The hemodynamic effects of landiolol, an ultra-short-acting beta1-selective blocker, on endotracheal intubation in patients with and without hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The ultra-short-acting beta1-selective blocker, landiolol, is widely used in Japan. We investigated the effects of landiolol on intubation-induced adrenergic response in 88 patients. METHODS: General anesthesia was induced and maintained with target-controlled infusion of propofol at an effect-site concentration of 5 microg/mL. Muscle relaxation was obtained with 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium, and endotracheal intubation was performed 4 min after vecuronium injection. We first investigated the optimal time point for landiolol to be administered before intubation in 43 normotensive patients. Then we examined whether landiolol was as effective as fentanyl to prevent tachycardia after intubation in 45 hypertensive patients. RESULTS: Landiolol at 0.1 mg/kg was most effective against intubation-induced tachycardia when infused 4 min before intubation in normotensive patients. However, 0.2 mg/kg landiolol was necessary to prevent tachycardia after intubation in hypertensive patients. Landiolol had no significant effects on arterial blood pressure or bispectral index at any dose throughout the study period. In contrast, 2 mug/kg fentanyl frequently caused hypotension just before and 5 min after intubation. CONCLUSION: Low doses of landiolol can effectively prevent tachycardia after intubation without significant effects on arterial blood pressure.

[Intraoperative anaphylactic shock induced by methylergometrine and oxytocin].

We report a case of intraoperative anaphylactic shock in a 32-year-old multigravida woman undergoing elective cesarean section for partial placenta previa. Anesthesia was performed using combined spinal and epidural technique. After the baby was born, methylergometrine was administered i.v. simultaneously with oxytocin, the latter injected directly into the uterine muscle by an obstetrician. Several minutes later, she presented with dyspnea and became agitated. Because of the potential risk of pulmonary embolism, the patient was immediately intubated and mechanical ventilation was started. Her systolic blood pressure decreased to 50 mmHg and SpO2 to 87% under 100% oxygen administration. After catecholamine infusion, however, her respiratory condition soon improved. Postoperatively, her conjunctiva and vulva were not edematous. From the clinical course, it was considered that the patient was very likely to have suffered an anaphylactic reaction to oxytocin or methylergometrine. Forty days later, serological examinations as well as skin tests for those two drugs were carried out. While the serological tests were negative, the skin tests indicated the patient was allergic to both drugs. It is concluded that the endogenous peptide oxytocin can induce anaphylactic shock in multiparous women.

[Hypoxemia after gastrointestinal endoscopy under general anesthesia in a patient with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis].

A 59-year-old woman with suspected hypopharyngeal cancer was scheduled for biopsy using direct laryngoscopy. Her preoperative chest X-ray showed asymptomatic left unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. The region was difficult to reach during direct laryngoscopy. Therefore, gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. Air was injected through the scope to aid viewing. After tracheal extubation, oxygen saturation as indicated by pulse oximetry (SpO2) decreased to 91% from 97% although oxygen was delivered via a mask at 6 l x min(-1). A chest radiograph showed that the air-filled gastrointestinal tract had elevated the left dome of the diaphragm. After the stomach was suctioned via a nasogastric tube, respiration was assisted via a mask with continuous positive airway pressure. Then, SpO2 returned to 99%. An air-filled dilated stomach may increase the risk of respiratory dysfunction in patients with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis.

[Anesthetic management for laparoscopic repair of Morgagni-Larry hernia in a child].

A 5-year-old asymptomatic boy was shown to have bowel loops in the thoracic cavity incidentally in a chest radiograph. A barium swallow confirmed the diagnosis of Morgagni hernia. Laparoscopic repair under CO2 pneumoperitoneum was performed. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with air, oxygen and sevoflurane. After pulling the transverse colon and the greater omentum into the abdomen, it was found that a part of the liver was also herniated into the right sternocostal hiatus (Larry hernia). The patient showed uneventful recovery. However, we should realize that dissection of adhesions between the viscera and peritoneal sac may be dangerous with possibility of pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax under pneumoperitoneum.