ABSTRACT
The treatment options for superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction depends on the cause and severity of SVC narrowing. It ranges from conservative medical management to more elaborate endovascular and surgical repair of obstruction. There has always been a concern regarding the possibility of rupture of SVC during balloon dilatation, if the obstruction is secondary to the surgical cause. Very few cases are reported in the literature. We report a case of fatal complication of SVC tear in a 2‑month‑old child who had iatrogenic SVC narrowing.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of the study was to measure airway patency objectively during dexmedetomidine sedation under radiographic guidance in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients scheduled for cardiac catheterization procedures. Subjects and Methods: Thirty‑five patients in the age group 5–10 years scheduled for cardiac catheterization procedures were enrolled. All study patients were given loading dose of dexmedetomidine at 1 μg/kg/min for 10 min and then maintenance dose of 1.5 μg/kg/h. Radiographic airway patency was assessed at the start of infusion (0 min) and after 30 min. Antero‑posterior (AP) diameters were measured manually at the nasopharyngeal and retroglossal levels. Dynamic change in airway between inspiration and expiration was considered a measure of airway collapsibility. Patients were monitored for hemodynamics, recovery time and complications. Statistical Analysis: Student paired t‑test was used for data analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Minimum and maximum AP diameters were compared at 0 and 30 min. Nasopharyngeal level showed significant reduction in the minimum (6.27 ± 1.09 vs. 4.26 ± 1.03, P < 0.0001) and maximum (6.51 ± 1.14 vs. 5.99 ± 1.03, P < 0.0001) diameters. Similarly retroglossal level showed significant reduction in the minimum (6.98 ± 1.09 vs. 5.27 ± 1.15, P < 0.0001) and maximum (7.49 ± 1.22 vs. 6.92 ± 1.12, P < 0.0003) diameters. The degree of collapsibility was greater at 30 min than baseline (P < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in heart rate (P < 0.0001), and the average recovery time was 39.86 ± 12.22 min. Conclusion: Even though airway patency was maintained in all children sedated with dexmedetomidine, there were significant reductions in the upper airway dimensions measured, so all precautions to manage the airway failure should be taken.
Subject(s)
Airway Management/methods , Cardiac Catheterization/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Dexmedetomidine/administration & dosage , Dexmedetomidine/pharmacology , Infant , Radiography/statistics & numerical data , Respiration/analysisABSTRACT
Aims and Objective: We tested the hypothesis that use of levosimendan would be associated with better perioperative hemodynamics and cardiac function during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in patients with good left ventricular function. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients scheduled for OPCAB were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive either levosimendan 0.1 μg/kg/min or placebo after induction of general anesthesia. The hemodynamic variables were measured after induction of anesthesia, at 6 minute after application of tissue stabilizer for the anastomoses of left anterior descending artery, diagonal artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after completion of surgery. Results: Compared with placebo group, cardiac index (CI) was significantly higher and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was significantly lower at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hour after surgery in levosimendan group. Norepinephrine was infused in 60% of the patients in the levosimendan group compared to 6.7% in the control group ( P < 0.05). Lactate and mixed venous oxygen saturation were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Levosimendan significantly increased CI and decreased SVRI after OPCAB but it did not show any outcome benefit in terms of duration of ventilation and intensive care unit stay.