Hypotension after general anaesthesia induction using remimazolam or propofol in geriatric patients undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia with remifentanil: a single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia is common in geriatric patients, and should be prevented to minimise perioperative complications. Compared with propofol, remimazolam potentially has a lower incidence of hypotension. This study aimed to compare the incidence of hypotension after general anaesthesia induction with remimazolam or propofol in geriatric patients. METHODS: This single-centre, double-blind, randomised trial enrolled 90 patients aged ≥80 yr who received general anaesthesia for scheduled surgery. Patients were randomised to receive remimazolam (12 mg kg-1 h-1) or propofol (0.025 mg kg-1 s-1) for anaesthesia induction, with remifentanil and sevoflurane. The presence or absence of hypertension on the ward served as the stratification factor. The incidence of hypotension after the induction of general anaesthesia, defined as a noninvasive mean arterial pressure of <65 mm Hg measured every minute from initiation of drug administration to 3 min after tracheal intubation, was the primary outcome. Subgroup analysis was performed for the primary outcome using preoperative ward hypertension, clinical frailty scale, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and age. RESULTS: Three subjects were excluded before drug administration, and 87 subjects were included in the analysis. The incidence of hypotension was 72.1% (31/43) and 72.7% (32/44) with remimazolam or propofol, respectively. No statistically significant differences (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-2.46; P=0.93) were observed between groups. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with propofol, remimazolam did not reduce the incidence of hypotension after general anaesthesia induction in patients aged ≥80 yr. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000042587.

Early alveolar epithelial cell necrosis is a potential driver of COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with COVID-19 is aggravated by hyperinflammatory responses even after the peak of the viral load has passed; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, analysis of the alveolar tissue injury markers and epithelial cell death markers in patients with COVID-19 revealed that COVID-19-induced ARDS was characterized by alveolar epithelial necrosis at an early disease stage. Serum levels of HMGB-1, one of the DAMPs released from necrotic cells, were also significantly elevated in these patients. Further analysis using a mouse model mimicking COVID-19-induced ARDS showed that the alveolar epithelial cell necrosis involved two forms of programmed necrosis, namely necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Finally, the neutralization of HMGB-1 attenuated alveolar tissue injury in the mouse model. Collectively, necrosis, including necroptosis and pyroptosis, is the predominant form of alveolar epithelial cell death at an early disease stage and subsequent release of DAMPs is a potential driver of COVID-19-induced ARDS.

Hypotension after general anesthesia induction using remimazolam in geriatric patients: Protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: In geriatric patients, hypotension is often reported after general anesthesia induction using propofol. Remimazolam is a novel short-acting sedative. However, the incidence of hypotension after general anesthesia induction using remimazolam in geriatric patients remains unclear. This study aims to compare the incidence of hypotension associated with remimazolam and propofol in patients aged ≥80 years. METHODS: This single-center, double-blind, randomized, two-arm parallel group, standard treatment-controlled, interventional clinical trial will include 90 patients aged ≥80 years undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia who will be randomized to receive remimazolam or propofol for induction. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypotension after general anesthesia induction, occurring between the start of drug administration and 3 min after intubation. We define hypotension as mean blood pressure <65 mmHg. The primary outcome will be analyzed using the full analysis set. The incidence of hypotension in the two groups will be compared using the Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test. Subgroup analysis of the primary outcome will be performed based on the Charlson comorbidity index, clinical frailty scale, hypertension in the ward, and age. Secondary outcomes will be analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, Student's t test, and Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Logistic regression analysis will be performed to explore the factors associated with the incidence of hypotension after anesthesia induction. DISCUSSION: Our trial will determine the efficacy of remimazolam in preventing hypotension and provide evidence on the usefulness of remimazolam for ensuring hemodynamic stability during general anesthesia induction in geriatric patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000042587), on June 30, 2021.

Early Alveolar Epithelial Cell Necrosis is a Potential Driver of ARDS with COVID-19

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with COVID-19 is aggravated by hyperinflammatory responses even after the peak of viral load has passed; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, analysis of the alveolar tissue injury markers and epithelial cell death markers in patients with COVID-19 revealed that COVID-19-induced ARDS was characterized by alveolar epithelial necrosis at an early disease stage. Serum levels of HMGB-1, one of DAMPs released from necrotic cells, were also significantly elevated in these patients. Further analysis using mouse model mimicking COVID-19-induced ARDS showed that the alveolar epithelial cell necrosis involved two forms of programmed necrosis, namely necroptosis and pyroptosis. Finally, the neutralization of HMGB-1 attenuated alveolar tissue injury in the mouse model. Collectively, necrosis, including necroptosis and pyroptosis, is the predominant form of alveolar epithelial cell death at an early disease stage and subsequent release of DAMPs is a potential driver of COVID-19-induced ARDS.

Predictors of severe postoperative hyperglycemia after cardiac surgery in infants: a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

PURPOSE: Hyperglycemia is a common issue in infants after cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. Poor glycemic control is suspected to be associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. This study was performed to investigate clinical factors contributing to hyperglycemia in the perioperative period in infats. METHODS: A total of 69 infants (aged 1-12 months) who were admitted to Yokohama City University Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after surgical repair of congenital heart diseases with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were retrospectively analysed. Hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose ≥ 250 mg/dL on ICU admission. Clinical background, operative factors, and postoperative factors were compared between the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups. Additionally, multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to hyperglycemia. RESULTS: Nineteen (27.5%) and 50 (72.5%) infants were classified into the hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups, respectively. Hyperglycemic infants were significantly younger, shorter, and weighed less, with a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities. Intraoperatively, they also experienced longer CPB and surgery times and had higher peak lactate levels and higher inotropic requirements. Hyperglycemia was related to longer mechanical ventilation and longer ICU stays. Multivariate analysis detected intraoperative hyperglycemia, longer CPB time, younger age and chromosomal abnormality as significant factors. CONCLUSION: Adding to hyperglycemia during the operation, longer CPB time younger age and chromosomal abnormality were identified as predictors of high blood glucose levels at ICU admission.

Successful Assessment of Vocal Cord Palsy Before Tracheal Extubation by Laryngeal Ultrasonography in a Patient After Esophageal Surgery: A Case Report.

Laryngeal ultrasonography has mainly been performed after tracheal extubation. However, improvements in ultrasound technology now allow assessment of vocal cord function even under conditions of endotracheal intubation. We report herein the use of laryngeal ultrasonography in an endotracheally intubated patient after esophagectomy, which allowed us to make the presumptive diagnosis of bilateral recurrent nerve palsy before tracheal extubation. Our experience suggests that laryngeal ultrasonography may be useful in assessing vocal cord function even in endotracheally intubated patients, although the indications and efficacy remain to be determined.

Effects of Breathing Pattern on Oxygen Delivery Via a Nasal or Pharyngeal Cannula.

BACKGROUND: During sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, oxygen delivery via a nasal cannula is often necessary. However, the influences of the oxygen delivery route and breathing pattern on the F(IO2) have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this simulation study was to investigate the difference in the F(IO2) with a pharyngeal cannula versus nasal cannula during high- or low-tidal volume (V(T)) ventilation and open- or closed-mouth breathing. METHODS: Six healthy volunteers were asked to breathe using 2 patterns of ventilation (high or low V(T)) via a sealed face mask connected to an endotracheal tube that was retrogradely inserted into the trachea of a mannequin. The mannequin also had a pharyngeal or nasal cannula inserted into the pharynx or attached to the nose, through which oxygen (2 or 5 L/min) was delivered. The mouth of the mannequin was kept open or closed by packing. We measured the F(IO2) of every breath for 1 min at each setting. RESULTS: During low- and high-V(T) ventilation, the F(IO2) was highest at a flow of 5 L/min with a pharyngeal cannula. Oxygen delivery was higher with the pharyngeal cannula compared with the nasal cannula at all settings. Differences in flow did not result in significant differences in the F(IO2) with high- and low-V(T) ventilation. At a flow of 5 L/min via a pharyngeal cannula, open-mouth breathing resulted in a significantly higher F(IO2) compared with closed-mouth breathing. CONCLUSIONS: A pharyngeal cannula provided a higher F(IO2) compared with a nasal cannula at the same oxygen flow. Open-mouth breathing resulted in a higher F(IO2) compared with closed-mouth breathing when 5 L/min oxygen was delivered via a pharyngeal cannula. The breathing pattern did not affect the F(IO2) in this study.

[Perioperative management of a patient with primary adrenal insufficiency who underwent general anesthesia twice].

Perioperative corticosteroid supplementation is generally applied in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency or treated with long-term corticosteroid. Currently, appropriate dose and timing of corticosteroid were revised. A 77-year-old woman with primary adrenal insufficiency underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (operation 1) and mastectomy (operation 2). In both operations, we supplied stress dose of hydrocortisone on the operative day (100 mg x day(-1) of hydrocortisone for operation 1 or 300 mg x day(-1) of hydrocortisone for operation 2) and decreased gradually in one day (operation 1) or in three days (operation 2), respectively. No remarkable symptoms of adrenal deficiency and side effects of corticosteroid during perioperative period were observed. According to current recommendation, the dose of corticosteroid we used could be smaller. Perioperative management of adrenal insufficiency is still controversial, and further investigation is necessary.