Interrogation of superior vena cava by deep transgastric transesophageal echocardiography imaging: Clinical applications.

The advantages of intraoperative deep transgastric interrogation by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) of the superior vena cava (SVC) in comparison to the standard bicaval view was studied in pediatric cardiac surgical cases. The view was found to be helpful in obtaining additional data in pediatric cardiac surgical patients.

Central Venous Catheter Tip Malposition After Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation in Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to identify the incidence of catheter tip malposition as determined by postoperative radiography after central venous cannulation by right and left internal jugular venous routes in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. The secondary objective was to determine the relative risk of malposition between the 2 approaches into specific major thoracic veins other than the right superior vena cava. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: A tertiary cardiac care center. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery INTERVENTIONS: Internal jugular vein cannulation with ultrasound guidance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgeries for cardiac anomalies with Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery scores of 1- to-6 were included in the study. After anesthetic induction, 50% of the patients were cannulated via the right internal jugular vein (RIJV group, n = 100), and the other 50% via the left internal jugular vein (LIJV group, n = 100). The position of the catheter tip was ascertained by a plain chest x-ray. The central venous catheter tip was deemed to be malpositioned if the tip was in the ipsilateral or contralateral subclavian vein or in the contralateral internal jugular vein. In the RIJV group, 4% of the patients had the central venous catheter tip in a malposition (4/100). In the LIJV group, 6 of the 100 patients had a left superior vena cava and were excluded. In the rest of the LIJV group, the central venous catheter tip was in a malposition in 22.3% of patients (21/94, relative risk: 6.90, p < 0.001). Malposition into the right subclavian vein was more frequent with the left internal jugular vein access (11/94, 11.7%) compared with the right internal jugular vein access (relative risk: 13.12, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of a malposition of a central venous catheter tip after either right or left internal jugular vein approach was ascertained. The relative risk of a malposition occurring with the left internal jugular approach was higher, and the most common site of malposition was in the right subclavian vein.

Assessment of stress response attenuation with caudal morphine using a surrogate marker during pediatric cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of biomarkers representing sympathetic tone and the surgical stress response are helpful for objective comparison of anesthetic protocols. AIMS: The primary aim was to compare changes in chromogranin A levels following pump pediatric cardiac surgery between children who received bolus caudal morphine and those who received a conventional intravenous narcotic-based anesthesia regime. The secondary objectives were to compare hemodynamic responses to skin incision and the magnitude of the rise in blood sugar values between the groups. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective observational study at a tertiary cardiac center. MEASUREMENTS AND METHODS: Sixty pediatric cardiac surgical patients were randomized to Group I [n= 30] to receive intravenous narcotic-based anesthesia and Group II [n = 30] to receive single-shot caudal morphine. Baseline and postoperative chromogranin A levels, the hemodynamic response to skin incision, changes in blood sugar levels, and the total intravenous narcotic dose administered were recorded for each participant. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson's Chi-squared test was used for comparison of categorized variables, and Mann-Whitney test was used for the analysis of continuous data. RESULTS: Changes in chromogranin A levels and blood sugar levels were comparable in both groups. Group II received a lower narcotic dosage (P ≤ 0.001), and the response to skin incision as reflected by systolic pressure rise was less (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical stress response attenuation was similar to caudal morphine as compared with intravenous narcotic-based anesthesia techniques as reflected by a similar increase in chromogranin A levels.

Anaesthetic Challenges and Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Perioperative Management in a Patient with Uncorrected Adult Congenital Heart Disease Presenting for Emergency Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.

Anaesthetic management of a patient with adult congenital heart disease with a single ventricle physiology presenting for an emergency laparoscopic surgery is challenging. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach, astute understanding of the pathophysiology and optimisation of intraoperative hemodynamic goals cannot be overemphasised. The present report describes the anaesthetic challenges and the role of transoesophageal echocardiography in perioperative management of a patient with uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, who successfully underwent an emergency laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anaesthesia.

Ultrasound-Guided Out-of-Plane Versus In-Plane Radial Artery Cannulation in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to compare the rate of first-pass radial arterial cannulation using out-of-plane ultrasound guidance with in-plane imaging. The secondary endpoints were a comparison of the number of times the cannula was redirected, the number of attempts, the number of skin punctures, the incidence of hematoma, the time to completion of the cannulation procedure, and the number of failed attempts between the 2 ultrasound imaging techniques. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, observational study. SETTING: A tertiary cardiac care center. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Radial artery cannulation with ultrasound guidance. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eighty-four adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to the out-of-plane ultrasound group (group I, n = 42) or the in-plane ultrasound group (group II, n = 42) for left radial artery cannulation. A linear ultrasound probe was used to identify the radial artery. In each approach, the number of times first-pass success was achieved, the number of times the cannula was redirected, the number of skin punctures, the incidence of hematomas, and the number of failed attempts were recorded. The first-pass success rate was greater in the in-plane ultrasound group and was statistically significant (p = 0.007). In the out-of-plane ultrasound group, a larger number of patients needed redirection of the cannula (p = 0.002). The number of patients in whom the skin needed to be punctured more than once was greater in the out-of-plane ultrasound group compared with the in-plane ultrasound group (p = 0.002). The incidence of hematoma formation and time to completion of the technique were similar in both groups (p = 0.241 and p = 0.792, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In-plane ultrasound guidance appeared to be superior for achieving a higher first-pass success rate more often with minimal redirections and skin punctures compared with out-of-plane ultrasound guidance.

The Optimal Length of Insertion for Central Venous Catheters Via the Right Internal Jugular Vein in Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to identify the best among 4 techniques that could predict the length of central venous catheter insertion through the right internal jugular vein, which, in turn, would ensure the ideal placement of the catheter tip in pediatric cardiac surgical patients. The techniques evaluated were those based on operator experience, topography/landmark methods, and one that relied on a patient's height-related formula. Based on the outcome of the study, the possibility of arriving at a formula was investigated that would predict with reasonable certainty the ideal length of catheter to be inserted for the correct catheter placement through the right internal jugular vein in pediatric cardiac surgical patients belonging to the authors' geographic area. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac center. PARTICIPANTS: Children younger than 5 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Right internal jugular vein cannulation by the Seldinger technique method. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 120 children aged younger than 5 years undergoing cardiac surgery were included in the study. The participants were randomized to 4 groups: group 1 (n = 30), the length of the central venous catheter was determined empirically by the operator based on clinical experience; group 2 (n = 30), the depth of insertion of the catheter was determined by the distance from the site of skin puncture to the second intercostal space; group 3 (n = 30), the depth of insertion of the catheter was determined by the distance from the skin puncture site to the third intercostal space; and group 4 (n = 30), the length of catheter was determined by a height-based formula that was followed routinely at the authors' institution. Central venous catheterization through the right internal jugular vein was performed according to out-of-plane ultrasound guidance in all patients. The ideal catheter tip location was assumed to be at the level of the carina or within 1.5 cm proximal to it. The number of patients who had ideal catheter tip placement were recorded from postoperative chest radiograph in all groups. Any relationship between acceptable catheter tip and demographic data (mean ranks of age, height, weight, and body surface area) of the patients were studied. RESULTS: The central vein catheter tip was at the level of the carina or within 1.5 cm in more patients in group 2 (39%, p = 0.02) compared with the other groups. This was followed by group 4 (40%), group 3 (30%), and group 1 (23%). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean distance between catheter tip and carina, with group 2 patients having the tip closest to the carina (p = 0.03). There was a significant correlation between acceptable catheter tip positioning and a patient's height (p = 0.04). A new formula was developed based on this correlation. CONCLUSIONS: A landmark-based topographic method in which the length of insertion of the catheter was determined by the distance from the skin puncture site to the second intercostal space for achieving correct placement of the catheter tip was found to be more reliable compared with other techniques. Height-based formula has the disadvantage of being affected by the skin puncture site. Assuming that a skin puncture at the midpoint between the right mastoid process and clavicular insertion of sternocleidomastoid muscle insertion is ensured, a new formula based on height has been proposed.

Effect of low-dose dexamethasone on extra vascular lung water in patients following on-pump elective primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: The primary objective was to compare the effect of a low-dose dexamethasone as against a saline placebo on extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) in patients undergoing elective primary coronary artery bypass surgery. The secondary endpoints were to assess the effect of dexamethasone on other volumetric parameters (pulmonary vascular permeability index, global end diastolic volume index, and intrathoracic blood volume index), Vasoactive Inotrope Scores, hemodynamic parameters and serum osmolality in both groups. Settings and Design: Prospective observational study performed at a single tertiary cardiac care center. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were randomized to receive either dexamethasone (steroid group, n = 10) or placebo (nonsteroid group, n = 10) twice before the institution of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). EVLWI and other volumetric parameters were obtained with the help of VolumeView™ Combo Kit connected to EV 1000 clinical platform at predetermined intervals. Hemodynamic parameters, vasoactive-inotropic Scores, hematocrit values were recorded at the predetermined time intervals. Baseline and 1st postoperative day serum osmolality values were also obtained. Results: The two groups were evenly matched in terms of demographic and CPB data. Intra- and inter-group comparison of the baseline EVLWI including other volumetric and hemodynamic parameters with those recorded at subsequent intervals revealed no statistical difference and was similar. Generalized estimating equation model was obtained to compare the changes between the groups over the entire study period which showed that on an average the changes between the steroid and nonsteroid group in terms of all volumetric parameters were not statistically significant. Conclusions: There were no beneficial effects of low-dose dexamethasone on EVLWI or other volumetric parameters in patients subjected to on-pump primary coronary bypass surgery. Hemodynamic parameters were also not affected. Probably, the advanced hemodynamic monitoring aided in optimal fluid management in the nonsteroidal group impacting EVLW accumulation.

A rare cause of wheezing in a child with pulmonary atresia.

The determination of the exact cause for symptomatic airway obstruction in pediatric patients not responding to medication can be a clinical dilemma. Very rarely external vascular compressions can produce airway obstruction symptoms unresponsive to usual bronchodilator medications. The successful management of a child with pulmonary atresia and an innominate artery compression syndrome with respiratory compromise due to tracheal compression is described.

Preoperative predictors of poor laryngoscope views in pediatric population undergoing cardiac catheterization.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to identify pre-anesthetic airway assessment parameters that would predict Cormack and Lehane grade III and IV laryngoscopy views in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures. The secondary end points were to identify factors that would contribute to difficult laryngoscope views in this subset of patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective observational study performed at a single tertiary cardiac care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 199 children below 5 years of age undergoing elective cardiac catheterization were included. Pre-anesthetic airway assessment was done by modified Mallampati grading, lower lip to chin distance [LCD], tragus to mouth angle [TMA], thyromental distance [TMD], neck circumference [NC], and the ratio of height to thyromental distance [RHTMD]. Demographic data including American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status [ASA PS] were recorded for each child. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were plotted and Areas Under the Curve were measured to identify the best cut off values for each of the airway evaluation method that would predict poor laryngoscopy views as well as assess their accuracy in doing so. RESULTS: LCD, TMD and low body mass index were found to have good sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in predicting Grade III and IV laryngoscope views. ASA PS grade III and above patients had a significantly higher incidence of poor laryngoscope visualization. CONCLUSIONS: LCD, TMA, TMD, NC, RHTMD and BMI could all be used combinedly as screening tools during pre-anesthetic airway evaluation for predicting difficult laryngoscope views in children. Among these, LCD, TMD along with low body mass index might have better accuracy.

Ultrasound Guided Out-of-Plane Versus In-Plane Transpectoral Left Axillary Vein Cannulation.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to compare the frequency of first-attempt successful axillary vein cannulation by the Seldinger technique using out-of-plane ultrasound guidance versus in-plane imaging. Between the two ultrasound imaging planes, this study also compared the number of attempts that were necessary for the cannulation of the left axillary vein along with the number of needle redirections that had to be done for final cannulation of the vein. Incidence of complications and the number of times the procedure was abandoned also were compared between the two imaging planes. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, interventional study. SETTING: Tertiary care cardiac center. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac surgical patients. INTERVENTIONS: Left axillary vein cannulation under ultrasound guidance by Seldinger technique. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The left axillary vein was accessed under ultrasound guidance in 86 consecutive adult cardiac surgical patients. They were randomized to out-of-plane (Group I, n = 43) and in-plane (Group II, n = 43) groups. In group I, the number of first-attempt cannulations was very high (p < 0.01). The number of attempts to access the vein was significantly lower in this group (p < 0.05). The duration for completion of the procedure was also less in group I with out-of-plane ultrasound guidance (p < 0.01). The number of needle redirections and the incidence of complications (arterial puncture, pneumothorax hematoma formation) were similar between the groups. There was no difference in the number of times the procedure was abandoned between the two groups. With an assumption that the first 10 patients in each group would suffice for overcoming the learning curve, the above aspects were analyzed further in each group. The first-attempt cannulation success continued to be significantly higher in the out-of-plane group. CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-plane ultrasound imaging during axillary vein cannulation increased the chance of first-attempt successful cannulation. Axillary vein cannulation under out-of-plane ultrasound imaging also appeared to be quicker and was preferable in terms of the fewer number of attempts that were necessary for a successful vein cannulation.