Intraoperative Pleth Variability Index Is Linked to Delayed Graft Function After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Delayed graft function (DGF) is an early postoperative complication of kidney transplantation (KT) predisposing to acute rejection and lower graft survival. Intraoperative arterial hypotension and hypovolemia are associated with DGF. Central venous pressure (CVP) is used to estimate volemia but its reliability has been criticized. Pleth variability index (PVI) is a hemodynamic parameter predicting fluid responsiveness. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between intraoperative PVI and CVP values and the occurrence of DGF. METHODS: This was a prospective, noninterventional, observational, single-center study. All consecutive patients with KT from deceased donors were included. Recipients received standard, CVP, and PVI monitoring. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were recorded from recipients at 5 time points during KT. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled. There was a poor correlation between PVI and CVP values (r2 = 0.003; P = .44). Immediate graft function and DGF patients had similar hemodynamic values during KT, with the exception of PVI values, which were significantly higher in the DGF group. In particular, a PVI >9% before unclamping of the renal artery was the only predictive parameter of DGF in our multivariate analysis (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PVI values >9% during KT are associated with the occurrence of DGF.

[VENTILOP survey. Survey in peroperative mechanical ventilation]. / Enquête VENTILOP. Enquête sur la ventilation mécanique peropératoire.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical ventilation can initiate ventilator-associated lung injury and postoperative pulmonary complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) how mechanical ventilation was comprehended by anaesthetists (physician and nurses) and (2) the need for educational programs. METHODS: A computing questionnary was sent by electronic-mail to the entire anaesthetist from Alsace region in France (297 physicians), and to a pool of 99 nurse anaesthetists. Mechanical ventilation during anaesthesia was considered as optimized when low tidal volume (6-8mL) of ideal body weight was associated with positive end expiratory pressure, FiO2 less than 50%, I/E adjustment and recruitment maneuvers. RESULTS: The participation rate was 50.5% (172 professionals). Only 2.3% of professionals used the five parameters for optimized ventilation. Majority of professionals considered that mechanical ventilation adjustment influenced the patients' postoperative outcome. Majority of the professionals asked for a specific educational program in the field of mechanical ventilation. DISCUSSION: Only 2.3% of professionals optimized mechanical ventilation during anaesthesia. Guidelines and specific educational programs in the field of mechanical ventilation are widely expected.

Peri-operative management of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in gastrointestinal surgery.

Peri-operative management of the risks of hemorrhage and thrombosis related to gastrointestinal surgery tailored to patient characteristics are part of daily multidisciplinary practice tasks. The goal of this update is to discuss current practices concerning antithrombosis prophylaxis and the management of recently developed anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. The duration of prophylaxis is 1 month for oncological surgery. The recommended doses in bariatric surgery are twice daily injections of low-molecular weight heparin without exceeding a total dose of 10,000 IU/day. Dual antiplatelet therapy is necessary for 6 weeks after placement of bare-metal stents, from 6-12 months for drug-eluting stents, and 12 months after an acute coronary artery syndrome. Abrupt discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy exposes the patient to an increased risk of thrombosis. Data are insufficient to make specific recommendations for antiplatelet therapy in gastrointestinal surgery. For major digestive surgery, prescription of daily aspirin should be discussed case by case. If discontinuation of treatment is absolutely necessary, this should be as short as possible (aspirin: 3 days, ticagrelor and clopidogrel: 5 days, prasugrel: 7 days). The modalities for elective management of new oral anticoagulants are similar to those for classical vitamin K antagonists (VKA) therapy, except that any overlapping with heparin administration must be avoided. In the emergency setting, an algorithm can be proposed depending on the drug, the available coagulation tests and the interval before performing surgery.

Focus on perioperative management of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents in spine surgery.

UNLABELLED: Perioperative management of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents is based on a compromise between the risk of hemorrhage induced by maintaining (or substituting for) them and the risk of thrombosis if they are discontinued. The hemorrhage risk in major spinal surgery is clear (50-81% incidence of transfusion), and the incidence of postoperative symptomatic spinal hematoma varies between 0.4% and 0.2% depending on whether low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is prescribed postoperatively. The French Health Authority, in 2008, published guidelines on the management of patients treated with vitamin K antagonists. Treatment may be stopped without preoperative replacement in certain cases of atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolic disease; otherwise, preoperative replacement by curative dose unfractionated heparin (UFH) or LMWH is recommended, with withdrawal early enough to avoid peroperative bleeding. Postoperative care should take account of hemorrhagic risk following surgery. The management of patients treated with antiplatelets is delicate, as maintenance is preferable in most of the situations in which they are prescribed (bare or active stenting, or secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke or peripheral ischemia), although they are liable to increase the risk of perioperative hemorrhage, especially when associated to antithrombotic prophylaxis. If surgery cannot be performed under treatment continuation, the interruption should be as short as possible. New guidelines are presently being drawn up under the auspices of the French Health Authority. In both types of treatment, the strategy should be jointly determined by surgeon, anesthesiologist and cardiologist, to optimize individualized care taking account of each party's requirements, with the patient in the central role. The selected strategy should be clearly stated in the patient's file. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

[Surgery and invasive procedures in patients on long-term treatment with oral direct thrombin or factor Xa inhibitors]. / Chirurgies et actes invasifs chez les patients traités au long cours par un anticoagulant oral anti-IIa ou anti-Xa direct Propositions du Groupe d'intérêt en hémostase périopératoire (GIHP) et du Groupe d'études sur l'hémostase et la thrombose (GEHT).

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs), inhibitors of factor IIa or Xa, are expected to replace vitamin K antagonists in most of their indications. It is likely that patients on long-term treatment with DOAs will be exposed to elective or emergency surgery or invasive procedures. Due to the present lack of experience in such conditions, we cannot make recommendations, but only propose perioperative management for optimal safety as regards the risk of bleeding and thrombosis. DOAs may increase surgical bleeding, they have no validated antagonists, they cannot be monitored by simple, standardised laboratory assays, and their pharmacokinetics vary significantly from patient to patient. Although DOAs differ in many respects, the proposals in the perioperative setting need not be specific to each. For procedures with low risk of haemorrhage, a therapeutic window of 48 h (last administration 24h before surgery, restart 24h after) is proposed. For procedures with medium or high haemorrhagic risk, we suggest stopping DOAs 5 days before surgery to ensure complete elimination of the drug in all patients. The treatment should be resumed only when the risk of bleeding has been controlled. In patients with a high risk of thrombosis (e.g. those in atrial fibrillation with an antecedent of stroke), bridging with heparin (low molecular weight, or unfractionated if the former is contraindicated) is proposed. In emergency, the procedure should be postponed for as long as possible (minimum 1-2 half-lives) and non-specific anti-haemorrhagic agents, such as recombinant human activated factor VIIa, or prothrombin concentrates, should not be given for prophylactic reversal, due to their uncertain benefit-risk.

[Knot in a thoracic epidural catheter]. / Nœud dans un cathéter péridural thoracique.

We report a case of impossible injection into a thoracic epidural catheter associated with a difficult withdrawal of this catheter after its introduction on the T3-T4 level. Thanks to a gentle and continuous traction, the catheter was finally successfully removed without being broken, but presented a simple knot at 13mm from its end. No neurological complication was observed later on. This complication happened during the introduction of the catheter at the thoracic level where anatomic conditions are less favorable for this kind of complication to happen than at the lumbar level. We have been probably confronted with a catheter taking an abnormal direction due to an anatomic structure. This case shows us that knots in an epidural catheter are also possible on the high thoracic level and that its ascent within the epidural space must happen without any resistance.

[High fidelity simulation in Anesthesia and Intensive Care: context and opinion of performing centres--a survey by the French College of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists]. / La simulation en anesthésie réanimation: profil et point de vue des centres français--une enquête du Collège français des anesthésistes réanimateurs.

OBJECTIVES: High fidelity simulation is rapidly expanding in France. The question of knowing how to accredit this new mode of continuous education and how far it is available for this purpose is pending. The purpose of this survey was to collect how active centres operate and which criteria they would prefer to accredit this form of continuing medical education. STUDY DESIGN: National survey. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all centres using high fidelity simulation in France (December 2009). RESULTS: Eighteen of 21 centres answered (86%; all university hospitals). These centres are equipped with adult high fidelity simulation and procedural heads for intubation. Funding is achieved via multiple sources and one third of centres benefit from manufacturers' lending. Centres are mostly located within the university premises (70%). One or more staff practitioners are involved in 78% and the majority of centres are operated by more than three. Nurse anaesthetists are not involved in most centres. Operating procedures are similar and high fidelity simulation is mostly used for in-site resident training. At present, centres are only marginally able to train non-resident senior anaesthesiologists. Sessions extend over one day (72%). The majority of centres is prone to share scenarios (75%) and pedagogic aids (93%). Basic scenarios (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are mainstream objectives for 85% of centres. CONCLUSION: high fidelity simulation is rapidly expending in France but its ability to contribute to continuous medical education is still limited to date.

[Bedside pretransfusion compatibility testing fiability with cold agglutinins during cardiopulmonary bypass associated hypothermia for cardiac surgery]. / Fiabilité du contrôle ultime prétransfusionnel de compatibilité en présence d'agglutinines froides en chirurgie cardiaque avec circulation extracorporelle.

This case report is an example of a bedside pretransfusion compatibility testing issue. An 81-years-old woman was admitted in the operating room for aortic valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. A conflict occurred during the bedside pretransfusion compatibility testing between the results of the patient and the packed red blood cells. Afterwards, the patient was diagnosed with cold agglutinins. It might have produced false positive results with the anti-A and anti-B reagents.

Can oral vitamin K before elective surgery substitute for preoperative heparin bridging in patients on vitamin K antagonists?

BACKGROUND: After a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) overdose, 1-2 mg of oral vitamin K can lower the International Normalized Ratio (INR) to the therapeutic range. OBJECTIVE: To establish whether oral vitamin K can substitute for heparin bridging and decrease the INR to < or = 1.5 before elective surgery. METHODS: Patients on long-term VKAs were randomized either to heparin bridging after the last VKA dose on day -5 before surgery (group H) or to VKA treatment until day -2, followed by 1 mg of oral vitamin K on the day before surgery (group K). Blood clotting variables were assessed on days -5/-2, 1 and 0, and postoperatively. If the target INR was not achieved 2 h before incision, surgery was deferred or performed after injection of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). RESULTS: In 30 of 94 included patients, baseline INR was outside the chosen range (18, INR < 2; 12, INR > 3.5), leaving 34 eligible patients in group H and 30 in group K. The groups were balanced in terms of body mass index, VKA treatment duration and indication, scheduled surgery, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin, and blood loss. The INR was significantly higher in group K on days -1 and 0 than in group H. An INR < or = 1.5 was not achieved in 20 group K patients (66%). Surgery was postponed or performed after PCC injection in 12 of these 20 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Oral vitamin K (1 mg) cannot substitute for heparin bridging before surgery. In addition, one-third of patients on VKAs were exposed to a risk of bleeding (overdose) or thrombosis (underdose), thus highlighting the need for new oral anticoagulants.

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia in patients with ventricular assistance device bridge-to-transplantation. A case series.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), is a severe side effect of heparin. It occurs both in patients treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH) and in patients treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). It is associated with anti-heparin/platelet factor (PF4) antibodies. HIT is a rare pathology, with rates going from 8% to 10% in patients in ventricular assist device support. The authors present three clinical cases which occurred in the Department of Anesthesiology of the Civil Hospital of Strasbourg (France) in patients receiving biventricular assistance bridge-to- cardiac transplantation. All the three patients were hospitalized for myocardial infarction. In case 1 HIT was diagnosed on VI day postoperative after a ventricular assistance device (VAD) implant. The patient was treated with lepirudin and transplanted after 73 days. In case 2 HIT diagnosis was made after 9 days receiving VAD. Also this patient was treated with lepirudin and transplanted after 48 days. Both case 1 and 2 received intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) assistance before receiving VAD. Case 3 received VAD on XXII day of hospitalization; the patient developed HIT after 5 days, which was treated with lepirudin. He was transplanted after 66 days, but he died in course of intervention. HIT in patients undergoing VAD bridge-to-transplantation is a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of thrombocytopenia. Correct diagnosis, management and therapy are mandatory in this kind of patients, but they are not easy and standardized.

[Delayed diagnosis of a postanaesthesia temporomandibular joint dislocation]. / Luxation de l'articulation temporomandibulaire diagnostiquée au décours d'une anesthésie générale.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation during anaesthesia is a rare occurrence. Patients with a history of prior dislocations or TMJ dysfunction, and patients with mandibular retrognathism are at risk of this complication. This is a case report of delayed diagnosis of TMJ dislocation after a general anaesthesia for aortic valvular replacement surgery in a predisposed patient. Considering this unusual presentation, TMJ evaluation should be performed during preoperative anaesthetic assessment. In at-risk patients, one should not worry about TMJ dislocation during intubation but concentrate on glottic exposure. However, afterwards, one should be highly aware of this possible complication in order to detect it early, allowing an immediate simple manual reduction. This manoeuver may be performed with or without sedation by a practitioner, familiar with this way of resetting a dislocated jaw.

Safety of HES 130/0.4 (Voluven(R)) in patients with preoperative renal dysfunction undergoing abdominal aortic surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel-group multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with impaired renal function are at risk of developing renal dysfunction after abdominal aortic surgery. This study investigated the safety profile of a recent medium-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch (HES) preparation with a low molar substitution (HES 130/0.4) in this sensitive patient group. METHODS: Sixty-five patients were randomly allocated to receive either 6% hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven); n = 32) or 3% gelatin (Plasmion); n = 33) for perioperative volume substitution. At baseline, renal function was impaired in all study patients as indicated by a measured creatinine clearance < 80 mL min(-1). The main renal safety parameter was the peak increase in serum creatinine up to day 6 after surgery. RESULTS: Both treatment groups were compared for non-inferiority (pre-defined non-inferiority range hydroxyethyl starch < gelatin + 17.68 micromol L(-1) or 0.2 mg dL(-1). Other renal safety parameters included minimum postoperative creatinine clearance, incidence of oliguria and adverse events of the renal system. Baseline characteristics, surgical procedures and the mean total infusion volume were comparable. Non-inferiority of hydroxyethyl starch vs. gelatin could be shown by means of the appropriate non-parametric one-sided 95% CI for the difference hydroxyethyl starch-gelatin [-infinity, 11 micromol L(-1)]. Oliguria was encountered in three patients of the hydroxyethyl starch and four of the gelatin treatment group. One patient receiving gelatin required dialysis secondary to surgical complications. Two patients of each treatment group died. CONCLUSION: As we found no drug-related adverse effects of hydroxyethyl starch on renal function, we conclude that the choice of the colloid had no impact on renal safety parameters and outcome in patients with decreased renal function undergoing elective abdominal aortic surgery.

["Difficult intubation" workshops : impact on knowledge and practices]. / Ateliers "intubation difficile": impact sur les connaissances et les pratiques.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of difficult intubation workshops on airway management knowledge and daily medical practice in anaesthesiology. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective survey. METHODS: The participants to the workshops accredited by the French college of anaesthesiologists (Cfar) in 2003 were invited to answer to MCQ before, immediately and three months after the course. They also completed a questionnaire provided during the workshop and three months later, focusing on medical practice and their own organization in the area of difficult intubation before and after the workshop. RESULTS: One hundred seven participants responded to the immediate evaluation (MCQ and questionnaire) whereas 32 responded to the delayed evaluation performed three months later. A subjective scale was used to assess the level of knowledge in difficult intubation (0: lowest level, 10 highest level). The mean score for subjective knowledge considering difficult intubation was 4.7+/-2.3 before the course and 6.9+/-1.6 at 3 months (P<0.001). The mean scores attributed to MCQ were not different before and after the workshops. Participants expected complementary practical training (65%) and theoretical courses (40%). Delayed evaluation revealed that 25/32 participants had to deal with difficult intubation during their clinical practice after the workshop, but 3 cases (12%) could not be managed with success. Defects could be observed in terms of organization: no difficult airway trolley (22%), no predefined difficult airway algorithm (66%), and information: no written information given to the difficult airway patient (44%), and no information given to the difficult airway patient's home doctor (91%). DISCUSSION: These results showed that difficult intubation remains a real problem for anaesthesiologists. They also revealed differences between subjective and objective knowledge and pointed out defects in terms of organization and management which should be improved.

[Anaesthetic considerations for interventional radiology]. / Anesthésie pour imagerie interventionnelle.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the new procedures applied for interventional radiology leading to specific anaesthetic care and organization. DATA SOURCE: Record of references from national and international journals in Medline. STUDY SELECTION: All types of articles were selected including prospective studies, practice guidelines, reviews and case reports. DATA SYNTHESIS: During interventional radiology, anaesthesia should be adapted to the duration of the procedure, the pain induced by the radiologist, the position of the patient and its medical status. General anaesthesia would be preferred for long procedures, requiring total immobility. Locoregional anaesthesia can be proposed for some cases. Sedation associating hypnotics (propofol, midazolam, sevoflurane) and opioids (alfentanil, remifentanil) is commonly used according to different schemes, as discontinuous boluses, continuous infusion, target controlled intravenous sedation or patient controlled sedation. Monitoring of temperature and diuresis may be useful for long procedures. Haemodynamic monitoring (arterial catheter, central venous pressure) and haemostatic monitoring may be necessary for interventional neuroradiology and endovascular stenting. Radiofrequency and laser procedures are often painful, requiring the choice of adequate analgesic regimen. Hydratation associated with acetylcysteine seems to be able to prevent contrast induced nephropathy in patients with risk factors for chronic renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: As advances in interventional radiology are obvious, general organisation as well as anaesthetic procedures should be adapted to these specific techniques.