Perioperative effects of various anesthetic adjuvants with TIVA guided by bispectral index / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This prospective, randomized, double blinded, controlled study was designed to compare effects of intravenous co-administration of clonidine, magnesium, or ketamine on anesthetic consumption, intraoperative hemodynamics, postoperative analgesia and recovery indices during Bispectral Index (BIS) guided total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). METHODS: After ethical committee approval and written informed consent, 120 adult patients ASA I and II scheduled for open cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to one of 4 equal groups. Group CL received clonidine 3 microg/kg and maintained by 2 microg/kg/h. Group MG received magnesium sulphate 50 mg/kg and maintained by 8 mg/kg/h. Group KET received racemic ketamine 0.4 mg/kg and maintained by 0.2 mg/kg/h. Control group (CT) received the same volume of isotonic saline. Anesthesia was induced and maintained by fentanyl, propofol and rocuronium. Propofol infusion was adjusted to keep the BIS value between 45-55. Intraoperative hemodynamics, induction time, anesthetic consumption, recovery indices, and PACU discharge were recorded. RESULTS: Induction time, propofol requirements for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, intraoperative fentanyl and hemodynamic values were significantly lower with Groups CL and MG compared to Groups KET and CT (P < 0.05). Patients in Group MG showed significantly lower muscle relaxant consumption, delayed recovery and PACU discharge than other groups (P < 0.05). First, analgesic requirement was significantly longer and total postoperative analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the adjuvant groups versus Group CT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine, magnesium, and ketamine can be useful adjuvant agents to BIS-guided TIVA. Pharmacokinetic studies of such drug combinations were recommended to investigate their interaction.

In vivo effects of different anesthetic agents on apoptosis / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to measure in vivo effects of propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane on apoptosis by measuring caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) blood level as apoptotic markers. METHODS: After obtaining ethical committee approval and informed written consents, sixty adult patients ASA I scheduled for open cholecystectomy participated in this study. They were randomally allocated into one of three equal groups to receive propofol infusion, low-flow isoflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia. Venous blood samples were collected preoperatively, immediately postoperative and after 24 hours to measure hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, liver enzymes, serum TRAIL and caspase-3 levels. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in hematological markers and serum creatinine. Liver enzymes showed significant postoperative rise (P < 0.05). In Propofol group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels were significantly elevated immediately postoperative then decreased significantly after 24-hours (P < 0.05). In Isoflurane group, immediate postoperative level of TRAIL was significantly higher than 24 hours reading and significantly lower than its level in Propofol group at the same timing meanwhile caspase-3 levels were comparable at different timings. In Sevoflurane group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels increased significantly in both postoperative samples than preoperative level and than those of Isoflurane and Propofol groups after 24 hours concerning TRAIL (P & 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that isoflurane is superior and sevoflurane is the least effective among the three anesthetics in protection against apoptosis. This study neither proved nor excluded propofol-induced apoptosis. Further studies are required during lengthy procedure and in compromised patients.

Kidney transplantation after the Iraqi invasion

Since the last issue of the JKMA, major achievements have been made in the field of Kidney transplantation in Kuwait. By June 1996, a total of 56 patients had already received kidney transplantation, 10 of whom had received cadaveric kidneys harvested locally. These achievements were the results of dedicated efforts by the local transplant team and co-ordinators and are a reflection of the co-operation of anaesthetists in the different intensive care units in Kuwait, as well as the continuous support and confidence of the Ministry of Health