Anesthesia Management in Massive Occipital Meningoencephalocele with Chiari III Malformation: A Case Report.

Arnold-Chiari malformation is a displacement of the brain into the spinal canal, often leading to hemodynamic distress. Arnold-Chiari malformation type III (CM III) is a rare and severe type that requires early detection to prevent complications. We aim to report this rare presentation of CM III. A 16-month-old girl with a massive tumor of the occiput suspected to be a meningoencephalocele with CM III was referred to the neurosurgery department. The patient was assessed with class 3 American Society of Anesthesiologist classification, posed challenges due to a difficult airway and the presence of a meningoencephalocele. The patient was scheduled for an elective surgery. Preoperative, the patient was lethargic with an abnormal heart rate and blood pressure. Induction was performed while preserving spontaneous ventilation, but was assisted by an oropharyngeal airway due to a short neck and obesity. The patient later developed laryngospasm thus, muscle relaxant and propofol were administered. A rescue laryngeal mask airway was inserted due to desaturation. Intubation was performed with video laryngoscope. When the surgeon opened the cele and removed the cerebrospinal fluid, the blood pressure began to decline. Resection of brain tissue caused the patient started to bleed, fluid and blood products were administered. At the end of surgery, the patient had stable hemodynamics and was transferred to the pediatric intensive care for monitoring. In patients with massive occipital meningoencephalocele and CM III, anesthetic management requires smooth intubation and prevention of excessive manipulation of the cervical joint to prevent increased intracranial pressure. The patient was not extubated because the brainstem could not be sufficiently reduced coupled with significant autonomic dysfunction.

Oral Ferrous Sulphate Improves Functional Capacity on Heart Failure Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in heart failure (HF) is associated with poor functional capacity. Several studies reported the benefit of iron therapy in HF with IDA on improving functional capacity. Therefore, we attempt to investigate the effect of oral iron supplementation on functional capacity in HF patients with IDA. Results: A double blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita Hospital Universitas Indonesia. A total of 54 HFREF patients with IDA were enrolled and randomized to either oral Ferrous Sulphate (FS) 200 mg three times a day or placebo with 1:1 ratio for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was functional capacity measured by a six-minute walk test. There were 41 participants completed the study (FS n = 22, placebo n = 19). Ferrous sulphate significantly improved functional capacity changes (46.23 ± 35 m vs -13.7 ± 46 m, p < 0.001, CI -86.8 to -33.2) compared with placebo groups respectively after 12 weeks intervention. Conclusions: Oral FS supplementation for 12 weeks significantly improved functional capacity in HF patients with IDA. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02998697. Registered 14 December 2016 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02998697.