Search

Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is nowadays a routine therapy for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high perioperative risk. With growing experience, further development of the devices, and the expansion to "intermediate-risk" patients, there is increasing interest in performing this procedure under conscious sedation (TAVI-S) rather than the previously favoured approach of general anesthesia (TAVI-GA). The proposed benefits of TAVI-S include; reduced procedure time, shorter intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, reduced need for intraprocedural vasopressor support, and the potential to perform the procedure without the direct presence of an anesthetist for cost-saving reasons. To date, no randomized trial data exists. We reviewed 13 non-randomized studies/registries reporting data from 6,718 patients undergoing TAVI (3,227 performed under sedation). Patient selection, study methods, and endpoints have differed considerably between published studies. Reported rates of in-hospital and longer-term mortality are similar for both groups. Up to 17% of patients undergoing TAVI-S require conversion to general anesthesia during the procedure, primarily due to vascular complications, and urgent intubation is frequently associated with hemodynamic instability. Procedure related factors, including hypotension, may compound preexisting age-specific renal impairment and enhance the risk of acute kidney injury. Hypotonia of the hypopharyngeal muscles in elderly patients, intraprocedural hypercarbia, and certain anesthetic drugs, may increase the aspiration risk in sedated patients. General anesthesia and conscious sedation have both been used successfully to treat patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI with similar reported short and long-term mortality outcomes. The authors believe that the significant incidence of complications and unplanned conversion to general anesthesia during TAVI-S mandates the start-to-finish presence of an experienced cardiac anesthetist in order to optimize patient outcomes. Good quality randomized data is needed to determine the optimal anesthetic regimen for patients undergoing TAVI.

Although cephalosporins are recommended as primary agents, moxifloxacin may be a suitable second-line antibiotic in cardiac surgery, especially if additional Gram-negative coverage is warranted. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may alter the pharmacokinetics of drugs in numerous ways. Since no such data exist, the aim of this study was to assess the serum concentrations and pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Fourteen coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients received an intravenous infusion of 400 mg moxifloxacin as peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis. At 15 time points throughout a 24-h period, serum samples were obtained to measure moxifloxacin concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, a non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis, i.e. area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), volume of distribution at steady state (V(SS)), drug clearance (CL), elimination half-life (t(1/2)) and mean residence time (MRT), was performed in five patients. Apart from a slight transient decrease in moxifloxacin concentration at the onset, CPB did not affect the concentration-time curve. Mean ± standard deviation maximum drug concentration (C(max)) (5.12 ± 1.58 μg/mL), AUC (36.5 ± 5.40 μgh/mL), VSS (2.03 ± 0.30 L/kg), CL (11.2 ± 1.91 L/h), t(1/2) (9.47 ± 0.92 h) and MRT (12.9 ± 1.52 h) were comparable with historical data for healthy volunteers. We conclude that CPB does not alter the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin. No dose adjustments, especially with regard to the CPB circuit and its priming volume, are necessary in cardiac surgical patients., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.)

Background: Once aprotinin was no longer available for clinical use, ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid became the only two options for antifibrinolytic therapy. We compared aprotinin and EACA with respect to their blood-sparing efficacy and other major clinical outcome criteria in infants undergoing cardiac surgery., Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from a large consecutive cohort of infants (n=227) aged 31-365 days undergoing primary cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass encompassing the transition from aprotinin to EACA (aprotinin n=88, EACA n=139); all other aspects including the medical team and departmental protocols remained unchanged. The primary outcome was postoperative blood loss measured as chest tube output (CTO). Secondary outcome parameters were transfusion requirements, reoperation due to bleeding, renal, vascular, and neurological complications, and in-hospital mortality., Results: CTO was significantly higher in the EACA patients {aprotinin 18 (13-27) ml kg(-1) 24 h(-1), EACA 23 (15-37) ml kg(-1) 24 h(-1) [mean (inter-quartile range)], P=0.001}, but transfusion requirements and donor exposures were not significantly different. A sensitivity analysis strengthened our finding that the increased blood loss in the EACA group was attributable to lower efficacy of EACA. There were no significant differences in the other clinical outcome measures., Conclusions: CTO was lower in aprotinin-treated patients. Nonetheless, EACA remains a suitable substitute without measurable differences in other clinical outcome criteria.

Objective: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are widely used to increase survival of patients with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Despite these experiences only few data exist dealing with SCA at the workplace or AED usage in the occupational setting., Methods: In a pilot study, occupational physicians throughout Germany were contacted and queried about the utilization of AED and the primary success rate (return of spontaneous circulation; ROSC)., Results: Of 232 occupational physicians, 155 (67%) stated that the enterprise provided at least one AED. Overall, 63 AED utilizations were analyzed. An ROSC was reported in 42 patients (67%). In 48% (n = 20) ROSC was established before the arrival of the EMS., Conclusion: Our study showed a high proportion of patients with ROSC after SCA. Increased attention should be turned to workplace SCA and AED programs.

Background: This prospective double-blinded randomized study tested the hypothesis that preoperative treatment with dexamethasone would attenuate inflammatory priming of the myocardium, reduce the systemic inflammatory reaction upon cardiac operation, and provide organ protection in neonates., Methods: Twenty neonates (age, 8 to 21 days) with transposition of the great arteries scheduled for arterial switch operation were included. Nine received dexamethasone (1 mg/kg body weight) 4 hours before cardiopulmonary bypass, and 11 received natrium chloride. We studied intramyocardial messenger RNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as IL-10 and expression of TNF-α on protein level in right atrial tissue taken before institution of CPB. We measured plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, and cardiac troponin T. Cytokine expression was related to postoperative outcome., Results: Pretreatment with dexamethasone led to a significant decrease in myocardial expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α messenger RNA and to a decrease in protein synthesis of TNF-α. Plasma concentrations of IL-6 were significantly lower and those of IL-10 significantly higher in pretreated patients. This was associated with lower cardiac troponin T values and lower dobutamine requirement. Levels of lipopolysaccharide binding protein were significantly higher postoperatively in pretreated neonates., Conclusions: Dexamethasone administration before arterial switch operation leads to a shift in the myocardial and systemic cytokine expression profile in neonates with transposition of the great arteries, with downregulation of proinflammatory and upregulation of antiinflammatory cytokines. Lower myocardial cell damage and lower catecholamine requirement suggest myocardial protection in treated patients., (Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the evolution of patient selection criteria for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its impact on clinical outcomes., Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that patient selection for TAVI is shifting toward lower surgical risk patients. The extent of this shift and its impact on clinical outcomes, however, are currently unknown., Methods: We conducted a single-center study that subcategorized TAVI patients into quartiles (Q1 to Q4) defined by enrollment date. These subgroups were subsequently examined for differences in baseline characteristics and 30-day and 6-month mortality rate. The relationship between quartiles and mortality rate was examined using unadjusted and adjusted (for baseline characteristics) Cox proportional hazard models., Results: Each quartile included 105 patients (n = 420). Compared with Q4 patients, Q1 patients had higher logistic EuroSCORES (25.4 ± 16.1% vs. 17.8 ± 12.0%, p < 0.001), higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores (7.1 ± 5.5% vs. 4.8 ± 2.6%, p > 0.001), and higher median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (3,495 vs. 1,730 ng/dl, p < 0.046). From Q1 to Q4, the crude 30-day and 6-month mortality rate decreased significantly from 11.4% to 3.8% (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11 to 1.01; p = 0.053) and from 23.5% to 12.4% (unadjusted HR: 0.49; 95 CI: 0.25 to 0.95; p = 0.07), respectively. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, there were no significant differences between Q1 and Q4 in 30-day mortality rate (adjusted HR ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.08 to 1.08; p = 0.07) and 6-month mortality rate (HR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.77; p = 0.42)., Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate an important paradigm shift toward the selection of lower surgical risk patients for TAVI. Significantly better clinical outcomes can be expected in lower than in higher surgical risk patients undergoing TAVI., (Copyright © 2012 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: In vitro and experimental studies in animals have established the anti-inflammatory effects of moxifloxacin. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to an inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess whether the inflammatory cytokine response to CPB is reduced with a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, either moxifloxacin or cefuroxime (the standard prophylaxis)., Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting with CPB were randomly assigned to receive either moxifloxacin or cefuroxime as the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Interleukin (IL)-6, -8, -10 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) serum concentrations were determined at eight time points before and after CPB., Results: In both groups, all cytokine concentrations significantly increased after the start of CPB. There were no statistically significant differences between the moxifloxacin and cefuroxime groups at any point; IL-6 concentrations [median (interquartile range)] 240 min after CPB, the primary endpoint, were 364 (192-598) and 465 (325-906) pg/mL (P = 0.323), respectively., Conclusions: Neither moxifloxacin nor cefuroxime produced significant attenuation of the inflammatory cytokine response to CPB. The reasons why moxifloxacin did not have significant anti-inflammatory effects in this unique clinical situation may be: (i) the inflammatory response to CPB may be different from that of infectious disease states that were used to establish the immunomodulatory effects of moxifloxacin; and (ii) a single intravenous dose, which was used in this investigation, may not lead to high enough plasma and intracellular concentrations.

Background: With the withdrawal of aprotinin from worldwide marketing in November 2007, many institutions treating patients at high risk for hyperfibrinolysis had to update their therapeutic protocols. At our institution, the standard was switched from aprotinin to ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) in all patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation including neonates. Although both antifibrinolytic medications have been used widely for many years, there are few data directly comparing their blood-sparing effect and their side-effects especially in neonates., Methods: Perioperative data from 235 neonates aged up to 30 days undergoing primary cardiac surgery were analysed. Between July 1, 2006 and November 5, 2007, all patients (n=95) received aprotinin. Starting November 6, 2007 until December 31, 2009, all patients (n=140) were treated with EACA. The primary outcome criterion was blood loss; secondary outcome criteria were transfusion requirements, renal, vascular, and neurological complications and also in-hospital mortality., Results: All descriptive and intraoperative data variable were similar. Blood loss was significantly higher in the EACA group (P=0.001), but there was no difference in the rate of re-operation for bleeding (P=0.218) nor the number of transfusions. There were no differences in the incidences of postoperative renal, neurological, and vascular events or in-hospital mortality., Conclusions: In neonatal patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the switch to EACA treatment led to a higher postoperative blood loss. However, there were no differences in transfusion requirements or major clinical outcomes.

Background: ε-Aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) are used for antifibrinolytic therapy in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery, although data directly comparing their blood-sparing efficacy are not yet available. We compared two consecutive cohorts of neonates for the effect of these two medications on perioperative blood loss and allogeneic transfusions., Material and Methods: Data from the EACA group (n = 77) were collected over a 12-month period; data from the tranexamic acid group (n = 28) were collected over a 5-month period. Blood loss, rate of reoperation due to bleeding, and transfusion requirements were measured., Results: There was no significant difference in blood loss at 6 hours (EACA 24 [17-30] mL/kg [median (interquartile range)] vs. TXA 20 [11-34] mL/kg, P = 0.491), at 12 hours (EACA 31 [22-38] mL/kg vs. TXA 27 [19-43] ml/kg, P = 0.496) or at 24 hours postoperatively (EACA 41 [31-47] mL/kg vs. TXA 39 [27-60] mL/kg; P = 0.625) or transfusion of blood products., Conclusions: ε-Aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are equally effective with respect to perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in newborns undergoing cardiac surgery., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: Although the lysine analogs tranexamic acid (TXA) and aminocaproic acid (EACA) are used widely for antifibrinolytic therapy in cardiac surgery, relatively little research has been performed on their safety profiles, especially in the setting of cardiac surgery. Two antifibrinolytic protocols using either TXA or aminocaproic acid were compared according to postoperative outcome., Design: A retrospective analysis., Setting: A university-affiliated hospital., Participants: Six hundred four patients undergoing cardiac surgery., Interventions: One cohort of 275 consecutive patients received TXA; a second cohort of 329 consecutive patients was treated with EACA. Except for antifibrinolytic therapy, the anesthetic and surgical teams and their protocols remained unchanged., Measurements and Main Results: Besides major outcome criteria, namely postoperative bleeding, the need for allogeneic transfusions, operative revision because of bleeding, postoperative renal dysfunction, neurologic events, heart failure, and in-hospital mortality, the authors specifically sought differences between the groups concerning seizures. The 2 cohorts were comparable over a range of perioperative factors. Postoperative seizures occurred significantly more frequently in TXA patients (7.6% v 3.3%, p = 0.019), whereas EACA patients had a higher incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction (20.0% v 30.1%, p = 0.005). There were no differences in all other measured major outcome factors., Conclusion: Both lysine analogs are associated with significant side effects, which must be taken into account when performing risk-benefit analyses of their use. Their use should be restricted to patients at high risk for bleeding; routine use on low-risk patients undergoing standard surgeries should face renewed critical reappraisal., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We compared the annulus diameters measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)., Background: In TAVI correct evaluation of the aortic annulus is mandatory to choose the correct prosthesis type and size and to prevent complications. There is no gold standard for the assessment of aortic annulus diameters., Methods: Preoperative assessment of the aortic annulus with TTE, TEE, and DSCT was performed in 187 consecutive patients referred for TAVI between June 2007 and May 2009., Results: The mean aortic annuli were 22.6 ± 2.0 mm measured with DSCT, 22.3 ± 2.5 mm with TTE, and 22.9 ± 2.2 mm with TEE. Despite a strong correlation between the measurement techniques, relevant statistical spread occurred with differences up to 3 mm in all measurement methods. Inter- and intraobserver variability was good for TEE and less satisfactory for DSCT measurements. TEE measurements taken as decisive parameter for the implantation changed the implantation strategy in 15.5% of patients and did not show an increased rate of procedural complications., Conclusion: Despite a strong correlation, the measurement techniques for the aortic annulus show relevant statistical spread, consequently one measurement technique cannot definitely predict another. TEE measurements show a more satisfactory intra- and interobserver variability than DSCT. Taking TEE annulus measurements as decisive parameter for the implantation has an impact on the implantation strategy and is safe with a low rate of procedural complications., (Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: A shortage of blood products is predicted for the near future in many countries all over the world. Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) in cardiac surgery is considered an option to reduce the need of allogeneic blood products. We analysed a 1-year period of our institutional database according to the safety and efficiency of our autologous blood donation programme., Methods: All patients who donated autologous blood prior to cardiac surgery were matched to a non-donor according to age, body weight, body mass index, sex, haemoglobin concentration, EuroSCORE, antifibrinolytic therapy and risk for bleeding. We analysed the occurrence of adverse effects during donation in all donors as well as the main perioperative data, haemoglobin levels and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in all patients., Results: There were no major cardiac events such as myocardial infarction, worsened cardiac insufficiency or death in the donor group during the PABD process. A total of 216 patients could be matched. Exposure to allogeneic blood products was significantly reduced in the donor group (packed red cells 70 patients (pts) vs 118 pts (p<0.001), fresh frozen plasma 26 pts vs 54 pts (p=0.001), platelets 10 pts vs 22 pts (p=ns)). There were no reports of transfusion-related side effects. Further, there was no difference in haemoglobin concentrations at postoperative day 1 and at discharge., Conclusions: In this large matched-pair analysis without the need for risk stratification, PABD reduces the need for allogeneic blood products in adult cardiac surgery. In a carefully selected cohort, PABD is a safe and efficient alternative to allogeneic transfusion., (Copyright 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Recently, the safety of aprotinin administration during open-heart surgery has been debated. The aim of the study was to compare the blood sparing effect and the side effects of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in paediatric cardiac surgery patients., Methods: Perioperative data of 199 consecutive patients weighing less than 20kg undergoing open-heart cardiac surgery were prospectively collected between September 2005 and June 2006. During the first 5 months, 85 patients received aprotinin (group A); in the next 5 months, 114 patients were treated with tranexamic acid (group T). Except for antifibrinolytic therapy, the anaesthesiological and surgical protocols remained unchanged. Postoperative complications and in-hospital and 1-year mortality were considered as outcome parameters., Results: The descriptive parameters and the intraoperative parameters were well comparable in the two groups. The blood loss was significantly lower in group A compared to group T at 6h [55 (35-82.5) vs 70 (45-100)ml, p=0.031], but not at 12 and 24h after operation. The incidence [9 (11%) vs 25 (22%), p=0.035] and the amount of red blood cell transfusion during the first 24h after surgery were also significantly lower in group A (0.1+/-0.4 vs 0.3+/-0.6 unit, p=0.036). There were significantly less rethoracotomies in group A [2 (2.4%) vs 11 (9.6%), p=0.039]. We found no difference in the incidence of the postoperative complications and in-hospital and 1-year mortality. There was a tendency for a higher incidence of seizures in group T [4 (3.5%) vs 0 (0%), p=0.14]., Conclusions: Aprotinin administration bears no additional risks compared to tranexamic acid and it has a stronger blood sparing effect in paediatric cardiac surgery. There were fewer rethoracotomies and less postoperative red blood cell transfusion in patients who received aprotinin.

Retrograde transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was successfully performed in an 80-year-old woman who had critical aortic stenosis but had no conventional access available because of severe calcifications of the femoral, iliac, and subclavian arteries. The TAVI procedure was performed with the CoreValve ReValving System. The currently available results obtained with TAVI show that such approaches provide significant clinical improvement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and unacceptable risk or contraindications for surgery. The ascending aorta approach might help to expand the implantation possibilities for those patients for whom the typical access sites are not available.

Background: Our aim was to investigate postoperative complications and mortality after administration of aprotinin compared to tranexamic acid in an unselected, consecutive cohort., Methods: Perioperative data from consecutive cardiac surgery patients were prospectively collected between September 2005 and June 2006 in a university-affiliated clinic (n = 1188). During the first 5 mo, 596 patients received aprotinin (Group A); in the next 5 mo, 592 patients were treated with tranexamic acid (Group T). Except for antifibrinolytic therapy, the anesthetic and surgical protocols remained unchanged., Results: The pre- and intraoperative variables were comparable between the treatment groups. Postoperatively, a significantly higher incidence of seizures was found in Group T (4.6% vs 1.2%, P < 0.001). This difference was also significant in the primary valve surgery and the high risk surgery subgroups (7.9% vs 1.2%, P = 0.003; 7.3% vs 2.4%, P = 0.035, respectively). Persistent atrial fibrillation (7.9% vs 2.3%, P = 0.020) and renal failure (9.7% vs 1.7%, P = 0.002) were also more common in Group T, in the primary valve surgery subgroup. On the contrary, among primary coronary artery bypass surgery patients, there were more acute myocardial infarctions and renal dysfunction in Group A (5.8% vs 2.0%, P = 0.027; 22.5% vs 15.2%, P = 0.036, respectively). The 1-yr mortality was significantly higher after aprotinin treatment in the high risk surgery group (17.7% vs 9.8%, P = 0.034)., Conclusion: Both antifibrinolytic drugs bear the risk of adverse outcome depending on the type of cardiac surgery. Administration of aprotinin should be avoided in coronary artery bypass graft and high risk patients, whereas administration of tranexamic acid is not recommended in valve surgery.

Objective: The systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) possibly increases microvascular permeability to plasma proteins, leading to capillary leak syndrome. The study was conducted to elucidate any protein leakage in newborns using Evans blue dye as tracer., Design: Prospective controlled study., Setting: University-affiliated heart center., Participants: Eleven neonates with transposition of the great arteries., Interventions: Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, fractional escape rate (FER) of an intravenous bolus of Evans blue, and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) were assessed before and after surgery (statistics: median and 25th-75th percentile, Friedman's 2-way analysis of variance, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test [before and after surgery])., Measurements and Main Results: All patients had an uneventful intraoperative course. The demographic and operative data were age 11 (10-13) days, body weight 3.2 (3.0-3.3) kg, CPB time 132 (123-144) minutes, and aortic cross-clamp time 66 (64-78) minutes. The proinflammatory IL-6 increased 60-fold and the anti-inflammatory IL-10 only 3-fold after CPB. FER, however, was not changed, whereas COP was significantly reduced after CPB., Conclusions: In contrast to the expectation, the escape rate of Evans blue, reflecting the extravasation of albumin, was not increased after CPB. However, reduced COP, hypothermia, and also a reduced lymphatic drainage may contribute to edema formation. The present data do not support the hypothesis of a capillary leak after CPB in newborns.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using radial arteries has become a standard procedure for younger patients in many centers. However, advanced atherosclerotic changes may limit its use in older patients. We studied the effects of age on morphologic and histopathologic findings in CABG patients aged 70 years and older., Methods: In 31 consecutive patients aged 70-85 (mean 77+/-8 years) scheduled for elective CABG, the left or right radial artery (RA) was used to graft the second target vessel (first graft: LIMA-LAD). Preoperative Doppler flow and Allen's test were satisfactory. Intraoperatively the distal segment adjacent to the anastomosis site of the RA was collected for histologic evaluation. Intraoperative angiography, measurement of flow, and resistance index (PI) were performed to document graft quality. Histopathology and morphometry were used to measure intimal and medial areas (IA, MA; microm2), intimal thickening index (ITI), relation between intimal and medial width at maximum intimal thickness (IMR), and percentage of luminal narrowing (%LN)., Results: The RA showed no evidence for stenosis of the conduits or the anastomosis. In all grafts flow and PI were satisfactory (76+/-14 ml/min; PI: 2.2+/-0.9). Histopathology and morphometry showed atherosclerotic changes in all RA grafts: IA: 890+/-971 (range 286-5244), MA: 2751+/-818 (range 1357-4989), ITI: 0.26+/-0.09 (range 0.12-0.44), IMR: 0.59+/-0.28 (range 0.21-1.13) %LN: 38+/-5 (range 13.2-61.7). Age as well as classic risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia did not correlate with RA atherosclerosis., Conclusions: Excellent macroscopic and angiographic results were obtained. All grafts used showed minor to moderate atherosclerotic changes without severely altered indices of intimal thickening or luminal narrowing. The radial artery must be used with caution; however, age should not be an exclusion criterion per se.

Background: The effect of reduced cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) prime volume by retrograde autologous priming (RAP) was studied., Methods: Twenty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to either standard prime (SP) volume (1,602 +/- 202 mL crystalloid prime, n = 10) or RAP (395 +/- 150 mL). RAP was performed by draining crystalloid prime from the arterial and venous lines into a recirculation bag before CPB. Cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance index, systemic vascular resistance index, alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference, pulmonary shunt fraction, extravascular lung water (EVLW), plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP), crystalloid fluid balance, body weight, and clinical parameters were evaluated perioperatively., Results: Demographic data and operative parameters were equal for patients in both groups. During CPB, COP was reduced by 55% in the SP group (9.8 +/- 2.0 vs 21.4 +/- 2.1 mm Hg) and by 41% in the RAP group (12.4 +/- 1.1 vs 20.9 +/- 1.8 mm Hg) (p = 0.008, SP vs RAP group). Compared with preoperatively, EVLW was unchanged in the RAP group 2 hours post-CPB, but it was elevated by 21% in the SP group (p = 0.002, SP vs RAP group). End-CPB crystalloid fluid balance was significantly reduced in the RAP group (1,857 +/- 521 vs 2,831 +/- 637 mL). Postoperative (day 2) weight gain in the SP group (1.5 +/- 1.2 kg, p = 0.021) was absent in the RAP group (0.1 +/- 0.9, NS). Postoperative time to full mobilization was shorter in the RAP group. Postpump cardio-respiratory function did not differ among groups., Conclusions: This small-scale pilot study indicates that by reducing crystalloid fluid administration and fall of COP during CPB, RAP reduces postpump EVLW accumulation and weight gain in uncomplicated coronary artery bypass graft patients with no associated effects on cardio-respiratory function.

The calcium sensitizer levosimendan (LEV) improves the function of stunned myocardium, cardiac performance in heart failure, and possibly the efficiency of myocardial work. The present experiments investigated the effect of LEV on myocardial contraction and metabolism of acutely ischaemic myocardium distal to a functionally effective coronary artery stenosis. Anaesthetised open chest pigs (n = 14) were instrumented to assess heart rate (HR), aortic pressure (AoP), cardiac output (CO), blood flow in the left descending (QLAD) and circumflex (QLCX) coronary artery, myocardial end-diastolic segment length and systolic shortening (edL, MSS by sonomicrometry) in the LAD- and LCX-territory. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and a myocardial power index (PowI) for the LAD- and LCX-region were calculated. Following obstruction of QLAD by an external snare proximal to the first diagonal branch LEV was given intravenously (10 + 20 + 30 microg/kg 15 min apart, n = 8) or the vehicle of LEV (n = 6). Following LEV haemodynamics and regional myocardial performance changed significantly: HR +22 min(-1), AoP -6 mmHg, CO +17%, SVR -21%; intact myocardium: QLCX +15%, RLCX -24%, PowILCX + 39%; ischaemic myocardium: QLAD -7%, MSSLAD -42%, PowILAD -27%. The data confirm the pharmacological profile of LEV: positive chronotropy, positive inotropy, and vasodilatation. The pump function of acutely ischaemic myocardium worsened following LEV. The efficiency of myocardial performance did not improve. A beneficial effect of LEV on the function of ischaemic myocardium was possibly outmanoeuvred by the increase in heart rate.

Objective: Operations coupled with cardiopulmonary bypass may provoke a systemic inflammatory response, and it has been suggested that this responses causes capillary leakage of proteins, edema formation, and even organ failure. However, capillary leak syndrome is mainly a clinical diagnosis and has not been verified as yet by actual demonstration of protein leakage from the circulation. We have therefore measured the disappearance of labeled plasma protein before and after cardiopulmonary bypass., Methods: Sixteen patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in a prospective controlled study. The cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was primed with crystalloids only. Tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, anaphylatoxin C3a, and terminal complement complex C5b9 levels were determined before, during, and 3 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. The transvascular escape rate of plasma protein from the intravascular compartment was assessed by measuring the disappearance of intravenously injected Evans blue dye before and during the third hour after cardiopulmonary bypass., Results: A significant inflammatory response could be demonstrated by means of the 5 measured mediators after bypass. The maximal increase, as compared with the baseline value, was found for interleukin 6 (36-fold). The transvascular escape rate of Evans blue dye was similar before and after bypass (7.6 +/- 0.6%/h vs 7.3 +/- 0.6%/h)., Conclusions: The above data confirm the systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass. Contrary to expectations, the transvascular escape rate of Evans blue dye did not change when comparing values before and after bypass. The data do not support the concept of increased protein leakage in the exchange vessels after bypass. We were unable to demonstrate a capillary leak syndrome.

Objective: We sought to compare low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in respect to the influence on the systemic inflammatory response., Methods: Twenty-three infants weighing less than 10 kg and scheduled for repair of congenital malformations were enrolled in a randomized, controlled study. Eleven patients underwent cardiac surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (the DHCA group). Low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass was used in another 12 patients (the LF group). Interleukin 6 and 8 and anaphylatoxin C3a levels were measured 6 times perioperatively. Also, perioperative weight gain and a radiologic soft-tissue index were compared., Results: All patients had an uneventful clinical course. Duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was 40 +/- 4 minutes; the bypass time was significantly shorter in the DHCA group (85 +/- 8 vs 130 +/- 19 minutes). However, the duration of the operation was similar in both groups (245 +/- 30 vs 246 +/- 30 minutes). During cardiopulmonary bypass (rewarming), the concentration of C3a (3751 +/- 388 vs 5761 +/- 1688 ng/mL, mean +/- SEM) was significantly lower in the DHCA group than in the LF group. The interleukin 8 level was significantly lower, and the interleukin 6 level had a tendency to be lower in the DHCA group compared with levels in the LF group. There was less weight gain on the first postoperative day in the DHCA group (65 +/- 61 vs 408 +/- 118 g). The soft-tissue index suggested reduced edema formation in the DHCA group., Conclusion: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest produces less systemic inflammatory response than low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition, there is an indication of less fluid accumulation postoperatively.

Objective: Different types of colloidal priming for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have been used to reduce fluid load and to avoid the fall of plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP) that leads to edema formation and consequently can cause organ dysfunction. The discussion about the optimal priming composition, however, is still controversial. We investigated the effect of a hyperoncotic CPB-prime with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 10% (200;0.5) on extravascular lung water (EVLW) and post-pump cardiac and pulmonary functions., Methods: In 20 randomized patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), a colloid prime (COP: 48 mmHg, HES-group, n = 10) and a crystalloid prime (Ringer's lactate, crystalloid group, n = 10) of equal volume were compared with respect to the effects on cardiopulmonary function. Cardiac index (CI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI), alveolo-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO(2)), pulmonary shunt fraction (Q(s)/Q(T)), EVLW (double-indicator dilution technique with ice-cold indocyanine green), COP, fluid balance and body weight were evaluated peri-operatively., Results: Pre-operative demographic and clinical data, CPB-time, cross-clamp time and the number of anastomoses were comparable for both groups. During CPB, COP was reduced by 20% in the HES-group (18.9 +/- 3.7 vs. 23.7 +/- 2.2 mmHg, P < 0.05) while it was reduced by more than 50% of the pre-CPB value (9.8 +/- 2.0 vs. 21.4 +/- 2.1 mmHg, P < 0.05) in the crystalloid group (P < 0.05 HES- vs. crystalloid group). Post-CPB EVLW was unchanged in the HES-group but it was elevated by 22% in the crystalloid group (P < 0.05 HES- vs. crystalloid group), CI was higher in the HES-group (3.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.5l/min, P < 0.05). Fluid balance was less in the HES-group (813 +/- 619 vs. 2143 +/- 538, P < 0.05). Post-operative weight gain could be prevented in the HES-group but not in the crystalloid group (1.5 +/- 1.2 vs. -0.3 +/- 1.5, P < 0.05). No significant differences were seen for MAP, PAP, PCWP, SVRI, PVRI, AaDO(2) and (Q(s)/Q(T)) between the two groups at any time., Conclusions: Hyperoncotic CPB-prime using HES 10% improves CI and prevents EVLW accumulation in the early post-pump period, while pulmonary function is unchanged. This effect can be of benefit especially in patients with congestive heart failure.

Objective: To determine if prophylactic administration of C1-esterase-inhibitor would have a beneficial effect on postoperative weight gain and the inflammatory response in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)., Design: Randomized, double-blinded study., Setting: University-affiliated heart center., Participants: Twenty-four neonates with transposition of the great arteries., Interventions: In group inhibitor (INH) patients (n = 12), 100 IU/kg of C1-esterase-inhibitor (Berinert) was given 30 minutes before CPB. In group placebo (P) patients (n = 12), placebo was administered instead. Interleukin (IL)-6, C3a anaphylatoxin, C1 activity, prekallikrein, Hageman factor, D-dimers, and clinical parameters were measured 6 times perioperatively., Measurements and Main Results: All 24 patients had an uneventful clinical course. Mean arterial pressure and pulmonary oxygenation after CPB were superior in group INH patients. The weight gain on postoperative days 1 to 4 was significantly less in group INH patients compared with group P (55 +/- 59 g vs. 340 +/- 121 g, day 1). The concentration of IL-6 (76 +/- 17 pg/mL vs. 262 +/- 95 pg/mL during CPB) was significantly lower in group INH patients compared with group P patients. In contrast, no influence on C3a anaphylatoxin and coagulation factors was found., Conclusion: Prophylactic application of C1-esterase-inhibitor in neonates undergoing arterial switch operations produces less inflammatory response compared with placebo. This difference may have contributed to improved clinical parameters, including less weight gain postoperatively., (Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.)

Objective: To rule out the effect of high-dose aprotinin in respect to the balance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)., Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study., Setting: University-affiliated cardiac center., Participants: Twenty patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery., Interventions: In group A patients (n = 10), high-dose aprotinin was administered (2 x 106 KIU pre-CPB, 2 x 10(6) KIU in prime, 500,000 KIU/hr during CPB). In group C patients (n = 10), placebo was used instead. Proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-6, anti-inflammatory IL-1-receptor antagonist, and clinical parameters were measured 8 times perioperatively. The values are presented as mean +/- SEM., Measurements and Main Results: Four hours after CPB, IL-6 concentration reached the maximum value, being significantly lower in group A patients as compared with group C patients (615 +/- 62 pg/mL v 1,409 +/- 253 pg/mL; p = 0.019). On the first postoperative day, the concentration of IL-6 in group A patients remained lower (219 +/- 24 pg/mL v 526 +/- 123 pg/mL; p = 0.015). In contrast, IL-1-receptor antagonist concentration was higher in group A patients as compared with group C patients after CPB (13,857 +/- 4,264 pg/mL v 5,675 +/- 1,832 pg/mL; p = 0.03). Total postoperative blood loss was lower in group A patients as compared with group C patients (648 +/- 64 mL v 1,284 +/- 183 mL; p = 0.002)., Conclusions: High-dose aprotinin treatment reduced the inflammatory reaction and postoperative blood loss. The anti-inflammatory reaction was significantly enhanced in these patients, which suggests that the physiologic reaction of the organism to reduce the deleterious effects from CPB is more pronounced by using high-dose aprotinin.

Objective: We have recently shown that a considerable amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines is released during pulmonary passage after aortic declamping in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The present study was performed to investigate whether bilateral extracorporeal circulation with the lungs as oxygenators can reduce the inflammatory responses of the lungs., Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to routine extracorporeal circulation with cannulation of right atrium and aorta (routine circulation, ten patients) or to a bilateral extracorporeal circulation with additional cannulation of left atrium and pulmonary artery (bilateral circulation, eight patients). Blood was simultaneously drawn from right atrium and pulmonary vein at 1, 10 and 20 min reperfusion. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 and the adhesion molecules CD41 and CD62 on platelets and CD11b and CD41 on leukocytes were determined. Because of considerable interindividual scatter, the pulmonary venous levels are normalized to percent of the respective right atrial value at each time point., Results: At 1 min reperfusion pulmonary venous levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in routine circulation were +44+/-15% and +43+/-28% of the respective right atrial values. The respective values in bilateral circulation were -3+/-4% and -6+/-7% (P=0.02 and P=0.05 vs. respective right atrium). Similar increments were found after 10 and 20 min. Platelet-monocyte coaggregates were retained during pulmonary passage at 1 min reperfusion in routine circulation (-21+/-6%), but washed out in bilateral circulation (+5+/-8%, P=0. 007). At 20 min reperfusion, activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were retained in routine circulation (-16+/-9%) but washed out in bilateral circulation (+19+/-29%, P=0.05; all data given as mean+/-SEM)., Conclusions: Bilateral extracorporeal circulation without an artificial oxygenator significantly reduces the inflammatory responses during pulmonary passage after aortic declamping.

Although corticosteroids have been used for more than 30 years in the context of extracorporeal circulation, there is an ongoing debate about the benefits of their routine application. Methylprednisolone was given as early as 1966 to reduce vasoconstriction during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to prevent low output syndrome thereafter. An explanation for these findings was recently published. Lipid mediators lead to vasoconstriction and inflammatory cytokine production during CPB. There is no doubt about the potential of corticosteroids to reduce inflammatory and enhance anti-inflammatory mediators, while their possible influence on clinical parameters and their side effects are controversial, as discussed in the literature. There have been contradictory results with respect to pulmonary oxygenation, while an increase in the patient's blood glucose levels, however clinically unimportant, could be demonstrated. The influence of other drugs affecting the inflammatory response has to be taken into account, leading to a patient-specific recommendation for the use of corticosteroids during operations requiring CPB.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass causes inflammatory reactions leading to organ dysfunction postoperatively. This study was undertaken to determine whether using patients' own lungs as oxygenator in a bilateral circuit (Drew-Anderson Technique) could reduce systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass, improving patients clinical outcome following coronary artery bypass grafting., Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients, divided in two groups of 15 patients each, undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting, was undertaken. In the Drew-group bilateral extracorporeal circulation using patient's lung as oxygenator was performed. The other patients served as control group, where standard cardiopulmonary bypass procedure was used., Results: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators were measured. Peak concentrations of proinflammatory interleukin-6, interleukin-8, were significantly lower in 15 patients undergoing Drew-Anderson Technique compared with the concentrations measured in 15 patients treated with standard cardiopulmonary bypass technique. Differences in patient recovery were analyzed with respect to time of intubation, blood loss, intrapulmonary shunting, oxygenation, and respiratory index. In patients undergoing uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures bilateral extracorporeal circulation using the patients' own lung as oxygenator provided significant biochemical and clinical benefit in comparison to the standard cardiopulmonary bypass procedure., Conclusions: This prospective randomized clinical study has demonstrated that exclusion of an artificial oxygenator from cardiopulmonary bypass circuit significantly decreases the activation of inflammatory reaction, and that interventions that attenuate this response may result in more favorable clinical outcome.

Objective: To evaluate whether combined zero-balanced and modified ultrafiltration affects the systemic inflammatory response in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients., Design: Randomized and controlled., Setting: University-affiliated heart center., Participants: Forty-three patients scheduled for elective CABG., Interventions: In the ultrafiltration group (UF group; n = 21), zero-balanced ultrafiltration was performed during rewarming and modified ultrafiltration immediately after the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A control group of patients (n = 22) was treated identically to the treatment group except no ultrafiltration process was performed., Measurements and Main Results: Immediately after CPB (ie, after zero-balanced ultrafiltration), and again after the modified ultrafiltration, the concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were significantly less (p < 0.05) in the UF group compared with the control group. Both proinflammatory cytokine levels peaked at 2 and 4 hours after CPB, at which time no difference between the two groups could be observed. The levels of measured anti-inflammatory mediators (interleukin-10 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) did not show any difference between the two groups. Intrapulmonary shunt fraction decreased in the course of the modified ultrafiltration from 31% +/- 1.2% to 25% +/- 1.3% (p < 0.01), whereas mean arterial pressure increased (69 +/- 1.8 to 80 +/- 2.8 mmHg; p < 0.01); neither parameter changed in the control group. Time to extubation was shorter in the UF group (6.1 +/- 0.5 v 8.6 +/- 0.7 hours; p < 0.05)., Conclusion: It was concluded that the use of ultrafiltration diminished inflammatory response in a very limited time period immediately after CPB and, probably as a consequence, slightly improved clinical parameters.

Objective: To discover the possible effects of methylprednisolone on the systemic inflammatory response during aprotinin treatment., Design: Randomized, double-blinded study., Setting: University-affiliated heart center., Participants: Fifty-two patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting., Interventions: In the methylprednisolone group (n = 26), 1 g of methylprednisolone was administered 30 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The 26 control patients received a placebo instead. High-dose aprotinin was administered to all participants., Measurements and Main Results: After CPB, the concentration of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, was significantly less in the methylprednisolone group. The anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 concentration was, in contrast, greater. After CPB, PaO2 was greater in the methylprednisolone group (245+/-17 v 195+/-16 mmHg). Dynamic pulmonary compliance was also greater, whereas the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference was less (376+/-17 v 428+/-16 mmHg). On arrival in the intensive care unit, the oxygen delivery index was greater in the methylprednisolone group (62+/-2.7 v 54+/-2.3 mL/min/m2) and the oxygen extraction rate was less (25%+/-0.02% v 30%+/-0.02%). After CPB, the cardiac index was significantly greater in the methylprednisolone group (4.1+/-0.2 v 3.6+/-0.2 L/min/m2). These patients had less blood loss postoperatively (616+/-52 v 833+/-71 mL; p = 0.017) and a greater urine output (8,015+/-542 v 6,417+/-423 mL/24 h; p = 0.024)., Conclusion: The use of methylprednisolone attenuates the systemic inflammatory response during aprotinin treatment and improves clinical outcome parameters.

Study Objective: To evaluate whether induction of anesthesia with eltanolone in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients is associated with greater hemodynamic stability than either thiopental sodium or etomidate., Design: Randomized, controlled study., Setting: University hospital., Patients: 75 ASA physical status III and IV patients scheduled for elective CABG over 18 years of age, with left ventricular ejection fraction over 30%., Interventions: The participants were prospectively randomized into three groups, each group consisting of 25 patients. Anesthesia was induced by titration of either eltanolone, thiopental sodium, or etomidate. The end point was "loss of verbal contact.", Measurements and Main Results: Hemodynamic variables were recorded in the awake state, 2 minutes after induction, after administration of fentanyl 0.01 mg/kg, and 2 and 5 minutes after intubation. After induction of anesthesia, cardiac index (CI) decreased from 2.6 +/- 0.5 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 Lxmin-1xm-2 in the eltanolone group and remained at this value throughout the study period in contrast to the control groups. After fentanyl was given, mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in the case of eltanolone (69 +/- 15 mmHg) compared with thiopental (81 +/- 19 mmHg) and etomidate (84 +/- 18 mmHg). Mean arterial pressure remained significantly lower at the points of measurement after intubation. Two minutes after intubation, CI was likewise significantly lower in the eltanolone group (2.2 +/- 0.4 Lxmin-1xm-2) compared with the thiopental group (2.7 +/- 0.7 Lxmin-1xm-2)., Conclusions: Eltanolone produces more hemodynamic depression compared with etomidate and thiopental when administered in combination with fentanyl 10 micrograms/kg.

Study Objective: To evaluate whether transfusion of platelet-rich plasma from the organ donor during cardiac transplantation can influence the amount of the needed homologous blood products., Design: Randomized, controlled study., Setting: University hospital., Patients: 16 ASA physical status III patients undergoing orthotopic cardiac transplantation., Interventions: Eight patients received donor plasma, while another 8 patients served as a control group. Blood from the organ donor was acquired during cardiac explantation. Thereafter platelet-rich plasma was separated by plasmapheresis (2400 turns per minute). The plasma was then transfused to the organ recipient at the end of the cardiac transplantation. The control group received a similar amount of albumin 5%., Measurements and Main Results: In the patients who received donor plasma, the platelet count increased significantly from 98,000 +/- 49,000 mm-3 to 123,000 +/- 55,000 mm-3, the postoperative requirement of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) was 5.8 +/- 4.5 units, which was significantly lower as compared to the control group (10.8 +/- 5.9 units)., Conclusions: Transfusion of platelet-rich plasma from the organ donor to the recipient was confirmed to be feasible, the number of postoperatively transfused PRBCs was reduced.

Objective: To discover possible effects on systemic vascular resistance of the anesthetic induction agent eltanolone in comparison with thiopental and etomidate. The measurements were performed during cardiopulmonary bypass to maintain a constant cardiac output (approximately pump flow)., Design: The patients were prospectively randomized in three groups to receive either eltanolone, thiopental, or etomidate., Setting: University hospital as a single center., Participants: Seventy-five patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting., Interventions: The anesthetic induction agents were repeated at the same dosage when cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted. The respective mean dosages were eltanolone, 0.41 +/- 0.1 mg/kg; thiopental, 2.88 +/- 0.62 mg/kg; etomidate, 0.26 +/- 0.06 mg/kg., Measurements and Main Results: Systemic vascular resistance was calculated from the mean of a triple measurement (normal pump flow and +/- 20%). Points of measurement were before, and 2 and 5 minutes after injection of the hypnotic agent. None of the injected drugs made a significant change in the systemic vascular resistance. A small (not significant) decrease from 1,295 +/- 296 dyne/s/cm-5 to 1,196 +/- 323 dyne/s/cm-5 (mean +/- SD) was seen in the eltanolone group, whereas the other patients did not show any change during the study period., Conclusions: The reason for the significant reduction of the arterial pressure attributed to anesthetic induction by eltanolone may be more a cardiodepressive effect than a direct vasodilation.

Unlabelled: Eltanolone is a new steroid anaesthetic agent that is 5-beta reduced derivative of progesterone. In the present study we investigated the haemodynamic effects of eltanolone or thiopentone in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting., Methods: After obtaining approval of the institutional ethics committee and informed patient consent, 40 patients (age 45-70 years, ASA III and IV, ejection fraction > 50%, cardiac index > 2.5 l/min per m2) were randomly assigned to four groups, each containing 10 patients: After premedication with 2 mg flunitrazepam, anaesthesia was induced with 3 mg/kg thiopentone in group 1, 0.5 mg/kg eltanolone in group 2, 0.75 mg/kg eltanolone in group 3, 1.0 mg/kg eltanolone in group 4. Each patient additionally received 3 mirograms/kg fentanyl after induction and 0.1 mg/kg pancuronium. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and cardiac output were recorded in the awake state, 2 min after induction of anaesthesia, and 1 and 5 min after intubation. Cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance were calculated., Results: Two minutes after induction, mean arterial pressure was significantly lower than the baseline (P < 0.05) in each group. Mean arterial pressure changes were more prominent in the case of eltanolone, but intergroup tests did not reveal significant differences between the four groups. There was a fall in cardiac index in all groups, and these changes reached the level of significance only in the thiopentone patients. The most obvious difference between eltanolone and thiopentone was systemic vascular resistance. It dropped significantly 2 min after induction with eltanolone at all dosages. In contrast, there was an increase in systemic vascular resistance following induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone. Intergroup tests also showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower systemic vascular resistance 1 and 5 min after intubation with eltanolone compared to thiopentone., Discussion: Mean arterial pressure reduction induced by eltanolone is most likely the result of the combination of a decrease in cardiac contractility and peripheral vasodilatation. In contrast, mean arterial pressure reduction in the case of thiopentone seems to be exclusively related to the negative inotropic properties of the drug. Results of a dosage finding study [5] with eltanolone revealed an AD50 of 0.33 mg/kg. In our study 0.5 mg/kg eltanolone brought all the patients to sleep within 2 minutes. The haemodynamic results do not show any significant difference up to twofold dosage. Therefore, the therapeutic margin seems to be large. Because of considerable interindividual variability additional studies in larger collectives are required for definitive evaluation of the drug.

We evaluated the hemodynamic profile of eltanolone and fentanyl versus thiopental and fentanyl anesthetic induction in patients with documented coronary artery disease. Fifty patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to two treatment groups (25 patients each). Anesthesia was induced by eltanolone (0.5 mg/kg) or by thiopental (3 mg/kg). Each patient also received 3 micrograms/kg fentanyl and 0.1 mg/kg vecuronium. Heart rate, arterial, pulmonary arterial, central venous, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, and cardiac output were determined in the awake state, 2 min after induction of anesthesia, and at 1 and 5 min after intubation, which was performed 3 min after induction. Between-group statistics showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance for eltanolone-treated patients at all measuring points. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was lower at 1 min after intubation; left ventricular stroke work index was lower at 1 and 5 min after intubation in the eltanolone group. We conclude that the lower mean arterial pressure with eltanolone as compared to thiopental is a result of greater peripheral vasodilation.

Considering the heart as a physical pump cardiac efficiency is calculated from the ratio of cardiac work performed to the maximum level of energy of the heart. The aim of the study was to compare cardiac efficiency with cardiac output and right ventricular ejection fraction. Nine patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were investigated. A femoral arterial and a right ventricular ejection fraction pulmonary artery catheter were placed in the awake state. Anaesthesia was induced with eltanolone and fentanyl. Cardiac output, pulmonary artery and central venous pressures, and right ventricular ejection fraction were measured in the awake state (baseline), 2 min after induction of anaesthesia and 1 and 5 min after intubation. Cardiac efficiency was calculated by dividing the stroke work by the maximum energy of the heart as calculated from the pressure volume diagram. An analysis of variance was carried out for cardiac efficiency, cardiac output and right ventricular ejection fraction. Cardiac efficiency was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced 1 min after intubation from 28 +/- 11 to 14 +/- 5%. In contrast the right ventricular ejection fraction (from 48 +/- 10 to 35 +/- 13%) and cardiac output (from 6.5 +/- 1.5 to 5.3 +/- 1.2 L/min) did not change significantly during the induction of anaesthesia. Cardiac efficiency was found to be a more sensitive parameter to describe changes in the right ventricular function than the ejection fraction and cardiac output during induction of anaesthesia with eltanolone and fentanyl which was used as a model to vary cardiac performance and afterload.

Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing during implantation of the cardioverter defibrillator is associated with hemodynamic deterioration and pump failure in many patients. We investigated the influence of DFT testing on cardiac function intraoperatively using a balloon-tipped catheter. In 13 consecutive patients with a nonthoracotomy approach, a mean of 3.4 +/- 1.4 episodes of ventricular fibrillation were induced with an overall ischemic time of 87 +/- 54 seconds. At the end of DFT testing, patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of < 30% had significant impairment of cardiac index (1.6 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2 after testing vs 2.2 +/- 0.6 L/min/m2 before the procedure). One patient with severely comprised ventricular function needed prolonged positive inotropic support. The left ventricular function of patients with a preoperative EF > or = 30%, however, was not changed (2.2 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2 after testing and 2.2 +/- 0.5 L/min/m2 before testing). The two groups did not differ with respect to the number of testing episodes, ischemic time, or DFT. Thus patients with a low preoperative EF (< 30%) are threatened by a severe left ventricular deterioration during ICD implantation. Close hemodynamic monitoring with a balloon-tipped catheter is recommended in these patients.

During the insertion of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator, repeated induction of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and subsequent defibrillation is performed to determine the defibrillation threshold. In this study, the influence of these testing episodes on myocardial function was investigated in 13 patients under general anesthesia. Preoperative ejection fraction (EF) was 41 (14 to 84) % (median and range). Testing was performed 3 (2-5) times. During these testing episodes the patients received a total of 4 (2-8) countershocks. Patients with a preoperative EF < 30% (N = 5) showed a significant reduction of cardiac index (CI) from 2.2 (1.5-3.3) L/min/m2 before testing to 1.5 (1.3-2.3) L/min/m2 after the last testing episode, and of left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) from 32 (14-53) g.m/m2 before testing to 22 (7-43) after the last testing episode. These changes were not related to the total fibrillation time or the cumulative defibrillation energy. Patients with a preoperative EF > 30% (N = 8) showed no significant changes of CI (2.15 [1.8-3.0] L/min/m2 v 2.15 [1.7-3.0] L/min/m2) or LVSWI (35 [28-48] g.m/m2 v 33.5 [27-52] g.m/m2). Comparison of the two patient groups revealed similar hemodynamic baseline values, but significant differences in LVSWI after the last testing episode. Defibrillation testing may produce a further reduction in myocardial performance in patients with preexisting poor cardiac function.

Objective: Intraoperative awareness, and especially the perception of auditory stimuli occur occasionally under general anaesthesia with high-dose opioids. Mid-latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) reflect the primary cortical processing of auditory stimuli. Hence, we studied the effects of fentanyl on MLAEP., Methods: Institutional approval and informed consent was obtained in 20 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl (10 micrograms/kg every 7[ up to a total dosage of 50 micrograms/kg). Auditory evoked potentials were recorded before and 5[ after every fentanyl dose on vertex (positive) and mastoids on both sides (negative). Auditory clicks were presented binaurally at 70 dBnHL at a rate of 9.3 Hz. Using the electrodiagnostic system Pathfinder I (Nicolet), 1000 successive stimulus responses were averaged over a 100 ms post-stimulus interval and analysed off-line. Latencies of the peak V, Na, Pa, Nb P1 and amplitudes Na/Pa, Pa/Nb, Nb/P1 were measured. V belongs to the brainstem generated potentials, which demonstrates that auditory stimuli were correctly transduced. Na, Pa, Nb, P1 are generated in the primary auditory cortex of the temporal lobe and are the electrophysiological correlate of the primary cortical processing of the auditory stimuli. By means of a Fast-Fourier transformation power spectra of the AEP were calculated., Results: In the awake state AEP peak latencies were in the normal range. Power spectra indicated high energy in the 30-40 Hz frequency range. During increasing dosages of fentanyl the brainstem response V was stable. P1 increased in latency and Nb/P1 decreased in amplitude after 10 micrograms/kg of fentanyl significantly. The primary cortical potentials Na, Pa, Nb changed only very slightly in latencies or amplitudes even under highest doses of fentanyl (50 micrograms/kg) and could be identified like in the awake patients. In the power spectra high energy persisted in the 30 Hz frequency range., Conclusion: MLAEP and especially the primary cortical potentials Na, Pa, Nb did not change markedly in amplitude or latency during high-dose fentanyl analgesia. There is no dose-dependent effect of fentanyl on MLAEP as it can be observed under volatile anaesthetics (isoflurane, enflurane). The primary cortical processing of auditory stimuli can be completely blocked by volatile anaesthetics, but is still preserved under highest doses of fentanyl. This may be seen in connection with cases of awareness and perception of auditory stimuli during high-dose fentanyl analgesia.

Since an increase in the right atrial pressure (RAP) above the left atrial pressure (LAP) may then lead to paradoxical air embolism, the efficacy of pneumatic antishock garments (PASGs) and ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in preventing increases in the RAP above the LAP was investigated during neurosurgical procedures. We examined the RAP and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) of 25 patients during neurosurgery of the posterior fossa. Each set of measurements of PCWP and RAP included measurements during induction of anesthesia in the supine position and the seated position prior to surgery. The PCWP and RAP were recorded during PEEP = 0 cm H2O, PEEP = 10 cm H2O, or with PASG inflation to pressures ranging from 40 to 80 mm Hg. The RAP increased from 8 +/- 6 to 20 +/- 7 mm Hg (PASG) and to 11 +/- 5 mm Hg (PEEP) in the seated position without a significant (p >0.05) change in the PCWP-RAP difference under any of the above conditions. We conclude that PASGs are a safer and more effective means of raising the RAP than PEEP ventilation during seated neurosurgical procedures without the danger of paradoxical air embolism.