Impact of proficiency in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure on clinical outcomes: a single center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: We used transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure time to investigate the association between surgical team maturity and outcome. METHODS: Among patients who underwent TAVI between October 2015 and November 2019, those who had Sapien™ implanted with the transfemoral artery approach were included in the analysis. We used TAVI procedure time and surgery number to draw a learning curve. Then, we divided the patients into two groups before and after the number of cases where the sigmoid curve reaches a plateau. We compared the two groups regarding the surveyed factors and investigated the correlation between the TAVI procedure time and survey factors. RESULTS: Ninety-nine of 149 patients were analysed. The sigmoid curve had an inflection point in 23.2 cases and reached a plateau in 43.0 cases. Patients in the Late group had a shorter operating time, less contrast media, less radiation exposure, and less myocardial escape enzymes than the Early group. Surgical procedure time showed the strongest correlation with the surgical case number. CONCLUSION: The number of cases required for surgeon proficiency for isolated Sapien™ valve implantation was 43. This number may serve as a guideline for switching the anesthesia management of TAVI from general to local anesthesia.

The Serotonin-Mediated Anti-Allodynic Effect of Yokukansan on Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Refractory peripheral neuropathy can occur as a side effect in 60-70% of patients receiving Paclitaxel (PTX). Yokukansan (YKS) is a Japanese herbal medicine reported to have analgesic properties for entrapment nerve injuries. Therefore, we investigated the anti-allodynic effect of Yokukansan on Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. All experiments used 6-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated using a dynamic plantar aesthesiometer. A mobile touch-stimulator unit applied progressively increasing force to the mid-plantar region of the hind paw in a vertical direction until the animal withdrew its paw. This was carried out before the Paclitaxel administration and during the first, second, third, and fourth weeks. Using a rat model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain (PTX rat), we injected PTX (intraperitoneally, 2 mg/kg) five times every 2 days. Using the dynamic plantar test, we evaluated the anti-allodynic effect of YKS (orally administered, 1 g/kg). YKS administration on a daily basis significantly enhanced the withdrawal threshold in PTX rats and reduced the expression level of activated microglia immunostaining with Iba1, a specific marker for microglia. The intrathecal administration of WAY-100635 (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]1A receptor antagonist) and Ketanserin (5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist) inhibited the protective effects of YKS. YKS exhibited an anti-allodynic effect in a rodent model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain by reducing the sensitivity to pain stimuli. These results suggest that Yokukansan may activate 5-HT receptors in the spinal cord, mediating Paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

Age-Specific Clinical Features of Pediatric Malignant Hyperthermia: A Review of 187 Cases Over 60 Years in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited muscle disorder induced by volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. While the incidence of MH is high in young, there are few reports on the clinical features of pediatric MH. In this study, we selected pediatric cases from an MH database and analyzed the clinical findings by age group. We hypothesized that there would be age-related differences in the clinical characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of MH data collected in our database during 1960 to 2020 was performed to identify pediatric subjects (≤18 years) with a Clinical Grading Scale of ≥35, indicating "very likely" or "almost certain" MH. We compared clinical characteristics among the 0 to 24 month, 2 to 12 year, and 13 to 18 year (youngest, middle, and oldest, respectively) age groups. RESULTS: Data were available for 187 patients: 15 in the youngest age group, 123 in the middle-aged group, and 49 in the oldest age group. Of these, 55 patients (29.4%) had undergone muscle biopsy and muscle contracture test. The mortality rates during the study period were 13.3%, 13.8%, 20.4%, and 15.5% in the youngest, middle, and oldest cohorts and overall, respectively. In contrast, the overall mortality rate from 2000 to 2020 was 8.8%. The most frequent initial symptoms of MH were elevated temperature (46.7%) and generalized muscular rigidity (26.7%) in the youngest cohort, masseter spasm (35.0%) and generalized muscular rigidity (19.5%) in the middle cohort, and elevated end-tidal carbon dioxide (26.5%) and tachycardia (22.4%) in the oldest cohort. Physical examination revealed that elevated temperature, sinus tachycardia, and respiratory acidosis occurred frequently in all groups. The middle cohort had high frequencies of masseter spasm (58.4%; P = .02) and dark urine (75.5%; P = .01) compared to those in the oldest groups, and had a higher peak creatine kinase level compared to those in the 3 groups. Skeletal muscle symptoms tended to be more common in patients administered succinylcholine (generalized muscular rigidity, P = .053; masseter spasm, P < .0001; dark urine, P < .0001). In particular, masseter spasm and dark urine were more common in the middle cohort when succinylcholine was administered (masseter spasm: versus youngest cohort, P = .06, versus oldest cohort, P = .027; dark urine: versus youngest cohort, P = .0072, versus oldest cohort, P = .0015). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with MH vary according to age group. The difference in initial symptoms of MH depending on age group is noteworthy information for the early diagnosis of MH.

Rocuronium-induced respiratory paralysis refractory to sugammadex in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

PURPOSE: Prolonged postoperative neuromuscular respiratory paralysis after administration of a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent is a serious concern during anesthetic management of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTD). Some recent reports have described rocuronium use without respiratory paralysis in CMTD patients when sugammadex was used for its reversal. We report a case in which an induction dose of rocuronium caused a prolonged respiratory paralysis in a patient with undiagnosed type 1A CMTD (CMT1A). CLINICAL FEATURES: A 63-yr-old-male with an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score of III underwent a left hip arthroplasty under general anesthesia for osteoarthritis. Preoperative pulmonary function testing indicated a restrictive impairment. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl, remifentanil, propofol, and 0.73 mg·kg-1 of rocuronium. The train-of-four (TOF) count was 0 for the 273-min duration of surgery. After repeated doses of sugammadex failed to recover the TOF count and spontaneous respirations, a total of 1,200 mg (17.3 mg·kg-1) of sugammadex, which was assumed to be a sufficient amount for capturing the residual rocuronium, was administered. Although the patient expressed that he was awake via eye blinking, he could not breathe. Thus, he was placed on mechanical ventilation for 18 hr after surgery. A postoperative neurology consultation revealed a delayed nerve conduction velocity of 20 m·sec-1 and a mutated duplication of the PMP22 gene; a diagnosis of CMT1A was made. CONCLUSIONS: Our case shows that rocuronium can cause a prolonged neuromuscular respiratory paralysis refractory to sugammadex in patients with CMT1A and impaired respiratory function. Our case may also indicate that restrictive pulmonary impairment and low nerve conduction velocity of 20 m·sec-1 are predictive factors that cause prolonged neuromuscular respiratory paralysis refractory to sugammadex in CMT1A.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: La paralysie respiratoire neuromusculaire postopératoire prolongée après l'administration d'un bloqueur neuromusculaire non dépolarisant est une préoccupation sérieuse lors de la prise en charge anesthésique des patients atteints de la maladie de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Certains comptes rendus récents ont décrit l'utilisation de rocuronium sans paralysie respiratoire chez les patients atteints de CMT lorsque le sugammadex était utilisé pour le neutraliser. Nous rapportons un cas dans lequel une dose d'induction de rocuronium a provoqué une paralysie respiratoire prolongée chez un patient atteint de CMT de type 1A (CMT1A) non diagnostiquée. CARACTéRISTIQUES CLINIQUES: Un homme de 63 ans avec un score de statut physique III selon la classification de l'American Society of Anesthesiologists a bénéficié d'une arthroplastie de la hanche gauche sous anesthésie générale pour son ostéo-arthrite. Les tests préopératoires de la fonction pulmonaire ont indiqué un syndrome restrictif. L'anesthésie a été induite avec du fentanyl, du rémifentanil, du propofol et 0,73 mg·kg-1 de rocuronium. Le décompte du train-de-quatre (TdQ) était de 0 pour toute la durée de la chirurgie, soit 273 minutes. Après l'échec de doses répétées de sugammadex qui n'ont pas réussi à rétablir un TdQ normal ni la respiration spontanée, un total de 1200 mg (17,3 mg·kg-1) de sugammadex (une quantité qu'on a présumé suffisante pour neutraliser le rocuronium résiduel) a été administré. Bien que le patient ait exprimé qu'il était éveillé en clignant des yeux, il ne pouvait pas respirer. Il a donc été placé sous ventilation mécanique pendant 18 heures après l'opération. Une consultation postopératoire en neurologie a révélé une vitesse de conduction nerveuse retardée de 20 m·sec-1 et une duplication mutée du gène PMP22; un diagnostic de CMT1A a été posé. CONCLUSIONS: Notre cas montre que le rocuronium peut provoquer une paralysie respiratoire neuromusculaire prolongée réfractaire au sugammadex chez les patients atteints de CMT1A et d'une altération de la fonction respiratoire. Notre cas pourrait également indiquer qu'un syndrome restrictif pulmonaire et une faible vitesse de conduction nerveuse de 20 m·sec-1 constituent des facteurs prédictifs provoquant une paralysie respiratoire neuromusculaire prolongée réfractaire au sugammadex dans les cas de CMT1A.

Remimazolam decreased the incidence of early postoperative nausea and vomiting compared to desflurane after laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common adverse event after surgery. Remimazolam is a novel sedative agent recently approved for general anesthesia in Japan. This study evaluated the efficacy of remimazolam in the incidence of PONV after laparoscopic gynecological surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled trial included 64 women who underwent laparoscopic gynecological surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo general anesthesia with either remimazolam (REM group) or desflurane (DES group, n = 30, each group). The primary outcome was the incidence of PONV in the two groups at 2 h and 24 h after the surgery. The incidence of vomiting, rescue antiemetic use, and severity of nausea were also evaluated. RESULTS: In the REM group, the incidence of PONV (27% versus 60%, respectively; P = 0.02), rescue antiemetic use (0 versus 7, respectively; P = 0.01), and nausea score (P = 0.01) were significantly decreased during the first 2 h after surgery. No parameters were significantly different 24 h after surgery between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Remimazolam can reduce the incidence of PONV after laparoscopic gynecological surgery compared to general anesthesia with desflurane during the early postoperative period.

Leucine induces cardioprotection in vitro by promoting mitochondrial function via mTOR and Opa-1 signaling.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary heart disease is a major global health concern. Further, severity of this condition is greatly influenced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have cardioprotective effects against I/R via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, wherein Leu is considered to particularly regulate mTOR activation. However, the mechanism underlying cardioprotective effects of Leu via mTOR activity is not fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to study the signaling pathway of cardioprotection and mitochondrial function induced by Leu treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiac myocytes isolated from adult male Wistar rats were incubated and exposed to simulated I/R (SI/R) injury by replacing the air content. Cardiac myocytes were treated with Leu and subsequently, their survival rate was calculated. To elucidate the signaling pathway and mitochondrial function, immunoblots and mitochondrial permeability transition pore were examined. Cell survival rate was decreased with SI/R but improved by 160 µM Leu (38.5 ± 3.6% vs. 64.5 ± 4.2%, respectively, p < 0.001). Although rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) prevented this cardioprotective effect induced by Leu, wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) did not interfere with this effect. In addition, we indicated that overexpression of Opa-1 and mitochondrial function are ameliorated via Leu-induced mitochondrial biogenesis. In contrast, knockdown of Opa-1 suppressed Leu-induced cardioprotection. CONCLUSION: Leu treatment is critical in rendering a cardioprotective effect exhibited by BCAAs via mTOR signaling. Furthermore, Leu improved mitochondrial function.

Relationship Between the Loaded Pressure and Flow Rate of Packed Red Blood Cells and Various Infusion Solutions in Normal Infusion Lines and Catheters.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between the loaded pressure and flow rate in various catheters and the entire infusion line including the catheters, in several infusion solutions and packed red blood cells. METHODS: We connected the infusion line and catheter to the infusion solution and used an outer pressure bag or a compressor to pressurize the infusion solution bag to a pressure within the clinical (up to 450 mm Hg) or higher range (up to 1050 mm Hg). We approximated the relationship between the loaded pressure and flow rate in the entire infusion line including the catheter, versus the catheter alone, as a power function and compared the power numbers. RESULTS: In the clinical pressure range of normal saline, the power numbers of the entire infusion line for the 24-, 22-, 20-, and 18-gauge catheters were 0.76, 0.82, 0.81, and 0.86, respectively, while those for the catheter alone were 0.67, 0.63, 0.56, and 0.44, respectively. In the higher pressure range of normal saline, the power numbers of the entire infusion line for the 24-, 22-, 20-, and 18-gauge catheters were 0.68, 0.70, 0.71, and 0.73, respectively, while those for the catheter alone were 0.62, 0.61, 0.59, and 0.58, respectively. As the power number of the entire infusion line was closer to 1.00 than the values of the catheter, the relation between the loaded pressure and the flow rate was more linear in the entire infusion line than that in the catheter. Similar results were obtained using packed red blood cells and 40% glycerin mixture in normal saline. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the type of infusion solution or transfusion, the pressure-flow relationship in the catheter was nonlinear and not directly proportional. However, within the clinical pressure range (up to 450 mm Hg), the relationship between the flow rate and pressure in the entire infusion line was almost linear and proportional.

Pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal and subcutaneous levobupivacaine in anesthetized rats.

BACKGROUND: We compared the pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine when administered intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, and intravenously in an anesthetized rat model, to estimate the toxicity risk of a local anesthetic when absorbed from the peritoneum. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were anesthetized with sevoflurane. In Experiment 1, we administered 5.0 mg/kg of levobupivacaine intraperitoneally (IP) (n = 7), subcutaneously (SC) (n = 6), or intravenously (IV) (n = 6). In Experiment 2, we administered 2.5 mg/kg of levobupivacaine IP (n = 7) or SC (n = 6). Data are shown as median [range] of Experiment 1. RESULTS: In either of experiments, the time to reach maximum plasma concentration of levobupivacaine was shorter in the IP group than in the SC group (IP: 2 [2-5] min; SC: 5 [2-10] min; P = 0.04), and the maximum concentration of levobupivacaine did not differ between the IP and SC groups (IP: 0.45 [0.05-0.67] µg/mL; SC: 0.47 [0.21-0.62] µg/mL; P = 0.90). The area under the curve from time 0 to 120 min after levobupivacaine administration was significantly higher in the SC group than in the IP group in both experiments (IP: 0.29 [0.10-0.54] mg h/L; SC: 0.78 [0.39-0.98] mg h/L; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Levobupivacaine is rapidly absorbed following IP administration, but its maximum plasma concentration within 2 h following IP administration is no statistical difference as that following SC administration. On the other hand, when levobupivacaine is given subcutaneously, Tmax can exceed 1 h, so we need to be aware of local anesthetic toxicity during this period.

Malignant hyperthermia in a 16-day-old infant with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a severe hypermetabolic disorder associated with dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and is triggered by inhalational anesthetics (isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane) and a depolarizing muscle relaxant (succinylcholine). We report the case of a 16-day-old infant undergoing laparoscopic surgery. The patient developed hyperthermia and hypercarbia with muscle rigidity. After the diagnosis of MH, dantrolene was administered with sufficient hydration. The patient was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for monitoring and treatment of acute renal injury due to myoglobinuria. Subsequently, two variants of the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene were identified in the patient as the mutation point at c.1589G > A p.Arg530His and c.1841G > T p.Arg614Leu, which are known to be associated with MH. This was a rare case of MH in a 16-day-old infant that might be related to two RYR1 mutations inherited from the parents.

An outcome study of adult in-hospital cardiac arrests in non-monitored areas with resuscitation attempted using AED.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the outcomes of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in non-monitored areas. Additionally, to detect correlated factors associated with rate of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival rate, among collected data. METHODS: This study included 109 patients. After investigating patient characteristics and resuscitation-related factors, the correlated factors associated with ROSC rates and survival rate were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The rate of survival to hospital discharge was 21.1%. CPR with AED performed since 2013 was associated with a higher ROSC rate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 9.52, p < 0.05), but not with the survival rate after ROSC. Tracheal intubation was significantly associated with a higher ROSC rate (AOR 3.62, 95% CI: 1.27 to 11.7, p < 0.05) and a lower survival rate after ROSC (hazard ratio 6.6, 95% CI: 1.2 to 43.3, p < 0.05). Dysrhythmia as the cause of cardiac arrest and intensive care unit (ICU) admission after ROSC were associated with higher survival rates (hazard ratio 0.056, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.759, p < 0.05, and hazard ratio 0.072, 95% CI: 0.017 to 0.264, p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with ROSC rate and those associated with the survival rate after ROSC were different. Although initial shockable rhythms on AED were not associated with the survival rate, dysrhythmia as the etiology of cardiac arrest, and ICU admission were significantly associated with higher survival rates after ROSC.

The effect of 1% glucose loading on metabolism in the elderly patients during remifentanil-induced anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that remifentanil-induced anesthesia can inhibit surgical stress response in non-diabetic adult patients and that low-dose glucose loading during anesthesia may attenuate fat catabolism. However, little is known about the influence of glucose loading on metabolism in elderly patients, whose condition may be influenced by decreased basal metabolism and increased insulin resistance. We hypothesized that, in elderly patients, intraoperative low glucose infusion may attenuate the catabolism of fat without causing harmful hyperglycemia during remifentanil-induced anesthesia. METHODS: Elderly, non-diabetic patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery were enrolled and randomized to receive no glucose (0G group) or low-dose glucose infusion (0.1 g/kg/hr. for 1 h followed by 0.05 g/kg/hr. for 1 h; LG group) during surgery. Glucose, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), insulin, cortisol, free fatty acid (FFA), creatinine (Cr), and ketone body levels were measured pre-anesthesia, 1 h post-glucose infusion, at the end of surgery, and on the following morning. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients (aged 75-85) were included (0G, n = 16; LG, n = 15). ACTH levels during anesthesia decreased significantly in both groups. In the LG group, glucose levels increased significantly after glucose loading but hyperglycemia was not observed. During surgery, ketone bodies and FFA were significantly lower in the LG group than the 0G group. There were no significant differences in insulin, Cr, 3-MH, and 3-MH/Cr between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil-induced anesthesia inhibited surgical stress response in elderly patients. Intraoperative low-dose glucose infusion attenuated catabolism of fat without inducing hyperglycemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network Center (http://www.umin.ac.jp/english/). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000016189. The initial registration date: January 12th 2015.

Evaluation of a new face mask concept for oxygen administration: a crossover study in healthy volunteers.

We developed a new face mask concept for oxygen administration using non-woven textiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the new mask improves acceptability without compromising O2 delivery and CO2 elimination. 10 healthy adult volunteers were randomized to either the conventional plastic face mask-first group or the new face mask-first group. Participants were asked to wear the assigned mask with O2 at 3 L/min for 10 min while seated. End tidal O2 concentration (et-O2) and end tidal CO2 concentration (et-CO2) were measured via a sampling tube located at the mouth. After a 10-min rest period, the other mask was tested in the same manner. Mask discomfort was evaluated using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) where 0, comfortable and 100, uncomfortable. The results showed that use of the new mask caused less discomfort than the conventional mask (new, 11; conventional, 33) (P = 0.002). Median et-O2 with the new mask was 33%, compared with 30% with the conventional mask (P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in et-CO2 by mask type (new, 32 mmHg; conventional, 30 mmHg). In conclusion, the new mask was more comfortable and provided higher et-O2 than the conventional mask.

Functional analysis of newly identified RYR1 variants in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether the three ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1) variants (p.Ser2345Thr, p.Ser2345Arg, and p.Lys3367Arg) which we identified in Japanese malignant hyperthermia (MH) patients with a clinical grading scale rank of 6 were causative for MH. METHODS: We prepared human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells transfected with wild-type RYR1 or one of the RYR1 variants, along with myotubes cultured from muscle pieces. Calcium kinetics were examined by calculating the 340/380-nm ratio under various caffeine and 4-chloro-m-cresol (4CmC) concentrations with the ratiometric dye Fura-2 AM. Half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values were calculated from dose-response curves. Statistical analysis was based on one-way analysis of variance with a Dunnett's multiple comparison test, using a P value < 0.05 as evidence of statistical significance. RESULTS: In functional analysis using HEK-293 cells, we found significant reductions in the EC50 of p.Ser2345Thr and p.Ser2345Arg in comparison with wild-type RYR1 (P < 0.001), while the EC50 of p.Lys3367Arg was not significantly different (P = 0.062 for caffeine and P > 0.999 for 4CmC). On the other hand, functional analysis using myotubes showed significant differences in the EC50 values for all variants (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: p.Ser2345Thr and p.Ser2345Arg appear capable of causing a calcium metabolism disorder that leads to the onset of MH, and p.Ser2345Arg can be considered as a diagnostic mutation, because it meets the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group criteria. However, patients with p.Lys3367Arg might have mutations in genes other than RYR1 that are capable of causing MH.

Retraction Note to: Functional analysis of newly identified RYR1 variants in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.

The authors have retracted this article because they did not have permission to use the data in Tables 1 and 2.

Strict blood glucose control by an artificial endocrine pancreas during hepatectomy may prevent postoperative acute kidney injury.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of a closed-loop system (STG-55; Nikkiso, Tokyo, Japan), a type of artificial endocrine pancreas for the continuous monitoring and control of intraoperative blood glucose, for preventing postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Thirty-eight patients were enrolled in this study. Glucose concentrations were controlled with either a manual injection of insulin based on a commonly used sliding scale (manual insulin group, n = 19) or the programmed infusion of insulin determined by the control algorithm of the artificial endocrine pancreas (programmed insulin group, n = 19). After the induction of anesthesia, a 20-G intravenous catheter was inserted into the peripheral forearm vein of patients in the programmed insulin group and connected to an artificial endocrine pancreas (STG-55). The target range for glucose concentrations was set to 100-150 mg/dL. The mean serum creatinine concentrations of preoperative, postoperative 24 and 48 h were 0.72, 0.78, and 0.79 mg/dL in the programmed insulin group, and 0.81, 0.95, and 1.03 mg/dL in the manual insulin group, respectively. Elevations in serum creatinine concentrations postoperative 48 h were significantly suppressed in the programmed insulin group. The STG-55 closed-loop system was effective for maintaining strict blood glucose control during hepatectomy with minimal variability in blood glucose concentrations and for suppressing elevations in serum creatinine concentrations. Strict blood glucose control by an artificial endocrine pancreas during hepatectomy may prevent postoperative AKI.

Effect of oral carbohydrate with amino acid solution on serum oxidative/anti-oxidative status in healthy volunteers.

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of oral carbohydrate with amino acid [oral nutritional supplement (ONS)] solution on oxidative stress in healthy persons. Fourteen healthy volunteers were segregated into control and ONS groups. Volunteers in the ONS group ingested 250 ml of Arginaid Water (Nestle Japan, Tokyo, Japan) in the evening before the experiment and at 7:00 am on the day of the experiment. Volunteers in the control group fasted after dinner and drank only water until 7:00 am on the day of the experiment. In both groups, blood was collected at 9:00 am. The serum total oxidant levels and antioxidant capacity were assessed by d-ROMs (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites) test and BAP (biological antioxidant potential) test, respectively. In the ONS group, the serum d-ROMs level was significantly lower than in the control group (297 ± 43 and 327 ± 41 U.CARR, respectively, p = 0.018), while the serum BAP level was significantly higher than the control group (2410 ± 432 and 1979 ± 397 µmol/l, respectively, p = 0.005). The OXY level of Arginaid Water was much higher than preOp drink (Nutricia, Ireland). In conclusion, our study showed that an ONS with arginine loading could decrease oxidative stress and increase antioxidant capacity in healthy volunteers.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient With Multiple Sclerosis.

A 54-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 19 years was scheduled to undergo temporomandibular joint mobilization. She was currently in a remission phase from her MS but with persistent sequelae, including impaired eyesight and muscle weakness of the limbs. In addition, the blood vessels in her upper limbs were compromised by the formation of internal shunts secondary to vascular prosthesis replacements for plasma exchange therapy in MS. After a previous joint mobilization surgery, her temporomandibular joint developed adhesions with resultant trismus. One of the adverse effects of general anesthesia can be exacerbations of MS symptoms. Minimizing mental and physical stress caused by surgical and anesthetic procedures and maintenance of stable body temperature are important considerations. Awake intubation was performed under sedation with midazolam and fentanyl. After intubation, anesthesia was induced with propofol, remifentanil, and rocuronium. Maintenance of anesthesia was achieved with oxygen-N2O-sevoflurane, remifentanil, fentanyl, and rocuronium. In this case, no adverse events occurred intraoperatively. However, the patient experienced lingering weakness of the limbs in the postoperative period, and activities of daily living of the patient were affected.

Effects of oral carbohydrate with amino acid solution on the metabolic status of patients in the preoperative period: a randomized, prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after surgery is increasingly desired nowadays, and preoperative nutrient intake may be beneficial for this purpose. In this study, we investigated whether the intake of preoperative carbohydrate with amino acid (ONS) solution can improve starvation status and lipid catabolism before the induction of anesthesia. METHODS: This randomized, prospective clinical trial included 24 patients who were divided into two groups before surgery under general anesthesia: a control group, comprising patients who fasted after their last meal the day before surgery (permitted to drink only water), and an ONS group, comprising patients who consumed ONS solution 2 h before surgery. Biochemical markers, the respiratory quotient, and psychosomatic scores were assessed at the initiation of anesthesia. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ONS group showed significantly lower serum free fatty acid levels [control group: 828 (729, 1004) µEq/L, ONS group: 479 (408, 610) µEq/L, P = 0.0002, median (25th, 75th percentile)] and total ketone bodies [control group: 119 (68, 440) µmol/L, ONS group: 40 [27, 64] µmol/L, P = 0.037]. In addition, analysis using the Visual Analog Scale showed higher preoperative scores for anxiety, hunger, and thirst for the control group, with no differences in any other measure of subjective well-being between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that preoperative ONS intake improves lipid catabolism and starvation status before the induction of anesthesia. Furthermore, it can provide better preoperative mental health compared with complete fasting.