Author Response

How to cite this article: Vaithialingam B, Gopal S, Masapu D. Author Response. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(1):87-88.

Trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) in neuroanesthesia practice: A review

Respiratory management is an important aspect of care in neuroanesthesia practice for neurosurgical patients. A wide variety of procedures are performed under sedation in the neurosurgical population, and maintaining oxygenation is of paramount importance during these procedures. The high-flow oxygen devices improve arterial oxygenation by providing higher inspiratory oxygen concentration and maintaining higher dynamic positive airway pressure. These devices have gained importance during the recent years with regard to enhancing patient safety. This narrative review focuses on the role of trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) and high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) techniques in the neuroanesthesia practice and electroconvulsive therapy.

Comparison of hands-free Trans-nasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) with conventional facemask ventilation technique for oxygenation in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy - A cross over study

OBJECTIVES

Modified ECT is routinely conducted using face mask (FM) and bag ventilation technique. Trans-nasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) is a novel hands-free insufflation technique that provides oxygenation and prolongs apnoea time. There is limited literature comparing the two techniques. Primary objective of this study was to compare oxygen desaturation between THRIVE and FM techniques during ECT while secondary objective was to compare hemodynamics and complications.

METHODS

Patients aged 18-50 years undergoing 3rd-5th ECT treatments were enrolled. First ECT was with FM technique followed by THRIVE (with LUBO collar) in the next ECT. Except for the oxygenation technique, the protocol for ECT administration was similar with both techniques. SpO2 values were recorded every minute for 10 min while hemodynamic parameters were measured at 2 min and 5 min following administration of electrical stimulus. Any drop in SpO2 below 92 % was considered as a desaturation event.

RESULTS

A total of 201 patients underwent ECTs, one each with FM and THRIVE technique. Median age of patients was 28 years. There was no difference in SpO2 between the techniques (main effect P = 0.324, interaction P = 0.14). Only one patient had desaturation with THRIVE requiring intervention with FM. None of the patients had any airway complications in terms of nasal injury, hoarseness, or pneumothorax with THRIVE.

CONCLUSION

THRIVE is a safe alternative option for hands-free oxygenation while administering ECT. However, considering patient safety, an anaesthesiologist competent in airway management must be readily available.

"Locked-in State" Following Anterior Circulation Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

How to cite this article: Vaithialingam B, Gopal S, Masapu D. "Locked-in State" Following Anterior Circulation Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(8):601-602.

Anesthetic management of super-selective intra-arterial Melphalan injection in an infant with retinoblastoma

Intra-arterial Melphalan injection is an emerging treatment for children with advanced retinoblastoma. The procedure, which is frequently performed under general endotracheal anesthesia, can be complicated by technical difficulty and cardiorespiratory instability, which the anesthesiologist should be aware of. We describe the anesthetic management and special concerns during super-selective intra-arterial Melphalan injection in an infant with advanced retinoblastoma.

High-flow Tracheal Oxygenation with Airway Exchange Catheter: A Novel Approach

How to cite this article: Vaithialingam B, Arun BG. High-flow Tracheal Oxygenation with Airway Exchange Catheter: A Novel Approach. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(6):456.

Catheter Embolization of an Orbital Arteriovenous Fistula in a Patient With Wyburn-Mason Syndrome

A 24-year-old female presented to the emergency department with swelling of the forehead and oculus sinister. A soft, compressible glabellar swelling with proptosis of the oculus sinister was noted on clinical examination. Cerebral angiography revealed a left medial orbital wall arteriovenous fistula with feeders from the left internal maxillary artery, left superficial temporal artery, and left ophthalmic artery. During the cerebral angiography, a diffuse intracranial venous anomaly and left basal ganglia arteriovenous malformations were also noted. A diagnosis of Wyburn-Mason syndrome was made, and the patient underwent catheter embolization of the orbital arteriovenous fistula. After glue embolization of the left external carotid artery feeders, the patient experienced a 50% reduction in glabellar swelling in the immediate postoperative period. Glue embolization of the left ophthalmic artery feeder was planned after six months during the follow-up period.

Heat and moisture exchanger filter as a substitute for T-piece device - A novel approach

Letter to Editor

Thoracic Compressive Myelopathy in a Patient With Takayasu Arteritis

Takayasu arteritis (TA), also known as occlusive thromboaortopathy, is a type of chronic inflammatory arteritis that primarily affects large vessels. Compressive thoracic myelopathy is a rare and distinct manifestation of TA. We present the case of a 60-year-old woman who developed gradually progressive spastic paraplegia over one year. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined extra-dual, intensely enhancing ventrodorsal lesion with severe spinal cord impingement. The aortogram revealed dilatation of the aortic arch (with narrowing of arch vessels) and descending aorta, as well as a right paravertebral soft tissue mass at the D4 level. Given the likelihood of TA, the patient underwent decompressive laminectomy and spinal fusion due to severe spinal cord compression. The biopsy of the dural-based lesion revealed an inflammatory granuloma, and the patient was treated postoperatively with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. After six months of immunotherapy, there was excellent neurological recovery and near-total resolution of the lesion.

Lubo Airway Collar as a Rescue in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Adverse respiratory events in the out-of-operation theatre premises can be challenging to anesthesiologists. Manual jaw thrust application by anesthesiologists can be a temporary solution during an adverse airway event in remote locations. This report highlights the utility of a novel collar in alleviating upper airway obstruction in a patient in the MRI suite under IV sedation. The Lubo collar provides an automated jaw thrust and can also be applied electively for patients undergoing MRI under sedation and who are at risk of upper airway obstruction.

Trans-nasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) ventilation during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for a pregnant patient- A novel technique

Maintaining oxygenation and ventilation is imperative in a pregnant patient undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Here, we present the successful utilization of Trans-nasal Humidified Rapid Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) in a six-month pregnant patient who received ECT under general anesthesia.

Fatal multiorgan dysfunction following repeated iodinated radiocontrast injection in a patient on low dose oral methotrexate

Background

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite drug that blocks the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme and impairs cell DNA synthesis. Administration of intravenous iodinated radiocontrast agents can precipitate life-threatening toxicity in patients receiving methotrexate.

Case

A 60-year-old female patient, a known case of rheumatoid arthritis, underwent craniotomy and clipping of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysm. The patient was on low dose oral methotrexate for the past 5 years that was interrupted 2 days prior to surgery. The patient received the first intravenous contrast injection (Iohexol) during diagnostic cerebral angiography , one day prior to surgery (50 ml) and the second contrast dose on the first postoperative day (60 ml). The patient developed severe methotrexate toxicity leading to fatal multiorgan failure and death following repeated contrast imaging with intravenous Iohexol.

Conclusions

Even though oral low methotrexate has a minor adverse effect, life-threatening toxicity can get precipitated in the presence of iodinated contrast agents.

Feasibility of THRIVE oxygenation and intra-operative lung-protective ventilation in morbidly obese patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures

The conduct of anesthesia in morbidly obese patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures can be challenging considering the multi-system organ involvement. Implementation of conventional lung-protective ventilation in morbidly obese patients can have a negative impact on the intra-cranial dynamics. We report a series of three patients with morbid obesity and a difficult airway for the neurosurgical procedure. The patients were oxygenated with high-flow oxygen devices to ensure an adequate oxygen reserve in the peri-operative period. A modified intra-operative lung-protective ventilation with normocarbia was implemented with no impact on the intra-cranial pressure in the prone position in two of the patients. Oxygenation with high-flow devices should be considered during the peri-operative period in morbidly obese patients to avert an adverse respiratory event, and a modified lung-protective ventilation technique is feasible with normal intra-cranial dynamics intra-operatively.