[Effect of perfusion volume of the Custodiol solution on the efficiency of cardioplegia in experiment].

The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficiency of small and standard volumes (1.5-20 and 7-10 ml/g of the myocardium, respectively) of Custodiol solution in myocardial ischemia lasting 2 and 4 hours. Experiments were carried out on 24 mongrel dogs weighing 22-36 kg under extracorporeal circulation (EC) with bicaval cannulation under moderate general hypothermia and balanced general intravenous anesthesia. According to the solution volume and cardioplegia (CP) duration, all the animals were divided into 4 groups: 1) 2-hour CP (standard volume); 2) 2-hour CP (small volume); 3) 4-hour CP (standard volume); 4) 4-hour CP (small volume); of them Groups 1 and 3 served as a control. Antegrade CP was accomplished by the conventional procedure. In Groups 1 and 3, the volume of Custodiol solution was 1000-2000 ml; in Groups 2 and 4, that was 300-600 ml depending on myocardial mass. In Groups 1 and 3, the mean duration of myocardial perfusion was 9.8+/-2.8 and 8.4+/-1.4 min, respectively; and in Groups 2 and 4, that was 4.2+/-0.7 and 4.5+/-1.4 min. Groups 3 and 4 animals received additional myocardial perfusion with Custodiol solution in a volume of 400-500 and 200-250 ml, respectively. The efficiency of myocardial protection was evaluated from the course of a reperfusion period (RP) and from central hemodynamic changes, the concentrations of glucose, lactate, malonic dialdehyde, medium-weight molecules, and blood gas and electrolyte composition of the coronary sinus. The studies were performed in stages: outcome, launch of blood flow (5-10 in); RP (30 min); complete loading (30 min); disconnection from an extracorporeal circulation apparatus. The experiment has indicated that the use of Custodiol solution in the standard volumes ensures an effective cardioplegic protection within 4 hours. Reductions in the volume and time of perfusion to the values characteristic of extracellular-type solutions cause a lower efficiency of this protection. Moreover, myocardial damage progresses as the duration of CP increases. The used Custodiol solution dose of 1.5-2.0 ml/g of the myocardium is apparent to be insufficient to set an ionic balance between cardioplegic solution and intracellular fluid, which reduces the duration of CP effect and the efficiency of myocardial protection. It may be assumed that lower perfusion volume lowers the efficiency of the buffer system of the solution and the metabolic effects of substrates. The authors consider that the decreased volume and time of perfusion of intracellular Custodial solution are unjustified and may result in the development of complications associated with inadequate cardioplegic myocardial protection.

[Influence of extracorporeal circuits surface on hemostasis system during off-pump surgeries].

It is demonstrated that special surface of extracorporeal circuit promotes reduction of artificial circulation negative influence on hemostasis system. During artificial circulation coating "duraflo" gradually loses its protective characteristics due to washout of heparin molecules from the surface of extracorporeal circuit, whereas chemical link between heparin and protein in "safe-line" coating is more stable. The results of the study demonstrate no advantages of heparin coating of extracorporeal circuits over protein one. Finally, all the advantages of extracorporeal circuits with "safe-line" coating lead to a decrease of postoperative blood loss.

[Transplantation of the right hepatic lobe from an alive relative donor]. / Transplantatsiia pravoi doli pecheni ot zhivogo rodstvennogo donora.

The use of relative donors in the transplantation of the liver has shown a good performance as an alternative line in its orthotopical grafting. Shortage of donor organs actively stimulates the development of relative transplantation. The main problem of relative hepatic transplantation is the limited capacity of obtaining a required mass of a hepatic graft for obese recipients. To settle this problem, the Russian Surgery Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, has developed an original safe procedure for obtaining the right lobe of the liver from an alive relative donor and for implanting it in a recipient. In November 1997 to October 2001, transplantation of the right hepatic lobe from an alive relative donor was made in 23 recipients (10 males and 13 females aged 9 to 55 (mean 22.3 +/- 3.1) years. Their body weight was 24 to 80 (mean 51.4 +/- 3.0) kg. Indications for surgery were as follows: hepatic cirrhosis (HC) at the end stage of the Wilson-Konovalov disease (n = 10), primary sclerotic cholangitis (n = 4), HC of viral etiology (n = 3), Bailer's disease (n = 2), primary biliary HC (n = 2), HC in the presence of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 1), and secondary biliary HC (n = 1). The donors of the right lobe of the liver were recipients' mothers in 9 cases, their fathers in 6 cases, sisters in 2 cases, sons in 1 cases, their daughter, brother, aunt, cousin in 1 case each. The donors' age ranged from 19 to 49 (mean 37.9 +/- 1.4) years. The donors underwent right hemihepatectomy, complications were absent in them. There were early mortality among the recipients. Two patients died in the late postoperative period. The remaining 21 recipients were survivors and followed up for 1 to 48 (mean 14.9 +/- 2.9) months. Their life quality was good. The use of the right lobe of the liver from an alive relative donor is the optimum alternative to transplantation of the cadaverous liver and partially compensates the shortage of donor organs for children, adolescents, and adults.

[Perfusion management in liver transplantation]. / Perfuziologicheskoe obespechenie transplantatsii pecheni.

Veno-venous bypass (VVB) with a Biopump centrifugal pump (Biomedicus, USA) was used in 36 patients with liver diseases during orthotopic transplantation of the liver. Volume rate of perfusion (VR), systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure (AP), and central venous pressure (CVP) were monitored. VR during liver-free period was 850-1350 (1064.2 +/- 87.5) ml/min in femoral-axillary bypass and 1700-3500 (2630.5 +/- 112.3) ml/min in femoral-porto-axillary bypass. A trend to a decrease of the mean AP to 65 mm Hg was observed at the end of liver-free period (p < 0.05), while CVP decreased to 2 mm Hg (p < 0.05); there was a trend to a moderate tachycardia. No significant shifts in acid-base balance, oxygen balance, and blood electrolytes were observed during the liver-free period. Maximum blood loss occurred during the liver-free period and reperfusion of the transplant. Blood loss was evaluated by the amount of washed autoerythrocytes obtained after processing of collected blood in the Cell-Saver device. VVB had a favorable impact on the course of orthotopic transplantation of the liver, maintaining stable hemodynamic and biochemical parameters and preventing ischemia of the abdominal organs. Preservation of autoerythrocytes by the Cell-Saver device minimized the need in donor erythrocytes, thus ruling out the complications associated with homologous blood transfusion.

[The anesthesiological support of liver transplantation]. / Anesteziologicheskoe obespechenie transplantatsii pecheni.

The choice of anesthesia for a high risk operation, orthotopic transplantation of the liver (OTL), is discussed. The authors propose a protocol of anesthesia for OTL. For induction anesthesia, intravenous drugs should be preferred; the liver-free stage of the operation is carried out under anesthesia with a closed isoflurane contour, and the initial metabolic disorders of patients are corrected. When the bloodflow is let in the transplanted organ, intravenous drugs (ketamine, phentanyl, and benzodiazepines) should be administered in order to reduce the vasodilating effect of isoflurane and vasopressors for preventing relative hypovolemia. At the final stage of anesthesia, isoflurane is used. Before transporting the patient into intensive care ward, phentanyl in a dose of 1.5-3 micrograms/kg was injected, because of rapid elimination of isoflurane and awakening of the patient. This protocol maintained the hemodynamics and the major metabolic parameters at the optimal level.