Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effects of sodium nitroprusside-induced hypotension on splanchnic perfusion and hepatocellular integrity.
The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of sodium nitroprusside-induced hypotension on splanchnic perfusion and hepatocellular integrity. Thirty patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were allocated randomly to a sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or control group (control). Regional pco2 was measured using gastric tonometry, and the regional to arterial difference in partial pressure of CO2 and intramucosal pH were calculated. The cytosolic liver enzyme alpha-glutathione S-transferase and standard liver enzyme markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase) were also measured. Mean arterial pressure in the SNP group was 50 mm Hg for 97 min during surgery. A significant increase from baseline in regional pco2 (from 40.0+/-4.2 mm Hg to 45.3+/-1.3 mm Hg) and regional to arterial difference in partial pressure of CO2 (from 4.1+/-1.1 mm Hg to 9.7+/-1.4 mm Hg) was seen at 90 min after skin incision only in the SNP group. Intramucosal pH decreased significantly from 7.40+/-0.02 to 7.35+/-0.03 during the same period in this group. Tonometric variables returned to baseline values within 2 h postoperatively. Alpha-glutathione S-transferase concentrations increased significantly in the SNP group from baseline to peak concentrations at the end of surgery (SNP: 9.93+/-4.94 microg/L; control: 5.85+/-1.86 microg/L). A return to baseline values was seen 24 h postoperatively. No significant changes in standard liver enzyme markers were seen throughout the study period. It is concluded, that splanchnic perfusion was transiently impaired during controlled hypotension. This is supported by significant changes in tonometric data. Increased serum levels of alpha-glutathione S-transferase may indicate a disturbance in hepatocellular integrity. ⋯ We studied gastric mucosal tonometry and the cytosolic liver enzyme alpha-glutathione S-transferase to evaluate the effects of controlled hypotension induced by sodium nitroprusside on splanchnic perfusion and hepatocellular integrity. Splanchnic perfusion decreased and alpha-glutathione S-transferase increased during and after a hypotensive period, but returned to baseline values within the first postoperative day, indicating a transient impairment of splanchnic perfusion and hepatocellular integrity.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialQuantitative comparison of leakage under the tourniquet in forearm versus conventional intravenous regional anesthesia.
We compared the quantitative leakage between forearm and conventional IV regional anesthesia (IVRA). Forearm IVRA remains unpopular because of the theoretical risk of local anesthetic leakage through the interosseous vessels. IVRA was simulated on the forearm or arm during two separate, randomized sessions using a double tourniquet in 14 volunteers. A radiolabeled substance, DISIDA (99m Tc-disofenin) with a structure similar to lidocaine, was injected instead of local anesthetic. Volumes of 0.4 mL/kg (maximum 25 mL), were used for forearm IVRA and 0.6 mL/kg (maximum 45 mL) for conventional IVRA. A gamma camera recorded radioactivity levels in the limb distal to the tourniquet every 30 s while the tourniquet was inflated (25 min) and for 20 min postdeflation. The leakage of radiolabeled substance during inflation was similar in both groups, 6%+/-12% (mean +/- SD) from the forearm and 10%+/-20% from the upper arm. After deflation, mean loss of radioactivity was higher in conventional IVRA, 70%+/-7% vs 57%+/-11% and 82%+/-5% vs 69%+/-11% at 3 and 20 min, respectively (P < 0.001). We conclude that forearm IVRA results in tourniquet leakage comparable to conventional IVRA and is potentially safer because the required dose of local anesthetic is smaller. ⋯ Using a tourniquet on the forearm for IV regional anesthesia does not increase the risk of drug leakage. This is potentially a safer technique compared with conventional IV regional anesthesia because a much smaller dose of local anesthetic is required.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of two techniques for cervical plexus blockade: evaluation of efficacy and systemic toxicity.
We compared two techniques of cervical plexus blockade (CPB) for carotid endarterectomy. Cervical plexus nerve block was performed with a combination of bupivacaine and lidocaine, with injections at the C2-C3, C3-C4, and C4-C5 transverse processes in 11 patients (classical CPB) or with a single injection after localization of the cervical plexus with a nerve stimulator in 12 patients (interscalene CPB). Pain scores were obtained during block placement and at predetermined phases of the operation. Arterial blood was sampled before and 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 25, 40, and 60 min after CPB for measurement of bupivacaine and lidocaine concentrations. Interscalene CPB was less painful than classical CPB. The techniques appeared equally effective. Patients in both groups required equivalent supplementation with IV fentanyl and additional local infiltration with lidocaine during the most painful stages of surgery. The maximal concentration of bupivacaine was lower in interscalene CPB compared with classical CPB (1.0 microg/mL versus 1.5 microg/mL, P < 0.01). The time required to reach the maximal concentration of bupivacaine was 15 (10-40) min in interscalene CPB and 10 (5-17) min in classical CPB (P < 0.05). Lidocaine maximal concentration was similar in both groups, however the time required to reach the maximal concentration was longer (P < 0.05) in interscalene CPB (15 [10-60] min) than in classical CPB (10 [8-20] min). We conclude that the interscalene CPB is as effective as the classical CPB as a regional technique for carotid endarterectomy and may be associated with a lower systemic absorption of bupivacaine. ⋯ Cervical plexus blockade for carotid endarterectomy can be effectively performed with a single injection after localization of the cervical plexus with a nerve stimulator. This technique is simple and was associated with less systemic absorption of local anesthetic than the multiple-injection technique.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe ulinastatin-induced effect on neuromuscular block caused by vecuronium.
We examined the effect of ulinastatin, a protease inhibitor purified from human urine, on neuromuscular block caused by vecuronium. Sixty adult patients were randomly divided into four groups of 15 patients each: ulinastatin-posttetanic count (U-PTC), ulinastatin-train-of-four (U-TOF), control-posttetanic count (C-PTC) or control-train-of-four (C-TOF) group. In the U-PTC and U-TOF groups, a bolus dose of ulinastatin 5000 U/kg was administered 2 min before the injection of vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. In the C-PTC and C-TOF groups, normal saline was administered instead of ulinastatin. The onset of neuromuscular block in the U-PTC and U-TOF groups was significantly slower than in the C-PTC and C-TOF groups (250+/-49 vs 214+/-35 s, mean +/- SD, P < 0.05). The time from the vecuronium injection to the return of PTC in the U-PTC group was significantly shorter than in the C-PTC group (11.0+/-2.8 vs 17.6+/-6.8 min, P < 0.05). Similarly, times to the returns of T1, T2, T3, and T4 (first, second, third, and fourth stimulation of TOF) in the U-TOF group were significantly shorter than in the C-TOF group (18.5+/-5.0 vs 28.0+/-9.1 min for T1, P < 0.05). PTC in the U-PTC group was significantly higher than in the C-PTC Group 10-30 min after the administration of vecuronium (P < 0.05). T1/control twitch height and TOF ratios in the U-TOF group were significantly higher than those in the C-TOF Group 30-70 min and 40-70 min after the administration of vecuronium, respectively (P < 0.05). Ulinastatin delays the onset of neuromuscular block and hastens its recovery caused by vecuronium. ⋯ Ulinastatin delays the onset of neuromuscular block and hastens its recovery caused by vecuronium. This is because ulinastatin may release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and increase hepatic and/or renal clearance of vecuronium.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 1999
Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe hemodynamic effects of anesthetic induction in vascular surgical patients chronically treated with angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
The use of angiotensin II receptor subtype-1 antagonists (ARA), recently introduced as antihypertensive drugs, is becoming more prevalent. We studied the prevalence and severity of hypotension after the induction of general anesthesia in 12 patients treated with ARA until the morning of surgery. The hemodynamic response to induction was compared with that of patients treated with beta-adrenergic blockers (BB) and/or calcium channel blockers (CB) (BB/CB group, n = 45) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (ACEI group, n = 27). A standardized anesthesia induction protocol was followed for all patients. Hypotension occurred significantly (p < or = 0.05) more often in ARA-treated patients (12 of 12) compared with BB/CB-treated patients (27 of 45) or with ACEI-treated patients (18 of 27). There was a significantly (P < or = 0.001) increased ephedrine requirement in the ARA group (21+/-3 mg) compared with the BB/CB group (10+/-6 mg) or the ACEI group (7+/-4 mg). Hypotension refractory to repeated ephedrine or phenylephrine administration occurred significantly (P < or = 0.05) more in the ARA group (4 of 12) compared with the BB/CB group (0 of 45) or the ACEI group (1 of 27), but it was treated successfully by using a vasopressin system agonist. Treatment with angiotensin II antagonism until the day of surgery is associated with severe hypotension after the induction of anesthesia, which, in some cases, can only be treated with an agonist of the vasopressin system. ⋯ Hypotensive episodes occur more frequently after anesthetic induction in patients receiving Angiotensin II receptor subtype-1 antagonists under anesthesia than with other hypotensive drugs. They are less responsive to the vasopressors ephedrine and phenylephrine. The use of a vasopressin system agonist was effective in restoring blood pressure when hypotension was refractory to conventional therapy.