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Background and Objectives: The objective of this report was to show the importance of pre-anesthetic assessment in reducing morbidity and mortality of surgical patients and alert to problems and anesthetic care associated with obstructive sleep apnea., Case Report: This is a 28-year old male patient with class II obesity, sleep apnea, hypertension, referred to the pre-anesthetic outpatient clinic for evaluation of uvuloplasty under general anesthesia. After orientation on sleep apnea, explaining to the patient the risks associated with the procedure, and discussing with the surgeon, we decided to review the surgical indication and postpone the procedure., Conclusions: The pre-anesthetic outpatient clinic is extremely important in reducing morbidity as well as mortality of surgical patients and, especially, in evaluating patients with obstructive sleep apnea, showing to be fundamental for the anesthetic-surgical schedule, orienting conducts to be followed, and interfering positively on patient prognosis., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Described by Krause in 1865 (1), coronary artery fistula communicating with cardiac cavities, pulmonary artery, or coronary sinus is very rare. It represents 0.2% to 0.4% of congenital cardiopathies and 0.1% and 0.2% of the adult population undergoing coronary angiography (2). The objective of this report is to present the anesthetic management for surgical closure of a coronary fistula in an elective procedure, considering its particularities., Case Report: This is a 59-year old male patient, whose coronary fistula was diagnosed during clinical investigation of progressive thoracic pain and long-standing dyspnea. The patient underwent surgical correction of coronary artery fistula under general anesthesia without extracorporeal circulation (ECC). The patient evolved without intercurrences, being discharged from the hospital with clinical improvement 7 days after surgery., Conclusions: Coronary artery fistula is rare, but the anesthesiologist may be faced with this type of patient in distinct situations. Understanding its pathophysiology is important for better perioperative management of the patient, therefore improving the prognosis., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: The use of crystalloids or colloids for volume replacement in large size surgeries is controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the intraoperative administration of crystalloids (normal saline - NS) with those of colloids (modified fluid gelatin) for surgical myocardial revascularization (SMR) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)., Methods: Forty patients undergoing SMR without CPB were randomly divided in two similar groups. The first group received modified fluid gelatin and NS and the second group received only NS. Urine output, hemoglobin level, intra- and postoperative bleeding, blood glucose levels, and intraoperative lactate in four distinct measurements were recorded. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and length of hospitalization were analyzed., Results: Time to extubation in the gelatin group was 6.6 hours versus 7.3 hours in the NS group. The length of stay in the ICU was 2.4 days in the gelatin group versus 3.3 days in the NS group. The length of hospitalization was 10.3 days in the gelatin group versus 6.8 days in the NS group. The incidence of renal and respiratory complications, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarctions, infections, reintubations, blood transfusions, and reoperation was the same in both groups., Conclusions: The use of colloids represented here by modified fluid gelatin associated with crystalloids or the use of crystalloids alone did not change the postoperative prognosis of patients undergoing SMR without CPB. Perhaps maintenance of the hemodynamic balance during the surgery is more important than the type of fluid administered.

Background and Objectives: Problems with pediatric airways are among the greatest challenges an anesthesiologist can face. Laryngeal spasm, which is twice or three times more frequent in the pediatric population, is paramount. The objective of this work was to report the treatment of laryngeal spasm applying digital pressure on a specific area behind the ear lobe. The technique is old, easy, but little known. It is safe and can be promptly done, and does not require peripheral venous access, which might not be present in some situations., Case Report: We report two cases of pediatric anesthesia, in a three-year old and six month-old patients, who developed laryngeal spasm. Both patients were treated by applying retroauricular digital pressure with immediate improvement of the breathing pattern and arterial oxygen saturation. Since laryngeal spasm is a common and potentially severe complication due to its morbimortality, it requires a safe, effective, and fast treatment., Conclusion: The classical treatment of laryngeal spasm includes the administration of 100% oxygen with positive pressure per ventilatory unit (balloon and mask) and, in the absence of response, intravenous succinylcholine, 0.25 to 1 mg x kg(-1). The technique presented here for the treatment of laryngeal spasm is easy to perform, safe and effective, and consists of bilateral digital pressure behind the ear lobes, which reversed the laryngeal spasm in a few seconds, avoiding the development of complications.

Background and Objectives: Endovascular surgery for aneurism of the aorta is less invasive than the conventional procedure besides other advantages such as the absence of abdominal incision, absence of ligature of the aorta, and reduced postoperative recovery time. Since it is a relatively new procedure and to presenting a series of changes that should be known by the anesthesiologist, the objective of this report was to review the most relevant aspects of endovascular surgery, allowing more adequate perioperative anesthetic management., Contents: A brief description of the technique of endovascular aneurism repair, possible vantages and disadvantages of its use, as well as potential complications are discussed., Conclusions: Knowledge of the changes secondary to the endovascular procedure allows a more adequate anesthetic conduct and improves the postoperative results in those patients.

Background and Objectives: Univentricular heart is a complex, rare, and severe cardiopathy, with no possibility of curative surgical treatment, associated with a high mortality in the first years of life. The objective of this article was to describe a rare case of an adult patient with uncorrected single ventricle who was admitted for pulmonary valvuloplasty but was submitted to a modified Blalock-Taussig and placement of an epicardic pacemaker. The complementary objective of this report was to address the anesthetic particularities of adult patients with uncorrected congenital cardiopathy. CASE REPORT A 34 years old female patient, weighing 60 kg, with a complex congenital cardiopathy with a single ventricle, important infundibular pulmonary stenosis and moderate pulmonary hypertension was admitted to the hospital without conditions to undergo surgical correction. The patient had a history several therapeutic bleedings to treat polycythemia. She was admitted due to worsening hypoxemia, an episode of syncope, and recent onset of third degree atrioventricular block. On admission, the patient was hemodynamically stable, heart rate of 42 bpm, SpO2 73%, central cyanosis and cyanosis of the extremities, and blood pressure 120 x 70 mmHg. Cardiac catheterization and pulmonary valvuloplasty were proposed. Due to the impossibility of success of this technique, Blalock-Taussig procedure with placement of a pacemaker was indicated. The procedure was performed in the following day without intercurrences, and the patient was discharged 7 days after the surgery, with SpO2 85%, hematocrit 49%, and improvement of the dyspnea., Conclusions: The success of anesthesia for surgical correction of complex congenital cardiopathy requires knowledge on the pathophysiology of the disorder, as well as the particularities inherent to the anesthetic technique used.

Background and Objectives: Atrial myxomas are the most common type of primary intracardiac tumors. Although they are benign, it is recommended its immediate removal as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed, since they are associated with tumor embolization and their harmful consequences. The objective of this report was to present the case of an intracardiac tumor of rare location (right atrium) that developed intraoperative embolization and to alert anesthesiologists for the possibility of this complication, besides discussing the anesthetic conduct., Case Report: A male patient, 42 years old, presented with a large mass in the right atrium, being scheduled for removal of the tumor. Anesthetic induction consisted of ethomidate, fentanyl and rocuronium bromide and it was maintained with isoflurane and fentanyl. Intraoperatively, the patient developed acute cor pulmonale secondary to tumor embolization, with the immediate institution of support measures and cardiopulmonary bypass. The remaining of the surgery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day in good conditions., Conclusions: Although intracardiac myxoma is a benign tumor, it can be associated with severe and even fatal complications. Knowledge of the disease is important for the proper management of those patients by the anesthesiologist, as well as to diagnose and treat possible intraoperative complications.

Background and Objectives: Aprotinin has been widely used in cardiac surgeries as a therapeutic resource for reducing the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on coagulation and fibrinolysis. Recovery of adequate hemostasia at the end of the procedure is one of the objectives of the anesthesiologist. However, aprotinin has specific indications. The objective of this report was to present the case of a patient with severe thrombocytopenia undergoing cardiac surgery in which consultation with Hematology and adequate planning were responsible for the success of the procedure., Case Report: An 18-year old male patient, weighing 64 kg, physical status ASA IV, with a diagnosis of bone marrow aplasia, was being investigated to undergo bone marrow transplantation. He had persistent fever for a month, which did not improve with antibiotics. During the investigation with imaging exams, a left atrial mass was discovered. Laboratory exams revealed hemoglobin 9 g.dL-1 and thrombocytopenia with 6,000 platelets.mm(3). He underwent a sternotomy with CPB to remove the intracavitary thrombus. In order to control intraoperative bleeding, the following was administered: plateletpheresis, hydrocortisone, and aprotinin. Increased bleeding and hemodynamic instability did not develop during the surgery, and the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without intercurrences. The anatomo-pathologic exam revealed the thrombus to be filled with Aspergillus (fungal mass). On the seventh postoperative day the patient developed respiratory failure and cardiorespiratory arrest that did not respond to resuscitation maneuvers., Conclusions: Despite the increased risk of bleeding in this patient, cardiac surgery with CPB was performed without intercurrences due to the use of aprotinin and plateletpheresis.

Background and Objectives: Vertebral artroplasty with bone cement has its particularities and complications. Most often the procedure is performed under local anesthetic and sedation, but sometimes it is done under subarachnoid or epidural block with morphine to achieve postoperative analgesia. The objective of this report is to discuss the possible complications of vertebroplasties., Case Report: Male patient, 76 years old, presenting pathologic fracture in T12 was admitted for vertebral artroplasty and bone biopsy. Patient was sedated with midazolam and fentanyl, placed in the prone position, and the surgeon injected local anesthetic from the skin until the vertebral body of T12. He then took a biopsy of the vertebra and injected 6 mL of bone cement in T12. At the end of the procedure the patient presented paralysis of the lower limbs., Conclusions: Surgeries in the spinal column are not free of complications. When it is associated with spinal block, the diagnosis of surgical complications might be delayed. Besides, anesthesia might be blamed for a problem caused by the surgical procedure.