Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1999
Comparative StudyPre- versus postinjury effects of intravenous GABAergic anesthetics on formalin-induced Fos immunoreactivity in the rat spinal cord.
We evaluated the suppression of spinal Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) by i.v. anesthetics in the rat formalin model. Preformalin injection (1.5% subcutaneously) treatment groups included i.v. saline controls and three i.v. GABAergic anesthetic groups (pentobarbital 20 mg/kg, propofol 10 mg/kg, or alphaxalone 1.5 mg/kg; n = 12 per group). After perfusion 2 h postformalin, spinal cords were dissected, sliced at 30 microm, and processed by immunoperoxidase staining with an antibody against the Fos protein. Quantification and determination of the laminar distribution of Fos-labeled nuclei were performed at the L4-5 spinal level ipsilateral to formalin injection. Drug groups demonstrating FLI suppression were comparatively studied in a 5-min postformalin treatment group. Pentobarbital pretreatment failed to suppress FLI. However, significant reductions (percent decrease) of FLI were observed with propofol (63%) and alphaxalone (30%) compared with saline controls. Pre- versus postformalin comparison studies showed that propofol, but not alphaxalone, suppressed FLI more effectively when given preformalin. Given the observed inconsistencies between this study of Fos expression and our previous behavioral study, it is questionable whether anesthetic modulation of noxious stimulus-induced FLI parallels that of behavioral responses. ⋯ In this study, we examined whether i.v. general anesthetics (propofol, alphaxalone, and pentobarbital) prevent injury-induced spinal cord changes. We measured spinal Fos protein after rats received anesthetics before versus after a formalin injection. Fos inhibition patterns were inconsistent with behavioral studies of these anesthetics, suggesting that Fos inhibition does not always correlate with behavioral analgesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1999
No risk of metal toxicity in combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.
Using the single level needle-through-needle technique for combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) may introduce very fine metal particles abraded by the spinal needle from the inner ground edge of the Tuohy needle into the patient. Either the local anesthetic administered epidurally or the peridural catheter may also pass intrathecally through the hole in the dura made by the spinal needle. To examine these concerns, the needle-through-needle technique was simulated in an in vitro model (18-gauge Tuohy needle; 27- or 29-gauge Quincke needle). The presence of abraded metal particles was identified by atomic absorption spectrography (AAS). The needles were then examined under an electron microscope. Metal particles could not be identified by using AAS in the needle-through-needle technique after normal clinical use, nor could traces of use be revealed by using an electron microscope to examine the Tuohy needle. With intentionally rough handling and caudal orientation of the spinal needle tip, minimal scratches could be seen by using an electron microscope, but there were no metal particles detected by AAS. In an anatomical preparation, the possible passage of the epidural catheter anesthetic through the dural puncture hole into the cerebrospinal fluid compartment was investigated endoscopically. Neither passage of dyed epidural local anesthetic nor penetration of the epidural catheter into the cerebrospinal fluid compartment could be demonstrated by endoscopy. We conclude that the needle-through-needle-technique is an acceptable way of performing CSE anesthesia. Endangering the patient by an unintentionally intrathecal misplacement of the epidural catheter seems to be very unlikely based on our in vitro model if small spinal needles (27- or 29-gauge) are used. ⋯ Atomic absorption spectrography shows no contamination of the intrathecal compartment by abraded metal particles from the Tuohy needle by combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with the needle-through-needle technique. In vitro, neither passage of dyed epidural local anesthetic nor penetration of the epidural catheter into the cerebrospinal fluid compartment could be demonstrated by endoscopy.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1999
The effect of halothane on the amplitude and frequency characteristics of heart sounds in children.
Although continuous auscultation has been used during surgery as a monitor of cardiac function for many years, the effect of anesthetics on heart sounds has never been quantified. We determined the root mean squared amplitude and frequency characteristics (peak frequency, spectral edge, and power ratios) of the first (S1) and second (S2) heart sounds in 19 healthy children during induction of anesthesia with halothane. In all patients, halothane decreased the amplitude of S1 (R2 = 0.87 +/- 0.12) and S2 (R2 = 0.66 +/- 0.33) and the high-frequency components (>80 Hz) of these sounds. These changes were clearly audible and preceded decreases in heart rate and blood pressure. The spectral edge decreased for S1 in 18 patients (R2 = 0.73 +/- 0.24) and for S2 in 13 patients (R2 = 0.58 +/- 0.25). Peak frequency did not change. The rapidity with which myocardial depression and its associated changes in heart sound characteristics occurred confirms that continuous auscultation of heart sounds is a useful clinical tool for hemodynamic monitoring of anesthetized infants and children. ⋯ Heart sound characteristics can be used to monitor cardiac function during halothane anesthesia in children. The changes occur rapidly and precede noticeable changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1999
Drug therapy before coronary artery surgery: nitrates are independent predictors of mortality and beta-adrenergic blockers predict survival.
We conducted this study to evaluate whether there is an association between preoperative drug therapy and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery graft surgery. We collected data on 1593 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. The relative risk of in-hospital mortality was determined by logistic regression with in-hospital mortality as the dependent variable, and independent variables that included known risk factors and preoperative cardioactive or antithrombotic drug treatment, i.e., age; left ventricular function; left main coronary artery disease; urgent priority; gender; previous cardiac surgery; concurrent cardiovascular surgery; chronic lung disease; creatinine concentration; hemoglobin concentration; diabetes; hypertension; cerebrovascular disease; recent myocardial infarction; prior vascular surgery; number of arteries bypassed; and regular daily treatment with beta-blockers, aspirin within 5 days, calcium antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, digoxin, or warfarin. In-hospital mortality was 3.3%. The relative risk of in-hospital mortality (with 95% confidence intervals of the relative risk) associated with the following drug treatments was: nitrates 3.8 (1.5-9.6), beta-blockers 0.4 (0.2-0.8), aspirin within 5 days 1.0 (0.5-1.9), calcium antagonists 1.1 (0.6-2.1), ACE inhibitors 0.8 (0.4-1.5), digoxin 0.7 (0.2-1.8), and warfarin 0.3 (0.1-1.6). We conclude that in-hospital mortality is positively associated with preoperative nitrate therapy and negatively associated with beta-adrenergic blocker therapy. A significant association between in-hospital mortality and the preoperative use of calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, digoxin, and warfarin was not confirmed. ⋯ We examined the association between common drug treatments for ischemic heart disease and short-term survival after cardiac surgery using a statistical method to adjust for patients' preoperative medical condition. Death after surgery was more likely after nitrate therapy and less likely after beta-blocker therapy.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1999
The risk of persistent paresthesia is not increased with repeated axillary block.
Neurologic deficits are noted on physical examination in approximately 0.2%-19% of patients after regional anesthetic techniques. Laboratory and clinical studies suggest that a subclinical neuropathy occurs much more often. Performing a regional anesthetic technique during this period may result in additional nerve trauma. We evaluated the frequency of neurologic complications in patients undergoing repeated axillary block. A total of 1614 blocks were performed on 607 patients. The median number of blocks per patient was two (range 2-10 blocks). The median interval between blocks was 12.6 wk, including 188 (31%) patients who received multiple blocks within 1 wk. Sixty-two neurologic complications occurred in 51 patients for an overall frequency of 8.4%. Of the 62 nerve injuries, 7 (11.3%) were related to the anesthetic technique; the remaining 55 (88.7%) were a result of the surgical procedure. Patient age and gender, the presence of preexisting neurologic conditions, a surgical procedure to a nerve, and total number of blocks did not increase the risk of neurologic complications. No regional anesthetic technique risk factors, including elicitation of a paresthesia, selection of local anesthetic, or addition of epinephrine, were identified. The success rate was higher with the paresthesia technique than with nerve stimulator technique or transarterial injection, and with use of mepivacaine versus bupivacaine. We conclude that the frequency of neurologic complications in patients undergoing repeated axillary block is similar to that in patients receiving a single regional technique. These patients are not likely to be at increased risk of neurologic complications. ⋯ The risk of neurologic complications was not increased in patients who underwent multiple axillary blocks, even within a 1-wk interval. No risk factors for anesthetic-related complications were identified. However, block success rate was increased with the paresthesia technique and the injection of mepivacaine versus bupivacaine.