Association between inflammation-based prognostic markers and mortality of non-cardiac surgery / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#To evaluate the association between inflammation and nutrition-based biomarkers and postoperative outcomes after non-cardiac surgery. @*Methods@#Between January 2011 and June 2019, a total of 102,052 patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were evaluated, with C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and complete blood count (CBC) measured within six months before surgery. We assessed their CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). We determined the best cut-off values by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Patients were divided into high and low groups according to the estimated threshold, and we compared the one-year mortality. @*Results@#The one-year mortality of the entire sample was 4.2%. ROC analysis revealed areas under the curve of 0.796, 0.743, 0.670, and 0.708 for CAR, NLR, PLR, and mGPS, respectively. According to the estimated threshold, high CAR, NLR, PLR, and mGPS were associated with increased one-year mortality (1.7% vs. 11.7%, hazard ratio [HR]: 2.38, 95% CI [2.05, 2.76], P < 0.001 for CAR; 2.2% vs. 10.3%, HR: 1.81, 95% CI [1.62, 2.03], P < 0.001 for NLR; 2.6% vs. 10.5%, HR: 1.86, 95% CI [1.73, 2.01], P < 0.001 for PLR; and 2.3% vs. 16.3%, HR: 2.37, 95% CI [2.07, 2.72], P < 0.001 for mGPS). @*Conclusions@#Preoperative CAR, NRL, PLR, and mGPS were associated with postoperative mortality. Our findings may be helpful in predicting mortality after non-cardiac surgery.

Mildly Elevated Cardiac Troponin below the 99th-Percentile Upper Reference Limit after Noncardiac Surgery

Background and Objectives@#In patients with perioperative cardiac troponin (cTn) I below the 99th-percentile upper range of limit (URL), mortality according to cTn I level has not been fully evaluated. This study evaluated the association between postoperative cTn I level above the lowest limit of detection but within the 99th-percentile URL and 30-day mortality after noncardiac surgery. @*Methods@#Patients with cTn I values below the 99th-percentile URL during the perioperative period were divided into a no-elevation group with cTn I at the lowest limit of detection (6 ng/L) and a minor elevation group with cTn I elevation below the 99th percentile URL (6 ng/L < cTn I < 40 ng/L). The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. @*Results@#Of the 5,312 study participants, 2,582 (48.6%) were included in the no-elevation group and 2,730 (51.4%) were included in the minor elevation group. After propensity scorematching, the minor elevation group showed significantly increased 30-day mortality (0.5% vs. 2.3%; hazard ratio, 4.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.23–8.29; p<0.001). The estimated cutoff value of cTn I to predict 30-day mortality was 6 ng/L with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.657. @*Conclusions@#A mild elevation of cTn I within the 99th-percentile URL after noncardiac surgery was significantly associated with increased 30-day mortality as compared with the lowest limit of detection.

Non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy surgery of a large anterior mediastinal mass via epidural anesthesia: A case report

Anesthesia for a patient with a large mediastinal mass is a challenge for anesthesiologists, given the risk of airway collapse and hemodynamic compromise. Moreover, there are very few reports on the anesthetic management of non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Thus, in the following case report, we provide an account of the successful anesthetic management and excisional biopsy of a large anterior mediastinal mass (measuring 13 × 10 cm) utilizing non-intubated VATS. The patient was kept awake, maintaining consciousness and spontaneous respiration throughout the procedure, in order to prevent devastating airway collapse and pain control and cough prevention were achieved by thoracic epidural analgesia and lidocaine nebulization.

Green urine after general anesthesia with propofol: different responses in the same patient: A case report

Green discoloration of the urine after propofol administration is a rare clinical phenomenon. Although the exact incidence of propofol-induced green urine is not known, the reported incidence is thought to be less than 1%. In most reported cases of propofol-induced green urine, the clinical effects were benign and reversible. However, many clinicians are unfamiliar with this rare side effect of propofol. Here, we present the case of a patient who showed green urine following two-staged repair of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with propofol infusion. His urine had a normal yellowish color after the first operation, but appeared green immediately after the second surgery. Because propofol is a commonly used sedative agent, knowing that green urine can be attributed to propofol administration and that its clinical effect is mostly benign will help clinicians with patient management, as such knowledge will also reduce unnecessary concerns and laboratory tests.

Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance for percutaneous closure of aortic pseudoaneurysm using a type II Amplatzer vascular plug: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Aortic pseudoaneurysm after cardiac surgery is a rare entity, but it is potentially fatal due to its clinical course along with higher morbidity and mortality rates. Instead of open surgical repair, percutaneous procedures have been introduced as other options for managing an aortic pseudoaneurysm. In this case report, we describe transesophageal echocardiography guidance for successful percutaneous closure of an aortic pseudoaneurysm located in the left ventricular outflow tract by using a type II Amplatzer vascular plug in a patient in whom open surgical repair was not recommended.

Anesthetic experience of patient with isolated left ventricular noncompaction: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare primary genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculation of the left ventricular wall and intertrabecular recesses. Perioperative management of the patient with LVNC might be challenging due to the clinical symptoms of heart failure, systemic thromboembolic events, and fatal left ventricular arrhythmias. We conducted real time intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with LVNC undergoing general anesthesia for ovarian cystectomy.

Anesthetic management of a patient with polycythemia vera undergoing emergency repair of a type-A aortic dissection and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Polycythemia vera is a chronic progressive myeloproliferative disease characterized by increased circulating red blood cells, and the hyperviscosity of the blood can lead to an increased risk of arterial thrombosis. In a previous survey regarding postoperative outcomes in polycythemia vera patients, an increased risk of both vascular occlusive and hemorrhagic complications have been reported. Aortic surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass may be associated with the development of a coagulopathy, and as a result, the occurrence of thrombotic complications should be avoided after coronary anastomosis. Thus, optimizing the hemostatic balance is an important concern for anesthesiologists. However, only a few cases of anesthetic management in polycythemia vera patients undergoing concomitant aorta and coronary arterial bypass surgery have ever been reported. Here, we experience a polycythemia vera patient who underwent an emergency repair of a type-A aortic dissection and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, and report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

The anesthetic experience of implantable left ventricular assist device insertion: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Because of insufficient number of donor hearts for cardiac transplantation, the use of implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been increasing as an alternative. During this procedure, the fundamental role of anesthesiologists would be to maintain stable hemodynamics. This report describes the anesthetic case of a 75-year-old man who underwent implantable LVAD placement as a destination therapy of his heart failure in Korea. The procedure and anesthesia were uneventful with transesophageal echocariographic guide. He moved to the ward on postoperative day 10 without fatal complication.

Combined effects of bilateral thoracic sympathectomy and hypercarbia on common carotid blood flow volume in dogs

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of acute hypercarbia during endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy is not rare when CO2 gas is used to collapse lung. Upper thoracic sympathectomy can increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and hypercarbia also increases CBF. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in common carotid blood flow volume (CCBFV) before and after T2 thoracic sympathectomy at normocarbia and hypercarbia. METHODS: In nine anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs, we checked CCBFV using an ultrasonic flow probe under four experimental conditions: 1) before T2 sympathectomy at normocarbia, 2) before T2 sympathectomy at hypercarbia, 3) after T2 sympathectomy at normocarbia, and 4) after T2 sympathectomy at hypercarbia. We also measured heart rate, blood pressure and PaCO2 at each time. RESULTS: Hypercarbia increased CCBFV from 105.2 +/- 47.9 ml/min to 192.3 +/- 85.4 ml/min. In T2 sympathectomy/normocarbia state, CCBFV increased to 152.2 +/- 62.0 ml/min. In T2 sympathectomy/hypercarbia state, CCBFV increased to 230.2 +/- 100.1 ml/min. CCBFV in hypercarbia state, sympathectomy state and sympathectomy/hypercarbia state showed significant increases compared with those in baseline (P < 0.05). CCBFV in hypercarbia state and sympathectomy/hypercarbia state showed significant increases compared with those in sympathectomy state (P < 0.05). But CCBFV in hypercarbia state and sympathectomy/hypercarbia did not showed significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that hypercarbia increases CCBFV more than sympathetic denervation and thoracic sympathectomy under hypercarbia condition increases CCBFV more than sympathectomy only.

Unilateral laryngeal hematoma after combined carotid endarterectomy and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve, femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve and sciatic nerve block for femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery on patients with cardiac dysfunction: Report of two cases

We report two cases of high-risked patients with cardiac dysfunction undergoing femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery anesthetized by ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks; femoral nerve, femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve and sciatic nerve block. We used an anesthetic solution consisting of 0.375% ropivacaine with epinephrine. We provided sufficient surgical anesthesia. These nerve blockades provided stable intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic status, which is valuable knowledge from the perspective of postoperative pain control as well as satisfaction of both patients and surgeons. We believe that femorosciatic nerve block with concurrent femoral branch block of genitofemoral nerve could be an excellent anesthetic choice for patients receiving femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery, especially in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

Ultrasound-guided femoral nerve, femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve and sciatic nerve block for femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery on patients with cardiac dysfunction: Report of two cases

We report two cases of high-risked patients with cardiac dysfunction undergoing femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery anesthetized by ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks; femoral nerve, femoral branch of genitofemoral nerve and sciatic nerve block. We used an anesthetic solution consisting of 0.375% ropivacaine with epinephrine. We provided sufficient surgical anesthesia. These nerve blockades provided stable intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic status, which is valuable knowledge from the perspective of postoperative pain control as well as satisfaction of both patients and surgeons. We believe that femorosciatic nerve block with concurrent femoral branch block of genitofemoral nerve could be an excellent anesthetic choice for patients receiving femoro-popliteal or tibial arterial bypass surgery, especially in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

Unexpected and fatal hemodynamic collapse during transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Although transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is generally accepted as an alternative or promising treatment option for patients with decompensated cardiovascular disease in an inoperable or high-risk condition, severe hypotension and/or arrhythmia associated with rapid ventricular pacing still poses a challenge to many clinicians. This report describes a 79-year-old patient who experienced fatal hemodynamic collapse, which suddenly developed after a rapid ventricular pacing in spite of pre-administration of vasopressor. The procedure and anesthesia were uneventful until the first rapid ventricular pacing was applied. Following rapid ventricular pacing, his cardiovascular state was severely compromised and could not be recovered. Despite early initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device and supportive care, he died from heart failure on post-procedure day four.

Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in living donor liver transplantation recipients: A report of two cases / 대한마취과학회지

We present two cases of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in 2 patients who were undergoing living donor liver transplantation. On the preoperative transthoracic echocardiography, the first patient showed normal ventricular function and a normal wall thickness, but severe hemodynamic deterioration developed during the anhepatic period and this was further aggravated after reperfusion in spite of volume resuscitation and catecholamine therapy. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed the systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve leaflet together with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The second patient showed left ventricular hypertrophy with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction on the preoperative echocardiography. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was used to guide fluid administration and the hemodynamic management throughout the procedure and a temporary portocaval shunt was established to mitigate the venous pooling during the anhepatic period. The purpose of this report is to emphasize the clinical significance of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in patients who are undergoing living donor liver transplantation and the role of intraoperative echocardiography to detect and manage it.

Transient bilateral vocal cord paralysis after endotracheal intubation with double-lumen tube: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Vocal cord paralysis is one of the most serious anesthetic complications related to endotracheal intubation. The practitioner should take extreme care, as bilateral vocal cord paralysis can obstruct the airway and lead to disastrous respiratory problems. There have been many papers on bilateral vocal cord paralysis after neck surgery, but reports on such a condition after lung surgery are very rare. We report a case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis detected after removal of a double-lumen endotracheal tube in a 67-year-old patient who underwent wedge resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. We also note that he recovered spontaneously without complications within a day.

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery

The term minimally invasive cardiac surgery encompasses a number of different techniques, from minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass to telemanipulation and computer-enhanced robot-directed surgery. The hoped-for benefits from minimally invasive surgery are less pain, less disfiguring, fewer blood transfusions, earlier return to activity, and lower cost. The technology involved in reducing surgical trauma and limiting the physiologic trespass of cardiac surgery on the patients concerns not only surgical instrumentation but also anesthetic management. Anesthetic plan includes one lung isolation, careful monitoring of hemodynamics and gas exchange, fast track technique, appropriate analgesia strategies, and the use of transesophageal echocardiography for evaluation of the heart and positioning of cannulae. A better understanding of these newer, unconventional surgical operations enables cardiac anesthesiologists to contribute to favorable outcomes.

The effects of red blood cells on coagulation: a thromboelastographic study

BACKGROUND: There are reports suggesting the effect of red blood cells (RBCs) on blood coagulation. The effects of red blood cells (RBCs) on coagulation were investigated in vitro while maintaining other coagulation elements constant. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy male volunteers were enrolled. Citrated fresh whole blood was drawn from each subjects and processed into washed RBCs and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). To make six different hematocrit groups with each blood, PRP was mixed with the same volume of serially diluted washed RBCs. Reaction time, coagulation time, clot formation rate, and maximum amplitude were measured using recalcified TEG. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD of six different hematocrit was 38.0 +/- 2.3% (group 1), 28.9 +/- 2.2% (group 2), 21.3 +/- 1.9% (group 3), 13.8% +/- 1.6% (group 4), 7.1 +/- 1.0% (group 5), and 0 +/- 0% (group 6). The platelet count ranged from 141,000 to 292,000/mm3. Maximum amplitude (r = -0.4213, P< 0.001) and alpha angle (r = -0.216, P< 0.05) showed statistically significant negative linear relationship with hematocrit. CONCLUSIONS: A gradual reduction in hematocrit was associated with a shortened coagulation time, no changes in reaction time. This study results suggest that a gradual reduction in the RBC mass in vitro accelerates coagulation and forms stronger fibrin strands.

Combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and living donor liver transplantation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We report a case of combined off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Patient was admitted to undergo liver transplantation due to Child C cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B infection, and incidentally, his preoperative cardiac evaluation revealed silent ischemia due to the two-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). Patient underwent OPCAB followed by LDLT. There was no perioperative cardiovascular event during the days of hospitalization. From the successful anesthetic experience of a combined OPCAB and LDLT, we cautiously suggest that a combined OPCAB and LDLT could be a surgical treatment for the patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and advanced CAD.

Anesthesia for Caffeine Augmentation in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

The efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depression is dependent on the duration of seizure. Over a course of ECT, progressive reduction in the duration of the induced seizure is common. Caffeine pretreatment is reported to prolong seizure activity in patients experiencing inadequate seizure activity although maximal electrical stimulus for ECT is applied. The side effects of caffeine are anxiety, psychomotor agitation, prolonged seizures, enhanced hemodynamic changes and arrythmias. Caffeine is generally well tolerated by most patients, but it should be used with caution for those medically fragile patients, i.e., with preexisting cardiac disease. We describe here a case of anesthesia for ECT with caffeine augmentation. A 61-year-old man was diagnosed of major depression. Caffeine pretreatment with ECT was scheduled after antidepressants and 3 ECTs failed. Hypertension and tachyarrythmia were treated with esmolol.