BACKGROUND: A lateral tilt position can affect the size of the femoral vein (FV) due to increased venous blood volume in the dependent side of the body. METHODS: Forty-two patients, aged 20–60 years, were enrolled in this study. The crosssectional area (CSA), anteroposterior, and transverse diameters of the FV were measured 1 cm below the left inguinal line using ultrasound. The value of each parameter was recorded in the following four positions: (1) supine, (2) supine + 10° left-lateral tilt (LLT), (3) 10° reverse Trendelenburg (RT), and (4) RT + LLT. RESULTS: CSAs of the left FV in the supine, supine + LLT, RT, RT + LLT positions were 0.93 ± 0.22, 1.11 ± 0.29, 1.17 ± 0.29, and 1.31 ± 0.32 cm2, respectively. Compared to the supine position, there was a significant increase in CSA and anteroposterior diameter according to the three changed positions. The transverse diameter of the left FV was significantly increased in supine + LLT, RT, RT + LLT positions compared to that in the supine position (P = 0.010, P = 0.043, P = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the transverse diameter of the left FV between the supine + LLT and RT positions (P = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Adding LLT to the supine and RT positions increased the CSA of the unilateral FV significantly.
Adult* ; Blood Volume ; Catheterization ; Femoral Vein* ; Humans ; Posture ; Supine Position ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Sedation by dexmedetomidine, like natural sleep, often causes bradycardia. We explored the nature of heart rate (HR) changes as they occur during natural sleep versus those occurring during dexmedetomidine sedation. METHODS: The present study included 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with spinal anesthesia. To assess HR and sedation, a pulse oximeter and bispectral index (BIS) monitor were attached to the patient in the ward and the operating room. After measuring HR and BIS at baseline, as the patients slept and once their BIS was below 70, HR and BIS were measured at 5-minute intervals during sleep. Baseline HR and BIS were also recorded before spinal anesthesia measured at 5-minute intervals after dexmedetomidine injection. RESULTS: During natural sleep, HR changes ranged from 2 to 19 beats/min (13.4 ± 4.4 beats/min), while in dexmedetomidine sedation, HR ranged from 9 to 40 beats/min (25.4 ± 8.5 beats/min). Decrease in HR was significantly correlated between natural sleep and dexmedetomidine sedation (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.001). The lowest HR was reached in 66 min during natural sleep (59 beats/min) and in 13 min with dexmedetomidine sedation (55 beats/min). The time to reach minimum HR was significantly different (P < 0.001), but there was no difference in the lowest HR obtained (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS There was a correlation between the change in HR during natural sleep and dexmedetomidine sedation. The bradycardia that occurs when using dexmedetomidine may be a normal physiologic change, that can be monitored rather than corrected.

BACKGROUND: Sedation by dexmedetomidine, like natural sleep, often causes bradycardia. We explored the nature of heart rate (HR) changes as they occur during natural sleep versus those occurring during dexmedetomidine sedation. METHODS: The present study included 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery with spinal anesthesia. To assess HR and sedation, a pulse oximeter and bispectral index (BIS) monitor were attached to the patient in the ward and the operating room. After measuring HR and BIS at baseline, as the patients slept and once their BIS was below 70, HR and BIS were measured at 5-minute intervals during sleep. Baseline HR and BIS were also recorded before spinal anesthesia measured at 5-minute intervals after dexmedetomidine injection. RESULTS: During natural sleep, HR changes ranged from 2 to 19 beats/min (13.4 ± 4.4 beats/min), while in dexmedetomidine sedation, HR ranged from 9 to 40 beats/min (25.4 ± 8.5 beats/min). Decrease in HR was significantly correlated between natural sleep and dexmedetomidine sedation (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.001). The lowest HR was reached in 66 min during natural sleep (59 beats/min) and in 13 min with dexmedetomidine sedation (55 beats/min). The time to reach minimum HR was significantly different (P < 0.001), but there was no difference in the lowest HR obtained (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between the change in HR during natural sleep and dexmedetomidine sedation. The bradycardia that occurs when using dexmedetomidine may be a normal physiologic change, that can be monitored rather than corrected.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Bradycardia ; Dexmedetomidine ; Heart Rate ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Operating Rooms

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effect of decrease in loading dose administration rate of dexmedetomidine (DMT) on sedation and DMT requirement in elderly patients. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients over 65 years old with ASA I–II who were planned to receive DMT sedation during spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to two groups. Group S (n = 29) received a 0.5 µg/kg DMT loading dose over 20 minutes, while group C (n = 29) received the DMT loading dose over 10 minutes. Then, both groups received a continuous infusion of 0.4 µg/kg/h. The sedative status was recorded before and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after administration of DMT and at the end of the anesthesia according to the Ramsay sedation scale (RSS). Also, the time to reach RSS-3 (patients asleep, responsive to commands) and the dose of DMT until reaching RSS-3 were recorded. RESULTS: The time to reach RSS-3 was similar between the two groups (group S = 16.0 ± 4.3 minutes vs. group C = 15.5 ± 4.2 minutes, P = 0.673). However, the DMT required to reach RSS-3 in group S was significantly lower than that in group C (23.3 ± 7.1 vs. 32.5 ± 6.0 µg, P < 0.001). There was no difference in RSS between the two groups from the administration of DMT to the end of the anesthesia (P = 0.927). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing the administration rate of the DMT loading dose did not delay the onset of RSS-3 sedation and reduced the DMT requirement in elderly patients.
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists ; Aged* ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Dexmedetomidine* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives

BACKGROUND: Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic which has antioxidant effects due to its similarity in molecular structure to α-tocopherol. It has been reported that α-tocopherol increases osteoclast fusion and bone resorption. Here, we investigated the effects of propofol on signaling pathways of osteoclastogenic gene expression, as well as osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). METHODS: BMMs were cultured with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) alone or M-CSF plus receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in the presence of propofol (0–50 µM) for 4 days. Mature osteoclasts were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the numbers of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts were counted. To examine the resorption activities of osteoclasts, a bone resorption assay was performed. To identify the mechanism of action of propofol on the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts, we focused on dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), a protein essential for pre-osteoclastic cell fusion. RESULTS: Propofol increased the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts. In addition, the bone resorption assay revealed that propofol increased the bone resorption area on dentin discs. The mRNA expression of DC-STAMP was upregulated most strongly in the presence of both RANKL and propofol. However, SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, significantly suppressed the propofol/RANKL-induced increase in mRNA expression of DC-STAMP. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that propofol enhances osteoclast differentiation and maturation, and subsequently increases bone resorption. Additionally, we identified the regulatory pathway underlying osteoclast cell-cell fusion, which was enhanced by propofol through p38-mediated DC-STAMP expression.
Acid Phosphatase ; Antioxidants ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Fusion ; Dentin ; Gene Expression ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Molecular Structure ; Osteoclasts ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Propofol ; RANK Ligand ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVES: Propofol, midazolam and remifentanil are commonly used for clinical anesthesia. We compared the effects of midazolam-propofol-remifentanil and propofol-remifentanil on hemodynamic responses during anesthesia induction in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Seventy-six hypertensive patients with ASA II-III were assigned to receive midazolam-propofol (group MP; n = 38) or propofol (group P; n = 38). Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.03 mg/kg (group MP) or saline 0.03 ml/kg (group P). After two minutes, propofol 1.0 mg/kg (group MP) or 1.5 mg/kg (group P) i.v. bolus was administered. Simultaneously, 4 ng/ml of remifentanil target controlled infusion (TCI) was administered in both groups. Anesthesia was maintained using sevoflurane and 2 ng/ml of remifentanil TCI. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (SBP, DBP, and MBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before induction, 2 min after midazolam or normal saline, 2 min after propofol, 1 min after rocuronium, and immediately, 1 min, 2 min, and 3 min after intubation. RESULTS: SBP, DBP, and MBP decreased after propofol administration and increased immediately after intubation in both groups (P < 0.05). After intubation, SBP, DBP, and MBP decreased more than baseline values in either group. Although the overall BP of Group P was lower than that of Group MP, there were no significant differences except for SBP at 2min after intubation (P < 0.05). HR was no significant difference in either group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that midazolam-propofol-remifentanil has similar hemodynamic effect with propofol-remifentanil during anesthesia induction in hypertensive patients.
Anesthesia* ; Blood Pressure ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Midazolam* ; Propofol*

Residual paralysis, recurarization is defined as a remnant effect of neuromuscular blocking after surgery that can cause postoperative complications. Clinical complications of recurarization include dyspnea, gastric content aspiration, and atelectasis. Therefore, complete recovery of muscle strength at the end of surgery is a significant factor for patient safety. We report a case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with residual paralysis after total thyroidectomy. To improve her condition, we injected sugammadex intravenously in the post-anesthetic care unit. After that, we observed her for 1 hour and her muscle strength gradually recovered. She did not have any symptoms on the next day and was discharged on the 5th post-operative day.
Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Paralysis ; Patient Safety ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Thyroidectomy*

BACKGROUND: Unlike the right internal jugular vein (RIJV), there is a paucity of data regarding the effect of the Trendelenburg position on the left internal jugular vein (LIJV). The purpose of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the LIJV and RIJV and their response to the Trendelenburg position using two-dimensional ultrasound in adult subjects. METHODS: This study enrolled fifty-eight patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I-II who were undergoing general anesthesia. CSAs of both the RIJV and LIJV were measured with a two-dimensional ultrasound in the supine position and then in a 10degrees Trendelenburg position. RESULTS: In the supine position, the transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, and CSA of the RIJV were significantly larger than those of the LIJV (P < 0.001). Of 58 patients, the RIJV CSA was larger than the LIJV CSA in 43 patients (74.1%), and the LIJV CSA was larger than the RIJV CSA in 15 patients (25.9%). In the Trendelenburg position, CSAs of the RIJV and LIJV increased 39.4 and 25.5%, respectively, compared with the supine position. However, RIJV changed at a rate that was significantly greater than that of the LIJV (P < 0.05). Of 58 patients, the RIJV CSA was larger than the LIJV CSA in 48 patients (82.8%), and the LIJV CSA was larger than the RIJV CSA in 10 patients (17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In supine position, the RIJV CSA was larger than the LIJV CSA. The increased CSA in the Trendelenburg position was greater in the RIJV than the LIJV.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Central Venous Catheters ; Head-Down Tilt* ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Supine Position ; Ultrasonography

An 81-year-old male patient was scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis. About 50 minutes into the operation, the arterial blood pressure suddenly decreased and ventricular fibrillation appeared on the electrocardiography. The patient received cardiopulmonary resuscitation and recovered a normal vital sign. We suspected a carbon dioxide embolism as the middle hepatic vein had been injured during the surgery. We performed a transesophageal echocardiography and were able to confirm the presence of multiple gas bubbles in all of the cardiac chambers. After the operation, the patient presented a stable hemodynamic state, but showed weaknesses in the left arm and leg. There were no acute lesions except for a chronic cerebral cortical atrophy and chronic microvascular encephalopathy on the postoperative brain-computed tomography, 3D angiography and magnetic resonance image. Fortunately, three days after the operation, the patient's hemiparesis had entirely subsided and he was discharged without any neurologic sequelae.
Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; Arm ; Arterial Pressure ; Atrophy ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Electrocardiography ; Embolism* ; Embolism, Paradoxical ; Heart Arrest* ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Paresis ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; Vital Signs

MicroRNA (miRNA) pathways have been implicated in stem cell regulation. This study investigated the molecular effects of propofol on adipocyte stem cells (ASCs) by analyzing RNA expression arrays. Human ASCs were isolated by use of a liposuction procedure. ASCs were treated with saline, 50 microM propofol, or 100 microM propofol in culture media for 3 hours. After the isolation of total RNA, the expression of 76 miRNAs was evaluated with peptide nucleic acid-miRNA array analysis through denaturation and hybridization processes. Treatment with 50 microM propofol resulted in significant down-regulation of expression of 18 miRNAs and upregulation of expression of 25 miRNAs; 100 microM propofol resulted in significant downregulation of expression of 14 miRNAs and upregulation of expression of 29 miRNAs. The lowest expression was seen for miR-204, which was 0.07-fold with 50 microM propofol and 0.18-fold with 100 microM propofol. The highest expression was seen for miR-208b, which was 11.23-fold with 50 microM propofol and 11.20-fold with 100 microM propofol. Expression patterns of miRNAs were not significantly different between 50 microM and 100 microM propofol treatment. The results of this study suggest that propofol is involved in altering the miRNA expression level in human ASCs. Additional research is necessary to establish the functional effect of miRNA alteration by propofol.
Adipocytes ; Adult Stem Cells ; Culture Media ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; MicroRNAs ; Propofol ; RNA ; Stem Cells ; Up-Regulation