Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with liver cirrhosis

We report a case of unstable angina pectoris and alcohol-related Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis. The patient was a 60-year-old man who was admitted to hospital with chest pain. He had previously been diagnosed to have Child B cirrhosis due to alcoholic liver dysfunction at 58 years of age. He also had experienced ruptured esophageal varices, moderate ascites, and hyperammonemia. We performed percutaneous catheter intervention; however, he developed re-stenosis in the right coronary artery, and progression in the disease in other coronary arteries. We then performed coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass. He was discharged on the 13th postoperative day without any complications. This case demonstrated that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was safe for such a patient.

Contrasting effects of midazolam on induction of heat shock protein 27 by vasopressin and heat in aortic smooth muscle cells

We previously showed that vasopressin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, a low molecular-weight HSP, through protein kinase C activation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of midazolam, an intravenous anesthetic, on the HSP27 induction stimulated by vasopressin, heat, or sodium arsenite (arsenite) in A10 cells. Midazolam inhibited the accumulation of HSP27 induced by vasopressin or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of protein kinase C. Midazolam also reduced the vasopressin-induced level of the mRNA for HSP27. In contrast, midazolam enhanced the HSP27-accumulation induced by heat or arsenite. Midazolam also enhanced the heat-increased level of the mRNA for HSP27. However, midazolam had no effect on the dissociation of the aggregated form of HSP27 following stimulation by vasopressin, heat, or arsenite. These results suggest that midazolam suppresses vasopressin-stimulated HSP27 induction in vascular smooth muscle cells, and that this inhibitory effect is exerted at a point downstream from protein kinase C. In contrast, midazolam enhanced heat- or arsenite-stimulated HSP27 induction. Thus, midazolam has dual effects on the HSP27 induction stimulated by various stresses in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Aortic and mitral valve replacement in a patient with acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome): report of a case

A 29-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe orthopnea, fever, and acute dermatosis. She had a 5-year history of episodic acute neutrophilic dermatosis and peripheral leukocytosis following a high fever, which were symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome. Echocardiography revealed remarkable dysfunction of the left ventricle due to severe aortic regurgitation, which had not been present at a previous admission when mild mitral regurgitation was detected. The aortic and mitral valves were replaced with prosthetic valves on an emergency basis. The leaflets of the aortic valve were very thin and appeared fragile. The anterior leaflet of the mitral valve showed severe prolapse due to the torn chordae and hypoplasia of the posterior strut chordae. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Microscopic examination revealed fibrosal degeneration and the infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages into both heart valves. This may be the first case report of valvulitis and Sweet's syndrome occurring simultaneously.

Ketamine, not propofol, attenuates cerebrovascular response to carbon dioxide in humans with isoflurane anesthesia

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of ketamine and propofol on the cerebrovascular response to carbon dioxide (CO(2)) in humans during isoflurane anesthesia.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical investigation.

SETTINGS

University hospital of a medical school.

PATIENTS

30 ASA physical status I and II adult, elective surgical patients.

INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

With each patient given air/oxygen/isoflurane anesthesia, the flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (Vmca) and pulsatility index were measured using the transcranial Doppler method under hypocapnic [arterial CO(2)tension (PaCO(2)) 28-32 mmHg], normocapnic (PaCO(2) 38-42 mmHg), and hypercapnic conditions (PaCO(2) 48-52 mmHg). PaCO(2) was altered by supplementing the inspired gas with CO(2) without changing the respiratory conditions. Patients were then randomly assigned to receive either ketamine 1 mg. kg(-1) or propofol (2 mg. kg(-1)followed by an infusion of 6-10 mg. kg(-1). hr(-1)) (n = 15 for each drug), and the measurements were repeated.

MAIN RESULTS

Ketamine reduced both absolute and relative cerebrovascular reactivity to CO(2) significantly [2.9 +/- 0.8 (control) vs. 2.6 +/- 1.0 (ketamine) cm. sec(-1). mmHg(-1): p < 0.05; and 3.5 +/- 0.7 (control) vs. 2.8 +/- 0.9 (ketamine) %. mmHg(-1): p < 0.01, respectively]. However, ketamine did not reduce Vmca during hypercapnic conditions (117 +/- 29 cm. sec(-1)) compared with controls (120 +/- 28 cm. sec(-1)). Although propofol decreased Vmca during all conditions, it did not cause any change in either absolute or relative CO(2) reactivity [2.5 +/- 0.8 (control) vs. 2.5 +/- 1.0 (propofol) cm. sec(-1). mmHg(-1), and 3.3 +/- 1.3 (control) vs. 4.1 +/- 1.0 (propofol) %. mmHg(-1), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

In humans given isoflurane anesthesia, a) ketamine reduced cerebrovascular response to CO(2), but cerebral blood flow (CBF) during hypercapnic conditions was comparable with controls, and b) although propofol decreases CBF, it maintains the cerebrovascular response to CO(2).

The differential effects of stereoisomers of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on cerebral pial arterioles in dogs

We investigated whether the stereoisomers of ropivacaine and bupivacaine exert differential effects on the cerebral microcirculation. Pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs (n = 16) were prepared for measurement of cerebral pial vessel diameters by using a closed cranial window preparation. We administered three different concentrations (10(-7), 10(-5), and 10(-3) M) of each of three drug solutions [R(+), racemic, and S(-) forms of ropivacaine (n = 8) or bupivacaine (n = 8)] under the window in a randomized manner and measured cerebral pial arteriolar diameters. Various physiologic data were obtained before and after topical application of each test solution. All three forms of ropivacaine constricted cerebral pial arterioles, each in a concentration-dependent manner. The rank order for degree of vasoconstriction was S(-) ropivacaine > racemic ropivacaine > R(+) ropivacaine. In contrast, R(+) and racemic bupivacaine dilated, but S(-) bupivacaine constricted, cerebral pial arterioles, each in a concentration-dependent manner. We could find no difference in vascular reactivity to these drugs between large (> or = microm) and small (<100 microm) arterioles. Topical application of these drugs induced no changes in mean blood pressure or heart rate. The observed differences in the microvascular alterations induced by the stereoisomers of ropivacaine and bupivacaine suggest that the vasoactive effects of these drugs on cerebral arterioles could, at least in part, depend on their chirality.

IMPLICATIONS

The differential effects of the stereoisomers of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on cerebral pial vessels could, at least in part, depend on their chirality.

The anxiolytic effects of the 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A agonist tandospirone before otolaryngologic surgery

We studied 160 ASA I or II patients undergoing elective otolaryngologic surgery in order to compare the anxiolytic effects of a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A agonist, tandospirone, with diazepam. To monitor preoperative anxiety, the following variables were used: systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate, and the state anxiety score yielded by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. We performed pretreatment evaluation on the day before surgery and posttreatment examination immediately after entry into the operating room. In a double-blinded, randomized design, four groups of 40 patients each received one of the following oral medications 90 min before entry into the operating room: 1) tandospirone 10 mg (T10 group); 2) tandospirone 30 mg (T30 group); 3) diazepam 10 mg (D group); or 4) placebo (P group). After premedication, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state anxiety decreased in the T10 (P < 0.02), T30 (P < 0.02), and D groups (P < 0.001), but it increased in the P group (P < 0.001). Tandospirone, 10 and 30 mg, safely reduced preoperative anxiety to a similar extent as oral diazepam 10 mg in patients undergoing elective otolaryngologic surgery.

IMPLICATIONS

Oral tandospirone reduces preoperative anxiety to a similar extent as oral diazepam in patients undergoing elective otolaryngologic surgery. This finding implies that tandospirone can be used as an oral premedicant drug for relieving anxiety before surgery.

[Annual study of perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year of 1999 in Japan: the outlines--report of the Japan Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Operating Room Safety]

Anesthetic mortality and morbidity in Japan Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) Certified Training Hospitals (CTH) for the year 1999 were reported as continuation of annual studies started in 1993. The JSA Committee on Operating Room Safety (CORS) sent confidential questionnaires to 774 CTH and received valid responses from 60.3% of hospitals. A total number of 793,840 anesthetics were documented. The respondents were asked to report all cases of cardiac arrests and other critical incidents (serious hypotension, serious hypoxemia and others), and their outcomes (death in operating room, death within 7 days, transfer to vegetative state and rescue without sequelae) as well as one principal cause for each incident from list of 52 items. They were also requested to submit the tabulation of patients by ASA physical status, age distribution, surgery sites and anesthetic methods. Analysis was made by total incidents under anesthesia/surgery, and also by incidents totally attributable to anesthetic management (AM), due to preoperative complications (PC), due to intraoperative pathological events (IP) and due to surgery (SG), with special reference to each of four tabulation groups and the whole group of patients. This paper focused analysis on all patients, as analyses with special reference to ASA physical status, age distribution, surgery sites and anesthetic methods were previously reported. Total incidence of cardiac arrest under anesthesia/surgery was 6.53 per 10,000 anesthetics. PC, IP and SG represented principal causes in 42.9%, 22.0% and 21.4% causes of total cardiac arrest cases, respectively. AM was noted as the principal cause in 12.0% of cases, with an incidence rate of 0.78 per 10,000. In 52 more detailed classification of principal causes, the most frequent cause of cardiac arrest was preoperative hemorrhagic shock, 20.3% of all cardiac arrests. The second cause was massive hemorrhage and/or hypovolemia due to surgical procedures (13.1%), and the third was intraoperative myocardial infarction/coronary ischemia/coronary spasm (9.5%). Prognoses of cardiac arrest cases declined due to PC: 71.1% of cardiac arrests died in the operating room or within 7 days after surgery and only 19.8% survived without sequelae. The best prognoses were found in cardiac arrest cases due to AM: 69.4% survived without sequelae and 12.9% died. The mortality rate post-cardiac arrest was 3.44 per 10,000 anesthetics, of those 0.10 due to AM, 0.57 due to IP, 1.99 due to PC and 0.76 due to SG. The mortality rate after critical incidents other than cardiac arrest such as severe hypotension and severe hypoxemia was 3.75, of those 0.03 due to AM, 0.28 due to IP, 2.31 due to PC and 1.13 due to SG. The final mortality rate attributable to anesthesia/surgery including deaths post-cardiac arrest and after other critical incidents was 7.19 per 10,000 anesthetics and very close to 7.18 [6.22, 8.13], that of mean [95% C.I.] in 1994-1998. The final mortality rate totally attributable to anesthesia was 0.13 per 10,000 anesthetics, which was significantly improved from 0.21 [0.15, 0.27], that of mean [95% C.I.] in 1994-1998. IP, PC and SG showed the final mortality rate of 0.84, 4.30 and 1.89, respectively. Five major causes of all critical incidents were massive hemorrhage due to surgical procedures (20.8%), preoperative hemorrhagic shock (10.7%), surgical technique (8.0%), inappropriate airway management (5.2%) and intraoperative myocardial infarction and coronary ischemia (4.5%). Drug overdose or selection error (3.9%) and overdose of main anesthetic (2.9%) as a result of human error occupied the 7th and 10th places. As far as anesthetic management to reduce mortality and morbidity related to anesthesia is concerned, we should increase vigilance to avoid human errors in addition to improving preanesthetic preparations and assessment of cardiovascular status as well as intraoperative management of cardiovascular events.

Hemodynamic stability during induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation with propofol plus fentanyl, ketamine, and fentanyl-ketamine

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate hemodynamic and cardiac stability during anesthesia induction and intubation, using propofol plus fentanyl, propofol plus ketamine, and propofol plus fentanyl and ketamine.

METHODS

Forty-five adult patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups according to the agents used for induction: propofol (2 mg/kg) plus fentanyl (3 microg/kg) (PF), propofol (2 mg/kg) plus ketamine (0.1 mg/kg) (PK), and propofol (2 mg/kg) plus fentanyl (3 microg/kg) plus ketamine (0.1 mg/kg) (PFK). Hemodynamic responses were assessed by measuring changes in blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and cardiac output (CO; using dye dilution combined with pulse dye densitometry [PDD]).

RESULTS

BP and HR changes during the induction of anesthesia tended to be greater in the PK group than in the PF and PFK groups. After the injection of propofol, the cardiac index (CI) fell significantly below baseline values in the PF and PFK groups, but remained unchanged in the PK group. After tracheal intubation, BP and HR increased significantly only in the PF and PK groups, and reached a level significantly above baseline values only in the PK group. The CO responses to tracheal intubation were: PK group > PF group > PFK group.

CONCLUSION

A combination of propofol plus fentanyl plus ketamine would provide greater reduction of fluctuations in hemodynamic variables associated with induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation than combinations of propofol plus fentanyl or propofol plus ketamine.

Involvement of p38 MAP kinase in TGF-beta-stimulated VEGF synthesis in aortic smooth muscle cells

Although it is known that transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the present study, we examined whether the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily is involved in TGF-beta-stimulated VEGF synthesis in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. TGF-beta stimulated the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase, but not that of SAPK (stress-activated protein kinase)/JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase). The VEGF synthesis induced by TGF-beta was not affected by PD98059 or U0126, specific inhibitors of the upstream kinase that activates p42/p44 MAP kinase. We confirmed that PD98059 or U0126 did actually suppress the phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinase by TGF-beta in our preparations. PD169316 and SB203580, specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, significantly reduced the TGF-beta-stimulated synthesis of VEGF (each in a dose-dependent manner). PD169316 or SB203580 attenuated the TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. These results strongly suggest that p38 MAP kinase plays a part in the pathway by which TGF-beta stimulates the synthesis of VEGF in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Effect of beta-hydroxybutyrate, a cerebral function improving agent, on cerebral hypoxia, anoxia and ischemia in mice and rats

Although improving energy metabolism in ischemic brain has been accepted for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, administration of glucose, as an energy substrate, would aggravate ischemic brain damage via activating anaerobic glycolysis, which leads to lactate accumulation. Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is one of the ketone bodies that can be utilized as an energy source during starvation. The purpose of our study was to define the protective effects of BHB on brain damage induced by hypoxia, anoxia and ischemia. The isotonic solution of BHB administered 30 min before the induction of ischemia at doses over 50 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) showed remarkable protective effects against hypoxia and anoxia. BHB administered immediately after a bilateral carotid artery ligation at a dose of 30 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) significantly suppressed the elevation of cerebral water and sodium contents as well as maintaining high ATP and low lactate levels. In contrast, glycerin, a hypertonic agent, substantially reduced the water content but did not show any significant effect on other parameters. We demonstrated that BHB, unlike glycerin, when used as an energy substrate in ischemic brain, has protective effects on cerebral hypoxia, anoxia and ischemia-induced metabolic change.

[Perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year 1999 in 466 Japanese certified anesthesia-training hospitals: with special reference to operative regions--report of Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists]

Perioperative mortality and morbidity in Japan for the year 1999 were analyzed retrospectively with special reference to operative regions. The total number of analyzed cases was 701,940. The percentages for each operative region were as follows, craniotomy 4.5%, thoracotomy 3.3%, heart and great-vessels 3.9%, thoracotomy with laparotomy 0.8%, laparotomy except caeserian-section 31.7%, ceserian-section 3.2%, head-neck and otolarynx 14.5%, chest-abdomen-perineum 11.1%, spine 3.5%, extremity including peripheral-vessel 16.5%, and others 6.9%. The incidence of serious events, including cardiac arrest and severe hypotension and hypoxemia suggesting impending cardiac arrest was 34.58 per 10,000 cases in all operative regions. The events were observed more frequently in heart and great-vessels 247.26, thoracotomy with laparotomy 128.91 and thoracotomy 61.55, and less frequently in chest-abdomen-perineum 13.52 and extremity including peripheral-vessel 16.99. Regarding the prognosis of events, the cases with no sequela were 69.9% in all operative regions. While there were fewer cases with no sequela in craniotomy 50.4%, thoracotomy with laparotomy 54.3% and heart and great-vessels 58.6%, there were more cases in head-neck and oto-larynx 95.2% and chest-abdomen-perineum 90.5%. The incidence of serious events totally attributable to anesthetic management was 7.79 per 10,000 cases in all operative regions. The events were observed more frequently in thoracotomy 12.82, heart and great-vessels 12.29 and spine 11.06, and less frequently in extremity including peripheral-vessel 5.17 and chest-abdomen-perineum 6.05. Regarding the prognosis of events, the cases with no sequela were 93.1% in all operative regions. There were fewer cases with no sequela in thoracotomy with laparotomy 80.0% and craniotomy 81.8%. The main cause of events in thoracotomy and spine was the inadequate airway management, and in heart and great-vessels was the overdose or miss-selection of drugs. Although the incidence of serious events totally attributable to anesthetic management was one fourth of all events, most of them resulted from human factors. Thus, the more efforts are necessary to improve the outcomes. While the total deaths from 701,940 cases, including death on the operation day or within 7 days after it, were 528 cases (7.52 per 10,000 cases), the deaths totally attributable to anesthesia were 7 cases (0.10 per 10,000 cases).

[Non-opioid analgesics in cancer pain]

Non-opioid analgesics such as NSAIDs play a central role for patients with cancer pain as well as for those with acute pain. Pain management using non-opioid analgesics need to avoid potential side effects, and the analgesic action of NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, would synergistically potentiate opioids' effects via the activation of the periaquaductal grey of the midbrain. The analgesic action of opioids would also be potentiated by the activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors of the spinal cord. Thus the use of non-opioid analgesics for cancer patients taking opioid needs meticulous care. Undertreatment of pain is a persistent clinical problem for patients with cancer. Although changing medical practice is difficult and improving pain management with the rational use of combination of drugs may especially difficult, supplementation of non-opioid analgesics for opioid treatment would provide a better quality of life of cancer patients.

Clonidine premedication reduces maternal requirement for intravenous morphine after cesarean delivery without affecting newborn's outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The alpha(2)-agonist clonidine has several benefits for patients undergoing surgery. During and after elective cesarean delivery (C-section), we assessed the condition of parturient and neonate when one half of the parturients were pretreated with oral clonidine.

METHODS

Forty-six consenting parturients were studied in a randomized, double-blinded manner. Preanesthetic medication was atropine and famotidine with or without clonidine 4 microg/kg. After baseline measurements in parturients and fetuses, combined spinal and epidural anesthesia was established (1.6 mL of 0.5% tetracaine diluted with 10% dextrose in water). C-section was performed while breathing oxygen spontaneously (3 L/min) through a facemask. After delivery, neonates were assessed at 1 and 5 minutes, and the condition of mother and neonate was observed for 48 hours.

RESULTS

Parturients receiving clonidine showed no hemodynamic instability during and after C-section, and while their visual analog scale (VAS) scores, verbal descriptive scale (VDS) scores, and sedation scores did not differ from those without clonidine, they needed significantly less patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine for postoperative pain for the first 2 days (P < .01). Fetal heart rate, umbilical artery and vein pH and gas tensions, and the Apgar-scores of the newborns showed no intergroup differences. No neonatal depression or bradycardia was observed for 48 hours after delivery.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicate that oral clonidine reduces the PCA morphine requirement after C-section without compromising the condition of the fetus or newborn. Further study including larger number of patients would be needed before we conclude that oral clonidine for parturients is safe for their newborns.

[Annual report of perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year 1999 with a special reference to anesthetic methods at Certificated Training Hospitals of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists]

The Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) sends annually confidential questionnaires of perioperative mortality and morbidity to Certificated Training Hospitals of JSA. This report is on perioperative mortality and morbidity in 1999 with a special reference to anesthetic methods. Four hundred and sixty-seven hospitals reported the number of cases referred to anesthetic methods and total numbers of cases were 727,723. The incidences of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases due to all etiology are estimated to be 6.77 cases in average, 5.33 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 34.26 cases in total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), 5.26 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 5.29 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.73 cases in spinal with continuous epidural block (CSEA), 2.85 cases in epidural anesthesia, 1.63 cases in spinal anesthesia, 2.53 cases in conduction block and 46.51 cases in other methods. However, the incidences of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthesia are estimated to be 0.78 case in average, 0.51 case in inhalation anesthesia, 1.35 cases in TIVA, 0.97 case in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 1.51 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 0.73 case in CSEA, 1.71 cases in epidural anesthesia, 0.54 case in spinal anesthesia, 2.52 cases in conduction block and 1.08 cases in other methods. The incidences of severe hypotension per 10,000 cases due to all etiology are estimated to be 16.64 cases in average, 13.61 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 100.36 cases in TIVA, 13.32 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 9.07 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 3.65 cases in CSEA, 6.26 cases in epidural anesthesia, 7.31 cases in spinal anesthesia, 2.52 cases in conduction block and 28.12 cases in other methods. On the other hand, the incidences of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthesia are estimated to be 2.40 cases in average, 1.65 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 0.81 cases in TIVA, 3.92 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.77 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.56 cases in CSEA, 3.42 cases in epidural anesthesia, 2.71 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and zero case in other methods. The incidences of severe hypoxia per 10,000 cases due to all etiology are estimated to be 5.32 cases in average, 6.7 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 9.17 cases in TIVA, 5.16 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 4.53 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.56 cases in CSEA, zero case in epidural anesthesia, 1.08 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 1.08 cases in other methods. On the other hand, the incidences of severe hypoxia per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthesia are estimated to be 2.39 cases in average, 3.22 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 2.43 cases in TIVA, 2.26 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 2.77 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in CSEA, zero case in epidural anesthesia, 0.54 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 1.08 cases in other methods. The mortality rates of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases due to all etiology are estimated to be 3.56 cases in average, 2.82 cases in inhalation anesthesia, 24.55 cases in TIVA, 1.4 cases in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, 1.51 cases in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero cases in CSEA, 0.57 cases in epidural anesthesia, 0.27 cases in spinal anesthesia, zero case in conduction block and 42.18 cases in other methods. On the other hand, the mortality rates of cardiac arrest per 10,000 cases totally attributable to anesthesia are estimated to be 0.08 case in average, 0.09 case in inhalation anesthesia, 0.27 case in TIVA, 0.05 case in inhalation anesthesia plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in TIVA plus epidural or spinal or conduction block, zero case in CSEA, 0.57 case in epidural anesthesia, zero case in spinal anesthesia, conduction block and other methods. The outcomes of cardiac arrest totally attributable to anesthesia are 70.2% of full recovery without any sequelae, 10.5% of death within 7 days, 1.8% of vegetative state and 17.5% of unknown results while the outcome of critical events including severe hypotension and severe hypoxia totally attributable to anesthesia is 94.9% of full recovery without any sequelae, 0.4% of death within 7 days, 0.2% of vegetative state and 4.5% of unknown results. These results indicate that there are no differences in mortality and morbidity totally attributable to anesthesia among anesthetic methods in 1999 at Certificated Training Hospitals of Japan Society of Anesthesiologists.

The effects of topical and intravenous ketamine on cerebral arterioles in dogs receiving pentobarbital or isoflurane anesthesia

To evaluate the effects of ketamine on cerebral arterioles, we used a closed cranial window technique in mechanically ventilated, anesthetized dogs. Fourteen dogs were assigned to one of the following two basal-anesthesia groups: pentobarbital 2 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) or isoflurane 0.5 MAC (n = 7 each). We administered three different concentrations of ketamine (10(-7), 10(-5), and 10(-3) M) under the window and measured arteriolar diameters. For comparison, in another 14 dogs we examined the effect of systemic (IV) ketamine (1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) using the same two basal anesthetics. We measured diameters before and after ketamine administration, and we evaluated the effect of ketamine on CO(2) reactivity of the cerebral arterioles. Neither topical nor systemic ketamine dilated pial arterioles in either basal-anesthesia group. CO(2) reactivity of pial arterioles was reduced under systemic ketamine in both basal-anesthesia groups. The results indicate that although ketamine does not dilate pial arteriolar diameters when topically or IV administered, IV ketamine does attenuate hypercapnic vasodilation in dogs under basal pentobarbital or isoflurane anesthesia. These results provide some insight that ketamine is suitable for supplementary neurosurgical anesthesia.

[Perioperative mortality and morbidity in 1999 with a special reference to age in 466 certified training hospitals of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists--report of Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists]

Perioperative mortality and morbidity in Japan from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, were studied retrospectively. Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) sent confidential questionnaires to 774 Certified Training Hospitals of JSA and received answers from 60.2% of the hospitals. We analyzed their answers with a special reference to the age group. The total number of anesthetics available for this analysis was 732,788. All cases were divided in to 7 groups; group A(< 1 months), group B(< 12 months), group C(< 5 years), group D(< 18 years), group E (< 65 years), group F(< 85 years), and group G(> 85 years). The incidences of all critical events including cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, and severe hypoxemia were 168.14, 47.86, 24.63, 14.65, 28.43, 50.4, and 43.68 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The overall mortality rate (death during anesthesia and within 7th postoperative day) were 74.10, 6.63, 3.30, 3.07, 4.82, 13.74, and 11.84 per 10,000 anesthetics in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidences of cardiac arrest were 54.15, 8.84, 5.08, 2.56, 4.84, 11.02, and 6.66 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The mortality rates after cardiac arrest were 42.75, 2.95, 2.54, 1.70, 2.00, 6.56, and 5.18 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidences of all critical events, the incidence of cardiac arrest, and the overall mortality rate were much higher in group A than other groups and lower in group D. Mortality and morbidity due to all kinds of causes including anesthetic management, intraoperative events, co-existing diseases, and operation were as follows. The incidence of all critical events attributable to co-existing disease were the highest in these four groups, and 94.04, 15.46, 7.87, 6.13, 7.26, 17.38, and 16.29 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidences of all critical events attributable to anesthetic management were 31.35, 16.94, 4.60, 6.09, 10.77, and 14.07 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The incidence of cardiac arrest in group A was much more attributable to co-existing disease and operation than other causes. The incidences of cardiac arrest attributable to anesthetic management were 0.00, 1.47, 0.25, 0.34, 0.83, 0.92, and 0.22 per 10,000 in patients with group A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, respectively. The mortality rates in these groups were 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0.17, 0.07, 0.05, and 1.48, and no death was found in cases under 5 years of age. The two cases of death in G group were due to too high anesthesia levels in spinal anesthesia. Other causes including overdose of anesthetics, toxic effect of local anesthetic, improper management of airway, and incompatible blood transfusion were preventable with the anesthesiologists' effort in protocol development and skilled assistance.

The effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide and milrinone on pial vessels during blood-brain barrier disruption in rabbits

The effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (HANP) and milrinone on cerebral pial vessels, especially during blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, are not clear. We studied topical HANP (10(-14), 10(-12), and 10(-10) M) or milrinone (10(-7), 10(-5), and 10(-3) M), and IV HANP (0.1, 0.2, and 1.0 microg. kg(-1). min(-1)) or milrinone (0.5, 5.0, and 20.0 microg. kg(-1). min(-1)) with or without hyperosmolar BBB disruption, using a rabbit cranial window preparation. At 10(-12) and 10(-10) M topical HANP produced significant arteriolar (16%, 20%, respectively), but no venular dilation. Topical milrinone (10(-3) M) produced significant arteriolar and venular dilation (21%, 8%, respectively). IV HANP produced no arteriolar or venular changes at any dose except during BBB disruption, when it caused a significant arteriolar (16%, 16%, and 17%, respectively), but no venular dilation. In contrast, IV milrinone caused small but significant arteriolar and venular dilation without BBB disruption (arterioles, 6%, 7% and 8%, respectively; venules, 6% at 20.0 microg. kg(-1). min(-1)). During BBB disruption, these responses to milrinone were similar. Although HANP and milrinone each have a direct vasodilator effect on arterioles, their systemic administration at clinical doses could induce different effects. BBB disruptive conditions could increase the response of pial vessels to systemically administered HANP.

IMPLICATIONS

Although alpha-human atrial natriuretic peptide (HANP) and milrinone each have a direct vasodilator effect on cerebral pial arterioles, their systemic administration at clinical doses could have different effects and blood-brain-barrier disruptive conditions could alter the response of pial vessels to HANP, but not to milrinone.

[Perioperative mortality and morbidity for the year of 1999 in 466 Japanese Certified Anesthesia-training Hospitals: with special reference to ASA-physical status--report of Committee on Operating Room Safety of Japan Society of Anesthesiologists]

Perioperative mortality and morbidity in Japan for the year 1999 were studied retrospectively. Committee on Operating Room Safety of the Japan Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) sent confidential questionnaires to 774 Certified Training Hospitals of JSA and received answers from 60.2% of the hospitals. We analyzed their answers with special reference to ASA physical status (ASA-PS). The total number of anesthetics analyzed was 655, 644. Mortality and morbidity due to all kinds of causes including anesthetic management, intraoperative events, co-existing diseases, and operation were as follows. The incidence of cardiac arrest (per 10,000 anesthetics) was 0.68, 3.76, 14.37, 67.03, 0.36, 4.68, 27.96, 206.30 in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The incidences of critical events including cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, and severe hypoxemia were 8.93, 26.99, 71.30, 188.52, 8.68, 31.27, 136.16, and 790.92 in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The mortality rates (death during anesthesia and within 7th postoperative day) after cardiac arrest were 0.16, 0.94, 5.71, 33.51, 0.00, 1.46, 16.41 and 167.76 per 10,000 anesthetics in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The overall mortality rates were 0.24, 1.66, 12.16, 67.03, 0.00, 3.51, 34.65 and 417.14 in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. Overall mortality and morbidity were higher in emergency anesthetics than in elective anesthetics. ASA-PS correlated well with overall mortality and with morbidity, regardless of etiology. The incidences of cardiac arrest totally attributable to anesthesia were 0.24, 0.45, 1.47, 8.38, 0.36, 1.75, 2.43 and 11.34 in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The incidences of all critical events totally attributable to anesthesia were 4.92, 8.81, 14.74, 20.95, 4.34, 11.40, 15.80 and 22.67 in patients with ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E, II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The mortality rates after cardiac arrest totally attributable to anesthesia were 0.00, 0.00, 0.61 and 4.53 in patients with ASA-PS of I-IV, I E-II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. The overall mortality rates totally attributable to anesthesia were 0.00, 0.04, 0.18, 0.00, 0.00, 0.61 and 4.53 in patients classified to ASA-PS of I, II, III, IV, I E-II E, III E, and IV E, respectively. Only one death, due to overdose of anesthetics, was reported among patients with good physical status (ASA-PS of I, II, II E and II E). Anesthetic management was mainly responsible for critical events in patients with good physical status, while co-existing diseases were in those with poor physical status. The major co-existing diseases or conditions leading to critical events were heart diseases in elective anesthetics, and hemorrhagic shock in emergency anesthetics. We reconfirmed that ASA-PS is beneficial to predict perioperative mortality and morbidity. It also seems likely that we should make much more efforts to reduce anesthetic morbidity in patients with good physical status, and to improve preanesthetic assessment and preparation of cardiovascular conditions in those with poor physical status.

The antinociceptive and sedative effects of carbachol and oxycodone administered into brainstem pontine reticular formation and spinal subarachnoid space in rats

To clarify the supraspinal and spinal actions of a cholinergic agonist, carbachol, and an opioid, oxycodone, we studied their antinociceptive and behavioral effects when administered into brainstem medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF) or spinal subarachnoid space with or without pretreatment of muscarinic receptor subtype antagonist. Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with a 24-gauge stainless steel guide cannula into the mPRF and chronically implanted with a lumbar intrathecal catheter. Antinociception was tested using tail flick latency, motor coordination was evaluated by the rotarod test, and overt sedation was assessed using a behavioral checklist. Carbachol (0.5-4.0 microg) administered into the mPRF produced significant dose- and time-dependent antinociception, sedation, and motor dysfunction. These were completely blocked by pretreatment with atropine and the M(2) muscarinic antagonist, methoctramine, and partially blocked by pretreatment with M(1) pirenzepine but not with M(3) p-fHHSID: Oxycodone administered into the mPRF did not produce such effects. Spinal carbachol and oxycodone produced antinociception without any behavioral effects; their antinociceptive effects were completely blocked by pretreatment with atropine and M(2) antagonist. These results suggest that the antinociceptive action of carbachol is mediated by muscarinic cholinergic receptor activation, especially by M(2) receptor subtype in mPRF and spinal cord, and that although oxycodone seems unlikely to affect the cholinergic transmission of mPRF, spinal oxycodone-induced analgesia is at least partly mediated via the activation of M(2) receptor subtype at the spinal cord.

IMPLICATIONS

Carbachol-induced antinociception and sedation is mediated with the activation of M(2) muscarinic receptors. Oxycodone administered into brainstem medial pontine reticular formation did not cause any antinociceptive or behavioral effects, but its spinal administration produced a significant antinociception via M(2) muscarinic receptor activation

Coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass is safe and contributes to favorable long-term results

The aim of this study was to determine the indication for minimally invasive direct coronary artery surgery based on the operative and long-term results of conventional coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Operative results: The subjects included 505 patients who underwent isolated elective coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass from January 1995 through August 1999. The mean age at the time of surgery was 61.9 and the mean number of grafts per patient was 2.6. Long-term results: From January 1984 to December 1995, a total of 907 patients received coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass using the internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending artery with or without saphenous vein grafts to other coronary arteries. The rates of complete and incomplete revascularization were 69.3% (n = 629) and 30.7% (n = 278), respectively. Mean follow-up was 5.95+/-3.0 years. The operative results revealed low output syndrome occurred in 14 patients (2.8%), perioperative myocardial infarction with the appearance of new Q-waves in 5 (1.0%), renal failure requiring transient dialysis in 16 (3.2%), stroke with persistent sequelae in 5 (1.0%), and mediastinitis in 5 (1.0%). Two patients (0.4%) died in the hospital. The long-term results for the 907 patients revealed the 10-year actuarial survival, 10-year cardiac death free, and 10-year cardiac event free rates were 85.7%, 94.1%, and 77.3%, respectively. The 10-year survival rates was 88.4% among patients receiving complete revascularization and 79.3% among those receiving incomplete revascularization (p = 0.0334). The 10-year cardiac death free rate among patients undergoing complete revascularization was 96.3% and 88.7% among those receiving incomplete revascularization (p = 0.0016). The 10-year cardiac event free rates were 82.3% and 67.9%) among patients undergoing complete and incomplete revascularization, respectively (p = 0.0118). In view of the favorable operative and long-term results of conventional coronary artery bypass grafting, especially complete revascularization, we conclude that minimally invasive direct coronary artery grafting is an appropriate treatment for multi-vessel disease in carefully selected patients at a high risk for stroke and major comorbidities due to old age.