Evaluation of right ventricular function during liver transplantation with transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of advanced liver cirrhosis may induce alterations in the circulatory system that may be challenging for the anesthesiologist to manage intraoperatively, and perioperative cardiovascular events are associated with worse outcomes in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation. It remains controversial whether right ventricular function is impaired during this procedure. Studies using transesophageal echocardiography for quantitative analysis of the right ventricle remain scarce in this setting, yielding conflicting results. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative assessment of right ventricular function with two parameters derived from transesophageal echocardiography during liver transplantation. METHODS: Nineteen adult patients of both genders undergoing liver transplantation were evaluated in this observational study. The exclusion criteria were age under 18 or above 65 years old, fulminant hepatic failure, hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, cardiopulmonary disease, and contraindications to the transesophageal echocardiogram. Right ventricular function was assessed at five stages during liver transplantation: baseline, hepatectomy, anhepatic, postreperfusion, and closure by measuring tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and right ventricular fractional area change obtained with transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Right ventricular function was found to be normal throughout the procedure. The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion showed a trend toward a decrease in the anhepatic phase compared to baseline (2.0 ± 0.9 cm vs. 2.4 ± 0.7 cm; P = 0.24) but with full recovery after reperfusion. Right ventricular fractional area change remained nearly constant during all stages studied (minimum: 50% ± 10 at baseline and anhepatic phase; maximum: 56% ± 12 at postreperfusion; P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular function was preserved during liver transplantation at the time points evaluated by two quantitative parameters derived from transesophageal echocardiogram.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial to compare body weight-adjusted and fixed doses of palonosetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in obese female patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common postsurgical complication. Palonosetron is effective for PONV prevention at the usual dose of 75 µg, but the ideal dose for obese patients has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare body weight-adjusted and fixed doses of palonosetron for preventing PONV in obese female patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial involving 80 female patients, aged 18-80 years with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of 2 and 3 and a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg m-2 who were scheduled to undergo elective breast surgery. Patients received an intravenous body weight-adjusted dose of palonosetron (1 µg kg -1, GI = 40 patients) or a fixed dose of palonosetron (75 µg, GII = 40 patients). All patients received dexamethasone (4 mg). The incidence of PONV, complete response rate (CR), severity of nausea and need for rescue antiemetics and analgesics were assessed at: 0-1 h, 1-6 h, 6-24 h and 24-48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean (± SD) BMI was 35.0 (±5.2) kg m-2 for GI and 35.7 (±3.6) kg m-2 for GII. There was no significant difference between groups in PONV incidence, CR, severity of nausea, and need for rescue antiemetics or analgesics. The incidence of PONV for GI and GII was 15% and 27.5%, respectively, during the first 48 h (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: A body weight-adjusted dose of palonosetron was as effective as 75 µg for preventing PONV for 48 h in obese female patients who underwent breast surgery. Hence, the fixed dose may be preferable to the body weight-adjusted dose.

[Implementing a chronic pain ambulatory care: preliminary results]. / Implementação de atendimento ambulatorial para dor crônica: resultados preliminares.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is one of the most common reason for seeking medical care. This study aimed to analyze patients with chronic pain in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. METHODS: A transversal retrospective study with 200 patients, who were treated in ambulatory care in a public hospital from June 2014 to December 2015. The variables analyzed were: pain intensity, type of pain, anatomical location, diagnosis and treatment. The data were submitted to statistical analysis, the Fisher's exact test was applied, and the probability p was significant when ≤0.05. RESULTS: We analyzed 200 patients with chronic pain, most of them female (83%). Mean age was 58.6±13.01 years old. The patients were classified in groups by age, six groups with ten years of difference between them. Main age range was the 50-59 years old group, with 49 females (32%) and 5 males (15%). About 65.5% of the total of patients (131) had severe pain (Numeric Rating Sacale was 9.01). Mixed pain was predominant, affecting 108 patients (92 females and 16 males, what represents 55% and 47% of the total of females and males, respectively, that participate in the study). The most prevalent anatomical pain (159 patients, 131 females and 28 males) was in the lower limbs. Lower back pain was present in 113 of the 200 patients (94 females and 19 males). In the 30-39, 50-59, 60-69 years old group, the results for pain locations were significant: p=0.01, p=0.0069, p=0.0003, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic pain was associated with females in 50-59 years old and severe mixed pain. It was located mainly in lower limbs and lumbar region. The most frequent diagnosis was low back pain followed by fibromyalgia. The patients were informed about their disease and treatment.

Implementing a chronic pain ambulatory care: preliminary results / Implementação de atendimento ambulatorial para dor crônica: resultados preliminares

Abstract Background and objectives: Pain is one of the most common reason for seeking medical care. This study aimed to analyze patients with chronic pain in Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Methods: A transversal retrospective study with 200 patients, who were treated in ambulatory care in a public hospital from June 2014 to December 2015. The variables considered were: pain intensity, type of pain, anatomical location, diagnosis and treatment. The data were statistically analyzed, the Fisher's exact test was applied, and the probability p was significant when ≤0.05. Results: We analyzed 200 patients with chronic pain, most of them female (83%). Mean age was 58.6 ± 13.01 years old. The patients were classified in groups by age, six groups with ten years of difference between them. Main age range was the 50-59 years old group, with 49 females (32%) and 5 males (15%). About 65.5% of the total of patients (131) had severe pain (Numeric Rating Sacale was 9.01). Mixed pain was predominant, affecting 108 patients (92 females and 16 males, what represents 55% and 47% of the total of females and males, respectively, that participate in the study). The most prevalent anatomical pain (159 patients, 131 females and 28 males) was in the lower limbs. Lower back pain was present in 113 of the 200 patients (94 females and 19 males). In the 30-39, 50-59, 60-69 years old group, the results for pain locations were significant: p = 0.01, p = 0.0069, p = 0.0003, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic pain was associated with females in 50-59 years old and severe mixed pain. Pain was located mainly in lower limbs and lumbar region. The most frequent diagnosis was low back pain followed by fibromyalgia. The patients were informed about their disease and treatment.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A dor é um dos motivos mais comuns para procurar atendimento médico. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar pacientes com dor crônica atendidos em Maricá, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo com 200 pacientes, atendidos em ambulatório de um hospital público no período de junho de 2014 a dezembro de 2015. As variáveis analisadas foram: intensidade da dor, tipo de dor, localização anatômica, diagnóstico e tratamento. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística, aplicou-se o teste exato de Fisher, e o valor p foi significativo quando ≤ 0,05. Resultados: Analisamos 200 pacientes com dor crônica, sendo a maioria mulheres (83%). A média de idade foi de 58,6 ± 13,01 anos. Os pacientes foram classificados em seis grupos de acordo com a faixa etária, com dez anos de diferença entre eles. O grupo principal foi entre 50-59 anos, com 49 mulheres (32%) e cinco homens (15%). Dos pacientes, 65,5% apresentaram dor intensa (Escala Visual Numérica 9,01). A dor mista foi prevalente, afetou 108 pacientes (92 mulheres e 16 homens, o que representa 55% e 47% do total de mulheres e homens, respectivamente). A dor anatômica mais prevalente (159 pacientes, 131 mulheres e 28 homens) foi nos membros inferiores. A dor na parte inferior das costas estava presente em 113 das 200 pessoas analisadas (94% mulheres e 19% homens). Nos grupos entre 30-39, 50-59 e 60-69 anos, os resultados para a localização da dor foram significativos: p = 0,01, p = 0,0069, p = 0,0003, respectivamente. Conclusão: A prevalência de dor crônica foi associada ao sexo feminino na faixa de 50-59 anos e à dor mista intensa. A dor foi localizada principalmente nos membros inferiores e na região lombar. O diagnóstico mais frequente foi de lombalgia seguida de fibromialgia. Os pacientes foram informados sobre suas doenças e tratamento.

Ablação curativa da fibrilação atrial: comparação entre sedação profunda e anestesia geral / Curative ablation of atrial fibrillation: comparison between deep sedation and general anesthesia

OBJETIVO: Comparar sedação profunda com anestesia geral para ablação curativa de fibrilação atrial. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, aleatório, com 32 pacientes, idades entre 18 e 65 anos, ASA 2 e 3, IMC d" 30kg/m², distribuídos em dois grupos: sedação profunda (G1) e anestesia geral (G2). Todos receberam midazolan (0,5mg/kg) venoso. O G1 recebeu propofol (1mg/kg) e máscara facial de O2, seguido da infusão contínua de propofol (25-50mg/kg/min) e remifentanil (0,01-0,05µg/kg/min). O G2 recebeu propofol (2mg/kg) e máscara laríngea com tubo de drenagem, seguido da infusão contínua de propofol (60-100mg/kg/min) e remifentanil (0,06-0,1µg/kg/min). Foram comparados: frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial invasiva, complicações, recidiva (desfecho) em três meses e gasometrias. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes do G1 apresentaram gasometrias arteriais com níveis de PaCO2 maiores e pH menores (p=0,001) e maior incidência de tosse. Ocorreu diminuição da PAM e FC no G2. Exceto a tosse, as complicações e recidivas foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Ambas as técnicas podem ser utilizadas para a ablação curativa da fibrilação atrial. A anestesia geral proporcionou menores alterações respiratórias e maior imobilidade do paciente.

OBJECTIVE: To compare deep sedation with general anesthesia for curative ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized study with 32 patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, ASA 2 and 3, BMI d" 30kg/m2, divided into two groups: deep sedation (G1) and general anesthesia (G2). All patients received intravenous midazolam (0.5 mg / kg). G1 received propofol (1mg/kg) and O2 by facemask, followed by continuous infusion of propofol (25-50mg/kg/min) and remifentanil (0.01-0.05 mg / kg / min). G2 received propofol (2mg/kg) and laryngeal mask with built-in drain tube, followed by continuous infusion of propofol (60-100mg/kg/min) and remifentanil (0.06 to 0.1g/kg/min). We compared heart rate, invasive blood pressure, arterial blood gases, complications and recurrence (outcome) in three months. RESULTS: G1 patients had arterial blood gas with higher PaCO2 levels and lower pH (p = 0.001) and higher incidence of cough. There was a decrease in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Heart Rate (HR) in G2. Except cough, complications and recurrence were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both techniques can be used for the curative ablation of atrial fibrillation. General anesthesia provided smaller respiratory changes and greater immobility of the patient.

Curative ablation of atrial fibrillation: comparison between deep sedation and general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare deep sedation with general anesthesia for curative ablation of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized study with 32 patients, aged between 18 and 65 years, ASA 2 and 3, BMI d" 30 kg/m2, divided into two groups: deep sedation (G1) and general anesthesia (G2). All patients received intravenous midazolam (0.5 mg / kg). G1 received propofol (1mg/kg) and O2 by facemask, followed by continuous infusion of propofol (25-50mg/kg/min) and remifentanil (0.01-0.05 mg / kg / min). G2 received propofol (2mg/kg) and laryngeal mask with built-in drain tube, followed by continuous infusion of propofol (60-100mg/kg/min) and remifentanil (0.06 to 0.1g/kg/min). We compared heart rate, invasive blood pressure, arterial blood gases, complications and recurrence (outcome) in three months. RESULTS: G1 patients had arterial blood gas with higher PaCO2 levels and lower pH (p = 0.001) and higher incidence of cough. There was a decrease in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Heart Rate (HR) in G2. Except cough, complications and recurrence were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both techniques can be used for the curative ablation of atrial fibrillation. General anesthesia provided smaller respiratory changes and greater immobility of the patient.