Anesthetic protocol for right ventricular dysfunction management in heart transplantation: systematic review, development and validation.

BACKGROUND: Right Ventricular Dysfunction (RVD) is the most frequent intraoperative hemodynamic complication in Heart Transplantation (HTx). RVD occurs in 0.04-1.0% of cardiac surgeries with cardiotomy and in 20-50% of HTx, with mortality up to 75%. No consensus has been established for how anesthesiologists should manage RVD, with management methods many times remaining unvalidated. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, to create an anesthetic protocol to manage RVD in HTx, using databases that include PubMed and Embase, until September 2018 based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The articles screening for the systematic review were done two independent reviewers, in case of discrepancy, we consulted a third independent reviewer. Based on the systematic review, the anesthetic protocol was developed. The instrument selected to perform the validation of the protocol was AGREE II, for this purpose expert anesthetists were recruited to do this process. The minimum arbitration score for domains validation cutoff of AGREE II is arbitered to 70%. This study was registered at PROSPERO (115600). RESULTS: In the systematic review, 152 articles were included. We present the protocol in a flowchart with six steps based on goal-directed therapy, invasive monitoring, and transesophageal echocardiogram. Six experts judged the protocol and validated it. CONCLUSION: The protocol has been validated by experts and new studies are needed to assess its applicability and potential benefits on major endpoints.

[Impact of intraoperative hypotension and blood loss on acute kidney injury after pancreas surgery]. / Impacto da hipotensão e perda sanguínea intraoperatórias na lesão renal aguda após cirurgia de pâncreas.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) focusing on intraoperative hypotension and blood loss volume. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing pancreas surgery between January 2013 and December 2018. The primary outcome was AKI within 7 days after surgery and the secondary outcome was the length of hospital stay. Multivariate analysis was used to determine explanatory factors associated with AKI; the interaction between the integrated value of hypotension and blood loss volume was evaluated. The differences in length of hospital stay were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Of 274 patients, 22 patients had experienced AKI. The cube root of the area under intraoperative mean arterial pressure of < 65 mmHg (Odds Ratio = 1.21; 95% Confidence Interval 1.01-1.45; p = 0.038) and blood loss volume of > 500 mL (Odds Ratio = 3.81; 95% Confidence Interval 1.51-9.58; p = 0.005) were independently associated with acute kidney injury. The interaction between mean arterial hypotension and the blood loss volume in relation to acute kidney injury indicated that the model was significant (p < 0.0001) with an interaction effect (p = 0.0003). AKI was not significantly related with the length of hospital stay (19 vs. 28 days, p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: The area under intraoperative hypotension and blood loss volume of > 500 mL was associated with postoperative AKI. However, if the mean arterial pressure is maintained even in patients with large blood loss volume, the risk of developing postoperative AKI is comparable with that in patients with small blood loss volume.

Impact of intraoperative hypotension and blood loss on acute kidney injury after pancreas surgery / Impacto da hipotensão e perda sanguínea intraoperatórias na lesão renal aguda após cirurgia de pâncreas

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) focusing on intraoperative hypotension and blood loss volume. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing pancreas surgery between January 2013 and December 2018. The primary outcome was AKI within 7 days after surgery and the secondary outcome was the length of hospital stay. Multivariate analysis was used to determine explanatory factors associated with AKI; the interaction between the integrated value of hypotension and blood loss volume was evaluated. The differences in length of hospital stay were compared using the Mann-WhitneyU-test. Results: Of 274 patients, 22 patients had experienced AKI. The cube root of the area under intraoperative mean arterial pressure of < 65 mmHg (Odds Ratio = 1.21; 95% Confidence Interval 1.01-1.45; p = 0.038) and blood loss volume of > 500 mL (Odds Ratio = 3.81; 95% Confidence Interval 1.51-9.58; p = 0.005) were independently associated with acute kidney injury. The interaction between mean arterial hypotension and the blood loss volume in relation to acute kidney injury indicated that the model was significant (p < 0.0001) with an interaction effect (p = 0.0003). AKI was not significantly related with the length of hospital stay (19 vs. 28 days, p = 0.09). Conclusion: The area under intraoperative hypotension and blood loss volume of > 500 mL was associated with postoperative AKI. However, if the mean arterial pressure is maintained even in patients with large blood loss volume, the risk of developing postoperative AKI is comparable with that in patients with small blood loss volume.

Resumo Justificativa: O presente estudo teve como objetivo examinar os fatores associados à Lesão Renal Aguda (LRA) no pós-operatório, centrando-se na hipotensão e perda de sangue intraoperatórias. Método: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de pâncreas entre Janeiro de 2013 e Dezembro de 2018. O desfecho primário foi ocorrência de LRA em até 7 dias após a cirurgia e o secundário, o tempo de hospitalização. A análise multivariada foi usada para determinar os fatores explicativos associados à LRA; a interação entre o valor integrado da hipotensão e volume de perda de sangue foi avaliada. As diferenças no tempo de hospitalização foram comparadas pelo teste U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Dos 274 pacientes, 22 pacientes apresentaram LRA. A raiz cúbica da área sob a pressão arterial média intraoperatória < 65 mmHg (Odds Ratio = 1,21; Intervalo de Confiança de 95% 1,01-1,45; p = 0,038) e volume de perda sanguínea > 500 mL (Odds Ratio = 3,81; Intervalo de Confiança de 95% 1,51-9,58; p = 0,005) estavam independentemente associados à lesão renal aguda. A interação entre hipotensão arterial média e volume de perda sanguínea em relação à lesão renal aguda apontou o modelo como significante (p < 0,0001) com efeito de interação (p = 0,0003). A LRA não apresentou relação significante com o tempo de hospitalização (19 vs. 28 dias, p = 0,09). Conclusões: A área sob hipotensão arterial e o volume de perda sanguínea > 500 mL no intraoperatório apresentaram associação com LRA no pós-operatório. Entretanto, se a pressão arterial média se mantém, mesmo em pacientes com grande volume de perda sanguínea, o risco de desenvolver LRA no pós-operatório é comparável ao risco dos pacientes com pequeno volume de perda sanguínea.

Transesophageal echocardiography in perioperative period guiding the decision making during hemodynamic instability due to atrial fibrillation / Uso da ecocardiografia transesofágica no período perioperatório orientando a tomada de decisão durante a instabilidade hemodinâmica desencadeada por fibrilação atrial

Abstract Background and objective: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, which may occur during the perioperative period and lead to hemodynamic instability due to loss of atrial systolic function. During atrial fibrillation management, electrical cardioversion is one of the therapeutic options in the presence of hemodynamic instability; however, it exposes the patient to thromboembolic event risks. Transesophageal echocardiography is a diagnostic tool for thrombi in the left atrium and left atrial appendage with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing early and safe cardioversion. The present case describes the use of transesophageal echocardiography to exclude the presence of thrombi in the left atrium and left atrial appendage in a patient undergoing non-cardiac surgery with atrial fibrillation of unknown duration and hemodynamic instability. Case report: Male patient, 74 years old, hypertensive, with scheduled abdominal surgery, who upon cardiac monitoring in the operating room showed atrial fibrillation undiagnosed in preoperative electrocardiogram, but hemodynamic stable. During surgery, the patient showed hemodynamic instability requiring norepinephrine at increasing doses, with no response to heart rate control. After the end of the surgery, transesophageal echocardiography was performed with a thorough evaluation of the left atrium and left atrial appendage and pulsed Doppler analysis of the left atrial appendage with mean velocity of 45 cm.s-1. Thrombus in the left atrium and left atrial appendage and other cardiac causes for hemodynamic instability were excluded. Therefore, electrical cardioversion was performed safely. After returning to sinus rhythm, the patient showed improvement in blood pressure levels, with noradrenaline discontinuation, extubation in the operating room, and admission to the intensive care unit. Conclusion: In addition to a tool for non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring, perioperative transesophageal echocardiography may be valuable in clinical decision making. In this report, transesophageal echocardiography allowed the performance of early and safely cardioversion, with reversal of hemodynamic instability, and without thromboembolic sequelae.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A fibrilação atrial é a arritmia cardíaca mais comum, pode ocorrer durante todo período perioperatório e gerar instabilidade hemodinâmica devido à perda da função sistólica atrial. No manejo da fibrilação atrial, a cardioversão elétrica é uma das opções terapêuticas quando há instabilidade hemodinâmica, entretanto expõe o paciente a risco de eventos tromboembólicos. A ecocardiografia transesofágica é uma ferramenta que diagnostica trombos no átrio esquerdo e apêndice atrial esquerdo com alta sensibilidade e especificidade e permite a cardioversão precoce e segura. O presente caso descreve o uso da ecocardiografia transesofágica para excluir a presença de trombos no átrio esquerdo e apêndice atrial esquerdo em um paciente submetido à cirurgia não cardíaca com fibrilação atrial de duração desconhecida e instabilidade hemodinâmica. Relato de caso: Paciente, masculino, 74 anos, hipertenso, com cirurgia abdominal programada, que à monitoração cardíaca em sala operatória apresentava ritmo de fibrilação atrial não documentada em eletrocardiograma pré-operatório, porém estável hemodinamicamente. Durante a cirurgia, apresentou instabilidade hemodinâmica com necessidade de noradrenalina em doses crescentes, sem resposta ao controle de frequência cardíaca. Após o término da cirurgia, a ecocardiografia transesofágica foi feita com uma avaliação minuciosa do átrio esquerdo e apêndice atrial esquerdo e análise Doppler pulsado do apêndice atrial esquerdo com velocidade média de 45 cm.s-1. Foram excluídos trombo em átrio esquerdo e apêndice atrial esquerdo e outras causas cardíacas para instabilidade hemodinâmica. Dessa forma, foi feita cardioversão elétrica com segurança. Após retorno ao ritmo sinusal, o paciente apresentou melhoria dos níveis pressóricos com retirada da noradrenalina, extubação em sala operatória e transferência para unidade de terapia intensiva. Conclusão: Além de ferramenta para monitoração hemodinâmica pouco invasiva, a ecocardiografia transesofágica no perioperatório pode ser valiosa na tomada de decisões clínicas. Nesse relato, a ecocardiografia transesofágica permitiu que a cardioversão fosse feita precocemente e com segurança, revertendo o quadro de instabilidade hemodinâmica sem sequelas tromboembólicas.

[Transesophageal echocardiography in perioperative period guiding the decision making during hemodynamic instability due to atrial fibrillation]. / Uso da ecocardiografia transesofágica no período perioperatório orientando a tomada de decisão durante a instabilidade hemodinâmica desencadeada por fibrilação atrial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, which may occur during the perioperative period and lead to hemodynamic instability due to loss of atrial systolic function. During atrial fibrillation management, electrical cardioversion is one of the therapeutic options in the presence of hemodynamic instability; however, it exposes the patient to thromboembolic event risks. Transesophageal echocardiography is a diagnostic tool for thrombi in the left atrium and left atrial appendage with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing early and safe cardioversion. The present case describes the use of transesophageal echocardiography to exclude the presence of thrombi in the left atrium and left atrial appendage in a patient undergoing non-cardiac surgery with atrial fibrillation of unknown duration and hemodynamic instability. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 74 years old, hypertensive, with scheduled abdominal surgery, who upon cardiac monitoring in the operating room showed atrial fibrillation undiagnosed in preoperative electrocardiogram, but hemodynamic stable. During surgery, the patient showed hemodynamic instability requiring norepinephrine at increasing doses, with no response to heart rate control. After the end of the surgery, transesophageal echocardiography was performed with a thorough evaluation of the left atrium and left atrial appendage and pulsed Doppler analysis of the left atrial appendage with mean velocity of 45cm.s-1. Thrombus in the left atrium and left atrial appendage and other cardiac causes for hemodynamic instability were excluded. Therefore, electrical cardioversion was performed safely. After returning to sinus rhythm, the patient showed improvement in blood pressure levels, with noradrenaline discontinuation, extubation in the operating room, and admission to the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: In addition to a tool for non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring, perioperative transesophageal echocardiography may be valuable in clinical decision making. In this report, transesophageal echocardiography allowed the performance of early and safely cardioversion, with reversal of hemodynamic instability, and without thromboembolic sequelae.

Feocromocitoma quístico gigante: reporte de un caso / Pheochromocytoma giant cystic: a case report

El feocromocitoma quístico gigante es tumor adrenal raro en el que predomina el curso asintomático; por lo que muchos de los casos no son diagnosticados hasta el momento de la cirugía. La simple movilización del tumor se asocia con el paso a la sangre de grandes cantidades de catecolaminas y a una elevada morbimortalidad.; por esta razón la cirugía per se y su manejo perioperatorio constituyen un enorme desafío. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un feocromocitoma gigante maligno (35 cm) que ocupaba todo el hemiabdomen derecho. Aun con el diagnóstico preoperatorio de feocromocitoma, el bloqueo farmacológico preoperatorio y las medidas intraoperatorias, el paciente falleció poco antes de que finalizara la cirugía.

The giant cystic pheochromocytoma is a rare adrenal tumor in the predominantly asymptomatic course; so many cases are not diagnosed until the time of surgery. The simple mobilization of the tumor is associated with the passage to the blood of large amounts of catecholamines and high morbidity and mortality. So the surgery itself and perioperative management are a huge challenge. This article describes the case of a malignant giant pheochromocytoma (35 cm) which occupied the entire right abdomen. Even with the preoperative diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, pharmacological blockade preoperative and intraoperative measures, the patient died shortly before the end of surgery.

[Pheochromocytoma giant cystic: a case report]. / Feocromocitoma quístico gigante: reporte de un caso.

The giant cystic pheochromocytoma is a rare adrenal tumor in the predominantly asymptomatic course; so many cases are not diagnosed until the time of surgery. The simple mobilization of the tumor is associated with the passage to the blood of large amounts of catecholamines and high morbidity and mortality. So the surgery itself and perioperative management are a huge challenge. This article describes the case of a malignant giant pheochromocytoma (35 cm) which occupied the entire right abdomen. Even with the preoperative diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, pharmacological blockade preoperative and intraoperative measures, the patient died shortly before the end of surgery.

Severe fat embolism in perioperative abdominal liposuction and fat grafting / Embolia gordurosa grave no peroperatório de lipoaspiração abdominal e lipoenxertia

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism syndrome may occur in patients suffering from multiple trauma (long bone fractures) or plastic surgery (liposuction), compromising the circulatory, respiratory and/or central nervous systems. This report shows the evolution of severe fat embolism syndrome after liposuction and fat grafting. CASE REPORT: SSS, 42 years old, ASA 1, no risk factors for thrombosis, candidate for abdominal liposuction and breast implant prosthesis. Subjected to balanced general anesthesia with basic monitoring and controlled ventilation. After 45 min of procedure, there was a sudden and gradual decrease of capnometry, severe hypoxemia and hypotension. The patient was immediately monitored for MAP and central catheter, treated with vasopressors, inotropes, and crystalloid infusion, stabilizing her condition. Arterial blood sample showed pH = 7.21; PCO2 = 51 mmHg; PO2 = 52 mmHg; BE = -8; HCO3 = 18 mEq L-1, and lactate = 6.0 mmol L-1. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed PASP = 55 mmHg, hypocontractile VD and LVEF = 60%. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. After 24 h of intensive treatment, the patient developed anisocoria and coma (Glasgow coma scale = 3). A brain CT was performed which showed severe cerebral hemispheric ischemia with signs of fat emboli in right middle cerebral artery; transesophageal echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Finally, after 72 h of evolution, the patient progressed to brain death. CONCLUSION: Fat embolism syndrome usually occurs in young people. Treatment is based mainly on the infusion of fluids and vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, and triggering factor correction (early fixation of fractures or suspension of liposuction). The multiorgânico involvement indicates a worse prognosis.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A Síndrome da Embolia Gordurosa (SEG) pode acontecer em pacientes vítimas de politrauma (fratura de ossos longos) ou operações plásticas (lipoaspiração), comprometendo circulação, respiração e/ou sistema nervoso central. O presente relato mostra evolução de SEG grave após lipoaspiração e lipoenxertia. RELATO DO CASO: SSS, 42 anos, ASA 1, sem fatores de risco para trombose, candidata a lipoaspiração abdominal e implante de prótese mamária. Submetida à anestesia geral balanceada com monitorização básica e ventilação controlada. Após 45 minutos de procedimento, houve queda súbita e progressiva da capnometria, hipoxemia e hipotensão grave. Imediatamente foi monitorizada com PAM e cateter central, tratada com vasopressores, inotrópicos e infusão de cristaloides, obtendo estabilização do quadro. Amostra sanguínea arterial mostrou pH = 7,21; PCO2 = 51 mmHg; PO2 = 52 mmHg; BE = -8; HCO3 = 18 mEQ/l e lactato = 6,0 mmol/l. Ecocardiograma transtorácico mostrou PSAP = 55 mmHg, VD hipocontrátil e FEVE = 60%. Diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar. Após24 h de tratamento intensivo, a paciente evoluiu com anisocoria e coma com escala de glasgow 3. Realizada TC de encéfalo que evidenciou isquemia cerebral grave, hemisférica, com sinais de êmbolos de gordura em A. cerebral média D; o ecocardiograma transesofágico mostrou forame oval patente. Finalmente, após 72 h de evolução, a paciente evoluiu para morte encefálica. CONCLUSÃO: A SEG ocorre geralmente em jovens. O tratamento baseia-se principalmente na infusão de líquidos e drogas vasoativas, ventilação mecânica e correção do fator desencadeante (fixação precoce de fraturas ou suspensão da lipoaspiração). O comprometimento multiorgânico indica pior prognóstico.

Severe fat embolism in perioperative abdominal liposuction and fat grafting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism syndrome may occur in patients suffering from multiple trauma (long bone fractures) or plastic surgery (liposuction), compromising the circulatory, respiratory and/or central nervous systems. This report shows the evolution of severe fat embolism syndrome after liposuction and fat grafting. CASE REPORT: SSS, 42 years old, ASA 1, no risk factors for thrombosis, candidate for abdominal liposuction and breast implant prosthesis. Subjected to balanced general anesthesia with basic monitoring and controlled ventilation. After 45min of procedure, there was a sudden and gradual decrease of capnometry, severe hypoxemia and hypotension. The patient was immediately monitored for MAP and central catheter, treated with vasopressors, inotropes, and crystalloid infusion, stabilizing her condition. Arterial blood sample showed pH=7.21; PCO2=51mmHg; PO2=52mmHg; BE=-8; HCO3=18mEqL(-1), and lactate=6.0mmolL(-1). Transthoracic echocardiogram showed PASP=55mmHg, hypocontractile VD and LVEF=60%. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. After 24h of intensive treatment, the patient developed anisocoria and coma (Glasgow coma scale=3). A brain CT was performed which showed severe cerebral hemispheric ischemia with signs of fat emboli in right middle cerebral artery; transesophageal echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Finally, after 72h of evolution, the patient progressed to brain death. CONCLUSION: Fat embolism syndrome usually occurs in young people. Treatment is based mainly on the infusion of fluids and vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, and triggering factor correction (early fixation of fractures or suspension of liposuction). The multiorgânico involvement indicates a worse prognosis.

Acute myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery.

Over 230 million surgeries are performed annually worldwide, cardiac complications being the most common causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. As life expectancy has extended worldwide, a growing number of patients with multiple comorbidities have undergone noncardiac surgeries. Consequently, cardiovascular complications associated with those procedures are expected to increase, and perioperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI) might become a frequent problem. In Brazil, the number of noncardiac surgical procedures has also increased, and approximately three million surgeries are performed annually. Despite advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques, mortality and costs related to those procedures have also increased, thus, requiring the development of strategies to reduce mortality(4). The occurrence of perioperative AMI prolongs the need for intensive care and the hospital length of stay, increases the cost of hospitalization, and reduces long-term survival. This literature review approaches the pathophysiology, incidence, diagnosis and treatment of perioperative AMI based on current evidence.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio após operações não cardíacas / Acute myocardial infarction after noncardiac surgery

Em todo o mundo, são realizadas mais de 230 milhões de operações por ano e as complicações cardíacas são as causas mais comuns de morbidade e mortalidade pós-operatórias. Com o aumento da expectativa de vida da população mundial, um número crescente de pacientes com múltiplas comorbidades tem sido submetido a operações não cardíacas. Em consequência, é esperado um aumento de complicações cardiovasculares associadas a tais procedimentos e o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) perioperatório poderá se tornar um problema frequente. No Brasil, o número de operações não cardíacas também está aumentando, sendo realizadas aproximadamente três milhões de cirurgias por ano. Apesar dos avanços nas técnicas cirúrgicas e anestésicas, a mortalidade e o custo relacionados a estes procedimentos também estão aumentando, sendo fundamental o desenvolvimento de estratégias para a redução da mortalidade. A ocorrência de um IAM perioperatório prolonga a necessidade de terapia intensiva, a estadia hospitalar, aumenta o custo da internação e diminui a sobrevida a longo prazo. Esta revisão aborda a fisiopatologia, a incidência, o diagnóstico e o tratamento do IAM perioperatório, baseado nas evidências atuais.

Over 230 million surgeries are performed annually worldwide, cardiac complications being the most common causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. As life expectancy has extended worldwide, a growing number of patients with multiple comorbidities have undergone noncardiac surgeries. Consequently, cardiovascular complications associated with those procedures are expected to increase, and perioperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI) might become a frequent problem. In Brazil, the number of noncardiac surgical procedures has also increased, and approximately three million surgeries are performed annually. Despite advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques, mortality and costs related to those procedures have also increased, thus, requiring the development of strategies to reduce mortality4. The occurrence of perioperative AMI prolongs the need for intensive care and the hospital length of stay, increases the cost of hospitalization, and reduces long-term survival. This literature review approaches the pathophysiology, incidence, diagnosis and treatment of perioperative AMI based on current evidence.

Intraoperative hypotension, new onset atrial fibrillation, and adverse outcome after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding predisposing factors, frequency, and prognostic implications of new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is scarce. We assessed the frequency, risk factors, and the prognostic impact of NOAF after CEA. METHODS: We assessed every patient undergoing CEA (n = 186) at our academic hospital between 2006 and 2009. Patients underwent continuous electrocardiographic monitoring during surgery and during the rest of hospital stay. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses for identifying variables associated with NOAF and for individualizing variables related to four perioperative adverse outcome measures: a) ischemic stroke; b) ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, c) ischemic stroke and death, and d) ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 186 patients. Overall, NOAF was detected in 7 cases (3.8%). The only variable associated with NOAF was intraoperative hypotension (OR 9.6, 95% CI 1.9-47.4, P = .006). There were no perioperative deaths. NOAF was associated with perioperative ischemic stroke and with the combined outcome of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: We found a low frequency of NOAF after CEA. Intraoperative hypotension was associated to a higher risk of NOAF. In turn, NOAF was related to adverse postoperative outcome. Further research is needed to clarify the pathophysiological relation between intraoperative hypotension, NOAF, and adverse CEA outcome.

Transcranial electrocortical stimulation to monitor the facial nerve motor function during cerebellopontine angle surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the success rate of using the facial motor evoked potential (FMEP) of orbicularis oculi and oris muscles for facial nerve function monitoring with use of a stepwise protocol, and its usefulness in predicting facial nerve outcome during cerebellopontine angle (CPA) surgeries. METHODS: FMEPs were recorded intraoperatively from 60 patients undergoing CPA surgeries. Transcranial electrocortical stimulation (TES) was performed using corkscrew electrodes positioned at hemispheric montage (C3/C4 and CZ). The contralateral abductor pollicis brevis muscle was used as the control response. Stimulation was always applied contralaterally to the affected side using 1, 3, or 5 rectangular pulses ranging from 200 to 600 V with 50 micros of pulse duration and an interstimulus interval of 2 ms. Facial potentials were recorded from needles placed in the orbicularis oculi and oris muscles. RESULTS: FMEP from the orbicularis oris and oculi muscles could be reliably monitored in 86.7% and 85% of the patients, respectively. The immediate postoperative facial function correlated significantly with the FMEP ratio in the orbicularis oculi muscle at 80% amplitude ratio (P = .037) and orbicularis oris muscle at 35% ratio (P = .000). FMEP loss was always related to postoperative facial paresis, although in different degrees. CONCLUSION: FMEPs can be obtained reliably by using TES with 3 to 5 train pulses. Stable intraoperative FMEPs can predict a good postoperative outcome of facial function. However, further refinements of this technique are necessary to minimize artifacts and to make this method more reliable.

A radiological investigation of the hepatorenal space: the importance of the ventral decubitus for safer percutaneous right renal access.

We investigated anatomical and radiological morphometric parameters, aiming to minimize the risk of hepatic and colonic injuries during right percutaneous kidney access under either ventral or dorsal decubitus of patients. Prone and supine abdominal computerized tomographic examinations from 31 normal adult volunteers (men = 12; women = 19; without history of abdominal pathology) were analyzed morphometrically in order to study the dynamic anatomical relations between the liver and the right kidney. The age of the volunteers ranged from 22 to 64 years old (mean +/- SD = 42.77 +/- 2.10). We observed a significantly greater distance between the liver and the right kidney (hepatorenal space) when the examinee is positioned in ventral decubitus (3.93 +/- 0.37 cm) in comparison with dorsal decubitus (1.98 +/- 0.20 cm). Accordingly, we conclude that right percutaneous access to the inferior right renal pole implies a significantly lower risk (P < 0.01) of both hepatic and biliary injuries when performed in ventral decubitus, comparatively to dorsal decubitus.

Influence of tissue perfusion on the outcome of surgical patients who need blood transfusion.

PURPOSE: The aim this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients needing intra-operative blood transfusion by tissue perfusion markers. METHODS: A prospective single center cohort study. Adult patients needing blood transfusion during the intra-operative period were recruited. RESULTS: This study included 61 patients. At the time of blood transfusion the hemoglobin level was 8.4+/-1.8 g/dL. Scv02 has been the best tissue perfusion marker to determine mortality, compared with hematemetric values and other tissue perfusion markers, with a cut-off point at ROC curve equal to 80% (AUC=0.75; sensitivity=80%; specificity=65.2%). Patients who received blood transfusion and had Scv02 80% (N=32), had lower mortality rates (12.5% vs. 47.1%; p=0.008) and lower incidence of postoperative complications (58.9% vs. 72.9%; p=0.06). Blood transfusion with a Scv02 80%, are associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Migration of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to the right atrium: complications in the intraoperative period of liver transplantation.

This article reports the case of a patient who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, which migrated to the right atrium. During liver transplantation, the extracardiac portion was sectioned and the portion adherent inside the atrium was managed expectantly.

Facial-zygomatic triangle: a relationship between the extracranial portion of facial nerve and the zygomatic arch.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to clarify the relationships between the extracranial portion of the facial nerve (EFN) and the zygomatic arch (ZA). METHOD: Four cadaveric heads (8 parotid regions), examined under 3-40x magnification, were dissected from lateral to medial to expose the EFN. FINDINGS: In a vertical plane just anterior to the tragus, the distance from the superior edge of the ZA to the facial nerve (FN) is, on average, 26.88 mm. The FN then courses superiorly and anteriorly, crossing the ZA 18.65 mm anterior to the tragus on average. Thus, three points can be used to depict a triangle: A, at the level of the anterior border of the tragus, just above the superior edge of the ZA; B, 26 mm below A; and C, 18 mm anterior to A. This so called facial-zygomatic triangle represents the area where surgical dissection can be performed with no risk of damaging the FN. Thus, the closer one stays to the tragus, the lesser the risk of damaging the FN below the ZA. If the incision is carried out on a vertical plane closer to the tragus, the skin can be safely cut up to 2 cm below the ZA. CONCLUSION: The facial-zygomatic triangle is a very useful superficial landmark to avoid FN damage when working below the ZA.

Evaluación de función diastólica intraoperatoria con ecocardiografía transesofágica: ¿es útil? / Intraoperative diastolic dysfunction as a risk factor for hemodynamic instability

Background: Diastolic function can be evaluated intraoperatively using transesoptiageal echocardiography. Aim: To study if intraoperative diastolic dysfunction is associated to a greater number of hemodynamic events during surgery and during the postoperative period. Material and methods: Patients with indication of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography due to cardiovascular diseases were included in the study. Diastolic function was assessed measuring transmitral intraventricular filling delay and pulmonary vein now. Patients were divided, according to diastolic dysfunction, in those with derangements in relaxation, pseudonormalization and restrictive patterns. Hypertension, hypotension, ST segment depression, alterations in myocardial contractility, pulmonary congestion and postoperative oliguria were recorded. Results: Fifty eight patients aged 68± 12 years (39 males), were studied. Forty four had diastolic dysfunction. Intraoperative hypotension occurred in 82 percent of patients with diastolic dysfunction and 16 percent of patients without it. Likewise, hypotension and oliguria during the postoperative period were more common in patients with diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions: In this group of patients with cardiovascular disease, intraoperative diastolic dysfunction is a risk factor for hemodynamic instability.