BackgroundBlood transfusions are common in cardiac surgery, but have been associated with increased morbidity and long-term mortality. Efforts to reduce blood product use during cardiac surgery include fluid restriction to minimize hemodilution, and protocols to guide transfusion decisions. INVOS is a modality that monitors brain tissue oxygen saturation, and could be useful in guiding decisions to transfuse. However, the role of INVOS (brain tissue oxygen saturation) as part of an algorithm to direct blood transfusions during cardiac surgery has not been evaluated. This study was conducted to investigate the value of INVOS as part of a protocol for blood transfusions during cardiac surgery.MethodsProspective, randomized, blinded clinical trial, on 150 (75 per group) elective cardiac surgery patients. The study was approved by the Institution Ethics committee and all patients gave written informed consent. Data were initially analyzed based on “intention to treat”, but subsequently were also analyzed “per protocol”.ResultsWhen protocol was strictly followed (“per protocol analysis”), compared to the control group, significantly fewer patients monitored with INVOS received any blood transfusions (46 of 70 patients in INVOS group vs. 55 of 67 patients in the control group, p = 0.029). Similarly, patients monitored with INVOS received significantly fewer units of red blood cell transfusions intraoperatively (0.20 ± 0.50 vs. 0.52 ± 0.88, p = 0.008) and overall during hospital stay (1.31 ± 1.20 vs. 1.82 ± 1.46, p = 0.024). When data from all patients (including patient with protocol violation) were analyzed together (“intention to treat analysis”), the observed reduction of blood transfusions in the INVOS group was still significant (51 of 75 patients transfused in the INVOS group vs. 63 of 75 patients transfused in the control group, p = 0.021), but the overall number of units transfused per patient did not differ significantly between the groups (1.55 ± 1.97 vs. 1.84 ± 1.41, p = 0.288).ConclusionsOur data suggest that INVOS could be a useful tool as part of an algorithm to guide decisions for blood transfusion in cardiac surgery. Additional data from rigorous, well designed studies are needed to further evaluate the role of INVOS in guiding blood transfusions in cardiac surgery, and circumvent the limitations of this study.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00879463

Persistent hypotension during elective major abdominal surgery is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications and may prolong hospitalization and affect patient outcomes. Anesthetic management for the avoidance of hypotension, as much as possible, during major abdominal surgery may positively affect outcomes.

Introduction. The prognostic value of age, physical status, and duration of surgery on perioperative course has been extensively studied. However, the impact of deep hypnotic time (time when Bispectral Index values are less than 40) has not been well evaluated. Methods. We designed an observational study to clarify the relative influence of deep hypnotic time (DHT) on outcome. Eligible participants were mentally stable patients over 18 years old scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery. In total, 248 patients enrolled. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression. Results. Five variables (DHT, hypotension, age, comorbidity, and duration of surgery) showed statistically significant association with complications, when examined independently. However, when all variables were examined together in a multiple logistic regression model, age and comorbidity were no longer associated with outcome. DHT, hypotension, and duration of surgery were significant predictors of “complications,” and “hypotension” was a significant predictor of prolonged hospital stay (P < 0.001).  Conclusion. Deep hypnotic time emerged as a new factor associated with outcome, and its impact compared to other factors such as age, surgery duration, hypotension, and comorbidity is redefined. Monitoring and managing depth of anesthesia during surgery are important and should be part of careful operation planning.

Introduction. Pain after cardiac surgery affects long-term patient wellness. This study investigated the effect of preoperative pregabalin on acute and chronic pain after elective cardiac surgery with median sternotomy. Methods. Prospective double blind study. 93 cardiac surgery patients were randomly assigned into three groups: Group 1 received placebo, Group 2 received oral pregabalin 75 mg, and Group 3 received oral pregabalin 150 mg. Data were collected 8 hours, 24 hours, and 3 months postoperatively. Results. Patients receiving pregabalin required fewer morphine boluses (10 in controls versus 6 in Group 1 versus 4 in Group 2, p = 0.000) and had lower pain scores at 8 hours (4 versus 3 versus 3, p = 0.001) and 3 months (3 versus 2 versus 2, p = 0.000) and lower morphine consumption at 8 hours (14 versus 13 versus 12 mg, p = 0.000) and 24 hours (19.5 versus 16 versus 15 mg, p = 0.000). Percentage of patients with sleep disturbances or requiring analgesics was lower in the pregabalin group and even lower with higher pregabalin dose (16/31 versus 5/31 versus 3/31, p = 0.000, and 26/31 versus 16/31 versus 10/31, p = 0.000, resp.) 3 months after surgery. Conclusion. Preoperative oral pregabalin 75 or 150 mg reduces postoperative morphine requirements and acute and chronic pain after cardiac surgery.

Reinfusion of large amounts of unprocessed blood (up to 40% of blood volume), collected with compresses from a noncontaminated surgical field is a cheap method, which may be of potential benefit in trauma patients, when more sophisticated autotransfusion devices are lacking. In the present study, this method resulted in transient but significant hemodynamic changes in the pulmonary circulation. Impairment of oxygen transport was noticed after the end of hemorrhage, but this impairment cannot be attributed to the autotransfusion technique alone, but also to factors such as hemorrhagic shock, surgical trauma, etc.

BackgroundExisting data suggest that obesity correlates with airway hyper-reactivity. However, the incidence of bronchospasm during bariatric surgery in obese patients has not been well studied.Methods This was a prospective observational study comparing 50 obese versus 50 non obese patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery over a 2 year period. Bronchospasm was detected clinically by auscultation and was confirmed by measuring peak airway pressure during mechanical ventilation. Blood gases were measured at predetermined time intervals intraoperatively. Categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, while numerical variables within and between groups were compared using repeated measures general linear model.ResultsThe incidence of bronchospasm was significantly higher in obese compared to non obese patients (P = 0.027). Peak airway pressures and blood gases differed significantly when comparing non obese patients versus obese patients without bronchospasm versus obese patients with bronchospasm. Hypoventilation resulting in gradual increase of arterial PaCO2 was noted in all groups during surgery.ConclusionThe incidence of bronchospasm is higher in obese patients compared to non obese patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery. Airway pressures and blood gas values in obese patients are somewhere between values in non obese patients and values in patients with bronchospasm, thereby implying that obesity is associated with a state where bronchial smooth muscles are not fully relaxed. Consideration of increased airway reactivity in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery is important for improved patient care and uneventful anesthetic course.

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Percutaneous RFA of small RCCs using ultrasound-based guidance under local anesthesia can be an effective alternative method for managing patients who are unfit for surgery.