Evaluation of pre-induction dynamic arterial elastance as an adjustable predictor of post-induction hypotension: A prospective observational study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Dynamic arterial elastance (Eadyn) has been suggested as a functional measure of arterial load. We aimed to evaluate whether pre-induction Eadyn can predict post-induction hypotension. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: Adult patients undergoing general anesthesia with invasive and non-invasive arterial pressure monitoring systems. MEASUREMENTS: We collected invasive and non-invasive Eadyns (n = 38 in each), respectively. In both invasive and non-invasive Eadyns, pre-induction Eadyns were obtained during one-minute tidal and deep breathing in each patient before anesthetic induction. Post-induction hypotension was defined as a decrease of >30% in mean blood pressure from the baseline value or any absolute mean blood pressure value of <65 mmHg for 10 min after anesthetic induction. The predictabilities of Eadyns for the development of post-induction hypotension were tested using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Invasive Eadyn during deep breathing showed significant predictability with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 (95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.90, P = 0.001). But non-invasive Eadyn during tidal breathing (AUC = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.49-0.81, P = 0.096) and deep breathing (AUC = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.36-0.70, P = 0.75), and invasive Eadyn during tidal breathing (AUC = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.41-0.74, P = 0.095) failed to predict post-induction hypotension. CONCLUSION: In our study, invasive pre-induction Eadyn during deep breathing -could predict post-induction hypotension. Despite its invasiveness, future studies will be needed to evaluate the usefulness of Eadyn as a predictor of post-induction hypotension because it is an adjustable parameter.

Effect of a repeated verbal reminder of orientation on emergence agitation after general anaesthesia for minimally invasive abdominal surgery: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: An orientation strategy providing repeated verbal reminders of time, place, and person has been widely used for the non-pharmacological management of delirium. We hypothesised that using this strategy could reduce emergence agitation and improve recovery profiles. METHODS: This prospective observer-blinded RCT included male and female patients aged 18-70 yr undergoing minimally invasive abdominal surgery. During emergence from general anaesthesia, subjects in the orientation group (n=57) were provided a repeated reminder, including orientation: '(Patient's name), you are now recovering from general anaesthesia after surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, open your eyes!' via noise-cancelling headphones, whereas those in the control group (n=57) only heard their name: '(Patient's name), open your eyes!'. The primary outcome was the incidence of emergence agitation (Riker sedation agitation scale [SAS] ≥5). The incidence of dangerous agitation (SAS=7), maximal SAS score in the operating room, and recovery profile until 24 h postoperatively were evaluated as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The incidence of emergence agitation in the operating room was significantly lower in the orientation group than in the control group (16/57 [28.1%] vs 38/57 [66.7%]; relative risk [95% confidence interval], 0.5 [0.3-0.7]; P<0.001). The incidence of dangerous agitation (0 [0.0%] vs 10 [17.5%], P=0.001) and the median maximal SAS score (4 [4-5] vs 5 [4-6], P<0.001) were also lower in the orientation group. Secondary outcomes, other than agitation-related variables, were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated verbal stimulation of orientation may serve as a simple and easily applicable strategy to reduce emergence agitation after general anaesthesia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05105178.

Compound lidocaine/prilocaine cream combined with tetracaine prevents cough caused by extubation after general anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Coughing caused by tracheal extubation is common following general anaesthesia. Heavy aerosol production by coughing during recovery from general anaesthesia in patients with respiratory infections (especially COVID-19) may be one of the highest risk factors for infection in healthcare workers. The application of local anaesthetics to the endotracheal tube is an effective method to reduce coughing. The most commonly used anaesthetics are compound lidocaine/prilocaine cream and tetracaine spray. However, coughing still occurs when the two anaesthetics are used alone. We speculated that the application of compound lidocaine/prilocaine combined with tetracaine spray would better prevent coughing caused by tracheal extubation. METHODS: Patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy or cholecystectomy combined with common bile duct exploration under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to Group C (saline spray), Group L (2 g compound lidocaine/prilocaine cream contains 5 mg of lidocaine and 5 mg prilocaine)), Group T (tetracaine) and Group F (compound lidocaine/prilocaine cream combined with tetracaine). The incidence of coughing, the endotracheal tube tolerance assessment, the incidence of agitation, the active extubation rate, the incidence of postoperative pharyngeal pain and the incidence of postoperative cough were recorded and analysed. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and the plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured immediately before extubation and 1 min after extubation. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were randomly assigned to Group C (53 cases), Group L (52 cases), Group T (52 cases) and Group F (54 cases). The primary result is assessment of the incidence of cough. The patients emerged from general anaesthesia, 96% of Group C had cough, which was significantly reduced in Group L (61.5%, P < 0.001), Group T (75%, P < 0.05) and Group F (22.2%, P < 0.001). Group F had a significantly reduced incidence of cough compared to Group L and Group T (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01, respectively). The secondary results were assessed. The endotracheal tube tolerance score in Group C ((1, 3) 4, P < 0.001) was higher than Group L ((0, 1) 2), Group T ((0, 1.25) 3) and Group F ((0, 0) 1). Group F had a significantly lower score than Group L and Group T (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The incidence of agitation and the active extubation rate were also higher in Group C (96.2% and 71.7%, respectively, P < 0.001) than Group L (48.1% and 15.4%, respectively), Group T (61.5% and 26.9%, respectively) and Group F (17.3% and 7.7%, respectively). Blood pressure, HR and plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly higher in Group C than in all other groups at the time of extubation and 1 min after extubation (P < 0.001). Group F exhibited significantly reduced blood pressure, heart rate and plasma concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine compared to Group L and Group T (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001, respectively). The incidence of postoperative pharyngeal pain and the incidence of postoperative cough were not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compound lidocaine/prilocaine cream combined with tetracaine may be a more effective approach for preventing coughing and stabilising circulation during extubation following general anaesthesia. This may play an important role in preventing medical staff from contracting respiratory infectious diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200058429 (registration date: 09-04-2022) "retrospectively registered".

The Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection Was Higher in the Older Adults with Lower Limb Fracture Who Receive Spinal Anesthesia Than Those Who Receive General Anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) can significantly reduce postoperative quality of life and impair the recovery of older adult patients with lower-limb fractures, and its relationship with methods of anesthesia remains inconclusive. Using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan, this study examined the data of patients who received surgical management for lower-limb fractures and compared those who underwent general anesthesia (GA) with those who underwent regional anesthesia (RA) in terms of their incidence of acute upper and lower respiratory infection during the one-month postoperative period. The study also identified related risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Approximately two million patients were randomly sampled from the NHIRD registry. We identified and enrolled patients with lower-limb fractures who were over 60 years old and underwent GA or RA during surgeries conducted between 2010 and 2017. We divided these patients into two groups for further analysis. The outcome of this study was the development of ARI during the one-month postoperative period. RESULTS: In total, 45,032 patients (GA group, 19,580 patients; RA group, 25,452 patients) with a mean age of 75.0 ± 8.9 years were included in our study. The incidence of postoperative ARI within one month of surgery was 8.0% (1562 patients) in the GA group and 9.5% (2412 patients) in the RA group, revealing a significant difference. The significant risk factors for the incidence of ARI were the application of RA for surgery, older age, hypertension, liver disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A subgroup analysis revealed that the RA method was associated with a significantly higher ARI incidence relative to the GA method among patients aged between 60 and 80 years, among male patients, among the patients with or without any comorbidity and among the patients without COPD. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postoperative ARI within one month of surgery was higher among older patients with lower-limb fractures who received RA for surgery than among those who received GA for surgery. The other major risk factors for ARI were older age, hypertension, liver disease, and COPD. Therefore, we should focus on patients with a high risk of developing ARI, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ad-hoc preoperative management and respiratory events in pediatric anesthesia during the first COVID-19 lockdown-an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early pre-anesthetic management for surgery is aimed at identifying risk factors, which notably in children are mostly airway related. The first COVID-19 lockdown opened a unique 'window of opportunity' to study what impact an ad-hoc management strategy would bring to bear on intraoperative respiratory events. METHODS: In this observational cohort study we included all patients with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Physical Status of I or II, aged 0 to ≤18 years, who underwent elective surgery at our center during the first national COVID-19 lockdown (March 15th to May 31st, 2020) and all analogue cases during the same calendar period of 2017-2019. The primary outcome parameter was a drop in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) below 90% during anesthesia management. The study is completed and registered with the German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00024128. RESULTS: Given 125 of 796 evaluable cases during the early 2020 lockdown, significant differences over the years did not emerge for the primary outcome or event counts (p>0.05). Events were exceedingly rare even under general anesthesia (n = 3) and non-existent under regional anesthesia (apart from block failures: n = 4). Regression analysis for SpO2 events <90% yielded no significant difference for ad-hoc vs standard preoperative management (p = 0.367) but more events based on younger patients (p = 0.007), endotracheal intubation (p = 0.007), and bronchopulmonary procedures (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early assessment may not add to the safety of pediatric anesthesia. As a potential caveat for other centers, the high rate of anesthesia without airway manipulation at our center may contribute to our low rate of respiratory events.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema after mammoplasty: a case report.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare but life-threatening postoperative complication that occurs due to the acute obstruction of the upper airway. In our case report, we present a 25-year-old female patient who underwent elective mammoplasty under general anesthesia and developed NPPE 4 hours after extubation. The patient had a preoperative mallampati score of 3. After routine anesthesia induction, the patient was intubated with an endotracheal tube with a guide wire. Aspiration wasn't observed during extubation. The patient was followed in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for 30 minutes with a saturation of 95% and was subsequently transferred to the service. Four hours after the operation, the patient was re-examined due to dyspnea and shortness of breath. Due to oxygen saturation of 88% and pO2of 56mmHg despite mask ventilation, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed extensive diffuse ground-glass opacities and consolidations in both lungs. She did not respond to mask ventilation and was given non-invasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Forced diuresis was induced with furosemide. Tachypnea resolved within 2 hours after CPAP was initiated, the patient did not require oxygen support and COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was negative. Subsequently, the patient was discharged to the clinical ward on postoperative day 1. When considering NPPE, early diagnosis and respiratory support are associated with reduced mortality and rapid recovery. Patients who develop laryngospasm during extubation must be closely monitored, and in the case of pulmonary edema, NPPE should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Respiratory decompensation with proning - when prone positioning can worsen respiratory mechanics.

Prone positioning recently gain- ed more popularity from its use in COVID-19 management. It is gene--rally considered to improve respiratory mechanics via increased lung compliance. In surgery, prone positioning is typically encountered when it is a necessity to access certain posterior anatomic structures. Though certain post-operative complications from prone positioning are well known (e.g., postoperative vision loss), the potential intraoperative complications that it can have for respiratory com-pliance and O2 saturation, in the setting of general anaesthesia, are perhaps less familiar, as only a few studies showed improved respiratory mechanics in the setting of ge-neral anaesthesia [1-3] and one study showed that prone positioning led to a 30-35% drop in respiratory compliance under general anaesthesia [4]. As the following case illustrates, proning is a critical point in the intraoperative course as it can sometimes lead to negative respiratory sequelae disrupting homeostasis.

Monitored anesthesia care during mechanical thrombectomy for stroke: need for data-driven and individualized decisions.

BACKGROUND: The optimal anesthesia management for patients with stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a matter of controversy. Some recent guidelines have favored general anesthesia (GA) in patients perceived as high risk for intraprocedural conversion from sedation to GA, including those with dominant hemispheric occlusions/aphasia or baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >15. We aim to identify the rate and predictors of conversion to GA during MT in a high-volume center where monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is the default modality. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained MT database from January 2013 to July 2020 was undertaken. Analyses were conducted to identify the predictors of intraprocedural conversion to GA. In addition, we analyzed the GA conversion rates in subgroups of interest. RESULTS: Among 1919 MT patients, 1681 (87.6%) started treatment under MAC (median age 65 years (IQR 55-76); baseline NIHSS 16 (IQR 11-21); 48.4% women). Of the 1677 eligible patients, 26 (1.6%) converted to GA including 1.4% (22/1615) with anterior and 6.5% (4/62) with posterior circulation strokes. The only predictor of GA conversion was posterior circulation stroke (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.67 to 14.96, P=0.004). The conversion rates were numerically higher in right than in left hemispheric occlusions (1.6% vs 1.2%; OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.59 to 3.19, P=0.47) and in milder than in more severe strokes (NIHSS ≤15 vs >15: 2% vs 1.2%; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.36, P=0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the overall rate of conversion from MAC to GA during MT was low (1.6%) and, while higher in posterior circulation strokes, it was not predicted by either hemispheric dominance or stroke severity. Caution should be given before changing clinical practice during moments of crisis.

Factors influencing lower respiratory tract infection in older patients after general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary complication is common in older patients after surgery. We analyzed risk factors of lower respiratory tract infection after general anesthesia among older patients. METHODS: In this retrospective investigation, we included older patients who underwent surgery with general anesthesia. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors of lower respiratory tract infection. RESULTS: A total 418 postoperative patients with general anesthesia were included; the incidence of lower respiratory tract infection was 9.33%. Ten cases were caused by gram-positive bacteria, 26 cases by gram-negative bacteria, and 2 cases by fungus. We found significant differences in age, smoking, diabetes, oral/nasal tracheal intubation, and surgery duration. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.028, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.115-3.646), smoking (OR 2.314, 95% CI 1.073-4.229), diabetes (OR 2.185, 95% CI 1.166-4.435), nasotracheal intubation (OR 3.528, 95% CI 1.104-5.074), and duration of surgery ≥180 minutes (OR 1.334, 95% CI 1.015-1.923) were independent risk factors of lower respiratory tract infections. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients undergoing general anesthesia after tracheal intubation have a high risk of lower respiratory tract infections. Clinical interventions should be provided to prevent pulmonary infections in patients with relevant risk factors.

The ED-AWARENESS Study: A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study of Awareness With Paralysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Admitted From the Emergency Department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Awareness with paralysis is a devastating complication for patients receiving mechanical ventilation and risks long-term psychological morbidity. Data from the emergency department (ED) demonstrate a high rate of longer-acting neuromuscular blocking agent use, delayed analgosedation, and a lack of sedation depth monitoring. These practices are discordant with recommendations for preventing awareness with paralysis. Despite this, awareness with paralysis has not been rigorously studied in the ED population. Our objective is to assess the prevalence of awareness with paralysis in ED patients receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, observational cohort study on 383 mechanically ventilated ED patients. After extubation, we assessed patients for awareness with paralysis by using the modified Brice questionnaire. Three expert reviewers independently adjudicated awareness with paralysis. We report the prevalence of awareness with paralysis (primary outcome); the secondary outcome was perceived threat, a mediator for development of posttraumatic stress disorder. RESULTS: The prevalence of awareness with paralysis was 2.6% (10/383). Exposure to rocuronium at any point in the ED was significantly different between patients who experienced awareness with paralysis (70%) versus the rest of the cohort (31.4%) (unadjusted odds ratio 5.1; 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 20.1). Patients experiencing awareness with paralysis had higher mean values on the threat perception scale, denoting a higher degree of perceived threat, compared with patients who did not experience awareness with paralysis (13.4 [SD 7.7] versus 8.5 [SD 6.2]; mean difference 4.9; 95% confidence interval 0.94 to 8.8). CONCLUSION: Awareness with paralysis occurs in a significant minority of ED patients who receive mechanical ventilation. Potential associations of awareness with paralysis with ED care and increased perceived threat warrant further evaluation.