Effects of pain management using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug suppositories during brachytherapy for cervical cancer: A single-center prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: No standardized pain management protocol exists for intracavitary brachytherapy, and various methods of analgesia have been used in different countries and institutions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pain management during intracavitary brachytherapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen suppositories. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, observational study, patients undergoing intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer completed a questionnaire survey after each brachytherapy session, which comprised questions regarding pain intensity, satisfaction with analgesia, and desire for effective anesthesia. RESULTS: Data analysis was performed using data from 100 brachytherapy sessions of 27 patients. The median numerical rating scale (NRS; 0-10) score for each intracavitary brachytherapy session was 3-4. The median satisfaction scale score for analgesia (5-point scale, 1-5) for each session was approximately 4. Eight patients (29.6%) answered that they desired anesthesia more effective than suppositories at any session of brachytherapy. A comparison of the high (NRS ≥4) and low (NRS ≤3) NRS groups during the first session revealed that the high NRS group tended to have higher NRS scores and lower satisfaction with analgesia during all sessions. A positive correlation was observed between tumor size and the NRS score during the first brachytherapy session. CONCLUSIONS: The NRS score was approximately 3-4, and satisfaction with analgesia was approximately 4 out of 5 when NSAIDs or acetaminophen suppositories were used as analgesics during intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Although the current pain management protocol is clinically acceptable, inadequate analgesia is indicated in approximately 30% of patients.

Monitored Anesthesia Care of Two Patients with Highly Elevated Subpulmonic Ventricular Pressure due to Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

Procedural sedation and analgesia for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and highly elevated subpulmonic ventricular pressure require proper anesthesia care to prevent a pulmonary hypertensive crisis. We describe the monitored anesthesia care (MAC) of two patients with ACHD (a complete atrioventricular septal defect and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries) and highly elevated subpulmonic ventricular pressure. In both patients, preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography was useful for detecting severely elevated subpulmonic ventricular pressure. The MAC involved the infusion of propofol, dexmedetomidine, and fentanyl. Norepinephrine was continuously administered from the preanesthetic period. No hemodynamic instability or respiratory depression was observed during the MAC. Continuous administration of norepinephrine from the preinduction period was helpful for preventing hypotension. We added dexmedetomidine to our MAC regimen of propofol and fentanyl because it exerts both sedative and analgesic effects. Dexmedetomidine does not cause respiratory depression; thus, our MAC regimen is believed to be theoretically safe for patients with ACHD and elevated subpulmonic ventricular pressure. Our findings suggest that safe MAC for patients with ACHD and highly elevated subpulmonic ventricular pressure may require careful consideration of the anesthetic regimen and close observation by adequately trained personnel, which is best provided at regional ACHD centers.

Effect of posterior quadratus lumborum blockade on the quality of recovery after major gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Bilateral quadratus lumborum blockade (QLB) using ultrasound guidance has been introduced as an abdominal truncal block to improve postoperative analgesia and quality of recovery (QoR) after abdominal surgery, but efficacy remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of posterior QLB on the postoperative QoR, and secondarily to evaluate postoperative pain after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery (LS). This study was a single-centre randomized controlled trial. QLB group patients underwent bilateral posterior quadratus lumborum injections with 25-30 mL of 0.25% levobupivacaine after induction of general anaesthesia; the control group underwent no block. Both groups were administered fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia postoperatively. The postoperative QoR was measured using the Quality of Recovery 40 (QoR-40) questionnaire score; postoperative pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the cumulative postoperative fentanyl dose. Thirty-one and 29 patients were randomised to the QLB and control groups, respectively. The intraoperative remifentanil dosage was significantly less in the QLB group. The median (interquartile range) for the QoR-40 score was not different between the groups: 154 (133-168) in the QLB group and 158 (144-172) in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcome variables. Single-shot QLB did not improve the QoR or postoperative pain in patients managed by multimodal analgesia after gynaecological LS.

Predictors of severe postoperative hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery in infants: a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

PURPOSE: Hyperglycemia is a common issue in infants after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. Poor glycemic control is suspected to be associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. This study was performed to investigate clinical factors contributing to hyperglycemia in the perioperative period in infats. METHODS: A total of 69 infants (aged 1-12 months) who were admitted to Yokohama City University Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after surgical repair of congenital heart diseases with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were retrospectively analysed. Hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose ≥ 250 mg/dL on ICU admission. Clinical background, operative factors, and postoperative factors were compared between the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups. Additionally, multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to hyperglycemia. RESULTS: Nineteen (27.5%) and 50 (72.5%) infants were classified into the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups, respectively. Hyperglycemic infants were significantly younger, shorter, and weighed less, with a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities. Intraoperatively, they also experienced longer CPB and surgery times and had higher peak lactate levels and higher inotropic requirements. Hyperglycemia was related to longer mechanical ventilation and longer ICU stays. Multivariate analysis detected intraoperative hyperglycemia, longer CPB time, younger age and chromosomal abnormality as significant factors. CONCLUSION: Adding to hyperglycemia during the operation, longer CPB time younger age and chromosomal abnormality were identified as predictors of high blood glucose levels at ICU admission.

Consequences of not relieving negative internal pressure of a medication vial: A survey and simulation study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The glass vial of acetaminophen as an intravenous preparation (Acelio®, Terumo, Japan) has a strong internal negative pressure. The aim of our study was to determine if this negative pressure could result in medication administration errors if not released prior to connecting to the IV set. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey and simulation study. SETTING: University hospital and its affiliated hospitals. SUBJECTS: Fifty-two anesthesiologists in 6 different hospitals in Yokohama. MEASUREMENTS: A questionnaire on current practice was sent to the subjects. The authors then first calculated the internal pressure of the Acelio® vial followed by a simulation set-up. This set-up measured the amount of saline that could be aspirated from a syringe loaded on a syringe pump connected via a secondary IV line when the Acelio® vial was attached to the primary line without prior release of the internal pressure. The volume of aspiration was tested with two syringe sizes and with a fully open IV clamp vs partially closed. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-nine (56.9%) of 51 anesthesiologists who responded to the survey had connected the Acelio® vial at least once without releasing the internal negative pressure, and 21 experienced consequences such as backflow of the venous blood. The pressure inside the Acelio® vial was 81.8±19.6Torr. With the clamp of the simulated IV line fully open, the amount of saline aspirated before the alarm of the syringe pump went off was 1.5±0.1ml and 3.2±0.3ml when 20ml and 50ml syringes were used, respectively. When the clamp was partially closed to allow 2 drops per second, this value was 1.3±0.1ml and 2.3±0.1ml, respectively. After removing the plunger from the holder of the syringe pump, an additional 7ml (clamp partially closed) or 15-18ml (clamp fully open) was aspirated in the subsequent 1min. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of anesthesiologists experienced consequences caused by the negative pressure inside the Acelio® vial. This can also cause aspiration of the contents of the syringe pump.

[A Case of Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia for Cesarean Section in a Patient with Right Heart Failure due to Supravalvular Pulmonary Stenosis after Jatene Operation].

In a 30-year-old pregnant woman with supravalvular pulmonary stenosis after Jatene operation, the right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressure were 54/4 and 30/10 mmHg respectively in the non-pregnant condition. She was hospitalized due to pregnancy induced hypertension at 37 weeks of gestation. At the end of pregnancy, right ventricular failure occurred due to the increased circulatory plasma volume. Induc- tion of delivery was started at 37 weeks 6 days. How- ever, emergency cesarean section was planned because of maternal fatigue and uterine inertia. It was expected that airway management might be difficult because of obesity and full stomach. We chose combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. To avoid rapid reduction of systemic vascular resistance, we selected 0.5% isobaric bupivacaine 1.9 ml and fentanyl 10 gg for spinal anesthesia. Because inadequate analge- sia might worsen right ventricular failure, we added epidural anesthesia. The loss of cold sensation had reached at the fifth thoracic dermatomal level. The hemodynamics was stable without vasopressors. The continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine from epidural catheter was started immediately after the delivery of the baby. As the result of choosing the appropriate anesthesia method, type and amount of local anesthetic, we succeeded in anesthetic management of this patient with right ventricular failure.

S-Nitrosylation of Calcium-Handling Proteins in Cardiac Adrenergic Signaling and Hypertrophy.

RATIONALE: The regulation of calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis by ß-adrenergic receptor (ßAR) activation provides the essential underpinnings of sympathetic regulation of myocardial function, as well as a basis for understanding molecular events that result in hypertrophic signaling and heart failure. Sympathetic stimulation of the ßAR not only induces protein phosphorylation but also activates nitric oxide-dependent signaling, which modulates cardiac contractility. Nonetheless, the role of nitric oxide in ßAR-dependent regulation of Ca(2+) handling has not yet been explicated fully. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of protein S-nitrosylation, a major transducer of nitric oxide bioactivity, on ßAR-dependent alterations in cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling and hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using transgenic mice to titrate the levels of protein S-nitrosylation, we uncovered major roles for protein S-nitrosylation, in general, and for phospholamban and cardiac troponin C S-nitrosylation, in particular, in ßAR-dependent regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis. Notably, S-nitrosylation of phospholamban consequent upon ßAR stimulation is necessary for the inhibitory pentamerization of phospholamban, which activates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and increases cytosolic Ca(2+) transients. Coincident S-nitrosylation of cardiac troponin C decreases myocardial sensitivity to Ca(2+). During chronic adrenergic stimulation, global reductions in cellular S-nitrosylation mitigate hypertrophic signaling resulting from Ca(2+) overload. CONCLUSIONS: S-Nitrosylation operates in concert with phosphorylation to regulate many cardiac Ca(2+)-handling proteins, including phospholamban and cardiac troponin C, thereby playing an essential and previously unrecognized role in cardiac Ca(2+) homeostasis. Manipulation of the S-nitrosylation level may prove therapeutic in heart failure.

Reduction of cardiomyocyte S-nitrosylation by S-nitrosoglutathione reductase protects against sepsis-induced myocardial depression.

Myocardial depression is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in septic patients. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the development of septic cardiomyopathy, but also has protective effects. Recent evidence has indicated that NO exerts many of its downstream effects on the cardiovascular system via protein S-nitrosylation, which is negatively regulated by S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), an enzyme promoting denitrosylation. We tested the hypothesis that reducing cardiomyocyte S-nitrosylation by increasing GSNOR activity can improve myocardial dysfunction during sepsis. Therefore, we generated mice with a cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of GSNOR (GSNOR-CMTg mice) and subjected them to endotoxic shock. Measurements of cardiac function in vivo and ex vivo showed that GSNOR-CMTg mice had a significantly improved cardiac function after lipopolysaccharide challenge (LPS, 50 mg/kg) compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Cardiomyocytes isolated from septic GSNOR-CMTg mice showed a corresponding improvement in contractility compared with WT cells. However, systolic Ca(2+) release was similarly depressed in both genotypes after LPS, indicating that GSNOR-CMTg cardiomyocytes have increased Ca(2+) sensitivity during sepsis. Parameters of inflammation were equally increased in LPS-treated hearts of both genotypes, and no compensatory changes in NO synthase expression levels were found in GSNOR-overexpressing hearts before or after LPS challenge. GSNOR overexpression however significantly reduced total cardiac protein S-nitrosylation during sepsis. Taken together, our results indicate that increasing the denitrosylation capacity of cardiomyocytes protects against sepsis-induced myocardial depression. Our findings suggest that specifically reducing protein S-nitrosylation during sepsis improves cardiac function by increasing cardiac myofilament sensitivity to Ca(2+).

Clinical validity of cerebral oxygen saturation measured by time-resolved spectroscopy during carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy has been used clinically to continuously and noninvasively monitor cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2). However, there is no gold standard for measuring absolute values of ScO2. Although time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS) is one of the most reliable algorithms that reliably calculate absolute values of ScO2, there are very few clinical studies available. To evaluate the clinical relevance of ScO2 measurements using TRS, we compared ScO2 with jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjO2) during carotid endarterectomy. We also investigated factors associated with cerebral oxygen desaturation during clamping of the carotid artery. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were enrolled. ScO2 was measured by TRS-20 using TRS at 10 minutes before and after clamping of the carotid artery and 10 minutes after unclamping. SjO2 was measured simultaneously. The relationship between ScO2, SjO2, and estimated ScO2 (0.75×SjO2+0.25×SaO2) were examined by simple regression and the Bland-Altman analysis. Factors related to ScO2<60% were investigated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between ScO2 and SjO2 (r=0.49, P<0.002). Bland-Altman analysis revealed narrow limits of agreement between ScO2 and SjO2 (bias, 9.2%; precision, 12.6%), as well as ScO2 and estimated ScO2 (bias, -1.3%; precision, 9.7%). Impaired cerebral hemodynamics (Powers stage 2 or Kuroda type 3) was significantly associated with ScO2<60%. CONCLUSIONS: ScO2 measured by TRS and SjO2 showed narrow limits of agreement. Reduced ScO2 was significantly associated with impaired cerebral hemodynamics.

Clinical comparison of an echocardiograph-derived versus pulse counter-derived cardiac output measurement in abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiac output (CO) measurements acquired using the Flotrac/Vigileo system (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) and CO measured by transesophageal echocardiography using the product of the aortic valve area, the time integral of flow at the same site, and the heart rate during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: Cardiac surgery operating room of 1 heart center hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients undergoing elective AAA surgery. INTERVENTIONS: CO was determined simultaneously using the Flotrac/Vigileo system (CO(AP)) and transesophageal echocardiography (CO(TEE)) as the reference method at 8 time points during AAA surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred sixty simultaneous datasets were obtained. The authors observed a significant correlation between CO(AP) and CO(TEE) values (R = 0.56, p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis of CO(AP) and CO(TEE) showed a bias of 0.12 L/min and limits of agreement from -1.66 to 1.90 L/min, with a percentage error of 41%. Just after aortic clamping, CO(AP) significantly increased, but CO(TEE) decreased in comparison with previous measurements. There was a significant association among changes in CO(AP) and pulse pressure, heart rate, and central venous pressure (CVP). However, changes in CO(TEE) were only associated with variations in heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: CO(AP) values were not clinically acceptable for use in AAA surgery because of wide variations during aortic clamping and declamping. Changes in pulse pressure, heart rate, and CVP were associated with significant changes in CO(AP), whereas only changes in heart rate showed associated changes in CO(TEE).

Changes of motor evoked potentials during descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia is a serious complication of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (dTAAs and TAAAs) surgery. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) enable monitoring the functional integrity of motor pathways during dTAA and TAAA surgery. Although MEPs are sensitive to temperature changes, there are few human data on changes of MEPs during mild and deep hypothermia. Therefore, we investigated changes of MEPs in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in dTAA and TAAA surgery. METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients undergoing dTAA and TAAA surgery using DHCA were enrolled. MEPs were elicited and recorded during each degree Celsius change in nasopharyngeal temperature during both the cooling and rewarming phases. Hand and leg skin temperature were also recorded simultaneously. RESULTS: In the cooling phase MEP amplitude decreased lineally in both the hand and leg. The MEP disappeared at ~16°C in both the hand and leg in 10 of 15 patients, but was still elicited in 5 patients. In the rewarming phase MEP in the hand recovered before the temperature reached 20°C for eight patients and 25°C for the other seven patients. In contrast, MEP in the leg recovered below 20°C for two patients and 30°C for three patients. For the other eight patients MEP waves did not recover during the rewarming phase. CONCLUSION: In the cooling phase of DHCA, MEP disappeared at ~16°C in some patients but was still elicited in others. MEP recovered below 25°C in the hand. Recovery of MEP in the leg was, however, extremely variable.

Risk factors of stroke and delirium after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has not abolished the risk of postoperative stroke and delirium seen for on-pump CABG. Advanced arteriosclerotic changes are common in both on-pump and off-pump CABG. We sought to analyze if advanced arteriosclerotic changes are risk factors of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and delirium after off-pump CABG. Patients undergoing off-pump CABG between 2001 and 2005 were reviewed using medical records (n=685). Potential risk factors of postoperative stroke and delirium were identified from previous studies. Further, variables retrieved from carotid artery duplex scanning as indices of advanced arteriosclerosis, were examined. The incidences of postoperative stroke/TIA and delirium after off-pump CABG were 2.6% (n=18) and 16.4% (n=112), respectively. Carotid artery stenosis >50% was a significant risk factor of stroke or TIA (P=0.02) as well as delirium (P=0.04) after off-pump CABG. A history of atrial fibrillation (AF) (P=0.037) or diabetes mellitus (P=0.041) was a risk factors of postoperative stroke or TIA. In contrast, age over 75 years (P=0.006), creatinine >1.3 mg/dl (99 µmol/l) (P=0.011), a history of hypertension (P=0.001), past history of AF (P=0.024), and smoking (P=0.048) were significant risk factors of postoperative delirium.

The efficacy of motor-evoked potentials on cerebral aneurysm surgery and new-onset postoperative motor deficits.

Surgical clipping may cause stenosis of parent arteries or occlusion of perforating arteries in cerebral aneurysm surgery. To prevent postoperative motor deficits, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) have been used. This enables to detect cerebral ischemia. However, the rate of false negatives (motor deficits with preserved MEP) has been relatively higher than in aortic surgery. We hypothesized that postoperative motor deficits with preserved intraoperative MEP do not always represent false negatives. We reviewed medical records of patients for cerebral aneurysms surgery with transcranial MEP monitoring from September 2003 to March 2009. We reviewed aneurysm location and size, abnormal computed tomography findings, and clinical outcome. Motor status was evaluated immediately after extubation and anytime when the symptom of motor deficits was found. One hundred and eleven patients underwent cerebral aneurysm clipping with transcranial MEP. Ninety-eight patients manifested no intraoperative MEP changes and no postoperative motor deficits. Six patients showed intraoperative MEP changes, resulting in no motor deficits in 4 patients with MEP recovery and hemiparesis in 2 without MEP recovery. Four patients of 6 had aneurysm in anterior choroidal artery (AchA). Other 6 patients showed postoperative motor deficits despite preserved intraoperative MEP. Two of 6 patients showed no motor deficits just after extubation, but developed deficits 5 hours after coming out of anesthesia. Only 1 of the 6 patients had aneurysm in AchA. In AchA aneurysm surgery, intraoperative MEP monitoring seems to be useful. False negative in MEP monitoring may include new-onset hemiparesis despite preserved intraoperative MEP.

Jugular bulb desaturation during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

PURPOSE: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (OPCAB) frequently results in significant jugular bulb desaturation. Although jugular bulb desaturation during OPCAB may be associated with postoperative cerebral injury, routine jugular bulb oximetry appears to be invasive and expensive. We hypothesized that intraoperative hemodynamic compromise during OPCAB due to cardiac displacement is associated with jugular bulb desaturation which correlates with specific hemodynamic and physiological changes. METHODS: Hemodynamic and physiological data were measured at the following points: (1) before anastomosis of the coronary artery (baseline); (2) during anastomosis of the left anterior descending artery; (3) during anastomosis of the circumflex branch or posterior descending artery; and (4) after chest closure. Arterial, mixed venous, and jugular venous bulb blood gas analyses were performed serially. RESULTS: Jugular bulb desaturation (or= 8 mmHg were likely predictors of the occurrence of jugular bulb desaturation. CONCLUSION: Changes in S(VO2) and Pa(CO2) were associated with jugular bulb oxygen saturation, and S(VO2) or= 8 mmHg had a significant odds ratio for jugular bulb desaturation. We suggest that achieving normal values of S(VO2), Pa(CO2) and CVP may be important to prevent cerebral desaturation during OPCAB.

[Successful case of obstructing shunt flow of arteriovenous malformation by a pulmonary artery catheter : a case report].

A 75-year-old woman was scheduled for the right partial pulmonary resection, because of severe hypoxemia caused by monofocal arteriovenous malformation. Before the operation, we obstructed successfully the shunt flow of arteriovenous malformation by using a balloon of pulmonary artery catheter. The hypoxemia was improved remarkably and we could control anesthesia safely.