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Endothelin is a potential vasoactive peptide and there is an indication of its prognostic value in heart failure and in myocardial infarction. The object of this study is to evaluate the possibility of an increased tracing of peptide in the blood during surgical operations of the aorta and to compare any variations after placing synthetic implants sutured with stitches and synthetic implants sutured with titanium clips and haemostatic biological glue. 15 pigs were used, equally divided into 3 groups. In group A the aorta was prepared and circulation was blocked for 2 h. In group B circulation was blocked for 2 h and a patch of synthetic implant was placed, sutured with Prolene 6/0. In group C, circulation was blocked for 2 h and a patch of synthetic implant sutured with titanium clips and haemostatic glue, Bio-glue, was placed. 6 blood samples were taken: before blockage, at the end of the operation, 6 h after completion of the operation as well as on the 1st, 3rd, and the 7th post-operative days and levels of endothelin in the plasma were traced.

IAlthough experimental studies have shown that ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is associated with significant protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver, clinical data is still limited. Selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) is a technique employed during hepatectomies in order to limit intraoperative blood loss and increase the accuracy of resections. The aim of this study was to identify whether the addition of IPC to SHVE can protect liver function during major liver resections. 36 consecutive patients with liver tumors were randomly assigned to have major liver resections under SHVE either without or with IPC. Preconditioning was accomplished by a 10 min inflow occlusion followed by 15 min of reperfusion before establishing SHVE. Liver resections were performed using sharp transection. Liver biopsies were taken before closure of the abdomen. Postoperative monitoring included daily measurements of serum AST, bilirubin, INR, IL- 6 and IL-8. Malondialdehyde was measured 5 min prior to occlusion and 60 min after SHVE termination. Apoptosis was determined in the biopsy specimens using the TUNEL assay. Numerical data are expressed as means with range.

The aim of the study was to determine whether partial liver grafts can support big animals with ischemic fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). FHF was established by surgical devascularization of the liver in 24 pigs. Eight h following FHF induction, the animals were randomly assigned to three groups: observation until death, orthotopic liver transplantation with grafts weighing either smaller than 40% of liver weight or greater than 40% of LW. The 16 segmental liver grafts were procured from donor pigs. Graft weight to recipient weight ratios were similar within the same Group. Postoperative monitoring included systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure, serum AST, bilirubin, lactic acid, NH3 and total antioxidant capacity. 12 h post FHF induction and hepatic artery flow as well as portal vein pressure was measured All surviving animals were euthanized 36 h post FHF induction and liver biopsies were taken.

Abdominal aortic surgery leads to a severe inflammatory reaction, which remains for about a week after surgery. The aim of this experiment is to trace interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFa) in the plasma, during aortic repair in two different conditions: when the placing of a synthetic implant on the aorta is sutured conventionally and when is sutured by using titanium clips and hemostatic bio-glue. Fifteen pigs were divided into 3 equal groups. In group A only operation of the aorta and then blockage of the circulation for 2 hours was made. In group B the operation of the aorta and the 2 hours blockage of the circulation was followed by the placing of a synthetic patch on the aorta sutured with Prolene 6/0.