Preoperative assessment of inferior vena cava collapsibility index by ultrasound is not a reliable predictor of post-spinal anesthesia hypotension

Abstract Background Post-spinal anesthesia hypotension is of common occurrence, and it hampers tissue perfusion. Several preoperative factors determine patient susceptibility to hypotension. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index (IVCCI) for predicting intraoperative hypotension. Methods One hundred twenty-nine adult patients who were scheduled for elective surgical procedures after administration of spinal (intrathecal) anesthesia were included in the study. Ultrasound evaluation of the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) was done in the preoperative area, and the patients were shifted to the Operating Room (OR) for spinal anesthesia. An independent observer recorded the change in blood pressure after spinal anesthesia inside the OR. Results Twenty-five patients developed hypotension (19.37%). Baseline systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressures were statistically higher in those patients who developed hypotension (p= 0.001). The logistic regression analysis for IVCCI and the incidence of hypotension showed r2 of 0.025. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.467 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.338 to 0.597; p= 0.615). Conclusions Preoperative evaluation of IVCCI is not a good predictor for the occurrence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia.

The effect of epinephrine for the treatment of spinal-hypotension: comparison with norepinephrine and phenylephrine, clinical trial / O efeito de epinefrina, norepinefrina e fenilefrina no tratamento da hipotensão pós-raquianestesia: estudo clínico comparativo

Abstract Background and objectives: Limited data are present on safety and efficiency of epinephrine for the prophylaxis and treatment of spinal-hypotension. This study was conducted to compare the effect of epinephrine with norepinephrine and phenylephrine on the treatment of spinal-hypotension and ephedrine requirement during cesarean delivery. Methods: One hundred and sixty parturients with uncomplicated pregnancies undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were recruited. They were allocated randomly to receive norepinephrine 5 µg.mL−1 (n = 40), epinephrine 5 µg.mL−1 (n = 40), phenylephrine 100 µg.mL−1 (n = 40) or 0.9% saline infusions (n = 40) immediately after induction of spinal anesthesia. Whenever systolic blood pressure drops to less than 80% of baseline, 5 mg of intravenous ephedrine was administered as rescue vasopressor. The incidence of hypotension, total number of hypotension episodes, the number of patients requiring ephedrine, the mean amount of ephedrine consumption and side effects were recorded. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of maternal hypotension between groups. The number of patients requiring ephedrine was significantly greater in group saline than in group phenylephrine (p< 0.001). However, it was similar between phenylephrine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine groups. The mean ephedrine consumption was significantly higher in group saline than in norepinephrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine groups (p= 0.001). Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference in incidence of hypotension and ephedrine consumption during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery with the use of epinephrine when compared to norepinephrine or phenylephrine. Epinephrine can be considered an alternative agent for management of spinal hypotension.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: Existem dados limitados sobre segurança e eficiência da epinefrina na profilaxia e tratamento da hipotensão arterial associada à raquianestesia. O presente estudo foi realizado para comparar o efeito da epinefrina com norepinefrina e fenilefrina no tratamento da hipotensão após raquianestesia e necessidade de efedrina durante o parto cesáreo. Método: Foram recrutadas 160 parturientes com gestações não complicadas, submetidas a cesariana eletiva sob raquianestesia. Elas foram alocadas aleatoriamente para receber norepinefrina 5 µg.mL-1 (n = 40), epinefrina 5 µg.mL-1 (n = 40), fenilefrina 100 µg.mL-1 (n = 40) ou infusão de solução fisiológica NaCl a 0,9% (n = 40) imediatamente após a indução da raquianestesia. Sempre que houvesse redução da pressão arterial sistólica para valor inferior a 80% da linha de base, 5 mg de efedrina iv eram administrados como vasopressor de resgate. A incidência de hipotensão, o número total de episódios de hipotensão, o número de pacientes que necessitaram de efedrina, o consumo médio de efedrina e os efeitos colaterais foram registrados. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na incidência de hipotensão materna entre os grupos. O número de pacientes que necessitaram de efedrina foi significantemente maior no grupo solução fisiológica do que no grupo fenilefrina (p< 0,001). No entanto, foi semelhante entre os grupos fenilefrina, norepinefrina e epinefrina. O consumo médio de efedrina foi significantemente maior no grupo solução fisiológica do que nos grupos norepinefrina, epinefrina e fenilefrina (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante na incidência de hipotensão e consumo de efedrina durante raquianestesia para parto cesáreo com uso de epinefrina quando comparada à norepinefrina ou fenilefrina. A epinefrina pode ser considerada como agente alternativo para o tratamento da hipotensão após raquianestesia.

Effects of sertraline in the prevention of low blood pressure in patients undergoing hemodialysis / Efeitos da sertralina na prevenção de hipotensão arterial em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise

Abstract Introduction: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a major complication of hemodialysis, with a prevalence of about 25% during hemodialysis sessions, causing increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To study the effects of sertraline to prevent IDH in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This was a double-blind, crossover clinical trial comparing the use of sertraline versus placebo to reduce intradialytic hypotension. Results: Sixteen patients completed the two phases of the study during a 12-week period. The IDH prevalence was 32%. A comparison between intradialytic interventions, intradialytic symptoms, and IDH episodes revealed no statistical difference in the reduction of IDH episodes (p = 0.207) between the two intervention groups. However, the risk of IDH interventions was 60% higher in the placebo group compared to the sertraline group, and the risk of IDH symptoms was 40% higher in the placebo group compared to the sertraline group. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier estimator supported the results of this study. Sertraline presented a number needed to treat (NNT) of 16.3 patients to prevent an episode from IDH intervention and 14.2 patients to prevent an episode from intradialytic symptoms. Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of sertraline may be beneficial to reduce the number of symptoms and ID interventions, although there was no statistically significant difference in the blood pressure levels.

Resumo Introdução: A hipotensão intradialítica (HID) é uma das principais complicações da hemodiálise, com uma prevalência de cerca de 25% durante as sessões de hemodiálise, causando aumento da morbimortalidade. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos da sertralina na prevenção da HID em pacientes em hemodiálise. Métodos: Este foi um ensaio clínico duplo-cego, cruzado, comparando o uso de sertralina versus placebo para reduzir a hipotensão intradialítica. Resultados: Dezesseis pacientes completaram as duas fases do estudo durante um período de 12 semanas. A prevalência de HID foi de 32%. Uma comparação entre intervenções intradialíticas, sintomas intradialíticos (ID) e episódios de HID não revelou diferença estatística na redução dos episódios de HID (p = 0,207) entre os dois grupos de intervenção. No entanto, o risco de intervenções para HID foi 60% maior no grupo placebo em comparação com o grupo Sertralina, e o risco de sintomas ID foi 40% maior no grupo placebo em comparação com o grupo Sertralina. A análise de sobrevida utilizando o estimador de Kaplan-Meier corroborou os resultados deste estudo. A sertralina apresentou um número necessário para tratar (NNT) de 16,3 pacientes para prevenir um episódio de intervenção de HID e 14,2 pacientes para prevenir um episódio de sintomas intradialíticos. Conclusão: Este estudo sugere que o uso de sertralina pode ser benéfico para reduzir o número de sintomas e intervenções de HID, embora não tenha havido diferença estatisticamente significante nos níveis pressóricos.

Fatores associados à morte materna em unidade de terapia intensiva / Factors associated with maternal death in an intensive care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar os fatores associados à morte materna em pacientes internadas em unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo do tipo transversal realizado em unidade de terapia intensiva materna. Foram selecionados todos os prontuários de pacientes admitidas no período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2014. O critério de inclusão foi todas as pacientes obstétricas e puérperas, e o de exclusão as com diagnóstico de mola hidatiforme, gravidez ectópica e anembrionada, e as internadas por causas não obstétricas. Foi realizada análise comparativa entre os desfechos óbito e alta hospitalar. Resultados: Foram incluídas 373 pacientes, com idade entre 13 a 45 anos. As causas de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva foram síndromes hipertensivas relacionadas à gestação, cardiopatias, insuficiência respiratória e sepse; as complicações foram lesão renal aguda (24,1%), hipotensão (15,5%), hemorragia (10,2%) e sepse (6,7%). Ocorreram 28 óbitos (7,5%). As causas de óbito foram choque hemorrágico, falência múltipla de órgãos, insuficiência respiratória e sepse. Os fatores de risco independentes para óbito foram lesão renal aguda (OR = 6,77), hipotensão (OR = 15,08) e insuficiência respiratória (OR = 3,65). Conclusão: A frequência de óbitos foi baixa. Lesão renal aguda, hipotensão e insuficiência respiratória foram os fatores de risco independentes associados à mortalidade materna.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify factors associated with maternal death in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a maternal intensive care unit. All medical records of patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2014 were reviewed. Pregnant and puerperal women were included; those with diagnoses of hydatidiform mole, ectopic pregnancy, or anembryonic pregnancy were excluded, as were patients admitted for non-obstetrical reasons. Death and hospital discharge were the outcomes subjected to comparative analysis. Results: A total of 373 patients aged 13 to 45 years were included. The causes for admission to the intensive care unit were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, followed by heart disease, respiratory failure, and sepsis; complications included acute kidney injury (24.1%), hypotension (15.5%), bleeding (10.2%), and sepsis (6.7%). A total of 28 patients died (7.5%). Causes of death were hemorrhagic shock, multiple organ failure, respiratory failure, and sepsis. The independent risk factors associated with death were acute kidney injury (odds ratio [OR] = 6.77), hypotension (OR = 15.08), and respiratory failure (OR = 3.65). Conclusion: The frequency of deaths was low. Acute kidney injury, hypotension, and respiratory insufficiency were independent risk factors for maternal death.

Can Glasgow-Blatchford Score and Pre-endoscopic Rockall Score Predict the Occurrence of Hypotension in Initially Normotensive Patients with Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding? / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify the ability of Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS) and pre-endoscopic Rockall score (pre-E RS) to predict the occurrence of hypotension in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding who are initially normotensive at emergency department. METHODS: Retrospective observational study was conducted at Asan Medical Center emergency department (ED) in patients who presented with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. Study population was divided according to the development of hypotension, and demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory findings were compared. GBS and pre-E RS were estimated to predict the occurrence of hypotension. RESULTS: A total of 747 patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding were included during the study period, and 120 (16.1%) patients developed hypotesion within 24 hours after ED admission. The median values GBS and pre-E RS were statistically different according to the occurrence of hypotension (8.0 vs. 10.0, 2.0 vs. 3.0, respectively; p<0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of hypotension development, the area under the curve of GBS and pre-E RS were 66% and 64%, respectively. The sensitivity and the specificity of GBS using optimal cut-off value were 81% and 46%, respectively, while those based on the pre-E RS were 74% and 46%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GBS and pre-E RS were both not sufficient for predicting the occurrence of hypotension in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Development of other scoring systems are needed.

Manejo da hipotensão após raquianestesia em cesarianas / Management of hypotension after rachianestesia in cesarean sections

A hipotensão materna após raquianestesia em cesarianas é um evento extremamente frequente na prática anestésica em sala de parto. O manejo com vasopressores é a melhor conduta diante do quadro, sendo o uso da fenilefrina o mais seguro e eficaz. A resposta ao tratamento é mais bem avaliada através de parâmetros clínicos não-invasivos.

Maternal hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarian sections is an extremely common event in anesthesia delivery room. The treatment with vasopressors is the better behavior in the case, with the use of phenylephrine as safe and effective. The response to treatment is best assessed by non-invasive clinical parameters.

Correlação entre o índice de massa corporal (IMC) de gestantes e hipotensão após raquianestesia para cesarianas / Correlation between the body mass index (BMI) of pregnant women and the development of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section / Correlación entre el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de embarazadas e hipotensión después de la raquianestesia para cesáreas

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Existem poucas publicações correlacionando hipotensão em gestantes obesas, principalmente em obesas mórbidas, após raquianestesia para cesárea. Objetivamos avaliar a incidência de hipotensão correlacionada ao IMC. MÉTODO: No grupo Eutrofia foram incluídas 49 pacientes com IMC pré-gestacional abaixo de 25 kg.m-2 e no grupo Sobrepeso, 51 pacientes com IMC igual ou acima de 25 kg.m-2. Após raquianestesia, foram anotadas as medidas de pressão arterial, volume de cristaloides infundidos e dose de vasopressores utilizada até o nascimento. Redução da pressão arterial sistólica abaixo de 100 mmHg ou 10 por cento da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) inicial foi classificada como hipotensão e corrigida com vasopressor. RESULTADOS: Os episódios de hipotensão foram menores no grupo Eutrofia (5,89 ± 0,53 vs. 7,80 ± 0,66; p = 0,027), assim como a quantidade de cristaloides (1.298 ± 413,6 mL vs. 1.539 ± 460,0 mL; p = 0,007) e o uso de vasopressores (5,87 ± 3,45 bolus vs. 7,70 ± 4,46 bolus; p = 0,023). Quanto às doenças associadas, observamos maior incidência de diabetes entre as gestantes obesas (29,41 por cento vs. 9,76 por cento, RR 1,60; IC 95 por cento: 1,15-2,22; p = 0,036), porém não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação à incidência de doença hipertensiva específica da gestação (DHEG) (sobrepeso: 21,57 por cento, peso normal: 12,20 por cento, RR 1,30; IC 95 por cento: 0,88-1,94; p = 0,28). CONCLUSÕES: Na amostra estudada, IMC pré-gestacional maior ou igual a 25 kg.m-2 apresentou-se como fator de risco para hipotensão após raquianestesia em pacientes submetidas a cesáreas. O mesmo grupo de pacientes necessitou de um número de doses maior de vasopressores. A valorização desses achados implica aprimorar as técnicas anestésicas nessas pacientes a fim de diminuir as consequências da hipotensão pós-raquianestesia, tanto na gestante como no feto.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Very few publications correlate hypotension in obese pregnant women, and especially morbidly obese, after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of hypotension according to the BMI. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with pregestational BMI below 25 kg.m-2 were included in the Eutrophia group, and 51 patients with BMI > 25 kg.m-2 were included in the Overweight group. After spinal anesthesia, blood pressure, volume of crystalloid infused, and dose of vasopressors used until delivery were recorded. A fall in systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg or 10 percent reduction of the initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) was considered as hypotension and it was corrected by the administration of vasopressors. RESULTS: Episodes of hypotension were fewer in the Eutrophia group (5.89 ± 0.53 vs. 7.80 ± 0.66, p = 0.027), as well as the amount of crystalloid administered (1,298 ± 413.6 mL vs. 1,539 ± 460.0 mL; p = 0.007), and use of vasopressors (5.87 ± 3.45 bolus vs. 7.70 ± 4.46 bolus; p = 0.023). As for associated diseases, we observed higher incidence of diabetes among obese pregnant women (29.41 percent vs. 9.76 percent, RR 1.60, 95 percentCI: 1.15-2.22, p = 0.036), however, differences in the incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were not observe between both groups (overweight: 21.57 percent, normal weight: 12.20 percent, RR 1.30, 95 percentCI: 0.88-1.94, p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: In the study sample, pregestational BMI > 25 kg.m-2 was a risk factor for hypotension after spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing cesarean section. The same group of patients required higher doses of vasopressors. Those results indicate that the anesthetic techniques in those patients should be improved to reduce the consequences of post-spinal anesthesia hypotension, both in pregnant women and fetuses.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Existen pocas publicaciones correlacionando la hipotensión en embarazadas obesas y principalmente obesas mórbidas, después de la raquianestesia para cesárea. Deseamos aquí evaluar la incidencia de la hipotensión correlacionada con el IMC. MÉTODO: En el grupo Eutrofia fueron incluidas 49 pacientes con IMC pregestacional por debajo de 25 kg.m-2 y en el grupo Sobrepeso 51 pacientes con IMC igual o por encima de 25 kg.m-2. Después de la raquianestesia fueron anotadas las medidas de presión arterial, volumen de cristaloides infundidos y dosis de vasopresores utilizadas hasta el nacimiento. La reducción de la presión arterial sistólica por debajo de 100 mmHg o 10 por ciento de la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) inicial, fue considerado como hipotensión y corregida con vasopresor. RESULTADOS: Los episodios de hipotensión fueron menores en el grupo Eutrofia (5,89 ± 0,53 vs 7,80 ± 0,66; p 0,027); como también la cantidad de cristaloides (1298 ± 413,6 mL vs. 1539 ± 460,0 mL; p 0,007) y el uso de vasopresores (5,87 ± 3,45 bolo vs. 7,70 ± 4,46 bolo; p 0,023). En lo concerniente a las enfermedades asociadas, observamos una mayor incidencia de diabetes entre las embarazadas obesas (29,41 por ciento vs. 9,76 por ciento, RR 1,60, IC 95 por ciento: 1,15-2,22, p 0,036), pero no hubo una diferencia entre los grupos con relación a la incidencia de enfermedad hipertensiva específica de la gestación (DHEG) (sobrepeso: 21,57 por ciento, peso normal: 12,20 por ciento, RR 1,30, IC 95 por ciento: 0,88-1,94, p 0,28). CONCLUSIONES: En la muestra en estudio, el IMC pregestacional mayor o igual a 25 kg.m-2 se presentó como un factor de riesgo para la hipotensión después de la raquianestesia en pacientes sometidas a la cesárea. El mismo grupo de pacientes necesitó un número de dosis mayor de vasopresores. La valoración de esos hallazgos nos hace perfeccionar las técnicas anestésicas en esas pacientes para reducir las consecuencias de la hipotensión postraquianestesia, tanto en la embarazada como en el feto.

The Prevalence of High Myopia in 19 Year-Old Men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-Do / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlated factors of high myopia in 19 year-old men in Southeast Korea. METHODS: This retrospective study was based on the medical checkup data of conscription during 2005. The study subjects were 19 years old men in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do. The health checkup data of the conscripts consisted of noncycloplegic autorefraction test, the biometric data and social factors. To analyze the social and biometric effects, we classified the biometric factors into 4 or 5 groups and the social factors into 3 groups. High myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent of under -6.0 diopter. Data analysis was performed using the chi square test for trends and multiple logistic regression analysis. The SAS(version 9.1) program was used for all the analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of high myopia was 12.39% (6256 / 50 508). The factors correlated with high myopia were the residence area (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.77 to 2.4 for small city; OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.72 to 2.34 for metropolis; the reference group was rural area), academic achievement (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.53 for students of 4-and 6-year-course university; the reference group was high school graduates & under) and blood pressure (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.16 for hypertension; OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17 for prehypertension; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20 for hypotension; the reference group was normal blood pressure). CONCLUSIONS: More than one tenth of the young men were high myopia as one of the risk factor for visual loss. Further studies on high myopia and its complications are needed to improve eye health in Southeast Korea.

Risco de hipotensão arterial em idosos em uso de medicação anti-hipertensivasem acompanhamento clínico adequado / Hypotension risk in elderly using antihypertensive medications without adequate clinical follow-up

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os anti-hipertensivos vêm demonstrando nos últimos 20 anos grande importância na redução da morbimortalidade cardiovascular. Entretanto, estas medicações devem ser usadas sob acompanhamento médico. Já foi demonstrado que 54% dos idosos fazem uso destas medicações sem acompanhamento clínico adequado, o que traz para este grupo mais riscos à saúde, como por exemplo, a hipotensão. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a frequência de hipotensão em idosos que fazem uso de anti-hipertensivos sem acompanhamento clínico adequado. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos no estudo 203 pacientes com idade ≥ 60 anos do município de Salgueiro, PE que faziam utilização de anti-hipertensivos há pelo menos 18 meses e que não faziam acompanhamento clínico há mais de 8 meses. Foram aplicados questionários no período de maio a junho de 2004, buscando episódios de hipotensão depois da última consulta ao consultório médico. RESULTADOS: Dos 203 indivíduos avaliados, 111 (54,6%) eram mulheres e 92 (45,3%) eram homens. Quanto às medicações utilizadas, 160 (78,8%) faziam uso de diuréticos, 87 (42,8%) faziam uso de beta bloqueadores e 102 (50,2%)faziam uso de inibidores da enzima conversora da angiotensina (IECA). Quanto ao número de anti-hipertensivos usados, 146 (71,9%) estavam em terapia combinada e 57 (28,1%) estavam em monoterapia. Ocorreu episódio de hipotensão em 77 pacientes (37,9%). O grupo em terapia combinada teve maior probabilidade de apresentar hipotensão em comparação ao grupo monoterapia (OR = 1,31, p = 0,048). CONCLUSÃO: Há grande risco de hipotensão no uso de anti-hipertensivos por idosos sem seguimento clínico adequado, principalmente naqueles que usam mais de um fármaco para controle da hipertensão arterial. Faz-se necessário orientar melhor os idosos quanto à necessidade de acompanhamento periódico sem grandes intervalos entre as consultas.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postprandial Hypotension in Korean Elderly People

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify the prevalence of postprandial hypotension (PPH) and risk factors for PPH in Korean elderly people. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with community dwelling and nursing home residents. The blood pressure of 162 adults aged 65 yr or older was measured before meal as a baseline and then at 15 min intervals from immediately after the meal through 90 min after the meal. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression with the SPSS WIN 14.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPH was 29% and the PPH occurred immediately after the meal continuously through 90 min after the meal. The biggest drop in systolic blood pressure occurred at 45 min after the meal. Risk factors for PPH were age, base line systolic blood pressure, and presence of cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: To prevent side effects of PPH such as falls and syncope, nurses should provide careful management of PPH and prohibit activities until at least 90 min after a meal. We also recommend that risk of PPH should be included in fall prevention guidelines for elderly people.

Incidence of summer associated symptoms, host susceptibility and their effect on quality of life among women 18 to 40 years of age in an urban slum of Delhi.

OBJECTIVES: To study whether individual susceptibility plays a role in the occurrence of summer associated symptoms (dizziness, giddiness, fainting and weakness) among women 18-40 years of age and their effect on the quality of life. METHODS: It was a prospective community based study carried out in an urban slum of Delhi as a follow up of an earlier study. All women who had "given symptoms" during summer in the earlier study and a sample of those who were asymptomatic were included in the current study. Both the groups were studied for the occurrence of "given symptoms" and quality of life during next summer and winter using a pre structured questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF. RESULTS: Incidence of "given symptoms" during summer was more than three times among women who were symptomatic earlier compared to women who were asymptomatic. The incidence of these symptoms was significantly higher among the former across different age groups and BMI categories. Their physical domain of quality of life was also adversely affected. CONCLUSIONS: Continued high incidence of summer associated symptoms with adverse effect on their physical quality of life, among women who were symptomatic earlier too, points to individual susceptibility rather than random occurrence. This aspect requires for further studies.

Assessment of the relationship between hypocalcaemia with hypotension, during hemoadialysis at Imam Khomeini and Fatemeh Zahra Hospitals in Sari 2007

Hypotension during Hemoadialysis is one of the risk factors of mortality and morbidity in patients. This study was preformed at Imam Khomeini and Fatemeh Zahra Hospitals, in Sari during 2007. 100 Hemoadialysis patients were evaluated. Serum calcium and serum albumin levels were measured prior to Hemoadialysis. Patient's blood pressure was measured before, during and after Hemoadialysis and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, X[2] test. Hypotension, during Hemoadialysis was seen in 28% of patients. Of the total patients, 25% had hypocalcaemia. Of 25 patients with hypocalcaemia, 39.3% had hypotension, while 19.4% had normal blood pressure, thus, showing a significant difference between the two groups. It is suggested to revise the calcium concentration of dialysate

[ evaluation of frequency of hypotention in normal vaginal delivery with epidural anesthesia in Beheshti and Jorjani hospitals of Isfahan 2003]

Delivery pain is one of the most severe known pains that can be considered a critical experience in lifelong for every woman .Different methods has been introduced for reducing delivery pain such as non pharmacological methods [hypnotism, Acupuncture] and pharmacological methods [systemic drugs, inhalant anesthetics regional anesthesia]. Now, the most popular methods for pain relief in labor is regional anesthesia. The most common techniques are spinal, epidural, para cervical and pudendal anesthesia. The most effective ways for pain relief in labor is spinal and epidural block that Produces a complete pain relief in most women. The purpose of this study is determining the distribution of hypotention as a most common complication of epidural anesthesia in vaginal delivery that can lead to fetal distress and low APGAR score and cesarean section. This is a cross sectional [descriptive-analytic] study and 137 cases were studied. Most of them were 21-30 years old. This study was approved by the local committee of medical ethics. Gestational age was 37-42 weeks .This study was established in fall and winter of year 2003 at Beheshti and Jorjani hospitals. All of them were at the same conditions and all epidural blocks were done with the same anesthesiologist. The data analysis of all cases showed that the distribution of hypotention was 16.1%. Distribution of vertigo was 20.4% .The neonatal APGAR score of those mothers who had hypotention during delivery was [8 +/- 1.23] while APGAR score of those ones who didn't have hypotention was 9 or more [P<0.001]. Hypotension is a common side effect of epidural anesthesia and it can cause fetal distress and low APGAR score, but with infusion 500-1000 CC ringer lactate boxter before anesthesia, can reduce rate of hypotension, prevent hypoxia side effects and low score of APGAR. Of curse 1 degree reduction in APGAR score may be resulted from length of stage II of labor. So epidural anesthesia can be considered as a reliable and safe method for advertising vaginal delivery and reducing the number of unnecessary cesarean section

The incidence and risk factors of hypotension and bradycardia associated with spinal anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Hypotension and bradycardia after conduction of spinal anesthesia are common and may lead to intraoperative cardiac arrest or death. The present study was carried out to investigate the incidence and risk factors of hypotension and/or bradycardia in the patients receiving spinal anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors prospectively studied 1,220 patients to identify the incidence of hypotension (> 30% decreased systolic blood pressure) and bradycardia (heart rate < 60 beats/min) after spinal anesthesia. Historical, clinical and physiologic data were correlated with the incidences by univariate analysis. Logistic regression with a forward stepwise algorithm was performed to identify independent variables. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Incidence of hypotension and bradycardia were 36.8% and 4.9% respectively. The risk factors of hypotension included increasing age (OR = 1.019 ; 95%CI 1.017-1.031); analgesia level > or = T4 dermatome (OR = 2.068; 95%CI 1.486-2.879); body mass index > or = 30 (OR = 1.534; 95%CI 1.120-2. 100); cesarean section (OR= 1.723; 95%CI 1.244-2.386 and prehydration fluid < 500 mL (OR 1.472; 95%CI 1.071-2.023). The risk factors of bradycardia were increasing age (OR = 1.042; 95%CI 1.023-1.061) and analgesic level > or = T4 dermatome (OR = 2.246; 95%CI 1.101-4.584). CONCLUSION: The incidence of hypotension and bradycardia may increase with increasing age and analgesic level > or = T4 dermatome. Three other factors related to hypotension after spinal anesthesia were body mass index > or = 30, cesarean section, and prehydration fluid of less than 500 mL.

What influences outcome of patients with suicidal hanging.

AIM: Suicidal hanging is an uncommon medical emergency with significant neurological morbidity. The aim of the study was to identify factors that have a bearing on the final outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 37 consecutive cases of suicidal hanging admitted to our ICU from July 1996 - December 2002 was performed. Outcome at discharge was defined as good (complete neurological recovery) or poor (death or incomplete neurological recovery). Three clinical variables (at presentation) namely Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at presentation, time lapse (in hours) from the incident to arrival at our hospital and the presence of Hypotension (defined as a systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg) at admission were recorded and tested individually for an association with the outcome. Statistical analysis was done using the Odds ratio (OR +/- 95% Confidence Intervals) and Chi-square test of significance for categorical data. RESULTS: Patients with suicidal hanging constituted < 1% of ICU admissions (mean age 27 years). 34/37 survived giving a survival rate of 92%. Of those who survived, 31 patients (91%) had complete neurological recovery at the time of discharge from hospital. Among those who presented <4 hours of the incident (25 patients), 2 had an adverse outcome as compared to 4/10 patients who presented 4 hours or more after the incident (OR 7.6,95% CI 1.12-52.3). A low GCS (GCS <7) at presentation was also statistically associated with a poor outcome (OR 10.4, 95% CI 1.08-102.1). Hypotension was present in approximately 33% of patients (12/37) at presentation. Of these 12 patients, 3 had an adverse outcome as opposed to 3 patients among the remaining 25 (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.41 - 14.47, NS). CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal hanging is an unusual medical emergency that is common among young individuals in developing countries. Our study indicates that a delayed presentation to a medical facility and a low GCS at presentation predict a poor outcome.

Expansão volêmica em raquianestesia para cesariana: como realizá-la? / Fluid preload in obstetric patients: how to do it?

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Em pacientes não obstétricas, demonstrou-se que a expansão volêmica rápida realizada imediatamente após a injeção subaracnóidea do anestésico local era mais efetiva que a expansão volêmica lenta, realizada previamente à instalação do bloqueio para se reduzir a incidência e a gravidade da hipotensão arterial após raquianestesia. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a incidência de hipotensão arterial e o consumo de vasopressores em gestantes submetidas à cesariana sob raquianestesia com diferentes regimes de expansão volêmica. MÉTODO: Foram avaliadas prospectivamente 60 gestantes de termo submetidas à cesariana sob raquianestesia. As pacientes receberam expansão volêmica com 10 ml.kg-1 de solução de Ringer com lactato como segue: Grupo 1 (n = 20), antes da raquianestesia através de cateter 18G; Grupo 2 (n = 20), após a raquianestesia e com cateter 18G e Grupo 3 (n = 20) após a raquianestesia com cateter 16G sob ação de pressurizador. A pressão arterial (PA) foi monitorizada a cada minuto e administrou-se 0,2 mg de metaraminol para qualquer diminuição de PA, a partir do valor de controle e 0,4 mg para diminuição > 20 por cento. A PA controle foi definida como a média de três valores sucessivos de pressão arterial sistólica obtidos antes da expansão volêmica e do bloqueio. Estudou-se a velocidade de infusão de fluidos, incidência de hipotensão arterial materna, náusea e vômito, consumo de metaraminol, índice de Apgar e pH da artéria umbilical. RESULTADOS: A velocidade de administração de fluidos foi maior no Grupo 3 do que nos Grupos 1 e 2 (201 ± 61 vs 56 ± 13 e 59 ± 21 ml.min-1, p < 0,05). Os grupos foram semelhantes em relação à incidência de hipotensão arterial, náusea, vômito, consumo de metaraminol, índice de Apgar e pH da artéria umbilical. CONCLUSÕES: A expansão volêmica, realizada antes ou após a instalação da raquianestesia, de maneira rápida ou lenta, não modifica o consumo de vasopressor, a ocorrência de hipotensão arterial mat...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In has been shown in non-obstetric patients, that a fast acute fluid preload immediately after spinal anesthesia was more effective than a slow preload before regional block to decrease the incidence and severity of arterial hypotension after spinal anesthesia. This study aimed at comparing the incidence of arterial hypotension and vasopressants consumption in parturients submitted to C-section under spinal anesthesia with different fluid preload regimens. METHODS: Sixty term pregnant women submitted to C-section under spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomly distributed in three groups receiving acute preload (10 ml.kg-1 lactated Ringer's) as follows: Group 1 (n = 20), before spinal anesthesia through 18G catheter; Group 2 (n = 20), after spinal anesthesia through 18G catheter and Group 3 (n = 20), after spinal anesthesia through 16G catheter with pressurizer. Blood pressure (BP) was monitored at 1-minute intervals until delivery and 0.2 mg bolus metaraminol was administered for any BP decrease from baseline values; 0.4 mg was administered for BP decrease > 20%. Control blood pressure was defined as the mean of three successive SBP values obtained before acute preload and spinal block. Variables studied were: preload rate, incidence of maternal arterial hypotension, nausea, vomiting, vasopressants consumption, Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH. RESULTS: Acute preload was faster in Group 3 as compared to Groups 1 and 2 (201 ± 61 vs 56 ± 13 and 59 ± 21 ml.min-1, p < 0.05). Groups were similar regarding the incidence of arterial hypotension, nausea and vomiting, metaraminol consumption, Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH. CONCLUSIONS: Acute preload before or after spinal anesthesia performance, in a slow or fast rate, does not change vasopressants consumption, the incidence of maternal arterial hypotension, nausea and vomiting, as well as fetal wellbeing.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: En pacientes no obstétricas, se demostró que la expansión volémica rápida realizada inmediatamente después de la inyección subaracnoidea del anestésico local era más efectiva que la expansión volémica lenta, realizada previamente a la instalación del bloqueo para reducir la incidencia y la gravedad de la hipotensión arterial después de raquianestesia. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la incidencia de hipotensión arterial y el consumo de vasopresores en embarazadas sometidas a cesárea bajo raquianestesia con diferentes regímenes de expansión volémica. MÉTODO: Fueron evaluadas prospectivamente 60 embarazadas de término sometidas a cesárea bajo raquianestesia. Las pacientes recibieron expansión volémica con 10 ml.kg-1 de solución de Ringer con lactato como sigue: Grupo 1 (n = 20), antes de la raquianestesia a través de catéter 18G; Grupo 2 (n = 20), después de raquianestesia y con catéter 18G y Grupo 3 (n = 20) después de raquianestesia con catéter 16G bajo acción de un presurizador. La presión arterial (PA) fue monitorizada a cada minuto y se administró 0,2 mg de metaraminol para cualquier diminución de PA, a partir del valor de control y 0,4 mg para diminución > 20%. La PA control fue definida como la media de tres valores sucesivos de PAS obtenidos antes de la expansión volémica y del bloqueo. Se estudió la velocidad de infusión de fluidos, incidencia de hipotensión arterial materna, náusea y vómito, consumo de metaraminol, índice de Apgar y pH de la arteria umbilical. RESULTADOS: La velocidad de administración de fluidos fue mayor en el Grupo 3 de que en los Grupos 1 y 2 (201 ± 61 vs 56 ± 13 y 59 ± 21 ml.min-1, p < 0,05). Los grupos fueron semejantes en relación a la incidencia de hipotensión arterial, náusea, vómito, consumo de metaraminol, índice de Apgar y pH de la arteria umbilical. CONCLUSIONES: La expansión volémica, realizada antes o después de la instalación de la raquianestesia, de manera rápida o lenta, no modifica el...

Retinopathy of prematurity in VLBW and extreme LBW babies.

OBJECTIVE: This is a hospital-based, prospective clinical study to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of extreme low birth weight and very low birth weight pre-term babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. METHODS: All babies with a birth weight =/< 1500 g and gestational age =/< 32 weeks admitted in the Neonatal Unit, were screened for ROP between 4 to 6 weeks of age and staged according to the international classification and were followed up until complete vascularization of the retina. Fifty nine babies formed the study group. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ROP was 25.4% (15 out of 59), of which 6 babies had severe ROP and underwent cryotherapy/laser. All babies with ROP had a birth weight < 1250 g and were born before 31 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: ROP is a multifactorial disease, the immature retina of the pre-term baby being the primary factor. Incidence and severity was inversely proportional to birth weight and gestational age. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sepsis and total parenteral nutrition to be highly significant risk factors. Repeated blood transfusions, hypotension and congenital heart disease with left to right shunt were seen to be considerably associated with the development of ROP. A decrease in overall incidence and severity of ROP was observed in this study.

Comportamiento perioperatorio del paciente hipertenso / Peri-operative behavior of the hypertensive patient

Introducción: Alrededor del 30 por ciento de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía electiva padecen hipertensión arterial. La conducta ante estos pacientes genera constantes dudas y controversias. Objetivos: Analizar el comportamiento del paciente hipertenso durante la anestesia, comparar los hallazgos según antecedentes y medicación previa y establecer la incidencia y tipo de complicaciones relacionadas a la hipertensión arterial. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron en forma prospectiva 136 pacientes hipertensos sometidos a cirugía electiva. Se practicó anestesia según protocolo. Se constató en las distintas etapas de la anestesia la presencia de hipertensión, hipotensión, uso de vasopresores o antihipertensivos; se analizaron las complicaciones perioperatorias y los hallazgos en general comparados en grupos según medicación previa y antecedentes. Resultados: El 52 por ciento de los pacientes ingresó hipertenso a quirófano; iniciada la anestesia la incidencia de hipertensión arterial se redujo a 13 por ciento. Durante todo el acto anestésico el comportamiento de la tensión arterial fue similar en pacientes medicados y no medicados. Fue alta la incidencia de hipotensión; en el 20 por ciento de los casos se utilizaron vasopresores y solo en el 2,2 por ciento antihipertensivos. Se registraron 4 complicaciones intraoperatorias y 4 postoperatorias; la mayoría de estos pacientes estaba previamente medicado. Conclusiones: La medicación antihipertensiva no garantizó el ingreso a quirófano con tensión arterial normal. El acto anestésico disminuyó categóricamente la incidencia de hipertensión arterial. Fue excepcional recurrir a drogas antihipertensivas durante la anestesia. El comportamiento de la tensión arterial fue similar en pacientes medicados y no medicados. El ingreso con hipertensión arterial severa no implicó peor evolución. Fue alta la incidencia de hipotensión en estos pacientes. Fueron escasas las complicaciones y no parecieron depender de estar o no previamente medicado. No parece fundamentado suspender una cirugía sólo por una cifra de tensión arterial elevada al ingreso a quirófano y cambiar la terapéutica antihipertensiva de base.

Embarazo, parto y puerperio en mujeres de bajo peso / Pregnancy, delivery and puerperium in low weight women

Mediante el diseño de parejas homólogas fueron evaluadas 104 pacientes con bajo peso preconcepcional, con respecto al curso clínico del embarazo, parto y puerperio como al período perinatal de sus productos. Los criterios de inclusión fueron edad, paridad y tamaño corporal. Un peso preconcepcional menor al 78 por ciento, según el índice de Broca, fue utilizado para definir bajo peso. En el grupo de embarazadas de bajo peso se observó de manera estadísticamente significativa con mayor frecuencia hipotensión arterial (p = 0,0001), anemia (p = 0,02), trabajo de parto pretérmino (p = 0,0001) y prematuridad (p = 0,009). Con menor frecuencia hipertensión arterial (p = 0,03), edema (p = 0,0001) y enfermedad varicosa (p = 0,05). Los recién nacidos de madres de bajo peso presentaron con mayor frecuencia distrofia fetal (p = 0,027), ictericia neonatal (p = 0,028) y un mayor índice de traslados a la unidad de cuidados intensivos (p = 0,03). Estos resultados demuestran claramente el efecto negativo del bajo peso preconcepcional materno sobre el curso del embarazo y el estado del recién nacido

Incidencia de hipotensión luego de anestesia peridural para la operación cesárea

La técnica de anestesia epidural es la más utilizada para la operación césarea, conociendo sus ventajas y desventajas y conindicaciones Es sabido que la anestesia epidural puede provacar bloqueo simpático acompañado de hopotensión, que al parecer es más manifiesta y evidente cuando el bloque o se lo realiza con el paciente en posición sentada antes que acostada. Además conocemos que brinda buena analgesia, existiendo molestias en la tracción del peritoneo cuando no se ha llegado a bloquear hasta T34 (4) Las complicacines prbables son inyección subaracnoidea inadvertida, inyección intravascular, bloqueo raquídeo total, u cefáleas post punción dural (5) que debemos estar preparados para tratarlas...