Effects of Anethesia and Operation on Plasma Endothelin Levels

Yoon, Myung Ha; Im, Woong Mo; Lee, Hyon Jeong

Abstract

Recently, it has been demonstrated that Endothelin (ET) and endothelin-related peptides are present in the blood and plasma ET levels are increased during or after operation. But, it is not clear whether anesthesia or operation itself changes the plasma ET levels. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes of plasma ET associated with anesthesia and operation. 45 adult patients, scheduled for upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, were included. Patients received thiopental as an induction agent and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane-N2O-O2. Before induction, 7 min after induction, 10 and 60 min after the start of operation, blood samples (5ml) were obtained for the measurement of plasma endothelin concentration. Measurement of plasma endothelin concentration was performed by radioimmunoassay. Intraoperative blood loss and duration of operation were also measured. The results were as follows. 1. There were no significant changes of plasma endothelin levels following anesthetic induction & operation. 2. Changes in plasma ET levels during operation had positive correlation with intraoperative blood loss. 3. There was no significant correlation between intraoperatie plasma ET levels and duration of operation. 4. There were no significant correlation between preinduction plasma ET levels and MAP or HR, nor between intraoperative plasma ET levels and MAP or HR. These results indicated that anesthesia and operation did not have any influence on plasma ET levels.