Inferior Vena Cava-Balloon Occlusion and Its Effect on the Myocardium During Endograft Deployment in the Arch.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of cava balloon occlusion on the myocardium during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic pathologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study of 21 patients who underwent endovascular repair of aortic arch and thoracic aorta in a single tertiary referral center with use of inferior vena cava (IVC) balloon occlusion as a method of intraoperative cardiac output reduction. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume index, and central venous oxygen saturation were noted. High-sensitive serum troponin levels were also analyzed according to a pre-established protocol. Endpoints were cardiac troponin T levels after induced hypotension and left ventricular ejection fraction during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were procedure technical success and overall survival. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (18 male, median age 69, (62-75, IQR)) enrolled in the study between May 2015 and January 2019. Indication for endovascular treatment was an aortic arch aneurysm (n=10), descending aortic aneurysm (n=8), lusorian artery aneurysm (n=2), and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (n=1). Median time to reach half mean arterial pressure was 60 seconds while median recovery time of blood pressure was 135 seconds. In 5 (24%) cases, we observed a > 50% change of Troponin T on the reference level. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Two (10%) patients developed new and persistent atrial fibrillation and 1 (5%) suffered a peri-operative ST-elevation myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: The use of IVC balloon occlusion is a feasible technique for cardiac output reduction during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic pathologies. One fourth of the patients develop significant troponin leakage but the significance of the finding needs further studies.

Mechanical complications after central venous catheterisation in the ultrasound-guided era: a prospective multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the incidence of mechanical complications after ultrasound-guided central venous catheterisation. We aimed to determine the incidence of mechanical complications in hospitals where real-time ultrasound guidance is clinical practice for central venous access and to identify variables associated with mechanical complications. METHODS: All central venous catheter insertions in patients ≥16 yr at four emergency care hospitals in Sweden from March 2, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were eligible for inclusion. Every insertion was monitored for complete documentation and occurrence of mechanical complications within 24 h after catheterisation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations between predefined variables and mechanical complications. RESULTS: In total, 12 667 catheter insertions in 8586 patients were included. The incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of mechanical complications was 7.7% (7.3-8.2%), of which 0.4% (0.3-0.5%) were major complications. The multivariable analyses showed that patient BMI <20 kg m-2 (odds ratio 2.69 [95% CI: 1.17-5.62]), male operator gender (3.33 [1.60-7.38]), limited operator experience (3.11 [1.64-5.77]), and increasing number of skin punctures (2.18 [1.59-2.88]) were associated with major mechanical complication. Subclavian vein catheterisation was associated with pneumothorax (5.91 [2.13-17.26]). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of major mechanical complications is low in hospitals where real-time ultrasound guidance is the standard of care for central venous access. Several variables independently associated with mechanical complications can be used for risk stratification before catheterisation procedures, which might further reduce complication rates. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03782324.

Research protocol for mechanical complications after central venous catheterisation: a prospective controlled multicentre observational study to determine incidence and risk factors of mechanical complications within 24 hours after cannulation.

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheterisation is a common procedure in intensive care therapy and the use of central venous catheters is essential for treatment of many medical disorders. Although rare, central venous catheterisation is associated with mechanical complications that can be life-threatening if untreated. Real-time ultrasound guidance reduces the incidence of mechanical complications when compared with the anatomic landmark method. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of and potential risk factors associated with early mechanical complications of central venous catheterisation in an era where real-time ultrasound guidance has become clinical practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a prospective, controlled, multicentre, observational study. All participating hospitals follow the same clinical guidelines for central venous catheterisation. Each central venous catheter insertion will be recorded in the common electronic chart system according to a recently revised template. An automated script-based search will identify all recorded central venous catheter insertion templates during the study period and relevant variables will be extracted. Outcome measures and independent variables are pre-defined in this study protocol. Multivariable and univariable logistic regression analysis will be used to determine associations and risk factors of mechanical complications. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Regional Ethical Review Board in Lund, Sweden has approved this study. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at national and international scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03782324.

Desflurane increases intracranial pressure more and sevoflurane less than isoflurane in pigs subjected to intracranial hypertension.

Desflurane and sevoflurane may have advantages over isoflurane in neuroanesthesia, but this is still under debate. A porcine model with experimental intracranial hypertension was used for paired comparison of desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane with respect to the effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebrovascular resistance (CVR), and intracranial pressure (ICP). The agents, given in sequence to each of six pigs, were compared at 0.5 and 1.0 minimal alveolar concentrations (MAC) and three mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) levels (50, 70, and 90 mm Hg) at normocapnia and one MAP level (70 mm Hg) at hypocapnia. MAC for each agent had been previously determined in a standardized manner for comparison reliability. CBF was measured with Xe. MAP was lowered by inflation of a balloon catheter in the inferior caval vein and raised by inflation of a balloon catheter in the descending aorta. ICP was measured intraparenchymally. Two Fogarty catheters positioned extradurally were inflated to a baseline ICP of 20 to 22 mm Hg at 0.2 MAC of each agent. CBF and ICP with the three agents at normocapnia and MAP 70 and 90 mm Hg at both 0.5 and 1.0 MAC were as follows (P < 0.05): desflurane > isoflurane > sevoflurane. None of the agents abolished CO2 reactivity. High-dose desflurane resulted in a higher CBF at hypocapnia than corresponding doses of sevoflurane or isoflurane, but there were no significant differences between the agents in ICP at hypocapnia. The present study showed that desflurane increased ICP more and sevoflurane less than isoflurane during normoventilation, but the differences disappeared with hyperventilation.