A survey of practices during cardiopulmonary bypass in India: An Indian association of cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiologist endeavor

Context: Cardiac anesthesiologists play a key role during the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There are variations in the practice of CPB among extracorporeal technologists in India. Aims: The aim of this survey is to gather information on variations during the conduct of CPB in India. Settings and Design: This was an online conducted survey by Indian College of Cardiac Anaesthesia, which is the research and academic wing of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Anaesthesiologists. Subjects and Methods: Senior consultants heading cardiac anesthesia departments in both teaching and nonteaching centers (performing at least 15 cases a month) were contacted using an online questionnaire fielded using SurveyMonkey™ software. There were 33 questions focusing on institute information, perfusion practices, blood conservation on CPB; monitoring and anesthesia practices. Results: The response rate was 74.2% (187/252). Fifty-one (26%) centers were teaching centers; 18% centers performed more than 1000 cases annually. Crystalloid solution was the most common priming solution used. Twenty-three percent centers used corticosteroids routinely; methylprednisone was the most commonly used agent. The cardioplegia solution used by most responders was the one available commercially containing high potassium St. Thomas solution (55%), followed by Del Nido cardioplegia (33%). Majority of the responders used nasopharyngeal site to monitor intraoperative patient temperature. Antifibrinolytics were commonly used only in patients who were at high risk for bleeding by 51% of responders, while yet, another 39% used them routinely, and 11% never did. About 59% of the centers insist on only fresh blood (<7 days old) when blood transfusion was indicated. The facility to use vaporizer on CPB was available in 62% of the centers. All the teaching centers or high volume centers in India had access to transesophageal echocardiography probe and echo machine, with 51% using them routinely and 38% using them at least sometimes. Conclusions: There is a wide heterogeneity in CPB management protocols among various Indian cardiac surgery centers. The survey suggests that adherence to evidence-based and internationally accepted practices appears to be more prevalent in centers that have ongoing teaching programs and/or have high volumes, strengthening the need to devise guidelines by appropriate body to help bring in uniformity in CPB management to ensure patient safety and high quality of clinical care for best outcomes.

Anesthetic considerations for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Aneurysm is defined as a localized and permanent dilatation with an increase in normal diameter by more than 50%. It is more common in males and can affect up to 8% of elderly men. Smoking is the greatest risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and other risk factors include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of aneurysms, inflammatory vasculitis, and trauma. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair [EVAR] is a common procedure performed for AAA, because of its minimal invasiveness as compared with open surgical repair. Patients undergoing EVAR have a greater incidence of major co‑morbidities and should undergo comprehensive preoperative assessment and optimization within the multidisciplinary settings. In majority of cases, EVAR is extremely well‑tolerated. The aim of this article is to outline the Anesthetic considerations related to EVAR.

Effect of levosimendan on hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: A randomized controlled study.

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.

A comparison of hemodynamic effects of levosimendan and dobutamine in patients undergoing mitral valve repair / replacement for severe mitral stenosis.

Aims and Objectives: We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of levosimendan and dobutamine in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. Group-L patients received levosimendan 0.1 μg/kg/min and Group-D patients received dobutamine 5 μg/kg/min while weaning off CPB. Additional inotrope and/or vasoconstrictor were started based on hemodynamic parameters. Hemodynamic data were collected at the end and at 30 minutes after CPB, thereafter at 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours post-CPB. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and lactate levels were measured. Results: Group-L showed increased requirement of inotropes and vasoconstrictors. The SVRI, CVP, and MAP were reduced more in Group-L. The CI was low in Group-L in the initial period when compared to Group-D. Later Group-L patients showed a statistically significant increase in CI even after 12 hrs of discontinuation of levosimendan infusion. The HR was increased more in Group-D. Lactate levels, intensive care unit stay, and duration of ventilation were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Levosimendan 0.1 μg/kg/min compared to dobutamine 5 μg/kg/min showed more vasodilation and lesser inotropic activity in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for mitral stenosis. Levosimendan compared to dobutamine showed a statistically significant increase in CI even after 12 hrs of discontinuation. The requirement of another inotrope or vasopressor was frequent in levosimendan group.

The effects of dexmedetomidine on attenuation of stress response to endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

This study was designed to study the efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine for attenuation of cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in patients with coronary artery disease. Sixty adult patients scheduled for elective off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg) or normal saline 15 min before intubation. Patients were compared for hemodynamic changes (heart rate, arterial blood pressure and pulmonary artery pressure) at baseline, 5 min after drug infusion, before intubation and 1, 3 and 5 min after intubation. The dexmedetomidine group had a better control of hemodynamics during laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Dexmedetomidine at a dose of 0.5 mcg/kg as 10-min infusion was administered prior to induction of general anesthesia attenuates the sympathetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization. The authors suggest its administration even in patients receiving beta blockers.

The effects of preemptive pregabalin on attenuation of stress response to endotracheal intubation and opioid- sparing effect in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

The clinical study was designed to evaluate and compare single preoperative dose of pregabalin to a placebo regarding hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, to assess perioperative fentanyl requirement and any side-effects. It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel assignment, efficacy study. The study was done at a tertiary university hospital. This study was a comparison between two groups of 30 adult patients scheduled for elective off pump coronary artery bypass surgery. In the control group, the patients were given placebo capsules, and in the pregabalin group, the patients were given pregabalin 150 mg capsule orally 1 h before surgery. The patients were compared for hemodynamic changes before the start of the surgery, after induction, 1, 3, and 5 min after intubation. Additionally, fentanyl requirement during surgery and the first postoperative day was also compared. The present study shows that a single oral dose of 150 mg pregabalin given 1 h before surgery attenuated the pressor response to tracheal intubation in adults, but the drug did not show any effect on perioperative opioid consumption and was devoid of side-effects in the given dose.

Intraoperative anastomotic site detection and assessment of LIMA-to-LAD anastomosis by epicardial ultrasound in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting - A prospective single-blinded study.

The study was done to detect the optimal site of left anterior descending (LAD) artery for grafting and for the assessment of geometrical and anatomical characteristics of left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-to-LAD artery anastomosis in elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Fifteen consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were included in the study. All the operations were performed by a single surgeon. Epicardial ultrasound probe was placed at the site of grafting for scanning and the site of anastomosis selected. The anticipated target site selected by the surgeon was scanned for patency, size, septal perforator branches, and presence of plaque and calcification. The surgeon identified the LAD artery in 12 patients. In three patients, the LAD artery was not visible. However, with epicardial ultrasound, the LAD artery was identified in all patients. In 6 of 15 patients, the anticipated target anastomotic site was changed to a clear segment either due to the presence of perforators or plaques or calcifications. In all 15 patients, the surgeon scored the anastomosis as good, based on his or her experience independent of the ultrasound image. The anastomotic score by the cardiac anesthesiologist showed 5 anastomoses with satisfactory results and 10 anastomoses with good results. The study demonstrates that epicardial ultrasound scanning with a 10-MHz transducer provides reliable information in choosing the proper anastomotic site and allows proper visualization of LIMA-to-LAD anastomosis. All these measurements are easily obtained without risk of any complications and the method is not time consuming.