A Comparison Between the Adductor Pollicis Muscle Using TOF-Watch SX and the Abductor Digiti Minimi Muscle Using TetraGraph in Rocuronium-Induced Neuromuscular Block: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The commonly used acceleromyography (AMG)-based neuromuscular monitor TOF-Watch SX is no longer manufactured. Recently, a new portable electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitor TetraGraph was introduced in clinical anesthesia. The aim of the study was to compare the responses obtained simultaneously from the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle with TetraGraph and the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle with TOF-Watch SX during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block. METHODS: Patients undergoing orthopedic surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. During total intravenous general anesthesia, train-of-four (TOF) responses following 0.9-mg·kg -1 rocuronium administration were monitored at the AP muscle with TOF-Watch SX and the ADM muscle with TetraGraph on the opposite arms. Sugammadex 2 mg·kg -1 was administered when both devices showed TOF counts (TOFCs) = 2. The primary outcome was time from rocuronium administration to first appearance of posttetanic count (PTC) response (first PTC). The secondary outcomes were baseline TOF ratios (TOFRs), onset time, time to first reappearance of TOFC = 1 (time to TOFC1), time to first reappearance of TOFC = 2 (time to TOFC2), and time from sugammadex administration to TOFR ≥0.9 with TetraGraph or to normalized TOFR ≥0.9 with TOF-Watch SX (recovery time). We used paired t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to analyze parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. P <.05 defined statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were analyzed. The baseline TOFRs were significantly higher with TOF-Watch SX than with TetraGraph (105 [96-110] vs 100 [98-101]; P = .0002). The time to first PTC (minutes) (31.7 ± 9.6 vs 41.1 ± 12.3; P < .001), time to TOFC1 (minutes) (48.0 ± 12.7 vs 58.8 ± 19.2; P < .001), time to TOFC2 (minutes) (56.2 ± 15.7 vs 74.2 ± 23.7; P < .001), and recovery time (seconds) (61.5 [32-148] vs 75.5 [94-102]); P = .043) were significantly faster with TOF-Watch SX than with TetraGraph. There were no significant differences in onset time. CONCLUSIONS: TOF-Watch SX overestimated recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block compared with TetraGraph.

A comparison between the adductor pollicis muscle and the abductor digiti minimi muscle using electromyography AF-201P in rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block: a prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The AF-201P, a new electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitor has been developed recently. The aim of this clinical study was to compare two ulnar nerve innervated muscles: the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle during the recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block by using EMG AF-201P. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. During total intravenous general anesthesia, train-of-four (TOF) and post-tetanic counts (PTC) responses following 0.9 mg/kg rocuronium administration were concurrently monitored at the AP and the ADM muscles with EMG AF-201P on the opposite arms. At the end of the surgery, sugammadex 2 mg/kg was administered when TOF counts of 2 (TOFC2) was observed at both muscles. The primary outcome of the study was time from administration of rocuronium to first appearance of PTC response (first PTC). The secondary outcomes of the study were time from administration of rocuronium to TOF count of 1 (TOFC1), time from first PTC to TOFC1 (PTC-TOF time), time to TOFC2, and time from administration of sugammadex to TOF ratio ≥ 0.9. Agreement between the two muscles was assessed using the Bland-Altman analysis. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included in the analysis. Time to first PTC was significantly faster at the ADM muscle than the AP muscle (24.4 ± 11.4 min vs 32.4 ± 13.1 min, p = 0.006). PTC-TOF time was significantly longer with the ADM muscle than the AP muscle (19.4 ± 7.3 min vs 12.4 ± 10.6 min, p = 0.019). There were no significant differences in time to TOFC2 and sugammadex-facilitated recovery between the two muscles. Bland-Altman analyses showed acceptable ranges of bias and limits of agreement of the two muscles. CONCLUSIONS: The ADM muscle showed a good agreement with the AP muscle during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block but faster recovery of PTC response when using EMG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR (Registration No. UMIN000044904 ). Registered 19 July 2021 -Retrospectively registered, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051290 .

Plasma rocuronium concentration in cell salvage blood following cardiac surgery: a case series.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the plasma rocuronium concentration in autologous blood transfusion obtained from the cell salvage (CS) system following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in a university teaching hospital from July to November 2020. Patients undergoing general anesthesia for cardiac surgery with CPB were enrolled in the study. After separation from CPB, residual blood remaining in the extracorporeal system was collected as the control sample. The second sample (CS blood) was collected from the autologous blood transfusion obtained after completion of the CS system with Cell Saver® Elite®. Hematocrit values of both samples were also examined. RESULTS: Ten subjects (aged 57-86 years) were enrolled in this study. Plasma rocuronium concentrations (ng/ml) were significantly lower in the CS blood (94.0 ± 77.5) compared to the control (2950 ± 812.2) (p = 0.002). Hematocrit values (%) were significantly higher in the CS blood (75.2 ± 11.3) compared to the control (40.2 ± 10.2) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Autologous blood transfusion obtained from CS system following cardiac surgery with CPB, only retained a small amount of plasma rocuronium concentration, therefore, the risk of autologous blood transfusion contributing to clinically relevant residual neuromuscular blockade postoperatively should be considered to be low. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network under registration number UMIN000040877 (registration date; June 24, 2020).

Comparison of intrathecal morphine with continuous patient-controlled epidural anesthesia versus intrathecal morphine alone for post-cesarean section analgesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Several neuraxial techniques have demonstrated effective post-cesarean section analgesia. According to previous reports, it is likely that patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) without opioids is inferior to intrathecal morphine (IM) alone for post-cesarean section analgesia. However, little is known whether adding PCEA to IM is effective or not. The aim of this study was to compare post-cesarean section analgesia between IM with PCEA and IM alone. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing elective cesarean section were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Patients were randomized to one of two groups: IM group and IM + PCEA group. All patients received spinal anesthesia with 12 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, 10 µg of fentanyl, and 150 µg of morphine. Patients in IM + PCEA group received epidural catheterization through Th11-12 or Th12-L1 before spinal anesthesia and PCEA (basal 0.167% levobupivacaine infusion rate of 6 mL/h, bolus dose of 3 mL in lockout interval of 30 min) was commenced at the end of surgery. A numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest and on movement at 4,8,12,24,48 h after the intrathecal administration of morphine were recorded. In addition, we recorded the incidence of delayed ambulation and the number of patients who requested rescue analgesics. We examined NRS using Bonferroni's multiple comparison test following repeated measures analysis of variance; p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients in each group were finally analyzed. Mean NRS at rest was significantly higher in IM group than in IM + PCEA group at 4 (2.7 vs 0.6), 8 (2.2 vs 0.6), and 12 h (2.5 vs 0.7), and NRS during mobilization was significantly higher in IM group than in IM + PCEA group at 4 (4.9 vs 1.5), 8 (4.8 vs 1.9), 12 (4.9 vs 2), and 24 h (5.7 vs 3.5). The number of patients who required rescue analgesics during the first 24 h was significantly higher in IM group compared to IM + PCEA group. No significant difference was observed between the groups in incidence of delayed ambulation. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of PCEA with IM provided better post-cesarean section analgesia compared to IM alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR (Registration No. UMIN000032475). Registered 6 May 2018 - Retrospectively registered.

Predictors Associated with Survival Among Elderly In-Patients Who Receive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Japan: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in Asian populations including elderly patients in Japan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the survival outcome of in-hospital CPR among elderly patients in Japan, and to identify predictors associated with survival. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study in 81 Japanese hospitals from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2016. PATIENTS: We included elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) who received CPR after 2 days of hospitalization. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was survival at hospital discharge and the secondary outcomes were the discharge disposition and consciousness level of patients who survived to hospital discharge. To determine predictors associated with survival after in-hospital CPR, we fit multivariable models for patient-level and institutional-level factors. KEY RESULTS: Among the 5365 patients who received CPR, 595 (11%) survived to discharge. Of those who survived to discharge, 46% of patients were discharged home, and 10% of patients were comatose at discharge. Older age and higher burden of comorbidities were associated with reduced survival. The adjusted OR was 0.35 (95% CI, 0.22-0.55) for age ≥ 90 years compared to age 65-69 years, and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48-0.97) for Charlson Comorbidity Index score of ≥ 4 compared with score of 0. Other predictors of reduced survival included receiving CPR on weekends compared to weekdays (AOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.77) and in small hospitals compared to large hospitals (AOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly patients in Japan, the survival rate of in-hospital CPR was approximately one in ten, and less than half of these patients were discharged home. In addition to older age and higher illness burden, receiving CPR on weekends and/or in small hospitals were significant predictors of reduced survival. These findings should be considered in advanced care planning discussions with elderly patients to avoid subjecting patients to CPR that are likely futile.

Can We Rule Out Meningitis from Negative Jolt Accentuation? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Jolt accentuation has been considered to be the most sensitive physical finding to predict meningitis. However, there are only a few studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of jolt accentuation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of jolt accentuation and investigate whether it can be extended to patients with mild altered mental status. METHODS: We performed a single center, retrospective observational study on patients who presented to the emergency department in a Japanese tertiary care center from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2016. Jolt accentuation evaluated in patients with fever, headache, and mild altered mental status with Glasgow Coma Scale no lower than E2 or M4 was defined as "jolt accentuation in the broad sense." Jolt accentuation evaluated in patients with fever, headache, and no altered mental status was defined as "jolt accentuation in the narrow sense." We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity in both groups. RESULTS: Among 118 patients, the sensitivity and specificity of jolt accentuation in the broad sense were 70.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58.0%-80.8%) and 36.7% (95% CI: 25.6%-49.3%). The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.87-1.44) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.48-1.34), respectively. Among 108 patients, the sensitivity and specificity of jot accentuation in the narrow sense were 75.0% (95% CI: 61.8%-84.8%) and 35.1% (95% CI: 24.0%-48.0%). The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 1.16 (95% CI: 0.90-1.48) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.40-1.28), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Jolt accentuation itself has a limited value in the diagnosis of meningitis regardless of altered mental status. Therefore, meningitis should not be ruled out by negative jolt accentuation.

Blood pressure and acute kidney injury.

Maintaining the optimal blood pressure is an important aspect of preventing acute kidney injury (AKI), especially for vasopressor-dependent patients. Although mean arterial pressure (MAP) has played an important role in previous trials for prevention of AKI, there is little evidence that MAP actually reflects organ perfusion. In fact, several studies have suggested that perfusion pressure, including diastolic perfusion pressure and mean perfusion pressure (MPP) and calculated with central venous pressure (CVP), may be more useful than the widely used MAP to help prevent AKI. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining diastolic arterial pressure and avoiding elevation of CVP to prevent AKI in patients with sepsis or invasive surgery. To achieve this, further investigation regarding titrated fluid therapy and vasopressors is warranted.

Alcoholic Pellagra as a Cause of Altered Mental Status in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Pellagra, which is caused by a deficiency of niacin and tryptophan, the precursor of niacin, is a rare disease in developed countries where alcoholism is a major risk factor due to malnutrition and lack of B vitamins. Although pellagra involves treatable dementia and psychosis, it is often underdiagnosed, especially in developed countries. CASE REPORT: In Japan, a 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status and seizures. Wernicke encephalopathy and alcohol withdrawal were suspected. The patient was treated with multivitamins, which did not include nicotinic acid amide, and oral diazepam. Despite medical treatment, his cognitive impairment progressively worsened, and eventually, pellagra was suspected. His response to treatment with nicotinic acid amide was substantial, and he was discharged without any long-term sequelae. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Despite the treatable dementia and psychosis, pellagra is often underdiagnosed, especially in developed countries and alcoholic patients. Pellagra should be routinely suspected in alcoholic patients because the response to appropriate treatment is typically dramatic.

Cecal Perforation Associated with Clostridium difficile Infection: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Various complications are reported with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), including fulminant CDI. Fulminant CDI is an underappreciated life-threatening condition associated with complications such as toxic megacolon and bowel perforation. CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with altered mental status. She was admitted and conservatively treated for a left thalamic hemorrhage. While hospitalized, she developed watery diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile. Although metronidazole was initiated, she developed altered mental status and septic shock. Abdominal x-ray study and computed tomography revealed a significantly dilatated colon and a massive pneumoperitoneum. She underwent subtotal colectomy with a 14-day course of intravenous meropenem. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This case suggests that we must be aware of the complications that CDI may present and adequately consider surgical management because early diagnosis and surgical treatment is critical to reduce the mortality of fulminant CDI.

Comparison of two electromyography-based neuromuscular monitors, AF-201P and TetraGraph, in rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block: A prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to compare the responses obtained simultaneously from the newly developed electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitors, AF-201P and TetraGraph™, during rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block. METHODS: Twenty patients were enrolled in this study. During total intravenous general anesthesia, train-of-four (TOF) responses following 0.9-mg/kg-rocuronium administration were monitored at the abductor digiti minimi muscle with AF-201P and TetraGraph on the contralateral arms. Sugammadex 2 mg/kg was administered when both devices showed TOF counts (TOFC) = 2. The primary outcome was time from rocuronium administration to the first appearance of the post-tetanic count (PTC) response (first PTC). The secondary outcomes were supramaximal current, baseline compound muscle action potential, onset time, time to TOFC = 1, time to TOFC = 2, and time from sugammadex administration to TOF ratio ≥ 0.9. We used the paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to analyze parametric and non-parametric data, respectively. P < 0.05 defined statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were analyzed. The supramaximal current was significantly lower with AF-201P than TetraGraph (31.7 ± 13.2 vs. 43.2 ± 8.2, p = .002). The time to first PTC (24.9 ± 9.4 vs. 27.3 ± 8.9 min, p = .026), time to TOFC = 1 (42.3 ± 9.0 vs. 45.1 ± 10.4 min, p = .03), and time to TOFC = 2 (52.0 ± 10.5 vs. 54.6 ± 11.7 min, p = .014) were significantly faster with AF-201P than with TetraGraph. There were no significant differences in the other outcomes between the devices. CONCLUSIONS: AF-201P showed faster recovery of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block compared with TetraGraph.

Association Between Obesity and Acute Severity Among Patients Hospitalized for Asthma Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have demonstrated relations between obesity and incident asthma, little is known about the association of obesity with acute severity in adults hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of obesity with acute severity of asthma exacerbation. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using population-based data of 8 geographically diverse US states from 2010 through 2013. We included adults (age 18-54 years) hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. The outcome measures were markers of acute severity-use of mechanical ventilation (defined by noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and/or invasive mechanical ventilation) and hospital length of stay. To determine the association of obesity with each outcome, we fit multivariable models adjusting for patient-level confounders (eg, age, sex, race/ethnicity, primary insurance, quartiles for household income, residential status, and comorbidities) and potential patient clustering within hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 72,086 patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation, 24% were obese. Obesity was associated with a significantly higher risk of any mechanical ventilation use (8.3% vs 5.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% CI, 1.63-1.92; P < .001) driven by the higher risk of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation use (7.2% vs 3.4%; adjusted OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.96-2.35; P < .001). Likewise, obese patients were more likely to have a hospital length of stay of 3 or more days compared with nonobese patients (59.4% vs 46.5%; adjusted OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.32-1.43; P < .001). These findings were consistent with stratifications by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study of adults hospitalized for asthma exacerbation, obesity was associated with higher acute severity.

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis preceded by acute cholangitis.

Listeria monocytogenes is a well-known cause of meningitis in immunocompromised patients. This organism has a growing significance for community-acquired meningitis, which should have ampicillin added to the usual regimen. We describe a case of L. monocytogenes meningitis preceded by cholangitis. This case suggests gastrointestinal symptoms preceding meningitis may be a clue of listeriosis. It is important for physicians to consider L. monocytogenes as a cause of bacterial meningitis in patients with altered mental status preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in the immunocompromised population.

Prevalence and risk factors of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the epidemiology and clinical features of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM).A retrospective cohort study was conducted.A total of 210 adult patients with sepsis or septic shock admitted to a Japanese tertiary care hospital from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015, who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on admission.The definition of SICM was ejection fraction (EF) < 50% and a ≥10% decrease compared to the baseline EF which recovered within 2 weeks, in sepsis or septic shock patients.Our primary outcome was the incidence rate of SICM. Our secondary outcomes were the in-hospital mortality rate and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay according to the presence or absence of SICM. In total, 29 patients (13.8%) were diagnosed with SICM. The prevalence rate of SICM was significantly higher in male than in female (P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the incidence of SICM was associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-0.99), higher lactate level on admission (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32) and history of heart failure (HF) (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.37-10.40). There were no significant differences in the in-hospital and 30-day mortality between patients with and without SICM (24.1% vs 12.7%, P = 0.15; 20.7% vs 12.1%, P = 0.23). Lengths of hospital and ICU stay were significantly longer in patients with SICM than in those without SICM (median, 43 vs 26 days, P = 0.04; 9 vs 5 days, P < 0.01).SICM developed in 13.8% of patients with sepsis and septic shock. A younger age, higher lactate levels on admission and history of HF were risk factors.