Anesthetic Considerations for Adult Patients With Both Down Syndrome and Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery: A Review Article.

The population of adult patients with both Down syndrome and congenital heart disease is increasing due to better medical and surgical care. This cohort presents with multiple unique comorbidities, secondary to both progressions of health conditions associated with the aging of patients with Down syndrome, as well as due to pathophysiologic effects of uncorrected, corrected, or palliated congenital heart disease. These patients need frequent medical care and interventions requiring multiple anesthetics. This review focuses on the various factors relevant to the perioperative medical care of adult patients with both Down syndrome and congenital heart disease, founded on existing literature. Various anesthetic considerations for the different patterns of noncardiac and cardiac comorbidities are reviewed, and a systematic approach for the perioperative anesthetic management of these patients is presented.

Cardiac output monitoring - invasive and noninvasive.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to review various contemporary cardiac output (CO) measurement technologies available and their utility in critically ill patients. RECENT FINDINGS: CO measurement devices can be invasive, minimally invasive, or noninvasive depending upon their method of CO measurement. All devices have pros and cons, with pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) being the gold standard. The invasive techniques are more accurate; however, their invasiveness can cause more complications. The noninvasive devices predict CO via mathematical modeling with several assumptions and are thus prone to errors in clinical situations. Recently, PAC has made a comeback into clinical practice especially in cardiac intensive care units (ICUs). Critical care echocardiography (CCE) is an upcoming tool that not only provides CO but also helps in differential diagnosis. Lack of proper training and nonavailability of equipment are the main hindrances to the wide adoption of CCE. SUMMARY: PAC thermodilution for CO measurement is still gold standard and most suitable in patients with cardiac pathology and with experienced user. CCE offers an alternative to thermodilution and is suitable for all ICUs; however, structural training is required.

Postoperative hemodynamics after high spinal block with or without intrathecal morphine in cardiac surgical patients: a randomized-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: There is some evidence for the use of intrathecal morphine as a means to provide prolonged analgesia in selective cardiac surgical patients; however, the hemodynamic effects of intrathecal morphine are not well defined. This study was designed to study the effect of intrathecal morphine on hemodynamic parameters in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind study, 100 adult cardiac surgical patients were randomized to receive either intrathecal 40 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine alone (intrathecal bupivacaine [ITB] group, n = 50) or intrathecal 250 µg of morphine added to 40 mg of 0.5% bupivacaine (intrathecal bupivacaine and morphine [ITBM] group, n = 50). Hemodynamic data, pain scores, rescue analgesic use, spirometry, and vasopressor use were recorded every four hours after surgery for 48 hr. The primary outcome was the incidence of vasoplegia in each group, which was defined as a cardiac index > 2.2 L·min-1·m-2 with the requirement of vasopressors to maintain the mean arterial pressure > 60 mmHg with the hemodynamic episode lasting > four hours. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were analyzed (ITB group, n = 42, and ITBM group, n =45). The incidence of vasoplegia was higher in the ITBM group than in the ITB group [14 (31%) vs 5 (12%), respectively; relative risk, 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 6.6; P = 0.04]. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of vasoplegia was significantly longer in the ITBM group than in the ITB group [8.9 (3.0) hr vs 4.3 (0.4) hr, respectively; difference in means, 4.6; 95% CI, 3.7 to 5.5; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal morphine added to bupivacaine for high spinal anesthesia increases the incidence and duration of vasoplegia in cardiac surgery patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02825056); registered 19 June 2016.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF : Certaines données probantes appuient l'utilisation de morphine intrathécale pour une analgésie prolongée chez certains patients de chirurgie cardiaque; cependant, les effets hémodynamiques de la morphine intrathécale ne sont pas bien définis. Cette étude a été conçue pour évaluer l'effet de la morphine intrathécale sur les paramètres hémodynamiques de patients de chirurgie cardiaque. MéTHODE : Dans une étude prospective et à double insu, 100 patients adultes de chirurgie cardiaque ont été randomisés à recevoir 40 mg de bupivacaïne hyperbare 0,5 % intrathécale (groupe bupivacaïne intrathécale [BIT], n = 50) ou 250 µg de morphine intrathécale ajoutés à 40 mg de bupivacaïne 0,5 % (groupe bupivacaïne et morphine intrathécales [BMIT], n = 50). Les données hémodynamiques, les scores de douleur, l'utilisation d'analgésiques, la spirométrie et l'utilisation de vasopresseurs ont été enregistrés toutes les quatre heures après la chirurgie pendant 48 heures. Le critère d'évaluation principal était l'incidence de vasoplégie dans chaque groupe, définie comme un index cardiaque > 2,2 L·min-1·m2 nécessitant des vasopresseurs pour maintenir la tension artérielle moyenne > 60 mmHg avec une durée de plus de quatre heures. RéSULTATS : Quatre-vingt-sept patients ont été analysés (groupe BIT, n = 42, et groupe BMIT, n = 45). L'incidence de vasoplégie était plus élevée dans le groupe BMIT que dans le groupe BIT [14 (31%) vs 5 (12 %), respectivement; risque relatif, 2,6; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, 1,0 à 6,6; P = 0,04]. La durée moyenne (écart type [ÉT]) de la vasoplégie était significativement plus longue dans le groupe BMIT que dans le groupe BIT [8,9 (3,0) h vs 4,3 (0,4) h, respectivement; différence de moyennes, 4,6; IC 95 %, 3,7 à 5,5; P < 0,001]. CONCLUSION : L'ajout de morphine intrathécale à la bupivacaïne pour une anesthésie rachidienne haute augmente l'incidence et la durée de la vasoplégie chez les patients de chirurgie cardiaque. ENREGISTREMENT DE L'éTUDE : www.clinicaltrials.gov ; (NCT02825056); enregistrée le 19 juin 2016.

Oxygen Management During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Single-Center, 8-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the institutional oxygen management practices during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including any potential changes during an 8-year study period. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary care cardiac surgical program. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery involving CPB, with or without hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In addition to baseline patient characteristics, the authors recorded the partial pressures of arterial oxygen (Pao2), fraction of inspired oxygen, and mixed venous oxygen saturation during CPB of 696 randomly selected patients during an 8-year study period. The overall mean Pao2 was 255 ± 48 mmHg, without any significant change during the 8-year study period (p = 0.30). The mean Pao2 of HCA patients was significantly higher than in patients without HCA (327 ± 93 mmHg v 252 ± 45 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current approach to oxygen management during CPB at the authors' institution is within the range of hyperoxemic levels, and these practices have not changed over time. The impact of these practices on patients' outcomes is not fully understood, and additional studies are needed to establish firm evidence to guide optimal oxygen management practice during CPB.

Utility of Sonoclot in Prediction of Postoperative Bleeding in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Cyanotic Heart Disease: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the utility of Sonoclot in prediction of postoperative bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital cyanotic heart disease. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital cyanotic heart disease. INTERVENTIONS: Laboratory coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, international normalization ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer) as well as point-of-care Sonoclot glass bead activation time, clot rate, and platelet function (gbPF) were done before induction of anesthesia and following heparin reversal after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in all patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative blood loss was monitored by the amount of chest tube drainage. The primary outcome was to define Sonoclot parameters for prediction of postoperative bleeding. Secondary outcomes studied were amount of postoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement of various blood products, incidence of surgical re-exploration, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital stay. Among studied subjects, 37.9% (33 of 87 patients) were designated as bleeders while 62.1% (54 of 87 patients) were non-bleeders. Lower age, D-dimer, and gbPF test after termination of CPB following heparin neutralization were predictive for postoperative bleeders. Among these, post-protamine gbPF had the highest area under the curve (0.725), 95% confidence interval (0.619-0.831) for prediction of postoperative bleeders. Duration of mechanical ventilation (26.41±36.44 v 8.25±6.36 h, respectively, p = 0.001), intensive care unit stay (7.36 ± 4.05 v 4.96 ± 2.49, p = 0.001), and hospital stay (11.69±4.82 v 8.63±3.48 p = 0.001) were higher in bleeders; however, incidence of re-exploration was comparable between both groups. CONCLUSION: Postoperative bleeders may be predicted independently by post-CPB gbPF, postoperative D-dimer, and lower age of patients. Among these, post-CPB gbPF has maximum predictive value.

Effect of Continuous Paravertebral Dexmedetomidine Administration on Intraoperative Anesthetic Drug Requirement and Post-Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome After Thoracotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of paravertebral administration of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetic on the intraoperative anesthetic drug requirement and incidence of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 30 patients who underwent elective thoracotomy and were assigned randomly to either the Ropin or Dexem group (n = 15 each). INTERVENTIONS: All patients received the study medications through paravertebral catheter. Patients in the Ropin group received a bolus of 15 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine over 3-to-5 minutes followed by an infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine at 0.1 mL/kg/hour. Patients in the Dexem group received 15 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine plus dexmedetomidine, 1 µg/kg bolus over 3-to-5 minutes followed by an infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.2 µg/kg/hour of dexmedetomidine at 0.1 mL/kg/hour. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome of the study was intraoperative anesthetic drug requirement. The secondary outcome was the incidence of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome 2 months after surgery. The amount of propofol required for induction of anesthesia was significantly less in the Dexem group (Dexem 49.33±20.51 v 74.33±18.40 in the Ropin group, p = 0.002). End-tidal isoflurane needed to maintain target entropy was significantly less in the Dexem group at all time points. Intraoperative fentanyl requirement was lower in the Dexem group (Dexem 115.33±33.77 v 178.67±32.48 in the Ropin group, p = 0.002). Postoperative pain scores and morphine consumption were significantly less in the Dexem group (p<0.001). The incidence of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome was comparable between the 2 groups (69.23% v 50%, p = 0.496). CONCLUSIONS: Paravertebral dexmedetomidine administration resulted in decreased intraoperative anesthetic drug requirement, less pain, and lower requirements of supplemental opioid in the postoperative period. However, it had no effect on the incidence of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome.

Vascular airway compression management in a case of aortic arch and descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Airway compression due to distal aortic arch and descending aortic aneurysm repair has been documented. This case of tracheal and left main stem bronchus compression due to aortic aneurysm occurred in a 42-year-old man. The airway compression poses a challenge for the anesthesiologist in airway management during aortic aneurysm repair surgery. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is very helpful in decision-making both preoperatively and postoperatively in such cases. We report a case of airway compression in a 42-year-old patient who underwent elective distal aortic arch and descending aortic aneurysm repair.

Comparative Effect of Levosimendan and Milrinone in Cardiac Surgery Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension and Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of levosimendan with milrinone in cardiac surgical patients with pulmonary hypertension and left ventricular dysfunction. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study included patients with valvular heart disease and pulmonary artery hypertension undergoing valve surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Forty patients were allocated randomly to receive either milrinone, 50 µg/kg bolus followed by infusion at a rate of 0.5 µg/kg/min (group 1), or levosimendan, 10 µg/kg bolus followed by infusion at a rate of 0.1 µg/kg/min (group 2) for 24 hours after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic parameters were measured using a pulmonary artery catheter, and biventricular functions were assessed using echocardiography. Mean pulmonary artery pressures and the pulmonary vascular resistance index were comparable between the 2 groups at several time points in the intensive care unit. Biventricular function was comparable between both groups. Postcardiopulmonary bypass right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions decreased in both groups compared with baseline, whereas 6 hours postbypass left ventricular ejection fraction improved in patients with stenotic valvular lesions. Levosimendan use was associated with higher heart rate, increased cardiac index, decreased systemic vascular resistance index, and increased requirement of norepinephrine infusion compared with milrinone. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that levosimendan was not clinically better than milrinone. Levosimendan therapy resulted in a greater increase in heart rate, decrease in systemic vascular resistance, and a greater need for norepinephrine than in patients who received milrinone.

Evaluation of hyperglycaemic response to intra-operative dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing elective intracranial surgery: A randomised, prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The glucocorticoid dexamethasone in a bolus dose of 8-10 mg followed by quarterly dose of 4 mg is commonly used during intracranial surgery so as to reduce oedema and vascular permeability. However, the detrimental hyperglycaemic effects of dexamethasone may override its potentially beneficial effects. The present prospective, randomised study aimed at comparing the degree and magnitude of hyperglycaemia induced by prophylactic administration of dexamethasone in patients undergoing elective craniotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) grade-I and II patients were randomly assigned to three groups of 20 patients each. Group-I received dexamethasone during surgery for the first time. Group-II received dexamethasone in addition to receiving it pre-operatively, whereas Group-III (control group) patients were administered normal saline as placebo. Baseline blood glucose (BG) was measured in all the three groups before induction of anaesthesia and thereafter after every hour for 4 h and then two-hourly. Besides intra- and intergroup comparison of BG, peak BG concentration was also recorded for each patient. Statistical analysis was carried out with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test and value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Baseline BG reading were higher and statistically significant in Group-II as compared with Group-I and Group-III (P < 0.05). However, peak BG levels were significantly higher in Group-I than in Group-II and III (P < 0.05). Similarly, the magnitude of change in peak BG was significantly higher in Group-I as compared to Group-II and III (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Peri-operative administration of dexamethasone during neurosurgical procedures can cause significant increase in BG concentration especially in patients who receive dexamethasone intra-operatively only.