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Sudden onset and de novo Myasthenia gravis (MG) in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare postpartum phenomenon and can easily misguide the treating physician. A known case of SLE, 4 days after an elective cesarean section, presented to the intensive care unit for weaning-off mechanical ventilation after being put on ventilatory support in the emergency room, following acute-onset partial seizures. She was subsequently diagnosed to have new-onset MG, treated for the condition and later successfully extubated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of nitoglycerine (NTG) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on serum lactate (S. lactate), mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), and mixed venous arterial carbon dioxide difference (V-ACO2) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The secondary objectives included the effect on mortality, end organ dysfunction, requirement of vasopressors, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study was conducted in 40 patients aged between 20 years and 70 years who underwent cardiac surgery on CPB. The patients were randomly divided into Group N (n = 20) receiving NTG (0.5-2 mic/kg/min) and group S (n = 20) receiving SNP (0.5-2 mic/kg/min) from the commencement of total CPB up to complete rewarming (nasopharyngeal temperature >36.5°C). Arterial blood gases and S. lactate were measured at baseline, after institution of total bypass, after completion of cooling and rewarming, at weaning off CPB and admission to ICU. Venous blood gas (VBG) was sampled from the venous reservoir immediately after institution of total bypass and completion of rewarming. Urine output, dose of rescue vasodilator, use of inotropes and vasopressor after CPB, end organ dysfunction, duration of MV, ICU, and hospital stay were noted. Results: Though the SvO2 at the end of CPB decreased significantly from the baseline (P < 0.05), it was similar between the groups. There was no difference in V-ACO2 too. The S. lactate markedly increased (P = 0.00) from the baseline; however, only the S. lactate at admission to ICU was significantly lower in Group S (P = 0.034). There was no difference in mortality, end organ dysfunction, requirement of vasopressors, duration of MV, ICU, and hospital stay. Conclusion: The authors showed that S. lactate increased with CPB and this increase did not correlate with SvO2 and V-ACO2. NTG and SNP were comparable in their effect on indices of tissue perfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Systemic absorption of adrenaline often used for infiltration during cleft palate surgery leads to adverse hemodynamic responses. These hemodynamic responses may be attenuated by the volatile anesthetics. This study aims to compare the hemodynamic responses to adrenaline infiltration during isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) anesthesia. Material and Methods: Sixty children aged between 9 months and 48 months, weighing between 8 kg and 20 kg, undergoing primary repair of cleft palate were randomly allocated into two groups: Group ISO -- anesthesia maintained with ISO (2 minimum alveolar concentrations [MAC]) and nitrous oxide 50% and group SEVO -- maintained on SEVO (2 MAC) and nitrous oxide 50%. Surgical site was infiltrated with 1 ml/kg of 1:200,000 solution of adrenaline with 0.5% lignocaine. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were noted at the end of infiltration and every 1 min for 5 min following infiltration. The percentage change of hemodynamic responses from baseline, following infiltration were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no significant change in HR from baseline, and the response was comparable between the agents at all times. The blood pressure (BP) increased from baseline in both the groups but the increase was greater in SEVO than ISO group at 2 and 3 min after infiltration. The maximum change in HR from baseline (group ISO median 10.9% [interquartile range (IQR) 4.5-23.0] vs. group SEVO 26.5% [11.9-44.6]) was comparable in both the groups (P = 0.169). The maximum change in SBP was significantly greater in group SEVO than group ISO (42.8% [IQR 20.0-60.9] vs. 26.0 [11.3-44.5], P = 0.04). The incidence of significant change (>20%) of SBP, DBP, and MAP from baseline was significantly greater in group SEVO after infiltration and 1 min and 2 min after infiltration. There were no arrhythmias in any of the groups. Conclusion: Isoflurane results in greater attenuation of rise in BP during adrenaline infiltration compared to SEVO at similar MAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) consists of varied pathophysiological consequences and alteration of intracranial dynamics, reduction of the cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. In the past decade more emphasis has been directed towards optimizing cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in patients who have suffered TBI. Injured brain may show signs of ischemia if CPP remains below 50 mmHg and raising the CPP above 60 mmHg may avoid cerebral oxygen desaturation. Though CPP above 70 mmHg is influential in achieving an improved patient outcome, maintenance of CPP higher than 70 mmHg was associated with greater risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The target CPP has been laid within 50-70 mmHg. Cerebral blood flow and metabolism are heterogeneous after TBI and with regional temporal differences in the requirement for CPP. Brain monitoring techniques such as jugular venous oximetry, monitoring of brain tissue oxygen tension (PbrO2), and cerebral microdialysis provide complementary and specific information that permits the selection of the optimal CPP. This review highlights the rationale for use CPP directed therapies and neuromonitoring to identify optimal CPP of head injured patients. The article also reviews the evidence provided by various clinical trials regarding optimal CPP and their application in the management of head injured patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We evaluated the pharmacodynamic interaction of the combination of pancuronium and Rocuronium by analyzing time-response relationship, quality of intubating conditions, changes in the hemodynamics, and cost effectiveness as compared to individual drugs. Methods. Sixty patients in the ASA-I category received either 10 ml of 0.9 mg/kg rocuronium (R) plus 10 ml of saline or 10 ml of 0.1 mg/kg pancuronium (P) plus 10 ml of saline or a combination (C) of 10 ml of 0.45 mg/kg R plus 10 ml of 0.05 mg/kg P according to randomization list. Neuromuscular function was measured up to maximal suppression of twitch height. Results. The mean times (sec) taken for twitch height to decrease to 50% of baseline in R, P, and C were 36.84 ± 2.54, 74.60 ± 4.94, and 40.81 ± 2.34, respectively. The mean cost of intubation per patient was 316.71 ± 83.61 INR in group R, 52.30 ± 14.94 INR in group P, and 93.33 ± 20.65 INR in group C. Conclusions. The combination of P and R provides rapid and smooth intubation with minimal hemodynamic changes at a reasonably priced cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the author of the article "Anaesthetic management of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for transurethral resection of bladder tumour" in a 2013 issue is presented.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema may be a less-recognized consequence of obstructive hydrocephalus. The authors report a patient with acute obstructive hydrocephalus due to cerebellar metastatic lesion, who presented with neurogenic pulmonary edema. The edema resolved on placement of the ventriculoperitonial shunt. This report addresses the importance of recognition of neurogenic pulmonary edema as a possible perioperative complication resulting from an increase in intracranial pressure and the issues involved with anesthetic management of co-existing neurogenic pulmonary edema and intracranial hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of unanticipated difficult endotracheal intubation secondary to an abrupt onset of difficulty in opening the mouth in an anesthetized adult. A female aged 76 years with American Society of Anesthetists risk Class IV E with an apparently normal preoperative temporomandibular joint was scheduled for emergency laparotomy. Following rapid sequence induction, and muscle relaxation with rocuronium, the anesthesiologist noticed lock-jaw when intubation was attempted. She was ventilated with nasopharyngeal airway, but was progressively desaturating. An emergency tracheostomy was performed. Unfortunately, she sustained cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The complication of the lock-jaw is a nightmare to airway management, especially in an unprepared situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Residual neuromuscular block continues to be a significant postoperative complication despite neuromuscular monitoring. This study aims to determine the applicability of a hand-held forced dynamometer for hand grip strength assessment as an objective measure of residual muscle weakness., Methods: The study included patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. A demonstration was given to the patient on the usage of a dynamometer for handgrip strength and a peak expiratory flow meter for peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and baseline values were recorded. The parameters were monitored at 15 minutes post-extubation and again at intervals of 15 minutes until one hour, half-hourly until four hours, and hourly until six hours post-operatively. Paired t-test was used for comparison of baseline muscle strength and PEFR with the parameters at different time points. Association between muscle strength and PEFR was tested with the Pearson-correlation test., Results: Muscle strength was 50 to 60%, 75% and 100% of baseline at 15, 45 and 210 minutes after extubation, respectively. PEFR was 50 to 60%, 75% and 100% of baseline at 15, 60 and 180 minutes after extubation. The Pearson-correlation test established a positive correlation between handgrip strength and PEFR (correlation-coefficient 0.86)., Conclusion: A significant reduction in the postoperative muscle strength can be detected using an objective forced dynamometer to measure handgrip strength even when train of four count has returned to unity and even when there are no clinical signs of muscle weakness. The residual muscle weakness is significant enough to affect the PEFR in the postoperative period., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)

Background and Aims: The Airtraq DL ™ is a prototype channeled video laryngoscope, designed specifically for endobronchial intubation with a double-lumen tube (DLT). Evidence on its superiority over Macintosh laryngoscope for DLT placement in the difficult airway is limited. This study compared the efficacy of both these laryngoscopes in the simulated difficult airway., Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study was conducted on 52 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery with lung isolation using a left-sided DLT. The patients were randomised into Airtraq DL ™ group (group A) and Macintosh group (group M). The primary objective was to compare the time required for intubation, and the secondary objectives were to evaluate time to best glottic view, Cormack-Lehane (CL) grading, intubation difficulty score (IDS), manoeuvres, attempts at intubation, haemodynamic response and complications. Operating anaesthesiologists were also asked to grade the ease of laryngoscopy and intubation for both devices on a 4-point Likert scale., Results: The mean time to intubation was found to be lesser in group A than in group M (18 ± 6.91 s vs 25.48 ± 9.47 s, P = 0.003). Group A showed better CL grading ( P ≤ 0.001), lesser requirement of manoeuvres ( P = 0.02) and lower IDS ( P = 0.003). Also, group A had significantly better Likert scale results as compared to group M., Conclusion: The Airtraq DL ™ is superior to Macintosh laryngoscope as it requires lesser time for intubation and provides favourable intubating conditions (better CL grading, lesser manoeuvres, lower IDS and improved Likert scales) for double-lumen placement in the simulated difficult airway., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)