Effect of propofol and sevoflurane on acid-base balance during pediatric heart catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Propofol is routinely used for anesthesia during pediatric heart catheterization. Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare, but often fatal complication mainly defined as bradycardia with progress to asystolia during propofol infusion. Metabolic acidosis is regarded as an early warning sign of PRIS. In this study the effect of propofol and sevoflurane on serum base excess, pH and lactate have been examined during pediatric heart catheterization. METHODS: In this prospective randomised study 42 children have been anesthetised for pediatric heart catheterization with propofol (N.=22) or sevoflurane (N.=20) with ethic committee approval. Base excess, pH and lactate were measured by blood gas analysis at the beginning, during and at the end of the procedure. Changes relative to baseline were analysed by paired t-Test with correction for multiple testing. The study was powered to detect a difference of 1.5 mmol.L-1 for base excess and lactate. RESULTS: Base excess (-2.59 [2.33] vs. -4.48 [2.88], P=0.0004, mean [standard deviation]) and pH (7.39 [0.05] vs. 7.36 [0.06], P=0.0008,) changed significantly in in the propofol group but not in the sevoflurane group. The number of patients with base excess < 5.0 increased in the propofol group only from 2 to 10 (P=0.016). Lactate decreased in both groups (1.1 [0.3] vs. 0.9 [0.2], P=0.003 for sevoflurane and 1.0 [0.3] vs. 0.8 [0.3], P=0.0004 for propofol). CONCLUSION: Propofol but not sevoflurane had an effect on base excess and pH during pediatric heart catheterization.

Airway management in pediatric patients using the Glidescope Cobalt®: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Video laryngoscopes are claimed to improve airway management. Several studies showed an equal or better glottic view using the Glidescope® compared with direct laryngoscopy in adults and in paediatric patients. Many case reports also described successful intubation in patients with a difficult airway. The Glidescope Cobalt® is a modified Glidescope® with a disposable sheath. Data on clinical application in paediatric patients is insufficient. METHODS: Twenty-four pediatric patients with a mean age of 27 months [range, 1-142] undergoing general anesthesia were included into this feasibility study. Cormack and Lehane grade was evaluated using a Macintosh blade. Tracheal intubation was performed using the Glidescope Cobalt®. Number of attempts, time to intubation, Cormack and Lehane (C&L) grade and a subjective score were noted for both a resident and an attending anesthesiologist. RESULTS: With the Glidescope Cobalt® the C&L grade improved in all patients with grade 2 or 3 to 1 and deteriorated in one case from C&L grade 1 to 2. The C&L grade remained unchanged in 15 patients (62.5%). C&L grades between resident and attending anesthesiologist were equal. Tracheal intubation was successful in 92% with a stylet-armed tube and in 8% using an unarmed tube with a Magill forceps, respectively. Time to intubation was median 50.5 [range, 22-93] seconds. CONCLUSION: The Glidescope Cobalt® presented suitable for use in children. C&L grade was significantly improved in all patients with a C&L grade of 2 or 3. Especially for educational purposes in pediatric anesthesia it provides a good view for all participants.

Effects of enoximone on right-ventricular function in patients with impaired myocardial performance.

The effects of an enoximone monotherapy on left-ventricular and especially on right-ventricular haemodynamics were investigated in fourteen patients with impaired left-ventricular function secondary to coronary artery disease. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with fentanyl and flunitrazepam. After reaching steady state, a bolus of 0.5 mg/kg enoximone was administered, followed by an infusion of 0.5 microgram/kg/min. Besides the common haemodynamic parameters particulary the right-ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured using a special thermodilution technique. The predefined time points were: before administration of enoximone (baseline) and 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, and 30 min after bolus injection of enoximone. Compared to the baseline the maximum effects of enoximone were a 28% increase of cardiac index accompanied by a 39% decline of systemic vascular resistance and an unchanged left-ventricular stroke-work index. While central venous pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure remained unchanged. RVEF (+20%) and right-ventricular stroke-work index (+30%) were significantly augmented, augmented, indicating improved right-ventricular performance. No adverse effects of the enoximone administration were observed perioperatively. We conclude that an enoximone monotherapy is beneficial for patients with impaired myocardial function undergoing cardiac surgery.

Iatrogenic vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula.

Arteriovenous fistulae originating from the vertebral artery are rare. We report a patient in whom a vertebral artery-jugular venous fistula developed following insertion of a central venous catheter via the internal jugular vein. The fistula was successfully occluded surgically.

Effects of amrinone on left and right ventricular function in patients with impaired myocardial performance during general anaesthesia.

We have studied the effects of amrinone on left and right ventricular haemodynamics in patients with impaired ventricular performance caused by coronary artery disease. Anaesthesia was achieved with fentanyl, flunitrazepam and pancuronium. After reaching steady state, a bolus dose of amrinone 0.5 mg kg-1 was administered followed by an infusion of 1 mg kg-1 h-1. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and other haemodynamic variables were evaluated at six times: before, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after bolus administration of amrinone. Amrinone led to a 23% increase in cardiac index resulting mainly from reduction in afterload. While central venous pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure remained unchanged, RVEF increased by 28%. This effect may be interpreted as an improvement in right ventricular performance.

[New aspects of the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by determination of granulocyte elastase]. / Neue Aspekte der Pankreaskarzinomdiagnostik durch die Bestimmung der Granulozytenelastase.

Elastase determination via elastase-alpha 1-antitrypsin-complex is recommended for the prognosis of septic infections. Since it is described that elastase values are increased in the serum of tumor patients it was the aim of the investigations to test elastase in the serum of different surgical tumor patients postoperatively. For comparison patients with septic complications as well as patients without any postoperative complication were also tested. It could be shown that in septic patients elastase values are markedly increased. They were measured at 390 ng/ml in mean, whereas patients without complications after operation had only values of 229 ng/ml. Elastase values in tumor patients were only slightly increased (290 ng/ml). It was, however, generally noticed that patients with pancreas head carcinoma showed regularly markedly increased elastase values (375 ng/ml). From this it was concluded that the determination of elastase values in tumor patients gives no reliable information except in patients with pancreas head carcinoma. In these patients the determination of the elastase could be helpful especially because the normal enzyme diagnosis is often misleading.