Recurrent ST segment elevations in a patient with asymptomatic early repolarization during head and neck surgery: implications of vasospastic angina

A 57-year-old woman scheduled for cochlear implant removal exhibited preoperative electrocardiographic findings of early repolarization (ER). Four episodes of transient ST segment elevations during surgery raised suspicion for vasospastic angina (VA). In the post-anesthetic care unit, the patient complained of chest discomfort and received sublingual nitroglycerin with uncertain effect. The patient refused to proceed with postoperative invasive coronary angiography, resulting in inconclusive diagnosis. Intraoperative circumstances limit the diagnosis of VA, which emphasizes the need for further testing to confirm the diagnosis. When VA is suspected in patients with underlying ER, it is reasonable to consider invasive examination to establish the diagnosis and prevent recurrence of VA. If ST changes are observed during surgery in patients with preoperative ER, careful monitoring is recommended. Due to general anesthesia, the absence of patient symptoms limits the definitive diagnosis of those with suspected VA. Therefore, additional postoperative surveillance is recommended.

Pulmonary aspiration during intubation in a high-risk patient: A video clip and clinical implications

We report a case of pulmonary aspiration during induction of general anesthesia in a patient who was status post esophagectomy. Sudden, unexpected aspiration occurred even though the patient had fasted adequately (over 13 hours) and received rapid sequence anesthesia induction. Since during esophagectomy, the lower esophageal sphincter is excised, stomach vagal innervation is lost, and the stomach is flaccid, draining only by gravity, the patient becomes vulnerable to aspiration. As the incidence of perioperative pulmonary aspiration is relatively low, precautions to prevent aspiration tend to be overlooked. We present a video clip showing pulmonary aspiration and discuss the literature concerning the risk of aspiration and its preventive strategies.

Endotracheal intubation using semi-rigid optical stylet in simulated difficult airways of high grade modified Cormack and Lehane laryngeal views

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation in patients with compromised cervical vertebrae and limited mouth opening is challenging, however, there are still limited options available. Among devices used for managing difficult airways, the Clarus Video System (CVS) might have considerable promise due to its semi-rigid tip. We evaluated the performance of CVS in patients with simulated difficult airways. METHODS: Philadelphia cervical collars were applied to 74 patients undergoing general anesthesia. The degree of simulated difficult airway was assessed by observing laryngeal view using McCoy laryngoscope; modified Cormack and Lehane grade (MCL) ≥ 3a (high-grade group, n = 38) or ≤ 2b (low-grade group, n = 36). Subsequently, patients were intubated using CVS by a blinded practitioner. We evaluated total time to intubation, intubation success rate, and conditions of intubation. RESULTS: Intubation took significantly longer time for the high-grade group than that for the low-grade group (38.2 ± 25.9 seconds vs. 27.9 ± 6.2 seconds, time difference 10.3 seconds, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–19.2 seconds, P < 0.001). However, CVS provided similar high intubation success rates for both groups (97.4% for the high-grade and 100% for the low-grade group). During intubation, visualization of vocal cords and advancement into the glottis for the high-grade group were significantly more difficult than those for the low-grade group. CONCLUSIONS: Although intubation took longer for patients with higher MCL laryngeal view grade, CVS provided high intubation success rate for patients with severely restricted neck motion and mouth opening regardless of its MCL laryngeal view grade.

Anesthesia for non-pulmonary surgical intervention following lung transplantation: two cases report / 대한마취과학회지

The survival rate after lung transplantation has increased in recent years, leading to an increase in non-pulmonary conditions that require surgical intervention. These post-transplant surgical procedures, however, are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Intra-abdominal conditions are the most common reasons for surgical intervention. We describe here two patients who underwent abdominal surgery under general anesthesia following lung transplantation. One patient underwent cholecystectomy due to cholecystitis after heart-lung transplantation, and the other patient had an exploratory laparotomy for duodenal ulcer perforation after double lung transplantation. Depending on the type of transplant intervention, the physiology of the transplanted lung must be considered for general anesthesia. Knowledge of underlying conditions and immunosuppressive therapy following transplantation are important for safe and effective general anesthesia.

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on cognitive function after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft: a pilot study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown in animal models that remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) has a neuroprotective effect. However, a randomized controlled trial in human subjects to investigate the neuroprotective effect of rIPC after cardiac surgery has not yet been reported. Therefore, we performed this pilot study to determine whether rIPC reduced the occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery. METHODS: Seventy patients who underwent OPCAB surgery were assigned to either the control or the rIPC group using a computer-generated randomization table. The application of rIPC consisted of four cycles of 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion on an upper limb using a blood pressure cuff inflating 200 mmHg before coronary artery anastomosis. The cognitive function tests were performed one day before surgery and again on postoperative day 7. We defined postoperative cognitive dysfunction as decreased postoperative test values more than 20% of the baseline values in more than two of the six cognitive function tests that were performed. RESULTS: In the cognitive function tests, there were no significant differences in the results obtained during the preoperative and postoperative periods for all tests and there were no mean differences observed in the preoperative and postoperative scores. The incidences of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in the control and rIPC groups were 28.6% (10 patients) and 31.4% (11 patients), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: rIPC did not reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after OPCAB surgery during the immediate postoperative period.

Unexpected folding of the endobronchial segment of double-lumen tube during intubation: A case report

The double-lumen tube is widely used in various kinds of cardiothoracic surgery as a facilitation for easier procedures. Silbroncho(R) (Fuji systems, Tokyo, Japan) double-lumen tube, which is made of flexible silicone material, reduces injury to the tracheal and bronchial mucosa during intubation. The bronchial lumen is wire-reinforced to maintain tip angulation and prevent bending or obstruction. However, its increased flexibility resulted in distortion, especially when we encountered resistance to passage. We document an unusual complication case which involved folding of the endobronchial segment of the double-lumen tube after blind intubation in difficult airways.

Unexpected folding of the endobronchial segment of double-lumen tube during intubation: A case report

The double-lumen tube is widely used in various kinds of cardiothoracic surgery as a facilitation for easier procedures. Silbroncho(R) (Fuji systems, Tokyo, Japan) double-lumen tube, which is made of flexible silicone material, reduces injury to the tracheal and bronchial mucosa during intubation. The bronchial lumen is wire-reinforced to maintain tip angulation and prevent bending or obstruction. However, its increased flexibility resulted in distortion, especially when we encountered resistance to passage. We document an unusual complication case which involved folding of the endobronchial segment of the double-lumen tube after blind intubation in difficult airways.

Temporary bilateral sensorineural hearing loss following cardiopulmonary bypass: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss has been reported to occur following anesthesia and various non-otologic surgeries, mostly after procedures involving cardiopulmonary bypass. Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss resulting from microembolism is an infrequent complication of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery that has long been acknowledged. Moreover, there are few reports on the occurrence of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss without other neurologic deficits and its etiology has also not been determined. We describe here a rare case of bilateral hearing loss without other neurologic deficits in an otherwise healthy 27-year-old woman who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for repair of severe mitral valve stenosis. The patient suffered from profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears that was recognized immediately upon extubation, and audiometry tests confirmed the diagnosis. Without any treatment, her hearing recovered almost completely by the time of her discharge one week after surgery.

The prophylactic use of recombinant factor VIIa in a patient with DeBakey type III aortic dissection: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Little is known about the prophylactic use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in patients undergoing surgery for a bleeding aorta employing cardiopulmonary bypass. We report the successful use of rFVIIa in a patient undergoing hypothermic circulatory arrest and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass for repair of a DeBakey type III aortic dissection.

The effects of sevoflurane with propofol and remifentanil on tracheal intubation conditions without neuromuscular blocking agents / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Propofol and remifentanil are used for tracheal intubation in the absence of neuromuscular blocking agents. We hypothesized that the addition of sevoflurane to propofol and remifentanil would improve intubation conditions and provide hemodynamic stability. METHODS: Seventy-six patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated to be ventilated with either 4% (group I) or 7% sevoflurane (group II) after propofol injection (2 mg/kg). All patients received remifentanil (1 microgram/kg) 30 seconds after administration of propofol. Ninety seconds after remifentanil was given, laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed. Intubation conditions and hemodynamic changes were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall incidence of clinically acceptable intubation conditions was significantly higher in group II (92%) than group I (58%) (P = 0.001). Scores for vocal cord position, coughing, and limb movement were significantly better in group II (P < 0.05). Mean blood pressure remained significantly lower than the pre-induction level throughout the investigation in both groups (P < 0.001), but there was no incidence of bradycardia or hypotension requiring treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal intubation without neuromuscular blocking agents can be achieved safely and reliably by adding 7% sevoflurane to propofol (2 mg/kg) and remifentanil (1 microgram/kg).

Comparison of Emergence Agitation from Sevoflurane Anesthesia after Thiopental Sodium, Propofol or Ketamine Induction in Pediatric Inguinal Herniorrhaphy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study compared the incidence of emergence agitation and the recovery profile from sevoflurane anesthesia after thiopental sodium, propofol or ketamine induction in pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy. METHODS: Forty eight children aged 1-7 years undergoing high ligation due to an inguinal hernia were examined. All patients received a 0.004 mg/kg glycopyrrolate injection for premedication prior to induction and were randomly assigned to receive thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg (Group T, n = 16), propofol 2 mg/kg (Group P, n = 16) or ketamine 1 mg/kg (Group K, n = 16) for induction. The side effects during the induction time were checked. All patients received sevoflurane (2-2.5 vol%)-N2O (2 L/min)-O2 (2 L/min) for the maintenance of anesthesia. Ventilation was given to assist spontaneous ventilation using a facial mask. The agitation score, pain score, discharge score, incidence of emergence agitation and postoperative side effects in the three groups were assessed at the recovery room and compared. RESULTS: The emergence time in Group T (7.5 +/- 1.8 min) was significantly rapid. The agitation and pain scores were significantly low in Group P. The discharge score was more rapid in Groups P and K than in Group T. The incidence of emergence agitation was similar in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although recovery was faster and emergence agitation was low in the propofol group, propofol induction was not smooth compared with thiopental or ketamine induction. The incidence of emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in pediatric inguinal herniorrhaphy was similar in the thiopental sodium, propofol or ketamine induction groups.

Management with High Frequency Ventilation of Acute Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Infants / 대한마취과학회지

Acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants (AIPHI) is characterized by a sudden onset of pulmonary hemorrhage in previous healthy infants. Evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage may present as hemoptysis or a finding of blood in the nose or airway with no evidence of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients presenting with acute, severe respiratory distress or failure, and those requiring mechanical ventilation and often demonstrate bilateral infiltrates by chest radiography. We report a case of AIPHI which developed during the induction of anesthesia. A 3-month-old male infant received right herniorraphy under general endotracheal anesthesia. After intubation, blood tinged fluid was aspirated using an endotracheal tube during operation. Chest radiography showed bilateral ground glass opacity. We transferred the patient to the ICU and applied conventional mechanical ventilation. However hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis were persisted. We then switched to a high frequency ventilator (HFV), the hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis were corrected. The patient was transferred to the general ward on the 7th postoperative day.