Dheeraj Arora

Nonanalgesic benefits of combined thoracic epidural analgesia with general anesthesia in high risk elderly off pump coronary artery bypass patients.

Objective: Epidural anesthesia is a central neuraxial block technique with many applications. It is a versatile anesthetic technique, with applications in surgery, obstetrics and pain control. Its versatility means it can be used as an anesthetic, as an analgesic adjuvant to general anesthesia, and for postoperative analgesia. Off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery triggers a systemic stress response as seen in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), combined with general anesthesia (GA) attenuates the stress response to CABG. There is Reduction in levels of Plasma epinephrine, Cortisol and catecholamine surge, tumor necrosis factor-Alpha(TNF ά), interleukin-6 and leucocyte count. Design: A prospective randomised non blind study. Setting: A clinical study in a multi specialty hospital. Participants: Eighty six patients. Material and Methods/intervention: The study was approved by hospital research ethics committee and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Patients were randomised to receive either GA plus epidural (study group) or GA only (control group). Inclusion Criteria (for participants) were -Age ≥ 70 years, Patient posted for OPCAB surgery, and patient with comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, renal dysfunction). Serum concentration of Interlukin: – 6, TNF ά, cortisol, Troponin – I, CK-MB, and HsCRP (highly sensitive C reactive protein), was compared for both the group and venous blood samples were collected and compared just after induction, at day 2, and day 5 postoperatively. Time to mobilization, extubation, total intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were noted and compared. Independent t test was used for statistical analysis. Primary Outcomes: Postoperative complications, total intensive care unit stay and hospital stay. Secondary Outcome: Stress response. Result: Study group showed decreased Interlukin – 6 at day 2, TNF ά at day 2 and 5, troponin I at day 5, and decreased total hospital stay (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Thoracic epidural anesthesia decreases stress and inflammatory response to surgery and decreases hospital stay. However a large multicentre study may be needed to confirm it.

Perioperative management for off pump coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with cold agglutinin disease

Cold agglutinin disease is an autoimmune disease caused by the presence of coldreacting antibodies against red blood cells. These antibodies react at low temperature andmay cause red cell agglutination and complement mediated haemolysis. Detection of cold agglutinins before cardiac surgery may alter the perioperative management. We present a case of cold agglutinin disease undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).

Headache and seizures after cervical epidural injection in a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Epidural analgesia is widely used in cardiothoracic surgery. Most of the complications associated with epidural analgesia are related to the insertion techniques of epidural catheter. A 68-year-old obese patient posted for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery developed headache followed by seizures after insertion of the thoracic epidural catheter. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed air in the basal cisterns and in the left frontal region. The patient was managed conservatively and the symptoms subsided after 24 h. Later, the patient underwent coronary angioplasty.

Recent trends on hemodynamic monitoring in cardiac surgery

Recently, a survey study was conducted among the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists to assess its use and found that PAC was used by 68.2% respondents for more than 75% of time. The use of PAC was also relates to their area of practice, as well as surgeon preference. Moreover, the survey also showed the use of transesophageal echocardiography as an adjuvant to PAC in 94% of patients.[8] From commercial angle also there is a negative annual growth of 2% in sales of PAC, while 15% positive growth in the sale of newer CO monitoring devices.[9] Therefore, newer modalities are finding space in routine hemodynamic monitoring during cardiac surgery primarily to monitor CO.

Cardiac surgery in a patient with implanted vagal nerve stimulator

The prevalence of epilepsy worldwide is around 0.5%–2% of the population. Antiepileptic medications are the first line of treatment in most of the cases but approximately 25%–30% epilepsy patients are refractory to the single or combination therapy. The surgical option for temporal lobe epilepsy is temporal lobectomy, which has its inherent risk of neurological deficits after the surgery. Patients who are either refractory to combination therapy or do not want surgical temporal lobectomy are the candidates for electrical stimulation therapy. Refractory cases require implantable device such as vagal nerve stimulator (VNS). We are reporting perioperative management of a patient, with an implanted VNS, posted for pericardiectomy. It is important for the anesthesiologist to be familiar with the mechanism of VNS for proper perioperative care.

A case of left atrial dissection after mitral valve replacement

Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare complication of cardiac surgery due to creation of a false chamber through a tear in the mitral valve annulus that extends into the left atrium wall. It is primarily associated with mitral valve surgery although other etiologies have also been defined. Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a key to the diagnosis. This is a case report of management of LatD after mitral valve replacement.

Asymptomatic type B right atrial thrombus in a case with protein S deficiency

Thirty seven year old asymptomatic male underwent routine medical examination which revealed an abnormal mass in the right atrium. Family history was not suggestive of any cardiac or malignant disease. Detailed investigation detected deficiency of protein S, which is a vitamin K dependent protein and a cofactor for activated protein C mediated cleavage of factor Va and VIIIa. The deficiency of protein S predisposes to venous thrombosis. Further investigation revealed that it was an organized calcified thrombus in right atrium occupying almost whole of the cavity. Various approaches including surgical excision, thrombolysis and anticoagulation has been used to manage such thrombosis. However therapeutic approach is still a question of debate. Atriotomy and excision of mass was done using cardiopulmonary bypass.

Fracture of first rib after sternotomy

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