Ultrasound-guided needle handling using a guidance positioning system in a phantom.

The SonixGPS™ needle guidance positioning system provides navigation assistance to facilitate needle handling during ultrasound-guided procedures. Each of 20 inexperienced nurse anaesthetists performed 12 different ultrasound-guided tasks in a porcine phantom. Using both in-plane and out-of-plane approaches, they inserted a needle and made contact with metal rods at depths of 2, 4 and 6 cm. We compared their performances without and with navigation as paired observations. Using the out-of-plane approach, navigation yielded shorter execution times (26 s vs 14 s, respectively; p = 0.01) and fewer needle repositionings (8 vs 3, respectively; p = 0.001). Using the in-plane approach, the needle was more visible with navigation assistance: 24% vs 52% of execution time, respectively (95% CI: 44%-12%; p = 0.0025). Better needle visibility was associated with shorter execution times and fewer needle repositionings. Combining ultrasound-guided techniques with the needle guidance positioning system may reduce tissue manipulation, thus improving patient comfort and safety.

The pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine after four different techniques of brachial plexus blockade.

Arterial plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were measured after brachial plexus blockade using four different approaches: lateral interscalene (Winnie), posterior interscalene (Pippa), axillary and vertical infraclavicular. Four groups of 10 patients were given a single 3.75 mg.kg(-1) injection of ropivacaine 7.5 mgxml(-1). The pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine were evaluated for 1 h after local anaesthetic injection. The supraclavicular techniques (lateral and posterior) were associated with earlier and higher peak plasma concentrations of local anaesthetic than the infraclavicular techniques (axillary and vertical infraclavicular): mean (SD) values = 3.30 (0.65) microgxml(-1) vs 2.55 (0.62) microgxml(-1) (p = 0.001) in 13.4 (6.9) min vs 25.0 (10.8) min (p = 0.0002). More ropivacaine is taken up by the systemic circulation in the first hour after the supraclavicular approaches; the mean (SD) area under the concentration-time curve was larger: 2.63 (0.51) microgxml(-1).h vs 2.10 (0.49) microgxml(-1).h (p = 0.002). These results show that the technique used for brachial plexus blockade significantly influences the systemic uptake of ropivacaine.

Applying a physiological model to quantify the delay between changes in end-expired concentrations of sevoflurane and bispectral index.

BACKGROUND: The delay between changes in end-expired sevoflurane concentrations and bispectral index (BIS) may be characterized by a 'rate constant' (ke0). A smaller ke0 reflects a longer delay. Values for ke0 vary substantially among studies. The question arises how ke0 depends on experimental conditions, including ventilation and apparatus. METHODS: Increasing and decreasing sevoflurane concentrations were cyclically delivered to our validated model. First, we quantified theoretical ke0 values for distinct alveolar ventilations, estimating ke0 from sevoflurane tensions in alveolar space and grey matter. Secondly, we investigated the impact of experimental conditions. To predict BIS, the model was extended with a pharmacodynamic section, including ke0. Known values, matching theoretical values, were assigned to this ke0. These were recovered from end-expired concentrations and BIS. Possible determinants of error (difference between assigned and recovered ke0) were varied, that is fraction of dead space gas in end-expired gas (d), and time delays in measuring BIS (tBIS) and end-expired concentrations (tEE). RESULTS: Theoretical ke0s were 0.7, 0.53, 0.35, and 0.2 min(-1) for an arterial Pco2 of 8, 6.67, 5.33 (normocapnia), and 4 kPa, respectively. For spontaneous ventilation, ke0 = 0.53 min(-1). Recovered ke0s depended on d and Deltat (= tBIS - tEE) and were smaller than assigned values (if Deltat > 0). Errors increased with increasing d and Deltat. For normocapnia, ke0 was between 0.32 and 0.23 min(-1) (d = 0.1; any Deltat = 0-60 s). For spontaneous ventilation, ke0 was between 0.51 and 0.40 min(-1) (d = 0-0.1; Deltat = 5-20 s). CONCLUSIONS: Published ke0s (0.22-0.53 min(-1)), including our own for sevoflurane-depressed spontaneous ventilation (0.48 min(-1)), are in the ranges dictated by investigation-specific conditions.

Multi-level approach to anaesthetic effects produced by sevoflurane or propofol in humans: 1. BIS and blink reflex.

BACKGROUND: The relative roles of forebrain and brainstem in producing adequate anaesthesia are unclear. METHODS: We simultaneously analysed the effects of sevoflurane (Group S; n = 18) or propofol (Group P; n = 29) on the bispectral index (BIS) and the first component of the blink reflex (R1). The dose of anaesthetic agent was increased until loss of blink reflex. After discontinuation and reappearance of blink reflex activity, the amount was increased again. The area under curve R1 (area-R1) of the electromyogram of the orbicularis oculi muscle after electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve was measured. Using a sigmoid E(max) model and a first-order rate constant k(e0), we characterized the dose-response relationships for BIS and area-R1. RESULTS: Concentration-dependent depression of BIS and area-R1 was adequately modelled. The concentration that causes an effect midway between minimum and maximum (EC50) for area-R1 was smaller than EC50 for BIS in both groups [0.34 (0.19) vs 1.29 (0.19) vol% and 1.78 (0.65) vs 2.69 (0.67) mug ml(-1); mean (sd)]. At doses of sevoflurane and propofol with equivalent depression of BIS, sevoflurane depressed area-R1 more than propofol. The k(e0) for area-R1 was about half that for BIS in both groups: 0.24 (0.19-0.29) vs 0.48 (0.38-0.60) min(-1) for Group S; 0.28 (0.23-0.34) vs 0.46 (0.40-0.54) min(-1) for Group P, geometric mean (95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: The blink reflex (brainstem function) is more sensitive to sevoflurane or propofol than BIS (forebrain function). Sevoflurane suppresses the blink reflex more than propofol. Different k(e0)s for blink reflex vs BIS indicate different effect sites.

Multi-level approach to anaesthetic effects produced by sevoflurane or propofol in humans: 2. BIS and tetanic stimulus-induced withdrawal reflex.

BACKGROUND: General anaesthesia could be assessed at two sites: cortical structures and the spinal cord. However, the practicalities of measurement at these two sites differ substantially. METHODS: We simultaneously analysed effects of sevoflurane (Group S; n = 16) or propofol (Group P; n = 17) on bispectral index (BIS) and the tetanic stimulus-induced withdrawal reflex (TIWR). TIWR was quantified by the area under the curve of the electromyogram of the biceps femoris muscle after electrical stimulation of the sural nerve. After loss of consciousness, TIWR was evoked once per minute. The anaesthetic was increased until TIWR disappeared. After discontinuation of the anaesthetic and reappearance of TIWR, the amount of anaesthetic was increased again. Using a sigmoid E(max) model and a first-order rate constant k(e0), we characterized the dose-response relationships for BIS and TIWR. RESULTS: Concentration-dependent depression of TIWR was reasonably well modelled for sevoflurane, but poorly for propofol. TIWR was completely suppressed by sevoflurane, but not propofol. Sevoflurane reduced TIWR to 5 mV ms (very weak movement) at 1.68 vol% end-expired concentration [approximately minimum alveolar concentration (MAC value)]. The k(e0)s for TIWR were smaller than those for BIS: 0.25 (0.16-0.39) vs 0.41 (0.33-0.51) min(-1) for Group S; 0.25 (0.22-0.30) vs 0.34 (0.29-0.40) min(-1) for Group P [geometric mean (95% CI)]. CONCLUSIONS: High concentrations of sevoflurane depress TIWR more than propofol. With propofol, we frequently observed a paradoxical behaviour of muscles of the lower leg. TIWR lags behind BIS, indicating different effect sites for two intended anaesthetic effects: unresponsiveness to noxious stimulation and unconsciousness.

Electromyographic assessment of blink reflexes correlates with a clinical scale of depth of sedation/anaesthesia and BIS during propofol administration.

BACKGROUND: General anaesthesia is characterized by loss of consciousness, amnesia and obtundation of reflex responses to noxious stimuli. Quantifying the blink reflex may reflect the depression of reflex arches induced by anaesthetics and thus being informative on the anaesthetic state. METHODS: The relation between the electrically evoked blink reflexes and the depth of sedation and anaesthesia induced with intravenous propofol was investigated. Twenty patients received propofol by target-controlled infusion to create a stepwise deepening of sedation and anaesthesia. Depth of anaesthesia was assessed using the observer's assessment of anaesthesia and sedation (OAAS) scale, and by bispectral EEG analysis (BIS). Probit analysis was used to estimate the predicted propofol effect site concentrations producing unconsciousness, no response to noxious stimulation, and loss of blink reflex components. RESULTS: Latency of the first (R1) and second (R2) blink component increased, whereas duration and area decreased with increasing depth of sedation and anaesthesia. A reasonably strong correlation between OAAS and the areas of R1 and R2 components was found (Spearman's rho = 0.92 and 0.89). The areas of R1 and R2 and the OAAS also correlated with BIS (Spearman's rho = 0.91, 0.88 and 0.90). EC(50) and EC(95) for loss of R1 were 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5-3.2) micro g/ml and 4.6 (95% CI: 4.1-5.5) micro g/ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the differential sensitivity of the components of the blink reflex could be useful in monitoring depth of sedation and light levels of anaesthesia during the administration of propofol. Both OAAS and BIS correlate similarly with the blink reflex components.

Nomogram to estimate age-related MAC.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice it is difficult to estimate rapidly two important values: (i) the total age-corrected MAC multiple from measured end-expired concentrations of volatile agent and nitrous oxide; (ii) the end-expired concentration of volatile agent needed to obtain a given total MAC multiple. We have developed a nomogram to do this. METHODS: We used standard nomogram methods to construct one single nomogram covering wide ranges of age (1-100 yr) and MAC (0.1-1.8 MAC) for halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane, alone or in combination with various concentrations of nitrous oxide. The user only has to draw two straight lines to obtain the desired result. RESULTS: The nomogram is simple to use. End-expired concentrations of halothane 0.48%, enflurane 1.05%, isoflurane 0.75%, sevoflurane 1.18%, or desflurane 4.3% in the presence of nitrous oxide 50% will give 1.4 MAC in a patient of 75 yr vs 0.9 MAC in a 1-yr-old. A reverse example is: a total MAC of 1.3 when using sevoflurane and nitrous oxide 67% in oxygen, requires an end-expired sevoflurane concentration of 1.8% in a 3-yr-old whereas 0.55% is needed in a patient of 90 yr. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram gives accurate results if it covers a whole A4 sheet in landscape format and could be extended to apply to other agents, for example xenon.

Electromyographic assessment of blink and corneal reflexes during midazolam administration: useful methods for assessing depth of anesthesia?

BACKGROUND: There are at least three components of the anesthetic state: loss of consciousness, amnesia and obtundation of reflex responses to noxious stimuli. To investigate the third component, we used a standard electrical stimulus to evoke a blink reflex, which was electromyographically recorded. These data may give information on the anesthetic state. METHODS: The relation between the electrically evoked blink and corneal reflexes and the depth of sedation and anesthesia induced with intravenous midazolam was investigated. Ten patients received i.v. increments of midazolam (1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, 3 mg, 3 mg, etc., until a 21-mg total dose) to create a step-wise deepening of sedation and anesthesia. Depth of anesthesia was assessed by the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAAS) scale, ranging from 5 ( = awake and alert) to 0 ( = no motor response to tetanic stimulation). RESULTS: Latency of the first (R1) and second (R2) blink components and the corneal (C) reflex component increased, whereas duration and area decreased with increasing depth of sedation and anesthesia. R1 was last seen at an OAAS score [mean (SD)] of 1.8 (0.8), R2 at a score of 3.1 (1.1), C at a score of 3.8 (0.8), and R3 at 4.8 (0.5). These end-points were all statistically different from each other, except R2 vs. C. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the differential sensitivity of the components of the blink reflex could be useful to monitor depth of sedation and light levels of anesthesia during the administration of midazolam.

Model-based administration of inhalation anaesthesia. 3. Validating the system model.

BACKGROUND: We quantified the predictive performance of our computer model of the administration of inhalation anaesthesia from a Datex-Ohmeda Modulus CD circle-absorber system. METHODS: In 50 patients, desflurane anaesthesia was maintained with a fresh-gas flow (FGF) of 0.5 litres min(-1) of both nitrous oxide and oxygen, preceded by fast (n=14) or slow (n=36) induction: FGF greater than total ventilation, Group F; FGF equal to 1.0 litres min(-1), Group S. The two versions of the model studied differed in the size of their inter-tissue diffusion, as 0 (version 1) and 3% (version 2) of the cardiac output was shifted from the viscera to adipose tissue. Model performance was judged by comparing measured and predicted gas concentrations in terms of three variables for each gas concentration in each patient: root mean squared error (rmse=total error), bias (mean predicted - measured) (systematic error), and scatter (error around bias). These variables were then averaged over all patients. These measures were calculated overall, and separately for each group and each stage (1 = induction or 2 = maintenance). RESULTS: Model predictions were in reasonable to very good agreement with clinically obtained data. Version 2 performed better than version 1. Differences between groups were not demonstrated. The model performed better for stage 2, but only for desflurane. In group S, results (mean (SD); as percentages of the measured values for nitrous oxide, oxygen and desflurane) in the order rmse, bias, and scatter were for end-tidal concentrations of nitrous oxide: 8 (4), 8 (5), 2 (1)%; oxygen: 11 (4), -10 (6), 2 (1.1)%; nitrogen: 0.9 (0.6), -0.8 (0.6), 0.2 (0.1) vol%; carbon dioxide: 1.8 (0.6), 1.8 (0.6), 0.2 (0.1) vol%; desflurane, stage 2: 8 (4), 4 (7), 4 (2)%, vs 15 (6), -10 (8), 9 (4)% for stage 1. CONCLUSION: Administration of inhalation anaesthesia can be based on version 2 of this model, but must be guided by active monitoring.

Model-based administration of inhalation anaesthesia. 4. Applying the system model.

BACKGROUND: We developed and tested a simple dosing strategy for rapid induction with isoflurane followed by maintenance under minimal-flow conditions, that is 0.5 litre min(-1) total fresh gas flow (FGF). An end-expired concentration was to be achieved within 5 min in a desired therapeutic window, that is 0.8-1.1 vol%, and to be maintained within it for at least 30 min. METHODS: With our new model we computed a three-stage regimen using one fixed vaporizer setting: 3 vol% isoflurane in a FGF of 3 and 1.5 litre min(-1), each for 3 min, and 0.5 litre min thereafter. The ratio of nitrous oxide:oxygen was, consecutively, 2:1, 2:1, and 2:3. We evaluated this scheme in 58 adult patients (body mass 74 (SD 13) kg), mostly during eye and ear, nose, and throat surgery. RESULTS: Measured oxygen (33-45 vol%) and nitrous oxide concentrations (66-50 vol%) evolved in accordance with those computed. In five patients with a median of body mass 92 kg (range 76-126 kg), inspired oxygen concentrations decreased to less than 30 vol%. End-expired isoflurane concentration entered the window after 2 min (range 1.0-5.67 min) and attained its maximum, that is 0.96 vol% (0.8-1.2 vol%), after 3.45 min (1.67-6.33 min). The mean end-expired concentration was in the desired window from 3-60 min and an average of 72% of individual measurements were within the window from 3-30 min. The scheme was adapted in six patients (excluded from analysis) because of hypotension. CONCLUSION: The regimen is easily remembered, reliable, and lends itself to alternative strategies, but must be guided by the monitoring of gas and vapour concentrations and haemodynamic variables.

Model-based administration of inhalation anaesthesia. 1. Developing a system model.

This paper is the first of a series of reports on a system model for the administration of inhalation anaesthesia. We present the development and basic testing of the model. It is a multiple-gas model; it covers fresh-gas flow rates from basal to more than total ventilation and includes an actual, not an idealized, circle-absorber breathing system featuring a standing bellows ventilator. Kinetics of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, inhaled anaesthetic agents and helium are described. Their partial pressures sum to the total pressure. Ventilation and cardiac output are treated as continuous, not cyclical. The model of the breathing system was empirically matched to the chosen one (a GMS absorber and 7850 ventilator (Datex-Ohmeda)). Predictions for the wash-in of isoflurane and the uptake of desflurane and isoflurane agree well with observed data. The results obtained by continuously checking total gas pressures, calculating mass balances and simulating the measurement of alveolar space by the closed-circuit helium dilution method support the mathematical credibility of the model. It thus merits further exploration.

Model-based administration of inhalation anaesthesia. 2. Exploring the system model.

We explored our model by displaying its new capabilities, testing its sensitivity to variations in input data and illustrating its use. Its multiple-gas character allows simulation of the mechanisms governing concentration and second gas effects. Simulating the volume of a standing bellows makes it possible to test algorithms for automated closed-circuit anaesthesia. Using desflurane, the model's sensitivity to changes in blood/gas partition coefficient (range 0.42-0.576), cardiac output and minute ventilation was analysed. The model was very sensitive to changes in blood solubility; other results agreed with those reported previously. An alveolar isoflurane tension of 1% atm was rapidly attained and maintained, even using 0.5 litres min(-1) of fresh gas, when isoflurane was 'co-administered' through a vaporizer set to 3.5 vol% and a single aliquot (1.25 ml liquid) injected into the expiratory limb. As a result of its credibility and capabilities, the model is to be tested in the clinical setting.

[Circulatory arrest following sulprostone administration in postpartum hemorrhage]. / Circulatiestilstand na gebruik van sulproston bij fluxus post partum.

In a woman aged 39 cardiac arrest occurred 3.5 hours after administration of 250 micrograms sulprostone directly into the uterine wall for a post-partum haemorrhage after manual removal of the placenta. A long period of resuscitation was necessary. After further evaluation the woman demonstrated specific contraindications to the administration of sulprostone. as formulated by the French authorities: age > 35 years, heavy cigarette smoking, and cardiovascular risk factors. In the Netherlands sulprostone is registered for intravenous administration only. We would strongly advise against administration directly into the uterine wall.

Repeated enflurane anaesthetics and model predictions: a study of the variability in the predictive performance measures.

We quantified the total variability (reproducibility) and the within-patient but between repeat anaesthetics variability (repeatability) in measures which are used to judge the predictive performance of our physiological model. We studied 14 patients who received enflurane closed-circuit anaesthesia on two occasions. The end-tidal concentrations measured and those predicted served to calculate the predictive performance measures of the model: root mean squared error (rmse = total error), bias (systematic error) and scatter (error around the bias). The overall results were: rmse 15 (7)%, bias 0 (14)% and scatter 9 (3)% (grand mean (total SD)). The within-patient SD values were smaller for the rmse (4%) and bias (10%), but not for scatter (3%). The repeat rmse values and biases were linked to the first results. This implies that these performance measures depended partly on the patient. As there was no association between the personal performance measures and age, sex, body weight, body surface area or body mass index, these characteristics cannot be used to further tune the model.

A system model for halothane closed-circuit anesthesia. Structure considerations and performance evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Previously, the authors described a physiologic model for closed-circuit inhalational anesthesia. The basic version of this system model was clinically validated for isoflurane. An extended version adopted nonpulmonary elimination causing a constant fraction of anesthetic to be irreversibly lost. This version improved the accuracy of the model for enflurane. The model's performance for other inhalational anesthetics that are not biochemically inert, such as halothane, remained to be evaluated. METHODS: The current study quantified the predictive performance of four versions of the model by comparison of the predicted and measured alveolar halothane concentration-time profiles in 53 patients. Version A did not incorporate nonpulmonary elimination, whereas version D adopted a nonlinear hepatic nonpulmonary elimination following Michaelis-Menten kinetics. A and D used fixed partition coefficients. Their counterparts, A' and D', were formulated to examine the impact of age-adjusted partition coefficients on the accuracy of our model. Each concentration measured by mass spectrometry was compared to four predicted concentrations calculated by four computer simulations (one per version). For each patient, the authors calculated the root mean squared error (rmse; typical error size), bias (systematic component), and scatter of the prediction errors. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were anesthetized with 330 ml of liquid halothane via 426 bolus injections during more than 61 h; 21,890 alveolar concentrations (average 0.6 vol%) were measured. Version D' showed the best overall performance with an rmse of 19.6 +/- 7.2%, a bias of 0.5 +/- 15.9%, and a scatter of 13.2 +/- 3.5% (mean +/- SD). CONCLUSIONS: The model incorporating nonpulmonary elimination and age-adjusted partition coefficients (D') is sufficiently reliable and accurate to represent halothane closed-circuit anesthesia. This system model, with its various versions, is a valuable tool to predict the dynamics of isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane for clinical, educational, and research purposes.

The predictive performance of a system model for enflurane closed-circuit inhalational anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Previously, the authors described a system model for closed-circuit inhalational anesthesia, and demonstrated close agreement between end-tidal isoflurane concentrations measured in their clinical study and those predicted by the model. The predictive performance of their model has not, however, been tested for anesthetics featuring nonpulmonary elimination (NPE). METHODS: The authors quantified the predictive performance of two versions (A and C) of the model in 50 patients by comparing the predicted and the measured alveolar concentration-time profiles after bolus injections of liquid enflurane into the expiratory limb of the closed system. Version A did not incorporate NPE, but version C emulated NPE by adopting the irreversible loss of a fraction of the enflurane present in the arterial hepatic blood flow (0.131, derived from a mass balance study performed by others). For each concentration measured by mass spectrometry, the authors used computer simulations of version A and C to calculate a predicted concentration for both versions. For each patient, the authors calculated the bias (indicating systematic over- or underprediction) and the scatter of the prediction errors (indicating typical error size). RESULTS: The authors administered a total of 379 ml of liquid enflurane via 466 injections. A total of 18,432 alveolar concentrations (one per 10-s period; average concentration = 0.96 vol%) were measured. The bias and the scatter, both given as mean (and SD), were 10.0 (13.1)% and 11.8 (3.9)% for version A and -0.8 (11.4)% and 11.4 (2.8)% for C. The bias for version C was closer to zero; the scatters were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Version C incorporating NPE performs better than version A. The accuracy that was obtained should encourage the use of version C for clinical, teaching, research, economic, and ecologic purposes.

General anesthesia for surgical repair of intracranial aneurysm in pregnancy: effects on fetal heart rate.

A 30-year-old nulliparous woman underwent surgery for a ruptured aneurysm of the left vertebral artery in gestational week 27. The fetal heart rate (FHR) was monitored continuously with an abdominal Doppler transducer. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam, fentanyl, and thiopental and maintained with fentanyl, isoflurane, and nitrous oxide 67% in oxygen. Surgery was performed under moderate hypotension (mean arterial pressure +/- 70 mmHg) and moderate hyperventilation (arterial carbon dioxide pressure +/- 33 mmHg). There was a complete disappearance of FHR variability without decelerations or bradycardia. In the night following surgery, the patient was sedated with large parenteral doses of midazolam and fentanyl. Despite this sedation, some FHR variability reappeared within 40 minutes after discontinuation of the inhalation anesthetics. After discontinuation of parenteral midazolam and fentanyl, normal FHR variability returned within 60 minutes. In week 41 of pregnancy, a healthy girl of 4015 gm was born.

Factors affecting magnitude and time course of neuromuscular block produced by suxamethonium.

This study was designed to identify factors that significantly alter the magnitude and duration of suxamethonium-induced neuromuscular block in patients with an apparently normal genotype for pseudocholinesterase. One hundred and fifty-six adults (ages 18-65 yr) were allocated to 13 subgroups. Patients in each subgroup received suxamethonium 50-2000 micrograms kg-1. The mechanographic response of the adductor pollicis brevis muscle to ulnar nerve stimulation was recorded. The ED50 was found to be 167 micrograms kg-1, ED90 was 316 micrograms kg-1 and ED95 was 392 micrograms kg-1. The duration of action (delta t) was in agreement with earlier published results. The magnitude of block was dose-related and decreased with increasing onset time (ton) and pseudocholinesterase activity (PChA). Neither age nor gender affected the degree of suxamethonium-induced block. Delta t was dose-related, decreased with increasing PChA, and was shorter for women. Age and ton had no effect on delta t.