Comparison of Two Norepinephrine Rescue Bolus Doses for Management of Severe Post-Spinal Hypotension During Elective Caesarean Delivery: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Post-spinal hypotension is associated with maternal and neonatal complications; therefore, prompt control maternal blood pressure is necessary. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of two norepinephrine bolus doses in the rescue management of severe maternal hypotension during elective Cesarean delivery. Methods: We included full-term pregnant women scheduled for Cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive either 5-mcg norepinephrine (n=79) or 10-mcg norepinephrine (n=79) for treatment of severe postspinal hypotension (systolic blood pressure ≤60% of baseline reading). The management of the hypotensive episode was considered successful if systolic blood pressure was >80% of the baseline within 2 mins of the bolus. The primary outcome was the incidence of successful management of severe post-spinal hypotension. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of reactive bradycardia, reactive hypertension, umbilical blood gases, and neonatal Apgar score at 5-min post-delivery. Results: We included 73 patients in the 5-mcg group and 76 patients in the 10-mcg group into the final analysis. The incidence of successful management of severe hypotensive episodes was comparable between the two groups (43/73 [59%] and 46/76 [60%] in the 5-and 10-mcg group, respectively, P=0.917). The incidence of reactive hypertension, bradycardia, and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: In mothers undergoing Cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia, 10-mcg norepinephrine bolus was not superior to the 5-mcg bolus in the management of severe hypotension. Furthermore, the incidence of reactive bradycardia and hypertension was comparable in the two doses. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05290740, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05290740.

Comparison of different ratios of propofol-ketamine admixture in rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia for emergency laparotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effect of two ratios of propofol and ketamine (ketofol), namely 1:1 and 1:3 ratios, in rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia for emergency laparotomy. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy under general anesthesia. The patients were randomized to receive either ketofol ratio of 1:1 (n = 37) or ketofol ratio of 1:3 (n = 37). Hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 70 mmHg) was managed by 5-mcg norepinephrine. The primary outcome was total norepinephrine requirements during the postinduction period. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of postinduction hypotension, and the intubation condition (excellent, good, or poor). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients in the ketofol-1:1 and 35 patients in the ketofol 1:3 group were analyzed. The total norepinephrine requirement was less in the ketofol-1:1 group than in the ketofol-1:3 group, P-values: 0.043. The incidence of postinduction hypotension was less in the ketofol-1:1 group (4 [12%]) than in ketofol-1:3 group (12 [35%]), P-value 0.022. All the included patients had excellent intubation condition. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, the use of ketofol in 1:1 ratio for rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia was associated with less incidence of postinduction hypotension and vasopressor consumption in comparison to the 1:3 ratio with comparable intubation conditions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05166330. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05166330 .

The use of epinephrine infusion for the prevention of spinal hypotension during Caesarean delivery: A randomized controlled dose-finding trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare three epinephrine doses for the prevention of spinal hypotension during Caesarean delivery. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included full-term pregnant women undergoing elective Caesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. The participants received prophylactic epinephrine infusions at rates of 0.01, 0.02, or 0.03 mcg/kg/min. Spinal hypotension (systolic blood pressure <80% of baseline) was managed with a 9-mg ephedrine bolus. The primary outcome was the incidence of spinal hypotension. Secondary outcomes included total ephedrine requirement, the incidence of severe spinal hypotension, excessive tachycardia and hypertension, and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: The final analysis included 271 patients. The incidence of hypotension was lowest in the 0.03 mcg group (11/90 [12%]), followed by the 0.02 mcg (32/91 [35%]) and the 0.01 mcg (55/90 [61%]) groups (p < 0.001). The median ephedrine requirements (quartiles) were also the lowest in the 0.03 mcg group (0 [0-0] mg), followed by the 0.02 mcg (0 [0-9] mg) and the 0.01 mcg (9 [0-18] mg) groups. The incidence of severe hypotension was lower in the 0.03 mcg and 0.02 mcg groups than in the 0.01 mcg group (3/90 [3%], 5/91 [6%], and 15/90 [17%], respectively). The incidences of excessive tachycardia, hypertension, and neonatal outcomes were comparable among the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of epinephrine to prevent spinal hypotension during Caesarean delivery is feasible and effective. An initial dose of 0.03 mcg/kg/min produced the lowest incidence of hypotension compared to 0.02 mcg/kg/min and 0.01 mcg/kg/min doses. The three doses were comparable in terms of the incidence of tachycardia, hypertension, and neonatal outcomes. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05279703.

Modified-ramped position: a new position for intubation of obese females: a randomized controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation requires optimum position of the head and neck. In obese females, the usual ramped position might not provide adequate intubating conditions. We hypothesized that a new position, termed modified-ramped position, during induction of anesthesia would facilitate endotracheal intubation through bringing the breasts away from the laryngoscope and would also improve the laryngeal visualization. METHODS: Sixty obese female patients scheduled for general anesthesia were randomly assigned into either ramped or modified-ramped position during induction of anesthesia. In the ramped position (n = 30), the patient head and shoulders were elevated to achieve alignment of the sternal notch and the external auditory meatus; while in the modified-ramped position (n = 30), the patient shoulders were elevated using a special pillow, and the head was extended to the most possible range. Our primary outcome was the incidence of failed laryngoscopic insertion in the oral cavity (the need for patient repositioning). Other outcomes included time till vocal cord visualization, time till successful endotracheal intubation, difficulty of the mask ventilation, and Cormack-Lehane grade for laryngeal view. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (47%) in ramped group required repositioning to facilitate introduction of the laryngoscope in the oral cavity in comparison to one patient (3%) in the modified-ramped position (p < 0.001). Modified-ramped position showed lower incidence of difficult mask ventilation, shorter time for glottic visualization, and shorter time for endotracheal tube insertion compared to the ramped position. The Cormack-Lehane grade was better in the modified-ramped position. CONCLUSION: Modified-ramped position provided better intubating conditions, improved the laryngeal view, and eliminated the need for repositioning of obese female patients during insertion of the laryngoscope compared to ramped position. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: NCT03640442. Date: August 2018.

Pulse Pressure Variation-Guided Fluid Therapy during Supratentorial Brain Tumour Excision: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) improved patient outcomes in various surgical procedures; however, its role during mass brain resection was not well investigated. AIM: In this study, we evaluated a simple protocol based on intermittent evaluation of pulse pressure variation for guiding fluid therapy during brain tumour resection. METHODS: Sixty-one adult patients scheduled for supratentorial brain mass excision were randomized into either GDFT group (received intraoperative fluids guided by pulse pressure variation) and control group (received standard care). Both groups were compared according to the following: brain relaxation scale (BRS), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, urine output, intraoperative fluid intake, postoperative serum lactate, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Demographic data, cardiovascular data (mean arterial pressure and heart rate), and BRS were comparable between both groups. GDFT group received more intraoperative fluids {3155 (452) mL vs 2790 (443) mL, P = 0.002}, had higher urine output {2019 (449) mL vs 1410 (382) mL, P < 0.001}, and had lower serum lactate {0.9 (1) mmol versus 2.5 (1.1) mmol, P = 0.03} compared to control group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PPV-guided fluid therapy during supratentorial mass excision, increased intraoperative fluids, and improved peripheral perfusion without increasing brain swelling.

Role of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Cardiac Surgery: an Observational Study.

AIM: This study is based on the hypothesis that the routine use of transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac surgery will influence the surgical decision taken by the surgeon intra-operatively in Kasr-Alainy hospitals. METHODS: Patients were examined with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Complete and comprehensive intraoperative TEE examinations will be performed by TEE certified cardiac anesthesiologists. Data that will be collected from the intraoperative examination and will be compared with preoperative transthoracic echocardiography, and the surgical decision that was taken preoperatively will be revised again with the cardiothoracic surgeon before the start of surgery. Also, TEE will be used again after weaning from bypass for revision and assessment of our decision. RESULTS: We examined the utility of TEE in 100 patients undergoing different types of cardiac procedures in Kasr Al-Ainy hospital. This prospective clinical investigation found that the pre- and post-CPB TEE examinations influenced surgical decision making in 10% of all evaluated patients. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative TEE has the potential to influence clinical decision making for cardiac surgical patients significantly. It is useful in surgical planning, guiding various hemodynamic interventions, and assessing the immediate results of surgery. Thus, IOTEE should be used routinely in all patients undergoing all types of cardiac surgeries.