Severe perioperative anaphylaxis: Incidence in a tertiary hospital in Spain over a 20-year period. A historical cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of severe perioperative anaphylaxis, the mechanisms involved, the value of laboratory/skin tests, and the most effective treatments. METHODS: A historical cohort study conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Spain. Patients that had undergone anaesthesia during the 20-year period were included. In these patients, 66 cases of severe anaphylaxis were found. In patients with suspicion of severe anaphylaxis, levels of blood histamine at less than 15min and serum tryptase at 2, 6, and 24h following the reaction were determined. Skin and specific IgE tests were performed between 4 and 8 weeks later. RESULTS: Over the 20-year period, 288 594 anaesthetic procedures were performed. We observed cases of 66 severe anaphylaxis reaction (59% men; age, 60.8±17.3 years. Symptoms observed were cardiovascular (86%), respiratory (73%), and mucocutaneous (56%). Elevated serum tryptase levels were associated with degree of severity at 2 (P<.0001) and 6h (P=.026) and were highest in IgE-mediated reactions (P=.020). All patients required treatment, and 3 events were fatal. In 84.8% of patients, skin and/or specific IgE tests were positive for antibiotics (35.8%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (23.1%), neuromuscular blocking agents (15.4%) and latex (15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of severe anaphylaxis in our hospital was 1 in 4.373 anaesthetic procedures, with a death rate of 4.5%. All cases required treatment. Serum tryptase was a good predictor of reaction severity. The most frequent causative agents were antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, neuromuscular blocking agents and latex.

Anafilaxia perioperatoria severa: Incidencia en un hospital terciario en España durante 20 años. Estudio de cohorte histórico / Severe perioperative anaphylaxis: Incidence in a tertiary hospital in Spain over a 20-year period. A historical cohort study

Objetivo: Determinar la incidencia de reacciones perioperatorias graves, los mecanismos implicados, los tratamientos realizados y la utilidad del protocolo diagnóstico propuesto. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte histórico en un hospital público terciario en España. Se incluyeron pacientes que recibieron anestesia durante 20 años. En pacientes con sospecha de anafilaxia grave, se determinaron los niveles de histamina en sangre en menos de 15 min y triptasa sérica a las 2, 6 y 24 h después de la reacción. Se realizaron pruebas cutáneas e IgE específica a las 4-8 semanas. Resultados: Durante el período de 20 años, se realizaron 288.594 procedimientos anestésicos. Observamos 66 reacciones de anafilaxia grave (59% hombres; edad: 60,8 ± 17,3 años). Los síntomas fueron cardiovasculares (86%), respiratorios (73%) y mucocutáneos (56%). Los niveles elevados de triptasa sérica se asociaron con un mayor nivel de gravedad a las 2 (p < 0,0001) y 6 h (p = 0,026) y fueron más elevados en las reacciones IgE mediadas (p = 0,020). Todos los pacientes requirieron tratamiento y la muerte ocurrió en tres casos. En el 84,8% de los pacientes las pruebas cutáneas y/o IgE específicas fueron positivas a antibióticos (35,8%), antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (23,1%), bloqueantes neuromusculares (15,4%) y látex (15,4%). Conclusiones: La incidencia de anafilaxia grave en nuestro hospital fue 1:4.373 procedimientos anestésicos, con una mortalidad del 4,5%. Todos los casos requirieron tratamiento. La triptasa sérica fue un buen predictor de la gravedad de la reacción. Los agentes etiológicos más frecuentes fueron antibióticos, antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, bloqueantes neuromusculares y látex.(AU)

Objective: To assess the incidence of severe perioperative anaphylaxis, the mechanisms involved, the value of laboratory/skin tests, and the most effective treatments. Methods: A historical cohort study conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Spain. Patients that had undergone anaesthesia during the 20-year period were included. In these patients, 66 cases of severe anaphylaxis were found. In patients with suspicion of severe anaphylaxis, levels of blood histamine at less than 15 minutes and serum tryptase at 2, 6, and 24 hours following the reaction were determined. Skin and specific IgE tests were performed between 4 and 8 weeks later. Results: Over the 20-year period, 288 594 anaesthetic procedures were performed. We observed cases of 66 severe anaphylaxis reaction (59% men; age, 60.8 ± 17.3 years. Symptoms observed were cardiovascular (86%), respiratory (73%), and mucocutaneous (56%). Elevated serum tryptase levels were associated with degree of severity at 2 (p < 0.0001) and 6 hours (p = 0.026) and were highest in IgE-mediated reactions (p = 0.020). All patients required treatment, and 3 events were fatal. In 84.8% of patients, skin and/or specific IgE tests were positive for antibiotics (35.8%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (23.1%), neuromuscular blocking agents (15.4%) and latex (15.4%). Conclusions: The incidence of severe anaphylaxis in our hospital was 1 in 4 373 anaesthetic procedures, with a death rate of 4.5%. All cases required treatment. Serum tryptase was a good predictor of reaction severity. The most frequent causative agents were antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, neuromuscular blocking agents and latex.(AU)

Impacto de la maternidad adolescente en los resultados perinatales / Perinatal outcomes among adolescent pregnancies

INTRODUCCIÓN: Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la repercusión de la maternidad adolescente en el peso de los recién nacidos, y de forma secundaria en otros resultados perinatales. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo que compara los resultados perinatales de dos poblaciones de mujeres gestantes del Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada entre los años 2004 y 2016: un grupo de madres adolescentes (menores de 19 años al inicio de la gestación) y otro grupo control de gestantes con edades entre los 20 y 35 años al inicio de la gestación. Los datos del embarazo y del periodo neonatal inmediato se recogieron a partir de las historias clínicas informatizadas de madres/hijos. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron todos los partos de gestaciones adolescentes durante este periodo de tiempo (n= 377, 1,3% del total de gestaciones de nuestro hospital en dicho periodo) y se compararon con un grupo control de madres no adolescentes (n= 143). De forma significativa, las gestantes adolescentes fueron con mayor frecuencia extranjeras, tuvieron un peor control gestacional, y una menor proporción de partos instrumentalizados y cesáreas. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos en cuanto a edad gestacional, peso al nacimiento, prematuridad, consumo de tóxicos durante la gestación, pH del cordón, tipo de lactancia, ingreso en la unidad neonatal, días de hospitalización ni morbilidad del recién nacido. CONCLUSIONES: No se aprecia en nuestro estudio un aumento del riesgo de resultados perinatales adversos en relación con el embarazo adolescente

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the impact of adolescent motherhood on the weight of newborns, and secondarily on other perinatal outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive and retrospective study, comparing perinatal results of two pregnant women cohorts, between 2004 and 2016: a first group of adolescent mothers (younger than 19 years old at the beginning of their pregnancy), and a second group of mothers 20-35 years old (control group). Patient data about pregnancy and immediate perinatal period were retrieved from electronic medical notes. RESULTS: Adolescent deliveries during 2004-2016 were 377 (1,3% of the total number of childbirths). They were compared with a control group of non-adolescent deliveries (n= 143). Adolescent mothers were more frequently immigrant, they had worse prenatal care, and less proportion of caesarean and instrumental deliveries. No significant differences were found about gestational age, birthweight, prematurity, drug consumption, umbilical cord pH, lactation, neonatal unit admission, days of hospital stay or neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: We have not found in our study an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in relation to adolescent pregnancy

Dexmedetomidina en el manejo de la vía aérea difícil con fibrobroncoscopio en paciente despierto afecto de síndrome de Klippel-Feil / Dexmedetomidine in difficult airway management with a fibre-optic bronchoscope in the awake patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome

El síndrome de Klippel-Feil es una enfermedad que se caracteriza por la fusión congénita de vértebras cervicales, que condiciona una limitación e inestabilidad cervical. En estos casos la mejor opción es la intubación orotraqueal con fibrobroncoscopio con el paciente despierto. La ventaja es que se minimizan los movimientos cervicales que podrían conllevar un daño neurológico. En estos pacientes una sedación adecuada, junto con la instilación de anestésico local en la faringe y la hipofaringe es clave para reducir las molestias del paciente y conseguir la intubación orotraqueal con éxito. La dexmedetomidina es un agonista selectivo de los receptores α-2 adrenérgicos que produce sedación y ansiolisis al nivel del locus coeruleus, sin provocar depresión respiratoria, y preservando la colaboración del paciente. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con síndrome de Klipple-Feil y vía aérea difícil en el que utilizamos una perfusión de dexmedetomidina a dosis de 0,6μg/kg/h como sedación para la intubación orotraqueal con fibrobroncoscopio con el paciente despierto

Klippel-Feil Syndrome is a disease characterised by congenital fusion of cervical vertebra, which leads to cervical limitation and instability. In these cases, the best option is the orotracheal intubation with the fibre-optic bronchoscope with the patient awake. The advantage is that cervical movements that could lead to neurological damage are minimised. In these patients, adequate sedation, together with instillation of local anaesthetic in the pharynx and hypopharynx, is the key to reducing patient discomfort and achieving successful orotracheal intubation. Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2- adrenergic receptor agonist that produces sedation and analgesia at the locus coeruleus without producing respiratory depression, as well as maintaining patient collaboration. The case is presented of a patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome and difficult airway management, who was given a dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.6μg/kg/h as sedation for an awake fibre-optic endotracheal intubation

Monitorización con espectrograma del sistema de monitorización BIS VISTA(TM) en una hemisferectomía funcional / Density spectral array of BIS VISTA(TM) monitoring system in a functional hemispherectom

Presentamos el caso de una paciente adulta con epilepsia farmacorresistente secundaria a una inflamación extensa del hemisferio cerebral derecho, que fue programada para realizársele una hemisferectomía funcional. Se trata de una cirugía habitual en pediatría, pero con pocas publicaciones en pacientes adultos. Durante el intraoperatorio se utilizó el espectrograma perteneciente al sistema de monitorización VISTATM del índice biespectral bilateral (BIS). Se objetivó un aumento de potencia en las bandas de baja frecuencia (0,1-4Hz) y en las bandas alfa (8-12Hz) del hemisferio cerebral derecho, donde se encontraba el foco epileptógeno. Durante la desconexión del lóbulo frontal se observó una marcada disminución de potencia en dichas bandas, sin objetivarse cambios durante la desconexión de las otras áreas cerebrales. Pensamos que se necesitan más estudios para saber si el espectrograma puede ser una herramienta útil para monitorizar la efectividad de la hemisferectomía funcional

We present the case of an adult patient with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by extensive inflammation in the right cerebral hemisphere. She was scheduled to undergo right functional hemispherectomy, which is common in pediatric surgery, but about which few studies have been published with respect to adult patients. During the intraoperative period, the density spectral array of the bilateral bispectral index (BIS) VISTATM monitoring system was used. We observed a power increase in low frequency (0.1-4Hz) and alpha bands (8-12Hz) in the right hemisphere, where the epileptogenic focus was. During disconnection from the frontal lobe, there was a marked decrease of power in low frequency and alpha bands on the right side, with no changes during disconnection from other areas of the brain. We think that further studies are needed to determine whether the density spectral array can be a useful tool for monitoring the effectiveness of functional hemispherectomy

Dexmedetomidine in difficult airway management with a fibre-optic bronchoscope in the awake patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome. / Dexmedetomidina en el manejo de la vía aérea difícil con fibrobroncoscopio en paciente despierto afecto de síndrome de Klippel-Feil.

Klippel-Feil Syndrome is a disease characterised by congenital fusion of cervical vertebra, which leads to cervical limitation and instability. In these cases, the best option is the orotracheal intubation with the fibre-optic bronchoscope with the patient awake. The advantage is that cervical movements that could lead to neurological damage are minimised. In these patients, adequate sedation, together with instillation of local anaesthetic in the pharynx and hypopharynx, is the key to reducing patient discomfort and achieving successful orotracheal intubation. Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2- adrenergic receptor agonist that produces sedation and analgesia at the locus coeruleus without producing respiratory depression, as well as maintaining patient collaboration. The case is presented of a patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome and difficult airway management, who was given a dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.6µg/kg/h as sedation for an awake fibre-optic endotracheal intubation.

Density spectral array of BIS VISTA™ monitoring system in a functional hemispherectomy. / Monitorización con espectrograma del sistema de monitorización BIS VISTA™ en una hemisferectomía funcional.

We present the case of an adult patient with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by extensive inflammation in the right cerebral hemisphere. She was scheduled to undergo right functional hemispherectomy, which is common in pediatric surgery, but about which few studies have been published with respect to adult patients. During the intraoperative period, the density spectral array of the bilateral bispectral index (BIS) VISTATM monitoring system was used. We observed a power increase in low frequency (0.1-4Hz) and alpha bands (8-12Hz) in the right hemisphere, where the epileptogenic focus was. During disconnection from the frontal lobe, there was a marked decrease of power in low frequency and alpha bands on the right side, with no changes during disconnection from other areas of the brain. We think that further studies are needed to determine whether the density spectral array can be a useful tool for monitoring the effectiveness of functional hemispherectomy.

Manejo anestésico en la cirugía de epilepsia con electrocorticografía intraoperatoria / Anaesthesia management in epilepsy surgery with intraoperative electrocorticography

La cirugía de la epilepsia es un tratamiento bien establecido para pacientes con epilepsia farmacorresistente. El éxito de la cirugía depende de una localización prequirúrgica precisa de la zona epileptógena. Existen diferentes técnicas para determinar su localización y extensión. A pesar de las mejoras en los tests diagnósticos no invasivos, en aquellos pacientes en los que no son concluyentes, se necesitarán técnicas más invasivas como la electrocorticografía intraoperatoria. La electrocorticografía intraoperatoria se utiliza para guiar la resección quirúrgica de la lesión epileptógena y para comprobar que la resección ha sido completa. Sin embargo, se puede ver afectada por algunos de los fármacos anestésicos que utilizamos. Nuestro objetivo con este caso clínico es revisar qué fármacos se pueden utilizar en la cirugía de epilepsia con electrocorticografía intraoperatoria (AU)

Epilepsy surgery is a well-established treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The success of surgery depends on precise presurgical localisation of the epileptogenic zone. There are different techniques to determine its location and extension. Despite the improvements in non-invasive diagnostic tests, in patients for whom these tests are inconclusive, invasive techniques such intraoperative electrocorticography will be needed. Intraoperative electrocorticography is used to guide surgical resection of the epileptogenic lesion and to verify that the resection has been completed. However, it can be affected by some of the anaesthetic drugs used by the anaesthesiologist. Our objective with this case is to review which drugs can be used in epilepsy surgery with intraoperative electrocorticography (AU)

Anaesthesia management in epilepsy surgery with intraoperative electrocorticography. / Manejo anestésico en la cirugía de epilepsia con electrocorticografía intraoperatoria.

Epilepsy surgery is a well-established treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The success of surgery depends on precise presurgical localisation of the epileptogenic zone. There are different techniques to determine its location and extension. Despite the improvements in non-invasive diagnostic tests, in patients for whom these tests are inconclusive, invasive techniques such intraoperative electrocorticography will be needed. Intraoperative electrocorticography is used to guide surgical resection of the epileptogenic lesion and to verify that the resection has been completed. However, it can be affected by some of the anaesthetic drugs used by the anaesthesiologist. Our objective with this case is to review which drugs can be used in epilepsy surgery with intraoperative electrocorticography.

[Therapeutic approach to postoperative anemia]. / Aproximación terapéutica a la anemia postoperatoria.

Postoperative anemia is a common finding in patients who undergo major surgery, and it can affect early rehabilitation and the return to daily activities. Allogeneic blood transfusion is still the most widely used method for restoring hemoglobin levels rapidly and effectively. However, the potential risks of transfusions have led to the review of this practice and to a search for alternative measures for treating postoperative anemia. The early administration of intravenous iron appears to improve the evolution of postoperative hemoglobin levels and reduce allogeneic transfusions, especially in patients with significant iron deficiency or anemia. What is not clear is whether this treatment heavily influences rehabilitation and quality of life. There is a lack of well-designed, sufficiently large, randomized prospective studies to determine whether postoperative or perioperative intravenous iron treatment, with or without recombinant erythropoietin, has a role in the recovery from postoperative anemia, in reducing transfusions and morbidity rates and in improving exercise capacity and quality of life.

Aproximación terapéutica a la anemia postoperatoria / Therapeutic approach to postoperative anemia

La anemia postoperatoria es un hallazgo común en los pacientes sometidos a cirugía mayor, y puede condicionar la rehabilitación precoz y la reincorporación a su actividad habitual. La transfusión de sangre alogénica sigue siendo el método comúnmente utilizado para la restauración de los valores de hemoglobina de manera rápida y eficaz. Sin embargo, los riesgos potenciales de la transfusión han llevado a la revisión de esta práctica transfusional y a la búsqueda de medidas alternativas para el tratamiento de la anemia postoperatoria. A este respecto parece que la administración precoz de hierro intravenoso puede mejorar la evolución de la hemoglobina postoperatoria y reducir la transfusión alogénica, sobre todo en pacientes con déficit de hierro o anemia importante. Lo que no está muy claro es si ello influye de manera muy relevante en la rehabilitación o calidad de vida en este contexto. Faltan estudios prospectivos aleatorizados bien diseñados y adecuadamente dimensionados para saber si el tratamiento con hierro intravenoso postoperatorio o perioperatorio, con o sin eritropoyetina recombinante, tiene un papel en la recuperación de la anemia postoperatoria, en la reducción de la transfusión y la morbilidad y en la mejoría de la capacidad de esfuerzo y la calidad de vida (AU)

Postoperative anemia is a common finding in patients who undergo major surgery, and it can affect early rehabilitation and the return to daily activities. Allogeneic blood transfusion is still the most widely used method for restoring hemoglobin levels rapidly and effectively. However, the potential risks of transfusions have led to the review of this practice and to a search for alternative measures for treating postoperative anemia. The early administration of intravenous iron appears to improve the evolution of postoperative hemoglobin levels and reduce allogeneic transfusions, especially in patients with significant iron deficiency or anemia. What is not clear is whether this treatment heavily influences rehabilitation and quality of life. There is a lack of well-designed, sufficiently large, randomized prospective studies to determine whether postoperative or perioperative intravenous iron treatment, with or without recombinant erythropoietin, has a role in the recovery from postoperative anemia, in reducing transfusions and morbidity rates and in improving exercise capacity and quality of life (AU)

Randomized trial comparing ferric carboxymaltose vs oral ferrous glycine sulphate for postoperative anaemia after total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Despite preoperative anaemia treatment, a risk of postoperative anaemia remains. This randomized, controlled study evaluated the efficacy of i.v. ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) as postoperative anaemia treatment after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: TKA patients with postoperative anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) 8.5-12.0 g dl(-1)] without prior transfusions were randomly assigned to FCM [700-1000 mg iron (according to calculate iron deficit on postoperative day 2)] or ferrous glycine sulphate (FS; 100 mg iron daily from day 7 onwards) and followed for Hb, iron status, quality-of-life (EQ-5D), and performance (6 min walk test) until day 30. RESULTS: Of 161 preoperatively non-anaemic patients, 122 (75.8%) developed anaemia after operation (within 24 h) and were enrolled in this study (60 FCM, 62 FS). Hb substantially decreased until day 4 in both groups, and partly recovered by day 30. FCM-treated patients achieved Hb ≥12.0 g dl(-1) more frequently (42.3% vs 23.5%; P=0.04) and showed a trend towards higher Hb increase from day 4 to day 30 [+1.7 (1.2) vs +1.3 (1.0); P=0.075] compared with FS-treated patients. Patients with postoperative Hb <10 g dl(-1) experienced better Hb increase with FCM [+2.4 (0.3) g dl(-1)] than FS [+1.1 (0.4) g dl(-1); P=0.018]. Patients being iron-deficient at enrolment (56.7%) had a higher Hb increase with FCM [+1.9 (0.3) g dl(-1)] than FS [+1.2 (0.2) g dl(-1); P=0.03]. Total EQ-5D and performance outcomes were comparable between the groups, but FCM was associated with better scores for 'usual activities'. No i.v. iron-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperatively non-anaemic TKA patients are at high risk of postoperative anaemia. Postoperative i.v. FCM provided significant benefit over oral FS, particularly in patients with preoperative iron deficiency, severe postoperative anaemia, or both. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2010-023038-22; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01913808.

Monitorización del flujo sanguíneo regional cerebral mediante la flujometría por difusión termal. Descripción de 3 casos / No disponible

El flujo sanguíneo cerebral es el parámetro más importante en el pronóstico de la lesión cerebral. Una medida regional del flujo se puede obtener usando métodos continuos como la flujometría por difusión termal, que permite detectar y cuantificar fenómenos isquémicos relacionados con el clipaje temporal arterial o malposición del clip definitivo y en pacientes que han sufrido una hemorragia subaracnoidea o un traumatismo craneoencefálico. Asimismo, la detección precoz de la isquemia podría ayudarnos a adoptar más rápidamente medidas terapéuticas y con mayor eficacia. Presentamos 2 casos durante cirugía de clipaje de aneurisma y un caso en cuidados intensivos donde valoramos: el efecto de diferentes hipnóticos sobre la flujometría por difusión termal; la relación entre esta y los potenciales evocados somatosensoriales y motores; y cambios en la flujomería y Doppler transcraneal durante el vasoespasmo. La flujometría por difusión termal mostró variaciones en tiempo real del flujo sanguíneo producidas por anestésicos endovenosos e inhalatorios. Detectó cambios del flujo sanguíneo cerebral antes que los potenciales evocados y el Doppler(AU)

No disponible

The perioperative combination of methadone and ketamine reduces post-operative opioid usage compared with methadone alone.

BACKGROUND: A synergy between ketamine and methadone (ME) to produce antinociception has been demonstrated in experimental neuropathy. We wanted to compare post-operative opioid requirements in patients undergoing multilevel lumbar arthrodesis after the administration combined ME-ketamine (MK) or ME alone. METHODS: This was a randomised double-blind study. During sevoflurane-remifentanil anaesthesia, 11 patients in each group received the following: ketamine bolus (0.5 mg/kg) after tracheal intubation, followed by an infusion of 2.5 µg/kg/min in the MK or saline bolus plus infusion in the ME group. Post-operative analgesia - during 48 h - was provided by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), delivering bolus containing the following: ME 0.25 mg plus ketamine 0.5 mg in the MK group or ME 0.5 mg in the ME group. Lockout was 10 min, maximum of 3 boluses/h in both groups. Before closing the wound, all the patients received intravenous (i.v.) ME 0.1 mg/kg, dexketoprophen and paracetamol. Pain intensity was evaluated by a numerical rating scale (NRS), on arrival at recovery room (RR) and 24 and 48 h after surgery. In the RR, i.v. ME was administered until NRS was 3 when PCA was started. Dexketoprophen and paracetamol were administered 48 h. RESULTS: Remifentanil requirements were higher in the MK group (P = 0.004). Patients in the MK group received 70% less ME by PCA at 24 h (MK vs. ME group, median and interquartile range) - 3.43 mg (1.9-6.5) vs. 15 mg (9.65-17.38) (P < 0.001) - and at 48 h - 2 mg (0.5-3.63) vs. 9.5 mg (3.5-13.75) (P = 0.001). Patients in the MK group also attempted less doses, at 24 h: 19.5 (12.75-79.5) vs. 98 (41.5-137) (P = 0.043). Both groups had similar NRS values and comparable side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative ketamine-ME combination significantly decreased opioid consumption by PCA.