Efficacy of Analgesic Propofol/Esketamine and Propofol/Fentanyl for Painless Induced Abortion: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Bispectral Index versus the University of Michigan Sedation Scale in assessing sedation depth during pediatric drug-induced sleep endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bispectral Index (BIS) and University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS) were two commonly used methods of monitoring the sedation depth, but their correlation was not clear. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if BIS correlates with UMSS in determining the sedation level during pediatric drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

METHODS

One-hundred children, aged 36-143 months, with ASA I~II grade, were enrolled. They were subject to general anesthesia for an elective adenotonsillectomy. Two drug regimens were used. After UMSS ≥ 3, the sites of airway obstructions were located by checking the supraglottic airway structures with a fibrous laryngoscope. UMSS scores, BIS values, electromyography (EMG), and signal quality indices (SQIs) were recorded at the pre-medication and pre-DISE baseline (T0), 5 min subsequent to medication administration but prior to DISE initiation (T1), 1 min after DISE was initiated (T2), 1 min after DISE was completed (T3), 1 min subsequent to tracheal intubation (T4), 1 min following extubation (T5), and 30 min past extubation (T6).

RESULTS

There were strong correlations between BIS monitor readings and UMSS scores for total and two regimens. Kappa values revealed moderate agreement between BIS and UMSS for total and two regimens. The agreement rates were 67.47% for the total, 61.43% for Regimen 1, and 73.42% for Regimen 2, respectively.

CONCLUSION

BIS correlates with UMSS in determining the sedation level during pediatric DISE for two regimens. BIS might serve as an appropriate indicator of sedation intensity when UMSS could not be used.

A study of hemodynamic effects, postoperative recovery, and safety of esketamine (right handed) during flexible bronchoscopy under general anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

Flexible bronchoscopy during general anesthesia has become an indispensable tool. Anesthetics are widely utilized in flexible bronchoscopy (FB). This study delved into the application value of a subanesthetic dose of esketamine (ES) (right handed) in flexible bronchoscopy during general anesthesia.

METHODS

A sample of 160 patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy during general anesthesia were selected as study subjects and were equally divided into the control and ES groups, with clinical baseline data (age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grading) collected. Hemodynamic parameters (mean artery pressure, heart rate, pulse blood oxygen saturation) at different time points, the onset time of anesthesia, surgery time, analgesia maintenance time, anesthesia awakening time, and perioperative adverse reactions were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and quality of recovery-40 (QoR-40) scales were utilized for assessing post-surgery satisfaction, cognitive function, and post-surgery early recovery quality.

RESULTS

The hemodynamics were stable at each time point, but patients in the ES group were more stable than those in the control group. Patients in the ES group exhibited faster onset and awakening time of anesthesia, longer duration of analgesia, and lower total incidence of adverse reactions versus the control group. The patients' QoR-40 total scores in the ES group were improved versus the control group at 1 day after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Compared with fentanyl, the use of ES (right handed) in flexible bronchoscopy during general anesthesia produces more stable hemodynamics, faster onset and recovery time of anesthesia, longer duration of analgesia, lower incidence of adverse reactions, and improved early postoperative recovery quality in patients.

Application of OFA-based ERAS for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in elderly patients with airway stenosis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Thoracic surgery without general anesthesia can be traced back to the First World War, and thoracic epidural block was used to complete the operation due to a large number of patients with gunshot wounds who needed emergency thoracic surgery. By reducing the intraoperative opioid dose, intraoperative and postoperative opioid-related adverse events such as respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, delirium, hyperalgesia, and other side effects can be reduced to the benefit of patients.

METHODS

A 72-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a 5-day history of multifocal pain throughout the body caused by a fall. The injury was not treated at that time, and the pain gradually increased, accompanied by cough with difficulty expelling sputum.

DIAGNOSES

Left lung contusion; traumatic pneumonia; multiple left rib fractures; left fluid pneumothorax; thyroid tumor of unknown nature, possibly malignant. Grade I tracheal stenosis; Sequelae of cerebral infarction. Because of goiter and severe tracheal compression, the patient was not intubated and received deopiated general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia to preserve spontaneous breathing.

OUTCOMES

At the end of the video-assisted thoracoscopic exploration, the patient was immediately conscious and returned directly to the ward 6 min later. The patient was able to move freely after surgery and eat normally within 6 h of surgery. The postoperative visual analog scale score was 2 points, and there were no anesthetic complications during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The opioid-free anesthesia strategy of tubeless general anesthesia, allowing spontaneous breathing combined with epidural anesthesia in elderly patients with tracheal stenosis undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can not only avoid accidents and injuries caused by tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, but can also significantly reduce postoperative respiratory complications, optimize postoperative analgesia, and help achieve enhanced recovery after surgery.

Efficacy and safety of esketamine combined with propofol for curative endoscopic resection in colorectum: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Curative endoscopic resection is widely used to treat colonic polyps and early stage cancers. The anesthetic strategy commonly involves the use of propofol combined with a small dose of opioids for sedation. Adverse respiratory or cardiovascular events such as hypotension often occur when attempting to achieve the necessary level of sedation. Several studies have suggested its advantages owing to the anesthetic, analgesic, and sympathomimetic properties of esketamine. However, there are no reports on curative colorectal endoscopic resection. We designed this randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of esketamine combined with propofol for sedation in patients undergoing curative colorectal endoscopic resection.

METHODS

A total of 166 patients who underwent curative colorectal endoscopic resection were randomly assigned to groups A (propofol + fentanyl) or E (propofol + esketamine). Ideal sedation was assessed using the MOAA/S scale and was achieved using TCI-propofol with different doses of fentanyl and esketamine. The propofol consumption and vasoactive drug dosages were recorded. Sedation-related times, adverse events, and satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 160 patients, the total propofol consumption was significantly lower in group E (n = 81) (300 mg) than in group A (n = 79) (350 mg). Hypotension and bradycardia were significantly lower in Group E than in Group A. The groups showed no significant differences in other adverse events, induction time, recovery time, or patient or endoscopist satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Compared to fentanyl, esketamine helps decrease propofol consumption and increases cardiovascular stability during curative colorectal endoscopic resection in American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I-III patients without affecting anesthesia, patient and endoscopist satisfaction, or other adverse events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was retrospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ; registration number: ChiCTR2300069014 on 03/03/2023).

Comparison of remimazolam and propofol combined with low dose esketamine for pediatric same-day painless bidirectional endoscopy: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Background: Remimazolam has shown similar or even superior properties to propofol in procedural sedation in adults, but few studies have been conducted in pediatric populations. Thus, we aimed to compare the effect and safety of remimazolam and propofol combined with low dose esketamine for pediatric same-day bidirectional endoscopy (BDE). Methods: Pediatrics <18 years scheduled for elective BDE under sedation were included and randomly assigned to remimazolam group (R group) or propofol group (P group). The primary outcome was the success rate of sedation. Secondary outcomes include sedation-related information and adverse events. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and perfusion index (PI) were recorded during sedation. Results: A total of 106 patients were enrolled and analyzed. The success rate of sedation was 100% in both groups. Compared with the P group, the induction time of the R group was significantly prolonged (p < 0.001), and the incidence of injection pain, intraoperative respiratory depression, hypotension and bradycardia was significantly lower (p < 0.001). The changes in MAP, HR and PI were relatively stable in the R group compared with the P group. Additionally, awake time significantly decreased with age by approximately 1.12 index points for each increase in age in the P group (p = 0.002) but not in the R group (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the decline in PI and PI ratio during BDE was related to body movement in the P group. Conclusion: Remimazolam combined with low dose esketamine has a non-inferior sedative effect than propofol for pediatric BDE, with no injection pain, less respiratory depression, more stable hemodynamics. Moreover, early detection of the decline in PI may avoid harmful stimulation under light anesthesia. Clinical trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05686863?id=NCT05686863&rank=1, NCT05686863.

The role and mechanism of esketamine in preventing and treating remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia based on the NMDA receptor-CaMKII pathway

Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia (RIH) is a common clinical phenomenon that limits the use of opioids in pain management. Esketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been shown to prevent and treat RIH. However, the underlying effect mechanism of esketamine on RIH remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of esketamine in preventing and treating RIH based on the NMDA receptor-CaMKIIα pathway. In this study, an experimental animal model was used to determine the therapeutic effect of esketamine on pain elimination. Moreover, the mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of CaMKII and GluN2B were investigated to offer evidence of the protective capability of esketamine in ameliorating RIH. The results demonstrated that esketamine attenuated RIH by inhibiting CaMKII phosphorylation and downstream signaling pathways mediated by the NMDA receptor. Furthermore, ketamine reversed the upregulation of spinal CaMKII induced by remifentanil. These findings suggest that the NMDA receptor-CaMKII pathway plays a critical role in the development of RIH, and ketamine's effect on this pathway may provide a new therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of RIH.

Propofol combined with alfentanil for general anesthesia in vocal cord polypectomy under suspension laryngoscopy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical effect of propofol combined with alfentanil in vocal cord polypectomy under suspension laryngoscopy.

METHODS

A total of 308 patients undergoing vocal cord polypectomy under suspension laryngoscopy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were included in this prospective study, and the patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Patients in the observation group received alfentanil combined with propofol, while those in the control group were anesthetized with sufentanil combined with propofol. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), real portfolio project (RPP), and Steward postanesthetic recovery scores were compared between the two groups before anesthesia induction (T0), at intubation (T1), 5 min after intubation (T2), at the time of placing suspension laryngoscopy (T3), 1 min after placing the suspension laryngoscopy (T4), 1 min after extraction of support laryngoscope (T5), and 1 min after extubation (T6). In addition, the propofol dosage and peripheral plasma levels of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) were also compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The MAP, HR, and RPP of the patients in the observation group were higher than those in the control group at T1-T5 (all P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference at T0 and T6 (all P>0.05). The Steward postanesthetic recovery scores and the propofol dosage in the observation group were lower than those in the control group. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the E and NE levels between the two groups after surgery (P<0.001). There was also an interaction effect between the groups and among the time points (both P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Alfentanil can reduce the fluctuation of hemodynamics during vocal cord polypectomy under suspension laryngoscopy, and therefore improve anesthesia effect. Simultaneously, the usage of propofol was reduced, as well as the stress levels.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

ChiCTR2100054186.

Recent advances in the study of anesthesia-and analgesia-related mechanisms of S-ketamine

Ketamine is a racemic mixture of equal amounts of R-ketamine and S-ketamine and is well known to anesthesiologists for its unique dissociative anesthetic properties. The pharmacological properties of ketamine, namely, its sympathetic excitation, mild respiratory depression, and potent analgesia, are still highly valued in its use as an anesthetic for some patients. In particular, since its advent, S-ketamine has been widely used as an anesthetic in many countries due to its increased affinity for NMDA receptors and its enhanced anesthetic and analgesic effects. However, the anesthetic and analgesic mechanisms of S-ketamine are not fully understood. In addition to antagonizing NMDA receptors, a variety of other receptors or channels may be involved, but there are no relevant mechanistic summaries in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the mechanisms of action of S-ketamine on relevant receptors and systems in the body that result in its pharmacological properties, such as anesthesia and analgesia, with the aim of providing a reference for its clinical applications and research.

Intraoperative Esketamine Is Effective at Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain in Bariatric Surgery Patients: a Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

The analgesic effect and postoperative effects of esketamine are not yet clear in bariatric surgeries. Many bariatric surgery patients suffer from acute abdominal pain after surgery which leads to increased opioid use. This study aimed to determine whether intraoperative use of esketamine could reduce acute postoperative pain in bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS

We designed a randomized double-blinded controlled trial. Included patients between the ages of 18 and 50 years with a body mass index ≥27 kg/m2 and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status of I-III, scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy. We divided them into two groups, the control group which received a placebo, and the esketamine group which received a loading dose of esketamine 0.2 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 0.2 mg/(kg·h) along with other anesthetic drugs during the surgery. After the surgery, they were assessed for Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores and Post Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) scores, while other surgical data were recorded during the surgery.

RESULTS

We enrolled 68 patients, 52 females, and 16 males. The 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, and 12 h NRS scores were significantly lower in the esketamine group compared to the control group, and the extra painkillers administered were significantly lower in the esketamine group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative use of esketamine can reduce acute postoperative pain in bariatric surgery patients. Further studies should explore whether the reduced pain is due to the anti-depressive effect of esketamine or purely the analgesic effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100054038, https://www.chictr.org.cn/com/25/showproj.aspx?proj=142806 ).

Safety and efficacy of the combination of esketamine and propofol in procedural sedation/analgesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed the side effects and efficacy of esketamine combined with propofol in procedural sedation and analgesia.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies occurring between their inceptions and September 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of sedation-related adverse events. Secondary outcomes included recovery time, total consumption of propofol and body movement.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Data from a total of seven RCTs enrolling 808 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooling of data showed that compared with other drug regimens, the esketamine and propofol combination was associated with a reduction in the risk of hypotension (relative risk [RR]: 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25 to 0.56) and bradycardia (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.80) as well as an increase in the risk of agitation (RR: 6.29, 95% CI: 1.15 to 34.32). The results also indicated a decrease in propofol consumption (standardized mean difference: -1.45, 95% CI: -2.39 to -0.50) with the use of the esketamine and propofol combination. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in respiratory depression, nausea/vomiting, recovery time or body movement.

CONCLUSIONS

Esketamine combined with propofol has an advantage in reducing the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia during procedural sedation and analgesia, but it may increase the risk of agitation in the recovery phase. More studies of high quality are needed before the widespread adoption of the combination of esketamine and propofol.

Evaluation of clinical effects of Esketamine on depression in patients with missed miscarriage: A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with missed miscarriages are usually accompanied by varying degrees of depression, which is closely related to the patient's prognosis. We investigated whether Esketamine could alleviate postoperative depression symptoms in patients with missed miscarriages who underwent painless curettage.

METHODS

This study was a randomized, parallel-controlled, double-blind, single-center trial. A total of 105 patients with preoperative 1d (EPDS) ≥ 10 were randomly assigned to the Propofol; Dezocine; Esketamine group. Patients record EPDS at 7 and 42 days after the operation. Secondary outcomes included VAS for 1 h postoperation, total propofol usage, adverse reactions, And the expressions of inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10.

RESULTS

Compared with the P and D group, patients in the S group had lower EPDS scores at 7 day (8.63 ± 3.14, 9.17 ± 3.23 vs. 6.34 ± 2.87 P = 0.0005) and 42 days (9.40 ± 2.67, 8.49 ± 3.05 vs.5.31 ± 2.49 P < 0.0001) after the operation. Respectively, Compared with the P group, the VAS scores (3.51 ± 1.12 vs. 2.80 ± 0.83, 2.40 ± 0.81, P = 0.0035) and the dosage of propofol used during operation (198.7 ± 47.48 vs. 145.5 ± 19.31, 142.9 ± 21.01 P < 0.0001) were lower in the D and S groups, and lower postoperative inflammatory response at 1 day after surgery. Other outcomes among the three groups were not found to the difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Esketamine effectively treated postoperative depressive symptoms of patients with a missed miscarriage, decreasing propofol consumption and inflammatory response.

Effects of opioid-free propofol or remimazolam balanced anesthesia on hypoxemia incidence in patients with obesity during gastrointestinal endoscopy: A prospective, randomized clinical trial

There are presently no consensuses on the optimal sedation strategy for obese patients during gastrointestinal endoscopy. This study aim to explore the effects of opioid-free propofol or remimazolam balanced anesthesia on hypoxemia incidence in patients with obesity. A total of 264 patients were randomized to remimazolam + esketamine group (group R) or propofol + esketamine group (group P). Anesthesia in group P was administrated by propofol, esketamine and in group R by remimazolam, esketamine. The primary outcome was incidence of hypoxemia. Secondary outcomes were the time to loss of consciousness (LoC) and to recovery and the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions. We found the incidence of mild hypoxemia in group R was similar to that in group P (14.2% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.396). The incidence of severe hypoxemia in group R was significantly lower than Group P (4.2% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.019). The time to LoC in group R was longer than group P [Median (interquartile range, IQR): 53 s (45 to 61) vs. 50 s (42 to 54), p = 0.001]. The time to recovery from anesthesia in group R was less than group P [Median (IQR): 48 min (41 to 58) vs. 55.5 min (46 to 67), p<0.001]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events (p > 0.05 for all). We concluded that compared with propofol combined with esketamine, remimazolam combined with esketamine can reduce the incidence of severe hypoxemia during gastrointestinal endoscopy in obese patients. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, Identifier: ChiCTR2200065575.

The median effective concentration of propofol in combination with different doses of esketamine during gastrointestinal endoscopy in adults

We designed a four-arm randomized controlled trial to investigate the median effective concentration (EC50) of propofol in combination with different doses of esketamine inducing appropriate depth of anaesthesia during gastrointestinal endoscopy in adults. One hundred patients aged 18-65 years planning for gastrointestinal endoscopy were divided into four groups randomly: esketamine 0, 0.15, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg groups (n = 25). Propofol doses followed the Dixon and Massey up-and-down method with different starting between groups. The primary endpoint was the EC50 of propofol. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative dose of propofol, the duration of the procedure, recovery time, and adverse effects. The EC50 (median, 95% confidence interval) of propofol was significantly less in the esketamine 0.5 mg/kg group compared with the esketamine 0, 0.15, and 0.25 mg/kg groups [1.34 (1.15, 1.54) vs. 3.48 (3.25, 3.71), 2.82 (2.58, 3.07), and 2.36 (2.11, 2.61), respectively; p < 0.001]. The total dose of propofol (mean ± SD) required for the whole procedure was significantly less in the esketamine 0.5 mg/kg group compared with the esketamine 0, 0.15, and 0.25 mg/kg groups [95.5 ± 43.1 vs. 277.4 ± 49.0, 207.8 ± 31.6, and 135.1 ± 27.7, respectively; p < 0.001]. The recovery time was significantly longer in esketamine 0 and 0.5 mg/kg group compared with other two groups (p < 0.001). More patients in the esketamine 0.5 mg/kg group experienced visual disturbance compared with the other groups (p = 0.016). Additionally, the incidence of hypotensionin the esketamine 0 mg/kg group after inducation was higher compared with other groups (p < 0.001). In summary, the administration of esketamine significantly and dose-dependently reduced the dose of propofol required to accomplish procedures.