The effects of dexmedetomidine on intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring modalities during corrective scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: During scoliosis surgery, motor evoked potentials (MEP), and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been reported to be affected by the use of higher doses of anesthetic agents. Dexmedetomidine, a sympatholytic agent, an alpha-2 receptor agonist, has been used as an adjunctive agent to lower anesthetic dose. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of dexmedetomidine on the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of MEP and SSEP during surgery, particularly among pediatric patients. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to determine whether, during spinal fusion surgery in pediatric patients with scoliosis, dexmedetomidine alters MEP amplitude or SSEP latency and amplitude and, if so, whether different doses of dexmedetomidine display different effects (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022300562). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library on January 1, 2022 and included randomized controlled trials, observational cohort and case-control studies and case series investigating dexmedetomidine in the population of interest and comparing against a standardized anesthesia regimen without dexmedetomidine or comparing multiple doses of dexmedetomidine. Animal and in vitro studies and conference abstracts were excluded. RESULTS: We found substantial heterogeneity in the risk of bias (per Cochrane-preferred tools) of the included articles (n = 5); results are summarized without meta-analysis. Articles with the lowest risk of bias indicated that dexmedetomidine was associated with MEP loss and that higher doses of dexmedetomidine increased risk. In contrast, articles reporting no association between dexmedetomidine and MEP loss suffered from higher risk of bias, including suspected or confirmed problems with confounding, outcome measurement, participant selection, results reporting, and lack of statistical transparency and power. CONCLUSION: Given the limitations of the studies available in the literature, it would be advisable to conduct rigorous randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes to assess the effects of dexmedetomidine use of in scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients.

Subfascial versus extrafascial ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block in patients with post-mastectomy sympathetically mediated pain: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Despite being a well-described intervention, the optimal anatomical approach to perform a stellate ganglion block (SGB) has been disputed. We compared the subfascial and extrafascial ultrasound-guided (USG) SGB. Methods: A randomised clinical trial was conducted, consisting of 50 patients in two groups. Group I received SGB via the subfascial approach while Group II received an SGB via the extrafascial approach. The primary endpoint was successful sympathetic blockade (as indicated by a measured temperature rise of ≥2°C). Secondary endpoints included analgesic efficiency (extent of early onset of pain relief as indicated by >50% improvement in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at 300's post-procedure); occurrence of Horner's syndrome; extent of local anaesthetic distribution; and adverse events. Results: The mean increase in sympathetic blockade was significantly higher in the subfascial group (2.6 ± 0.6°C; p = .003). Analgesic efficacy was also significantly higher in the subfascial group (p < .001). The difference in the average dermatomal spread of local anaesthetic down to T2 and up to C4 between the groups was also statistically significant (p = .021 and p = .019, respectively). Conclusions: The degree of temperature rise, pain relief and occurrence of Horner's syndrome were higher in the subfascial than the extrafascial group. The subfascial approach to SGB, with a limited volume of local anaesthetic agent, is a more reliable technique when compared to the extrafascial approach.

The Use of Transesophageal Doppler and Central Venous Oxygen Saturation as Predictors of Weaning Success.

OBJECTIVES: Weaning individuals from mechanical ventilation (MV) is a challenge to physicians. Respiratory failure is the main reason for weaning failure (WF), but heart failure plays a pivotal role as well. Transesophageal Doppler (TED) is a minimally invasive method of hemodynamic tracking with fewer problems. The study authors evaluated the role of TED in predicting WF. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: A university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Weaning individuals. INTERVENTIONS: TED was applied before initiating the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood gases, and TED (peak velocity [PV], cardiac output [COP]) were reported while cases were on MV before initiating the SBT, and at the successful completion of SBT. Succeeded (group S) and failed individuals (group F, who needed reintubation within 48 hours) were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curve were calculated. A subgroup of patients with cardiac comorbidities and impaired cardiac contractility was further analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The authors included 39 critically ill patients for weaning from MV. The reintubation rate was 54.8%. In patients with cardiac morbidity, delta change (dC) in PV and COP as predictors of WF showed 100% sensitivity and specificity, with 18% and 14% cut-offs after initiating the SBT (dC between the beginning and end of the successful SBT), respectively. Central venous oxygen saturation revealed a significant difference between patients with cardiac morbidity and noncardiac patients with lower sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of WF. CONCLUSIONS: TED could be a helpful method for the weaning of patients with cardiac morbidity from MV. The dC in PV and COP >18% and >14% were significant predictors of WF in these subjects, respectively.

The diagnostic and prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The world urgently requires surrogate markers to diagnose COVID-19 and predict its progression. The severity is not easily predicted via currently used biomarkers. Critical COVID-19 patients need to be screened for hyperinflammation to improve mortality but expensive cytokine measurement is not routinely conducted in most laboratories. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel biomarker in patients with various diseases. We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of the NLR in COVID-19 patients.Methods: We searched for relevant articles in seven databases. The quantitative analysis was conducted if at least two studies were evaluating the NLR role in COVID-19.Results: We included 8,120 individuals, including 7,482 COVID-19 patients, from 32 articles. Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of NLR compared to negative individuals. Advanced COVID-19 stages had significantly higher levels of NLR than earlier stages.Expert Opinion: We found significantly higher levels of NLR in advanced stages compared to earlier stages of COVID-19 with good accuracy to diagnose and predict the disease outcome, especially mortality prediction. A close evaluation of critical SARS-CoV-2 patients and efficient early management are essential measures to decrease mortality. NLR could help in assessing the resource allocation in severe COVID-19 patients even in restricted settings.

Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in the Pediatric Population Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With Electroencephalography Monitoring: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac surgery for repair of congenital heart defects poses unique hazards to the developing brain. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is a simple and effective method for facilitating a bloodless surgical field during congenital heart defect repair. There are, however, some concerns that prolonged DHCA increases the risk of nervous system injury. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is used in adult and, to a lesser extent, pediatric cardiac procedures as a neuromonitoring method. The present study was performed to assess outcomes following DHCA with EEG monitoring in the pediatric population. DESIGN: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Institute of Science Index, and Embase databases were searched from inception for relevant articles. A fixed- or random-effects model, as appropriate, was used. SETTING: Surgical setting. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric population (≤18 y old). INTERVENTIONS: DHCA (18°C) with EEG monitoring. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nineteen articles with 1,267 pediatric patients ≤18 years were included. The event rate of clinical and EEG seizures among patients who underwent DHCA was 12.9% and 14.9%, respectively. Mortality was found to have a 6.3% prevalence. A longer duration of DHCA was associated with a higher risk of EEG seizure and neurologic abnormalities. In addition, seizures were associated with increased neurologic abnormalities and neurodevelopmental delay. CONCLUSIONS: EEG and neurologic abnormalities were common after DHCA. A longer duration of DHCA was found to lead to more EEG seizure and neurologic abnormalities. Moreover, EEG seizures were more common than clinical seizures. Seizures were found to be associated with increased neurologic abnormalities and neurodevelopmental delay.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Noninvasive Methods to Measure the Intracranial Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although invasive monitoring is the standard method for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement, it is not without potential for serious complications. Noninvasive methods have been proposed as alternatives to invasive ICP monitoring. The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the currently available noninvasive methods for intracranial hypertension (ICH) monitoring. METHODS: We searched 5 databases for articles evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive methods in diagnosing ICH in PubMed, Institute of Science Index, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase. The quantitative analysis was conducted if there were at least 2 studies evaluating a specific method. The accuracy measures included the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio. RESULTS: We included 134 articles. Ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (US ONSD) had high diagnostic accuracy (estimated sensitivity of 90%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87-92, estimated specificity of 88%; 95% CI, 84-91) while the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 77%; 95% CI, 64-87 and estimated specificity of 89%; 95% CI, 84-93, and computed tomography (CT) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 93%; 95% CI, 90-96 and estimated specificity of 79%; 95% CI, 56-92. All MRI signs had a very high estimated specificity ranging from 90% to 99% but a low estimated sensitivity except for sinus stenosis which had high estimated sensitivity as well as specificity (90%; 95% CI, 75-96 and 96%; 95% CI, 91-99, respectively). Among the physical examination signs, pupillary dilation had a high estimated specificity (86%; 95% CI, 76-93). Other diagnostic tests to be considered included pulsatility index, papilledema, transcranial Doppler, compression or absence of basal cisterns, and ≥10 mm midline shift. Setting the cutoff value of ICH to ≥20 mm Hg instead of values <20 mm Hg was associated with higher sensitivity. Moreover, if the delay between invasive and noninvasive methods was within 1 hour, the MRI ONSD and papilledema had a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy compared to the >1 hour subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed several promising tools for diagnosing ICH. Moreover, we demonstrated that using multiple, readily available, noninvasive methods is better than depending on a single sign such as physical examination or CT alone.

YEARS Algorithm Versus Wells' Score: Predictive Accuracies in Pulmonary Embolism Based on the Gold Standard CT Pulmonary Angiography.

OBJECTIVES: This study retrospectively applied Wells' score and YEARS algorithm to the same sample of patients to evaluate the predictive performance of each when compared with the gold standard CT pulmonary angiography. DESIGN: Retrospective analytical study. SETTING: A tertiary University Hospital in Ireland. PATIENTS: Data from 794 patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography to rule out pulmonary embolism. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were analyzed using retrospective application of both Wells' score and YEARS algorithm. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated and compared. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 794 scans, 78 (9.8%) were positive for pulmonary embolism. The YEARS algorithm was more sensitive than the Wells' score (97.44% vs 74.36%) but was less specific (13.97% vs 33.94%). Furthermore, the diagnostic odds ratio of YEARS was higher than Wells' score (6.27 vs 1.48). YEARS provides better negative predictive value (98% vs 92.4%), and both scores have poor positive predictive value (10.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Both scores successfully exclude pulmonary embolism, although YEARS has a better negative predictive value. Both exhibit poor positive predictive value.