The impact of postoperative intensive care on outcomes in elective neurosurgical patients in good physical condition: a single centre propensity case-matched study.

PURPOSE: In the last three years, all elective neurosurgical cases were performed by a single surgeon at Nara Medical University. For the last year and a half, all patients were transferred to a newly created neurosurgical intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of admission to an intensive care unit after elective neurosurgery. METHODS: This study was conducted as a retrospective clinical chart review. Institutional ethics approval was waived, and we reviewed the charts of 296 neurosurgical patients who were American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status I-II. To avoid channelling bias, propensity score analysis was used to generate a set of matched cases (patients transferred to the intensive care unit [ICU]) and controls (patients transferred to the neurosurgical ward). This process resulted in 104 matched pairs of elective surgical patients who did or did not have an ICU admission after surgery. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at discharge or at three months after the operation was compared as the primary outcome measure. As secondary outcome measures, we also compared rates of severe early complications and patient satisfaction regarding perioperative patient care. RESULTS: With an unmatched population, poor GOS tended to occur more often in the non-ICU group than in the ICU group (6.5% vs 2.3%, respectively). Mortality rates and severe early complication rates also tended to be higher in the non-ICU group than in the ICU group (2.4% and 5.3%, respectively, non-ICU group vs 0.8% and 2.3%, respectively, ICU group). However, after propensity score matching, there was no difference regarding the GOS between groups. Both groups showed very high good outcome percentages (98.1% ICU vs 97.1% non-ICU). With regard to mortality rates and severe early complications, both groups showed low mortality (0.96% vs 0.96%) and complication rates (2.89% ICU vs 3.85% non-ICU). Patient care in the ICU failed to increase patient satisfaction regarding the overall hospital care. CONCLUSION: The results of this analysis suggest that admission to an ICU after elective neurosurgery has little impact on outcomes.

The effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on proinflammatory cytokine concentrations after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats.

BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory cytokines increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recent evidence suggested that beta-adrenoceptor antagonist could reduce proinflammatory cytokines. We conducted the present study to examine whether beta-adrenoceptor antagonists would reduce proinflammatory cytokine concentrations after SAH in rats. METHODS: In Experiment 1, to investigate the time course of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), rats were randomized into groups: 1, 3, 6, and 12 h after SAH or sham operation. CSF and blood samples were obtained at each time point. In Experiment 2, to investigate the effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on the IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations, rats were randomized into groups: 1) control group: SAH + normal saline, 2) propranolol group: SAH + propranolol, 3) metoprolol group: SAH + metoprolol, and 4) butoxamine group: SAH + butoxamine (beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist). CSF and blood samples were obtained 6 h after SAH. IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations in samples were measured. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, CSF IL-6 concentrations in the SAH groups increased markedly and peaked at 6 h after SAH, whereas CSF TNF-alpha concentrations in the SAH groups were consistently low. In Experiment 2, CSF IL-6 concentrations in the propranolol and butoxamine groups were significantly lower compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 for each group). Plasma IL-6, CSF TNF-alpha, and plasma TNF-alpha concentrations were comparable in all four groups. CONCLUSIONS: CSF IL-6 concentrations increased in the acute stage of SAH and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists with a beta(2)-adrenoceptor blocking action suppressed this elevation of IL-6 concentrations after SAH in rats.

Normothermic treatment in acute clinical encephalitis: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Encephalitis is a common infection of the brain, associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity despite intensive supportive therapy. This report describes a patient with acute clinical meningoencephalitis who responded dramatically when her body temperature was decreased to normothermia (36 to 37 degrees C) in combination with barbiturate therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old, previously healthy girl presented with a 2-day history of headache and meningeal stiffness and pyrexia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed high-intensity signals in the splenium of the corpus callosum on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. On day 4 of admission, the level of consciousness decreased and ataxic respiration and apnea appeared. After that, fever (body temperature >40 degrees C) developed with remarkable tachycardia. The body temperature was decreased with the use of a forced-air-cooling blanket and head cooling. The core temperature, measured in the bladder, was maintained at between 36 and 37 degrees C for 5 days. During the period of normothermia, thiopental sodium was given continuously for 3 days. After normothermia, the level of consciousness increased without the development of fever, and ventilatory support was withdrawn. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that normothermic treatment in combination with barbiturate therapy may be an effective option for the management of brain swelling associated with acute meningoencephalitis, particularly when accompanied by a persistent high fever.

Effects of neuromuscular block on systemic and cerebral hemodynamics and bispectral index during moderate or deep sedation in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether neuromuscular block can affect bispectral index (BIS) or cerebral hemodynamics under moderate or deep sedation produced by propofol. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, controlled study in a university hospital affiliated intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Seventeen surgical patients undergoing elective esophagectomy. INTERVENTIONS: After stabilization with either light or deep sedation we investigated whether the BIS, electromyographic activity (EMG), or cerebral and systemic hemodynamic parameters were affected by administration of muscle relaxant. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Neuromuscular block reduced the BIS during moderate sedation but not during deep sedation although the EMG at both levels of sedation was significantly reduced. No positive effects of neuromuscular block on cerebral hemodynamics were obtained with monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation and middle cerebral artery blood velocity; however, significant effects on systemic hemodynamic parameters were observed only at moderate propofol sedation. The values of BIS and systemic hemodynamic variables with moderate sedation were also very similar to those with deep sedation and neuromuscular block although these values differed without neuromuscular block. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular block altered the BIS score in moderately sedated patients but not in deeply sedated patients although cerebral hemodynamics was not affected by neuromuscular block during either moderate or deep sedation. Muscular relaxant also enhanced cardiovascular stability with moderate sedation. These results suggest that level of consciousness may be decreased by neuromuscular block during moderate sedation but not affected during deep sedation.

[A case of deep vein thrombosis in spite of using an intermittent pneumatic compression device].

A 69-year-old male patient underwent subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer under sevoflurane anesthesia combined with epidural analgesia. According to the protocol for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in our hospital, only an intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPC) and elastic stockings were perioperatively used for prophylaxis of DVT although D-dimer level was slightly increased to 1.2 microg x ml(-1). On the 2nd post-operative day, a venous ultrasound examination was performed, because D-dimer level was suddenly increased up to 41.5 microg x ml(-1) without any signs of thrombus in the atrium and pleural cavity. Since DVT was detected with the right lower limb, the use of an IPC was stopped and an inferior vena cava filter was inserted through the right jugular vein with a continuous administration of heparin. An aggressive search should be performed if DVT is suspected by any clinical signs including an increase in D-dimer level. We should also keep in mind the possibility of DVT even if an IPC and elastic stockings are perioperatively used.

[Patient dissatisfaction with anesthetic care].

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of services by patients is an essential component of quality improvement in anesthesiology. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors for patient dissatisfaction. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 9974 consecutive patients who had received spinal or general anesthesia for elective surgery between 1999 and 2002. Pre-anesthetic, intra-anesthetic and post-anesthetic variables were recorded and patient satisfaction was assessed using direct interviews at the post-anesthetic clinic. Qualitative data on dissatisfaction were obtained by asking patients' reasons for dissatisfaction. RESULTS: 348 of the 8843 respondents (3.9%) had dissatisfaction with anesthesia. The rates of dissatisfaction were higher in women than in men and in spinal anesthesia than in general anesthesia, and were observed mostly in the patients aged from 20 to 39 years. Qualitative data show that the common reasons for dissatisfaction with anesthesia were spinal anesthesia as the most dissatisfactory factor, followed by epidural anesthesia, postoperative pain, vomiting/nausea and memory of tracheal extubation. However, other various factors were associated with dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult for anesthesiologists to satisfy all patients, because patients' senses of values were varied. However, we conclude that anesthesiologists can improve the quality of anesthesia by enlightenment of the patient about anesthesia, and moreover, by better peri-anesthetic management for dissatisfactory factors with anesthesia.

[Effects of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated retrospectively the effectiveness of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride (CDH) in 12 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Low dose CDH was administered intravenously at a rate of 0.05-0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) from sternotomy to the end of coronary artery anastomosis. Hemodynamic measurements were made before infusion of CDH, and before, during, and after coronary artery anastomosis. RESULTS: Heart rate was significantly higher before, during and after the anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. Heart rate was also significantly higher after the anastomosis compared with the value before the anastomosis. Systolic blood pressure, mean pulmonary pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure showed no significant changes after the start of infusion of CDH. Cardiac output was significantly higher before, during and after the anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. Systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower before and during anastomosis compared with the value before the infusion of CDH. CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of low dose CDH prevents the elevations of mean pulmonary artery pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure without reducing systolic bood pressure during coronary artery anastomosis. Cardiac output was significantly increased, and SVR as well as PVR were significantly decreased after the infusion of CDH. In patients undergoing off-pump CABG, we recommend infusion of low dose colforsin daropate hydrochloride from sternotomy to the end of coronary artery anastomosis.

[Evaluation of the different doses of olprinone for continuous infusion after cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery bypass surgery].

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the hemodynamic efficacy of combined cathecholamine and three different continuous infusion doses of olprinone (0.05, 0.1, 0.3 microgram.kg-1.min-1) in 24 cases (0.05 group: 8 cases, 0.1 group: 8 cases, 0.3 group: 8 cases) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Olprinone was administered as a single dose (0.1 mg.kg-1) into the venous reservoir of the CPB circuit 15 min prior to the end of emergence from CPB, followed by continuous infusion. Hemodynamics were measured at the time of preCPB (M 0), just after the end of CPB (M 1), pre chest closure (M 2) and after chest closure (M 3). Cathecholamines were used to maintain mean arterial pressure (> 65 mmHg) and cardiac index (> 3.0 l.min-1.m-2). Hemodynamics (at M 0, M 1, M 2 and M 3) and the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine were compared among the 3 doses. RESULTS: Three doses showed no significant difference on hemodynamics. In the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine, group 0.3 were significantly lower than group 0.05 at dobutamine, and group 0.05 were significantly higher than group 0.1 and 0.3 at norepinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: The higher continuous infusion dose of olprinone (0.3 > 0.1 > 0.05 microgram.kg-1.min-1) can diminish the number of cases requiring combined cathecholamine administration during coronary artery bypass grafting.

[Effect of teeth protector on dental injuries during general anesthesia].

BACKGROUND: Dental injuries are the most common reason for complaints against anesthetists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of teeth protector on dental injuries during general anesthesia. METHODS: Incidence of dental injuries was evaluated retrospectively in 5,946 consecutive patients between November 1998 and October 2001. All the patients were interviewed directly at a post-anesthetic clinic. RESULTS: Dental injuries were observed in 2.1% of the patients, and the injuries occurred more frequently in the patients undergoing difficult tracheal intubation. The teeth protector used in the present study was made of cellulose aceto-butylate and was produced using eruko-pressed disks molded from own teeth form. One hundred and eighty five patients (3.1%) requested teeth protectors, and none of them had their teeth injured during anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the teeth protector could protect the teeth from dental injuries and increased the satisfaction with anesthesia. Preoperatively anesthesiologists should know the characteristics of patients' teeth and inform the patients of the risk of injury. We conclude that the custom-made protector might be useful and necessary to preserve the teeth from dental injuries during anesthesia.

[Incidence and duration of hoarseness following endotracheal intubation].

The incidence and duration of hoarseness following tracheal intubation with general anesthesia were studied retrospectively from November 1998 to October 2000 in postanesthetic clinic of Nara Medical University. Total number of patients was 3977 and 37.1% of them complained of hoarseness. Most of there patients recovered within three days after surgery but in 4.2% the hoarshness persisted over ten days and in 0.7% persisted over one month after surgery. Most of these persistent hoarseness were considered to have originated from surgical procedures (such cervical, pulmonary, cardioaortic operation, etc.) and those following only tracheal intubation recovered within two months after surgery. The hoarseness decreased the satisfactory level for anesthesia in 1.0% of total patients and 12.8% of patients with persistent hoarseness. We consider that preoperative explanation and postoperative communication by anesthesiologists are important.

[Paradoxical embolism during MIDCAB surgery].

A 36-year-old woman underwent MIDCAB surgery. During the exposure of LAD, the right ventricular wall was injured. The bleeding was controlled by compression. After that, she developed hypotension followed by cardiac arrest. At the same time, TEE showed bubbles in all of the right ventricle. The open chest massage and epinephrine 1 mg restored the heart beat. It was thought that bubbles were brought to the right ventricle via the injured wall by the blower. A few minutes after the cardiac arrest, bubbles were detected in the left atrium by TEE. This phenomenon was suspected as transpulmonary paradoxical embolism because no cardiac shunt could be detected by TEE.

[Effects of amrinone in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

We evaluated the effect of amrinone in 41 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) retrospectively. Amrinone was intravenously administered at the rate of 5 mcg.kg-1.min-1 after coronary artery anastomosis (A 1 group: 11 cases) or after induction of anesthesia(A 2 group: 13 cases). The hemodynamic variables and use of concomitant drugs were compared among A 1, A 2 and the non-amrinone group (control group: 17 cases). Hemodynamics was measured before, during, after coronary artery anastomosis, and after the chest closure. Catecholamine and vasodilator were used to maintain mean arterial pressure (> 60 mmHg) and cardiac index(> 3.0 l.min-1.m-2). Mean pulmonary artery pressure, right atrial pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure were significantly higher during anastomosis than before anastomosis in control and A 1 group, but no significant changes in these parameters were observed in A 2 group. In addition, these variables increased significantly after chest closure in control group, but were unchanged in A 1 and A 2 groups. Patients with concomitant use of catecholamine and vasodilator in A 2 group were fewer than those in control and A 1 group. In conclusion, in the patients undergoing off-pump CABG, infusion of amrinone was recommended from the end of the induction of anesthesia.