Effects of adjunctive esketamine on depression in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a prevalent perioperative psychiatric complication among elderly hip fracture patients. Esketamine has rapid and robust antidepressant effects. However, it is unknown whether it can alleviate depressive symptoms in elderly patients who undergo hip fracture surgery. This study aimed to explore whether the adjunctive esketamine in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) could improve depressive symptoms in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, double-blind and randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out from July 2022 to August 2023 at the Wenzhou People's Hospital among 90 patients, aged ≥ 65 years with hip fracture undergoing elective surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to either the esketamine group (group S) or the control group (group C). In Group S, patients were administered 0.5 mg/kg of esketamine as a PCIA adjuvant for 48 h, while the control group received saline. The primary outcome was the assessment of depressive symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) on postoperative day 2. The secondary outcomes were assessments of depressive symptoms on postoperative day 7 and postoperative day 30, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), postoperative pain intensity, the number of effective PCIA presses, sufentanil consumption, and adverse events. RESULTS: The prevalence and GDS-15 scores of depression were significantly lower in group S on postoperative day 2 (28.6% vs. 53.5%; 3.5 ± 1.8 vs. 4.3 ± 1.7, P < 0.05). In group S, the number of effective PCIA presses was significantly lower on postoperative day 2 than that in group C [2(1-4) vs. 1(0-2), P<0.05]. Higher levels of BDNF (23.8 ± 1.7 ng/mL vs. 25.3 ± 2.0 ng/mL, P < 0.05) and 5-HT (219.5 ± 19.5 ng/mL vs. 217.0 ± 22.2 ng/mL, P < 0.05) in the blood were observed on postoperative day 2 in group S. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years undergoing hip fracture surgery, the administration of adjunctive esketamine in PCIA could improve depressive symptoms and increase levels of BDNF and 5-HT in the blood. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200061956 (Date: 13/07/2022).

Ultrasound-Guided Clavipectoral Fascial Plane Block With Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block for Midshaft Clavicular Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia such as interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) is generally a preferred choice for clavicular surgery. However, various studies have shown that these blocks, especially ISBPB, could cause phrenic nerve paralysis and decrease diaphragmatic motion. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clavipectoral fascial plane block (CPB), an alternative technique to ISBPB, with ICPB, in reducing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis during midshaft clavicular surgery. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for right midshaft clavicular surgery were randomized (1:1) into an ultrasound-guided ISBPB with ICPB (BC) group or ultrasound-guided CPB with ICPB (CC) group. Five milliliter of 0.375% ropivacaine was used for ICPB, another 20 mL for ISBPB or CPB, and no administration of additional sedative or general anesthetic was planned. Primary outcome was measured by the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis using M-mode ultrasonography, while secondary outcomes were measured by bedside pulmonary function test, the success rate of block, the time required for the block procedure and onset of block, and motor block score in right upper extremity. RESULTS: In comparison with BC group, the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis postblock was decreased in CC group (50% vs 0%; P < .001), and measurement of bedside pulmonary function was significantly improved. There was a 100% success rate for anesthetic block in both BC and CC groups, and CC group showed lower motor block score in upper extremity and less block procedure time than BC group (7.1 ± 1.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 minutes; P < .001). Moreover, no significant differences were found between time of onset of block and other anesthetic complications in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided CPB with ICPB could significantly reduce hemidiaphragmatic paralysis and provide an adequate surgical anesthesia with fewer complications such as motor block in upper extremity during right midshaft clavicular surgery.

Flow-mediated dilation facilitates radial artery cannulation in patients undergoing intravenous general anesthesia: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is commonly used as a diagnostic tool to assess endothelial function, and compared with other methods for stimulating radial artery dilation, FMD offers several advantages such as non-invasiveness, ease of execution, minimal equipment requirements, and negligible risk. The study aimed to investigate the effect of FMD in facilitating radial arterial cannulation in the context of intravenous general anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing intravenous general anesthesia and requiring radial artery cannulation were randomized 1:1 to the FMD group and control group. Patients in the FMD group received an upper arm occlusion for 5 min after anesthesia induction, and the cuff was placed without inflation for the equivalent duration in the control group. The primary outcome was first-attempt success rate. Secondary outcomes were the diameter and percentage of dilation of radial artery, overall success rate, total number of attempts, cannulation time, and occurrence of procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Intravenous anesthetic agents significantly dilated the radial artery (p < 0.05), which was further increased by FMD. An increase in both the first-attempt and overall success rate of radial artery cannulation was demonstrated with the use of FMD (67.5% vs 42.5%, p < 0.05). The total number of attempts needed to cannulate the radial artery was reduced in the FMD group as compared with the control group (p < 0.05), but no differences in cannulation time and procedure-related complications were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FMD induced by a 5-min upper arm occlusion may facilitate radial artery cannulation in patients undergoing intravenous general anesthesia.

Network Pharmacology-Based Analysis of the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Aloperine on Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Aloperine is an active component of Sophora alopecuroides Linn, which has been extensively applied for the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms supporting the effects of aloperine on CVD remains unclear. METHODS: Systematic network pharmacology was conducted to provide testable hypotheses about pharmacological mechanisms of the protective effects of aloperine against CVD. Detailed structure was obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID). Target genes of aloperine against CVD were collected from SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank database, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway performance, and network construction were adopted to explore common target genes. RESULTS: Our findings showed that 25 candidate targets were the interacting genes between aloperine and CVD. GO analysis revealed biological process, cellular component, and molecular function of these target genes. More importantly, the majority of enrichment pathways was found to be highly associated with the nitrogen metabolism by KEGG analysis. Core genes particularly in nitrogen metabolism pathway including carbonic anhydrase (CA) III, CA IV, CA VA, CA VB, CA VI, CA VII, CA IX, CA XII, and CA XIV can be modulated by aloperine in the nitrogen metabolism. CONCLUSION: Our work revealed the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of aloperine against CVD and provided a feasible tool to identify the pharmacological mechanisms of single active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicines.

[Effects of patient-controlled analgesia with small dose ketamine combined with morphine and the influence thereof on plasma beta-endorphin level in patients after radical operation for esophageal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with small dose ketamine combined with morphine on analgesia and influence thereof on the plasma beta-endorphin (EP) level in the patients after radical operation for esophageal carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty ASAI-II patients, aged 35-65, weighing 42-75 kg, with visual analogue score>or=3, undergoing elective radical operation for esophageal carcinoma under general anesthesia received intravenous morphine 2 - 3 mg were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: group m receiving morphine 0.02 mg.kg(-1).h(-1), and with group mk receiving morphine 0.02 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) combined with ketamine 0.08 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) for 50 h. In the course of treatment the patients received intravenous injection of morphine 2-3 mg when the VAS was >or=3. VAS was recorded 4, 8, 20, 24, and 48 h after operation. The amount of morphine used after operation, PCA button pressing times (effective/active), side effects, and vital signs including pulse, saturation of blood oxygen, respiratory rate, heart rate, and average arterial pressure were recorded. Central venous blood samples were collected when entering the operation room (T0), by the end of operation (T1), and 6 h (T2), 24 h (T3), and 48 h (T4) after operation respectively to examine the beta-endorphin level. RESULTS: During the period 4-48 h after operation the VAS scores of the group mk were significantly lower than those of the group m in activity state (all P<0.05) and were not significantly different those of the group m at resting state (all P>0.05). The total amount of morphine consumed and the actual PCA button pressing times were significantly less in the group mk than in the group m (both P<0.05). The incidence rates of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus of the group mk were all significantly lower than those of the group m (all P<0.05). There were not significant differences in the incidence rates of dreaming and pseudoesthesia between these 2 groups. All the vital signs were stable in the 2 groups. The plasma beta-EP levels at the time point T1 of these 2 groups were both significantly higher than those at T0 (both P<0.05). The plasma beta-endorphin levels at T2-4 of the group mk decreased gradually from the level at T1 to the level at T0, and the plasma beta-endorphin levels of the group m rapidly decreased from the level at T0 to the T0 level and remained at this level to the 48 h after operation. CONCLUSION: The combination of small dose of ketamine with morphine provides optimal analgesia with low side-effect rate and little effect on the plasma beta-EP level.

Intra-operative Oxycodone Reduced Postoperative Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort Undergoing Transurethral Resection Prostate. A Prospective, Double Blind Randomized Study.

PURPOSE: To observe the efficacy of intravenously injected oxycodone intraoperative on postoperative urinary catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ASA I-III received trans-urethral resection prostate under general anesthesia were observed. Patients were randomized allocated to the group control (n = 45) received placebo and the group oxycodone (n =46 ) received 0.03mg/kg of oxycodone before the end of operative 10min. The incidence and severity (mild, moderate, severe) of CRBD were assessed at 0, 1/2 h, 2 h and 6 h postoperatively. VAS scores were used to assess pain intensity during the same period. Postoperative PCA analgesic sufentanil dose and the incidences of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, over sedation were recorded in these patients. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the incidence of CRBD was significantly lower in the oxycodone group at 0 [22 (49 %) vs. 10 (22%); P = .007], 1/2h [18 (40%) vs. 9 (20%); P= .033], 2h [11 (24%) vs. 4 (9%); P = .001]. The severity of CRBD at 0 [mild, 9 (38%) ; moderate 9 (20%), severe 4 (9%)] was lower in the group Q than the controlled group [mild, 4 (38%) P ? .023; moderate 5 (11%), P ?.034, severe 1 (2%), P ? .012]. 1/2 h [mild, 11 (24%) Vs 5(11%), P ? .020]. Compared with the group C, VAS scores were lower in group Q at 0, 1/2h (P ? .001) and significantly decreased sufentanil dosage within 6h ( P= .001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative adverse effects between two groups. CONCLUSION: Oxycodone can effectively prevent patients with CRBD after TURP without incurring serious adverse effects.

Comparison of periarticular anesthesia with liposomal bupivacaine with femoral nerve block for pain control after total knee arthroplasty: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Periarticular anesthesia (PAI) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) and femoral nerve block (FNB) were 2 common type of pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is no consensus about PAI with LB shows better clinical outcome than FNB. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of PAI with LB and FNB for patients prepared for TKA. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs from PubMed (1966-2017.2), EMBASE (1980-2017.2), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2017.2), Web of Science (1966-2017.2), and Chinese Wanfang database (1980-2017.2) were searched. Continuous outcomes including visual analogue scale (VAS) at 24, 48, and 72 hours, total morphine consumption, length of hospital, and range of motion (ROM) were reported as the weighted mean difference with 95% and confidence interval (CI) and discontinuous outcomes (the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV]) were presented as relative risk with 95% CI. Random-effects model was adopted to analyze the relevant data. RESULTS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 studies with 2407 patients were eligible and finally included in this meta-analysis (LB = 1114, FNB = 1293). There was no significant difference between VAS at 24, 4, and 72 hours, ROM, and the occurrence of PONV between PAI with LB group versus FNB group (P > 0.05). Compared with the FNB group, PAI with LB was associated with a significant decrease in length of hospital stay by 0.43 day (MD = -0.43; 95% CI -0.60 to -0.27; P = 0.001) and the total dose of total morphine consumption by (MD = -29.32; 95% CI -57.55 to -1.09; P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The review of trials found that PAI with LB provided a significant beneficial effect over FNB in improving the pain or decreased the total morphine consumption in patients who underwent TKA. However, PAI with LB associated with less LOS than FNB. More high quality RCTs are still needed to identify the effects and optimal dose of LB for pain management after TKA.