Combined heart-liver transplantation with extended cardiopulmonary bypass.

We report a case of combined heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloid polyneuropathy. This is the first such combined transplant performed in Asia, and differs from previously described cases, in that cardiopulmonary bypass was continued at partial flow during liver transplantation in our case. This was done in order to provide haemodynamic support to the cardiac graft and to protect it from the impending reperfusion insult that frequently accompanies liver transplantation. The utility of this management course is discussed, along with its actual and potential complications. We also describe the impact of a lung-protective ventilation strategy employed during cardiac transplantation.

Audit of total parenteral nutrition in an adult surgical intensive care.

INTRODUCTION: A preliminary one-year review of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the adult surgical intensive care unit (SICU) in view of its complications, cost and lack of consistent benefits in the critically ill. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the case records of patients receiving TPN in the SICU starting from first January to end December 1998 were studied. RESULTS: Fifty patients received TPN during the study period. Four case records were unavailable. The indications for starting TPN were comparable with those set up by the Stanford University Hospital. Sepsis with gastrointestinal failure at 30.5% [95% CI, 17.7% to 45.8%] was one of the major indicators for TPN use and also the biggest contributor to mortality (50%) [95% CI, 35% to 65%]. Hyperglycaemia and line sepsis increased with duration of TPN use. Pneumonia, bacteraemia and wound infection peaked by the second week. Patients receiving TPN for inadequate and delayed enteral feeding fared better with 45.8% survival [95% CI, 30.9% to 61%]. None of the patients with polytrauma or malignancy cachexia died. 52.2% [95% CI, 37% to 67.1%] survived to be discharged from hospital. Caloric requirements were calculated using Harris-Benedect's equation and estimated using 30 to 35 kcal/kg/day. 64.3% were overfed and 50% received excessive non-protein calorie-to-nitrogen ratio. Ninety-eight per cent and 81% received less than the recommended amino-acid and glucose, respectively. Fifty-eight per cent received adequate lipids. CONCLUSION: This audit highlights the shortcomings in TPN prescription and characteristics of the attendant complications. Efforts must be directed towards encouraging uniformity and level of practice standards.

Case report: catheter-related epidural abscess.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-related spinal epidural abscesses are rare but increasing in incidence. CLINICAL PICTURE: An elderly gentleman received 4 days of continuous epidural analgesia following multiple traumatic rib fractures. Five days subsequently, he developed an extensive epidural abscess accompanied by backache, lower limb weakness, fever, leukocytosis and Staphylococcal bacteraemia. TREATMENT: He received appropriate intravenous antibiotics and underwent an emergent decompressive laminectomy. OUTCOME: A good outcome was achieved because of prompt diagnosis, appropriate intravenous antibiotics and timely surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be vigilant and continue to maintain good clinical practice and a high index of suspicion for this procedural-related complication.

Cesarean section in a mother with uncorrected congenital coronary to pulmonary artery fistula.

PURPOSE: We report a case of a 33 yr old woman with pulmonary hypertension secondary to uncorrected right coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula who underwent two successful operative deliveries under general anesthesia. CLINICAL FEATURES: This woman underwent an emergency Caesarean section at 32 wk gestation because she presented in NYHA Class IV, heart failure and premature labour. She did not have antenatal follow-up. For her second pregnancy, she was managed from the first trimester of pregnancy by the cardiologist, obstetrician and anesthesiologist. She received oral furosemide and digoxin from eight weeks gestation. Pregnancy was managed to term before she progressed to NYHA Class IV and cardiac failure at 37 wk gestation. She had a Caesarean section under general anesthesia. She received rapid sequence induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation with 0.1 mg x kg(-1) etomidate, 2 mg x kg(-1) succinylcholine and maintenance with nitrous oxide 50% in oxygen, isoflurane 1% and 0.1 mg x kg(-1) vecuronium. Fentanyl, 2 microg x kg(-1) helped to obtund the hypertensive response to intubation. Analgesia was provided with 1 mg x kg(-1) morphine. Glyceryl trinitrate infusion, 10-30 microg x min(-1) was used in addition to the anti-heart failure therapy. End-tidal capnography, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, continuous arterial blood pressure and pulmonary arterial catheter provided hemodynamic monitoring. The lungs were mechanically ventilated for 24 hr postoperatively. She received anti-heart failure therapy which she continued after discharge. She was NYHA class II upon discharge. She defaulted from further follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although the literature advocates, in this situation, controlled vaginal delivery utilising epidural analgesia, we describe the successful outcome for operative delivery under general anesthesia in a patient with secondary pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

High-volume spinal anaesthesia. A dose-response study of bupivacaine 0.125%.

The clinical effects of high-volume spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine 0.125% were studied in 30 patients presenting for postpartum sterilisation. Group A, B and C patients received 6, 8 and 10 ml of bupivacaine 0.125% respectively. Onset, duration and regression of sensory block and motor blockade, haemodynamic parameters and postoperative complications were studied. A sensory level of T10 was reliably obtained in Group B and C but not in Group A. Similarly motor blockade was unreliable in Group A compared with Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05). Two segment regression times were similar in all three groups. L1 regression times were 47.9, 94.3 and 99.0 minutes in Groups A, B and C respectively. The corresponding times for complete recovery of motor power were 120, 212.3 and 182.7 minutes respectively (P < 0.01 when Group A compared to B and C). A significant incidence of high spinal anaesthesia occurred when 10 ml bupivacaine 0.125% was administered (P < 0.05 when compared with Group A). No patient experienced respiratory discomfort in spite of sensory levels of up to T1. Hypotension responded readily to intravenous fluids and small doses of ephedrine (three patients). Only one patient (Group A) developed a postdural puncture headache. In this study, high-volume spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine 0.125% was found to be satisfactory for postpartum tubal ligation. The optimal volume of bupivacaine 0.125% was 8 ml.