Thoracic Epidural Clonidine Attenuates Haemodynamic Responses Induced by Endobronchial Intubation

Laryngoscopy and endobronchial intubation usually cause transient hypertension and tachycardia. We investigated whether thoracic epidurally injected 3 μg/kg clonidine attenuates cardiovascular responses to intubation compared with 2 μg/kg fentanyl and 1 mg/kg lidocaine. Epidural catheterization was performed at the T6–T7 or T7–T8 intervertebral space, and saline or clonidine in saline was injected 20 min before anaesthetic induction. Anaesthesia was induced using 5 mg/kg thiopental sodium and 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium. Laryngoscopy and endobronchial intubation were performed 2 min later. Mean blood pressure and heart rate were measured throughout anaesthetic induction. In the control group and the fentanyl group, mean blood pressure and heart rate 3 min after endobronchial intubation were elevated significantly compared with baseline. In the clonidine group, however, mean blood pressure and heart rate did not increase compared with baseline. The control group had higher mean blood pressure and heart rate than the clonidine group 3 min after endobronchial intubation. Thoracic epidural clonidine may attenuate the haemodynamic response to endobronchial intubation.

The Effect of Pulsatile Versus Nonpulsatile Blood Flow on Viscoelasticity and Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Extracorporeal Circulation

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) can induce alterations in blood viscoelasticity and cause red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of pump flow pulsatility on blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation.

METHODS

Mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: a nonpulsatile pump group (n=6) or a pulsatile pump group (n=6). After ECC was started at a pump flow rate of 80 mL/kg/min, cardiac fibrillation was induced. Blood sampling was performed before and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after ECC commencement. To eliminate bias induced by hematocrit and plasma, all blood samples were adjusted to a hematocrit of 45% using baseline plasma. Blood viscoelasticity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, arterial blood gas analysis, central venous O2 saturation, and lactate were measured.

RESULTS

The blood viscosity and aggregation index decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC and then remained low during ECC in both groups, but blood elasticity did not change during ECC. Blood viscosity, blood elasticity, plasma viscosity, and the aggregation index were not significantly different in the groups at any time. Hematocrit decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC in both groups due to dilution by the priming solution used.

CONCLUSION

After ECC, blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation were not different in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups in the adult dog model. Furthermore, pulsatile flow did not have a more harmful effect on blood viscoelasticity or RBC aggregation than nonpulsatile flow.

Changes in cuff pressure and position of cylindrical-cuff and tapered-cuff tracheal tubes during laparoscopic abdominal surgery

Objectives

To evaluate changes in cuff pressure and position of tapered-cuff and cylindrical-cuff tracheal tubes (TTs) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy; to compare the frequency of endobronchial intubation and airway complaints with the two types of TT.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to intubation with a TT with a cylindrical cuff (group C) or a tapered cuff (group T). Anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, O2 and N2O after intubation. TT cuffs were inflated to 20 cm H2O; changes in cuff pressure and volume were measured up to 30 min after the start of N2O use. Distance between the TT tip and the carina was measured before and after pneumoperitoneum and position change. Frequency of sore throat, dysphagia and hoarseness in the two groups was recorded.

Results

Cuff volume and pressure were significantly lower in group T than in group C ( n = 32 per group). Cuff pressure and volume significantly increased 30 min after start of N2O use in both groups. Distance from the TT tip to the carina decreased during surgery in both groups. There were no cases of endobronchial intubation, and there were no between-group differences in the frequency of airway complaints.

Conclusions

The tapered cuff was associated with a smaller change in cuff pressure during laparoscopic cholecystectomy than the cylindrical cuff, and therefore may be associated with increased preservation of tracheal mucosal perfusion.

Factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation in a district Hospital - Segamat Hospital, Johor

INTRODUCTION

In Malaysia, late stage presentation of breast cancer (stage III or IV) has been a healthcare problem that varies geographically throughout the country. This study aims to understand the factors influencing late stage of breast cancer at presentation among Malaysian women in Segamat Hospital, Johor, which is a district hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on secondary data of all newly diagnosed breast cancer women from 1st August 2011 to 28th February 2014. Secondary data includes age, ethnicity, marital status, family history, education level, occupation, presenting symptom, duration of symptom, tumour size, tumour pathology, tumour grading, oestrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptor status were collected and analysed using SPSS version 20.0.0.

RESULT

In total, data from 52 women was analysed and two women were excluded for incompleteness as these women defaulted. Late stage at presentation was 59.6% of all new cases (17.3% stage III and 42.3% stage IV). The commonest age group of all women diagnosed with breast cancer was in the 5th decade. Majority of them were Malay, married and housewives with no family history of breast cancer. The statistically significant factors associated with late stage at presentation include Malay ethnicity (p=0.019), presenting symptoms other than breast lump (p=0.047), and duration of breast lump more than 3 months (p=0.009).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated presentation at late stage of breast cancer is a major health concern among Malaysian women in district hospital. This may be attributed to different sociocultural beliefs, strong belief in complementary and alternative medicine, lack of awareness, and difficult accessibility to healthcare services.

A Meta-Analysis of Renal Function After Adult Cardiac Surgery With Pulsatile Perfusion

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine whether pulsatile perfusion during cardiac surgery has a lesser effect on renal dysfunction than nonpulsatile perfusion after cardiac surgery in randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used to identify available articles published before April 25, 2014. Meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of pulsatile perfusion on postoperative renal functions, as determined by creatinine clearance (CrCl), serum creatinine (Cr), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and the incidences of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) and acute renal failure (ARF). Nine studies involving 674 patients that received pulsatile perfusion and 698 patients that received nonpulsatile perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were considered in the meta-analysis. Stratified analysis was performed according to effective pulsatility or unclear pulsatility of the pulsatile perfusion method in the presence of heterogeneity. NGAL levels were not significantly different between the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups. However, patients in the pulsatile group had a significantly higher CrCl and lower Cr levels when the analysis was restricted to studies on effective pulsatile flow (P < 0.00001, respectively). The incidence of ARI was significantly lower in the pulsatile group (P < 0.00001), but incidences of ARF were similar. In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that the use of pulsatile flow during CPB results in better postoperative renal function.

Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia in a 14-month-old girl

Idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia (IAEP), characterized by acute febrile respiratory failure associated with diffuse radiographic infiltrates and pulmonary eosinophilia, is rarely reported in children. Diagnosis is based on an association of characteristic features including acute respiratory failure with fever, bilateral infiltrates on the chest X-ray, severe hypoxemia and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid >25% eosinophils or a predominant eosinophilic infiltrate in lung biopsies in the absence of any identifiable etiology. We present a 14-month-old girl who was admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit because of acute respiratory distress. She had a fever, dry cough, and progressive dyspnea for 1 day. Chest X-ray showed multifocal consolidations, increased interstitial markings, parenchymal emphysema and pneumothorax. IAEP was confirmed by marked pulmonary infiltrates of eosinophils in the lung biopsy specimen. Most known causes of acute eosinophilic pneumonia, such as exposure to causative drugs, toxins, second-hand smoking and infections were excluded. Her symptoms were resolved quickly after corticosteroid therapy.

In vitro effect of clinical propofol concentrations on platelet aggregation

The inhibitory effect of propofol on platelet aggregation remains unclear, and studies on the subject disagree. Furthermore, although propofol infusions are widely used for general anesthesia and as sedatives for patients in intensive care units, little information is available on its concentration- and time-related effects on platelet aggregation. Here, the authors investigated the in vitro effect of propofol, at concentrations required for sedation and general anesthesia, on platelet aggregation after 1, 2, or 3 h. Blood from healthy volunteers (n = 9) was incubated at propofol plasma concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 10 μg/mL in a water bath at 37°C. Platelet aggregation was measured using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) after 1, 2, or 3 h of incubation. Times to occlude collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen/adenosine 5'-diphosphate (CADP)-coated membranes (closure times, CTs) were measured. The CEPI and CADP CTs of non-incubated blood were 125.6 ± 19.5 s and 93.0 ± 12.2 s, respectively, and no significant difference in CEPI CTs was observed at propofol plasma concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 10 μg/mL after incubation for 1, 2, or 3 h. CADP CTs were comparable at propofol concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 10 μg/mL at each incubation time. These findings suggest that propofol at concentrations required for sedation and general anesthesia has no inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation after 3 h of incubation.

In vitro effect of clinical propofol concentrations on red blood cell aggregation and deformability

This in vitro study investigated time-related effects of propofol at the plasma concentrations required for sedation and general anaesthesia, on RBC aggregation, deformability, and morphology. Blood containing propofol at plasma concentrations of 0, 2 and 4 μg ml-1 was incubated in a water bath at 37°C for 1, 2, or 4 hours. RBC elongation indices (EIs) and aggregation indices (AIs), which represent RBC deformability and aggregation, respectively, were measured. Also, RBC morphological indices (MIs), which represent RBC morphology, were calculated. EIs and AIs were similar at propofol concentrations of 0, 2, or 4 μg ml-1 after 1, 2, or 4 hours of incubation. MIs at propofol plasma concentrations 0 or 2 μg ml-1 were similar after 1, 2, and 4 hours of incubation, however, MI at a propofol concentration of 4 μg ml-1 after 4 hours of incubation was higher than its value after 1 or 2 hours of incubation. No significant difference was observed between MIs at propofol plasma concentrations 0, 2, or 4 μg ml-1 after 1, 2, and 4 hours of incubation. At clinical doses, propofol has no direct effects on RBC deformability, aggregation, or morphology over a 4 hours incubation period.

Correlation of idiopathic scoliosis assessments between newly developed Milwaukee Topographic Scanner and Quantec

The Milwaukee Topographic Scanner (MTS) is a newly developed system, which utilizes laser technology to obtain three-dimensional topographic evaluation of the spine. The goal of this study was to determine the correlation of topographic measurements between MTS and Quantec Spinal Imaging System. Twelve parameters generated by the MTS and Quantec Spinal Imaging System was compared to each other using the Pearson Coefficient. Twenty patients between the ages 16-18 with scoliosis were evaluated with the MTS and Quantec. There were several parameters, which showed high correlations especially back height (0.972), coronal curve (0.952), and left trunk volume (0.905). MTS is a reliable three-dimensional topographic alternative to radiographs without the exposure to radiation.

Paradoxical emboli from left superior vena cava causing recurrent brain abscess

Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare but well-recognised condition. We describe a case of persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into the left atrium, with a fixed anatomical right-to-left shunt and paradoxical embolic events causing recurrent brain abscess. Surgical ligation was curative.

Feasibility of ultrasound-guided posterior approach for interscalene catheter placement during arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Background

Continuous interscalene block has been known to improve postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. This was a prospective study investigating the ultrasound-guided posterior approach for placement of an interscalene catheter, clinical efficacy and complications after placement of the catheter.

Methods

Forty-two patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in this study and an interscalene catheter was inserted under the guidance of ultrasound with posterior approach. With the inplane approach, the 17 G Tuohy needle was advanced until the tip was placed between the C5 and C6 nerve roots. After a bolus injection of 20 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine, a catheter was threaded and secured. A continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% 4 ml/hr with patient-controlled 5 ml boluses every hour was used over 2 days. Difficulties in placement of the catheter, clinical efficacy of analgesia and complications were recorded. All patients were monitored for 48 hours and examined by the surgeon for complications within 2 weeks of hospital discharge.

Results

Easy placement of the catheter was achieved in 100% of the patients and the success rate of catheter placement during the 48 hr period was 92.9%. Postoperative analgesia was effective in 88.1% of the patients in the post anesthetic care unit. The major complications included nausea (7.1%), vomiting (4.8%), dyspnea (4.8%) and unintended vascular punctures (2.4%). Other complications such as neurologic deficits and local infection around the puncture site did not occur.

Conclusions

The ultrasound-guided interscalene block with a posterior approach is associated with a success high rate in placement of the interscalene catheter and a low rate of complications. However, the small sample size limits us to draw definite conclusions. Therefore, a well-designed randomized controlled trial is required to confirm our preliminary study.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a novel procedure for weight loss

INTRODUCTION

Morbid obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Bariatric surgery offers morbidly obese individuals substantial and sustainable weight loss and reduction in obesity-related comorbidities. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a new restrictive procedure in bariatric surgery. We aimed to evaluate our experience with LSG with regard to its safety and feasibility and early weight loss.

METHODS

The surgical outcome, complications and early clinical results of all patients who underwent LSG at Singapore General Hospital were studied.

RESULTS

30 patients underwent LSG between December 2008 and October 2010. The mean preoperative weight of the patients was 113.4 (range 91.0-170.0) kg, while the mean body mass index (BMI) was 42.6 (range 33.0-60.0) kg/m². Diabetes mellitus was present in 39 percent of the patients, hypertension in 43 percent, hyperlipidaemia in 35 percent, obstructive sleep apnoea in 30 percent and osteoarthritis in 22 percent. The majority of patients had two or more obesity-related comorbidities (52 percent). Mean operative time was 142 (range 80-220) minutes and median duration of postoperative stay was three days. At two weeks, one, three and six months post operation, the mean BMI was 38.6 kg/m², 37.8 kg/m², 34.5 kg/m² and 30.8 kg/m², the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 17.7 percent, 23.3 percent, 40.9 percent and 56.7 percent, and absolute weight loss was 8.00 kg, 11.52 kg, 18.77 kg and 26.85 kg, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LSG is a promising procedure for surgical treatment of obesity, with good early weight loss and low morbidity.

Pleural effusion after microtia reconstructive surgery -A case report-

Microtia reconstructive surgery is usually a multi-stage repair procedure that involves the use of cartilage and skin grafts. Complications can arise at both ear reconstruction sites and cartilage donor sites. In particular, pneumothorax, atelectasis, chest scars, and chest deformities are known to be associated with the harvesting of costal cartilage. However, delayed pleural effusion can also develop. Our patient complained of a cough and chest pain at 5 days postoperatively, and pleural effusion was detected by chest radiography. However, thoracentesis was not performed and the effusion resolved spontaneously and completely.

A durability study of a paracorporeal pulsatile electro-mechanical pneumatic biventricular assist device

In 2002, the paracorporeal pulsatile electro-mechanical pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) began to be developed by the Korea Artificial Organ Center at Korea University under a Health & Medical Technology Research and Development program which finished in 2008. In vitro durability testing was conducted on the paracorporeal pulsatile pneumatic VAD to determine device durability and to evaluate device failures. The 1- and 2-year reliability of the paracorporeal pulsatile pneumatic VAD was shown to be 91.2% and 54.9%, respectively, with an 80% confidence level. Failure modes were analyzed using fault tree analysis, with customized software continuously acquiring data during the test period. After this period, 21 in vivo animal tests were done, with 14 cases of left atrium to left ventricle (LV) inflow cannulation (36Fr)/outflow grafting to descending aorta, and seven cases of apex cannulation of LV to descending aorta (12 mm). The longest postoperative day (182 days) in Korea was recently recorded in in vivo animal testing (bovine, 90 kg, male, 3.5-4.0 L/min flow rate, and 55 bpm).

The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in postgastrectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is expected in postgastrectomy patients; however, its role has not been clarified. This study was to estimate the prevalence of SIBO and investigate the clinical role of SIBO in postgastrectomy patients.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 76 patients who underwent gastrectomy for early gastric cancer with no evidence of recurrence. An H(2)-CH(4) breath test with oral glucose challenge test was performed to diagnose SIBO and dumping syndrome. Sigstad dumping questionnaires, serum glucose, hematocrit and pulse rate were simultaneously monitored for every 30 min for 3 hours.

KEY RESULTS

There were significant differences in SIBO between the postgastrectomy patients and controls (77.6%vs 6.7%, P < 0.01). Abdominal fullness or borborygmus during oral glucose load were more common in SIBO-positive than in negative patients (50.8%vs 17.6%, P = 0.03), and were the independent factors for predicting SIBO in postgastrectomy patients (P = 0.02). The prevalences of dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia after oral glucose were 35 (46.1%) and 19 (25.0%), and were not different between both groups. However, the plasma glucose was significantly lower in SIBO-positive than in SIBO-negative patients at 120 and 150 min after oral glucose load (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pulse rate and hematocrit in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

SIBO is common among postgastrectomy patients. It appears to be associated with postprandial intestinal symptoms and might aggravate late hypoglycemia. SIBO could be a new therapeutic target for managing intestinal symptoms in postgastrectomy patients.

The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in postgastrectomy patients

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is expected in postgastrectomy patients; however, its role has not been clarified. This study was to estimate the prevalence of SIBO and investigate the clinical role of SIBO in postgastrectomy patients.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 76 patients who underwent gastrectomy for early gastric cancer with no evidence of recurrence. An H(2)-CH(4) breath test with oral glucose challenge test was performed to diagnose SIBO and dumping syndrome. Sigstad dumping questionnaires, serum glucose, hematocrit and pulse rate were simultaneously monitored for every 30 min for 3 hours.

KEY RESULTS

There were significant differences in SIBO between the postgastrectomy patients and controls (77.6%vs 6.7%, P < 0.01). Abdominal fullness or borborygmus during oral glucose load were more common in SIBO-positive than in negative patients (50.8%vs 17.6%, P = 0.03), and were the independent factors for predicting SIBO in postgastrectomy patients (P = 0.02). The prevalences of dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia after oral glucose were 35 (46.1%) and 19 (25.0%), and were not different between both groups. However, the plasma glucose was significantly lower in SIBO-positive than in SIBO-negative patients at 120 and 150 min after oral glucose load (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pulse rate and hematocrit in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

SIBO is common among postgastrectomy patients. It appears to be associated with postprandial intestinal symptoms and might aggravate late hypoglycemia. SIBO could be a new therapeutic target for managing intestinal symptoms in postgastrectomy patients.

Postoperative renal function in patients is unaltered after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

Background

Pneumoperitoneum with an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of 14 mmHg is known to decrease renal function. Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) requires an IAP of more than 15 mmHg for operation. Therefore, we retrospectively investigated whether patients who underwent RARP experienced renal insufficiency during the postoperative period (at postoperative days 7 and 30).

Methods

One hundred patients who underwent RARP were enrolled in this study. Preoperative serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels were measured. Creatinine clearance (CrCl) was calculated using the Cockcroft and Gault formula. CrCl was calculated at 1 day before surgery (baseline), 2 hr postoperatively, and at 1, 3, 7, and 30 days postoperatively (POD 1, POD 3, POP 7, and POD 30). Patients were assigned to abnormal CrCl (n = 52) or normal CrCl groups (n = 48) on the basis of these measurements.

Results

Significant inter-group differences in BUN, Cr, and CrCl were observed at all postoperative time points. BUN and Cr decreased significantly at postoperative 2 hr and POD 1, 3, and 7 versus baseline in both groups, whereas CrCl increased significantly at postoperative 2 hr and POD 1, 3, and 7 versus baseline in both groups. However, BUN, Cr, and CrCl were similar at POD 30 and preoperatively in the two groups.

Conclusions

RAPR, which requires an IAP of 15-20 mmHg for more than 4 hr, does not induce renal dysfunction during the postoperative period, and even in those patients with an abnormal CrCl.

The analgesic effect of remifentanil on prevention of withdrawal response associated with the injection of rocuronium in children: no evidence for a peripheral action

Remifentanil pre-treatment has been reported to decrease the incidence of rocuronium injection-associated withdrawal movement. This study was designed to explore the site of action of remifentanil for reducing withdrawal response during rocuronium injection in children. Ninety-six paediatric patients were randomly assigned to three groups. After induction of anaesthesia with 5 mg/kg 2.5% thiopental sodium, 2 ml saline (placebo group) or 0.5 microg/kg remifentanil (group R), was injected intravenously 1 min before 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. In a third group (group R'), the venous retention of 0.5 microg/kg remifentanil was maintained for 30 s followed by tourniquet release and injection of 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. Withdrawal response was graded using a four-point scale. The incidence of withdrawal movement after rocuronium administration was 94%, 22% and 81% in the placebo, R, and R' groups, respectively. This study demonstrated that the pre-treatment effect of remifentanil for reducing rocuronium-associated withdrawal response occurs mainly through a central action.

Combined heart-liver transplantation with extended cardiopulmonary bypass

We report a case of combined heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloid polyneuropathy. This is the first such combined transplant performed in Asia, and differs from previously described cases, in that cardiopulmonary bypass was continued at partial flow during liver transplantation in our case. This was done in order to provide haemodynamic support to the cardiac graft and to protect it from the impending reperfusion insult that frequently accompanies liver transplantation. The utility of this management course is discussed, along with its actual and potential complications. We also describe the impact of a lung-protective ventilation strategy employed during cardiac transplantation.

Distal oesophageal stricture after transoesophageal echocardiography in a cardiac surgical patient

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an important tool for diagnosis and monitoring during anaesthesia in cardiac operation. TEE is generally considered a safe and minimally invasive technique. However, adverse events may occur during probe insertion or manipulation. We report a case of delayed distal oesophageal stricture with an associated scarring probably due to TEE during a cardiac operation. The patient, a 75-year-old female, underwent coronary artery bypass graft, mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid valve annuloplasty. Seven days after surgery, the patient complained of dysphagia without haemoptysis and drop of haematocrit. At 24 days after surgery, severe stricture of distal oesophagus with scarring was observed by oesophagography and stent insertion was done.

Inter-species hemorheologic differences in arterial and venous blood

BACKGROUND

Hemorheologic factors such as red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and deformability differ according to species. In many comparative hemorheologic studies, only venous blood samples have been used for measurements. There is little published information comparing arterial and venous blood differences between species. We compared hemorheologic factors in arterial and venous blood in rats, dogs and humans.

METHODS

Nineteen dogs and 12 rats were used. Human blood was obtained from 12 healthy volunteers. Blood gas analysis, hematocrit and elongation index which represents RBC deformability were measured in arterial and venous blood samples. The critical shear stress and aggregation index, both of which represent RBC aggregation, were also measured in arterial and venous blood.

RESULTS

There were no arterial or venous differences in hematocrit, critical shear stress, or elongation index in dogs. In rats, RBC aggregation was not measurable. The hematocrit and elongation index of arterial blood were significantly lower than those of venous blood in rats. There were no arterial or venous differences in hematocrit, aggregation index, or elongation index in humans.

CONCLUSION

Arterial and venous hemorheologic factors differed depending on the species. Further standardization is necessary for the measurement of hemorheologic variables.