[Multiple difficulties for central venous access required the distal femoral vein catheterization: a case report].

The low femoral approach for catheterization of the central venous line is a difficult procedure because the surface landmark technique is not helpful. We report a case of patient who required the distal femoral cannulation. Re-catheter cannulation was planned for the patient after the major cardiovascular surgery. The right internal jugular vein showed the venous thrombus attributed to the previous catheter placement for the operation. The left internal, jugular vein had anatomical anomaly at the level of cricoid cartilage and the last approach for cannulation was not feasible. The right subclavian and right femoral regions were scarred with the surgical procedure. Finally, we performed the distal femoral cannulation using real time ultrasound guidance. When multiple difficulties for venous access are present, ultrasound-guided low approach of femoral vein might be one of the solutions.

[Serotonin syndrome caused by an overdose of dextromethorphan, Medicon].

We report the first case of serotonin syndrome caused by overdose of dextromethorphan in Japan. A 34-year-old woman with schizophrenia received a dextromethorphan (Medicon) for a catarrhal symptom from two individual departments of the university hospital by chance. The daily amount of dextromethorphan was up to 180 mg for several days in addition to other regular antipsychotic drugs including risperidone, amitriptyline and levomepromazine. Finally, she was found in deep comatose state (GCS coma scale: E1V1M1) and the trachea was intubated in the emergency room. After admission to intensive care unit, the consciousness gradually improved; however, she was confused and agitated. The situation was normalized within next 24 hours and she was weaned from the mechanical ventilation next day. Serotonin syndrome demonstrates various signs and might be overlooked in an emergency room. Dextromethorphan is considered as a safe antitussive drug; however, the unexpected interaction should be suspected during chronic medical treatment.

[Apnea and severe respiratory depression induced by dexmedetomidine after general anesthesia in intensive care unit].

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely used in intensive care unit for perioperative sedation. The one advantage of DEX administration for sedation is the lack of significant respiratory depression. However, DEX shows significant interaction with anesthetics and narcotics, and we present a case in which post-anesthetic administration of DEX induced apnea and severe respiratory depression after extubation. A 74-year-old, 38.3 kg, 148 cm woman was scheduled to undergo implantation of internal cardiac defibrillator. General anesthesia was maintained by sevoflurane, remifentanil and intermittent administration of fentanyl. After the surgery, she was transferred to intensive care unit with intubation, and DEX administration was commenced. After 3.5 hr from the end of anesthesia, the patient's trachea was extubated under continuous infusion of DEX (0.26 microg x kg(-1) x hr(-1)). Ninety min later, she showed apnea and severe respiratory depression. The interaction of DEX and residual narcotics might have induced life-threatening respiratory complication.

[Case of facial edema and tongue swelling after aortic surgery in the lateral position].

The facial edema and tongue swelling after oral surgery are not rare complications and many case reports were published, but they were limited after anesthesia for surgery of other parts. A 70-year-old woman who had underwent thoraco-abdominal aortic graft surgery showed severe facial edema and tongue swelling after the surgery in the right lateral position. The tongue was largely protruded outside of the mouse when entering ICU and was gradually improved. Twelve hours later, the tongue was shrunken into the mouse. The patient was moved to a general ward without any complications on the 5th postoperative day. The patient had taken anti-hypertensive drugs including candesartan for a long period. She might have become susceptible to angioedema by angiotensin receptor blocker such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and stress of surgery, and anesthesia might have induced a complication of the acute tongue swelling. Although, prevention and treatment of angioedema have not been established, careful observation would be required.

[Ventricular fibrillation during induction of anesthesia in a patient with polycythemia vera].

A 53-year-old male patient complained of the pain with bilateral hip area and right hip joint and underwent emergency arthroscopy and drainage. Twenty-eight years before, he had suffered from gout and from his abnormal increase of blood cells was diagnosed as polycythemia vera. The laboratory examination at admission showed a marked increase of hemoglobin (17.7 g x dl(-1)) and hematocrit (69.5%). Immediately before induction of anesthesia, 1000 ml of phlebotomy was performed with large fluid infusion. After induction of anesthesia and oro-tracheal intubation, electrocardiogram (ECG) suddenly showed ventricular fibrillation (Vf). Defibrillation was applied and the ECG recovered to sinus rhythm, but 30 min later, ECG showed Vf, again. The increased blood viscosity with polycythemia might have induced coronary ischemia and fatal arrhythmia in the patient. Vigourous hemodilution before surgery should have been performed as prophylactic management of the cardiac episodes in this patient.