ABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Trigeminocardiac reflex is a physiological phenomenon that may occur in head and neck surgery, and is usually benign. However, it may present with exaggerated responses with severe morbidity. Case report: Male patient, 26 years old, candidate for surgical treatment of zygomatic-orbital complex fracture. The surgery with bilateral nasal packing placed at the end of the procedure was uneventful. After being admitted to the post-anesthesia care unity, the patient complained of shortness of breath and nausea. Pulse oximetry fell below 90% in ambient air, and 100% O2 was then offered through a Hudson mask. He showed no improvement in oximetry and presented with worsening dyspnea, diffuse wheezing, reduced heart rate, and blood pressure. Atropine was given, which raised the heart rate, but without resolution of hypotension and bronchospasm. Our suspicion was of a trigeminal-cardiac reflex, and then the removal of the nasal packing was done with complete remission of the signs and symptoms. Discussion: Florian Kratschmer (1870) was the first to describe the influences of nasal mucosal reflexes on respiration and circulation, which became known as Kratschmer's reflex. It is a reflex arc whose afferent originates in the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve. The clinical presentation of trigeminocardiac reflex is the occurrence of sudden bradycardia, hypotension, apnea, and gastric hypermotility. Conclusion: Trigeminocardiac reflex may be a protective neurogenic, oxygen-conserving response with low morbidity, however, exacerbated in certain situations. The interaction between surgeon and anesthesiologist, together with a careful monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate are fundamental for diagnosis and treatment.
Resumo Justificativa: O reflexo trigêmino-cardíaco é um fenômeno fisiológico passível de ocorrer em cirurgias da cabeça e pescoço, e normalmente é benigno. Contudo, pode apresentar respostas exageradas, com grave morbidade. Relato de caso: Paciente masculino, 26 anos, candidato a tratamento cirúrgico de fratura do complexo zigomático-orbitário. Ato cirúrgico sem intercorrências com tamponamento nasal bilateral ao final. Após admitido na sala de recuperação pós-anestésica, queixou-se de "falta de ar" e náusea. A oximetria de pulso caiu abaixo 90% em ar ambiente e foi ofertado então O2 a 100% sob máscara de Hudson. Não houve melhora da oximetria e apresentou piora da dispneia, com sibilos difusos, redução da frequência cardíaca e da pressão arterial. Administrada atropina, que elevou a frequência cardíaca, mas sem resolução da hipotensão arterial e broncoespasmo. Aventamos a hipótese de reflexo trigêmino-cardíaco e então foi feita a remoção do tamponamento nasal com remissão completa dos sinais e sintomas. Discussão: Florian Kratschmer (1870) foi o primeiro a descrever as influências de reflexos da mucosa nasal na respiração e na circulação, o que ficou conhecido como reflexo de Kratschmer. Trata-se de um arco reflexo cuja aferência é originária nas terminações nervosas do nervo trigêmeo. A apresentação clínica do reflexo trigêmino-cardíaco é a ocorrência de súbita bradicardia, hipotensão, apneia e hipermotilidade gástrica. Conclusão: O reflexo trigêmino-cardíaco pode ser uma resposta neurogênica protetora, oxigênio-conservadora, de baixa morbidade, contudo exacerbada em determinadas situações. A interação entre cirurgião e anestesiologista, aliada à monitoração criteriosa da pressão arterial e do ritmo cardíaco, é fundamental para o diagnóstico e o tratamento.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Oral Surgical Procedures/methods , Reflex, Trigeminocardiac/physiology , Oxygen/metabolism , Blood Pressure/physiology , Heart Rate/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR), which occurs after stimulation of the territory of the trigeminal nerve, is very rarely reported to be caused by stimulation of the mandibular branch. We report a case of TCR in open reduction for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. CASE: A 74-year-old female presented for TMJ dislocation. During open reduction of TMJ under general anesthesia, severe bradycardia (15 beats/min) occurred. Immediately 0.5 mg atropine was administered intravenously, and the surgical manipulation was stopped. After 30 seconds, heart rate normalized. During surgery, severe bradycardia occurred one more time. It disappeared spontaneously as soon as surgical manipulation was stopped. The surgery was completed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the possibility of profound bradycardia, asystole, or even death when evoked, it is important to be aware of the trigeminocardiac reflex during manipulation of the mandibular divisions, especially during surgical stimulation of the TMJ.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Anesthesia, General , Atropine , Bradycardia , Joint Dislocations , Heart Arrest , Heart Rate , Reflex, Trigeminocardiac , Temporomandibular Joint , Trigeminal NerveABSTRACT
RESUMEN El reflejo trigémino cardíaco es un reflejo único del tallo cerebral que se manifiesta como perturbaciones cardiorespiratorias, y ocurre principalmente en cirugías o intervenciones de la base del cráneo. Sin embargo, recientemente se lo ha vinculado a muchos procedimientos de neurocirugía e intervenciones neurológicas y condiciones no relacionadas a neurocirugía y no quirúrgicas. Este reflejo presenta muchas alteraciones cardiovasculares que pueden provocar complicaciones adversas, empeorar la evolución y producir problemas diagnósticos. Esta reseña intenta profundizar su definición, mecanismos, fisiopatología, manifestaciones, diagnóstico y manejo.
ABSTRACT Trigemino-cardiac reflex is a unique brain stem reflex that manifests as negative cardio-respiratory perturbations. This reflex is largely reported in skull base surgeries/interventions; however, in recent times, it has been also linked with many neurosurgical, neurointerventional procedures, non-neurosurgical and non-surgical conditions. This reflex presents with many cardiovascular changes that can create catastrophic complications, worse outcome as well as diagnostic dilemmas. Therefore, this narrative review intends to elaborate on its mechanisms, definition, pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnosis and management.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the treatment measures of having trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) for the primary trigeminal neuralgia via microvascular decompression.Methods From January 2016 to December 2016,the clinical data and anesthesia records of 79 consecutive patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University and treated the first craniotomy microvascular decompression were analyzed retrospectively.They were divided into a no TCR group (n=63) and a TCR group (n=16) according to the intraoperative anesthesia monitoring.The differences of baseline conditions,preoperative complications and pain involved the trigeminal nerve branches were compared between the two groups.The treatment measures and short-term prognosis of the patients with TCR during operation were summarized.Results (1) The proportion of hypertension in the TCR group was 31.2％ (n=5),it was higher than 7.9％ in the no TCR group (n=5).There was significant difference (χ2=6.273,P<0.05).(2) During the operation of microvascular decompression,16 patients in the TCR group had 19-time TCR.The baseline heart rate was 74±10/min before operation,and the heart rate decreased to 51±6/min at onset of TCR.The mean baseline arterial blood pressure was 102±13 mmHg,and the mean arterial blood pressure decreased to 74±8 mmHg at the onset of TCR.There was significant difference (P<0.05).(3) After the onset of TCR,the operation of was stopped,heart rate and the blood pressure recovered spontaneously (n=4).Fifteen patients were treated with medications,including using atropine (12 times,dose 0.2-0.5 mg) and ephedrine hydrochloride (3 times,dose 5-10 mg).Heart rate and blood pressure returned to the baseline level within 20 seconds or 20 seconds after administration of medications.There was no TCR-related cardiac complication or neurological deficit from after procedure to before discharge.Conclusions In microvascular decompression of primary trigeminal neuralgia,if TCR occurs,the selective use of anticholinergic agents or vasoactive agents is needed as early as possible.The risk factors for the occurrence of TCR need to be further verified.
ABSTRACT
The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) consists of the sudden development of severe bradycardia or even asystole with arterial hypotension during manipulation of branches of the trigeminal nerve. TCR can occur during craniofacial surgery, rhizolysis of the trigeminal ganglion, and tumour resection in the cerebellopontine angle. We report a case of TCR-induced asystole during skin flap elevation in a patient undergoing craniotomy for cerebral aneurysm clipping.