[Audit on preoperative cardiac evaluation before non-cardiac surgery: the importance of a pocket guide to improve the anaesthesist's adhesion to ACC/AHA guidelines]. / Audit sur l'évaluation cardiaque préopératoire avant une chirurgie non cardiaque : utilité d'un aide-mémoire pour améliorer l'adhésion des anesthésistes aux recommandations de l'American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA).

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines stratify perioperative cardiac risk according to clinical markers, functional capacity, and type of surgery. They help determining which patients are candidates for preoperative cardiac testing and optimizing the cost-effectiveness of the evaluation strategy. Auditing our preoperative anaesthetic screening practice revealed an exceedingly high rate of referrals to the cardiologists. A small pocket-size reminder was created in order to improve the adhesion of the anaesthesiologists to the recommendations of the ACC/AHA, and confirm or obviate the need for a formal preoperative specialized cardiology consultation. Another audit was conducted 1 year later in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this reminder. METHODS: The second audit was conducted over a period of 1 month. Recorded data included demographic characteristics, clinical predictors of cardiovascular risk, surgical risk, and the reasons for the cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist (as reported by the senior or junior anaesthesiologist). Results of this second audit were compared to those of the audit conducted a year earlier. RESULTS: During the first audit, a total of 654 patients were seen in the preoperative unit. Fifty-two patients were referred to a cardiologist during the study period (7.9%). Guidelines for cardiac assessment were respected in 7/52 patients (13.5%). During the second audit, 30 out of 787 patients (3.8%) screened in preoperative anaesthetic consultation unit were referred to the cardiologist. According to the ACC/AHA guidelines, 27/30 patients (90%) objectively needed a cardiology consultation due to the existence of a known previous heart disease. DISCUSSION: The use of the pocket reminder concerning the ACC/AHA recommendations significantly reduced both the total number of cardiology referrals, and the number of unjustified referrals. The use of a pocket guide may help in reducing both the cost and the postponement of scheduled surgery.

[A national survey of postoperative pain management in Lebanon]. / Enquête nationale sur la prise en charge de la douleur aiguë postopératoire dans les hôpitaux libanais.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain relief in Lebanon is a public health problem because its coverage is insufficient. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was performed with a questionnaire distributed to anaesthesiologists during the Lebanese national meeting of anaesthesia in May 2006. RESULTS: A total of 106 out of the 230 distributed questionnaires were collected. The coverage of the postoperative pain is different in the university hospitals and others. A preoperative information and postoperative evaluation of pain are only performed by 26% of anesthesiologists. A multimodal analgesia is begun in the operative room or in postanaesthesist care unit for 92% of the patients. Only 71% of the anaesthesiologists have pumps for patient-controlled analgesia. Written protocols for postoperative analgesia are available in only 58% of the centres. Among anaesthesiologists, only 36% have an initial and/or continuous formation to treat the postoperative pain. The major obstacle for improvement of postoperative pain is the cost of such treatments, which must be supported by the patients. CONCLUSION: Even if there is a good awareness of the importance to relieve the postoperative pain, important efforts must be done in this domain in Lebanon.

Correlation between central venous oxygen saturation and oxygen delivery changes following fluid therapy.

BACKGROUND: The rationale for using central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO(2)) in various clinical scenarios is that it reflects the balance between oxygen delivery (DO(2)) and demands. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between ScvO(2) and DO(2) changes (Delta Do(2), DeltaScvO(2)) in patients receiving fluid therapy following coronary surgery. We also correlated the changes of mean arterial pressure (Delta MAP) and central venous pressure (Delta CVP), with Delta DO(2). METHODS: Sixty consecutive sedated and mechanically ventilated adult patients, with cardiac index

[Abdominal compartment syndrome after cardiac surgery]. / Syndrome compartimental abdominal après chirurgie cardiaque.

We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who underwent mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair. Following surgery she developed rapid onset of ascitis and secondary abdominal compartmental syndrome with low cardiac output and oliguria. Following drainage of the ascitis, the abdominal pressure dropped with a spectacular improvement of both the cardiac ant the urine output.

Effect of vital capacity manoeuvres on arterial oxygenation in morbidly obese patients undergoing open bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Arterial oxygenation may be compromised in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a vital capacity manoeuvre (VCM), followed by ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), on arterial oxygenation in morbidly obese patients undergoing open bariatric surgery. METHODS: Fifty-two morbidly obese patients (body mass index >40 kg m-2) undergoing open bariatric surgery were enrolled in this prospective and randomized study. Anaesthesia and surgical techniques were standardized. Patients were ventilated with a tidal volume of 10 mL kg-1 of ideal body weight, a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (FiO2 = 40%) and respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide at a level of 30-35 mmHg. After abdominal opening, patients in Group 1 had a PEEP of 8 cm H2O applied and patients in Group 2 had a VCM followed by PEEP of 8 cm H2O. This manoeuvre was defined as lung inflation by a positive inspiratory pressure of 40 cm H2O maintained for 15 s. PEEP was maintained until extubation in the two groups. Haemodynamics, ventilatory and arterial oxygenation parameters were measured at the following times: T0 = before application of VCM and/or PEEP, T1 = 5 min after VCM and/or PEEP and T2 = before abdominal closure. RESULTS: Patients in the two groups were comparable regarding patient characteristics, surgical, haemodynamic and ventilatory parameters. In Group 1, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) were significantly increased and alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure gradient (A-aDO2) decreased at T2 when compared with T0 and T1. In Group 2, PaO2 and SaO2 were significantly increased and A-aDO2 decreased at T1 and T2 when compared with T0. Arterial oxygenation parameters at T1 and T2 were significantly improved in Group 2 when compared with Group 1. CONCLUSION: The addition of VCM to PEEP improves intraoperative arterial oxygenation in morbidly obese patients undergoing open bariatric surgery.

[Comparison of nicardipine and isradipine in hypertension following coronary artery bypass graft]. / Comparaison de la nicardipine et de l'isradipine dans l'hypertension artérielle observée après pontage aorto-coronarien.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the efficacy of isradipine to that of nicardipine for the control of arterial hypertension following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective, randomised study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 patients ASA II or III, mean age 66 +/- 8 years, scheduled for elective CABG were included. If the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was > or = 100 mmHg within the first six post operative hours, the patients were included and randomly attributed to either one of the 2 groups: Gr I (n = 20) received nicardipine, Gr II (n = 20) received isradipine in bolus then in continuous perfusion. HR, MAP, MPAP, CVP, PCWP, CI, SVRI, PVRI and SVI were recorded at: T0 before administration of drugs, T1 = 2 min after the first bolus. T2 when MAP reached 85 +/- 5 mmHg. T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 at 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the continuous perfusion. T9 before stopping the perfusion. RESULTS: No significant changes in HR, CVP, PCWP, MPAP or PVRI at any time in both groups. Significant increase in CI at T2 in both groups. Reduction of MAP at T2 was more important (-27%) in Gr I compared to that in Gr II (-22%). This was mainly due to a significant decrease in SVRI. CONCLUSION: Isradipine is effective in the treatment of arterial hypertension following CABG. However there is not any significant beneficial effect of isradipine over nicardipine.

Accuracy of radial arterial pressure measurement during surgery under controlled hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Radial arterial pressure underestimates the pressure in the aorta in several clinical situations. A central-to-radial pressure gradient was attributed to intense vasodilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of radial pressure monitoring during controlled hypotension achieved with profound arterial vasodilation. METHODS: Ten patients with ASA physical status I and II undergoing maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective study. Radial and femoral arteries were cannulated and connected to a pressure monitoring system. Controlled hypotension was achieved with an infusion of nicardipine titrated to maintain MAP between 50 and 60 mmHg. Simultaneous radial and femoral systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressures were recorded before, during and after controlled hypotension. Results were expressed as mean +/- SD. Concomitant radial and femoral pressures were compared by a paired Student's test, P < 0.05 being significant. RESULTS: In all, 150 sets of arterial pressures measurement were obtained. There were no statistically significant differences between radial and femoral arterial pressures measured before, during or after controlled hypotension. CONCLUSION: Radial arterial pressure is an accurate measure of central arterial pressure during controlled hypotension achieved with arterial vasodilation.

[Intraoperative malignant hyperthermia: apropos of a case]. / Hyperthermie maligne per opératoire: à propos d'un cas.

Malignant hyperthermia (MHS) is a rare potentially fatal complication of general anesthesia. Anesthetic agents most frequently incriminated are succinylcholine and halogenated agents. Respiratory acidosis is the most specific and sensitive sign. Hyperthermia per se may occur secondarily or may stay totally absent. Tachycardia and/or arrhythmias often develop due to hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Muscle rigidity whenever present is pathognomonic The "gold standard" test for the diagnosis of MHS is the halothane-caffeine contracture test. Dantrolene is the treatment of choice and prognosis depends on the early administration of this agent.