BACKGROUND: Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is accepted to be the easiest and most economical method of autotransfusion. This study was performed to investigate the clinical usefulness of ANH in patients undergoing off-pump CABG. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the ANH group, 753.3 +/- 51.6 ml of fresh autologous whole blood were sequestrated from a pulmonary artery catheter following induction of anesthesia with simultaneous infusion of colloids and crystalloid solution from a separate line. Perioperative changes of hemoglobin, hematocrit level, platelet counts, prothrombin time, cardiac output, transfusion requirement and the amount of postoperative drainage were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Perioperative changes of platelet counts and PT showed no significant differences between the two groups. Less allogenic blood was used in the ANH group (0.27 +/- 0.46 unit) than in the control group (1.27 +/- 0.80 unit) in the operation room. CONCLUSIONS: ANH can decrease the transfusion requirement in off-pump CABG.
Anesthesia ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Cardiac Output ; Catheters ; Colloids ; Drainage ; Hematocrit ; Hemodilution* ; Humans ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time ; Pulmonary Artery

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation (EA) frequently occurs after general anesthesia in children. This multicenter study was investigated to determine incidence and risk factors of EA after general anesthesia in children. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated 816 pediatric patients receiving elective surgery under general anesthesia at 10 university hospitals. Emotional and behavioral status of the patients upon emergence from anesthesia was assessed by Aono's four point scale. Those with an Aono's four point scale of 3 or 4 were considered to be affected by EA. Patient physical, anesthetic, and surgical variables were analyzed to find the risk factors of EA. RESULTS: One-hundred-fifty-two children (18.6%) developed EA. No relationships between the incidence of EA and age, sex, ASA physical status, premedicants, anesthetic induction agents, anesthetic maintenance methods, or postoperative analgesia were found. A multivariate analysis identified preanesthetic emotional status (OR = 1.774, P < 0.001), perioperative airway complication (OR = 1.867, P < 0.007) and rhinolaryngologic surgery (OR = 1.597, P < 0.017) as risk factors of EA. CONCLUSIONS: Preanesthetic emotional status, perioperative airway complication and rhinolaryngologic surgery were risk factors of EA after general anesthesia in children.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Child ; Dihydroergotamine ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Incidence ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: The Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway (CobraPLA) and the Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Classic are supraglottic airway devices. We compared the performance of the CobraPLA and the LMA Classic devices during volume-controlled ventilation in children. METHODS: Eighty children, ASA physical status I-II, aged 1-10 years were randomly assigned with either the CobraPLA or the LMA Classic for airway management. Anesthesia was induced with 1 mg/kg ketamine and 2.0 mg/kg propofol, and muscle relaxation was obtained with the use of 0.5 mg/kg rocuronium. All patients were mechanically ventilated with a tidal volume of 10 m/kg in 1-3% sevoflurane, oxygen and air. The number of insertions, oropharyngeal leak pressure, and fiberoptic airway position were measured. Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and peak inspiratory pressure were recorded every 5 minutes. Postoperative adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the use of the two devices with respect to the number of insertions, time of insertion, and fiberoptic score. The oropharyngeal leak pressure was significantly higher for the CobraPLA than the LMA Classic (25.4 +/- 4.9 cmH2O versus 20.3 +/- 5.4 cmH2O; P < 0.001). Hemodynamic and respiratory variables were similar with the use of both devices. The incidence of adverse events was not different with the use of both devices. CONCLUSIONS: Both airway devices provided an adequate airway and effective ventilation during volume-controlled ventilation in children. The CobraPLA had a higher sealing pressure than the LMA Classic.
Aged ; Airway Management ; Androstanols ; Anesthesia ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide ; Child ; Elapidae ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ketamine ; Laryngeal Masks ; Methyl Ethers ; Muscle Relaxation ; Oxygen ; Propofol ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Partially paralyzed patients may be placed in the risk of pharyngeal dysfunction. Bupivacaine acts as acetylcholine receptor ion channel blocker and may synergistically interact with rocuronium to augment NM blockade. Thus, this study aims to elucidate whether or not, at a therapeutic concentration, bupivacaine by itself may cause NM blockade and reduce an effective concentration of rocuronium. METHODS: Twenty-two left phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragms (Male SD rats, 150-250 g) were hung in Krebs solution. Three consecutive ST, 0.1 Hz and one TT, 50 Hz for 1.9 s were obtained before drug application and at each new drug concentration. A concentration of bupivacaine in Krebs solution (n = 5) was cumulatively increased by way of 0.01, 0.1, 1, (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) x 10 microM. In a Krebs solution, pre-treated with bupivacaine 0 (n = 5), 0.1 (n = 5), 1.0 (n = 5), 10 (n = 2) microM, and then concentrations of rocuronium were cumulatively increased by way of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 microM. EC for each experiment were determined by a probit. The EC50's of rocuronium were compared using a Student's t-test with Bonferroni's correction. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. RESULTS: The potency of bupivacaine for normalized TF was 11.4 (+/- 1.1) microM. Below 30 microM of bupivacaine, the single twitch potentiation sustained despite the development of tetanic fade and partial inhibition of PTT. Bupivacaine significantly facilitated the NM blockade induced by rocuronium. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that bupivacaine by itself at its therapeutic concentration inhibit NM conduction and enhances rocuronium-induced muscle relaxation.
Acetylcholine ; Androstanols ; Animals ; Bupivacaine ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Isotonic Solutions ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Rats ; Refractory Period, Electrophysiological

BACKGROUND: The oculocardiac reflex (OCR) can be elicited during manipulation of the orbital structures in the strabismus correction surgery. A sinus bradycardia is the most common manifestation of OCR; and cardiac dysrhythmia and asystole may also occur. Various efforts to reduce OCR have been attempted, but without coherent outcome results. METHODS: Sixty one children, undergoing elective strabismus surgery, were randomly allocated into 2 groups: Group K received ketamine 1.0 mg/kg; and Group M received midazolam 0.15 mg/kg for induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with 1-1.3 MAC of sevoflurane with 50% N2O in O2. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured 30 seconds before extraocular muscle (EOM) traction and immediately after traction. The OCR was defined as a decrease in heart rate more than 20% of the baseline heart rate, following manipulating EOM. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and emergence agitation (EA) were assessed in postanesthetic care unit (PACU). RESULTS: Blood pressure before tightening EOM in Group K was higher than that in Group M (P < 0.05). However Delta HR (2.7 +/- 15% vs. - 0.9 +/- 16%) and incidence of OCR (10.0% vs. 19.4%) after traction an EOM were not different between the two groups. The occurrence of PONV (6.7 vs. 9.7%) and EA (30.0% vs. 22.6%) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine does not reduce the incidence of OCR compared with midazolam in pediatric strabismus surgery. In addition, ketamine does not increase the incidence of PONV and EA. In conclusion, it is reliable to use ketamine in pediatric strabismus surgery.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Child ; Dihydroergotamine ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ketamine ; Methyl Ethers ; Midazolam ; Muscles ; Orbit ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Reflex, Oculocardiac ; Strabismus ; Traction

BACKGROUND:Rocuronium is widely used because of rapid onset and intermediate duration of action.The volatile anesthetics potentiate the effect of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. This study was designed to compare effects of inhalational agents with that of propofol on the muscle relaxation of rocuronium. METHODS:One hundred and thirty-six patients were divided four groups, which were given sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane and propofol.Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg and fentanyl 100microg.A ulnar nerve was stimulated with supramaximal stimuli.Anesthesia was maintained with 1.25 MAC inhalational agents or propofol of 7 mg/kg/hr for twenty minutes.Rocuronium 0.1, 0.15 or 0.2 mg/kg was administered.The degree and onset time of maximal depression was recorded.A supplementary dose of rocuronium was given so that all patients received a cumulative dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. We measured 10% recovery time. RESULTS:The ED50 of rocuronium were 0.157 in the sevoflurane, 0.167 in the isoflurane, 0.169 in the desflurane, and 0.187 mg/kg in the propofol. The ED95 were 0.296 in the sevoflurane, 0.313 in the isoflurane, 0.325 in the desflurane, and 0.407 mg/kg in the propofol.The onset time to maximal depression was prolonged in inhalational agent groups which were administered rocuronium 0.2 mg/kg. The 10% recovery time was delayed in inhalational agent groups than in propofol group. CONCLUSIONS:The inhalational anesthetics had more potent muscle relaxation effect than propofol.We suggest that the dose of rocuronium for adequate muscle relaxation be adjusted according to anesthetics used.
Androstanols ; Anesthetics ; Depression ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Methyl Ethers ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscles ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Propofol ; Ulnar Nerve

BACKGROUND:Rocuronium is widely used because of rapid onset and intermediate duration of action.The volatile anesthetics potentiate the effect of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. This study was designed to compare effects of inhalational agents with that of propofol on the muscle relaxation of rocuronium. METHODS:One hundred and thirty-six patients were divided four groups, which were given sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane and propofol.Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg and fentanyl 100microg.A ulnar nerve was stimulated with supramaximal stimuli.Anesthesia was maintained with 1.25 MAC inhalational agents or propofol of 7 mg/kg/hr for twenty minutes.Rocuronium 0.1, 0.15 or 0.2 mg/kg was administered.The degree and onset time of maximal depression was recorded.A supplementary dose of rocuronium was given so that all patients received a cumulative dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. We measured 10% recovery time. RESULTS:The ED50 of rocuronium were 0.157 in the sevoflurane, 0.167 in the isoflurane, 0.169 in the desflurane, and 0.187 mg/kg in the propofol. The ED95 were 0.296 in the sevoflurane, 0.313 in the isoflurane, 0.325 in the desflurane, and 0.407 mg/kg in the propofol.The onset time to maximal depression was prolonged in inhalational agent groups which were administered rocuronium 0.2 mg/kg. The 10% recovery time was delayed in inhalational agent groups than in propofol group. CONCLUSIONS:The inhalational anesthetics had more potent muscle relaxation effect than propofol.We suggest that the dose of rocuronium for adequate muscle relaxation be adjusted according to anesthetics used.
Androstanols ; Anesthetics ; Depression ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Methyl Ethers ; Muscle Relaxation ; Muscles ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Propofol ; Ulnar Nerve

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a recently described clinical entity which is associated with a chest pain occurring during a stress, an abnormal ECG and/or an increase in the troponin blood level and a transient left ventricular dysfunction. Transient left ventricular dysfunction generally involves the midsection and the apex of the heart with an akinesis. We reported a case of a 55-year-old female patient who developed a stress-induced cardiomyopathy after local epinephrine use during ophthalmologic surgery.
Cardiomyopathies ; Chest Pain ; Electrocardiography ; Epinephrine ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy ; Troponin ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND: The Cobra Perilaryngeal Airway(TM) (Cobra PLA) and the Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway(TM) (Proseal LMA) provide higher sealing pressures than the classic LMA. The authors compared the clinical effectiveness of these two airway types for controlled ventilation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients (ASA physical status I-II, aged 18-65 yrs) scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated for airway management with the Cobra PLA or the Proseal LMA. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil using a target controlled infusion system. Insertion characteristics, anatomical positions, airway adequacies, ventilation efficacies, degrees of gastric distension, and postoperative adverse events (sore throat, dysphagia, and dysphonia) were noted. RESULTS: The number of insertion attempts, insertion times, airway sealing pressure, and airway positions were similar in the two groups. In one Cobra PLA patient, tracheal intubation was needed due to inadequate ventilation before pneumoperitoneum. During pneumoperitoneum, oxygenation and ventilation were optimal in all patients in both groups, and degrees of gastric distension were similar. Furthermore, no differences were found in terms of the incidences of adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Cobra PLA and Proseal LMA were found to have similar insertion characteristics and both provided adequate airways and effective ventilation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Aged ; Airway Management ; Anesthesia ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Elapidae ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intubation ; Laryngeal Masks ; Oxygen ; Pharynx ; Piperidines ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Propofol ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: The change of expression of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2)-AR) subtypes in the thalamus and hypothalamus were investigated in a neuropathic pain rat model. METHODS: The left sciatic nerve was clamped for creating a neuropathic pain model in five rats. A sham operation was done in three rats as control group. Behavioral tests for pain were conducted by using mechanical stimuli applied to the hind paws. After 7 days, the expression of alpha(2)-AR subtype mRNA in the rat thalamus and hypothalamus was measured using real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mechanical allodynia were developed on postoperative 1, 3, and 7 days in the neuropathic pain model. The expression of alpha(2A)-AR, alpha(2B)-AR, and alpha(2C)-AR was significantly higher in the thalamus and hypothalamus in the neuropathic pain model (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results would suggest that the subtypes of alpha(2)-AR in thalamus and hypothalamus may contribute to produce neuropathic pain.
Animals ; Central Nervous System* ; Hyperalgesia ; Hypothalamus ; Models, Animal ; Neuralgia ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Rats* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Sciatic Nerve ; Thalamus