Monitored Anesthesia Care for Subcutaneous Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: To date, general anesthesia has been suggested as the preferred approach for implantation of a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD). The purpose of this study was to assess the use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for S-ICD implantation. The goals were to assess adequate sedation and analgesia (efficacy endpoints) and major perioperative airway or hemodynamic compromise (safety endpoints). The authors hypothesized that MAC may provide adequate sedation and analgesia and no major perioperative airway or hemodynamic compromise during S-ICD implantation and multiple defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent S-ICD implantation with MAC from 2015 to 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The efficacy endpoints were the provision of an optimal depth of sedation and analgesia to facilitate S-ICD implantation without intra-procedure patient discomfort or awareness, and the absence of "severe" pain at the lead tunneling and the generator insertion sites post-procedure. The safety endpoints included: (1) periprocedural hypotension, as defined by a mean arterial pressure (MAP)<60 mmHg refractory to conventional pharmacotherapy, (2) heart rate (HR)<45 bpm requiring pharmacologic support, and (3) sedation-induced airway compromise requiring endotracheal intubation. MEASUREMENTS: MAP and HR were recorded during S-ICD implantation and DFT testing. The maximum and minimum infusion rates of propofol, supplemental sedatives, and analgesics, and doses of vasopressor and/or inotropic agents administered intra-procedurally were recorded. Post-procedure pain scores also were noted. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent S-ICD implantation with MAC (mean age, 56 years; 50% men; mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 39%). Implantation of the S-ICD system using MAC was successful in all patients without any major adverse events. The mean baseline MAP was 92.8 mmHg, and the mean end-procedure MAP was 88 mmHg (p = 0.26). When compared to baseline and end-procedure, the mean lowest intra-procedure MAP was significantly lower (67.4 mmHg; p = 0.0001). The mean baseline HR was 65.7 bpm, and the mean end-procedure HR was 70.1 bpm (p = 0.28). When compared to baseline and end-procedure, the mean lowest intra-procedure HR was significantly lower (55.8 bpm; p<0.001). MAC was not associated with airway compromise in any patient, and post-procedure pain was rated as no greater than "mild". CONCLUSIONS: Among a heterogeneous patient population undergoing S-ICD implantation and DFT testing, the use of MAC is efficacious, feasible, and safe.

Anesthesia care for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator placement: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The recently approved subcutaneous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (S-ICD) uses a single extrathoracic subcutaneous lead to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. This is different from conventional transvenous ICDs, which are typically implanted under sedation. Currently, there are no reports regarding the anesthetic management of patients undergoing S-ICD implantation. STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study describes the anesthetic management and outcomes in patients undergoing S-ICD implantation and defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing. METHODS: The study population consists of 73 patients who underwent S-ICD implantation. General anesthesia (n = 69, 95%) or conscious/deep sedation (n = 4, 5%) was used for device implantation. MEASUREMENTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were recorded periprocedurally for S-ICD implantation and DFTs. Major adverse events were SBP <90 mm Hg refractory to vasopressor agents, significant bradycardia (heart rate <45 beats per minute) requiring pharmacologic intervention and, "severe" pain at the lead tunneling site and the S-ICD generator insertion site based on patient perception. INTERVENTIONS: Of the 73 patients, 39 had SBP <90 mm Hg (53%), and intermittent boluses of vasopressors and inotropes were administered with recovery of SBP. In 2 patients, SBP did not respond, and the patients required vasopressor infusion in the intensive care unit. MAIN RESULTS: Although the S-ICD procedure involved extensive tunneling and a mean of 2.5 ± 1.7 DFTs per patient, refractory hypotension was a major adverse event in only 2 patients. The mean baseline SBP was 132.5 ± 22.0 mm Hg, and the mean minimum SBP during the procedure was 97.3 ± 9.2 mm Hg (P < .01). There was also a mean 13-beats per minute decrease in heart rate (P < .01), but no pharmacologic intervention was required. Eight patients developed "severe" pain at the lead tunneling and generator insertion sites and were adequately managed with intravenous morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Among a heterogeneous population, anesthesiologists can safely manage patients undergoing S-ICD implantation and repeated DFTs without wide swings in SBP and with minimal intermittent pharmacologic support.

BMI as a Predictor for Potential Difficult Tracheal Intubation in Males.

INTRODUCTION: Difficult tracheal intubation is a common source of mortality and morbidity in surgical and critical care settings. The incidence reported of difficult tracheal intubation is 0.1%-13% and reaches 14% in the obese population. The objective of our retrospective study was to investigate and compare the utility of body mass index (BMI) as indicator of difficult tracheal intubation in males and females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent abdominal surgeries with American Society of Anesthesiologists I to V under general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation. The following information was obtained from medical records for analysis: gender, age, height, weight, BMI, length of patient stay in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, past medical history of sleep apnea, Mallampati score, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification assigned by the anesthesia care provider performing the endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Of 4303 adult patients, 1970 (45.8%) men and 2333 (54.2%) women were enrolled in the study. Within this group, a total of 1673 (38.9%) patients were morbidly obese. The average age of the study group was 51.4 ± 15.8 and the average BMI was 29.7 ± 8.2 kg/m(2). The overall incidence of the encountered difficult intubations was 5.23% or 225 subjects. Thus, our results indicate that BMI is a reliable predictor of difficult tracheal intubation predominantly in the male population; another strong predictor, with a positive linear correlation, being the Mallampati score. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our data shows that BMI is a reliable indicator of potential difficult tracheal intubation only in male surgical patients.

Intentional ingestions of foreign objects among prisoners: A review.

The intentional ingestion of foreign objects (IIFO) is described more commonly in prison populations than in the general population, with an estimated annual incidence of 1 in 1900 inmates in our state correctional facilities. Incidents often involve ingestion of small metal objects (e.g., paperclips, razor blades) or other commonly available items like pens or eating utensils. Despite ingestion of relatively sharp objects, most episodes can be clinically managed with either observation or endoscopy. Surgery should be reserved for those with signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal perforation or obstruction. For those with a history of IIFO, efforts should focus on prevention of recurrence as subsequent episodes are associated with higher morbidity, significant healthcare and security costs. The pattern of IIFO is often repetitive, with escalation both in frequency of ingestions and in number of items ingested. Little is known about successful prevention strategies, but efforts to monitor patients and provide psychiatric care are potential best-practice strategies. This article aims to provide state-of-the art review on the topic, followed by a set of basic recommendations.

Intentional foreign object ingestions: need for endoscopy and surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intentional ingestion of foreign objects (IIFO) is common in the incarcerated population. This study was undertaken in order to better define clinical patterns of IIFO among prisoners. We sought to determine factors associated with the need for endoscopic and surgical therapy for IIFO. METHODS: After obtaining permission to conduct IIFO research in incarcerated populations, study patients were identified by ICD-9 codes. Patient charts were reviewed for demographics; past medical history; IIFO characteristics; and diagnostic, endoscopic, and surgical findings. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using statistical software. RESULTS: Thirty patients with 141 episodes of IIFO were identified. The mean number of ingested items per episode was 4.60. Endoscopy was performed in 97 of 141 IIFO instances, with failure to retrieve the ingested object in 21 of 97 cases (22%). Eleven instances (7.8%) required surgical intervention. On multivariate analyses, hospital admission was associated with elevated white blood cell count (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, P < 0.05) and number of items ingested (OR 1.3, P < 0.05). The need for endoscopy was independently associated with ingestion of multiple objects (OR 3.3, P < 0.05) and elevated white blood cell count (OR 1.3, P < 0.05). Surgical therapy was significantly associated with elevated white blood cell count (OR 1.6, P < 0.01) and with increasing number of ingested items (OR 1.07 per item, P < 0.05). Endoscopy is associated with significantly lower odds of surgery (OR 0.13, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Intentional ingestion of foreign objects continues to pose a significant human and economic burden. The need for admission or therapy is frequently associated with leukocytosis. Further investigation is warranted into resource-appropriate triage of patients who present with IIFO.