Using the nociception level index to compare the intraoperative antinociceptive effect of propofol and sevoflurane during clinical and experimental noxious stimulus in patients under general anesthesia.

STUDY: Propofol and sevoflurane are two anesthetic agents widely used to induce and maintain general anesthesia (GA). Their intrinsic antinociceptive properties remain unclear and are still debated. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether propofol presents stronger antinociceptive properties than sevoflurane using intraoperative clinical and experimental noxious stimulations and evaluating postoperative pain outcomes. DESIGN: A prospective randomized monocentric trial. SETTING: Perioperative care. PATIENTS: 60 adult patients with ASA status I to III who underwent elective abdominal laparoscopic surgery under GA were randomized either in propofol or sevoflurane group to induce and maintain GA. INTERVENTIONS: We used clinical and experimental noxious stimulations (intubation, tetanic stimulation) to assess the antinociceptive properties of propofol and sevoflurane in patients under GA and monitored using the NOL index, BIS index, heart rate, and mean arterial blood pressure. MEASUREMENTS: We measured the difference in the NOL index alterations after intubation and tetanic stimulation during either intravenous anesthesia (propofol) or inhaled anesthesia (sevoflurane). We also intraoperatively measured the NOL index and remifentanil consumption and recorded postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit. Intraoperative management was standardized by targeting similar values of depth of anesthesia (BIS index), hemodynamic (HR and MAP), NOL index values (below the threshold of 20), same multimodal analgesia and type of surgery. MAIN RESULTS: We found the antinociceptive properties of propofol and sevoflurane similar. The only minor difference was after tetanic stimulation: the delta NOL was higher in the sevoflurane group (39 ± 13 for the propofol group versus 47 ± 15 for sevoflurane; P = 0.04). Intraoperative and postoperative pain outcomes and opioid consumption were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a precise intraoperative experimental and clinical protocol using the NOL index, propofol does not provide a higher level of antinociception during anesthesia or analgesia after surgery when compared to sevoflurane. Anesthesiologists may prefer propofol over sevoflurane to reduce PONV or anesthesia-related pollution, but not for superior antinociceptive properties.

Prevention of persistent pain with lidocaine infusions in breast cancer surgery (PLAN): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pain is a common yet debilitating complication after breast cancer surgery. Given the pervasive effects of this pain disorder on the patient and healthcare system, post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is becoming a larger population health problem, especially as the prognosis and survivorship of breast cancer increases. Interventions that prevent persistent pain after breast surgery are needed to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. An intraoperative intravenous lidocaine infusion has emerged as a potential intervention to decrease the incidence of PMPS. We aim to determine the definitive effects of this intervention in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. METHODS: PLAN will be a multicenter, parallel-group, blinded, 1:1 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 1,602 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Adult patients scheduled for a lumpectomy or mastectomy will be randomized to receive an intravenous 2% lidocaine bolus of 1.5 mg/kg with induction of anesthesia, followed by a 2.0 mg/kg/h infusion until the end of surgery, or placebo solution (normal saline) at the same volume. The primary outcome will be the incidence of persistent pain at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of pain and opioid consumption at 1 h, 1-3 days, and 12 months after surgery, as well as emotional, physical, and functional parameters, and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: This trial aims to provide definitive evidence on an intervention that could potentially prevent persistent pain after breast cancer surgery. If this trial is successful, lidocaine infusion would be integrated as standard of care in breast cancer management. This inexpensive, widely available, and easily administered intervention has the potential to reduce pain and suffering in an already afflicted patient population, decrease the substantial costs of chronic pain management, potentially decrease opioid use, and improve the quality of life in patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04874038, Dr. James Khan. Date of registration: May 5, 2021).

Make me more comfortable: effects of a hypnosis session on pain perception in chronic pain patients.

Introduction: Approximately one-quarter of Canadians experience chronic pain, a debilitating condition often necessitating opioid use, which raises concerns regarding dependency and overdose risks. As an alternative, we developed the HYlaDO program (Hypnose de la Douleur, hypnosis of Pain in French), a novel self-hypnosis approach for chronic pain management. The development of this program followed the ORBIT model, a comprehensive framework for designing interventions encompassing several phases ranging from design to efficacy assessment. Methods: In the present work, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of the HYlaDO program with 21 participants (18 of the 21 patients were included in the analysis). The primary objective was to determine one session of the program's effectiveness in altering pain, anxiety and relaxation via pre-post analysis. The secondary goal was to examine the long-term effects across the same measures, in addition to the overall quality of life. Results: The results highlight the benefits of our approach, while participants reported short-term significant pain reduction, decreased anxiety, and increased relaxation. Additionally, preliminary trends suggest improvements in physical activity and quality of life metrics. Discussion: These positive outcomes highlight HYlaDO's potential as an alternative to opioid therapy for chronic pain. Encouraged by these results, we aim to extend our research to a broader and more diverse cohort, paving the way for comprehensive randomized controlled trials. This expansion will further validate HYlaDO's efficacy and its role in transforming chronic pain management.

Practicing self-hypnosis to reduce chronic pain: A qualitative exploratory study of HYlaDO.

Background: Nearly a quarter of Canada's population suffers from chronic pain, a long-lasting medical condition marked by physical pain and psychological suffering. Opioids are the primary treatment for pain management in this condition; yet, this approach involves several undesirable side effects. In contrast to this established approach, non-pharmacological interventions, such as medical hypnosis, represent an efficient alternative for pain management in the context of chronic pain. HYlaDO is a self-hypnosis program designed to improve pain management for people with chronic pain. Purpose: This research aimed to evaluate the HYlaDO program based on the proof-of-concept level of the ORBIT model and investigated participants' subjective experience. Research design: Qualitative study. Study sample: Seventeen participants with chronic pain took part in this study. Data collection: We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with patients who had participated in HYlaDO to identify the three targets of desired change: pain, anxiety and autonomy in self-hypnosis practice. Results: Thematic analysis revealed that the practice of hetero-hypnosis and self-hypnosis decreased (i) pain and (ii) anxiety. Also, it (iii) indicated the development of an independent and beneficial self-hypnosis practice by having integrated the techniques taught. Conclusion: These results confirm that the established targets were reached and support further development, implementation and scaling up of this program. Consequently, we believe it is justified to move to the next step of program development.

Depth of Anesthesia and Nociception Monitoring: Current State and Vision For 2050.

Anesthesia objectives have evolved into combining hypnosis, amnesia, analgesia, paralysis, and suppression of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. Technological improvements have led to new monitoring strategies, aimed at translating a qualitative physiological state into quantitative metrics, but the optimal strategies for depth of anesthesia (DoA) and analgesia monitoring continue to stimulate debate. Historically, DoA monitoring used patient's movement as a surrogate of awareness. Pharmacokinetic models and metrics, including minimum alveolar concentration for inhaled anesthetics and target-controlled infusion models for intravenous anesthesia, provided further insights to clinicians, but electroencephalography and its derivatives (processed EEG; pEEG) offer the potential for personalization of anesthesia care. Current studies appear to affirm that pEEG monitoring decreases the quantity of anesthetics administered, diminishes postanesthesia care unit duration, and may reduce the occurrence of postoperative delirium (notwithstanding the difficulties of defining this condition). Major trials are underway to further elucidate the impact on postoperative cognitive dysfunction. In this manuscript, we discuss the Bispectral (BIS) index, Narcotrend monitor, Patient State Index, entropy-based monitoring, and Neurosense monitor, as well as middle latency evoked auditory potential, before exploring how these technologies could evolve in the upcoming years. In contrast to developments in pEEG monitors, nociception monitors remain by comparison underdeveloped and underutilized. Just as with anesthetic agents, excessive analgesia can lead to harmful side effects, whereas inadequate analgesia is associated with increased stress response, poorer hemodynamic conditions and coagulation, metabolic, and immune system dysregulation. Broadly, 3 distinct monitoring strategies have emerged: motor reflex, central nervous system, and autonomic nervous system monitoring. Generally, nociceptive monitors outperform basic clinical vital sign monitoring in reducing perioperative opioid use. This manuscript describes pupillometry, surgical pleth index, analgesia nociception index, and nociception level index, and suggest how future developments could impact their use. The final section of this review explores the profound implications of future monitoring technologies on anesthesiology practice and envisages 3 transformative scenarios: helping in creation of an optimal analgesic drug, the advent of bidirectional neuron-microelectronic interfaces, and the synergistic combination of hypnosis and virtual reality.

Generalizability of nociception level as a measure of intraoperative nociceptive stimulation: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nociception-guided intraoperative opioid administration might help reduce postoperative pain. A commonly used and validated nociception monitor system is nociception level (NOL), which provides the nociception index, ranging from 0 to 100, with 0 representing no nociception and 100 representing extreme nociception. We tested the hypothesis that NOL responses are similar in men and women given remifentanil and fentanyl, across various types of anesthesia, as a function of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status designations, and over a range of ages and body morphologies. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of trial data from eight prospective NOL validation studies. Among 522 noncardiac surgical patients enrolled in these studies, 447 were included in our analysis. We assessed NOL responses to various noxious and non-noxious stimuli. RESULTS: The average NOL in response to 315 noxious stimuli was 47 ± 15 (95% CI = 45-49). The average NOL in response to 361 non-noxious stimuli was 10 ± 12 (95% CI = 9-11). NOL responses were similar in men and women, in patients given remifentanil and fentanyl, across various types of anesthesia, as a function of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status designations, and over a range of ages and body morphologies. CONCLUSION: Nociception level appears to provide accurate estimates of intraoperative nociception over a broad range of patients and anesthetic conditions.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Chronic Postsurgical Pain after Cardiac Surgery: A Single-center Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postsurgical pain is a common complication of surgery. The role of psychologic risk factors like depression and anxiety is substantially understudied in cardiac surgery. This study sought to identify perioperative factors associated with chronic pain at 3, 6, and 12 months after cardiac surgery. The authors hypothesize that baseline psychologic vulnerabilities have a negative influence on chronic postsurgical pain. METHODS: The authors prospectively collected demographic, psychologic, and perioperative factors in a cohort of 1,059 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Toronto General Hospital between 2012 and 2020. Patients were followed and completed chronic pain questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The study included 767 patients who completed at least one follow-up questionnaire. The incidence of postsurgical pain (more than 0 out of 10) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 191 of 663 (29%), 118 of 625 (19%), and 89 of 605 (15%), respectively. Notably, among patients reporting any pain, the incidence of pain compatible with a neuropathic phenotype increased from 56 of 166 (34%) at 3 months to 38 of 97 (39%) at 6 months and 43 of 67 (64%) at 12 months. Factors associated with postsurgical pain scores at 3 months include female sex, pre-existing chronic pain, previous cardiac surgery, preoperative depression, baseline pain catastrophizing scores, and moderate-to-severe acute pain (4 or more out of 10) within 5 postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in three patients undergoing cardiac surgery reported pain at 3 months of follow-up, with approximately 15% reporting persistent pain at 1 yr. Female sex, pre-existing chronic pain, and baseline depression were associated with postsurgical pain scores across all three time periods.

A new machine learning algorithm to predict veno-arterial ECMO implantation after post-cardiotomy low cardiac output syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Post-cardiotomy low cardiac output syndrome (PC-LCOS) is a life-threatening complication after cardiac surgery involving a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Mechanical circulatory support with veno-arterial membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may be necessary in the case of refractory shock. The objective of the study was to develop a machine-learning algorithm to predict the need for VA-ECMO implantation in patients with PC-LCOS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were included in the study with moderate to severe PC-LCOS (defined by a vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) > 10 with clinical or biological markers of impaired organ perfusion or need for mechanical circulatory support after cardiac surgery) from two university hospitals in Paris, France. The Deep Super Learner, an ensemble machine learning algorithm, was trained to predict VA-ECMO implantation using features readily available at the end of a CPB. Feature importance was estimated using Shapley values. RESULTS: Between January 2016 and December 2019, 285 patients were included in the development dataset and 190 patients in the external validation dataset. The primary outcome, the need for VA-ECMO implantation, occurred respectively, in 16% (n = 46) and 10% (n = 19) in the development and the external validation datasets. The Deep Super Learner algorithm achieved a 0.863 (0.793-0.928) ROC AUC to predict the primary outcome in the external validation dataset. The most important features were the first postoperative arterial lactate value, intraoperative VIS, the absence of angiotensin-converting enzyme treatment, body mass index, and EuroSCORE II. CONCLUSIONS: We developed an explainable ensemble machine learning algorithm that could help clinicians predict the risk of deterioration and the need for VA-ECMO implantation in moderate to severe PC-LCOS patients.

Prediction of acute postoperative pain based on intraoperative nociception level (NOL) index values: the impact of machine learning-based analysis.

The relationship between intraoperative nociception and acute postoperative pain is still not well established. The nociception level (NOL) Index (Medasense, Ramat Gan, Israel) uses a multiparametric approach to provide a 0-100 nociception score. The objective of the ancillary analysis of the NOLGYN study was to evaluate the ability of a machine-learning aglorithm to predict moderate to severe acute postoperative pain based on intraoperative NOL values. Our study uses the data from the NOLGYN study, a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the impact of NOL-guided intraoperative administration of fentanyl on overall fentanyl consumption compared to standard of care. Seventy patients (ASA class I-III, aged 18-75 years) scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery were enrolled. Variables included baseline demographics, NOL reaction to incision or intubation, median NOL during surgery, NOL time-weighted average (TWA) above or under manufacturers' recommended thresholds (10-25), and percentage of surgical time spent with NOL > 25 or < 10. We evaluated different machine learning algorithms to predict postoperative pain. Performance was assessed using cross-validated area under the ROC curve (CV-AUC). Of the 66 patients analyzed, 42 (63.6%) experienced moderate to severe pain. NOL post-intubation (42.8 (31.8-50.6) vs. 34.8 (25.6-41.3), p = 0.05), median NOL during surgery (13 (11-15) vs. 11 (8-13), p = 0.027), percentage of surgical time spent with NOL > 25 (23% (18-18) vs. 20% (15-24), p = 0.036), NOL TWA < 10 (2.54 (2.1-3.0) vs. 2.86 (2.48-3.62), p = 0.044) and percentage of surgical time spent with NOL < 10 (41% (36-47) vs. 47% (40-55), p = 0.022) were associated with moderate to severe PACU pain. Corresponding ROC AUC for the prediction of moderate to severe PACU pain were 0.65 [0.51-0.79], 0.66 [0.52-0.81], 0.66 [0.52-0.79], 0.65 [0.51-0.79] and 0.67 [0.53-0.81]. Penalized logistic regression achieved the best performance with a 0.753 (0.718-0.788) CV-AUC. Our results, even if limited by the small number of patients, suggest that acute postoperative pain is better predicted by a multivariate machine-learning algorithm rather than individual intraoperative nociception variables. Further larger multicentric trials are highly recommended to better understand the relationship between intraoperative nociception and acute postoperative pain.Trial registration Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov in October 2018 (NCT03776838).

Definition and refinement of HYlaDO, a self-hypnosis training program for chronic pain management: A qualitative exploratory study.

One in four Canadians is affected by chronic pain, frequently treated with opioids, which present a risk of addiction and overdose. The development of non-pharmacological interventions is therefore crucial. In a pilot project, a self-hypnosis training program showed encouraging results in improving breast cancer patients' quality of life. Based on this program, we developed a new self-hypnosis program for chronic pain patients: HYlaDO (Hypnosis of pain in French, HYpnose de la DOuleur). To structure the process of adapting an existing program to a new context, we used the ORBIT model (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials), which consists of four development phases. This study aimed to collect patients' opinions and recommendations, and to refine HYlaDO (ORBIT Phase Ib). Fifteen participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews about this program. Two analysts coded the verbatims, and a thematic categorization was performed. Six themes emerged: practice training, expected vs. perceived effects, chronic pain management, individual practice, satisfaction, and participants' recommendations. Improvements to be considered in this type of program were finally discussed.

University of Montreal's Clinician-Investigator Program: A 10-Year Descriptive Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Clinician-investigators have an important role in the development and implantation of new therapies and treatment modalities; however, there have been several reports highlighting a pending shortage in the clinician-investigators' workforce. In Canada, the Royal College has promoted the development of clinician-investigators programs (CIP) to facilitate the training of these individuals. There is currently a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of such programs. This study aims to identify the strengths and areas of improvement of the Montreal University CIP.  Methods: An internet-based 51-question survey was distributed to all the alumni from the University of Montreal CIP. Participation was voluntary and no incentives were provided. The response rate was 64%.  Results: Among respondents, 50% (n=16) had completed their clinical residency and all CIP requirements. The majority of these individuals (63%) had become independent investigators and had secured provincial and national funding. Satisfaction of the respondents was high regarding the overall program (85%), the research skills developed during the CIP (84%) and the financial support obtained during the program (72%). The satisfaction rate regarding career planning was lower (63%).  Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that, while indicators are favorable, some areas still require improvement. Several steps to improve the CIP have been identified; notably, the transition from the CIP to early independent career has been identified as critical in the development of clinician-investigators and steps have been taken to improve this progression.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Mental Health during Pregnancy: A Comparison between Canada and China within the CONCEPTION Cohort.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health has been described in Canada and China but no study has compared the two countries using the same standardized and validated instruments. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of COVID-19 public health policies on maternal mental health between Canada and China, as we hypothesize that geographical factors and different COVID-19 policies are likely to influence maternal mental health. Pregnant persons >18 years old were recruited in Canada and China using a web-based strategy. All participants recruited between 26 June 2020 and 16 February 2021 were analyzed. Self-reported data included sociodemographic variables, COVID-19 experience and maternal mental health assessments (Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7) scale, stress and satisfaction with life). Analyses were stratified by recruitment cohort, namely: Canada 1 (26 June 2020-10 October 2020), Canada 2 and China (11 October 2020-16 February 2021). Overall, 2423 participants were recruited, with 1804 participants within Canada 1, 135 within Canada 2 and 484 in China. The mean EDPS scores were 8.1 (SD, 5.1) in Canada 1, 8.1 (SD, 5.2) in Canada 2 and 7.7 (SD, 4.9) in China (p-value Canada 2/China: p = 0.005). The mean GAD-7 scores were 2.6 (SD, 2.9) in China, 4.3 (SD, 3.8) in Canada 1 (p < 0.001) and 5.8 (SD, 5.2) in Canada 2 (p < 0.001). When adjusting for stress and anxiety, being part of the Chinese cohort significantly increased the chances of having maternal depression by over threefold (adjusted OR 3.20, 95%CI 1.77-5.78). Canadian and Chinese participants reported depressive scores nearly double those of other crises and non-pandemic periods. Lockdowns and reopening periods have an important impact on levels of depression and anxiety among pregnant persons.

Arterial Cannulation Simulation Training in Novice Ultrasound Users.

BACKGROUND: Arterial cannulation is an important procedure for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. Traditional radial artery cannulation is performed by using anatomical knowledge and pulse palpation as a guide. Arterial cannulation using ultrasound (US) requires specific training, especially for new US users. We hypothesized that even for new US users, US guidance would facilitate the successful puncture by lower attempts before successful intraluminal cannulation of a simulation model of the radial artery. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled crossover study was conducted with new US users on a gelatin phantom wrist. Three sessions of training were proposed: US-guided technique with low blood pressure (BP), palpation-guided technique with high BP, and one secondary comparison with low BP. For the 2 first sessions, all volunteers performed each technique but not in the same order. The main criterion was the number of attempts before successful catheterization of the model artery. A secondary criterion was the number of needle movements (the number of attempts plus the number of needle directional changes). RESULTS: Twenty new US users participated in the study. Numbers of attempts before successful catheterization were significantly lower when using the US technique: 1.1 (± 0.4) for US versus 1.6 (± 0.8) for palpation high BP (P = .02) versus 2.5 (± 1.4) for the secondary comparison, palpation low BP (P < .001). All of the participants achieved success after the 12th needle movement for US technique, after the 19th needle movement for palpation high BP, and after the 25th needle movement for the secondary comparison, palpation low BP. The total time before success was not significantly different between the 2 first sequences (US vs palpation high BP). CONCLUSIONS: US technique was more successful than traditional palpation technique for novice US users performing arterial cannulations for the first time. A study in the clinical practice is needed to confirm these results.

Identification of the intraoperative antinociceptive effect of intravenous fentanyl using the Nociception Level (NOL) index versus clinical parameters in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery: A secondary analysis of the NOLGYN study.

BACKGROUND: While we typically assess nociception balance during general anesthesia through clinical parameters such as heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) variation, these parameters are not specific to nociception. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that using the Nociception Level (NOL) index to assess the analgesic effect of a fentanyl bolus would be superior to standard clinical parameters. DESIGN: Ancillary study of the NOLGYN study, a randomized controlled trial comparing intraoperative NOL-guided administration of fentanyl (NOL group) versus standardized care (SC group). SETTING: University hospital in Montréal, Canada between November 2018, and December 2019. PATIENTS: Women undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. INTERVENTION: In our evaluation of intraoperative nociception, we analyzed the analgesic effect of fentanyl using three parameters: MAP, HR, and the Nociception Level (NOL) index. All fentanyl injection events were extracted from the database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary endpoint was the difference between values before and after each injection. RESULTS: The median of the NOL index before fentanyl injection was 30.5 (IQR 19.4 to 40.7) versus 18.9 (IQR 11.5 to 27.4) after (P < 0.001). The median of MAP was 106.4 mmHg (IQR 99.9 to 113.4) before injection versus 103.2 mmHg (IQR 97.5-110.7) after (P < 0.001). The median of HR before injection was 74.2 (IQR 64.2-83.8) versus 72.4 (IQR 63.4-81.3) after (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The NOL index, HR, and MAP all statistically discriminated the analgesic effect of fentanyl but only the NOL index proved clinically relevant to identify the analgesic effect of one fentanyl injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT03776838) registered in October 2018.

Impact of Processed Electroencephalography in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The use of brain function monitoring with processed electroencephalography (pEEG) during cardiac surgery is gaining interest for the optimization of hypnotic agent delivery during the maintenance of anesthesia. The authors sought to determine whether the routine use of pEEG-guided anesthesia is associated with a reduction of hemodynamic instability during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) separation and subsequently reduces vasoactive and inotropic requirements in the intensive care unit. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study based on an existing database. SETTING: A single cardiac surgical center. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred patients undergoing cardiac surgery, under CPB, between December 2013 and March 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients had pEEG-guided anesthesia, and 150 patients did not have a pEEG-guided anesthesia. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that pEEG-guided anesthesia was not associated with a successful CPB separation (p = 0.12). However, the use of pEEG-guided anesthesia reduced by 57% the odds of being in a higher category for vasoactive inotropic score compared to patients without pEEG (odds ratio = 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.73; p = 0.002). Duration of mechanical ventilation, fluid balance, and blood losses were also reduced in the pEEG anesthesia-guided group (p < 0.003), but there were no differences in organ dysfunction duration and mortality. CONCLUSION: During cardiac surgery, pEEG-guided anesthesia allowed a reduction in the use of inotropic or vasoactive agents at arrival in the intensive care unit. However, it did not facilitate weaning from CPB compared to a group where pEEG was unavailable. A pEEG-guided anesthetic management could promote early vasopressor weaning after cardiac surgery.

Effect of GOAL-Directed ANalgesia using ANI (Analgesia/Nociception Index) during general anesthesia on immediate postoperative pain and intraoperative hemodynamics in adult patients (GOALDAN study): a study protocol for randomized, controlled, multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative pain remains a major problem that is seen in 20 to 40% of patients. The Analgesia/Nociception Index (ANI) is a 0-100 index reflecting the relative parasympathetic activity allowing for intraoperative analgesia monitoring. We have previously shown that an ANI value < 50 immediately before extubation may predict the occurrence of immediate postoperative pain with good performance. We hypothesized that GOAL-Directed ANalgesia may provide reduced immediate postoperative pain and optimized intraoperative remifentanil administration (GOLDAN study). METHODS: The GOALDAN study is an international, multicenter, simple-blind, parallel, prospective, randomized, controlled, two-armed trial. Patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio in the control group or in the experimental group. Patients will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (ANI) or the control group (standard care only). In the ANI group, the administration of remifentanil will be goal-directed targeting a 50-80 ANI range, with a prophylactic injection of morphine immediately after extubation if the case of ANI < 50. Our primary objective was to determine whether the prophylactic administration of morphine at the end of the procedure in patients at risk of immediate postoperative pain (ANI < 50 immediately before extubation) could reduce the incidence of the latter by 50% in the post-anesthetic care unit. Our secondary objective was to determine whether the intraoperative use of goal-directed analgesia with an ANI target of 50 to 80 could improve intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative outcome. DISCUSSION: Because of the paucity of well-conducted trials, the authors believe that a randomized-controlled trial will improve the evidence for using analgesia monitoring during general anesthesia and strengthen current recommendations for intraoperative analgesia management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03618082. Registered on 7 August 2018.