Preoperative hyperlactatemia and early mortality after liver transplantation: selection of important variables using random forest survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: Generally, lactate levels > 2 mmol/L represent hyperlactatemia, whereas lactic acidosis is often defined as lactate > 4 mmol/L. Although hyperlactatemia is common finding in liver transplant (LT) candidates, association between lactate and organ failures with Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) is poorly studied. We searched the important variables for pre-LT hyperlactatemia and examined the impact of preoperative hyperlactatemia on early mortality after LT. METHODS: A total of 2,002 patients from LT registry between January 2008 and February 2019 were analyzed. Six organ failures (liver, kidney, brain, coagulation, circulation, and lung) were defined by criteria of EASL-CLIF ACLF Consortium. Variable importance of preoperative hyperlactatemia was examined by machine learning using random survival forest (RSF). Kaplan-Meier Survival curve analysis was performed to assess 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Median lactate level was 1.9 mmol/L (interquartile range: 1.4, 2.4 mmol/L) and 107 (5.3%) patients showed > 4.0 mmol/L. RSF analysis revealed that the four most important variables for hyperlactatemia were MELD score, circulatory failure, hemoglobin, and respiratory failure. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 2.7% and 5.1%, whereas patients with lactate > 4.0 mmol/L showed increased rate of 15.0% and 19.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: About 50% and 5% of LT candidates showed pre-LT hyperlactatemia of > 2.0 mmol/L and > 4.0 mmol/L, respectively. Pre-LT lactate > 4.0 mmol/L was associated with increased early post-LT mortality. Our results suggest that future study of correcting modifiable risk factors may play a role in preventing hyperlactatemia and lowering early mortality after LT.

Effect of two-week continuous epidural administration of 2% lidocaine on mechanical allodynia induced by spinal nerve ligation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Lidocaine is an effective against certain types of neuropathic pain. This study aimed to investigate whether timing of initiating continuous epidural infusion of lidocaine affected the glial activation and development of neuropathic pain induced by L5/6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in rats. METHODS: Following L5/6 SNL, rats were epidurally infused 2% lidocaine (drug infusion initiated on days 1, and 7 post SNL model establishment) or saline (saline infusion initiated on day 1 post SNL model establishment) continuously for 14 days. Mechanical allodynia of the hind paw to von Frey filament stimuli was determined prior to surgery, postoperative day 3, and once weekly after SNL model establishment. At 7 days after the infusion of saline or lidocaine ended, spinal activation of proinflammatory cytokines and astrocytes was evaluated immunohistochemically, using antibodies to interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTS: Continuous epidural administration of 2% lidocaine for 14 days increased the mechanical withdrawal threshold regardless of the difference in timing of initiating lidocaine administration. Epidurally infusing 2% lidocaine inhibited nerve ligation-induced IL-6 and GFAP activation. In the 2% lidocaine infusion group, rats maintained the increased mechanical withdrawal threshold even at 7 days after the discontinuation of 2% lidocaine infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous epidural administration of 2% lidocaine inhibited the development of SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and suppressed IL-6 and GFAP activation regardless of the difference in timing of initiating lidocaine administration.

Postoperative pulmonary edema following vitrectomy in patients with ischemic heart disease and diastolic dysfunction in the post-anesthetic care unit: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: The increasing incidence of cardiac comorbidities in the elderly population has led to an increasing demand for vigilance of cardiac dysfunction induced by surgery. Favorable outcomes can be ensured in such cases by an increased awareness of cardiogenic complications, early identification of the problem, and appropriate treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: This study presents 2 cases of acute pulmonary edema (PE) that were likely caused by ischemic heart disease and diastolic dysfunction in postoperative patients, following vitrectomy, in the post-anesthetic care unit. DIAGNOSES: Chest x-ray and computed tomography indicated PE. INTERVENTIONS: Following the diagnosis of PE, patients were intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit where 20 mg furosemide was injected and 10 µg/kg/min dobutamine was infused intravenously. OUTCOMES: On postoperative day 2, the patients' vital signs were stable and there were no signs of respiratory disturbance. LESSONS: Physicians should be alert to the potential development of PE as a postoperative complication in patients with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and ischemic heart disease, even if the patient has undergone a procedure with mild hemodynamic change and minimal surgical stimulation such as vitrectomy. We propose that physicians treating elderly patients with LV diastolic dysfunction and ischemic heart disease undergoing vitrectomy should consider the use of intraoperative transthoracic echocardiogram or transesophageal echocardiogram with continuous monitoring of blood pressure, using devices such as arterial catheter devices.

Effect of medications and epidural steroid injections on fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a common problem, especially among postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have major risk factors for osteoporotic fractures. The abuse of epidural steroid injections (ESIs) or the misunderstanding of their proper use could cause osteoporotic fractures. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether ESIs are associated with osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women with low back pain and osteoporosis. Furthermore, we aimed to provide evidence on whether ESIs could be used in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at high risk for osteoporotic fractures.We reviewed the medical records of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis but no fractures. A total of 172 postmenopausal women were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised patients receiving medications and Group 2 comprised patients receiving ESIs. All participants received medications for treating osteoporosis. Each patient's age, bone mineral density, body mass index, medical history, and status with respect to smoking, drinking, physical activity, and exercise were obtained using a questionnaire and medical records.The mean total number of ESIs was 6.2, and the mean cumulative administered dose of glucocorticoids (dexamethasone) was 31 mg. The incidences of fractures in the medication and ESI groups were 22% and 24%, respectively, in the thoracolumbar spine, and 2% and 5%, respectively, in the hip joint.There was no significant difference in the incidences of osteoporotic fractures at the thoraco-lumbar spine and hip joint in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis between those who received ESIs (a mean of 6.2 ESIs, a cumulative dexamethasone dose of 31 mg) and those who did not, with both groups taking anti-osteoporotic medications for low back pain. Our data suggest that ESI treatment using a mean of 6.2 ESIs to deliver a maximum cumulative dexamethasone dose of 31 mg could be safely used in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, without any significant impact on the their risk for osteoporotic fractures.

Submental Intubation in Patients with Complex Maxillofacial Injuries.

Airway management in patients with complex maxillofacial injuries is a challenge to anesthesiologists. Submental intubation is a useful technique that is less invasive than tracheostomy in securing the airways where orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation cannot be performed. This procedure avoids the use of tracheostomy and bypasses its associated morbidities. A flexible and kink-resistant reinforced endotracheal tube with detachable universal connector is commonly used for submental intubation. Herein, we report cases involving submental intubation using a reinforced endotracheal tube with a non-detachable universal connector in patients with complex maxillofacial injuries.

Effect of Epidural Steroid Injection on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women According to Antiosteoporotic Medication Use.

BACKGROUND: No studies to date have compared bone mineral density (BMD) changes after epidural steroid injection (ESI) between postmenopausal patients taking antiosteoporotic medication and those who are not. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between ESI and BMD changes in postmenopausal patients according to antiosteoporotic medication use. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Asan Medical Center, Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed postmenopausal women who underwent ESI using dexamethasone. All women had received a diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis and their BMD had been measured before and after treatment. BMD was evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, femoral trochanter, and total femur, and was recorded as absolute g/cm2 and T-scores. A total of 126 patients were included in the final analysis. ESI patients were grouped as follows: group 1 (n = 74) ESI patients who took antiosteoporotic medication; group 2 (n = 52) ESI patients who did not take antiosteoporotic medication. RESULTS: In group 1, there were no significant differences between baseline and post-treatment BMD absolute values (g/cm2) in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, femoral trochanter, and total femur. In group 2, significant changes in the post-treatment BMD absolute values (g/cm2) from baseline were observed in the femoral neck (-1.48 ± 3.84%), femoral trochanter (-2.80 ± 7.50%), and total femur (-2.23 ± 4.52%), but not in the lumbar spine (-2.23 ± 4.52%). LIMITATIONS: This study contained a small sample size, no control group, and no long-term follow-up of the BMD changes after ESI. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide new evidence indicating that ESI causes BMD changes in postmenopausal women who do not take antiosteoporotic medication. Thus, we recommend that prophylactic antiosteoporotic treatment be considered for postmenopausal women who require ESI treatment.

Pulse Transit Time as a Predictor of the Efficacy of a Celiac Plexus Block in Patients With Chronic Intractable Abdominal Pain.

OBJECTIVE: There is no well-defined predictor of satisfactory pain relief after celiac plexus block (CPB) at the early stage of treatment. This study evaluated whether measurement of the electrocardiographic R-wave and the arrival time of the pulses at the toe pulse transit time (E-T PTT) can be an early predictor of pain response and success of CPB in patients with chronic intractable visceral pain. METHODS: Twelve patients aged between 20 and 80 years who underwent CPB for treatment of chronic intractable cancer-related abdominal pain were included. A successful CPB was determined as a >50% decrease on the numerical rating scale measured 24 hours after the procedure. The E-T PTT at baseline and at 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection of local anesthetic was measured as the time between the R-wave on the electrocardiogram and the peak point of the corresponding plethysmogram wave from the ipsilateral great toe. The change in the E-T PTT that was predictive of a successful CPB was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A CPB was successful in 9 of 12 cases; the dE-T PTT5/E-T PTT0 of the success group was 6.84%±5.04% versus 0.72%±0.78% in the failure group (P=0.021). The mean E-T PTTx differed significantly between timepoints (F=9.313, P=0.014) and between the success and failure groups (P<0.01). The best value of dE-T PTT5/E-T PTT0 indicating a successful CPB, estimated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, was 2.30% (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 100%). The area under the curve was 96% (95% confidence interval, 85.7%-100%). CONCLUSIONS: Prolongation of E-T PTT at 5 minutes after CPB correlates closely with a significant analgesic effect.

The prolongation of pulse transit time after a stellate ganglion block: An objective indicator of successful block.

BACKGROUND: An objective marker of successful stellate ganglion block (SGB) does not exist. Horner syndrome, which is currently used to determine the effect of SGB, is sometimes ambiguous. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change in pulse transit time (PTT) after SGB, and to evaluate the utility of PTT as an objective measure of successful SGB. METHODS: Eight patients (34 to 62 years of age) underwent SGB for diagnosis or treatment of sympathetically mediated pain of the upper extremities. The success of the SGB was determined according to the presence of Horner syndrome. Electrocardiography, noninvasive blood pressure measurements and pulse oximetry were used to monitor all patients. PTT was measured using data saved on the WinDaq waveform browser. RESULTS: PTT was measured at baseline and 3 min, 5 min and 10 min after the injection of a local anesthetic. At 3 min after SGB, the mean (± SD) PTT was 624.6±20.5 ms. At 5 min after injection, the mean PTT was 630.8±17.5 ms. Prolonged PTT at 5 min was found to return to the baseline value at 10 min (613.6±14.7 ms). According to the Friedman test, the differences from baseline values were significant (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Measurement of PTT at 5 min after local anesthetic injection can help to objectively determine the success of SGB.

Clinical symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis associated with morphological parameters on magnetic resonance images.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association between the clinical symptoms of central lumbar spinal stenosis (CLSS) and morphological parameters using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 117 patients who visited our pain clinic from 2009 to 2013 and were diagnosed as CLSS. All patients underwent MRI of the L-spine and we measured the dural sac cross-sectional area (DSA), spinal canal cross-sectional area (SCA), ligamentum flavum cross-sectional area (LFA) and ligamentum flavum thickness (LFT) at the most stenotic intervertebral level on MRI. Clinical outcomes were investigated using the patient-assessed quantitative measurement of visual analog scale (VAS) and subjective disability was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Additionally, subjective walking distance (SWD) was also collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant correlations found between the VAS score and the DSA, SCA, LFA, and LFT. A statistically significant linear association existed between the DSA and SCA and the subjective walking distance (r=0.201, P=0.045 and r=0.198, P=0.049, respectively) indicating that the larger the DSA or SCA, the longer the SWD before the occurrence of claudication. The LFA and LFT were significantly correlated with the ODI score (r=0.249, P=0.007 and r=0.250, P=0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Larger LFA and LFT values are associated with higher ODI values. A larger DSA and SCA are associated with a longer SWD before claudication occurs. To evaluate CLSS patients, clinicians should more carefully inspect the integral morphological parameters than the individual morphological parameters.

Bloody cerebrospinal fluid during replacement of descending thoracic aorta -A case report-.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is a routinely used adjunct to thoracoabdominal aortic surgery which may reduce the incidence of preoperative paraplegia by improving spinal cord perfusion. However, this procedure infrequently causes complications. Bloody or bloody-tinged CSF may be associated with intracranial or spinal hematoma. We present herein a case of bloody CSF during the replacement of the descending thoracic aorta.

The supraglottic airway I-gel in comparison with ProSeal laryngeal mask airway and classic laryngeal mask airway in anaesthetized patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The I-gel is a new single-use supraglottic airway device without an inflatable cuff. This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of the I-gel compared with the classic laryngeal mask airway (cLMA) and ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (pLMA) in anaesthetized, paralysed patients. METHODS: The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II patients (n = 167) scheduled for orthopaedic surgery were included in this prospective study. General anaesthesia was achieved with intravenous infusion of propofol, remifentanil and rocuronium. The patients were randomly assigned to I-gel, pLMA and cLMA groups (64, 53 and 50 patients, respectively). Properly sized I-gel (No. 3-4) or LMA (No. 4-5) was inserted. We assessed haemodynamic data, airway leak pressure, leak volume, success rates and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic data and haemodynamic data immediately after insertion of devices among the three groups. The airway leak pressures of the I-gel group (27.1 +/- 6.4 cmH2O) and pLMA group (29.8 +/- 5.7 cmH2O) were significantly higher than that of the cLMA group (24.7 +/- 6.2 cmH2O). The success rates for first attempt of insertion were similar among the three groups (P = 0.670). There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events except for the larger incidence of sore throat in the cLMA group. CONCLUSION: I-gel may have a similar airway sealing to that of pLMA, higher than that of cLMA, and is not associated with adverse events. The I-gel might be an effective alternative as a supraglottic airway device.