Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest due to Allergic Acute Coronary Syndrome (Kounis syndrome) Triggered by Cephalosporin

An acute coronary syndrome due to mast?cell activation in the presence of an allergen is known as Kounis Syndrome (KS). This relatively new entity of KS is being increasingly recognized among allergists, cardiologists, and emergency physicians; however, it is not well?known among anesthesiologists. We report here, a case of type 2 KS due to antibiotic administration causing sudden perioperative cardiac arrest.

Single Value of NephroCheck� Performed at 4 Hours After Surgery Does Not Predict Acute Kidney Injury in Off?Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background: Quantification of urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase?2 (TIMP?2) and insulin?like growth factor binding protein (IFGBP?7), which is commercially known as NephroCheck�(NC) test have been suggested as promising tools for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery involving cardio?pulmonary bypass (CPB). Objectives: The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that single value of postoperative NC test performed at 4 hours after surgery can predict AKI in off?pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) surgery. Setting and Design: This prospective single?center study was conducted at the tertiary cardiac center in India from December 2017 to November 2018. Methods: Ninety adult patients of both sex undergoing elective OPCABG were included. Anesthesia was standardized to all patients. Urine samples were collected preoperatively and at 4 hours after surgery for NC test. Urine output, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were also measured. AKI staging was based on kidney disease improving global outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Statistical Analysis: To assess the predictability of NC test for the primary endpoint, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), was calculated. Results: Thirteen patients developed AKI in the study cohort (14.4%) out of which 7 patients (7.8%) developed stage 2/3 AKI and the remaining stage 1 AKI. Baseline renal parameters were similar between AKI and non?AKI group. The area under curve (AUC) of NC test at 4 hours after surgery was 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42?0.77]. Postoperative NC test performed at 4 hours after surgery did not predict AKI in this study population (P = 0.24). There were no significant differences in duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care stay and hospital stay between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: NephroCheck� test performed at 4 hours after surgery did not identify patients at risk for developing AKI following OPCABG surgery

Perioperative optic neuropathy in patients undergoing off‑pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Aims and Objectives: Perioperative optic neuropathy (PON) is a rare, but devastating complication following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We performed a retrospective study of PON associated with off‑pump CABG (OPCABG) to identify possible risk factors. Materials and Methods: 1442 patients underwent OPCABG over a 10‑month period from October 2008 to August 2009; PON was identified in four (0.28%) patients. A retrospective review of the charts was done to identify the patient characteristics, pre‑operative status, intra‑operative details, and ophthalmic examination details. Friedman test was used to compare the hematocrit (Hct) and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) values across the three time periods: Pre‑, intra‑ and post‑operative periods. Results: All four patients were male, diabetic, and in the age range 51‑69 years. All patients noted unilateral or bilateral severe visual loss in the immediate post‑operative period, which was permanent. All the four patients had statistically significant decrease in the Hct (P < 0.039) and mean arterial blood pressure (P < 0.018) in the intraoperative and post‑operative period when compared to pre‑operative value. Conclusions: PON is a rare but definite possibility in patients undergoing OPCABG. Diabetes mellitus may be a risk factor. Perioperative hemodynamic abnormalities like decrease in MAP and anemia may play a role in the development of PON in OPCABG.

Do we need a pulmonary artery catheter in cardiac anesthesia? - An Indian perspective.

There has been considerable controversy regarding the use of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in clinical practice. Some studies have indicated poor outcome in patients who were monitored with PAC. However, these studies, which have condemned the use of PAC, were conducted on patients in intensive care units, where the clinical scenarios with regard to patients' status are somewhat different as compared to those of a cardiac operating room. This study was designed to identify the indications of PAC use in cardiac operating rooms. A questionnaire was mailed to anasthesiologists in cardiac centers and the response was analyzed.The practicing cardiac anesthesiologists recommended the use of PAC for following indications in cardiac surgery: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with poor left ventricular (LV) function, LV aneurysmectomy, recent myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, acute ventricular septal rupture and insertion of left ventricular assist device (LVAD).The analysis of responses from practicing anesthesiologists clearly indicates that use of a PAC cannot be recommended as a matter of routine, but a definite role is suggested in selected groups of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.