European Society of Anaesthesiology.

No abstract

Remifentanil target concentrations from 3 to 15 ng ml(-1) had little influence on desflurane requirements or postoperative morphine consumption, but markedly modified intraoperative haemodynamic stability, suggesting that the target concentration should closely follow the successive noxious stimulations.

No abstract

Small peptide molecules known as low molecular weight growth factor (LMW-GF) have been identified in human serum. They enhance the effect of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) on proteoglycan synthesis. In the present work we investigated the role played by the kidney in the production of LMW-GF, using the pig as an experimental model. Six pigs underwent bilateral nephrectomy followed 24 h later by orthotopic autotransplantation of the kidney. Renal and liver functions were evaluated by measurement of serum creatinine, urea, electrolytes, amino transferases (ASAT, ALAT), proteins, and bilirubin. LMW-GF was measured by bioassay using 11-day-old pelvic chick embryo cartilages. We observed that LMW-GF quickly disappeared from pig serum after nephrectomy and only reappeared when transplantation was successful. Reappearance of LMW-GF can precede improvement of renal function evaluated by plasma creatinine levels. These data appear to demonstrate that the kidney is involved in LMW-GF production.