Role of oxygen reserve index monitoring in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a common surgical procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer. Although beneficial, it can lead to intraoperative hypoxia due to high-pressure pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position. This study explored the use of oxygen reserve index (ORi) to monitor and predict hypoxia during RARP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 329 patients who underwent RARP at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between July 2021 and March 2023. Various pre- and intraoperative variables were collected, including ORi values. The relationship between ORi values and hypoxia occurrence was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Intraoperative hypoxia occurred in 18.8% of the patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a satisfactory area under the curve of 0.762, with the ideal ORi cut-off value for predicting hypoxia set at 0.16. Sensitivity and specificity were 64.5% and 75.7%, respectively. An ORi value of < 0.16 and a higher body mass index were identified as independent risk factors of hypoxia during RARP. CONCLUSIONS: ORi monitoring provides a non-invasive approach to predict intraoperative hypoxia during RARP, enabling early management. Additionally, the significant relationship between a higher body mass index and hypoxia underscores the importance of individualized patient assessment.

Comparison of Volatile Anesthetics Versus Propofol on Postoperative Cognitive Function After Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of volatile anesthetics and propofol on neurocognitive function after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SETTING: A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials comparing volatile anesthetics and propofol in cardiac surgery were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The standardized mean difference and risk ratio were calculated to estimate pooled effect sizes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the postoperative neurocognitive function score, and the secondary outcome was the incidence of delirium after cardiac surgery. The analysis did not show significant differences in postoperative neurocognitive function scores (standardized mean difference -0.06, 95% CI -0.81-0.69; p = 0.879). The incidences of delirium (risk ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.81-1.50) between the volatile anesthetics and propofol groups were not significant (p = 0.533). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike noncardiac surgery, there are no differences between volatile anesthetics and propofol regarding postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerves Block Through Perichondral Approach: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety of the modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondral approach (M-TAPA) in abdominal surgeries. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched electronic databases to identify relevant studies comparing M-TAPA with conventional analgesic techniques. The primary outcome was the requirement for rescue analgesia at 12 and 24 hours postsurgery. Secondary outcomes included the 11-point numerical rating scale pain scores at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours following surgery, global quality of recovery scores, and postoperative adverse events. FINDINGS: Five randomized controlled trials involving 308 patients were analyzed. M-TAPA showed no significant difference in the requirement for rescue analgesia at 12 hours (relative risk [RR]: 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62, 1.22; P = .424; I2 = 40.7%; Ph = .185) and 24 hours (RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.99; P = .252; I2 = 90.3%; Ph < .001) postsurgery compared to non-M-TAPA. No significant differences in numerical rating scale pain scores or global quality of recovery scores were found between the two groups (all P < .05). However, M-TAPA was associated with a lower occurrence of nausea (RR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.68; P < .001; I2 = 0%; Ph = .834), vomiting (RR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.62; P < .001; I2 = 0%; Ph = .884), and itching (RR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.70; P = .002; I2 = 0%; Ph = .826). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in analgesic efficacy and safety between M-TAPA and non-M-TAPA techniques.

Comparison between ketorolac- and fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia for acute kidney injury after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis.

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether ketorolac-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) leads to acute kidney injury (AKI) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in patients susceptible to AKI. We compared the postoperative AKI incidence with ketorolac- and fentanyl-based PCA after RARP. METHODS: After medical record review, eligible patients were divided in ketorolac and fentanyl groups. We conducted propensity score matching of 3239 patients and assigned 641 matched patients to each group, and compared the AKI incidence. We investigated potential risk factors for postoperative AKI, defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. We collected preoperative data (age, height, weight, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, medical history, creatinine level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin level) and intraoperative data (maintenance anesthetics, surgery duration, anesthesia duration, crystalloid amount, colloid use, total amount of fluid administered, estimated blood loss, norepinephrine use, phenylephrine use, and PCA type). RESULTS: The postoperative AKI incidence was significantly higher in the ketorolac than in the fentanyl group, both before (31.1% vs. 20.4%; p < 0.001) and after (31.5% vs. 22.6%; p < 0.001) matching. In the univariate analysis, ketorolac was significantly associated with postoperative AKI, both before (odds ratio [OR], 1.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.475-2.105; p < 0.001) and after (OR, 1.574; 95% CI, 1.227-2.019; p < 0.001) matching. In the multivariate analysis, ketorolac-based PCA was independently associated with development of postoperative AKI in the matched groups (OR, 1.659; 95% CI, 1.283-2.147; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ketorolac-based PCA may increase postoperative AKI incidence after RARP; thus, renal function should be monitored in these patients.

Effect of the Paravertebral Block on Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the benefits of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) by focusing on its role in reducing chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched to identify studies. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries. INTERVENTION: Paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,028 adult patients from 10 RCTs were included in the final analysis. The incidence of CPSP at 3 months after surgery was not reduced in the PVB group compared with the no-block (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% CI 0.34-1.04; p = 0.07; I2 = 6.96%) and other-block (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.30-6.42; p = 0.67; I2 = 77.75%) groups. The PVB did not significantly reduce the incidence of CPSP after 6 months from surgery when compared with no block (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.08-2.53; p = 0.36; I2 = 87.53%) and other blocks (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.71-1.95; p = 0.93; I2 = 45.75%). The PVB significantly decreased postoperative pain at 24 and 48 hours at rest compared with the no- block group. The pain score was higher in the PVB group than in the other block groups 48 hours after surgery at rest. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic PVB does not prevent CPSP after thoracic surgery. Further large RCTs are required to confirm and validate the authors' results.

Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block for Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can provide an effective analgesia for managing pain after thoracic surgery and compare the efficacy of ESPB with that of other regional analgesic techniques. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SETTING: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries. INTERVENTION: Erector spinae plane block with local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventeen studies, including 1,092 patients, were included in the final analysis. Erector spinae plane block reduced 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (mean difference [MD] -17.49, 95% CI -26.87 to -8.12), pain score at rest (MD -0.82, 95% CI -1.31 to -0.33), and pain score at movement (MD -0.77, 95% CI -1.20 to -0.3) compared to no block. Compared with other regional blocks, various results have been observed. Although statistical results showed that ESPB is inferior to thoracic paravertebral block and intercostal nerve block and superior to serratus anterior plan block in postoperative analgesia, clinical differences remain unclear. The incidence of hematoma was lower in the ESPB group than in the other groups (odds ratio 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73). CONCLUSION: Erector spinae plane block may provide effective analgesia after thoracic surgery. Compared with other techniques, it is a safer method, without clinically important differences, for postoperative pain control. Therefore, ESPB may be considered as a valuable option for postoperative pain management after thoracic surgery.

The effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate administration on emergence agitation and delirium in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The role of intraoperative magnesium for the prevention of emergence agitation or delirium is unclear as there have been conflicting results reported by several randomized controlled trials. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate on emergence agitation or emergence delirium in pediatric patients. METHODS: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched to identify studies which evaluated the effects of magnesium on postoperative emergence agitation or emergence delirium. The primary outcome was the incidence of emergence agitation or emergence delirium during the post-anesthesia stay. The secondary outcome was the agitation or delirium score upon admission to the post-anesthesia care unit. We estimated the odds ratio and standardized mean difference using a random-effect model. RESULTS: A total of 712 pediatric patients from 10 randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. The incidence of emergence agitation or emergence delirium was 29.7% in the magnesium group and 50.5% in the control group. The pooled effect size revealed that the administration of magnesium sulfate significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative emergence agitation or emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia (Odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.64; p = .002). Additionally, children in the magnesium group reported significantly lower agitation or delirium scores than those in the control group (standardized mean difference, -0.70; 95% confidence interval, -1.15 to -0.24; p = .003). CONCLUSION: The administration of magnesium sulfate reduced the incidence and severity of emergence agitation or emergence delirium in pediatric patients after the use of general anesthesia during surgery.

Blood transfusion had no influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although red blood cells (RBC) transfusion is known to be significantly associated with biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing open prostatectomy, its influence on biochemical recurrence after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the effect of RBC transfusion on the 5-year biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at single tertiary academic hospital between October 2007 and December 2014. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify any potential variables associated with 5-year biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1311 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 30 patients (2.3%) were transfused with RBC either during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or during their hospital stay, which corresponded to 5-year biochemical recurrence of 15.7%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that RBC transfusion had no influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence. Variables including pathologic T stage (Hazard ratio [HR] 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-5.1 p < 0.001), N stage (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.7, p < 0.001), Gleason score (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.8-3.2, p < 0.001), and surgical margin (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.8, p < 0.001) were independently associated with the 5-year biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: RBC transfusion had no significant influence on the 5-year biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Factors associated with a 30-day unplanned readmission after elective spine surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify factors that are independently associated with the 30-day unplanned readmission rate of patients who underwent elective spine surgery. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single tertiary academic hospital. The study analyzed the electronic health records of adult patients aged 18 years or older who underwent inpatient elective spine surgery under general anesthesia between January 2010 and March 2018. The primary endpoint was an unplanned readmission within 30 days. The study used uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULT: A total of 7,025 patients were included in the analysis. Among the patients included in the analysis, 215 patients (3.1%) had unplanned readmission within 30 days after being discharged following elective spine surgery. In the complete-case analysis in the multivariable model, the factors associated with a 30-day unplanned readmission were found to be preoperative ASA physical status of ≥ 3 (vs 1) (OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.84; P = 0.005), cancer (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.72, 7.77; P < 0.001), and pRBC transfusion (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.71; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that preoperative ASA physical status of ≥ 3, diagnosis of cancer, and transfusion of pRBC were associated with an increased 30-day unplanned readmission rate after elective spine surgery.

Effects of magnesium on the dose of rocuronium for deep neuromuscular blockade: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is known to enhance the effect of rocuronium, but the extent is not quantified. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to quantify the effect of magnesium on the dose of rocuronium for deep neuromuscular blockade. DESIGN: A randomised controlled study. SETTING: A single tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy males scheduled to undergo robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, aged between 20 and 80 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification 1 or 2, were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomised to either the magnesium group or control group. The magnesium group were infused with 50 mg kg-1 of magnesium, followed by a continuous intra-operative infusion at 15 mg kg-1 h-1 while the control group were infused with the same volumes of 0.9% saline. Deep neuromuscular blockade was maintained with a continuous infusion of rocuronium and was reversed using sugammadex. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the dose of rocuronium administered to maintain deep neuromuscular blockade. The secondary outcomes were recovery time, defined as the time from the administration of sugammadex to train-of-four ratio 0.9, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: The dose of rocuronium administered to maintain deep neuromuscular blockade was significantly lower in the magnesium group (7.5 vs. 9.4 µg kg-1 min-1, P = 0.01). There was no difference in recovery time or the incidence of nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: Magnesium reduced the dose of rocuronium required for deep neuromuscular blockade by approximately 20% without affecting the recovery time after administration of sugammadex. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04013243.

The Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Iron on Hemoglobin in Surgical Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patient blood management aims to maintain hemoglobin level, minimize blood loss, and avoid unnecessary blood transfusion. Ferric carboxymaltose, an intravenous iron agent, was included as a part of surgical patient blood management strategy. However, it is still controversial that ferric carboxymaltose can reduce transfusion requirements. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the benefits of perioperative ferric carboxymaltose on the postoperative hematological parameters and transfusion requirements. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of ferric carboxymaltose were searched through databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and KoreaMed. Meta-analysis was performed using random effect models. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies (n = 471) were included in the final analysis. Postoperative hemoglobin was higher in the ferric carboxymaltose group than in the control group (mean difference [MD], 0.58 g/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36 to 0.80; P < 0.00001). Postoperative serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were also higher in the ferric carboxymaltose group (MD, 373.85 µg/L; 95% CI, 298.13 to 449.56; P < 0.00001; MD, 10.35%; 95% CI, 4.59 to 16.10; P < 0.00001, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the number of transfused patients, length of hospital stay, and adverse events between groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that adverse events were lower in the ferric carboxymaltose group than the oral iron group. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports that ferric carboxymaltose may increase the postoperative hemoglobin level in surgical patients. However, transfusion requirements could not be reduced by ferric carboxymaltose. Optimal dose and time should be further analyzed.

Computed Tomographic Window Setting for Bronchial Measurement to Guide Double-Lumen Tube Size.

OBJECTIVES: The bronchial diameter measured on computed tomography (CT) can be used to guide double-lumen tube (DLT) sizes objectively. The bronchus is known to be measured most accurately in the so-called bronchial CT window. The authors investigated whether using the bronchial window results in the selection of more appropriately sized DLTs than using the other windows. DESIGN: CT image analysis and prospective randomized study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults receiving left-sided DLTs. INTERVENTIONS: The authors simulated selection of DLT sizes based on the left bronchial diameters measured in the lung (width 1,500 Hounsfield unit [HU] and level -700 HU), bronchial (1,000 HU and -450 HU), and mediastinal (400 HU and 25 HU) CT windows. Furthermore, patients were randomly assigned to undergo imaging with either the bronchial or mediastinal window to guide DLT sizes. Using the underwater seal technique, the authors assessed whether the DLT was appropriately sized, undersized, or oversized for the patient. MAIN MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: On 130 CT images, the bronchial diameter (9.9 ± 1.2 mm v 10.5 ± 1.3 mm v 11.7 ± 1.3 mm) and the selected DLT size were different in the lung, bronchial, and mediastinal windows, respectively (p < 0.001). In 13 patients (17%), the bronchial diameter measured in the lung window suggested too small DLTs (28 Fr) for adults. In the prospective study, oversized tubes were chosen less frequently in the bronchial window than in the mediastinal window (6/110 v 23/111; risk ratio 0.38; 95% CI 0.19-0.79; p = 0.003). No tubes were undersized after measurements in these two windows. CONCLUSIONS: The bronchial measurement in the bronchial window guided more appropriately sized DLTs compared with the lung or mediastinal windows.

Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Counts and Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiovascular Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative low platelet count and perioperative high neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality after cardiac surgery. The authors investigated whether (1) their combination neutrophil/lymphocyte × platelet (N/LP) ratio is an independent predictor of AKI and postoperative mortality and (2) whether the N/LP ratio increases predictive ability compared with the N/L ratio or platelet nadir. DESIGN: This was a retrospective and observational study. SETTING: Single large university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 1,099 adult patients who underwent cardiovascular surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Baseline clinical parameters including platelet counts, the N/L ratio, and the N/LP ratio measured before surgery, immediately after surgery, and on postoperative days 1 and 2 were obtained. Multivariable analysis revealed that the maximal N/LP ratio was an independent predictor of AKI and 5-year mortality. Propensity score matching was performed between the high and low preoperative N/LP ratio groups. Significant differences in the mortality rate and incidence of AKI also were found in the matched cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the maximal N/LP ratio as a continuous variable was significantly higher than the AUC of the maximal N/L ratio or nadir platelet as continuous variables (maximal N/LP ratio: 0.62 v N/L ratio: 0.59; p = 0.026 v platelet nadir: 0.57; p = 0.003). The AUC of multivariable risk prediction with the maximal N/LP ratio (0.77) was significantly higher than the AUC without the N/LP ratio (0.70; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High N/LP ratios were associated with postoperative AKI and 5-year mortality. The N/LP ratio may assist with the the prediction of AKI and mortality in high-risk cardiovascular surgery.

Microvascular reactivity measured by vascular occlusion test is an independent predictor for postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between microvascular reactivity and postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery. The authors retrospectively analyzed a prospectively collected registry of cardiac surgery patients. Data from 154 patients enrolled in the registry were analyzed. A linear mixed model was performed to evaluate the association between the amount of postoperative chest tube output (CTO, milliliter, repeatedly measured at 0-8, 8-24, and 24-48 h) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) recovery slope (%/s) measured by vascular occlusion test (VOT) at skin closure. A logistic regression was carried out to see the relationship between StO2 recovery slope and packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion during the 48-h postoperative period. In the multivariable adjusted model, the effect of StO2 recovery slope on postoperative CTO (log-transformed) was statistically significant, and the degree of StO2 recovery slope was inversely related to the amount of CTO (exp(estimate) = 0.935; exp(95% CI) 0.881-0.992; p = 0.027). StO2 recovery slope was also inversely associated with postoperative PRBC transfusion possibility (OR = 0.795; 95% CI 0.633-0.998; p = 0.048). Microvascular reactivity measured by VOT is independently and inversely associated with postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Preoperative Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Clinical Outcome of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is related to vascular calcification. In a recent study on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-eluting stent, higher ALP was associated with poor clinical outcomes in terms of mortality, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative ALP and clinical outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB).Methods and Results:We retrospectively enrolled and reviewed a total of 1,335 patients who underwent OPCAB. Patients were divided into tertiles based on preoperative serum ALP (<60, 60-76, and >76 IU/L). As preoperative ALP increased, the HR of mortality remained constant after adjusting for confounders. On Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, there was no association between ALP and all-cause mortality. The adjusted HR for all-cause mortality for the middle tertile was 0.882 (95% CI: 0.592-1.314, P=0.537), and 0.915 (95% CI: 0.605-1.383, P=0.672) for the highest tertile. In addition, no associations between ALP and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, or major adverse cardiac events were found. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike after PCI, high ALP is not related to adverse clinical events, such as mortality, myocardial infarction, or revascularization after OPCAB. ALP might be considered when determining the optimal revascularization technique.

Comparative efficacy and safety of anticoagulants for prevention of venous thromboembolism after hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background and purpose - New oral anticoagulants have been developed to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after knee or hip arthroplasty. Although there have been several network meta-analyses (NMA) to compare different regimens, an NMA including 2 different enoxaparin doses and edoxaban has not been performed. Methods - Standard NMA for fondaparinux, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and enoxaparin was performed. Outcome variables included a composite of total VTE and major/clinically relevant bleeding. The rank probabilities of each treatment outcome were summarized by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. Results - Fondaparinux, rivaroxaban, and apixaban were associated with a reduced risk of VTE compared with enoxaparin, while dabigatran was not. None of these 3 drugs increased bleeding compared with enoxaparin 30 mg twice daily. However, fondaparinux and rivaroxaban increased bleeding compared with enoxaparin 40 mg once daily, while apixaban did not. Apixaban was even associated with decreased major/clinically relevant bleeding compared with enoxaparin 30 mg twice daily or 40 mg once daily. When edoxaban was included in the NMA, edoxaban decreased VTE and did not increase bleeding compared with enoxaparin. Interpretation - A higher efficacy of fondaparinux and rivaroxaban compared with enoxaparin was associated with increased bleeding tendency, while apixaban was superior to enoxaparin regarding both efficacy and safety. A clustered ranking plot showed that apixaban might be the most preferred regarding efficacy and safety. However, our results were driven by indirect statistical inference and were limited by the heterogeneity of the bleeding outcome definitions, drug initiation and continuation, and different surgery types.

Comparison of cardiac output measures by transpulmonary thermodilution, pulse contour analysis, and pulmonary artery thermodilution during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a subgroup analysis of the cardiovascular anaesthesia registry at a single tertiary centre.

Cardiac output measurement has a long history in haemodynamic management and many devices are now available with varying levels of accuracy. The purpose of the study was to compare the agreement and trending abilities of cardiac output, as measured by transpulmonary thermodilution and calibrated pulse contour analysis, using the VolumeView™ system, continuous thermodilution via a pulmonary artery catheter, and uncalibrated pulse contour analysis, using FloTrac™ with pulmonary artery bolus thermodilution. Twenty patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using a pulmonary artery catheter and the VolumeView™ and FloTrac™ systems were included in this subgroup analysis of the cardiovascular anaesthesia registry at a single tertiary centre. During surgery, cardiac output was assessed after the induction of anaesthesia, after sternotomy, during the harvesting of grafts, during revascularization of the anterior and posterior/lateral wall, after protamine infusion, and after sternal fixation. In total, 145 sets of measurements were evaluated using Bland-Altman with % error calculation, correlation, concordance, and polar plot analyses. The percentage error (bias, limits of agreement) was 12.6 % (-0.12, -0.64 to 0.41 L/min), 26.7 % (-0.38, -1.50 to 0.74 L/min), 29.3 % (-0.08, -1.32 to 1.15 L/min), and 33.8 % (-0.05, -1.47 to 1.37 L/min) for transpulmonary thermodilution, pulmonary artery continuous thermodilution, calibrated, and uncalibrated pulse contour analysis, respectively, compared with pulmonary artery bolus thermodilution. All pairs of measurements showed significant correlations (p < 0.001), whereas only transpulmonary thermodilution revealed trending ability (concordance rate of 95.1 %, angular bias of 1.33°, and radial limits of agreement of 28.71°) compared with pulmonary artery bolus thermodilution. Transpulmonary thermodilution using the VolumeView™ system provides reliable data on cardiac output measurement and tracking the changes thereof when compared with pulmonary artery bolus thermodilution in patients with preserved cardiac function during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Trial registration NCT01713192 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Optimal length of the pre-inserted tracheal tube for excellent view in nasal fiberoptic intubation.

PURPOSE: Inexperienced physicians frequently have difficulty performing nasal fiberoptic intubation. A pre-inserted tracheal tube of the appropriate length allows an excellent view of the laryngeal opening. The purpose of this study was to determine the ideal length of a pre-inserted tracheal tube for nasal fiberoptic intubation and to investigate if it could be predicted from easily measureable patient parameters. METHODS: This was an observational study in which data on adult patients (n = 150) requiring nasal intubation were collected and analyzed by stepwise regression. During the pre-anesthesia examination, a right-angled gauge was used to measure the distance from the mid-point of the lateral border of the nares to the tragus of the ear (NT distance) and to the mandibular angle (NM distance). The distance from the tragus to the mandibular angle (TM distance) was also measured. The age, sex, height, and weight of each patient were recorded. After induction of anesthesia, the minimum and maximum lengths of the pre-inserted tracheal tube that provided an excellent view of laryngeal opening during nasal fiberoptic intubation were measured. The optimal length was calculated, and an equation was derived through stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: The optimal length for each patient could be reliably predicted using the equation (distances in cm, weight in kg): optimal length (cm) = 1.952 + 0.051 × height (cm) + 0.354 × NM distance (cm) - 0.011 × weight (kg) (r (2) = 0.460, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal length of pre-inserted tracheal tube for nasal fiberoptic intubation can be predicted using a newly developed formula with three patient parameters, namely, height, the NM distance, and weight. Application of this equation in the clinical setting should facilitate nasal fiberoptic intubation.

The effect of Doppler ultrasound on early vascular interventions and clinical outcomes after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: During the immediate postoperative period after liver transplantation (LT), postoperative bleeding and vascular complications (stenosis, thrombosis) are the two most common complications that require therapeutic decisions. Doppler ultrasound (DUS) is the established method for screening vascular patency after LT during the immediate postoperative period. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of DUS performed on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 on early vascular interventions. METHODS: We studied 200 patients who had undergone living donor or deceased donor liver transplantation between January 2011 and March 2012. Postoperative liver DUS findings of up to POD 14, including patency of hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein, were retrieved. Patients with normal DUS findings on POD 1 and POD 2 were classified as the normal early DUS group. Patients with abnormal DUS findings at POD1 or POD2 were classified as the abnormal early DUS group. Frequency of vascular interventions was compared between the two groups. Risk factors that predict vascular interventions also were assessed. RESULTS: On POD 1 and 2, 81.5 % (163/200) had normal DUS findings and management was not altered by subsequent DUS findings. Two patients in the normal group were found to have hepatic artery dissection and hepatic vein thrombosis on routine CT on POD 7 and received vascular intervention. DUS results in the two patients were normal until POD 6, but DUS performed after the CT on POD 7 were consistent with the CT findings. Of the 37 recipients who showed abnormal DUS findings on POD 1 or 2, the DUS findings were normalized or unchanged thereafter in 33 patients and no vascular interventions were performed. Two patients underwent hepatic artery thrombectomy on POD 2, one patient required a portal vein thrombectomy on POD 1, and one patient died on POD 3 due to bleeding. The overall incidence of vascular complication requiring vascular interventions was 2.5 %. Logistic regression identified abnormal DUS findings on POD 1 or 2 as an independent risk factor of vascular complications requiring intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In LT recipients who demonstrate normal DUS findings in the first 2 postoperative days, additional DUS screening may have value only when clinically indicated.