Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in coronary artery bypass surgery: the role of local anesthetic volume-a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Erector spinae plane block has been shown to help with pain management in different regions and many areas with different indications. However, the effectiveness of this block in cardiac surgery has been shown in the literature, the optimal volume remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the analgesic efficacy of two different volumes of local anesthetic injection used in ultrasound-guided bilateral-thoracic erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft. METHODS: This study was conducted on adult patients undergoing surgery with coronary artery bypass graft, and 70 patients were analyzed in each group. Group 20 received erector spinae plane block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine, Group 30 received 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine bilaterally. Postoperative sternotomy and chest tube-related pain were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest and during movement. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups regarding rescue tramadol consumption was higher in Group 20 than in Group 30 (25/35 vs. 2/35, p < 0.001). In addition, there were substantial differences between the two groups concerning the time of the first-rescue analgesic requirement. The mean time ± standard deviation was 11.26 ± 9.57 h and 24.03 ± 4.12 h in Groups 20 and 30 (p < 0.001). The median scores, both at sternotomy and chest tubes, were significantly lower in Group 30 than in Group 20 at the different time points after the surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In coronary artery bypass graft surgery, erector spinae plane block performed with 30 ml instead of 20 ml on each side resulted in less pain in the sternum and chest tube region, less need for rescue analgesics, and delayed first-rescue analgesic requirement.

A new hematologic predictor of major adverse events after cardiac surgery: red cell distribution width to lymphocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: The perioperative risk factors that cause severe morbidity and prolongation of postoperative hospital stay after cardiac surgery should be determined. Various scores have been used to predict morbidity and mortality. Preoperative blood counts are considered potential biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammatory and immune imbalances may have a significant impact on postoperative adverse events. The present study aimed to investigate the association and potential predictive properties of red cell distribution width/ lymphocyte ratio (RLR) for major adverse events in adult patients who underwent coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: After approval from the ethics committee, pre- and post-operative data of 700 patients were obtained from the electronic database of the hospital, intra- and post-operative anesthesia, and intensive care unit follow-up charts. We performed a stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis to investigate the association of RLR with major adverse events in adult patients who underwent coronary surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Among 700 patients, 47 (6.7%) had major adverse events after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.12; P < 0.001), mean platelet volume (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.07-2.06; P = 0.017), and RLR (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.02-1.43; P = 0.026) were significantly associated with major adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: RLR indicates the balance between inflammatory and immune responses. Therefore, it can be used to predict adverse events following coronary surgery.

Non-interventional Feasibility Assessment for Fast-Track Cardiac Anesthesia.

Background The introduction of fast-track extubation procedures following cardiac surgery has significantly shortened hospitalization duration in intensive care units (ICUs). Early extubation is the most crucial step in getting out of the ICU early and providing ideal patient circulation. In times of crisis such as pandemics, it is vital to provide rapid flow through the hospital to prevent the postponement or inability to operate on patients awaiting surgery. This study aimed to determine the obstacles to early extubation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and the perioperative characteristics that were affected in terms of fast-track extubation. Methodology This was an observational, cross-sectional study with data collected prospectively from October 1 to November 30, 2021. Preoperative data and comorbidities were recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed. Intraoperative cross-clamp duration, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, length of operation, and erythrocytes (red blood cells) transfused were recorded for each patient. Early postoperative clinical conditions were defined in patients whose mechanical ventilation duration exceeded eight hours (such as pulmonary complications, cardiovascular complications, renal complications, neurological conditions, and infective complications ). The length of ICU stay (hours), length of hospital stay (days), return to the ICU, reasons for return to the ICU, and overall hospital mortality were investigated. A total of 226 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: extubated within eight hours (FTCA, fast-track cardiac anesthesia) and late extubation (after eight hours) postoperatively, and the data were evaluated accordingly. Results While 138 (61.1%) of the patients were extubated in eight hours or less, 88 (38.9%) patients were extubated after more than eight hours. The most common complications (55.7%) in patients with late extubation were cardiovascular complications, followed by respiratory complications (15.9%), and the surgeon's refusal (15.9%). In the logistic model created with the independent variables affecting the extubation time, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score and red blood cell transfusion were risk factors for longer extubation time. Conclusions In our research to reveal the feasibility of and barriers to FTCA, it was found that cardiac and respiratory problems were the most common reasons for delayed extubation. Due to the refusal of the surgical team, it was observed that some patients remained intubated despite meeting the FTCA requirements. It was considered the most improvable obstacle. Regarding cardiovascular complications, the team should aim to optimally control patient comorbidities in the preoperative period, reduce the use of red blood cell transfusions, and ensure that the entire team is updated on current extubation protocols, in particular surgeons and anesthesiologists.

Preoperative ultrasound-guided bilateral thoracic erector spinae plane block within an enhanced recovery program is associated with decreased intraoperative lactate levels in cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In the perioperative period, regional analgesia techniques may play an increasingly important role in "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)" programs, as they can facilitate recovery. We hypothesized that Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block could improve regional perfusion, thereby limiting blood lactate increase. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of ESP block on intraoperative blood lactate levels in patients scheduled for elective on-pump cardiac surgery with ERAS protocol. METHODS: A total of 68 adult patients scheduled for on-pump cardiac surgery were included. All patients were randomized to the ESP group and the non-ESP group. Blood lactate analyses were performed at intraoperative five-time points. C-Reactive protein (CRP) values were also measured. RESULTS: Blood lactate values were significantly lower in the ESP group than in the Non-ESP group, at the end of CPB [1.78 (1.23-2.78) mmol L-1 to 2.63 (1.70-3.12) mmol L-1] and during the sternal closure period [1.78 (1.27-2.42) mmol L-1 to 2.40 (2.14-2.80) mmol L-1] (p = 0.039, p = 0.009). In addition, CRP values were significantly lower in the ESP group in the postoperative period [0.048 (0.036-0.105) g L-1 to 0.090 (0.049-0.154) g L-1] (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that preoperative bilateral single-shot ESP block significantly reduces intraoperative final blood lactate and postoperative CRP values. We consider that these results are related to the attenuation of intraoperative hypoperfusion and the alleviation of surgery-related postoperative inflammation. ERAS programs aim to achieve the rapid recovery of patients, a decrease in inflammation, and high-quality analgesia with less opioid consumption. Therefore, our results also prove that it is easier to reach the primary goals of ERAS programs with the application of ESP block in cardiac surgery.

Anesthesia induction regimens may affect QT interval in cardiac surgery patients: A randomized-controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on QT interval of the propofol-ketamine combination and the midazolam-fentanyl combination in anesthesia induction for cardiac surgery. Methods: Between September 2020 and June 2021, a total of 9 5 c ardiac s urgery p atients ( 80 m ales, 1 5 f emales; mean age: 57±9.1 years; range, 26 to 76 years) were included. The patients were divided into two groups as Group PK (propofol-ketamine, n=50) and Group MF (midazolam-fentanyl, n=45). The 12-lead electrocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements were performed at three time points: before anesthesia induction, after anesthesia induction, and after endotracheal intubation. The measurements were evaluated with conventional Bazett's formula and a new model called index of cardio-electrophysiological balance. Results: The evaluated QTc values of 95 patients after anesthesia induction were significantly prolonged with the Bazett's formula and the index of cardio-electrophysiological balance in Group PK (p=0.034 and p=0.003, respectively). A statistically significant QTc prolongation was observed with the index of cardio-electrophysiological balance after laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in Group PK (p=0.042). Hemodynamic parameters were also higher in Group PK. Conclusion: Our study shows that the propofol-ketamine combination prolongs the QTc value determined by the Bazett's formula and the index of cardio-electrophysiological balance model. Using both QTc measurement models, the midazolam-fentanyl combination has no prolongation effect on QTc interval in coronary surgery patients.

Colour Doppler Imaging of the Ophthalmic Artery During Heart Transplantation.

Colour Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery is a non-invasive, fast, and easy access ultrasound technique. Estimation of cerebral perfusion from colour Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery is a technique with great potential in this field. In the present case, we monitored blood flow of the ophthalmic artery by colour Doppler ultrasonography during heart transplantation, and we obtained information about the adequacy of the perfusion. Colour Doppler imaging of the ophthalmic artery may be a useful method that can be applied for monitoring cerebral perfusion during heart transplantation and all cardiac operations in order to detect impaired cerebral blood flow.

Management of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors and other antihypertensives and their clinical effects on pre-anesthesia blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure fluctuations appear more significant in patients with poorly controlled hypertension and are known to be associated with adverse perioperative morbidity. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of antihypertensive drug treatment strategies on preanesthetic operating room blood pressure measurements. METHODS: A total of 717 patients participated in our study; 383 patients who were normotensive based on baseline measurements and not under antihypertensive therapy were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 334 patients were divided into six groups according to the antihypertensive drug treatment. These six groups were examined in terms of preoperative baseline and pre-anesthesia blood pressure measurements. RESULTS: As a result of the study, it was observed that 24% of patients had high blood pressure precluding surgery, and patients using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASI) had higher pre-anesthesia systolic blood pressure than patients using other antihypertensive drugs. Patients who received beta-blockers were also observed to have the lowest pre-anesthesia systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure, compared to others. CONCLUSIONS: Recently, whether RAASI should be continued preoperatively remains controversial. Our study shows that RAASI cannot provide optimal pre-anesthesia blood pressure and lead to an increase in the number of postponed surgeries, probably due to withdrawal of medication before the operation. Therefore, the preoperative discontinuation of RAASI should be reevaluated in future studies.

Retrograde autologous priming method reduces plasma free hemoglobin level in aortic surgery.

Background: Although conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (cCPB) is still the most widely used method in open heart surgery, methods such as retrograde autologous priming (RAP) are increasingly popular in terms of limiting hemodilution. Our hypothesis is that the use of the RAP method in aortic surgery may result in a limitation of hemodilution and a decrease in fHb levels. For this purpose, plasma free hemoglobin (fHb) levels were investigated in adult open aortic arch repair with axillary artery cannulation patients using cCPB and rRAP methods. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 36 patients undergoing aortic surgery using rRAP and standard cCPB were investigated. Measurements were performed at five time points: After induction of anesthesia, 5th minute of CPB, 10th minute of antegrade cerebral perfusion, 30th minute after declamping of aorta, and at sternum closure. Besides hemodynamic variables, arterial blood gas analysis and postoperative variables, patients were assessed for fHb levels. Results: The rRAP group had a significantly lower increase in fHb levels in T3, T4, and T5 time points, when compared to the cCPB group (p = 0.002, 0.047, 0.009, respectively). There was no significant difference between the rRAP and cCPB groups in other intraoperative, and postoperative variables. Also, it was observed that rRAP did not make a difference in terms of blood and blood product transfusion. Conclusion: In this study, in patients undergoing aortic surgery, a reduction in the increase of fHb was observed with the rRAP method which is a simple procedure that does not require high cost or advanced technology.

All in one: Multiple coronary stents, history of stent thrombosis, pancreatic carcinoma, postoperative bleeding and thrombocytosis.

Although the management of a stent patient may appear in the guidelines, some patients may be unique and out of class. In this presentation, the patient had multiple thrombotic risk factors for perioperative myocardial injury. These factors included coronary artery disease with multiple implantations of drug-eluting stent (DES), stent thrombosis history, implantation of a new stent 11months ago and hypercoagulability (due to malignancy and surgical procedure). The patient's history of DES presented a dilemma for the anesthesiology, surgery, and cardiology teams in considering the optimal method to minimize the risk of perioperative bleeding and stent re-thrombosis.

Effects of upper limb ischemia-reperfusion on regional oxidative stress during aortic surgery with moderate hypothermia.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the effect of acute, iatrogenic right arm ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) due to right axillary cannulation on regional oxidative stress using tissue perfusion markers such as central venous oxygen saturation, lactate, the difference between central venous and arterial CO2 pressure, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements, and biomarkers like sialic acid, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidative protein products in aortic surgery with moderate hypothermia. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing ascending aorta repair with antegrade cerebral perfusion via the axillary artery participated. Blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein, right arm cubital vein, and left arm cubital vein, and analysis was performed at intraoperative time points. RESULTS: Right-arm venous oxygen saturation levels are significantly lower than left arm and central venous, as expected in iatrogenic ischemia. Right arm lactate levels are significantly higher. Somatic right arm NIRS values are significantly lower than somatic left arm. There are no significant differences for biomarkers throughout the time points. CONCLUSIONS: We have concluded that well-known markers reflect the results of ischemia-reperfusion more rapidly, and are more valuable than novel biomarkers. NIRS is a promising monitor in terms of providing information about tissue oxygenation. Oxidative stress biomarkers do not change quickly enough to give useful information in a short enough period of time; moreover, their costs are high and laboratory studies take time. Although axillary cannulation is controlled limb ischemia, the local effects of I/R did not completely normalize at the end of the surgery, and this regional I/R did not affect the global body organism.

Diagnosed in operating room with hypertension: a widespread but unseen affliction.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to describe a widely held misconception in the literature concerning preoperative hypertension diagnosis. The blood pressure elevation occurring in the operative room is seen commonly even in subjects considered hitherto fully normotensive. As these patients have a condition which - similar to White Coat Hypertension (WCH) - indicates the presence of hypertension, and thus necessitates more frequent intraoperative checks. METHODS: We have named a condition 'Diagnosed in Operating Room (DIOR) with Hypertension', following the preoperative stage at which it is detected. RESULT: Our observational study evaluated 718 elective noncardiac surgery adult patients, finding 28% of them (n = 204) to be 'DIOR-tensive' and thus at risk for suboptimal intraoperative care. CONCLUSION: In addition to recommending a modification to the domain's best practices, we provide a preliminary description of DIOR hypertension patient identifying characteristics (older, higher body weight and BMI, and higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism and obesity), so that DIOR hypertension patients may be more readily identified, and that future research may build on the findings, and that the operating team may remain generally aware that this problem can occur and be dealt with regardless of the patient's medical history.

Anaesthesia Management in Idiopathic Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Surgery.

Pulmonary artery (PA) aneurysm is a very rare disease. Surgical treatment is important in symptomatic patients. Due to its anatomical condition, the rupture of such aneurysms may lead to sudden right ventricular failure or sudden death. The aim of this report is to present the use of balanced general anaesthesia management in a patient who underwent PA aneurysm repair surgery. Surgical repair was planned in a 55-year-old man with chest and back pain as well as haemoptysis. With the help of balanced anaesthesia, stress on the aneurysm wall was prevented by avoiding sudden blood pressure increases. With appropriate ventilation methods, we attempted to avoid an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, and therefore, the pressure on the aneurysm, as well as an increase in the postoperative right ventricle. With the help of appropriate anaesthesia and ventilation techniques, uncomplicated and successful anaesthetic management was effected in the repair of a PA aneurysm.

Quick Evaluation of Cerebral Autoregulation Limits with Near Infrared Spectroscopic Techniques in the Intraoperative Period.

In this manuscript, we describe a significant advantage of the intraoperative near infrared spectroscopic techniques (NIRS) using in a malignant hypertensive patient during kidney transplantation. This patient underwent operation becasue of the presence of a suitable cadaveric kidney. Moreover, although the patient's hypertension was intensively treated by cardiology for a long time, it could not be controlled. Thus, despite severe hypertension, the patient was anaesthetized. Mean arterial pressures of about 70-90 mmHg, which are considered to be normal for most people, could cause cerebral hypoperfusion in such a patient. It is a significant advantage that the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation is quickly assessed by NIRS in the case of a kidney transplant performed under general anaesthesia.

Heparin dose calculated according to lean body weight during on-pump heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare heparin dose regimen calculated based on the lean body weight with traditional heparin regimen in terms of ensuring adequate anticoagulation and complications associated with perioperative bleeding. METHODS: This prospective, single-blind, randomized study included a total of 100 adult patients (42 males, 58 females; mean age 52.7 years; range, 22 to 84 years) undergoing elective valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between June 2016 and January 2017. Prior to cardiopulmonary bypass, heparin dose was adjusted as 4 mg/kg, according to the actual body weight (n=50) and lean body weight (n=50). The minimal activated clotting time target value was accepted as 480 sec for cardiopulmonary bypass initiation. Demographic and hemodynamic data, post-heparin activated clotting time, additional heparin and perioperative transfusion, postoperative drainage volumes, reoperations, and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Demographic data, cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, and intraoperative transfusion requirement were not significantly different between the groups. The initial and total doses of heparin, as well as the total dose of protamine, were significantly higher in the actual body weight group. Postoperative transfusion rates were also higher in this group. None of the patients in the lean body weight group required reoperation, while three patients in the actual body weight group underwent reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that adequate anticoagulation was achieved with the titration of heparin dose calculated according to the lean body weight during cardiopulmonary bypass and reduced total heparin and protamine doses decreased postoperative bleeding and blood product transfusion requirement.