Fast-Track Cardiac Anesthesia for Transthoracic Device Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects in Children: A Single Chinese Cardiac Center Experience

Comparison Between Fast-Track and Conventional Anesthesia for Children Undergoing Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is common in pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using fast-track anesthesia and comparing it to traditional anesthesia, among children undergoing a transthoracic device closure for VSD. A systematic review following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted. Relevant literature was identified through specific search terms in the Scopus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica database (Embase), Web of Science, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion criteria focused on observational studies that compared fast-track anesthesia with conventional anesthesia in pediatric VSD closure cases. Data extraction, quality assessment, and meta-analysis were performed using standard differences in means. Initially, 6,535 papers were identified, and subsequent screening of titles and abstracts led to the inclusion of four retrospective studies from a total of 51 studies. The analysis encompassed 477 patients, with 235 in the fast-track anesthesia group and 242 in the conventional anesthesia group. No statistically significant disparities were observed between the two groups concerning the operative duration and hemodynamic variations post-intubation or post-procedure (P >0.05). Nevertheless, the fast-track anesthesia group demonstrated significantly reduced healthcare expenses as well as shorter periods of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and overall hospitalization compared to conventional anesthesia (P <0.05). The use of fast-track anesthesia in combination with transthoracic device closure for VSD demonstrates a safe and effective approach for pediatric patients. This approach results in reduced healthcare costs (10,000 Renminbi (RMB)) and shorter durations of mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and hospitalization compared to conventional anesthesia. Further clinical trials are necessary to confirm these results and assess long-term outcomes.

A comparison of the outcomes of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil with sufentanil-based general anesthesia in pediatric patients for the transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects

Objective

To compare the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil with sufentanil-based general anesthesia for the transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in pediatric patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 children undergoing the transthoracic device closure of VSDs from January 2019 to June 2020. The patients were divided into two groups based on different anesthesia strategies, including 30 cases in group R (dexmedetomidine- and remifentanil-based general anesthesia) and 30 cases in group S (sufentanil-based general anesthesia).

Results

There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical information, hemodynamics before induction and after extubation, postoperative pain scores, or length of hospital stay between the two groups. However, the hemodynamic data of group R were significantly lower than those of group S at the time points of anesthesia induction, skin incision, thoracotomy, incision closure, and extubation. The amount of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), the duration of mechanical ventilation, and the length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay in group R were significantly less than those in group S.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine combined with remifentanil-based general anesthesia for the transthoracic device closure of VSDs in pediatric patients is safe and effective.

Evaluation of analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 62 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSDs from May 2019 to August 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anesthesia methods: group F was given remifentanil-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia, and Group C was given conventional anesthesia. Patient-related clinical data, postoperative analgesia scores, and sedation scores were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in intraoperative hemodynamic changes, bispectral index values, postoperative analgesia scores, sedation scores, or the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Compared with Group C, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay in group F were significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

Remifentanil-based fast-track anesthesia can be safely applied in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of VSDs, with acceptable postoperative analgesia and sedation effects and shorter mechanical ventilation times and ICU and hospital stays compared with conventional anesthesia.

Sufentanil Reduces Emergence Delirium in Children Undergoing Transthoracic Device Closure of VSD After Sevoflurane-Based Cardiac Anesthesia

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether sufentanil can reduce emergence delirium in children undergoing transthoracic device closure of ventricular septal defect (VSD) after sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia.

Methods

From February 2019 to May 2019, 68 children who underwent transthoracic device closure of VSD at our center were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups: 36 patients in group S, who were given sufentanil and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia, and 32 patients in group F, who were given fentanyl and sevoflurane-based cardiac anesthesia. The following clinical data were recorded: age, sex, body weight, operation time, and bispectral index (BIS). After the children were sent to the intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric anesthesia emergence delirium (PAED) and face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) scale scores were also assessed. The incidence of adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness, was recorded.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, sex, body weight, operation time or BIS value between the two groups. Extubation time (min), PEAD score and FLACC scale score in group S were significantly better than those in group F (P<0.05). No serious anesthesia or drug-related side effects occurred.

Conclusions

Sufentanil can be safely used in sevoflurane-based fast-track cardiac anesthesia for transthoracic device closure of VSD in children. Compared to fentanyl, sufentanil is more effective in reducing postoperative emergence delirium, with lower analgesia scores and greater comfort.

Sugammadex for Fast-Track Surgery in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sugammadex for fast-track surgery in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 60 children undergoing cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

The children in group S received sugammadex, 4 mg/kg, for reversal of neuromuscular block, and the children in group N received neostigmine, 30 µg/kg, and atropine, 15 µg/kg.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The recovery time to a train-of-four of 0.9 and extubation time were significantly shorter in the group S than in group N (3.4 ± 1.2 min v 76.2 ± 20.5 min and 31.0 ± 6.4 min v 125.2 ± 21.6 min, respectively; p < 0.01). The heart rate after drug administration was higher in group S than in group N (102.7 ± 9.4 beats/min v 96.9 ± 8.5 beats/min; p = 0.03), whereas the mean arterial pressure after drug administration was similar in both groups. The length of hospital stay was shorter in group S (5.8 ± 1.0 v 6.5 ± 0.9 days; p = 0.03), and the hospitalization expenses were decreased in group S compared with that of group N ($1,036 ± $114 v $1,286 ± $187; p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative atelectasis was less in group S than in group N (0 v 20%; p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Sugammadex can shorten the extubation time and reduce the incidence of postoperative atelectasis, with fewer adverse events, in children undergoing cardiac surgery. It may be beneficial to use sugammadex for fast-track surgery in children undergoing cardiac surgery.