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Nutritional, Respiratory, and Psychological Effects of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Ken Mealy, FRCSI

Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Shane O'Neill, FRCPI

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Ann Hughes, BSc

Department of Clinical Nutrition, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Hannah McGee, PhD

Department of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Stephen J. Sheehan, FRCSI

Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Paul E. Burke, FRCSI

Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

David Bouchier-Hayes, FRCSI

Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Background: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been shown to have powerful anabolic effects and to reduce or even prevent nitrogen catabolism in stressed patients. The effects of rhGH on functional parameters are less clearly defined. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of perioperative rhGH on nutritional markers, skeletal muscle function, and psychological well-being in patients undergoing infrarenal, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were randomized to one of three groups: (1) control (n = 12): placebo for 6 days before and after surgery; (2) preop + postop (n = 10): rhGH (Genotropin; Pharmacia Ltd, Uppsala, Sweden) 0.3 IU/kg/d for 6 days before and after surgery; and (3) postop (n = 11): placebo for 6 days before and rhGH 0.3 IU/kg/d for 6 days after surgery. Patients were assessed on days -7 and -1 before surgery and days 7, 14, and 60 after surgery. Results: Administration of rhGH resulted in increased insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, the increase being significantly more marked in the group given rhGH preoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative rhGH reduced the postoperative decrease in both serum transferrin and grip strength at day 7 by 30% and 70%, respectively. Postoperative respiratory function and arterial oxygenation also were improved, with significant differences in arterial oxygenation between rhGH-treated and untreated groups. No difference in mood was seen between groups after surgery, nor was there any difference between subjective assessment of fatigue scores between groups. Conclusions: This pilot study indicates that rhGH administered preoperatively has beneficial effects on skeletal muscle and respiratory function and may be more useful than postoperative rhGH administration alone. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 23:128-135, 1999)

Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Vol. 23, No. 3, 128-135 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/0148607199023003128


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