Predictive model for post-induction hypotension in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Post-induction hypotension (PIH) is an independent risk factor for prolonged postoperative stay and hospital death. Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are prone to develop PIH. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for PIH in patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational study included 163 patients who underwent TAVI. PIH was defined as at least one measurement of systolic arterial pressure <90 mmHg or at least one incident of norepinephrine infusion at a rate >6 µg/min from anesthetic induction until 20 min post-induction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a predictive model for PIH in patients undergoing TAVI. RESULTS: In total, 161 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of PIH was 57.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that baseline mean arterial pressure ≥90 mmHg [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.413, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.193-0.887; p=0.023] and higher doses of fentanyl (per 1-µg/kg increase, aOR: 0.619, 95% CI: 0.418-0.915; p=0.016) and ketamine (per 1-mg/kg increase, aOR: 0.163, 95% CI: 0.062-0.430; p=0.002) for induction were significantly associated with lower risk of PIH. A higher dose of propofol (per 1-mg/kg increase, aOR: 3.240, 95% CI: 1.320-7.920; p=0.010) for induction was significantly associated with higher risk of PIH. The area under the curve (AUC) for this model was 0.802. CONCLUSION: The present study developed predictive models for PIH in patients who underwent TAVI. This model may be helpful for anesthesiologists in preventing PIH in patients undergoing TAVI.

Association between preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, uric acid, and postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing degenerative spine surgery.

PURPOSE: There are few reports regarding the association between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), uric acid, and the development of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients who are undergoing spine surgeries. We investigated the associations between the NLR, uric acid as a natural antioxidant, and POD in elderly patients undergoing degenerative spine surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, observational, and retrospective study conducted in Japan. We enrolled 410 patients who underwent degenerative spine surgery. POD was diagnosed after the surgeries by psychiatrists, based on the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to clarify whether the NLR and uric acid values were associated with the development of POD in the patients. RESULTS: 129 of the 410 patients were excluded from the analysis. Of the 281 patients (137 females, 144 males), 32 patients (11.4%) were diagnosed with POD. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the preoperative uric acid level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49-0.90, p = 0.008) and age (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.16, p = 0.008) were significantly associated with POD. The preoperative NLR (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.60-1.13, p = 0.227) and antihyperuricemic medication (aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.24-3.82, p = 0.959) were not significantly associated with POD. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that in elderly patients undergoing degenerative spine surgery, the preoperative NLR was not significantly associated with POD, but a lower preoperative uric acid value was an independent risk factor for developing POD. Uric acid could have a neuroprotective impact on POD in patients with degenerative spine diseases.

Acute coronary syndrome due to left main coronary trunk compression 2 months after left atrial auricle clipping: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial auricle (LAA) clipping is a common method of preventing cardiogenic thromboembolism. However, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been reported as a fatal complication of LAA clipping. We describe a case of ACS 2 months after LAA clipping. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old male with atrial fibrillation was scheduled LAA clipping during aortic valve replacement for congenital aortic bicuspid valve. The surgery went smoothly with no postoperative complications, but he suddenly went into cardiac arrest 2 months later. Emergency coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasonography revealed that compression by the clip of the left main coronary trunk had caused the ACS. Percutaneous coronary intervention with stents was performed, and the clip was removed under general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Even in the remote timepoint of LAA clipping, compression of the coronary artery by the clip should be differentiated as a cause of ACS.

The Perioperative Frontal Relative Ratio of the Alpha Power of Electroencephalography for Predicting Postoperative Delirium After Highly Invasive Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the associations between postoperative delirium (POD) and both the relative ratio of the alpha (α)-power of electroencephalography (EEG) and inflammatory markers in a prospective, single-center observational study. METHODS: We enrolled 84 patients who underwent radical cancer surgeries with reconstruction for esophageal cancer, oral floor cancer, or pharyngeal cancer under total intravenous anesthesia. We collected the perioperative EEG data and the perioperative data of the inflammatory markers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, presepsin, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The existence of POD was evaluated based on the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. We compared the time-dependent changes in the relative ratio of the EEG α-power and inflammatory markers between the patients with and without POD. RESULTS: Four of the 84 patients were excluded from the analysis. Of the remaining 80 patients, 25 developed POD and the other 55 did not. The relative ratio of the α-power at baseline was significantly lower in the POD group than the non-POD group (0.18 ± 0.08 vs 0.28 ± 0.11, P < .001). A time-dependent decline in the relative ratio of α-power in the EEG during surgery was observed in both groups. There were significant differences between the POD and non-POD groups in the baseline, 3-h, 6-h, and 9-h values of the relative ratio of α-power. The preoperative NLR of the POD group was significantly higher than that of the non-POD group (2.88 ± 1.04 vs 2.22 ± 1.00, P < .001), but other intraoperative inflammatory markers were comparable between the groups. Two multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that the relative ratio of the α-power at baseline was significantly associated with POD. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative frontal relative ratios of the α-power of EEG were associated with POD in patients who underwent radical cancer surgery. Intraoperative EEG monitoring could be a simple and more useful tool for predicting the development of postoperative delirium than measuring perioperative acute inflammatory markers. A lower relative ratio of α-power might be an effective marker for vulnerability of brain and ultimately for the development of POD.

Anesthetic management with remimazolam in a patient with Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is a new ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine, and its sedative effect is prolonged in patients with hepatic impairment. This is the first report of remimazolam anesthesia in a patient with Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old female was diagnosed with tongue cancer and scheduled for partial glossectomy. Preoperative examinations revealed Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis, but the pathogenesis was unknown. We scheduled remimazolam anesthesia because it would stabilize her intraoperative circulation. We managed with a much lower-than-normal dose of remimazolam; even so, the patient required flumazenil to regain consciousness. She was admitted to the intensive care unit, but her consciousness remained clear even after the effect of flumazenil had worn off. CONCLUSION: We experienced anesthetic management with remimazolam in a patient with Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis. Even conservative use of remimazolam in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction may result in emergence times that are delayed longer than expected.

Bedside insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter into a patient with BMI of 84.8 kg/m2 using a magnetic tracking and electrocardiogram-based tip confirmation system: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are typically placed under fluoroscopy. We used a magnetic tracking and electrocardiogram-based tip confirmation system for insertion of a PICC insertion in a morbidly obese patient at the bedside. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old female with severe obesity (height, 160 cm; weight, 217 kg; BMI, 84.8 kg/m2) was admitted to the intensive care unit. Both bilateral, inguinal, and cervical regions were covered with an excess of adipose tissue, making it difficult to place a central venous line. Since transferring her to fluoroscopy seemed dangerous, a PICC was inserted using Sherlock 3CG® TCS at the bedside. Magnetic sensor guidance failed due to the thick subcutaneous tissue her precordium, but intracavity electrocardiography could direct the tip to an appropriate position. CONCLUSION: We experienced bedside insertion of a PICC into a patient with BMI of 84.8 kg/m2 patient using a Sherlock 3CG® TCS. Since the interaction between Sherlock 3CG® TCS and body habitus has not been investigated, further reports are needed.

Anesthetic management of a patient with subclinical myasthenia gravis who underwent a thymectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Some individuals with subclinical myasthenia gravis (MG) are positive for serum anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies, without neurological symptoms. There are no anesthetic management guidelines for subclinical MG. We report the anesthetic management of a patient with subclinical MG who underwent a thymectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old female with subclinical MG was scheduled for an extended thymectomy. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with mainly propofol and remifentanil. We administrated the minimum amount of rocuronium with reference to train-of-four (TOF) monitoring when a neuromuscular relaxant is needed. Although the prolonged effect of rocuronium was observed, the TOF ratio had already recovered to 100% before the tracheal extubation. Postoperative analgesia was performed by a continuous epidural infusion of levobupivacaine. CONCLUSION: We reported the anesthetic management of a patient with subclinical MG who underwent a thymectomy. Further research is necessary to clarify subclinical MG patients' sensitivity to rocuronium.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution reduced the frequency and amount of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) can reduce the frequency and amount of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) (intraoperative ABT and postoperative ABT until discharge from the hospital) in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, observational study included the perioperative data of 147 patients who were 18 years old or younger and underwent scoliosis surgery. Patients were divided into groups according to whether they received ANH: i.e., an ANH group and control group. Propensity-score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether ANH can reduce the frequency of perioperative ABT. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were analyzed, 95 and 30 in the ANH and control group, respectively. The intraoperative/postoperative ABT frequency was significantly lower in the ANH group than in the control group (17.9% vs. 36.7%, p = 0.044). The amount of ABT [median (IQR): 0 (0, 0) mL/kg vs. 0 (0, 16.3) mL/kg, p = 0.033] was also significantly lower in the ANH group than in the control group. Propensity-score-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that ANH use [odds ratio: 0.15; 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.77; p = 0.023)] was associated with a lower risk of ABT after adjusting for intraoperative blood loss and duration of surgery. CONCLUSION: ANH use can reduce the frequency and amount of perioperative ABT in pediatric and adolescent scoliosis surgery.

Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is associated with depressive symptoms in Japanese general male population.

Relationships between the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and/or the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neuroinflammatory diseases have been reported. Depression is also associated with neuroinflammation. Here, we determined the association between the NLR, PLR, and depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study is a secondary analysis of the data of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2017. We analyzed the characteristics and laboratory data of 1,015 Japanese subjects (597 females, 408 males) including their NLR and PLR values. We assigned the subjects with a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score ≥ 16 to the depressive symptoms group. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine whether the NLR and/or PLR were associated with depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16). Two hundred subjects (19.7%; 122 [20.4%] females, 78 [19.1%] males) were assigned to the depressive symptoms group. There were significant differences between the non-depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms groups in the NLR [median (25th to 75th percentile): 1.54 (1.24, 1.97) vs. 1.76 (1.32, 2.37), P = 0.005] and the PLR [median (25th to 75th percentile): 123.7 (102.0, 153.9) vs. 136.8 (107.0, 166.5), P = 0.047] in males, but not in females. The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the NLR was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in males (adjusted odds ratio: per 1 increase, 1.570; 95% confidence interval: 1.120-2.220; P = 0.009). In conclusion, our findings indicate that higher NLR may be associated with depressive symptoms in males.

Predict models for prolonged ICU stay using APACHE II, APACHE III and SAPS II scores: A Japanese multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Prolonged ICU stays are associated with high costs and increased mortality. Thus, early prediction of such stays would help clinicians to plan initial interventions, which could lead to efficient utilization of ICU resources. The aim of this study was to develop models for predicting prolonged stays in Japanese ICUs using APACHE II, APACHE III and SAPS II scores. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the cases of 85,558 patients registered in the Japanese Intensive care Patient Database between 2015 and 2019. Prolonged ICU stay was defined as an ICU stay of >14 days. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to develop three predictive models for prolonged ICU stay using APACHE II, APACHE III and SAPS II scores, respectively. After exclusions, 79,620 patients were analyzed, 2,364 of whom (2.97%) experienced prolonged ICU stays. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that severity scores, BMI, MET/RRT, postresuscitation, readmission, length of stay before ICU admission, and diagnosis at ICU admission were significantly associated with higher risk of prolonged ICU stay in all models. The present study developed predictive models for prolonged ICU stay using severity scores. These models may be helpful for efficient utilization of ICU resources.

Two cases of circulatory collapse due to suspected remimazolam anaphylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam was approved in Japan in January 2020. We report two cases of circulatory collapse due to suspected remimazolam anaphylaxis during anesthetic induction. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 74-year-old male was scheduled for debridement and skin grafting for a severe burn injury. We induced anesthesia with 4 mg of remimazolam and 20 mg of ketamine. The patient subsequently developed treatment-resistant severe hypotension. Case 2: A 59-year-old male was scheduled for laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy. We induced anesthesia with 9 mg of remimazolam. Within a few minutes, the patient developed treatment-resistant severe hypotension. As serum tryptase was elevated in both cases and only intravenous administration of adrenaline was effective, we considered the circulatory collapse might be due to anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: We experienced two cases of circulatory collapse due to suspected remimazolam anaphylaxis during anesthetic induction. The prevalence of remimazolam anaphylaxis is not yet known, and further research is needed.

Plasma orexin A does not reflect severity of illness in the intensive care units patients with systemic inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammatory response occurs by sepsis and invasive surgery. Recent articles suggest that not only CRP but also procalcitonin, presepsin, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin may reflect the severity of systemic inflammation. In addition, as systemic inflammation could degenerate orexin neurons, plasma orexin A might also be a good biomarker to predict the severity. Thus, we have determined relation between plasma biomarker and severity of illness score in patients with systemic inflammation. METHODS: Previous database (UMIN000018427) was used to secondly determine which plasma biomarkers may predict the severity of illness in the ICU patients with systemic inflammation (n = 57, 31 non-sepsis surgical patients and 26 sepsis patients). We measured plasma levels of orexin A, CRP, procalcitonin, presepsin, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were measured, and APACHE II score was assessed in these patients at their admission to the ICU. Data are shown as mean ± SD. Statistical analyses were done with unpaired t test. The correlation between APACHE II score and plasma biomarkers were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient and a least squares linear regression line. RESULTS: Demographic data did not differ between sepsis and non-sepsis groups. However, APACHE-II score was significantly higher in sepsis group than those in non-sepsis group (20.9 ± 6.6 vs 15.8 ± 3.2, p < 0.01). There were significant correlations between APACHE II score and plasma CRP (r = 0.532, p < 0.01), procalcitonin (r = 0.551, p < 0.01), presepsin (r = 0.510, p < 0.01), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (r = 0.466, P < 0.01) except orexin A. CONCLUSION: All plasma biomarkers tested except orexin A may reflect the severity of illness in patients with systemic inflammation.

The role of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and iron homeostasis in object recognition impairment in aged sepsis-survivor rats.

Older adult patients with sepsis frequently experience cognitive impairment. The roles of brain neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and iron in older sepsis patients remain unknown. We investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis on novel object recognition test, NGAL levels, an inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels, and iron ion levels in the hippocampus and cortex of young and aged rats. The effect of an iron chelator deferoxamine pretreatment on aged sepsis rats was also examined. Young sepsis-survivor rats did not show impaired novel object recognition, TNFα responses, or a Fe2+/Fe3+ imbalance. They showed hippocampal and cortical NGAL level elevations. Aged sepsis-survivor rats displayed a decreased object discrimination index, elevation of NGAL levels and Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio, and no TNFα responses. Pretreatment with deferoxamine prevented the reduction in the object recognition of aged sepsis-survivor rats. The elevation in hippocampal and cortical NGAL levels caused by lipopolysaccharide was not influenced by deferoxamine pretreatment. The lipopolysaccharide-induced Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio elevation was blocked by deferoxamine pretreatment. In conclusion, our findings suggest that iron homeostasis in the cortex and hippocampus contributes to the maintenance of object recognition ability in older sepsis survivors.

Higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width are associated with postoperative delirium in patients undergoing esophagectomy: a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether preoperative inflammatory markers, i.e., the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) can predict the development of postoperative delirium (POD) after esophagectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, observational study included 110 patients who underwent an esophagectomy. We assigned the patients with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist score ≥ 4 to the POD group. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine whether the NLR, PLR, MPV, and PDW can be used to predict the development of POD. RESULTS: The POD group had 20 patients; the non-POD group included the other 90 patients. Although only the preoperative NLR in the POD group was significantly higher than in the non-POD group (3.20 [2.52-4.30] vs. 2.05 [1.45-3.02], p = 0.001), multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that the following three parameters were independent predictors of POD: preoperative NLR ≥ 2.45 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.68, 95%CI 2.33-32.4, p = 0.001), MPV ≥ 10.4 (aOR: 3.93, 95%CI: 1.37-11.2, p = 0.011), and PDW ≥ 11.8 (aOR: 3.58, 95%CI: 1.22-10.5, p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Our analysis results demonstrated that preoperative NLR ≥ 2.45, MPV ≥ 10.4, and PDW ≥ 11.8 were significantly associated with a higher risk of POD after adjustment for possible confounding factors. However, as the AUCs of the preoperative MPV and PDW for the prediction of the development of POD in univariable ROC analyses were low, large prospective studies are needed to confirm this result.

Availability of preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio to predict postoperative delirium after head and neck free-flap reconstruction: A retrospective study.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a well-recognized postoperative complication and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether the preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be an effective predictor of POD after head and neck free-flap reconstruction. This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. We analyzed the perioperative data of patients who had undergone elective head and neck free-flap reconstruction surgery. POD was assessed with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) during admission to our intensive care unit (ICU). POD was defined as an ICDSC score ≥4. Risk factors for POD were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. We included 97 patients. The incidence of POD was 20.6% (20/97). Significantly longer ICU stays were observed in the patients with POD compared to those without POD (median [interquartile range]: 5 [4-6] vs. 4 [4-5], p = 0.031). Higher preoperative NLR values (3 3.0 (adjusted Odds Ratio: 23.6, 95% Confidence Interval: 6.6-85.1; p<0.001) was independently associated with POD. The multivariate area under the receiver operator curve was significantly greater for the E-PRE-DELIRIC model with NLR compared to the E-PRE-DELIRIC model (0.87 vs. 0.60; p<0.001). The preoperative NLR may be a good predictor of POD in patients undergoing head and neck free-flap reconstruction.

Delayed tracheal extubation after cardiac surgery due to cardiogenic ventilator auto-triggering: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator auto-triggering is associated with poor outcomes. Herein, we present a case of delayed tracheal extubation after cardiac surgery due to cardiogenic auto-triggering. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old male with chronic constrictive pericarditis underwent radical pericardiectomy. After confirming hemodynamic stability, we conducted spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) with a flow-trigger sensitivity of 1 L/min. As his respiratory rate (RR) increased to more than 60 breaths/min and tidal volume decreased to less than 100 mL, this SBT was considered a failure. Next morning, SBT was reperformed and the result was unchanged. However, we noticed that his heart rate and RR were the same and suspected auto-triggering caused by cardiogenic oscillations. We changed ventilator mode from flow triggering to pressure triggering of -2 cmH2O and he was uneventfully extubated. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of delayed tracheal extubation after cardiac surgery due to cardiogenic auto-triggering. Auto-triggering can be reduced by changing ventilator trigger mode.

Roles of Neuropeptide S in Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Sleep.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is an endogenous peptide that regulates various physiological functions, such as immune functions, anxiety-like behaviors, learning and memory, the sleep-wake rhythm, ingestion, energy balance, and drug addiction. These processes include the NPS receptor (NPSR1). The NPS-NPSR1 system is also significantly associated with the onset of disease, as well as these physiologic functions. For example, NPS is involved in bronchial asthma, anxiety and awakening disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, among the various functions, we focus on the role of NPS in anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness; analgesia, mainly by anesthesia; and sleep-wakefulness. Progress in the field regarding the functions of endogenous peptides in the brain, including NPS, suggests that these three domains share common mechanisms. Further NPS research will help to elucidate in detail how these three domains interact with each other in their functions, and may contribute to improving the quality of medical care.