6 patients (8 %). CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment of critically ill patients is admittedly burdened with high in-hospital and follow-up mortality. However, the excellent physical and psychological recovery of survivors unequivocally supports the employment of all technical and personnel resources within modern intensive care medicine.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Impact of atrio-biventricular pacing to poor left-ventricular function after CABG.

AIMS: The relation between acute postoperative management of epicardial pacing and haemodynamic status in patients with poor left-ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) demonstrates the importance of synchronous ventricular activation and contraction during the vulnerable early postoperative period. METHODS: in 22 patients (mean age - 69.3 +/- 5.4 years) with poor left-ventricular function (ejection fraction 29.8 +/- 4.8), we compared the postoperative haemodynamic parameters between atrio-biventricular, atrio-monoventricular and atrial pacing 3 - 24 hours after elective coronary artery revascularisation. Temporary epicardial pacing electrodes were placed on the right atrium and the paraseptal region of the left and right ventricle. The ventricular pacing modus was confirmed by surface electrocardiogram (EGG). We used overdrive rate pacing. RESULTS: In patients with left bundle branch block, atrio-left-ventricular and atrio-biventricular pacing increased cardiac index and decreased wedge pressure. Atrial pacing and atrio-right-ventricular pacing decreased cardiac index. In contrast, atrio-right-ventricular and atrio-biventricular pacing increased cardiac index in patients with right bundle brunch block. CONCLUSION: Atrio-biventricular pacing increased cardiac index and decreased wedge pressure compared with AAI pacing. In patients with wall-motion abnormalities and impaired cardiac conduction, a site-specific pacing therapy can help to optimize postoperative haemodynamics and reduce the application of inotropic substances.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Control of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations and reflux by the GABA(B) agonist baclofen in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs) are the major cause of gastro-oesophageal reflux in normal subjects and in most patients with reflux disease. The gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor type B agonist, baclofen, is a potent inhibitor of TLOSRs in normal subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of baclofen on TLOSRs and postprandial gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease. METHODS: In 20 patients with reflux disease, oesophageal motility and pH were measured, with patients in the sitting position, for three hours after a 3000 kJ mixed nutrient meal. On separate days at least one week apart, 40 mg oral baclofen or placebo was given 90 minutes before the meal. RESULTS: Baclofen reduced the rate of TLOSRs by 40% from 15 (13.8-18.3) to 9 (5.8-13.3) per three hours (p<0.0002) and increased basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. Baclofen also significantly reduced the rate of reflux episodes by 43% from 7.0 (4.0-12.0) to 4.0 (1.5-9) per three hours (median (interquartile range); p<0.02). However, baclofen had no effect on oesophageal acid exposure (baclofen 4.9% (1.7-12.4) v placebo 5.0% (2.7-15.5)). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with reflux disease, the GABA(B) agonist baclofen significantly inhibits gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes by inhibition of TLOSRs. These findings suggest that GABA(B) agonists may be useful as therapeutic agents for the management of reflux disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of antagonism of NMDA receptors on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations in the dog.

Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation is the major cause of gastroesophageal reflux. Mechanisms underlying transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation are poorly understood although gastric mechanosensitive vagal afferent pathways play a central role. Glutamate is a key transmitter of vagal afferents acting partly on NMDA receptors. The aim of this work was to study the effects on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in awake dogs (n=5) of the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine carboxylic acid (CGS 19755; 0.3 and 3 mg/kg i.v., the high dose was given at two separate occasions to each dog). Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations were evoked by intragastric infusion of a liquid meal followed by air insufflation and were scored during a 45-min period. Neither dose produced any significant effect on the group average number of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. Synchronous contractions of the esophagus were commonly seen during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and CGS 19755 at both doses greatly reduced their occurrence. The findings indicate that NMDA receptor antagonism selectively inhibits the esophageal component of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation although the rate of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations is not consistently affected.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Prophylactic use of pentoxifylline on inflammation in elderly cardiac surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of organ injury after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Elderly patients appear to be especially prone to develop general inflammation. Use of pentoxifylline (PTX) before surgery may be a promising approach to minimize the negative effects of CPB in these patients. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized study, patients more than 80 years old undergoing aortocoronary artery bypass grafting received either PTX (n = 15) after induction of anesthesia (initial bolus of 300 mg followed by a continuous infusion of 1.5 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) during the next 2 days) or saline as placebo (control group; n = 15). Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) elastase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukins (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) were measured from arterial blood samples before surgery (T0), at the end of surgery (T1), 5 hours after surgery (T2), and at the morning of the first (T3) and second (T4) postoperative day. RESULTS: Postoperatively, PTX-treated patients less often needed catecholamines and were extubated earlier than the control patients (p < 0.05). On the intensive care unit, cardiac index inceased more in the PTX-treated (from 1.95 +/- 0.3 to 3.26 +/- 0.4 L.min(-1).m(-2)) than in the control patients (from 1.89 +/- 0.2 to 2.78 +/- 0.3 L.min(-1).m(-2)). Increase in CRP and PMN-elastase was significantly higher in the untreated control than in the PTX patients. After CPB, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 increased in both groups showing a significantly higher increase in the untreated control patients (IL-8 control: from 11.3 +/- 2.6 to 154.4 +/- 57 pg/mL [T1]); IL-8 PTX: from 10.9 +/- 2.7 to 71.8 +/- 23 pg/mL [T1]). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly cardiac surgery patients, use of PTX before surgery and continued after CPB resulted in less inflammatory response than in an untreated control group. The value of attenuating the inflammatory process by PTX on outcome in this patient population needs to be evaluated in further controlled studies.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Long-term behaviour and cross-correlation water quality analysis of the River Elbe, Germany.

This study analyses weekly data samples from the river Elbe at Magdeburg between 1984 and 1996 to investigate the changes in metabolism and water quality in the river Elbe since the German reunification in 1990. Modelling water quality variables by autoregressive component models and ARIMA models reveals the improvement of water quality due to the reduction of waste water emissions since 1990. The models are used to determine the long-term and seasonal behaviour of important water quality variables. Organic and heavy metal pollution parameters showed a significant decrease since 1990, however, no significant change of chlorophyll-a as a measure for primary production could be found. A new procedure for testing the significance of a sample correlation coefficient is discussed, which is able to detect spurious sample correlation coefficients without making use of time-consuming prewhitening. The cross-correlation analysis is applied to hydrophysical, biological, and chemical water quality variables of the river Elbe since 1984. Special emphasis is laid on the detection of spurious sample correlation coefficients.

Fresh Water↗
PubMed2001

Influence of a new hydroxyethylstarch preparation (HES 130/0.4) on coagulation in cardiac surgical patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare volume therapy with HES 130/0.4, a new hydroxyethylstarch (HES) solution with a gelatin-based fluid replacement strategy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, safety study. SETTING: Urban, university-affiliated hospital (single institution). PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: In group 1 (n = 21), gelatin was given perioperatively for volume support until the 1st postoperative day to keep the central venous pressure (CVP) between 10 and 14 mmHg; in group 2 (n = 21) HES 130/0.4 was administered using the same protocol as in group 1. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Standard coagulation variables and modified thromboelastography (TEG) were used. Using different activators for extrinsic and intrinsic activation and heparin inactivation by heparinase, the onset of coagulation (coagulation time), kinetics of clot formation (clot formation time), and maximum clot firmness were measured. Measurements were performed after induction of anesthesia (T0), at the end of surgery (T1), 4 hours after surgery (T2), and on the morning of the 1st postoperative day (T3). A total of 3310 +/- 810 mL of gelatin and 3070 +/- 570 mL of HES 130/0.4 were used in the 2 groups during the study period. The 2 groups did not differ with regard to postoperative bleeding or in use of packed red blood cells or fresh frozen plasma. Standard coagulation variables were similar between the 2 groups. All TEG variables were within the normal range at baseline. Coagulation time and clot formation time data were significantly elevated after surgery and in the intensive care unit, without showing specific differences between the 2 volume replacement groups. Intrinsic TEG and heparinase TEG clot formation times remained significantly higher until the end of the study period. No differences were seen between HES-treated and gelatin-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Volume replacement with the new HES preparation was as safe as gelatin-based volume replacement with regard to coagulation in cardiac surgical patients. HES 130/0.4 is an alternative plasma substitute to treat volume deficits.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Target-controlled infusion or manually controlled infusion of propofol in high-risk patients with severely reduced left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hemodynamics, time to extubation, and costs of target-controlled infusion (TCI) with manually controlled infusion (MCI) of propofol in high-risk cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized. SETTING: Major community university-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients undergoing first-time implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator with severely reduced left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction <30%). INTERVENTIONS: Anesthesia was performed using remifentanil, 0.2 to 0.3 microg/kg/min, and propofol. Propofol was used as TCI (plasma target concentration, 2 to 3 microg x mL; n = 10) or MCI (2.5 to 3.5 mg/kg/hr; n = 10). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamics were measured at 6 data points: T1, before anesthesia; T2, after intubation; T3, after skin incision; T4, after first defibrillation; T5, after third defibrillation; and T6, after extubation. There were no significant hemodynamic differences between the 2 groups. Dobutamine was required to maintain cardiac index >2 L/min/m(2) in significantly more patients of the TCI group than of the MCI group. Mean dose of propofol was higher in the TCI patients (6.0 +/- 1.0 mg/kg/hr) than in the MCI patients (3.0 +/- 0.4 mg/kg/hr) (p < 0.05), whereas doses of remifentanil did not differ. Time to extubation was significantly shorter in the MCI (11.9 +/- 2.4 min) versus the TCI group (15.6 +/- 6.8 min). Costs were significantly lower in MCI patients (34.73 dollars) than in TCI patients (44.76 dollars). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severely reduced left ventricular function, TCI and MCI of propofol in combination with remifentanil showed similar hemodynamics. TCI patients needed inotropic support more often than MCI-treated patients. Although extubation time was longer in TCI patients and costs were higher, both anesthesia techniques can be recommended for early extubation after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator.

Anesthesia, Intravenous↗
PubMed2001

[Is measuring the depth of anesthesia sensible? An overview on the currently available monitoring systems].

Without any doubt there is an increasing need for accurately measuring depth of anesthesia - from the viewpoint of the anesthesiologist and also of the patient. The ideal monitoring should fulfill the following criteria: It should be applicable for any type of anesthesia (intravenous as well as inhalative anesthesia); the monitor must have an extremely high sensitivity (each patient being awake must be recognized by the device).If the monitor does not have a high sensitivity, the monitor itself might lead to an increasing number of patients being awake during anaesthesia, because the anesthesiologist might rely on the monitor and does not deepen anesthesia while the patient is awake. Specificity is not as important as sensitivity. As incidence of interoperative awareness is low, one must monitor more than 750 patients to recognize only one patient who is awake. Finally, the monitoring device must be economic. If costs are considerably increased by measuring depth of anesthesia in today's climate of cost consciousness, the monitoring has to be restricted to special high risk groups of patients. If monitoring depth of anesthesia will become simple, safe, and economic, each anesthesia should be monitored for its depth, as today each patient needs pulseoxymetry. We try to give an orientation about the available devices for monitoring depth of anesthesia. Since the introduction of BIS interest in measuring depth of anesthesia is growing very dynamically. Due to the dynamic growth we hope that we were able to present an actual and complete overview about the monitoring systems for measuring depth of anesthesia. Until today no monitoring system has proven to fulfill the mentioned criteria. Monitoring of the depth of anesthesia will be based on any processing of the spontaneous EEG or its evoked potentials. Which type of monitoring, entropy, BIS, PSI, or MLAEP will be used in clinical routine will be shown in the future. All available monitors are no predictors, whether depth of anesthesia is sufficient for the next painful surgical stimulus. They can only monitor the anesthetic state at the time of measurement. There is no "golden number" predicting absolutely safely that the patient is in adequate anesthesia. The anesthetist must consider any technique for monitoring of the depth of anesthesia as an additional help in improving care for his patient.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2001

Influence of prophylactic use of pentoxifylline on postoperative organ function in elderly cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of pretreatment with pentoxifylline before cardiac surgery on postoperative organ function in elderly patients (>80 yrs) undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Two-day clinical investigation in an intensive care unit of a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Forty elderly patients (age >80 yrs) undergoing first-time elective aortocoronary bypass grafting. INTERVENTIONS: In 20 patients, pentoxifylline (loading bolus of 300 mg followed by a continuous infusion of 1.5 mg.kg-1.hr-1 until the second postoperative day) was given after induction of anesthesia; another 20 patients received saline solution as placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules (soluble E-selectin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecules) were measured to assess endothelial function. Liver function was evaluated by monoethylglycinexylidide test and by measuring alpha-glutathione S-transferase plasma concentrations. Renal function was assessed by measuring serum creatinine and urine concentrations of alpha-1-microglobulin. Splanchnic perfusion was assessed by monitoring intramucosal pH by using continuous tonometry. All measurements were performed before pentoxifylline infusion (T0), at the end of surgery (T1), 5 hrs after surgery (T2), and at the morning of the first (T3) and second (T4) postoperative day. Postoperative concentrations of all measured soluble adhesion molecules were significantly higher in the nontreated controls than in the pentoxifylline-treated patients. Monoethylglycinexylidide serum concentrations were significantly lower and abnormal (<50 ng/mL) postoperatively only in the untreated control patients. alpha-Glutathione S-transferase increased in both groups with a significantly higher increase in the control group (from 3.2 +/- 1.2 to 24.1 +/- 4.2 ng/mL) than in the pentoxifylline-treated patients (from 3.8 +/- 1.9 to 11.5 +/- 2.1 ng/mL). Serum creatinine was unchanged in both groups, whereas alpha-1-microglobulin increased significantly more in the control group than in the pentoxifylline-treated group. Intramucosal pH remained almost unchanged in the pentoxifylline patients (>7.35) but decreased significantly in the control group (5 hrs after surgery, intramucosal pH 7.29 +/- 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment of patients aged >80 yrs undergoing cardiac surgery with pentoxifylline attenuated deterioration of endothelial, renal, and liver function as seen in an untreated control group. Splanchnic perfusion also appears to be improved in the pentoxifylline-treated group. Whether pretreatment with pentoxifylline will improve outcome in this patient population remains to be elucidated.

Aged↗