Continuous hemoglobin and plethysmography variability index monitoring can modify blood transfusion practice and is associated with lower mortality.

To determine the effect of implementing an algorithm of fluid and blood administration based on continuous monitoring of hemoglobin (SpHb) and PVI (plethysmography variability index) on mortality and transfusion on a whole hospital scale. This single-center quality program compared transfusion at 48 h and mortality at 30 days and 90 days after surgery between two 11-month periods in 2013 and 2014 during which all the operating and recovery rooms and intensive care units were equipped with SpHb/PVI monitors. The entire team was trained to use monitors and the algorithm. Team members were free to decide whether or not to use devices. Each device was connected to an electronic wireless acquired database to anonymously acquire parameters on-line and identify patients who received the monitoring. All data were available from electronic files. Patients were divided in three groups; 2013 (G1, n = 9285), 2014 without (G2, n = 5856) and with (G3, n = 3575) goal-directed therapy. The influence of age, ASA class, severity and urgency of surgery and use of algorithm on mortality and blood use were analyzed with cox-proportional hazard models. Because in 2015, SpHb/PVI monitors were no longer available, we assessed post-study mortality observed in 2015 to measure the impact of team training to adjust vascular filling on a patient to patient basis. During non-cardiac surgery, blood was more often transfused during surgery in G3 patients as compared to G2 (66.6% vs. 50.7%, p < 0.001) but with fewer blood units per patient. After adjustment, survival analysis showed a lower risk of transfusion at 48 h in G3 [OR 0.79 (0.68-0.93), p = 0.004] but not in G2 [OR 0.90 (0.78-1.04) p = 0.17] as compared to G1. When adjusting to the severity of surgery as covariable, there was 0.5 and 0.7% differences of mortality at day 30 and 90 whether patients had goal directed therapy (GDT). After high risk surgery, the mortality at day 30 is reduced by 4% when using GDT, and 1% after intermediate risk surgery. There was no difference for low risk surgery. G3 Patients had a lower risk of death at 30 days post-surgery [OR 0.67 (0.49-0.92) p = 0.01] but not G2 patients [OR 1.01, (0.78-1.29), p = 0.96]. In 2015, mortality at 30 days and 90 days increased again to similar levels as those of 2013, respectively 2.18 and 3.09%. Monitoring SpHb and PVI integrated in a vascular filling algorithm is associated with earlier transfusion and reduced 30 and 90-day mortality on a whole hospital scale.

Pectoral I Block Does Not Improve Postoperative Analgesia After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Dual-Centered Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: General anesthesia for breast surgery may be supplemented by using a regional anesthetic technique. We evaluated the efficacy of the first pectoral nerve block (Pecs I) in treating postoperative pain after breast cancer surgery. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, dual-centered, placebo-controlled trial was performed. One hundred twenty-eight patients scheduled for unilateral breast cancer surgery were recruited. A multimodal analgesic regimen and surgeon-administered local anesthetic infiltration were used for all patients. Ultrasound-guided Pecs I was performed using bupivacaine or saline. The primary outcome was the patient pain score (numerical rating scale [NRS]) in the recovery unit 30 minutes after admission or just before the morphine administration (NRS ≥4/10). The secondary outcomes were postoperative opioid consumption (ie, in the recovery unit and after 24 hours). RESULTS: During recovery, no significant difference in NRS was observed between the bupivacaine (n = 62, 3.0 [1.0-4.0]) and placebo (n = 65, 3.0 [1.0-5.0]) groups (P = 0.55). However, the NRS was statistically significantly different, although not clinically significant, for patients undergoing major surgeries (mastectomies or tumorectomies with axillary clearance) (n = 29, 3.0 [0.0-4.0] vs 4.0 [2.0-5.0], P = 0.04). Morphine consumption during recovery did not differ (1.5 mg [0.0-6.0 mg] vs 3.0 mg [0.0-6.0 mg], P = 0.20), except in the major surgery subgroup (1.5 mg [0.0-6.0 mg] vs 6.0 mg [0.0-12.0 mg], P = 0.016). Intraoperative sufentanil and cumulative morphine consumption up to 24 hours did not differ between the 2 groups. Three patients experienced complications related to the Pecs I. CONCLUSIONS: Pecs I is not better than a saline placebo in the presence of multimodal analgesia for breast cancer surgery. However, its role in extended (major) breast surgery may warrant further investigation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01670448.

Target-controlled inhalation anaesthesia: A cost-benefit analysis based on the cost per minute of anaesthesia by inhalation.

BACKGROUND: End-tidal target-controlled inhalational anaesthesia (TCIA) with halogenated agents (HA) provides a faster and more accurately titrated anaesthesia as compared to manually-controlled anaesthesia. This study aimed to measure the macro-economic cost-benefit ratio of TCIA as compared to manually-controlled anaesthesia. METHODS: This retrospective and descriptive study compared direct drug spending between two hospitals before 2011 and then after the replacement of three of six anaesthesia machines with TCIA mode machines in 2012 (Aisys carestation®, GE). The direct costs were obtained from the pharmacy department and the number and duration of the anaesthesia procedures from the computerized files of the hospital. RESULTS: The cost of halogenated agents was reduced in the hospital equipped with an Aisys carestation® by 13% as was the cost of one minute of anaesthesia by inhalation (€0.138 and €0.121/min between 2011 and 2012). The extra cost of the implementation of the 3 anaesthesia machines could be paid off with the resulting savings over 6 years. DISCUSSION: TCIA appears to have a favourable cost-benefit ratio. Despite a number of factors, which would tend to minimise the saving and increase costs, we still managed to observe a 13% savings. Shorter duration of surgery, type of induction as well as the way HA concentration is targeted may influence the savings results obtained.

The Script Concordance Test in anesthesiology: Validation of a new tool for assessing clinical reasoning.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the Script Concordance Test (SCT) can discriminate between levels of experience among anesthesiology residents and attending physicians. STUDY TYPE: Multicenter (Toulouse, Nantes, Bordeaux and Limoges), prospective, observational study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A SCT made of 60 items was used to evaluate "junior residents" (n=60), "senior residents" (n=47) and expert anesthesiologists (n=10). RESULTS: There were no missing data in our study. Mean scores (±SD) were 69.9 (±6.1), 73.1 (±6.5) and 82.0 (±3.5) out of a potential score of 100 for "junior residents", "senior residents" and expert anesthesiologists, respectively. Results were statistically different between the 3 groups (P=0.001) using the Kruskall-Wallis test. The Cronbach's α score was 0.63. CONCLUSIONS: The SCT is a valid and useful tool for discriminating between anesthesia providers with varying levels of experience in anesthesiology. It may be a useful tool for documenting the progression of reasoning during anesthesia residency.

Anaphylactic shock to fresh-frozen plasma inactivated with methylene blue.

BACKGROUND: Methylene blue allergy is a well-known entity associated with food or lymph node location. Inactivation of viruses by methylene blue in fresh-frozen plasma (FFP-MB) has been recently introduced in France after many years of use in other parts of Europe. CASE REPORT: We describe here two anaphylactic shock reactions occurring during FFP-MB infusion in patients after cardiac surgery. The follow-up was favorable using epinephrine infusion in one patient and extracorporeal circulatory assistance in the other. RESULTS: The allergy was suspected based on the following arguments: chronology of the event, absence of other allergen infused to patients, and an associated symptom (generalized rash). Methylene blue allergy was documented by prick tests and/or intradermal reactions with methylene blue and patent blue. Additional allergic tests with basophil activation tests confirm the role of the dye in the anaphylactic reaction. CONCLUSION: These two cases questioned the safety of FFP-MB.

Alterations in plasma soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) concentrations during coronary artery bypass graft surgery: relationships with post-operative complications.

BACKGROUND: Plasma concentrations of sFlt-1, the soluble form of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF), markedly increase during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). We investigated if plasma sFlt-1 values might be related to the occurrence of surgical complications after CABG. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from the radial artery catheter before vascular cannulation and after opening the chest, at the end of ECC just before clamp release, after cross release, after weaning from ECC, at the 6th and 24th post-operative hour. Thirty one patients were investigated. The presence of cardiovascular, haematological and respiratory dysfunctions was prospectively assessed. Plasma sFlt-1 levels were measured with commercially ELISA kits. RESULTS: Among the 31 investigated patients, 15 had uneventful surgery. Patients with and without complications had similar pre-operative plasma sFlt-1 levels. Lowered plasma sFlt-1 levels were observed at the end of ECC in patients with haematological (p = 0.001, ANOVA) or cardiovascular (p = 0.006) impairments, but not with respiratory ones (p = 0.053), as compared to patients with uneventful surgery. CONCLUSION: These results identify an association between specific post-CABG complication and the lower release of sFlt-1 during ECC. sFlt-1-induced VEGF neutralisation might, thus, be beneficial to reduce the development of post-operative adverse effects after CABG.

Release of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) during coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to follow plasma concentrations of sFlt-1 and sKDR, two soluble forms of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained before, during and after surgery in 15 patients scheduled to undergo CABG. Levels of sFlt-1 and KDR levels were investigated using specific ELISA. RESULTS: A 75-fold increase of sFlt-1 was found during cardiac surgery, sFlt-1 levels returning to pre-operative values at the 6th post-operative hour. In contrast sKDR levels did not change during surgery. The ECC-derived sFlt-1 was functional as judge by its inhibitory effect on the VEGF mitogenic response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Kinetic experiments revealed sFlt-1 release immediately after the beginning of ECC suggesting a proteolysis of its membrane form (mFlt-1) rather than an elevated transcription/translation process. Flow cytometry analysis highlighted no effect of ECC on the shedding of mFlt-1 on platelets and leukocytes suggesting vascular endothelial cell as a putative cell source for the ECC-derived sFlt-1. CONCLUSION: sFlt-1 is released during CABG with ECC. It might be suggested that sFlt-1 production, by neutralizing VEGF and/or by inactivating membrane-bound Flt-1 and KDR receptors, might play a role in the occurrence of post-CABG complication.

Induction of anaesthesia: a guide to drug choice.

In developed countries, the choice of an anaesthetic agent for induction of anaesthesia remains based mainly on its pharmacodynamic properties. Until now, cardiovascular effects were the main factor in this decision. However, other factors, such as the depth of anaesthesia and effects on cortisol synthesis, can modify this simplistic view. A better understanding of the relationships between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs, and the availability of new techniques, such as target-controlled infusions of anaesthetic drugs and inhalation induction, have led practitioners to the understanding that the way a drug is administered is a far more important factor for maintaining haemodynamic stability than the specific agent used. The ability of a drug to maintain spontaneous ventilation and to relax the upper airway is another factor in this decision, especially when considering difficult intubation, laryngeal mask insertion or tracheal intubation without neuromuscular blockade. Beyond the factors mentioned above, anaesthetists adapt current practice to suit patients' willingness to comply with anaesthesia and to avoid the adverse effects that are most often feared by the patient. Although most practitioners are not concerned with the cost of anaesthesia, cost-containment policies have led some institutions to restrict the use of the more expensive drugs to particular indications. However, this is too simplistic an approach for the reduction of global costs, as other direct medical costs, such as those for staffing, form a greater proportion of total costs than do direct drug costs. Cost-benefit and cost-efficacy studies of the anaesthetics used for induction of anaesthesia are needed to help anaesthetists to choose a drug based on both cost and pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic properties.

Low alfentanil target-concentrations improve hemodynamic and intubating conditions during induction with sevoflurane.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of different alfentanil target-concentrations on hemodynamics, respiration and conditions of tracheal intubation during an inhalation induction with 8% sevoflurane. METHODS: In this prospective randomized open-label study, 40 ASA I adult patients received alfentanil at the following target-concentrations: zero (Group 0), 25 (Group 25), 50 (Group 50) and 75 ng*mL(-1) (Group 75), starting five minutes before induction of anesthesia with 8% sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide. The ease of intubation was determined on fixed criteria and scored; arterial pressure, heart rate and bispectral index (BIS) were recorded at one-minute intervals. RESULTS: Times to allow tracheal intubation were shortened only in Group 75 (94 +/- 8 sec) as compared to Group 0 (140 +/- 11 sec, P < 0.05). BIS values, tracheal intubation scores and number of attempts were not different between groups. However, more patients suffered from apnea in Group 75. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure remained stable in Group 75 whereas they increased significantly in the three other groups. No patient suffered hypotension. CONCLUSION: Adding alfentanil at a 75 ng*mL(-1) target-concentration during an inhalation induction with 8% sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide allows intubation slightly earlier and provides stable hemodynamic conditions but the incidence of apnea during induction is higher. Lower concentrations are of little clinical interest.

Alterations in plasma angiogenic growth factor concentrations after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: relationships with post-operative complications.

To determine whether angiogenic growth factor levels are altered during and after cardiac surgery, plasma concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) were measured in 32 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). EGF levels significantly decreased during ECC and remained low until the 24th post-operative hour with no difference between complicated and uncomplicated patients. TGFbeta1 and bFGF concentrations significantly increased at the end of ECC and after cross-clamp release, and returned to pre-operative values at the 6th post-operative hour suggesting that the source of these elevations are the lungs and heart. After cross-clamp release bFGF levels but not TGFbeta1 ones were higher in patients with respiratory impairments. VEGF values increased significantly at the 6th and 24th post-operative hours. At the 24th post-operative hour plasma VEGF levels were higher in patients with cardiovascular and hematological impairments. In conclusion, these results highlight that the angiogenic network is profoundly altered in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass as previously demonstrated for lipidic, cytokine and haematopoietic growth factor ones and identify an association between specific post-CABG complications and systemic release of bFGF and VEGF.