An optimal tracheal tube preshaping strategy for endotracheal intubation using video laryngoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Although video laryngoscopy solves the problem of glottis exposure, it is difficult to deliver the tube to the glottic opening when the tracheal tube is unevenly shaped. This study aimed to compare the effects of different tube shapes on the first-pass success (FPS) rate in patients undergoing video laryngoscopy-assisted tracheal intubation. Three hundred patients above 18 years of age who underwent general anaesthesia and required endotracheal intubation were included in the study. The participants were randomly allocated to three groups with 100 participants in each group as follows: Group A, video laryngoscopes with a self-equipped stylet are used for tube preshaping; Group B: curvature of the video laryngoscope blade is modelled for tube preshaping; Group C: tube preshaping angle is consistent with the video laryngoscope blade, and the bending point is set 1 cm above the tracheal tube cuff. The primary outcome was FPS rates. The secondary outcomes included time to tracheal intubation, haemodynamic responses and adverse events. No significant differences in patient characteristics or airway assessments were noted (P > 0.05). Compared with Groups A, Group B and Group C exhibited a higher FPS rate (68% vs. 86% vs. 92%; P < 0.001). However, there is no significant difference in FPS rate between Group B and Group C (P > 0.05). And the time to tracheal intubation in Group C was significantly less than that in Group A and Group B (22.21 ± 4.01 vs. 19.92 ± 4.11 vs. 17.71 ± 3.47; P < 0.001). The straight-to-cuff stylet preshape angulation of curvature of the blade could provide a higher FPS rate and shorter time to tracheal intubation during video laryngoscopy-assisted endotracheal intubation. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026019.

Could preprocedural ultrasound increase the first-pass success rate of neuraxial anesthesia in obstetrics? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Neuraxial anesthesia is a common practice in obstetrics. Evidence suggests that preprocedural ultrasound versus the conventional landmark location method accurately identifies a given intervertebral space and predicts the needle insertion depth required to reach the spinal canal. However, whether the preprocedural ultrasound examination improves the first-pass success (FPS) rate remains elusive. Major databases were systematically searched for all relevant studies published in English up to June 2019. Eighteen randomized controlled trials including 1844 patients were enrolled. The quality of eligible studies was assessed, and predefined outcomes were synthesized by meta-analysis. The primary results showed that preprocedural ultrasound increased the FPS rate in patients with predicted puncture difficulty but not in patients who were easily punctured. Preprocedural ultrasound reduced the number of redirections and punctures and decreased the incidence of vascular puncture and backache. There was no evidence of a reduction in failed punctures. We also noted that preprocedural ultrasound prolonged the identification time but not the procedure time. Thus, this systematic review provides evidence that preprocedural ultrasound does not improve the FPS rate of neuraxial anesthesia in patients who are easily palpated, although it increases the FPS rate in patients who are difficult to palpate.

The midline approach for endotracheal intubation using GlideScope video laryngoscopy could provide better glottis exposure in adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that the common laryngoscopic approach (right-sided) and midline approach are both used for endotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy. Although the midline approach is commonly recommended for video laryngoscopy (VL) in the clinic, there is a lack of published evidences to support this practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different video laryngoscopic approaches on intubation. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-two patients aged 18 years who underwent elective surgery under general anaesthesia and required endotracheal intubation were included in the present prospective, randomized, controlled study. The participants were randomly and equally allocated to the right approach (Group R) or midline approach (Group M). All the intubations were conducted by experienced anaesthetists using GlideScope video laryngoscopy. The primary outcomes were Cormack-Lehane laryngoscopic views (CLVs) and first-pass success (FPS) rates. The secondary outcomes were the time to glottis exposure, time to tracheal intubation, haemodynamic responses and other adverse events. Comparative analysis was performed between the groups. RESULTS: Finally, 262 patients completed the study, and all the tracheas were successfully intubated. No significant differences were observed in the patient characteristics and airway assessments (P > 0.05). Compared with Group R, Group M had a better CLV (χ2 = 14.706, P = 0.001) and shorter times to glottis exposure (8.82 ± 2.04 vs 12.38 ± 1.81; t = 14.94; P < 0.001) and tracheal intubation (37.19 ± 5.01 vs 45.23 ± 4.81; t = 13.25; P < 0.001), but no difference was found in the FPS rate (70.2% vs 71.8%; χ2 = 0.074; P = 0.446) and intubation procedure time (29.86 ± 2.56 vs 30.46 ± 2.97, t = 1.75, P = 0.081). Between the groups, the rates of hoarseness or sore throat, minor injury, hypoxemia and changes in SBP and HR showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the FPS rate did not differ based on the laryngoscopic approach, the midline approach could provide better glottis exposure and shorter times to glottis exposure and intubation. The midline approach should be recommended for teaching in VL-assisted endotracheal intubation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on May 18, 2019 in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( ChiCTR1900023252 ).

Rivaroxaban versus aspirin in prevention of venous thromboembolism following total joint arthroplasty or hip fracture surgery: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluates the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus aspirin in prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total hip (THA) or knee arthroplasty (TKA) or hip fracture surgery. METHODS: Major databases were systematically searched for all relevant studies published in English up to October 2020. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: In total, 7 studies were retrieved which contained 5133 patients. Among these patients, 2605 patients (50.8%) received rivaroxaban, whereas 2528 patients (49.2%) received aspirin. There were no statistical difference between aspirin and rivaroxaban for reducing VTE (RR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.50-1.11, I2 = 36%, p = 0.15), major bleeding (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.45-2.37, I2 = 21%, p = 0.95), and all-cause mortality (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.12-6.44, I2 = 0%, p = 0.90) between the two groups. Compared with aspirin, rivaroxaban significantly increased nonmajor bleeding (RR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.58, I2 = 0%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between aspirin and rivaroxaban in prevention of venous thromboembolism following total joint arthroplasty or hip fracture surgery. Aspirin may be an effective, safe, convenient, and cheap alternative for prevention of VTE. Further large randomized studies are required to confirm these findings.

The protective effects of dexmedetomidine on ischemic brain injury: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial lesions, trauma or surgery-related damage activate immune inflammation and neuroendocrine responses, causing ischemic brain injury. Studies have shown that inflammatory cascade mediated by neuroendocrine hormones and proinflammatory mediators is implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain injury. Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists, dexmedetomidine, is widely used as neuroprotectants in anesthesia practice. However, it is still lack of a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the neuroprotection of dexmedetomidine against ischemic brain injury via suppressing these two physiological responses. METHOD: Searched the Cochrane Library, Pub-Med, EMBASE, EBSCO, Ovid, Chinese biological and medical database (CBM). Related literatures published in English or Chinese before January 2017 were enrolled. We assessed the quality of eligible studies and synthesized predefined outcomes with a random-effects model or fixed-effects model. RESULT: Nineteen Randomized Controlled Trials including 879 patients were included. Findings for meta-analysis of various outcomes were summarised. Primary results shown that compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine reduced a surge of TNF-α [SMD=-2.34, 95%CI (-3.25, -1.44)], IL-6 [SMD=-2.44, 95%CI (-3.40, -1.47)], S100-ß [SMD=-2.73, 95%CI (-3.65, -1.82)], NSE [SMD=-1.69, 95%CI (-2.77, -0.61)], cortisol [SMD=-2.48, 95%CI (-3.38, -1.58)] and glucose [SMD=-1.44, 95%CI (-1.85, -1.04)]; maintained the level of SOD [SMD=1.36, 95%CI (0.62, 2.10)]; decreased the rise in CRP level at postoperative one day. In response to stress reaction, dexmedetomidine attenuated the stress-related increasing of MAP, HR and intracranial pressure without significant effects on cerebral oxygen metabolism. CONCLUSION: Alpha2-adrenoceptor agonists, dexmedetomidine, could reduce the release of inflammatory mediators and neuroendocrine hormones as well as maintain intracranial homoeostasis, alleviating ischemic brain injury and exerting an effect on brain protection.