A novel technique for ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization under short-axis out-of-plane approach: "stepwise flashing with triangulation".

In ultrasound-guided central venous catheterization, there is no standard technique either for the needle tip visualization or for the adequate needle angle and entry to the skin with short-axis view under out-of-plane technique. In the present study, we propose a novel technique named "stepwise flashing with triangulation", and the efficacy of this technique is assessed. Before and after a didactic session in which the technique was explained, 12 novice residents were asked to position the needle tip on or into the imitation vessels and to avoid deeper penetration by using an agar tissue phantom with ultrasound guidance. "Stepwise flashing" technique was for stepwise visualization of the needle tip, and "triangulation" technique was for adequate needle angle and entry to the skin. After the session, the success rate was increased and a deeper penetration rate was decreased. This technique will help us to facilitate vascular access and to avoid complications in clinical settings.

[Ischemic Changes in the Electrocardiogram and Circulatory Collapse Accompanied by Severe Anemia Owing to the Delay of Red Blood Cell Concentrate Transfusion in Two Patients with Intraoperative Massive Bleeding].

We present two patients developing intraoperative massive bleeding and showed ischemic changes in the electrocardiogram and circulatory collapse accompanied by severe anemia owing to the delay of red blood cell concentrate transfusion. One patient underwent hepatectomy and the other pancreaticoduodenectomy. Their lowest hemoglobin concentration was around 2 g x dl(-1), and they showed ischemic changes in the electrocardiogram and severe decreases in blood pressure. The former received compatible red blood cell concentrate and the latter received uncrossmatched same blood group red blood cell concentrate immediately, and their electrocardiogram and blood pressure quickly improved. To avoid life-threatening anemia, emergency red blood cell concentrate transfusion including compatible different blood group transfusion should be applied for intraoperative massive bleeding.

[Present state of guidelines for perioperative management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in Japan].

To clarify the present state of local institutional guideline for perioperative deep thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in individual hospitals, a questionnaire was sent to anesthesia departments in Japan. According to the replies, 82 hospitals have original guidelines. Forty of them reported the contents of their guidelines. However, 37 hospitals have some problems regarding their guidelines. Cost for these perioperative managements and application of spinal or epidural anesthesia for heparinized patients appears to be commonly recognized as pending questions in their guideline. It seems to be difficult to make a stereotyped standard guideline in Japan because each local guideline has a specific strategy according to their situations. However, it is needless to say that a further nationwide survey and collaboration, and governmental support for these diseases would be required.

[Effects of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated retrospectively the effectiveness of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride (CDH) in 12 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Low dose CDH was administered intravenously at a rate of 0.05-0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) from sternotomy to the end of coronary artery anastomosis. Hemodynamic measurements were made before infusion of CDH, and before, during, and after coronary artery anastomosis. RESULTS: Heart rate was significantly higher before, during and after the anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. Heart rate was also significantly higher after the anastomosis compared with the value before the anastomosis. Systolic blood pressure, mean pulmonary pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure showed no significant changes after the start of infusion of CDH. Cardiac output was significantly higher before, during and after the anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. Systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower before and during anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of low dose CDH prevents the elevations of mean pulmonary artery pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure without reducing systolic bood pressure during coronary artery anastomosis. Cardiac output was significantly increased, and SVR as well as PVR were significantly decreased after the infusion of CDH. In patients undergoing off-pump CABG, we recommend infusion of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride from sternotomy to the end of coronary artery anastomosis.

[Evaluation of the different doses of olprinone for continuous infusion after cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery bypass surgery].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the hemodynamic efficacy of combined cathecholamine and three different continuous infusion doses of olprinone (0.05, 0.1, 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1) in 24 cases (0.05 group: 8 cases, 0.1 group: 8 cases, 0.3 group: 8 cases) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Olprinone was administered as a single dose (0.1 mg.kg-1) into the venous reservoir of the CPB circuit 15 min prior to the end of emergence from CPB, followed by continuous infusion. Hemodynamics were measured at the time of preCPB (M 0), just after the end of CPB (M 1), pre chest closure (M 2) and after chest closure (M 3). Cathecholamines were used to maintain mean arterial pressure (> 65 mmHg) and cardiac index (> 3.0 l.min-1.m-2). Hemodynamics (at M 0, M 1, M 2 and M 3) and the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine were compared among the 3 doses. RESULTS: Three doses showed no significant difference on hemodynamics. In the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine, group 0.3 were significantly lower than group 0.05 at dobutamine, and group 0.05 were significantly higher than group 0.1 and 0.3 at norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: The higher continuous infusion dose of olprinone (0.3 > 0.1 > 0.05 microgram.kg-1.min-1) can diminish the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine administration during coronary artery bypass grafting.

[Incidence and duration of hoarseness following endotracheal intubation].

The incidence and duration of hoarseness following tracheal intubation with general anesthesia were studied retrospectively from November 1998 to October 2000 in postanesthetic clinic of Nara Medical University. Total number of patients was 3977 and 37.1% of them complained of hoarseness. Most of there patients recovered within three days after surgery but in 4.2% the hoarshness persisted over ten days and in 0.7% persisted over one month after surgery. Most of these persistent hoarseness were considered to have originated from surgical procedures (such cervical, pulmonary, cardioaortic operation, etc.) and those following only tracheal intubation recovered within two months after surgery. The hoarseness decreased the satisfactory level for anesthesia in 1.0% of total patients and 12.8% of patients with persistent hoarseness. We consider that preoperative explanation and postoperative communication by anesthesiologists are important.

[Paradoxical embolism during MIDCAB surgery].

A 36-year-old woman underwent MIDCAB surgery. During the exposure of LAD, the right ventricular wall was injured. The bleeding was controlled by compression. After that, she developed hypotension followed by cardiac arrest. At the same time, TEE showed bubbles in all of the right ventricle. The open chest massage and epinephrine 1 mg restored the heart beat. It was thought that bubbles were brought to the right ventricle via the injured wall by the blower. A few minutes after the cardiac arrest, bubbles were detected in the left atrium by TEE. This phenomenon was suspected as transpulmonary paradoxical embolism because no cardiac shunt could be detected by TEE.

[Effects of amrinone in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

We evaluated the effect of amrinone in 41 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) retrospectively. Amrinone was intravenously administered at the rate of 5 mcg.kg-1.min-1 after coronary artery anastomosis (A 1 group: 11 cases) or after induction of anesthesia(A 2 group: 13 cases). The hemodynamic variables and use of concomitant drugs were compared among A 1, A 2 and the non-amrinone group (control group: 17 cases). Hemodynamics was measured before, during, after coronary artery anastomosis, and after the chest closure. Catecholamine and vasodilator were used to maintain mean arterial pressure (> 60 mmHg) and cardiac index(> 3.0 l.min-1.m-2). Mean pulmonary artery pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure were significantly higher during anastomosis than before anastomosis in control and A 1 group, but no significant changes in these parameters were observed in A 2 group. In addition, these variables increased significantly after chest closure in control group, but were unchanged in A 1 and A 2 groups. Patients with concomitant use of catecholamine and vasodilator in A 2 group were fewer than those in control and A 1 group. In conclusion, in the patients undergoing off-pump CABG, infusion of amrinone was recommended from the end of the induction of anesthesia.

[Sevoflurane can induce rhabdomyolysis in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy].

Rhabdomyolysis is one of the perioperative complications in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). It has been suggested that sevoflurane can be used safely for anesthesia in patients with DMD. In this report, we describe a case with DMD who received anesthesia with sevoflurane, in which rhabdomyolysis developed postoperatively. A 6-year-old boy diagnosed as DMD was scheduled for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. Preoperative laboratory examination revealed a high level of creatine kinase (CK) (16,000-32,000 IU.l-1). An abnormality of the dystrophin gene was detected by DNA analysis. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane without muscle relaxant, and maintained with sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen under controlled ventilation. The course of anesthesia was uneventful and the patient recovered smoothly. Three hours postoperatively, dark red urine with a high concentration of myoglobin (1,390,000 ng.ml-1) was recognized with a high level of CK (63,500 IU.l-1). Body temperature was 37.6 degrees C, and electrocardiogram and serum potassium were within normal ranges. After the diuresis with mannitol and furosemide, the urine became clear. On the 4th postoperative day, he was discharged without any complication. This case suggested that rhabdomyolysis can develop after sevoflurane anesthesia in patients with DMD.