The diagnostic accuracy of preoperative perfusion index as a predictor of postspinal anesthesia hypotension in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery: A prospective non-blinded observational study.

Background and Objectives: Spinal anesthesia is the technique of choice for elective cesarean section with a prominent side effect of postspinal anesthesia hypotension (PSH). This needs an early prediction to avoid feto-maternal complication. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of perfusion index (PI) and inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) in the prediction of PSH. Material and Methods: Thirty parturients of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) 1 and two undergoing cesarean delivery participated in the study. IVCCI, PI, baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), and heart rate (HR) were noted in the preoperative period. The fall of MBP by 20% from baseline or below 65 mm Hg was considered PSH. After spinal anesthesia, SBP, DBP, MBP, and HR were noted again for diagnosing PSH. Results: It did not show any statistical difference when comparing the PI between the PSH and non-PSH groups in both the PSH definition groups. IVCCI was significantly higher when PSH was considered MBP <65 mm Hg (P = 0.01). However, IVCCI was found to be statistically insignificant if PSH was considered a 20% reduction in baseline MBP. The correlation matrix between IVCCI and PI showed Pearson's r-value of 0.525, indicating a substantial relationship between the two (P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis had shown that neither IVCCI nor PI was a good predictor of PSH in parturients for both definition groups for PSH. Conclusion: Although there is a modest correlation between PI and IVCCI, both cannot be used to predict postspinal hypotension in parturients undergoing elective lower-segment cesarean section (LSCS).

The role of non-invasive ventilation in weaning and decannulating critically ill patients with tracheostomy: A narrative review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is associated with several complications. Placement of a long-term airway (tracheostomy) is also associated with short and long-term risks for patients. Nevertheless, tracheostomies are placed to help reduce the duration of IMV, facilitate weaning and eventually undergo successful decannulation. METHODS: We performed a narrative review by searching PubMed, Embase and Medline databases to identify relevant citations using the search terms (with synonyms and closely related words) "non-invasive ventilation", "tracheostomy" and "weaning". We identified 13 publications comprising retrospective or prospective studies in which non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was one of the strategies used during weaning from IMV and/or tracheostomy decannulation. RESULTS: In some studies, patients with tracheostomies represented a subgroup of patients on IMV. Most of the studies involved patients with underlying cardiopulmonary comorbidities and conditions, and primarily involved specialized weaning centres. Not all studies provided data on decannulation, although those which did, report high success rates for weaning and decannulation when using NIV as an adjunct to weaning patient off ventilatory support. However, a significant percentage of patients still needed home NIV after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The review supports a potential role for NIV in weaning patients with a tracheostomy either off the ventilator and/or with its decannulation. Additional research is needed to develop weaning protocols and better characterize the role of NIV during weaning.

Floppy epiglottis together with extra-laryngeal mass causing an inducible laryngeal obstruction and hypoxemic event in an adult: A case report.

Floppy epiglottis in an adult is rare and often pathological. Airway obstruction caused by floppy epiglottis in an adult is rarely reported. Neck mass, however, can affect the airway in many ways; however, inducible upper airway obstruction by extra-laryngeal neck mass is hardly been reported. In most of the instances of inducible laryngeal obstruction, the tumor is found in and around the laryngeal inlet. Herein, we report such an unusual incident happened to a 40-year-old gentleman, a case of oral carcinoma for 3 months and a rapidly increasing swelling (6 × 5 cm) over the right side of the neck for 8 days. He presented to us for emergency tracheostomy with the feature of acute upper airway obstruction, unable to lie down; and having difficulty in breathing, desaturation, and chocking even in propped up position. The case highlights the importance of clinical findings and difficulties faced for airway management in such patients.