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BACKGROUND Although ultrasound guidance has significantly improved the success rate of radial artery catheterization, the failure rate in children is still high. For the further improvement of success rate, we prospectively evaluated the factors that make ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization difficult in children under two years old. METHODS From October 2018 to September 2019, patients who required radial artery catheterization for surgery were enrolled. After collecting the anatomical characteristics of the radial artery using ultrasound at the puncture site, ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization was performed by one experienced anaesthesiologist. The primary outcome was to identify the factors related to the first attempt failure. The factors associated with the total duration of the procedure until success were also evaluated. RESULTS A total of 183 children were included in the analysis. A radial artery cross-sectional area of ≤1 mm2 (odds ratio [OR] = 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.48-11.18; P

Although previous studies reported that chewing gum during the preoperative fasting has the benefits of alleviating anxiety and dry mouth, preoperative chewing gum has yet to be accepted as a standard practice due to conventional anesthetic custom. Our study aimed to prospectively evaluate the effects of gum chewing on preoperative anxiety and patient’s discomfort in female patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. Ninety-four patients were enrolled and randomized either into conventional fasting group (control group) or chewing gum with fasting group (gum group). The control group was instructed to fast from 3 p.m. on the day before surgery. The gum group performed preoperative fasting in the same manner, but was encouraged to chew gum freely during the fasting period. The primary endpoint was the degree of preoperative anxiety. For the evaluation of preoperative anxiety, Amsterdam preoperative anxiety and information scale (APAIS) was used. Preoperative gastric fluid volume and acidity were also measured as the secondary outcomes. Preoperative anxiety using APAIS was significantly lower in the gum group compared to the control group (control group vs. gum group: 20.9 vs. 17.8, p = 0.009). However, there was no significant difference in the gastric fluid analysis between the groups. In the female patients for elective gynecologic surgery, chewing gum during the preoperative fasting period helped to alleviate preoperative anxiety without additional increase of pulmonary aspiration risks.Trial registration: KCT0004422 (05/11/2019, https://cris.nih.go.kr; registration number).

This dissertation focuses on Jeanne Wier and the years she was active in shaping the Nevada Historical Society (NHS), 1904-1950. It is the story of the institution as it unfolded over four decades, but more broadly, it considers how Wier shaped what Amanda Laugesen has framed as the idea of "public historical culture" in the state of Nevada. This culture not only included the collection of documents and books to provide a basis for research, but also the collection of relics for a museum that sought to be a showplace of Nevada's history for her citizens. It includes the means by which the NHS performed outreach to make Nevada's history a viable part of the community through anniversaries and celebrations and its efforts at preserving historic sites. The study considers the tension that arose in Wier's attempts to have the NHS fulfill these different roles and the challenges that she faced in obtaining financial, governmental and community support for the institution. An important consideration of the dissertation is its evaluation of how successful Wier was in achieving the goals of the NHS regarding its mission of developing a historical consciousness within the state and its citizenry. In defining success, the study considers the general volume and frequency of collection donations to the Society as well as the research it supported and the historical papers it published. When possible, the study considers quantitative data such the number of patrons that visited the Society, the number of people attending events and lectures, and the amount of financial support obtained from the legislature and via private funding. Moving beyond numbers, an assessment of her legacy at the NHS must also consider the collections she gathered over the years. Questions of collecting focus and in particular, an exploration of whose history was collected also form part of the study.

Background Since the femoral artery frequently overlaps the femoral vein, femoral central venous catheterization carries the risk of arterial puncture in pediatric patients. Aims We evaluated the angle range of leg abduction with external hip rotation to minimize the overlap between the femoral artery and vein in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods Eighty-two pediatric patients who underwent elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. Using ultrasonography, patients were divided into groups N (patients with non-overlap) and O (patients with continuing overlap) based on the presence of non-overlap range between the femoral artery and vein. The range minimizing the overlap was defined as the range without overlap in group N and as the range presenting the overlap that was less-than-half of the radius of the femoral vein in group O. By increasing the angle of leg abduction with external hip rotation, the starting and ending angles minimizing the overlap were found using ultrasonographic images. Results The angle range of leg abduction with external hip rotation minimizing the overlap between the femoral artery and vein was defined as the range from the maximum 99% confidence interval of starting angles to the minimum 99% confidence interval of ending angles, which was between 45° and 65° in group N and between 48° and 58° in group O, respectively. Conclusion Positioning patients in a range of 48° and 58° leg abduction with external hip rotation can minimize the overlap between the femoral artery and vein. However, the clinical usefulness of this positioning for femoral venous catheterization remains to be seen.

Background Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is widely used as a predictor of fluid responsiveness. However, a previous study has suggested a ‘grey zone' between 9 and 13% in which PPV would be inconclusive to predict fluid responsiveness. Considering PPV is based on cardiopulmonary interactions, we evaluated whether an augmented PPV using a temporary increase in tidal volume (VT) from 8 to 12 ml kg−1 has the predictability for fluid responsiveness in patients within the grey zone. Methods Adult patients requiring general anaesthesia were enrolled. During the period when PPV was within the range of 9–13%, haemodynamic variables such as stroke volume index (SVI) and PPV with an 8 ml kg−1 tidal volume ventilation (PPV8) were obtained before and after volume expansion (6 ml kg−1) under mechanical ventilation. Augmented PPV induced by 2-min ventilation with a VT of 12 ml kg−1 (PPV12) was also recorded immediately before volume loading. The patients whose SVI increased ≥10% after volume expansion were considered responders. Results In 38 enrolled patients, 20 were responders. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed PPV12 had an excellent predictability for fluid responsiveness {area under the curve [AUC]=0.935 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.805–0.989]; sensitivity 95%; specificity 72%; P 17%. However, PPV8 failed to show significant predictability [AUC=0.668 (95% CI 0.497–0.812); sensitivity 65%; specificity 61%; P=0.06]. Conclusion In mechanically ventilated patients, our augmented PPV successfully predicted fluid responsiveness in the previously suggested grey zone. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02653469.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare primary genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculation of the left ventricular wall and intertrabecular recesses. Perioperative management of the patient with LVNC might be challenging due to the clinical symptoms of heart failure, systemic thromboembolic events, and fatal left ventricular arrhythmias. We conducted real time intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in a patient with LVNC undergoing general anesthesia for ovarian cystectomy.

Introduction Although ultrasound guidance has significantly improved the success rate of radial artery catheterization, the failure rate in small children is still high. For the further improvement of success rate, we prospectively evaluated the factors that make ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization difficult in small children under two years old. Methods From October 2018 to September 2019, patients under two years old who required radial artery catheterization for surgery were enrolled. After collecting the anatomical characteristics of the radial artery using ultrasound at the puncture site, ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization was performed by one experienced anesthesiologist and recorded as a movie clip for further analysis. The primary outcome was to identify the factors related to the first attempt failure. The factors associated with the total duration of the procedure until success were also evaluated. Results A total of 183 children were included in the analysis. A radial artery cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 or less (OR [95% CI]: 5.26 [2.48–11.18], P Discussion A radial artery cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 or less, and the presence of an anomalous radial artery branch significantly increased the difficulty of ultrasound-guided radial artery catheterization in small children under two years old. In patients of these ages, pre-procedural ultrasound scanning to find an optimal site for catheterization may increase the first-attempt success rate. However, further studies are needed to verify the usefulness of pre-procedural scanning.

Background We evaluated the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for the identification of extracapsular spread (ECS) with supporting histologic correlations in laryngeal cancer. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 89 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT before surgery. Results ECS was present in 38.2% (18 of 47) of dissected necks and in 32.2% (20 of 62) of dissected cervical levels. There was a significant difference in the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax) between cervical lymph nodes with and without ECS (6.39 ± 4.53 vs 1.21 ± 1.70; p < .001); the cutoff value for differentiating nodes with ECS from those without ECS was 2.8, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 85.6%. Conclusion A median SUVmax cutoff value >2.8 was associated with an increased risk of cervical lymph node metastasis and ECS in patients with laryngeal cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT is useful in assessing contralateral lymph node metastasis in the neck. Design A retrospective review of medical records was performed. Setting Patients treated at a single institute. Participants One hundred and fifty-seven patients whose pathology results were positive for unilateral node metastasis (N1-3) involvement and underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were reviewed. Main outcome measures Prognostic factors and nodal SUVmax were studied to identify the risk of contralateral disease. Results Thirty-six (22.9%) patients had contralateral cervical lymph node metastases. The 18F-FDG PET/CT had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 96% in identifying the contralateral cervical lymph node metastases on a level-by-level basis. The median SUVmax values of the ipsilateral and contralateral lymph nodes were 3.99 ± 3.36 (range, 0–20.4) and 2.94 ± 2.04 (range, 0–8.7), respectively (P = 0.001). There was a significant difference in the median SUVmax of contralateral nodes between the benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes (2.31 ± 0.62 versus 3.28 ± 2.43, P = 0.014). The cut-off value of contralateral median SUVmax in the context of contralateral cervical metastasis was 2.5 with the sensitivity of 75% and the specificity of 94%. A median contralateral lymph node SUVmax ≥ 2.5 was associated with 5-year disease-specific survival (P = 0.038). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT median SUVmax cut-off values of contralateral lymph nodes ≥2.5 were associated with contralateral cervical lymph node metastases and 5-year disease-specific survival in HNSCC patients with unilateral metastases.

Because of insufficient number of donor hearts for cardiac transplantation, the use of implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been increasing as an alternative. During this procedure, the fundamental role of anesthesiologists would be to maintain stable hemodynamics. This report describes the anesthetic case of a 75-year-old man who underwent implantable LVAD placement as a destination therapy of his heart failure in Korea. The procedure and anesthesia were uneventful with transesophageal echocariographic guide. He moved to the ward on postoperative day 10 without fatal complication.

Background Cryoprecipitate may be used to treat bleeding in cardiac surgery. Its effects on plasma fibrinogen and fibrin clotting in this setting are poorly defined. Study Design And Methods Patients undergoing on-pump aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) were recruited prospectively. After protamine reversal, cryoprecipitate was administered to patients with bleeding, and fibrin deficit was indicated by thromboelastometry (ROTEM)-based FIBTEM test. Coagulation was assessed using ROTEM-based tests and standard laboratory tests before and after cryoprecipitate. Results Thirteen patients were included. Cryoprecipitate significantly elevated EXTEM A10 from (mean ± standard deviation) 29.4 ± 5.8 to 34.8 ± 5.9 mm (p = 0.01), FIBTEM A10 from 3.5 ± 0.9 to 5.8 ± 1.7 mm (p = 0.04), and plasma fibrinogen concentration from 154.2 ± 25.6 to 193.4 ± 30.5 mg/dL (p = 0.01). EXTEM clot elasticity at 10 minutes (CE10) increased from 42.5 ± 12.0 to 54.7 ± 14.9 mm after cryoprecipitate (30.0% increase). FIBTEM CE10 increased from 3.7 ± 0.9 to 6.2 ± 2.0 mm (53.0% increase). A fibrinogen dose of 13.2 ± 5.2 mg/kg was required to increase FIBTEM A10 by 1 mm. In vivo recovery of fibrinogen was 61.6 ± 31.2%. Conclusions Cryoprecipitate increased plasma fibrinogen levels and fibrin-based clotting in bleeding patients undergoing aortic surgery with DHCA. In vivo recovery of fibrinogen was considerably below 100% and fibrinogen content varied between cryoprecipitate units. Trials are needed to assess whether cryoprecipitate impacts clinical outcomes and to evaluate its safety.

BACKGROUND In this study we evaluated the effect of passive leg elevation (LE) and Trendelenburg (T) position on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in infants and young children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. A secondary aim was to compare the CSA of the IJV between subjects with right-to-left (RL) shunt and left-to-right (LR) shunt. METHODS Ninety infants and small children from 10 days to 31 months old weighing from 1.5 to 9.7 kg were assigned to group RL (n = 48) or LR (n = 42). In both groups, the CSA, transverse, and vertical diameters of the IJV on both sides of the neck were measured using a 2-dimensional ultrasound transducer in the following positions: supine position, 15° of T position, supine position with 50° of LE, and 15° of Trendelenburg position with 50° of LE (TLE). A more than 25% increase in mean CSA of the IJV was considered clinically significant. RESULTS In group LR, T, LE, and TLE significantly increased CSA of both right (at least 12.3%, 10.3%, and 18.3%, respectively, "at least" refers to the lower 95% confidence limits) and left (at least 15.8%, 15.0%, and 18.9%, respectively) IJVs, whereas only TLE increased the CSA of both IJVs significantly in group RL (at least 8.2% and 7.7% in the right and left, respectively). The increase in the CSA of the right IJV related to T and TLE was larger in group LR than in group RL (at least 12.3% vs 1.2% for T and at least 18.3% vs 8.2% for TLE, respectively). A clinically significant increase in CSA was achieved in both right and left IJVs with TLE in group LR (mean 28.6% and 26.3%, respectively). The CSA of the right IJV was larger than that of the left IJV in most (at least 69.2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Passive LE was as effective as T position to increase the CSA of the IJV, but there was no clinically significant increase in the CSA with any single maneuver. Only T position with passive LE achieved a clinically significant increase in the CSA of both IJVs in infants and young children with LR shunt, but not in the same age group with RL shunt.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Modifiable risk factors for postoperative AKI including perioperative anesthesia-related parameters were assessed. The authors conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 220 patients (aged 10 days to 19 years) who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between January and December 2012. The incidence of AKI within 7 days postoperatively was determined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Ninety-two patients (41.8%) developed AKI and 18 (8.2%) required renal replacement therapy within the first postoperative week. Among patients who developed AKI, 57 patients (25.9%) were KDIGO stage 1, 27 patients (12.3%) were KDIGO stage 2, and eight patients (3.6%) were KDIGO stage 3. RACHS-1 (Risk-Adjusted classification for Congenital Heart Surgery) category, perioperative transfusion and fluid administration as well as fluid overload were compared between patients with and without AKI. Multivariable logistic regression analyses determined the risk factors for AKI. AKI was associated with longer hospital stay or ICU stay, and frequent sternal wound infections. Younger age (3 g/dl) from preoperative level on POD1 was entered into the multivariable analysis, it was independently associated with postoperative AKI (OR, 6.51; 95% CI, 2.23–19.03 compared with no increase). This association was significant after adjustment with patient demographics, medication history and RACHS-1 category (hemoglobin increase >3g/dl vs. no increase: adjusted OR, 6.94; 95% CI, 2.33–20.69), regardless of different age groups and cyanotic or non-cyanotic heart disease. Prospective trials are required to evaluate whether correction of preoperative anemia and prevention of hemoconcentration may ameliorate postoperative AKI in patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate whether slow injection of diluted rocuronium could reduce rocuronium-induced withdrawal movements effectively in children. Methods After loss of consciousness, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was administered into 171 children according to the pre-assigned groups as follows: Group CF, injection of non-diluted rocuronium over 5 seconds; Group CS, injection of non-diluted rocuronium over 1 minute; Group DF, injection of diluted rocuronium (10 times) over 5 seconds; Group DS, injection of diluted rocuronium over 1 minute. An investigator who was blind to the injection techniques recorded patient movements followed by rocuronium injection. Results The incidence of withdrawal movement in Group CF was highest among the groups (all P < 0.0001). Moreover, withdrawal movement was less frequently observed in Group DS than in Groups CS and DF (P = 0.021 and P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusions Slow injection of diluted rocuronium reduced the incidence of withdrawal movements in children.

Summary Tracheal intubations with the Airway Scope or the Clarus Video System, a new rigid fibrescope, were compared in 140 patients whose necks were immobilised by cervical collars. The time for intubation, success rate, number of attempts and number of optimisation manoeuvres were assessed. Mean (SD) intubation time was longer with the Airway Scope (30.4 (16.5) s) than with the Clarus Video System (18.9 (15.2) s; p = 0.003) and the median (IQR [range]) number of optimisation manoeuvres was also marginally different; 0 (0–1 [0–2]) with the Airway Scope, 0 (0–0 [0–2]) with the Clarus Video System; p = 0.004. The tracheas of 67 (95.7%) and 66 (94.3%) patients were successfully intubated with the Airway Scope and the Clarus Video System, respectively (p = 1.0). The number of attempts, vital signs and complications were not different between devices. The Clarus Video System was comparable to the Airway Scope in the success rate for tracheal intubation, but provided faster and easier intubations than the Airway Scope in patients with cervical collars.

BACKGROUND: Movement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is one of the most important factors in determining the intrathecal spread of isobaric spinal anesthetics. Preanesthetic administration of either crystalloid or colloid immediately before spinal anesthesia (preload) may result in different CSF pulsatile movement because of their different physical properties. We examined whether preload of crystalloid versus colloid may have different effects on the intrathecal spread of isobaric spinal anesthetics as a result of their different CSF dynamics regarding its pulsatile movement. METHODS: In a clinical study of isobaric spinal anesthesia, patients were allocated into 1 of 2 groups according to preload with either crystalloid (n = 30) or colloid (n = 30) before spinal anesthesia with 0.5% isobaric tetracaine. The pulsatile movements of CSF at the L2-3 intervertebral space and midportion of the aqueduct of Sylvius were also examined by magnetic resonance images in healthy volunteers (n = 23) at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after administering either crystalloid or colloid. RESULTS: In the clinical study, the time to reach the peak sensory block level was delayed significantly in the crystalloid preload group (27.2 ± 17.8 minutes; P < 0.01) compared with the colloid preload group (13.9 ± 7.0 minutes). The median sensory block levels of the crystalloid preload group at 15 minutes (T10, P < 0.05) and 20 minutes (T9.5, P < 0.05) were significantly lower than those (T8, T7, respectively) of the colloid preload group. In the magnetic resonance imaging study, cranially directed CSF pulsatile movement decreased significantly at the L2-3 intervertebral intrathecal space at 30 minutes after crystalloid administration, but not after colloid administration. The CSF production rate significantly increased at 30 minutes (637 μL/min, P < 0.05) after crystalloid preload compared with the baseline measurement (448 μL/min), and then slightly decreased (609 μL/min) at 60 minutes. In the colloid preload group, the CSF production rate was not statistically significant compared with the baseline measurement (464, 512, and 542 μL/min at baseline, 30, and 60 minutes, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a colloid preload, which may be comparable to the no-preload condition, crystalloid preload prolonged the time to reach the peak sensory block level in isobaric spinal anesthesia, which might have been caused by a significant decrease in CSF pulsatile movement. This attenuated CSF pulsatile movement in the crystalloid preload group might have resulted from significant increases of CSF production.

Purpose To compare the attenuating effects of milrinone versus nitroglycerin on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increase caused by repeat intravenous bolus injection of absolute ethanol in anesthetized dogs. Materials and Methods Twenty-four dogs were randomly distributed into three groups: a control group (group C), a nitroglycerin group (treated with a continuous infusion of nitroglycerin at 5.0 μg/kg/min; group N), and a milrinone group (treated with a continuous infusion of milrinone at 3.0 μg/kg/min after an initial bolus dose of 100 μg/kg; group M). Absolute ethanol (0.1 mL/kg) was injected at 10-minute intervals via a 5-F angiographic catheter advanced into the proximal portion of the inferior vena cava. Immediately before and after each intravenous injection of absolute ethanol, hemodynamic values were obtained through a pulmonary arterial catheter. Results Group M showed more stable hemodynamic values of systolic, mean, and diastolic PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) compared with groups C and N. In addition, group M showed significantly higher values of cardiac output versus group C at 10 minutes after the 10th bolus of ethanol. After restoration of spontaneous breathing, group M also showed the least hemodynamic changes in systolic, mean, and diastolic PAPs and PVR among the groups. Conclusions Although a continuous infusion of nitroglycerin or milrinone effectively prevented cardiovascular deterioration, milrinone was superior to nitroglycerin in managing the acute hemodynamic changes that resulted from repeated intravenous bolus injections of absolute ethanol (0.1 mL/kg) in healthy anesthetized dogs.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of repeat bolus absolute ethanol injections on cardiopulmonary hemodynamic changes during ethanol embolotherapy of inoperable congenital arteriovenous (AV) malformations in the extremities.Thirty adult patients (14 male, 16 female; age range, 22-51 years) who underwent ethanol embolotherapy of extremity AV malformations were enrolled in the study. A pulmonary artery catheter was used to measure hemodynamic profiles at baseline (T(baseline)), immediately before (T(pre)) and after (T(post)) a bolus injection of absolute ethanol, at the time of the maximum mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) value during a session (T(highest)), 10 minutes after the final injection (T(final)), and after restoration of spontaneous breathing (T(resp)).The systolic, mean, and diastolic PAP (P.01, P.01, and P.01, respectively) and the systemic vascular resistance index (P.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI; P.05) of T(highest) and T(resp) were significantly higher than values for T(final). The volume of a single bolus injection of absolute ethanol from 0.023 to 0.175 mL/kg of body weight showed that the systolic PAP (P = .02), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (P = .02), and PVRI (P.01) significantly increased in accordance with the increased single volume of absolute ethanol. A significant increase of the right ventricular end-diastolic volume index and right ventricular end-systolic volume index were observed at a dose of more than 0.14 mL/kg of body weight for a single bolus injection of absolute ethanol.During ethanol embolotherapy of extremity AV malformations, significant hemodynamic changes can arise during a bolus injection of absolute ethanol. Cardiopulmonary hemodynamic profiles should be monitored closely after a bolus injection of more than 0.14 mL/kg of body weight of absolute ethanol.

Background Spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery is commonly associated with hypotension and nausea and vomiting, and preload with crystalloid or colloid solution is widely recommended. Low-dose spinal via the combined spinal-epidural technique appears to cause less hypotension and nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combined use of colloid preload and combined spinal-epidural technique might further reduce the rates of these symptoms. Methods Women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were randomly allocated to one of four groups (50 in each) to receive crystalloid preload before spinal anesthesia, colloid preload before spinal anesthesia, crystalloid preload before combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, and colloid preload before combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. The incidences of hypotension and nausea and vomiting were compared. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 9 mg and fentanyl 20 μg, and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 6 mg + fentanyl 20 μg followed by epidural injection of 0.25% bupivacaine 10 mL. Results The frequencies of hypotension were 44%, 18%, 24%, and 20% in crystalloid preload-spinal anesthesia, colloid preload-spinal anesthesia, crystalloid preload-combined spinal epidural anesthesia, and colloid preload-combined spinal epidural anesthesia groups, respectively. The frequencies of nausea and vomiting were 20%, 2%, 8%, and 4% in respective groups. Conclusion Colloid preload and low-dose spinal anesthesia alone or in combination lowered the incidences of hypotension and nausea. However, the combination of two methods failed to demonstrate further decreases in the incidence of the symptoms compared to the colloid-spinal anesthesia or crystalloid-combined spinal-epidural anesthesia groups.

The influence of body-mass index (BMI) on spinal anesthesia is still controversial, with discrepant results reported in previous studies. To compare spinal anesthesia in obese and non-obese subjects, the anesthesia profiles in patients who underwent spinal anesthesia using intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine were compared. A total of 209 patients undergoing elective total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKRA) surgery under spinal anesthesia were divided into an NO (non-obese) group (BMI < 30 kg/m2, n = 141) and an O (obese) group (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 68). Anesthesia was deemed successful if a bilateral T12 sensory block occurred within 15 minutes of intrathecal drug administration, and if the level of sensory block was higher than T12 when the surgery ended. Logistic regression analysis with multiple variables known to influence spinal anesthesia was performed to identify which parameters independently determined the spinal anesthesia outcome. Similar doses of bupivacaine were administered to the NO and O groups. The incidence of anesthesia failure was significantly lower in the O group [n = 43 (30.5%) in the NO group vs. n = 10 (18.9%) in the O group, p = 0.014]. The independent predictors for successful anesthesia in all patients were dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine [odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% CI: 1.64–2.73] and obese status (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.25–6.52). Time to first report of postoperative pain and time to first self-void were significantly longer in the O group. These results suggest that the duration of block with hyperbaric bupivacaine is prolonged in obese patients and obesity is independently associated with spinal anesthesia outcomes, as is bupivacaine dosage. A further study enrolling patients with morbid obesity and using a fixed bupivacaine dosage is required to confirm the effect of obesity on spinal anesthesia.

Paraesthesia during regional anaesthesia is an unpleasant sensation for patients and, more importantly, in some cases it is related to neurological injury. Relatively few studies have been conducted on the frequency of paraesthesia during combined spinal epidural anaesthesia. We compared two combined spinal epidural anaesthesia techniques: the needle-through-needle technique and the double segment technique in this respect. We randomly allocated 116 parturients undergoing elective Caesarean section to receive anaesthesia using one of these techniques. Both techniques were performed using a 27G pencil point needle, an 18G Tuohy needle, and a 20G multiport epidural catheter from the same manufacturer. The overall frequency of paraesthesia was higher in the needle-through-needle technique group (56.9% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.011). The frequency of paraesthesia at spinal needle insertion was 20.7% in the needle-through-needle technique group and 8.8% in the double segment technique group; whereas the frequency of paraesthesia at epidural catheter insertion was 46.6% in the needle-through-needle technique group and 24.6% in the double segment technique group.

To retrospectively investigate how repeat injections of absolute ethanol in therapeutic doses, required for multisession sclerotherapy of large high-flow soft-tissue arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in patients with normal cardiopulmonary function, affect pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP).Study received approval and waiver of informed consent by institutional review board and was conducted in 16 male and 16 female patients with AVMs who underwent repeat sclerotherapy (142 sessions total) with absolute ethanol from July 1997 to December 2003. PAPs were monitored during first session in all patients. In subsequent sessions, PAP was monitored with pulmonary catheter when predicted single dose of ethanol exceeded 3 mL and total amount exceeded 0.25 mL/kg. PAP was measured in 104 sessions. Serum ethanol levels from blood samples obtained at end of each session were reviewed. PAP parameters were analyzed at beginning and end of each session, and highest value was recorded to assess any increase after repeat therapy. Difference between initial and highest PAP values recorded in a session (Delta(max)) was noted to determine any increase during repeat sessions. Possible relationship was reviewed between this value and amount of ethanol used. For sessions without PAP monitoring, mixed model was used for statistical analysis.Total ethanol used was variable. In 43 sessions, highest mean PAP exceeded 25 mm Hg. Incidence of sustained pulmonary hypertension (mean PAP25 mm Hg) at end of each session was 30.8% (32 of 104 sessions). Initial PAP parameters did not increase or decrease during repeat sessions. No significant changes in Delta(max) of systolic and mean PAP were observed with increasing number of sessions. Rather, Delta(max) of diastolic PAP was reduced after repeat sessions (P = .03). There was no significant correlation between serum ethanol level and PAP parameters at end of sessions. Relationships between Delta(max) values of systolic, mean, and diastolic PAP and total ethanol used were not significant.High incidence of acute pulmonary hypertension was observed in each sclerotherapy session without lasting effect on PAP.

We evaluated the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for the identification of extracapsular spread (ECS) with supporting histologic correlations in laryngeal cancer.We reviewed the medical records of 89 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT before surgery.ECS was present in 38.2% (18 of 47) of dissected necks and in 32.2% (20 of 62) of dissected cervical levels. There was a significant difference in the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax ) between cervical lymph nodes with and without ECS (6.39 ± 4.53 vs 1.21 ± 1.70; p.001); the cutoff value for differentiating nodes with ECS from those without ECS was 2.8, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 85.6%.A median SUVmax cutoff value2.8 was associated with an increased risk of cervical lymph node metastasis and ECS in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Background Previous studies have reported the cardioprotective effect of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine. We compared the effect of lidocaine and dexmedetomidine infusion during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB). Methods 153 patients undergoing OPCAB were enrolled. The lidocaine group (n = 36, Group LIDO) received an infusion of lidocaine 2 mg/kg/h after bolus 1.5 mg/kg; the dexmedetomidine group (n = 40, Group DEX) received dexmedetomidine 0.3–0.7 μg/kg/h; the combined group (n = 39, Group Combined) received infusion of both drugs; and the control group (n = 38) received nothing. We measured serum creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration before and immediately after the surgery, postoperative day (POD)#1 and #2. The complication rate and clinical outcomes were compared. Results The concentration of cTnI was significantly lower in the Group LIDO and Group Combined than the control group on POD#2. The concentration of CK-MB was significantly lower in the Group LIDO and Group Combined compared to the control group on POD#1 and #2 [CK-MB on POD#1: 7.67 (5.78–11.92) vs. 7.18 (5.01–11.72) vs. 13.19 (6.85–23.87) in the Group LIDO, combined and control, respectively, Group LIDO vs. control: p = 0.003, Group Combined vs. control: p = 0.015]. The AUC of CK-MB was significantly lower in the Group LIDO and Group Combined than the control group. However, clinical variables including complication rate, ICU stay and one-year mortality were not different. Conclusions Lidocaine infused at 2 mg/kg/h, but not dexmedetomidine infused at 0.3–0.7 μg/kg/h reduced postoperative myocardial injury marker levels compared with the control group. However, no other clinical benefits were observed.

A high incidence of diabetes mellitus has been reported among patients diagnosed with lumbar degenerative spinal diseases. Although epidural steroid injections are known to increase the postprocedure blood glucose level, it has not been investigated whether a lower steroid dose can reduce blood glucose excursions and still be effective in controlling patients' subjective pain.We compared the effects of 2 common doses of triamcinolone administered via epidural steroid injections on blood glucose levels and pain control in patients with diabetes mellitus to determine an adequate epidural steroid dose.A prospective observational study.One hundred patients with diabetes mellitus were enrolled. They received lumbar transforaminal, lumbar interlaminar, or caudal epidural triamcinolone for radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, or failed back surgery syndrome. After the type of procedure was clinically determined, the doses of triamcinolone given were randomly chosen, either 40 mg (Group 40) or 20 mg (Group 20). The patients were asked to measure their finger stick blood glucose level twice daily (fasting and postprandial) for 3 days before the injection, on the day of the injection, for 7 days after the injection, and at 14 days after the injection. They also kept a blood glucose diary. Employment status and clinical outcome were evaluated at 8 weeks after the procedure.There were significant increases in fasting blood glucose (FBG) level on postprocedure day (PPD) #1 to PPD #3 in Group 40, but on PPD #1 in Group 20. Moreover, there was a significant difference in FBG between groups on PPD #1 and PPD #2 (FBG on PPD #1: 179 [51]) mg/dL in Group 40 versus 146 [50] mg/dL in Group 20, P0.001]. Postprandial blood glucose (PBG) level was significantly elevated in both groups from PPD #0 to PPD #3. Notably, the increase in PBG was significantly greater in Group 40 than Group 20 on PPD #0 and #1 (PBG on PPD #0: 288 [57] mg/dL versus 242 [94] mg/dL in Groups 40 and 20, respectively, P = 0.004). The numeric rating scale for pain reported by the patients decreased for 2 weeks after treatment with no difference between groups. Employment status and clinical outcome was not different between groups.The patients who chose to participate in this study may be a cohort of well-controlled patients with diabetes mellitus. The type of procedure performed was determined by a clinical decision and not randomized. The different routes of administration and diagnosis of failed back surgery syndrome can result in different levels of systemic absorption, thereby influencing the degree and duration of hyperglycemia. In patients with FBSS, the epidural space may be destructed by surgery and adhesive changes in epidural space could be extensive. Therefore, we thought that the absorption of epidural space in these patients would be incomplete or slow compared with those without FBSS.Epidural steroid injections were associated with statistically significant elevations in PBG in patients with diabetes for up to 4 days after the procedure. The higher dose of triamcinolone increased FBG and PBG greater than a lower dose did without affecting pain control, employment status, or clinical outcome. Thus, with respect to glucose and pain control, 20 mg of triamcinolone appears to be recommended rather than 40 mg in patients with diabetes. Clinical Trials registration : NCT01435707.

Purpose. The reperfusion period during liver transplantation is hemodynamically unstable. Accurate blood pressure measurements are the mainstay for the efficient management of abrupt cardiovascular changes. We sought to compare femoral arterial blood pressure (FABP) with radial arterial blood pressure (RABP) and noninvasive upper arm blood pressure (NIBP) in the reperfusion period. Methods. Thirty-six adult living donor liver recipients were enrolled in this prospective study. Blood pressures in 3 locations were simultaneously recorded from 1 minute before reperfusion to 15 minutes after reperfusion. We evaluated agreements between FABP and RABP and between FABP and NIBP using intraclass correlation coefficients. Also, we investigated the rates of postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) based on the measurements from 3 locations. Results. After reperfusion, the mean and diastolic RABP agreed more with the corresponding FABP than NIBP. However, systolic NIBP showed high agreement with FABP from 3 to 10 minutes after reperfusion in contrast with the moderate agreement between systolic RABP with FABP, and systolic values of NIBP than RABP were closer to FABP. The rates of PRS based on FABP, RABP, and NIBP measurements were 50.0% (18/36), 80.6% (29/36), and 50.0% (18/36), respectively. Conclusions. We believe that NIBP in addition to RABP may be considered to be a reliable alternative when FABP is not available to evaluate hemodynamic instability in the reperfusion period during liver transplantation.

Cryoprecipitate may be used to treat bleeding in cardiac surgery. Its effects on plasma fibrinogen and fibrin clotting in this setting are poorly defined.Patients undergoing on-pump aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) were recruited prospectively. After protamine reversal, cryoprecipitate was administered to patients with bleeding, and fibrin deficit was indicated by thromboelastometry (ROTEM)-based FIBTEM test. Coagulation was assessed using ROTEM-based tests and standard laboratory tests before and after cryoprecipitate.Thirteen patients were included. Cryoprecipitate significantly elevated EXTEM A10 from (mean ± standard deviation) 29.4 ± 5.8 to 34.8 ± 5.9 mm (p = 0.01), FIBTEM A10 from 3.5 ± 0.9 to 5.8 ± 1.7 mm (p = 0.04), and plasma fibrinogen concentration from 154.2 ± 25.6 to 193.4 ± 30.5 mg/dL (p = 0.01). EXTEM clot elasticity at 10 minutes (CE10) increased from 42.5 ± 12.0 to 54.7 ± 14.9 mm after cryoprecipitate (30.0% increase). FIBTEM CE10 increased from 3.7 ± 0.9 to 6.2 ± 2.0 mm (53.0% increase). A fibrinogen dose of 13.2 ± 5.2 mg/kg was required to increase FIBTEM A10 by 1 mm. In vivo recovery of fibrinogen was 61.6 ± 31.2%.Cryoprecipitate increased plasma fibrinogen levels and fibrin-based clotting in bleeding patients undergoing aortic surgery with DHCA. In vivo recovery of fibrinogen was considerably below 100% and fibrinogen content varied between cryoprecipitate units. Trials are needed to assess whether cryoprecipitate impacts clinical outcomes and to evaluate its safety.

Objective The authors identified risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) defined by risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage (RIFLE) criteria after aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and constructed a simplified risk score for the prediction of AKI. Design Retrospective and observational. Setting Single large university hospital. Participants Patients (737) who underwent aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 1997 and 2010. Main Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors. A scoring model was developed in a randomly selected derivation cohort (n = 417), and was validated on the remaining patients. The scoring model was developed with a score based on regression β-coefficient, and was compared with previous indices as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The incidence of AKI was 29.0%, and 5.8% required renal replacement therapy. Independent risk factors for AKI were age older than 60 years, preoperative glomerular filtration rate 7 hours, intraoperative urine output

To evaluate the changes in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) during ethanol embolization and to identify the most vulnerable period associated with cardiovascular collapse in patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).Twenty-three patients (30 sessions) with AVMs were enrolled. PAP was measured at the following times: baseline (T(baseline)); immediately before (T(pre)), and after (T(post)) bolus injection of absolute ethanol; at the time of maximum mean PAP value during a session (T(highest-ethanol)); 10 min after final injection (T(final)); after restoration of spontaneous breathing (T(resp)); at extubation (T(extubation)); 30 min after extubation (T(extubation-30)(min)); and at the time of maximum mean PAP after patient resumed spontaneous respiration (T(highest-resp)). Nitroglycerin was infused (range 0.5-3 μg/kg/min) in all patients to attenuate the effect of ethanol on pulmonary vasoconstriction.The PAPs of T(highest-ethanol), T(resp), T(extubation), and T(highest-resp) were significantly higher than the corresponding values for T(baseline) and T(final) (all p0.05). The systolic and mean PAPs of T(highest-resp) were significantly higher than those at T(highest-ethanol) (both p0.05). In 24 sessions (80%), the highest mean PAP was detected during the recovery period.The greatest rise in PAP was noted during the recovery period in patients undergoing ethanol embolotherapy. Therefore, PAP monitoring and nitroglycerin infusions are recommended during the recovery period because early detection of an increase in PAP and prompt management may prevent detrimental complications.