Successful intraoperative management of laparoscopic hysterectomy in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) requiring noncardiac surgery are at a significantly high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, perioperative management of patients with ES requiring laparoscopic surgery remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a patient with ES who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy under general anesthesia with a peripheral nerve block. The objectives of the perioperative management included the following: (1) maintaining systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output through euvolemia, facilitated by the infusion of noradrenaline, and (2) preventing a reduction in oxygen-carrying capacity and factors that elevate pulmonary vascular resistance, such as pain, hypoxia, and decreased body temperature. Although laparoscopic procedures involved an increased risk in patients with ES, they are less invasive than open surgeries. CONCLUSION: This report describes the successful anesthetic management of a patient with ES, ensuring a balance between systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance.

General Anesthesia in a Patient With Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease: A Case Report.

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with diverse clinical manifestations, including dementia and muscle weakness. We summarize anesthetic considerations in reporting general anesthesia for a 58-year-old man with bladder dysfunction and cerebellar ataxia who was diagnosed with NIID. The patient developed postinduction hypotension relevant to autonomic neuropathy. The potential risks, such as prolonged reaction to neuromuscular blocking agent, postoperative delirium, and worsening of NIID-related symptoms, were also considered. The responsiveness to anesthetics may vary widely from case t case. As the number of NIID cases increases, a better understanding of NIID is needed.

The effect of 1% glucose loading on metabolism in the elderly patients during remifentanil-induced anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that remifentanil-induced anesthesia can inhibit surgical stress response in non-diabetic adult patients and that low-dose glucose loading during anesthesia may attenuate fat catabolism. However, little is known about the influence of glucose loading on metabolism in elderly patients, whose condition may be influenced by decreased basal metabolism and increased insulin resistance. We hypothesized that, in elderly patients, intraoperative low glucose infusion may attenuate the catabolism of fat without causing harmful hyperglycemia during remifentanil-induced anesthesia. METHODS: Elderly, non-diabetic patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery were enrolled and randomized to receive no glucose (0G group) or low-dose glucose infusion (0.1 g/kg/hr. for 1 h followed by 0.05 g/kg/hr. for 1 h; LG group) during surgery. Glucose, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), insulin, cortisol, free fatty acid (FFA), creatinine (Cr), and ketone body levels were measured pre-anesthesia, 1 h post-glucose infusion, at the end of surgery, and on the following morning. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients (aged 75-85) were included (0G, n = 16; LG, n = 15). ACTH levels during anesthesia decreased significantly in both groups. In the LG group, glucose levels increased significantly after glucose loading but hyperglycemia was not observed. During surgery, ketone bodies and FFA were significantly lower in the LG group than the 0G group. There were no significant differences in insulin, Cr, 3-MH, and 3-MH/Cr between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil-induced anesthesia inhibited surgical stress response in elderly patients. Intraoperative low-dose glucose infusion attenuated catabolism of fat without inducing hyperglycemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network Center (http://www.umin.ac.jp/english/). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000016189. The initial registration date: January 12th 2015.

Effectiveness of using non-invasive continuous arterial pressure monitoring with ClearSight in hemodynamic monitoring during living renal transplantation in a recipient:a case report.

We investigated the effectiveness of the ClearSight system for hemodynamic management during kidney transplantation for a recipient. The recipient was to receive a kidney transplant from his mother under general anesthesia. We used continuous noninvasive finger-cuff-based monitoring of blood pressure, provided by the ClearSight system, and stroke volume variation to predict fluid responsiveness. We used of a balanced anesthetic technique and stringent monitoring standards to ensure a successful outcome for the patient. This case demonstrated that ClearSight has the potential to improve patient monitoring in hemodynamically stable patients who received kidney transplantation under general anesthesia. J. Med. Invest. 65:139-141, February, 2018.

Patient rescue and blood utilization in the Ogasawara blood rotation system.

BACKGROUND: In the past, blood products were not transported to the Ogasawara Islands because of the distance; the islands are approximately 1000 km from the mainland and lack an airport. The Ogasawara Blood Rotation system involves the routine, long-distance transportation of Type O, RhD-positive, irradiated red blood cells to rescue patients with acute hemorrhage and severe anemia and to reduce wastage from the expiration of red blood cell solution. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood transfusion and utilization in the Ogasawara blood rotation (BR) system were examined from December 2014 to March 2017. Two packs of RBC solution (one pack = 280 mL) were transported in an active transport refrigerator by scheduled ships between Tokyo City and the Ogasawara Islands. RESULTS: Eight packs of red blood cell (RBC) solution were received as transfusions by four patients who had acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding or severe anemia (eight of 232 packs; 3.4%). The blood utilization rate at the time of re-use was 84.6% (196 of 232 packs), with neither adverse reactions nor wastage. Twenty-eight packs of RBC solution expired because of a delay in scheduled ships as the result of a typhoon (12.1%). CONCLUSION: The Ogasawara BR system was effectively capable of delivering RBC solution for transfusion in patients residing in distant islands and contributed to reducing the wastage of RBC solution by facilitating blood utilization at another hospital.

Normothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Patient With Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia and Cryoglobulinemia: A Case Report.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) manifests as hyperviscosity syndrome. Cryoglobulinemia, which may increase blood viscosity or induce thrombosis in association with decreased body temperature, can occur in combination with WM. We describe the management of an 82-year-old woman with WM, hyperviscosity syndrome, and cryoglobulinemia who required open aortic valve replacement. Decreased body temperature in this patient was prevented during cardiopulmonary bypass by using a forced air warming system and normothermic cardioplegia with continuous warm blood cardioplegia perfusion.

A Comparison of Fosaprepitant and Ondansetron for Preventing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Moderate to High Risk Patients: A Retrospective Database Analysis.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occur in 30-50% of patients undergoing general anesthesia and in 70-80% of high PONV risk patients. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of fosaprepitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, compared to ondansetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, in moderate to high PONV risk patients from our previous randomized controlled trials. Patients (171 patients from 4 pooled studies) with the Apfel simplified score ≥ 2 and undergoing general anesthesia were randomly allocated to receive intravenous fosaprepitant 150 mg (NK1 group, n = 82) and intravenous ondansetron 4 mg (ONS group, n = 89) before induction of anesthesia. Incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in the NK1 group compared to the ONS group 0-2, 0-24, and 0-48 hours after surgery (2 versus 17%, 2 versus 28%, and 2 versus 29%, resp.). However, no significant differences in PONV, complete response, rescue antiemetic use, and nausea score were observed between groups 0-48 hours after surgery. In moderate to high PONV risk patients, fosaprepitant decreased the incidence of vomiting and was superior to ondansetron in preventing postoperative vomiting 0-48 hours after surgery.

Isoflurane-induced postconditioning via mitochondrial calcium-activated potassium channels.

PURPOSE: Activation of the mitochondrial calcium-activated potassium (mKCa) channel reportedly confers resistance to myocardial ischemic stress. However, the role of the mKCa channel in postconditioning induced by volatile anesthetic remains unclear. METHODS: Male Japanese white rabbits underwent coronary artery occlusion for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 3 h. Volatile anesthetic, isoflurane, was administered at 3 min prior to reperfusion for 5 min. Rabbits were injected with the mKCa channel blocker, iberiotoxin, or the mKCa channel opener, NS1619, at 8 min prior to reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size and the area at risk (AAR) were measured at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: Isoflurane significantly reduced infarct size (23.0 ± 9.8% of the AAR, P<0.05) compared with the control (44.0 ± 9.1%). Iberiotoxin abolished the cardioprotective impact of isoflurane (43.0 ± 11.6%), while iberiotoxin alone exerted no effect on infarct size (45.0 ± 9.5%). NS1619 and isoflurane/NS1619 both significantly reduced infarct size (21.0 ± 10.3% and 19.0 ± 8.8%, respectively, P<0.05 vs control group), but isoflurane/NS1619 showed no additional benefits compared with isoflurane alone. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that activation of the mKCa channel contribute isoflurane-induced postconditioning.

Whey Peptide-Based Formulas With ω-3 Fatty Acids Are Protective in Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis and septic shock syndrome are among the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) released by bacteria within the colon may translocate across a compromised epithelium, leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, sepsis, and eventually death. METHODS: We examined the effects of a whey-based enteral formula high in cysteine (antioxidant precursor) and the addition of ω-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), against a mouse model of LPS-induced sepsis. Mice were fed either a whey-based diet with EPA-DHA (PAF), a whey-based diet without EPA-DHA (PSTD), or a casein-based control diet (CONT). RESULTS: Mice fed PAF or PSTD were protected against LPS-induced weight loss. Whey-based diets suppressed inflammatory cytokine release and oxidative stress damage. Furthermore, PAF and PSTD were able to inhibit autophagy, a mechanism in which the cell recycles damaged organelles. These anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of PSTD and PAF resulted in decreased liver inflammation and intestinal damage and promoted protective microbiota within the intestines. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a clinical role for whey peptide-based diets in promoting healing and recovery in critically ill patients.

Exendin-4 ameliorates cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury via caveolae and caveolins-3.

BACKGROUND: Exendin-4, an exogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the mechanisms for this protection are poorly understood. Caveolae, sarcolemmal invaginations, and caveolins, scaffolding proteins in caveolae, localize molecules involved in cardiac protection. We tested the hypothesis that caveolae and caveolins are essential for exendin-4 induced cardiac protection using in vitro and in vivo studies in control and caveolin-3 (Cav-3) knockout mice (Cav-3 KO). METHODS: Myocytes were treated with exendin-4 and then incubated with methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (MßCD) to disrupt caveolae formation. This was then followed by simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R). In addition, cardiac protection in vivo was assessed by measuring infarct size and cardiac troponin levels. RESULTS: Exendin-4 protected cardiac myocytes (CM) from SI/R [35.6 ± 12.6% vs. 64.4 ± 18.0% cell death, P = 0.034] and apoptosis but this protection was abolished by MßCD (71.8 ± 10.8% cell death, P = 0.004). Furthermore, Cav-3/GLP-1R co-localization was observed and membrane fractionation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of CM treated with MßCD + exendin-4 revealed that buoyant (caveolae enriched) fractions decreased Cav-3 compared to CM treated with exendin-4 exclusively. Furthermore, exendin-4 induced a reduction in infarct size and cardiac troponin relative to control (infarct size: 25.1 ± 8.2% vs. 41.4 ± 4.1%, P < 0.001; troponin: 36.9 ± 14.2 vs. 101.1 ± 22.3 ng/ml, P < 0.001). However, exendin-4 induced cardiac protection was abolished in Cav-3 KO mice (infarct size: 43.0 ± 6.4%, P < 0.001; troponin: 96.8 ± 26.6 ng/ml, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that caveolae and caveolin-3 are critical for exendin-4 induced protection of the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury.

A case of placenta percreta with massive hemorrhage during cesarean section.

We describe a case of a 39-year-old woman diagnosed with placenta percreta complicated by massive hemorrhage during a cesarean section. At 27 weeks of gestation, she underwent an emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia for vaginal bleeding and an intrauterine infection. Soon after delivery, a massive hemorrhage was encountered while attempting to separate the placenta percreta from the bladder wall. Although total abdominal hysterectomy and partial cystectomy were performed, massive hemorrhaging persisted. Bleeding was finally controlled following bilateral internal iliac artery embolization. We used a cell salvage device and a rapid infuser for hemodynamics stabilization. Total blood loss was 47,000 mL, and anesthesia time was 12 h and 47 min. The patient was discharged on the 32(nd) postoperative day without major complications. Placenta accreta can be associated with life-threatening hemorrhage and it is vital to plan accordingly preoperatively.

Geranylgeranylacetone protects the heart via caveolae and caveolin-3.

AIMS: Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is commonly utilized to protect the gastric mucosa in peptic ulcer disease. Recently GGA has been shown to protect the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion by activating heat shock proteins. However, the exact mechanism as to how GGA activates these protective proteins is unknown. Caveolae and caveolin-3 (Cav-3) have been implicated in ischemia, anesthetic, and opioid induced cardiac protection. Given the lipophilic nature of GGA it is our hypothesis that GGA induced cardiac protection requires caveolae and Cav-3. MAIN METHODS: We used an in vivo mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury and performed biochemical assays in excised hearts. KEY FINDINGS: GGA treated control mice revealed increased caveolae formation and caveolin-3 in buoyant fractions, mediating heat shock protein 70 activation. Furthermore, control mice treated with GGA were protected against ischemia/reperfusion injury whereas Cav-3 knockout (Cav-3 KO) mice were not. Troponin levels confirmed myocardial damage. Finally, Cav-3 KO mice treated with GGA were not protected against mitochondrial swelling whereas control mice had significant protection. SIGNIFICANCE: This study showed that caveolae and caveolin-3 are essential in facilitating GGA induced cardiac protection by optimizing spatial and temporal signaling to the mitochondria.

Geranylgeranylacetone and volatile anesthetic-induced cardiac protection synergism is dependent on caveolae and caveolin-3.

PURPOSE: Pharmacological preconditioning, including that with geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) and volatile anesthetics, has been shown to confer cardiac protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury although the mechanisms for this protection are poorly understood. Caveolins, integral membrane proteins that act as scaffolding proteins in caveolar membranes, localize molecules involved in cardiac protection. We have tested the hypothesis that caveolin-3 (Cav-3), the predominant isoform in cardiac myocytes, is essential for the synergistic effect observed between GGA and volatile anesthetics. METHODS: Mice were randomly assigned to receive GGA, isoflurane [0.5 and 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)], or GGA + isoflurane (0.5 MAC). An in vivo mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion injury was tested in wild-type and Cav-3 knockout mice, and the infarct size was determined. Biochemical assays were also performed in excised hearts. RESULTS: Geranylgeranylacetone and therapeutic isoflurane (1.0 MAC) independently reduced infarct size (31.6 ± 6.1 and 28.0 ± 5.0% of the area at risk, respectively; n = 10) as compared to the controls (45.8 ± 9.4%; n = 10). The combination GGA + sub-therapeutic isoflurane (0.5 MAC) further decreased the infarct size to 19.3 ± 5.1% (n = 10). Preconditioning [GGA, isoflurane (1.0 MAC), and GGA + isoflurane] increased the amount of Cav-3 protein in the discontinuous sucrose-gradient buoyant fractions. Additionally, cardiac protection was not observed in Cav-3 knockout mice following the administration of GGA, isoflurane, and GGA + isoflurane. CONCLUSIONS: Combined administration of GGA + isoflurane had a synergistic effect, enhancing the protection against myocardial infarction to a greater extent than either drug alone. This beneficial effect is mediated by Cav-3 expression.

Usefulness of central venous oxygen saturation monitoring during bidirectional Glenn shunt.

A PediaSat™ oximetry catheter (PediaSat: Edwards Lifesciences Co., Ltd., Irvine, CA, U. S. A.), which facilitates continuous measurement of central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), may be useful for surgery for pediatric congenital heart disease. We used PediaSat during a bidirectional Glenn shunt. The patient was a 13-month-old boy. Under a diagnosis of left single ventricle (pulmonary atresia, right ventricular hypoplasia, atrial septal defect) and residual left aortic arch/left superior vena cava, a modified right Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed. Cyanosis deteriorated, so a bidirectional Glenn shunt was scheduled. After anesthesia induction, a 4.5 Fr double-lumen (8 cm) PediaSat was inserted through the right internal jugular vein for continuous ScvO2 monitoring. Furthermore, the probe of a near-infrared, mixed blood oxygen saturation-measuring monitor was attached to the forehead for continuous monitoring of the regional brain tissue mixed blood oxygen saturation (rSO2) (INVOS™ 5100C, Covidien; Boulder, CO, U. S. A.). Blockage of the right pulmonary artery and right superior vena cava decreased the oxygen saturation, ScvO2, and rSO2, but increased the central venous pressure. Although changes in ScvO2 were parallel to those in rSO2, the former showed more marked changes. A combination of ScvO2 and rSO2 for monitoring during Glenn shunt may be safer.

[Two cases of anaphylactoid reaction after administration of sugammadex].

Anaphylaxis during anesthesia is a rare but life-threatening event. Sugammadex is a recently introduced drug that was specifically designed for the reversal of rocuroium and vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block. We describe the cases of a 74-year-old man and a 29-year-old man who developed an anaphylactoid reaction to sugammadex, presenting with cardiovascular collapse. Initial management consisted of fluid administration and intermittent i.v. ephedrine, epinephrine, and hydrocortisone. The patients made uncomplicated recovery and were discharged.

Prognostic value of venous blood ammonia in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have shown there is a correlation between increased blood ammonia level and hepatic encephalopathy, little information is available for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS AND RESULTS: We did a prospective study of 357 adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest whose venous blood ammonia levels were measured on arrival at the emergency room. The primary endpoint was favorable of neurological outcome to hospital discharge. Of the 357 patients, 25 (7%) had a favorable neurological outcome. The venous ammonia levels were lower in the favorable neurological outcome group than in the unfavorable neurological outcome group (median, 50 µg/dl vs. 210 µg/dl, P<0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio of ammonia levels for favorable neurological outcome was 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.99; P<0.0001). The ammonia cutoff value of 93.0 µg/dl for the identification of favorable neurological outcome had the highest combined sensitivity and specificity, and higher ammonia levels were associated with more accurate negative predictive values (for ammonia levels of 192.5 µg/dl, the negative predictive value was 100%). Hyperammonemia was significantly related to patient variables that had a poor outcome (R=0.439, P<0.001). In addition, there was a significant correlation between venous ammonia level and arterial pH on emergency room arrival (R=0.633, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of ammonia was found to provide valuable information regarding neurological outcome to hospital discharge in adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Early induction of hypothermia during cardiac arrest improves neurological outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who undergo emergency cardiopulmonary bypass and percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has demonstrated neurological benefits. Although early cooling during cardiac arrest enhances efficacy in animal studies, few clinical studies are available. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 171 patients who failed to respond to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation were studied prospectively. Patients underwent emergency cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) plus intra-aortic balloon pumping, with subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) if needed. Mild hypothermia (34 degrees C for 3 days) was induced during cardiac arrest or after return of spontaneous circulation. Of the 171 patients, 21 (12.3%) had a favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge. An unadjusted rate of favorable outcome decreased in a stepwise fashion for increasing quartiles of collapse-to-34 degrees C interval (P=0.016). An adjusted odds ratio for favorable outcome after collapse-to-CPB interval was 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82-0.97) and after CPB-to-34 degrees C interval, 0.99 (95%CI 0.98-0.99) when collapse-to-34 degrees C interval was divided into 2 components. Favorable neurological accuracy of a collapse-to-CPB interval at a cutoff of 55.5 min and CPB-to-34 degrees C interval at a cutoff of 21.5 min was 85.4% and 89.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early attainment of a core temperature had neurological benefits for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who underwent CPB and PCI. (Circ J 2010; 74: 77 - 85).