Parosmia and dysgeusia after intravenous propofol-based general anesthesia: A case report.

Various drugs, including anesthetic agents, can cause parosmia in the perioperative period. There are reported cases of patients with alterations of smell and taste due to local anesthetics, nerve damage, or as a side effect of general anesthesia. We present a case of a 58-year-old male who developed parosmia and dysgeusia in the postoperative period after radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy. The anesthetics used were fentanyl and propofol for general anesthesia and ropivacaine for epidural analgesia. Clinical examination did not reveal any pathology.

Right ventricular outflow obstruction caused by cocoon duct occluder used for closure of ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm.

Hemolytic anemia and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction following device closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva have seldom been reported in isolated case reports, and exact incidence is not known. A gentleman presented with severe delayed hemolytic anemia following the use of cocoon duct occluder for ruptured sinus of Valsalva. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction of unclear etiology was also reported on transthoracic echocardiography, necessitating retrieval of the device and surgical closure of the defect. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed right ventricular outflow obstruction by the cocoon device itself with a normal pulmonary valve. In this report, we emphasize that improper device selection for closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, may lead to delayed leaks across the device, which can gradually progress causing hemolytic anemia and high gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract. Intraoperative TEE helped to delineate the cause of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Left atrial thrombus in a case of severe aortic stenosis with severe left ventricular dysfunction: An Incidental finding on transesophageal echocardiography.

Left atrial thrombus in a patient with aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation in sinus rhythm is an infrequent finding and is most commonly associated with cases of mitral stenosis. This case report emphasizes upon the importance of suspecting the presence of left atrial thrombus in other valvular lesions when additional risk factors such as dilated left ventricle are present. The undeniable role of comprehensive perioperative transesophageal echocardiography is also depicted in this case report.

Bowel Oedema Necessitating Urgent Abdominal Decompression Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass: An Exaggerated Presentation of a Recognised Complication.

Gastrointestinal complications after the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass are uncommon; however, they can lead to serious consequences. We encountered an unusual case of an 11-month-old infant who developed gross abdominal distention, leading to ventilatory and haemodynamic embarrassment following separation from the cardiopulmonary bypass. This presumably was a severe manifestation of the inflammatory response observed with extracorporeal circulation, which manifested as bowel oedema and was diagnosed using point-of-care ultrasound. As a rescue measure, urgent abdominal decompression was performed by cutting open the abdominal wall, which restored the ventilator and haemodynamic parameters to almost normal values.

Obstructing Granuloma in Main Pulmonary Trunk.

A patient with main pulmonary artery mass may have severe symptoms and warrants urgent surgical management, whereas in a stable patient with a diagnosis amenable to medical treatment, medical management should be started while monitoring the size of the lesion. We report a case in which the patient experienced severe right heart dysfunction due to obstruction of the main pulmonary artery, diagnosed as a probable thrombus, and the patient was taken for urgent surgical excision, later diagnosed as tuberculoma on histopathologic examination.

Hyperkalemia in ambulant postcardiac surgery patients during combined therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, spironolactone, and diet rich in potassium: A report of two cases and review of literature.

Introduction: Potassium is the most abundant cation in intracellular compartment. A deficiency or excess of its serum concentration can be deleterious to the one suffering from a cardiac ailment. Post cardiac surgery patients are often on multiple drugs like angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), diuretics including potassium sparing diuretics which are known to predispose for hyperkalemia. We report two postoperative cases who developed life threatening hyperkalemia despite normal renal function due to a combination of factors like treatment with ACEI, potassium sparing diuretics, high dietary intake of potassium and we also discuss renal handling of potassium in this review of literature. Methodology: We present a case series of two cases of cardiac surgery, who presented in the emergency department with hyperkalemia, managed conservatively and detailed history revealed that patient were also on very high nutritional potassium. Result: Both the patients responded to conservative management and there was no recurrence of such episodes once the dose of diuretics was adjusted and diet modification advised. Conclusion: In India, many patients are from a low socioeconomic background and often resort to cheap and filling food items like bananas. This dietary factor should be kept in mind while prescribing patients with these medications and adequate counseling regarding diet should be done.

Refractory hypokalemia while weaning off bypass.

Hypokalemia is defined as serum potassium level less than 3.5 mEq/L. When the serum level of potassium is less than 3 mEq/L, intravenous potassium supplementation is warranted. A 23 yr old adult female with complaints of dyspnoea (NYHA II) since 6 yrs, dyspnoea (NYHA III) and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea on and off since 2 months, diagnosed with severe mitral stenosis, was posted for mitral valve replacement. After the release of ACC, ECG revealed sine wave pattern, Transesophageal echocardiographic examination revealed global hypokinesia and ABG showed potassium of 2.3 mEq/L. Hypokalemia in cardiac patients can occur due to the effect of poor oral intake, increased renal loss by the secondary hyperaldosteronism in congestive heart failure, loss due to use of digoxin and diuretics like thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics etc. Hypokalemia should be avoided while weaning off cardiopulmonary support as it can lead to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Potassium ion is very important for the normal contractility of the heart. Hypokalemia if refractory to intravenous potassium supplementation, concomitant magnesium deficiency should be suspected and treated.

Evaluation of efficacy of Valsalva maneuver for attenuating propofol injection pain: a prospective, randomized, single blind, placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Pain on injection is a limitation with propofol use. The effect of the Valsalva maneuver on pain during propofol injection has not been studied. This maneuver reduces pain through the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc and by distraction. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver in reducing pain during propofol injection. METHODS: Eighty American Society of Anesthesiologists class I adult patients undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled and divided into two groups of 40 each. Group I (Valsalva) patients blew into a sphygmomanometer tube raising the mercury column up to 30 mmHg for 20 seconds, while Group II (Control) patients did not. Anesthesia was induced with 1% propofol immediately afterwards. Pain was assessed on a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 represented no pain, and 10, the worst imaginable pain, and a 4-point withdrawal response score, where 0 represented no pain, and 3, the worst imaginable pain. Scores were presented as median (interquartile range). RESULTS: We analyzed the data of 70 patients. The incidence of pain was significantly lower in the Valsalva than in the control group (53% vs. 78%, P = 0.029). The withdrawal response score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-1.00] vs. 2.00 [2.00-3.00], P < 0.001). The VAS score was significantly lower in the Valsalva group (1.00 [0.00-4.00] vs. 7.00 [6.25-8.00], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A prior Valsalva maneuver is effective in attenuating injection pain due to propofol; it is advantageous in being a non-pharmacological, safe, easy, and time-effective technique.

Unknown left atrial appendage mass! real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography helps in identification.

Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) is the most contractile part of Left atrium. It is also the most frequent place for thrombus formation that may lead to disastrous consequences. Complete trasoesophageal echocardiography examination always includes assessing LAA but sometimes unusually placed pectinate muscle, which is a normal structure may give baffling shadow that can only be interpreted correctly by Real time 3D echocardiography.

In response to: Unsolved enigma of atrial myxoma with biventricular dysfunction.

Thanks to Raut et al.[1] for appreciating our efforts in managing the case of biatrial myxomas. A brief discussion is warranted here on the types, size of cardiac myxomas, interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels, left ventricle (LV) dysfunction, and their relation. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a variety of biologic activities, including differentiation of B cell, thymocytes, and T cells; activation of macrophages; and stimulation of hepatocyte to produce acute-phase proteins such as C-reactive protein.[2],[3] It is also said to have paracrine, endocrine, and autocrine growth functions.[3].

Atrial myxomas causing severe left and right ventricular dysfunction.

Myxomas are the most common cardiac tumors, accounting for about 50% of benign primary cardiac tumors, with the majority located in the left atrium, and 80% of which originate in the interatrial septum. We report two cases with severe cachexia, neurological sequelae, and severe biventricle dysfunction secondary to atrial myxomas with marked early improvement after tumor excision.

Perfusion index as a predictor of hypotension following spinal anaesthesia in lower segment caesarean section.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Perfusion index (PI) is a new parameter tried for predicting hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for the lower segment caesarean section (LSCS). This study aimed at investigating the correlation between baseline perfusion index and incidence of hypotension following SAB in LSCS. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 126 parturients were divided into two groups on the basis of baseline PI. Group I included parturients with PI of ≤3.5 and Group II, parturients with PI values >3.5. Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 10 mg of injection bupivacaine 0.5% (hyperbaric) at L3-L4 or L2-L3 interspace. Hypotension was defined as mean arterial pressure <65 mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test, independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Regression analysis with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was done to assess the correlation between baseline PI and hypotension. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for PI and occurrence of hypotension. RESULTS: The incidence of hypotension in Group I was 10.5% compared to 71.42% in Group II (P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between baseline PI >3.5 and number of episodes of hypotension (rs0.416, P < 0.001) and total dose of ephedrine (rs0.567, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of baseline PI of 3.5 to predict hypotension was 69.84% and 89.29%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for PI to predict hypotension was 0.848. CONCLUSION: Baseline perfusion index >3.5 is associated with a higher incidence of hypotension following spinal anesthesia in elective LSCS.

Intrathecal dexmedetomidine as adjuvant for spinal anaesthesia for perianal ambulatory surgeries: A randomised double-blind controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The newer trend in regional anaesthesia for ambulatory anorectal surgeries advocate use of lower dose of local anaesthetic, providing segmental block with adjuvants such as opioids and α2 agonists to prolong analgesia. The current study investigated effects of addition of 5 µg of dexmedetomidine to 6 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine on duration of analgesia, sensory and motor block characteristics for perianal ambulatory surgeries. METHODS: This study is a prospective randomised controlled double blind study. Forty adult patients between 18 and 55 years of age were divided into 2 groups. Group D received intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 6 mg (1.2 ml) with injection dexmedetomidine 5 µg in 0.5 ml of normal saline and Group N received intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 6 mg (1.2 ml) with 0.5 ml of normal saline. The parameters assessed were time to regression of sensory blockade, motor blockade, ambulation, time to void, first administration of analgesic. Statistical analysis was done using appropriate tests. RESULTS: Time for regression of sensory level and time for first administration of analgesic were prolonged in Group D (430.05 ± 89.13 min, 459.8 ± 100.9 min, respectively) in comparison to Group N (301.10 ± 94.86 min, 321.85 ± 95.08 min, respectively). However, the duration of motor blockade, time to ambulation, and time to void were also significantly prolonged in Group D (323.05 ± 54.58 min, 329.55 ± 54.06 min, 422.30 ± 87.59 min) than in Group N (220.10 ± 63.61 min, 221.60 ± 63.84 min, 328.45 ± 113.38 min). CONCLUSION: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine 5 µg added to intrathecal bupivacaine 6 mg as adjuvant may not be suitable for ambulatory perianal surgeries due to prolongation of motor blockade.