Clinical features and risk factors associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19: a multi-center case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in clinical features and laboratory parameters in critically ill pregnant women with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) compared to moderate and severe pregnant women with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) but without ARDS. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study of all pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosed with ARDS between February 15, and May 1, 2020 in nine level III maternity centers in Iran (ARDS group). The control COVID-19 pregnant women were selected from 3 of 9 level III maternity centers between March 15 and April 20, 2020. Univariate statistics were used to look at differences between groups. Cluster dendrograms were used to look at the correlations between clinical and laboratory findings in the groups. A value of p <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifteen COVID-19 infected women with ARDS were compared to 29 COVID-19 positive and ARDS negative control (moderate: (n = 26) 89.7% and severe: (n = 3)10.3%). The mean maternal age (35.6 vs. 29.4 years; p = .002) and diagnosis of chronic hypertension (20.0% vs. 0%, p = .034) were significantly higher in the ARDS group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in their presenting symptoms. The ARDS group had a significantly higher prevalence of tachypnea (66.6% vs. 10.3%, p = .042) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) <93% (66.6% vs. 10.3%, p = .004) at presentation. Relative lymphopenia (lymphocyte ratio < 10.5%, 66.6% vs. 17.2%, p = .002), lymphocytes to leukocytes ratio (11.3% vs. 17.7%, p = .010), and neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR) >7.5 were significantly different between the two groups (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that symptom-based strategies for identifying the critically ill pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 are insufficient; however, vital signs and laboratory data might be helpful to predict ARDS in critically ill COVID-19 pregnant patients.

A Rare Central Venous Catheter Malposition in a 10-Year-Old Girl.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are placed in operating rooms worldwide via different approaches. Like any other medical procedure, CVC placement can cause a variety of complications. We report the case of an unexpected malposition of a catheter in the right internal jugular vein, where it looped back on itself during placement and went upward into the right internal jugular vein. CVC line placement should always be viewed as a procedure that could become complicated, even in the hands of the most experienced operators.

Comparison of granisetron and lidocaine on reducing injection pain of etomidate: a controlled randomized study / Comparação de granisetrona e lidocaína na redução da dor causada pela injeção de etomidato: estudo randômico e controlado

Abstract Background and objectives Reducing pain on injection of anesthetic drugs is of importance to every anesthesiologist. In this study we pursued to define if pretreatment by granisetron reduces the pain on injection of etomidate similar to lidocaine. Methods Thirty patients aged between 18 and 50 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I or II, whom were candidates for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were enrolled in this study. Two 20 gauge cannulas were inserted into the veins on the dorsum of both hands and 100 mL of normal saline was administered during a 10 min period from each cannula. Using an elastic band as a tourniquet, venous drainage of both hands was occluded. 2 mL of granisetron was administered into one hand and 2 mL of lidocaine 2% at the same time into the other hand. One minute later the elastic band was opened and 2 mL of etomidate was administered to each hand with equal rates. The patients were asked to give a score from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = severe pain) to each the pain sensed in each hand. Results Two patients were deeply sedated after injection of etomidate and unable to answer any questions. The mean numerical rating score for injection pain of intravenously administered etomidate after intravenous granisetron was 2.3 ± 1.7, which was lower when compared with pain sensed due to intravenously administered etomidate after administration of lidocaine 2% (4.6 ± 1.8), p < 0.05. Conclusion The result of this study demonstrated that, granisetron reduces pain on injection of etomidate more efficiently than lidocaine.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos A redução da dor causada pela injeção de anestésicos é importante para todos os anestesiologistas. Neste estudo buscamos definir se o pré-tratamento com granisetrona reduz a dor causada pela injeção de etomidato de forma semelhante à lidocaína. Métodos Trinta pacientes entre 18 e 50 anos, estado físico ASA I ou II (de acordo com a classificação da Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologistas) e candidatos à colecistectomia laparoscópica eletiva foram incluídos neste estudo. Duas cânulas de calibre 20 foram inseridas nas veias do dorso de ambas as mãos e 100 mL de soro fisiológico foram administrados durante 10 minutos através de cada cânula. Com um torniquete elástico, a drenagem venosa de ambas as mãos foi ocluída. Granisetrona (2 mL) foi administrado em uma das mãos e lidocaína a 2% (2 mL) na outra mão ao mesmo tempo. Após um minuto, o torniquete foi afrouxado e 2 mL de etomidato foram administrados em velocidade igual a cada uma das mãos. Solicitamos dos pacientes uma classificação de 0 a 10 para a dor sentida em cada uma das mãos (0 = sem dor, 10 = dor intensa). Resultados Dois pacientes estavam profundamente sedados após a injeção de etomidato e, portanto, incapazes de responder a qualquer pergunta. O escore médio de classificação da dor à injeção de etomidato administrado por via endovenosa após granisetrona intravenoso foi de 2,3 ± 1,7, o que foi menor em comparação com a dor sentida à administração intravenosa de etomidato após a administração de lidocaína a 2% (4,6 ± 1,8), p < 0,05. Conclusão O resultado deste estudo demonstrou que granisetrona reduz a dor causada pela injeção de etomidato com mais eficácia do que lidocaína.

[Comparison of granisetron and lidocaine on reducing injection pain of etomidate: a controlled randomized study]. / Comparação de granisetrona e lidocaína na redução da dor causada pela injeção de etomidato: estudo randômico e controlado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Reducing pain on injection of anesthetic drugs is of importance to every anesthesiologist. In this study we pursued to define if pretreatment by granisetron reduces the pain on injection of etomidate similar to lidocaine. METHODS: Thirty patients aged between 18 and 50 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I or II, whom were candidates for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were enrolled in this study. Two 20 gauge cannulas were inserted into the veins on the dorsum of both hands and 100mL of normal saline was administered during a 10min period from each cannula. Using an elastic band as a tourniquet, venous drainage of both hands was occluded. 2mL of granisetron was administered into one hand and 2mL of lidocaine 2% at the same time into the other hand. One minute later the elastic band was opened and 2mL of etomidate was administered to each hand with equal rates. The patients were asked to give a score from 0 to 10 (0=no pain, 10=severe pain) to each the pain sensed in each hand. RESULTS: Two patients were deeply sedated after injection of etomidate and unable to answer any questions. The mean numerical rating score for injection pain of intravenously administered etomidate after intravenous granisetron was 2.3±1.7, which was lower when compared with pain sensed due to intravenously administered etomidate after administration of lidocaine 2% (4.6±1.8), p<0.05. CONCLUSION: The result of this study demonstrated that, granisetron reduces pain on injection of etomidate more efficiently than lidocaine.

Comparing Clonidine and Lidocaine on Attenuation of Hemodynamic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Tracheal Intubation in Controlled Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic fluctuations in response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation and their potential hazards have been well-recognized, especially in hypertensive patients. Many drugs in various combinations have been used to attenuate these adverse responses. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a study to compare lidocaine with clonidine on the attenuation of hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, in controlled hypertensive patients undergoing general anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients of American society of anesthesiologists (ASA) class II, who were aged 18 to 65-years-old and were scheduled for elective surgeries under general anesthesia, were included. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The clonidine group received 0.2 mg oral clonidine 90 minutes before surgery and the lidocaine group received a placebo tablet at the same time. All patients in both groups were anesthetized with the same technique, including: intravenous fentanyl 3 mcg/kg, sodium thiopental 5 mg/kg, and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. The lidocaine group received 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine but the clonidine group received the same volume of saline ninety seconds before intubation. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded before intubation and 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups' hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures at the measured points. There were also no significant differences within each group in hemodynamic responses at the measured points (P > 0.05). Twenty patients in the clonidine and three patients in the lidocaine group complained of mouth dryness (P = 0.001). Fourteen patients in the clonidine and four patients in the lidocaine group had bradycardia (P = 0.008). Nineteen patients in the clonidine and six patients in the lidocaine group had orthostatic hypotension (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistical differences between oral clonidine and intravenous lidocaine regarding attenuation of hemodynamic responses after tracheal intubation in controlled hypertensive patients, although the rate of complications including mouth dryness, bradycardia, and orthostatic hypotension was significantly higher in the clonidine group before induction of anesthesia.

Usefulness of Ultrasound View of Larynx in Pre-Anesthetic Airway Assessment: A Comparison With Cormack-Lehane Classification During Direct Laryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: One of the main challenges in anesthesiology is difficult intubation. There are many anatomical parameters for evaluating the feasibility of tracheal intubation; one that can reliably predict a difficult intubation is the Cormack-Lehane classification obtained during direct laryngoscopy. This is an invasive procedure that cannot be performed in an awake patient or for pre-anesthetic airway assessments in patients with no prior history of tracheal intubation. Recently, ultrasound has been successfully used for several airway-related applications. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare and correlate the ultrasound view of the larynx with the Mallampati classification before anesthesia and the Cormack-Lehane classification during direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study included 53 ASA class I - III patients aged 18 - 70 years who were scheduled for tracheal intubation under general anesthesia. Before anesthesia, an oblique transverse ultrasound view of the airway was obtained; in addition, the total time taken to achieve the final plane, the depth of the pre-epiglottic space, and the distance from the epiglottis to the mid-point between the vocal cords were all recorded. The ultrasound measurements were then compared with the Mallampati class on the preoperative evaluation and with the Cormack-Lehane grade during direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia. RESULTS: It was observed that correlations between the pre-epiglottic space (PE) and Cormack-Lehane grades I, II, and III were weak. Correlations between the distance from the epiglottis to the vocal cords (E-VC) and Cormack-Lehane grades I, II, and III were also weak. The PE/E-VC ratio for correlations between the sonographic view and laryngoscopy had 87.5% sensitivity and 30% specificity. There was no correlation between Mallampati class and the PE/E-VC ratio (P = 0.566). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed weak correlation between PE/E-VC and Cormack-Lehane grade, with 87% sensitivity and 30% specificity. Therefore, we concluded that sonographic measurement criteria are not accurate in airway evaluations before anesthesia.

Efficacy of transverse abdominis plane block in reduction of postoperation pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a recently introduced regional anesthesia technique that is used for postoperative pain reduction in some abdominal surgeries. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the TAP block on the post laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain intensity and analgesic consumption. METHODS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled in three groups: TAP block with normal saline (Group 1, n = 18); TAP block with bupivacaine (Group 2, n = 18); and TAP block with bupivacaine plus sufentanil (Group 3, n = 18). The time to the first fentanyl request, fentanyl consumption in the 24 hours following surgery, and postoperative pain intensity at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours following discharge for recovery were measured and recorded. RESULTS: The total amount of 24-hour fentanyl consumption was higher in Group 1 (877.8 ± 338.8 µg) than either Group 2 (566.7 ± 367.8 µg) or Group 3 (555.5 ± 356.8 µg; p = 0.03). Postoperative pain score was higher in Group 1 than intervention groups (p = 0.006); however, there was no significant difference in intervention groups. The time to the first fentanyl request in Group 1 (79.44 ± 42.2) was significantly lower than Group 3 (206.38 ± 112.7; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that bilateral TAP block with 0.5% bupivacaine reduces post laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain intensity and fentanyl request and prolongs time to the first analgesic request. Adding sufentanil to the block solution reduced neither pain intensity nor fentanyl further consumption.

Anaphylactic shock during pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid cyst is a parasitic disease caused by a tapeworm Echinococcusgranulosus. Humans are accidental hosts and infected after digestion of foods contaminated to fecal matter of definite hosts. The most affected organs are liver and lungs. Rupture of cyst (spontaneous rupture or rupture due to trauma or surgery) can cause anaphylactic reactions. Even considered as a rare event during anesthesia, it can be life threatening with the manifestations of severe hypotension and circulatory shock. Thus, immediate and proper treatment is necessary . CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of anaphylactic shock during surgery of pulmonary Hydatid cyst in a 42 year old woman and its management. CONCLUSIONS: During the surgery of hydatid cyst, any hemodynamic instability should raise the suspension of anaphylaxis and early resuscitation should be instituted.

Attenuation of hemodynamic responses following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation -- comparative assessment of clonidine and gabapentin premedication.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to compare the effect of clonidine and gabapentin premedication in modifying the hyperdynamic response following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy-five ASA I-II patients of both sexes (37 males (49.3%), 38 females (50.7%)) 18 to 45 years (mean 32.8 +/- 8.65 yr.) were randomly allocated into three equal groups (25 each). Group-1 received 0.2 mg clonidine, Group-2 received placebo and Group-3 received 900 mg gabapentin, 120 minute before operation. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were measured before induction of anesthesia, before laryngoscopy, and 1, 3, 5, 10 min after intubation. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that the heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure significantly differed between groups (p<0.001, p = 0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The highest rates of heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were in the placebo group and in one minute after laryngoscopy, and the lowest rate were in the gabapentin group at the time of 1, 3, 5 and 10 after laryngoscopy, except that the lowest rate of heart rate in 10 min after laryngoscopy was in clonidine group. CONCLUSION: The data propose that both clonidine and gabapentin have effective role in blunting hyperdynamic responses after laryngoscopy, more so with gabapentin.