The adrenal gland in extracorporeal circulation
Due to the large volume and often conflicting results reported on postoperative endocrinological changes, the practicing surgeon has difficulty in finding applicable principles. A knowledge of these principles is however necessary for an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for survival of the organism after surgery. The results thus far thus far reported are based upon complicated methodology, and may appear to be more theoretical than of practical value. Studies based upon small laboratory animals are indeed statistically significant, but the interpretation of these results as applied to the patient is difficult. Controlled human studies have been few in number and only very small areas of the total picture have been studied. There are a few studies on surgical patients; however, the variable results make the conclusion questionable. Nevertheless, these studies have lent a realistic significance to the evaluation of the total postoperative state.
Adrenal glands, Blood Circulation, Artificial, Medicine and Health Sciences
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