Increased blood loss after preoperative NSAID. Retrospective study of 186 hip arthroplasties

We have evaluated bleeding during and after hip replacement in 186 patients in relation to preoperative intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) combined with low molecular weight heparin. NSAID was associated with increased preoperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirements.

Chloral hydrate side effects in young children: causes and management

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors related to undesired effects of chloral hydrate in young children undergoing echocardiogram. Undesired effects studied were reaction to chloral hydrate before to sedation (ataxia, excitement), delayed sedation, light sleep during sedation, and behavioral changes after sedation.

DESIGN

Descriptive, correlational design.

SETTING

Echocardiography laboratory in a pediatric teaching hospital.

SUBJECTS

140 children aged 0 to 36 months who were undergoing diagnostic echocardiography. Severity of cardiac disease ranged from benign murmur to uncorrectable lesion. Thirty children (21%) had cyanotic cardiac disease. Children were sedated with chloral hydrate per routine (mean dose 87 mg/kg) and observed from time of sedation throughout the examination. Data were collected on child's age, food ingested before sedation, transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and daytime nap schedule.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of paradoxical excitement before sedation, length of time until child reached deep sedation, depth of sleep during the examination, and behavioral changes after sedation.

RESULTS

Paradoxical excitement before sedation occurred in 25 children (18%). Length of time until child reached deep sedation averaged 25 minutes. Three children never fell asleep. Proximity of sedation to naptime was positively correlated to the speed of sedation. Deep sedation was achieved in 131 children (94%). Depth of sleep during the examination was related to child's age, proximity of sedation to nap time, and recent food ingestions. Older children, who were due for a nap and who had refrained from eating before the examination were most likely to remain soundly asleep throughout the examination. Children with cyanotic defects were not adversely affected by deep sedation with chloral hydrate. Most children experienced motor and affective changes after sedation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample, chloral hydrate was an effective and safe sedative. Implications for nursing include changes in scheduling practices, limiting food ingestion before sedation, and information to provide parents about chloral hydrate sedation.

Experience with ambulatory preoperative bowel preparation at the Johns Hopkins Hospital

A transition to ambulatory preoperative antibiotic bowel preparation was carried out. The protocol included a liquid diet for 40 hours preceding surgery and coordination of purging with buffered oral saline laxative, 45 mL containing 8 g sodium phosphate and 22 g sodium biphosphate (Fleet Phospho-Soda, C.B. Fleet Co, Lynchburg, Va) and bisacodyl preparation with an oral erythromycin base-neomycin routine. Enemas were omitted. Personnel in the preoperative evaluation center had the responsibility of instructing patients, distributing directions and drugs, and reviewing for compliance and possible problems during the preoperative period. All patients scheduled for any of a variety of gastrointestinal procedures, as well as some other complex operations, were included in this study. Follow-up data were obtained. Surgeons' comments regarding efficacy were highly favorable. In only five cases was there comment regarding liquid stool, and this was no impediment to surgery. This incidence was comparable with that of the inpatient experience, as was the spectrum of postoperative complications. Transfer of responsibility to the department proceeded with ease. Results were entirely comparable with those of the former inpatient experience.

Renal function after hip arthroplasty and isoxazolylpenicillin prophylaxis

Two different isoxazolylpenicillins (cloxacillin and dicloxacillin) were compared regarding impairment of renal function after total hip arthroplasty. 85 patients received dicloxacillin and 93 patients received cloxacillin as antibiotic prophylaxis. A total dose of 6 grams was given during a 36-hour period in doses of 1 gram pre-, per- and postoperatively. Creatinine in serum and beta 2-microglobulin in serum and urine were determined preoperatively and 2, 4, and 10 days after the operation. The dicloxacillin-treated patients had an increase in creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin in serum that was not seen in the cloxacillin group. The increase indicates a transient injury in the process of glomerular filtration. Although the increase was temporary and subclinical, a dose reduction is nevertheless recommended for older patients.

[Is premedication in gastroscopy hazardous?]

Premedication for gastroscopies is still controversial. Most gastroenterologists use premedication routinely, often without control of vital signs. However, even if rarely, serious (mainly cardiorespiratory) complications still occur. In 101 patients in whom a gastroscopy had been performed, oxygen saturation before, during and after the endoscopy was investigated. A fall in saturation was seen in most of the patients but was usually minor. However, severe hypoxemia occurred in some patients, especially if premedication was used. Older patients and patients with severe anemia were particularly at risk. These results emphasize that premedication should not be used without precaution and special surveillance, especially in high risk patients. Prophylactic oxygen administration significantly diminishes the risk.

Adverse reactions of low osmolality contrast media during cardiac angiography: a prospective randomized multicenter study

A multicenter study was performed to determine the incidence of adverse reactions to two contrast media with similar low osmolality during cardiac angiography. The study was of a randomized double-blind design comparing ioxaglate (an ionic dimer) and iopamidol (a nonionic compound) and included 500 patients; 250 patients received ioxaglate and 250 iopamidol. There were 58 adverse reactions attributed to the contrast media in the ioxaglate group and 29 in the iopamidol group (p less than 0.001). Chest pain occurred in 11 patients in the ioxaglate group compared with 5 in the iopamidol group (p = 0.123). Nausea or vomiting was present in 20 and 2 patients, respectively (p less than 0.0003). Allergic adverse reactions, such as bronchospasm, urticaria and itching, occurred in 15 of the ioxaglate group and only 1 of the patients receiving iopamidol (p less than 0.0007). Fifty-two patients in the ioxaglate group had a known allergic history (not to contrast medium) or asthma, whereas 77 receiving iopamidol had a similar history. Seven of the 52 ioxaglate-treated patients developed an allergic adverse reaction compared with none of the 77 in the iopamidol group (p = 0.001). Of 41 patients receiving ioxaglate who were premedicated with diphenhydramine, 4 had an allergic adverse event. In the iopamidol group 45 patients received similar premedication and none had an allergic adverse reaction (p less than 0.03). Thus, this multicenter study shows that adverse reactions occur more often with ioxaglate than with iopamidol and that patients with an allergic history have a greater risk with ioxaglate therapy compared with iopamidol.

Common features associated with spinal-anesthesia-induced hypotension: a retrospective study

A retrospective study investigated features common to 85 documented cases of spinal-anesthesia-induced hypotension. Low preoperative systolic blood pressure and anemia were the most predictive features. Physical status was less important, with the exception of emergency surgeries. An association was found between preoperative medication--especially narcotics--and hypotension. Other variables found to have a high frequency among hypotensive patients were known preexisting pathologic conditions, increasing concentrations of anesthetic used at the time of surgery, and increasing levels of anesthesia achieved. The study is weighted toward obstetric/gynecologic cases.

Effect of antibiotics on oral contraceptive efficacy

It is estimated that there are currently 10 million women in the United States who are taking oral contraceptives on a daily basis. Although the actual number is not known, it is also estimated that a large number of these same women are on concomitant drug therapy. In recent years, there has been a number of published reports linking a loss of contraceptive efficacy with the concurrent administration of other drugs, including antibiotics. Because of the common practice of prescribing antibiotics in dentistry, oral healthcare providers should be aware of the possibility of oral contraceptive failure with antibiotic treatment. Since it is often the dental hygienist who interviews patients and assists them in completing their health questionnaire, she or he can play an important role in educating and counseling these patients in possible drug interactions. This article reviews the published incidence of oral contraceptive/antibiotic interaction, along with a discussion of the possible mechanisms by which this interaction occurs. Recommendations are also presented for the oral health management of women taking oral contraceptives and other prescribed drugs.

Sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: results of a nationwide survey

A postal questionnaire inquiring about routine sedation and premedication practice for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was sent to 1048 doctors. Of 665 appropriate returns, 81% were from consultant physicians and surgeons. Most endoscopists (90%) reported using an intravenous benzodiazepine for at least three quarters of endoscopies and 54% of physicians and 69% of surgeons always did so. Midazolam was the intravenous sedative used by a third of all respondents and 13% also used an additional intravenous agent, usually pethidine. Over the previous two years a total of 119 respiratory arrests, 37 cardiac arrests, and 52 deaths were identified. Adverse outcomes were reported more frequently by consultant physicians, by those who 'titrated' the intravenous sedative, and by those who used an additional intravenous agent, but were reported equally frequently by endoscopists using midazolam and endoscopists using diazepam. There is an urgent need for a prospective study to identify the circumstances and risk factors associated with adverse outcomes related to endoscopy.

Unconsciousness associated with midazolam and erythromycin

An 8-yr-old boy suffering from an asymptomatic ventricular septal defect was given erythromycin for antibiotic prophylaxis before adenoidectomy. Sixty minutes after premedication with oral midazolam 0.5 mg kg-1 and oral atropine 0.03 mg kg-1, an infusion of erythromycin 400 mg was started. When 200 mg of erythromycin had been infused, the patient lost consciousness, but other vital functions remained normal. After 45 min, he awakened spontaneously. At the time the plasma concentration of midazolam was 134 ng ml-1. In order to investigate possible interactions between midazolam and erythromycin, we studied the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in six children of the same age undergoing minor otolaryngological surgery. The plasma concentration of midazolam in the patient who lost consciousness was significantly greater than in six other children without concomitant administration of erythromycin. The altered pharmacokinetics of midazolam may result from reduced hepatic clearance of midazolam caused by an enzyme inhibiting drug, erythromycin.

[Empirical treatment of febrile episodes in patients with neutropenia in bone marrow transplantation]

The results of therapy of febrile episodes during the pregraft phase in bone marrow transplant was retrospectively evaluated in 84 granulocytopenic patients. Most patients received co-trimoxazole and i.v. ticarcillin as antibacterial prophylaxis. 47 episodes were treated with a third generation cephalosporin plus an aminoglycoside, with a 55% favorable response rate. 37 episodes were treated with a wide spectrum penicillin plus an aminoglycoside, with a 41% response rate (p greater than 0.05). Among the 23 infections caused by gram-negative bacilli the response rate was 89% (8 of 9) with the first regimen, and 21% (3 of 14) with the second one (p = 0.003). The investigation of in vitro sensitivity suggested that prophylactic ticarcillin favors the infections due to bacilli with cross-resistance to wide spectrum penicillins. The antibiotic regimen did not influence the final resolution or the mortality rate of the febrile episode.

Complications of diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy

Undesired side effects and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy and premedication are rare events. However, this is true only of endoscopic units with experienced investigators, modern equipment and monitoring. The complication rate of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is about 0.1% with cardiopulmonary events predominating. The typical complication of colonoscopy is perforation, seen in 0.2%. The relevant ERCP specific complication is acute pancreatitis in about 1%, followed by acute cholangitis. The most serious complications of laparoscopy are hemorrhage from the liver biopsy site, bleeding from abdominal wall varices, and perforation of the colon. The cardiopulmonary mortality is low for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as well as for colonoscopy (1 death/20,000 procedures). Premedication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease and, last but not least, advanced age, must be considered risk factors for the development of complications of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Balanced indication, particularly in the elderly patient, should be the consequence. If possible, endoscopy should be performed without sedatives. If premedication is necessary, it should be used sparingly. Not only patients at high risk for the development of cardiopulmonary complications, but all patients undergoing endoscopy must be carefully monitored after premedication, during and after endoscopy. The non-invasive procedure of pulse-oximetry is appropriate for continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, irrespective of their premedication status. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in patients with valvular heart disease or prosthetic valves. Standardized cleaning and disinfection of the instruments is of great importance to avoid hepatitis B or HIV transfer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Infections after auxiliary partial liver transplantation. Experiences in the first ten patients

In ten auxiliary partial liver transplant recipients selective bowel decontamination (SBD) was used to reduce infections due to gram-negative microorganisms and fungi. During SBD no gram-negative infections occurred. Candida peritonitis was observed in one patient. After discontinuation of SBD serious infections of gram-negative origin did occur and three fungal infections were seen. SBD seems to have a favourable effect in reducing infections by gram-negative microorganisms and fungi. Most striking was the number of enterococcal infections that occurred. Five out of ten patients developed enterococcal infections which in two cases contributed to a fatal outcome. These infections occurred after increase of the number of enterococci in faeces and concomitant positive cultures of bile, ascites or wound drains. This increase could be due to the use of SBD. Also, the kind of biliary anastomosis may play an important role in the relatively high incidence of enterococcal infections. In the postoperative period, recurrence of hepatitis B infection in the liver graft was observed in all patients with cirrhosis due to this virus. Problems caused by other viral infections or protozoal infections remained limited in these ten patients.

Cardiac involvement in bone marrow transplantation: serial changes in left ventricular size, mass and performance

Forty-five consecutive adult patients with haematological malignancies were studied prospectively to evaluate cardiac involvement in bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Echocardiography and measurement of systolic time intervals were performed before conditioning with cyclophosphamide (CY) (120 mg kg-1) and total body irradiation (10-12 Gy), and repeated 1 month and 1 year after BMT. The left ventricular (LV) changes at the 1-month study included increases in mass index (85.1 +/- 4.0 g m-2 vs: 76.1 +/- 3.3 g m-2, mean +/- SE; P less than 0.001) and in the pre-ejection period/ejection time ratio (0.46 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.01, P less than 0.001), and decreases in fractional shortening (24.9 +/- 1.0% vs. 27.9 +/- 0.8%, P less than 0.01) and in the peak normalized diameter lengthening rate (2.2 +/- 0.1 s-1 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.1 s-1, P less than 0.01). Four patients developed congestive heart failure. Twenty-four patients were alive and relapse-free 1 year after BMT. The LV measurements were then no longer different from the pre-transplant readings. Thus BMT that is preceded by conditioning with CY and total body irradiation results in increased LV mass and impaired systolic and diastolic LV function. These changes are mostly subclinical, and are also reversible if the recipient survives the initial months after transplantation.

Anthracyclines added to the conditioning regimen for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation are associated with a slower haematopoietic recovery

Factors which may influence haematopoietic recovery after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation were analysed. Forty-six evaluable patients transplanted with lymphocyte-depleted marrow for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and severe aplastic anaemia were studied. The median time for platelet recovery to greater than or equal to 20 and to greater than or equal to 50 x 10(9)/l was 21 (9-72) and 26 (11-86) days respectively. The neutrophil recovery to greater than or equal to 0.5 x 10(9)/l and the leucocyte recovery to greater than or equal to 1.0 x 10(9)/l was 19 (8-47) and 18 (6-47) days respectively. No relation was found between the number of infused granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells, erythroid burst-forming cells, diagnosis, graft-versus-host disease, antibiotic administration and recovery. Addition of a continuous 6-day infusion of anthracyclines to the conditioning regimen delayed the median recovery of platelets, neutrophils and leucocytes by 7-9 days. Fever during aplasia also inhibited haematopoietic recovery. It is speculated that leakage of intracellular anthracyclines after bone marrow infusion or fever secondary to anthracyclines-induced oromucositis is responsible for the delayed bone marrow recovery.