Incidence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors of Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest During Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative cardiac arrest (ICA) during liver transplantation (LT) is a rare surgical complication that results in devastating outcomes. Moreover, previous worldwide studies have found inconsistencies in the risk factors associated with ICA in LT. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent LT between January and October 2021 at Siriraj Hospital, a tertiary care hospital. The incidence of ICA and outcomes of patients who experienced ICA were examined. Risk factors associated with ICA were investigated as a secondary objective. RESULTS: Among 342 patients, the incidence of ICA was 3.5% (95% CI 1.8%-6.1%). Of these, 33.3% died intraoperatively. Among patients with ICA, 41.7% died within 30 days, compared with only 7.6% in those without ICA (P = .002). Moreover, the in-hospital mortality rate of those with ICA was 58.3%, which was significantly higher than that of those without ICA (9.7%, P < .001). However, 41.7% of patients with ICA were discharged alive with long-term survival. Because ICA is a rare event, we found only 2 independent factors significantly associated with ICA. These factors include intraoperative temperature below 35°C, with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.07 (95% CI:1.32-27.88, P = .02) and elevated intraoperative serum potassium, with an OR of 4.57 (95% CI:2.15-9.67, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ICA is associated with high perioperative and in-hospital mortality. However, our findings suggest that with effective management of ICA, more than 40% of these patients could be discharged with excellent long-term outcomes. Hypothermia and hyperkalemia were independent risk factors significantly associated with ICA.

Difficult airway code activation for emergency endotracheal intubation outside the operating room in a tertiary care university hospital of Thailand: A single-center retrospective observational study.

Emergency airway management outside the operating room (OR) is a higher risk procedure as compared to the OR setting. Inappropriate airway management leading to complications, including pulmonary aspiration, dental trauma, esophageal intubation, prolonged recovery, unplanned intensive care unit admission and death. The emergency difficult airway management team of Siriraj hospital has been established since 2018 under the name of Code-D delta. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of Code D-delta activation, the performance of the code, the complications and outcome of the patients. This is a single-centered, observational, and retrospective study included all adult patient who was emergency intubated outside the OR between July and November 2020. The criteria for code D-delta activation included failed intubation for more than 2 attempts and suspected difficult intubation. The collected data were categorized into Code D-delta activation and non-activation group. The primary outcome was a frequency of Code D-delta activation. The demographic data, ward and indication of activation, intubation process, the complications of intubation were also collected and analyzed. During the study period, 247 patients with 307 intubations were included. The incidence of code D-delta activation was 8.14%. Regarding indication of activation, failed intubation more than 2 attempts was 40%, while suspected difficult intubation was 92%. Respiratory failure was the highest main diagnosis at 36%. The highest rate of activation was from medicine ward (60%), followed by surgery ward (16%) and emergency department (16%). Regarding the code responses and intubation performance, 7 and 10 minutes were the median time from call to scene in- and out- of official hours. The success rate of intubation at scene by code D-delta team was 85%. The airway and other complications were comparable between groups. This is the first study about emergency difficult airway management team in university hospital of Thailand. This study showed the rate of Code-D delta activation, the emergency airway management code, was 8.14% with the success rate of 85% at scene. Emergency airway management outside the operating room is particularly challenging. Airway assessment, planning, decision making of the team relevant to the patients outcomes.

Popliteal sciatic nerve block for high-risk patients undergoing lower limb angioplasty: A prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To assess the rate of conversion to general anesthesia, sedative and analgesic drug-sparing effects, and complications of popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) compared with a sham block during lower limb angioplasty. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) who receive PSNB with 0.25% levobupivacaine 20 mL compared with a sham block (control) during lower limb angioplasty. Pain scores, conversion rate to general anesthesia, amount of sedoanalgesia drug usage, complications, and satisfaction with the anesthesia technique by surgeons and patients were assessed. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled in this study. Two of 20 (10%) control group patients were converted to general anesthesia, while none of the patients in the intervention group required general anesthesia (P = .487). Pain scores before PSNB did not differ between the groups (P = .771). After the block, pain scores in the block group were lower than those in the control group: 0 (0, 1.5) (median, interquartile range) and 2.5 (0.5, 3.5), respectively (P = .024). The analgesic effect persisted until immediately after the surgery (P = .035). There was no difference in pain scores at the 24-hours follow-up visit (P = .270). The total propofol and fentanyl dosage requirements, a number of patients who required propofol and fentanyl, side effects, and satisfaction were not different between the groups. No major complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: PSNB provided effective pain relief during and immediately after lower limb angioplasty, but did not statistically affect the rate of conversion to general anesthesia, sedoanalgesia drug usage, or complications.

Lung ultrasound is non-inferior to bronchoscopy for confirmation of double-lumen endotracheal tube positioning: a randomized controlled noninferiority study.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate placement of left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes (LDLTs) is paramount for optimal visualization of the operative field during thoracic surgeries that require single lung ventilation. Appropriate placement of LDLTs is therefore confirmed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) rather than clinical assessment alone. Recent studies have demonstrated lung ultrasound (US) is superior to clinical assessment alone for confirming placement of LDLT, but no large trials have compared US to the gold standard of FOB. This noninferiority trial was devised to compare lung US with FOB for LDLT positioning and achievement of lung collapse for operative exposure. METHODS: This randomized, controlled, double-blind, noninferiority trial was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand from October 2017 to July 2019. The study enrolled 200 ASA classification 1-3 patients that were scheduled for elective thoracic surgery requiring placement of LDLT. Study patients were randomized into either the FOB group or the lung US group after initial blind placement of LDLT. Five patients were excluded due to protocol deviation. In the FOB group (n = 98), fiberoptic bronchoscopy was used to confirm lung collapse due to proper positioning of the LDLT, and to adjust the tube if necessary. In the US group (n = 97), lung ultrasonography of four pre-specified zones (upper and lower posterior and mid-axillary) was used to assess lung collapse and guide adjustment of the tube if necessary. The primary outcome was presence of adequate lung collapse as determined by visual grading by the attending surgeon on scale from 1 to 4. Secondary outcomes included the time needed to adjust and confirm lung collapse, the time from finishing LDLT positioning to the grading of lung collapse, and intraoperative parameters such has hypotension or hypertension, hypoxia, and hypercarbia. The patient, attending anesthesiologist, and attending thoracic surgeon were all blinded to the intervention arm. RESULTS: The primary outcome of lung collapse by visual grading was similar between the intervention and the control groups, with 89 patients (91.8%) in the US group compared to 83 patients (84.1%) in the FOB group (p = 0.18) experiencing adequate collapse. This met criteria for noninferiority per protocol analysis. The median time needed to confirm and adjust LDLT position in the US group was 3 min (IQR 2-5), which was significantly shorter than the median time needed to perform the task in the FOB group (6 min, IQR 4-10) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients undergoing thoracic surgery requiring LDLT, lung ultrasonography was noninferior to fiberoptic bronchoscopy in achieving adequate lung collapse and reaches the desired outcome in less time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03314519 , Principal investigator: Kasana Raksamani, Date of registration: 19/10/2017.

Incidence of postoperative, major, adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: A single-center, retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the incidence of postoperative major adverse cardiac events for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study recruited 171 carotid endarterectomy patients between January 1999 and June 2018. Patients who received a carotid endarterectomy in conjunction with other surgery were excluded. The primary outcomes were the incidences of major adverse cardiac events (comprising myocardial infarction, significant arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and cardiac death) within 7 days, 7-30 days, and > 30 days-1 year, postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were the factors related to major adverse cardiac events and the incidence of postoperative stroke. The patients' charts were reviewed, and direct contact was made with them to obtain information on their status post discharge. RESULTS: The incidences of major adverse cardiac events within 7 days, 7-30 days, and >30 days-1 year of the carotid endarterectomy were 3.5% of patients (95% confidence interval: 0.008-0.063), 1.2% (95% confidence interval: 0.004-0.028), and 1.8% (95% confidence interval: 0.002-0.037), respectively. The major adverse cardiac events occurring within 7 days were arrhythmia (2.3% of patients), cardiac arrest (1.8%), myocardial infarction (1.2%), and congestive heart failure (1.2%), while the corresponding postoperative stroke rate was 4.7%. CONCLUSION: The 7-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events after the carotid endarterectomy was 3.5%. The most common major adverse cardiac event during that period was cardiac arrhythmia.

Predictive score for immediate extubation after liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that immediate extubation after liver transplantation provides graft and economic benefits without compromising patient outcomes. This study tried to determine the incidence of immediate extubation, demonstrate related factors, and develop a predictive model from the significant factors. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study included 240 out of 271 liver transplantation patients in the hospital liver transplant registry between 2004 and 2016. Extubated and non-extubated groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: The incidence of immediate extubation was 32.1%. It was associated with a MELD score ≤ 25 (adjusted OR, 5.17; 95% CI, 1.64-16.24; p = .005); packed red cells (PRC) transfusion ≤1600 ml (adjusted OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.82-6.53; p < .001); and no requirement for post-operative vasopressors (adjusted OR, 5.83; 95% CI, 2.30-14.77; p < .001). The immediate-extubation group had fewer complications and shorter hospital stays. A Siriraj Liver transplant Extubation Score (SLES) of 5 yielded the best prediction of safe immediate extubation. CONCLUSIONS: An incidence of 32.1% was found for immediate extubation following liver transplantation. Associated factors were a MELD score ≤ 25, a lower amount of transfused blood, and no requirement for post-operative vasopressors. An SLES score of 5 predicted safe immediate extubation.