Effect-Site Concentration of Remifentanil for Minimizing Cardiovascular Changes by Inhalation of Desflurane

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the most appropriate effect-site concentration of remifentanil to minimize cardiovascular changes during inhalation of high concentration desflurane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I patients aged 20-65 years were randomly allocated into one of three groups. Anesthesia was induced with etomidate and rocuronium. Remifentanil was infused at effect-site concentrations of 2, 4 and 6 ng/mL in groups R2, R4 and R6, respectively. After target concentrations of remifentanil were reached, desflurane was inhaled to maintain the end-tidal concentration of 1.7 minimum alveolar concentrations for 5 minutes (over-pressure paradigm). The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and end-tidal concentration of desflurane were measured for 5 minutes. RESULTS: The end-tidal concentration of desflurane increased similarly in all groups. The SBP, DBP, MAP and HR within group R4 were not significantly different as compared with baseline values. However, measured parameters within group R2 increased significantly 1-3 minutes after desflurane inhalation. The MAP within group R6 decreased significantly at 1, 2, 4, and 5 minutes (p<0.05). There were significant differences in SBP, DBP, MAP and HR among the three groups 1-3 minutes after inhalation (p<0.05). The incidence of side effects such as hyper- or hypo-tension, and tachy- or brady-cardia in group R4 was 4.8% compared with 21.8% in group R2 and 15.0% in group R6. CONCLUSION: The most appropriate effect-site concentration of remifentanil for blunting hemodynamic responses by inhalation of high concentration desflurane is 4 ng/mL.

Cervicogenic Headache from Skull Base Osteomyelitis : A case report

Skull base osteomyelitis is a rare but life-threatening complication of inflammation of the ear. The authors present a case of skull base osteomyelitis of unknown etiology in a non-diabetic patient who presented with unilateral posterior neck and occipital headache mimicking cervicogenic headache.

Sniffing Position Improves the Laryngeal View Regardless of Body Mass Index / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Most anesthesiologists universally recommend the sniffing position and consider it to be essential for improving the performance of orotracheal intubation. However, a recent investigation reported that the sniffing position does not aid the laryngoscope except under specific circumstances (i.e., obesity). Therefore, this study examined the impact of the BMI (body mass index) on the effectiveness of the sniffing position in improving the laryngeal view. METHODS: A video laryngoscopy imaging system and POGO (the percentage of glottic opening) scoring system were used to assess the laryngeal view in 79 adult patients undergoing a laryngoscopy. In each patient, the laryngeal view was videotaped continuously from simple head extension to the sniffing position by inflating a pressure bag as a pillow to obtain approximately 15o of flexion of the lower cervical spine on the chest. The variables assessed included the BMI, the POGO score in each position and the change in the POGO score. RESULTS: The POGO scores improved with the sniffing position (18.1 +/- 14.3%). However, the sniffing position did not improve the POGO score in 16/79 (20.3%) patients. The sniffing position did not worsen the POGO score in any patient. No significant correlation was found between the BMI and the change in the POGO score in the sniffing position (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: The sniffing position has the potential to improve the laryngeal view in all intubations without needing to consider the BMI. Therefore, the sniffing position appears to be advantageous for orotracheal intubation compared with a simple head extension.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia during Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodiafiltration after Total Aortic Arch Replacement: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immunologically mediated complication of heparin therapy resulting in the consumption of platelets and a catastrophic thromboembolism. Both the clinical and laboratory features are important for a diagnosis of HIT. There have been 3 case reports of suspected HIT in Korea. However none have satisfied the laboratory features. We experienced a case of HIT, which satisfied both clinical and laboratory features, in a patient who received heparin during continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHD) used to treat acute renal failure that developed after a total aortic arch replacement with a cardiopulmonary bypass. The decreased platelet count and obstruction of extracorporeal filter of CVVHD by the blood clot was observed while receiving unfractionated heparin. The serum from the patient contained the anti heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody, and the condition was thus diagnosed as HIT. Argatroban, which is a direct thrombin inhibitor, was used to treat the thrombosis.

A Case of Balloon Kyphoplasty in High Risk under Cement Leakage: A case report / 대한통증학회지

A vertebral compression fracture can cause chronic back pain, and may also result in progressive kyphosis. The traditional treatments of a vertebral compression fracture include bed rest, analgesics and bracing. Balloon kyphoplasty can restore the vertebral height and allow safe bone cement injection into the cavity made by the balloon, which significantly reduces the risk of cement leakage compared to vertebroplasty. An 82-year-old female patient suffered from severe low back pain. Due to the intractable pain and immobility, which could not be relieved by conventional care, as well as the empty vertebral body associated with communicated fractures of the vertebral surfaces, balloon kyphoplasty, with a thicker bone cement injection than usual with balloon kyphoplasty, was chosen. The preoperative intractable pain and immobility were dramatically relieved soon after the procedure, without any complications.