Reference range of clinical blood tests in physically independent patients of advanced age with groin hernia in a Japanese hospital

Limited Utility of Routine Tests Prior to Ophthalmologic Surgery: An Observational Study in a Japanese Hospital

Introduction:

Routine preoperative testing for low-risk surgeries without a clinical indication should be avoided; however, such tests are still frequently performed in Japan. This study was performed to assess the impact of routine preoperative tests in low-risk surgery in a Japanese medical setting.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review to examine the utility of routine tests with respect to anesthetic management and postoperative complications in all patients aged ≥ 18 years whom ophthalmologists consulted with anesthesiologists before ophthalmologic surgery under general anesthesia.

Results:

During the 10-year study period, 1,234 anesthetic consultations and 1,211 routine preoperative tests (laboratory tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms) were performed in Toyama University Hospital. In total, 59 patients (4.8% of the study population) canceled surgery after a battery of preoperative evaluation. Among them, 10 patients had incidental abnormalities that necessitated additional tests, and only three patients (0.2%) canceled surgery. In-hospital postoperative complications developed in nine patients (0.7%) whose routine test results made it difficult to predict development of these adverse events. No severe life-threatening events were noted in this survey.

Conclusions:

Routine tests prior to eye surgery for adults were of low value for perioperative management and prediction of development of in-hospital complications in this Japanese medical setting. Anesthesiologists and ophthalmologists should selectively order preoperative tests based on the medical interview and physical examination.

Opposite changes in blood pressure and pulse rate in two patients with distigmine and rivastigmine intoxication

Background

Cholinergic crisis caused by cholinesterase inhibitors is rare but life-threatening. Clinical manifestations are thought to be similar to those caused by organophosphates.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old woman on a standard dose of distigmine presented with impaired consciousness, blood pressure (BP) of 69/40 mmHg, a pulse rate (PR) of 60 beats/min, miosis, bronchorrhea, and serum cholinesterase (ChE) of 8 IU/L. After discontinuation of distigmine, altered mental status and pupil miosis were gradually resolved in 5 days with a concomitant increase of serum ChE. A 91-year-old woman presented with a headache, BP of 202/86 mmHg, PR of 83 beats/min, miosis, 9 rivastigmine patches on her knees, and ChE of 22 IU/L. The day after close observation without rivastigmine use, her symptoms were almost resolved with a concomitant increase of serum ChE.

Conclusion

Our cases and a literature review suggested that, in contrast to distigmine, rivastigmine-induced cholinergic crisis caused hypertension and tachycardia.

Impact of Age-related Diseases on Pulmonary Function Tests in Older Japanese Adults: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Introduction:

A widely used reference range for pulmonary function testing was derived from middle-aged, healthy, non-smoking adults in Japan. This study examined the effect of age-related diseases on pulmonary function tests for older Japanese adults.

Methods:

All patients aged ≥65 years who underwent spirometry before general and orthopedic surgeries in Itoigawa General Hospital (Niigata, Japan) from January 2014 to June 2019 were identified, and their charts were reviewed.

Results:

This study included 1050 Japanese patients (median age: 75 years). The median spirometric values of vital capacity, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC in all patients were 2.66 L [interquartile range; 2.24, 3.25], 2.57 L [2.13, 3.13], 1.98 L [1.66, 2.37], and 77.5% [72.2, 81.9], respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that spirometric values were significantly affected by age, body height, sex, smoking status, social dependency, dyslipidemia, diabetes, history of heart failure, peripheral artery disease, end-stage renal disease, neuromuscular disease, and psychiatric disorders. Male sex and height were positively correlated with FVC and FEV1. Other factors, such as a history of heart failure, neuromuscular disease, and independent physical activity, were negatively correlated with FVC and FEV1 to almost the same extent as that of age.

Conclusions:

These data will provide clinically useful information to accurately interpret pulmonary function test results in older Japanese adults.

Low serum cholinesterase predicts complication risk after orthopedic surgery in elderly patients: an observational pilot study

BACKGROUND

Serum cholinesterase (ChE) in elderly adults is associated with geriatric conditions such as sarcopenia and malnutrition. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of preoperative serum ChE on the development of complications after noncardiac surgery in elderly patients without liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified all patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent orthopedic surgery over a 1.5-year period in our hospital. The main outcome was postoperative complications, defined as a deviation from the normal postoperative course within 30 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 313 patients (median age 79 years) were included. The incidence of all-cause postoperative complications was 15.7% (49/313 patients). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum ChE was a univariable factor that predicted all-cause complications with moderate accuracy (area under the curve = 0.694, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.604-0.783), with an optimal serum ChE cutoff level of 200 units/L. After multivariate analyses adjusted by baseline characteristics, low serum ChE remained a significant risk factor for postoperative complications (odds ratio = 2.99, 95% CI 1.41-6.33, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum ChE (< 200 unit/L) is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications after orthopedic surgery in patients aged ≥ 65 years.