Lidocaine inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-A-induced angiogenesis.

PURPOSE: Angiogenesis is closely related to the pathophysiology of diseases such as cancer or ischemia. Here, we investigated the effect of lidocaine at clinically effective blood concentrations on vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-induced angiogenesis. In addition, we aimed to clarify the mechanisms by which lidocaine could inhibit angiogenesis. METHODS: Angiogenesis was analyzed using commercially available in vitro assay kits in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)/normal human dermal fibroblast co-culture systems. The effects of lidocaine on cytotoxicity, VEGF-induced cell migration, and VEGF-induced cell proliferation were examined in HUVECs using lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxic, Boyden chamber, and WST-8 assays, respectively. The VEGF signaling pathway via VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) was analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: Lidocaine elicited a significant dose-dependent, angiogenesis-inhibitory effect at a concentration range of 1-10 µg/ml. At this concentration range, cell death was not observed. Lidocaine, at a concentration of 10 µg/ml, significantly inhibited cell proliferation but not cell migration, induced by VEGF-A in HUVECs. Furthermore, lidocaine, in a dose-dependent manner, significantly inhibited the VEGF-A-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at 3 and 10 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that lidocaine has an anti-angiogenesis effect on clinically effective blood concentrations without causing cell death. This finding could represent a new avenue for future research into anesthesia, cancer-related analgesia, and revascularization therapy.

[Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in the operation room].

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are recognized as an important and serious problem, especially in an intensive care unit (ICU), since they have far higher infection rates compared to those for other type of intravascular devices. However, in the operation room, there seems to be little concern among anesthesiologists regarding this problem. It is important for anesthesiologists to understand that CRBSIs can be prevented or reduced by evidence-based interventions such as hand hygiene, education in hand washing and alcohol-based hand rubbing, sterile catheter care techniques, proper skin disinfection, maximal barrier precautions during catheter insertion, choice of subclavian vein placement, avoidance of femoral vein placement, and removal of an unnecessary catheter. This evidence is based mainly on findings in ICU patients, but introduction of these interventions into operation rooms may be very useful for reducing perioperative CRBSIs.

Significance of prevention and early treatment of a postoperative twisted neck: atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation after head and neck surgery.

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) is an infrequent condition that occurs most commonly in children for unknown reasons. Pediatric surgery, otopharyngeal inflammation, general anesthesia, and extreme rotation of the head are risk factors for development of postsurgical AARS, but AARS can often occur unnoticed, and the syndrome is not well known. We encountered three cases of postoperative AARS that occurred within 7 months; therefore, we have developed guidelines for prevention and early treatment of postoperative AARS. Postoperative AARS cannot be eliminated completely, but informed consent, a preoperative check, an appropriate surgical position, and a postoperative check may reduce the risk and damage related to this condition.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy under total intravenous anesthesia].

This report describes a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy who underwent tracheostomy under total intravenous anesthesia. This 15-year-old girl had been suffering from aspiration pneumonia repeatedly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (30 mg) and fentanyl (50 microg), and the trachea was intubated without a muscle relaxant. The patient was mechanically ventilated also without a relaxant, and anesthesia was maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol 4-10 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and a bolus injection of fentanyl 25 microg. Bispectral index (BIS) was monitored and maintained at 15-65. The patient showed smooth recovery from anesthesia, and the BIS value returned to the pre-anesthetic level 15 minutes after completion of the anesthesia. Her postoperative course was uneventful. We conclude that total intravenous anesthesia by propofol and fentanyl is a preferable method for the management of the patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.