Gülay Erdoğan

Effects of Fentanyl-lidocaine-propofol and Dexmedetomidine-lidocaine-propofol on Tracheal Intubation Without Use of Muscle Relaxants

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of fentanyl or dexmedetomidine when used in combination with propofol and lidocaine for tracheal intubation without using muscle relaxants. Sixty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists stage I risk were randomized to receive 1 mg/kg dexmedetomidine (Group D, n = 30) or 2 mg/kg fentanyl (Group F, n = 30), both in combination with 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine and 3 mg/kg propofol. The requirement for intubation was determined based on mask ventilation capability, jaw motility, position of the vocal cords and the patients response to intubation and inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff. Systolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation values were also recorded. Rate pressure products were calculated. Jaw relaxation, position of the vocal cords and patients response to intubation and inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff were significantly better in Group D than in Group F (p < 0.05). The intubation conditions were significantly more satisfactory in Group D than in Group F (p = 0.01). Heart rate was significantly lower in Group D than in Group F after the administration of the study drugs and intubation (p < 0.05). Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in Group F than in Group D after propofol injection and at 3 and 5 minutes after intubation (p < 0.05). After intubation, the rate pressure product values were significantly lower in Group D than in Group F (p < 0.05). We conclude that endotracheal intubation was better with the dexmedetomidine–lidocaine–propofol combination than with the fentanyl–lidocaine–propofol combination. However, side effects such as bradycardia should be considered when using dexmedetomidine.

The Analgesic Effect of Dexketoprofen When Added to Lidocaine for Intravenous Regional Anaesthesia: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of dexketoprofen as an adjunct to lidocaine in intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) or as a supplemental intravenous (i.v.) analgesic. Patients scheduled for elective hand or forearm soft-tissue surgery were randomly divided into three groups. All 45 patients received 0.5% lidocaine as IVRA. Dexketoprofen was given either i.v. or added into the IVRA solution and the control group received an equal volume of saline both i.v. and as part of the IVRA. The times of sensory and motor block onset, recovery time and postoperative analgesic consumption were recorded. Compared with controls, the addition of dexketoprofen to the IVRA solution resulted in more rapid onset of sensory and motor block, longer recovery time, decreased intra- and postoperative pain scores and decreased paracetamol use. It is concluded that coadministration of dexketoprofen with lidocaine in IVRA improves anaesthetic block and decreases postoperative analgesic requirements.

Effects of acute carbon monoxide poisoning on the P-wave and QT interval dispersions

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to investigate atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization inhomogeneities using P-wave dispersion (Pwd) and QT dispersion (QTd) analyses in acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. METHODS Sixty patients were retrospectively included in this case-controlled study. Thirty acute CO poisoning patients were assigned to the Group with acute CO poisoning (ACOP). Patients who did not have acute CO poisoning were assigned to the control group (Group C, n=30). Anthropometric measurement, body mass index, electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum electrolyte levels were recorded in all patients. Also, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were recorded in Group ACOP. Pwd, QT interval and QTd durations were measured. Corrected QT (QTc) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) intervals were determined with the Bazett formula. Independent samples t and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS No statistically significant difference was found between the age, gender distribution, anthropometric measurement, serum electrolytes, PR and QT durations between the groups. The Pwd (56.33 ± 17.11 msec vs 28.33 ± 11.16 msec, p=0.001) and QTd (63.33 ± 26.69 msec vs 42.16 ± 7.84 msec, p=0.001) were significantly longer in Group ACOP than in Group C. In addition, QTc and QTcd durations of Group ACOP were also found to be significantly longer than in Group C (p=0.001). CONCLUSION In our study, we found in ECG analyses of patients with acute CO poisoning that the Pwd, QTc and QTcd durations were significantly prolonged when compared with control group. For this reason, patients with acute CO poisoning need close attention because of arrhythmias, which can be related to increased QTcd and Pwd durations.

Effect of menstrual cycle on the injection pain due to propofol.

Background This prospective, double-blind and randomized study is designed to determine the effect of menstrual cycle on the injection pain of propofol. Methods Seventy-two patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were divided into two groups according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. Patients were at follicular phase (Pd 8–12) in Group F (n = 36) and luteal phase (Pd 20–24) in Group L (n = 36). Injection pain was evaluated with 10-point numeric rating scale after 25% of the total propofol dose was injected over 20 s. Results There were no significant differences in terms of patient characteristics (P > 0.05). The mean propofol pain score was found 1.81 ± 2.30 in Group F and 4.83 ± 3.09 in Group L. Group L was found to have higher propofol injection pain scores than Group F (P < 0.001). Conclusion We conclude that the menstrual phase changes the perception of pain due to propofol injection, which is higher in the lutheal phase. In clinical practice, the phases of the menstrual cycle may have a significant role on injection pain of propofol in woman.

Anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and propofol: evaluation of P-wave dispersion, QT and corrected QT intervals.

The present study compared the effects of anesthesia induction with sevoflurane and propofol on hemodynamics, P‐wave dispersion (Pwd), QT interval and corrected QT (QTc) interval. A total of 72 adult patients were included in this prospective study. All patients had control electrocardiograms (ECGs) before anesthesia induction. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane inhalation or intravenous propofol. Electrocardiography for all patients was performed during the 1st and 3rd minutes of induction, 3 minutes after administration of muscle relaxant, and at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after intubation. Pwd and QT intervals were measured on all ECGs. QTc intervals were determined using the Bazett formula. There was no significant difference in Pwd and QT and QTc intervals on control ECGs. In the sevoflurane group, except for control ECGs, Pwd and QTc interval on all ECGs were significantly longer than those in the propofol group (p < 0.05). We conclude that propofol should be used for anesthesia induction in patients with a predisposition to preoperative arrhythmias, and in those whose Pwd and QTc durations are prolonged on preoperative ECGs.

Dexmedetomidine did not reduce the effects of tourniquet-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury during general anesthesia

Ischemia reperfusion injury causes the release of free oxygen radicals. Free oxygen radicals initiate the production of toxic metabolites, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), through the lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. Following lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant enzyme system is activated against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and attempts to protect cells from oxidative damage. There is a balance between the scavenging capacity of antioxidant enzymes and ROS. Because of this balance, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) measurement is a sensitive indicator of the overall protective effects of the antioxidants. Alpha2 receptor agonists are effective in preventing hemodynamic reactions during extremity surgeries by preventing the release of catecholamines secondary to tourniquet application. They have also been shown to possess preventive effects in various ischemia‐reperfusion injury models. In our study, we examined the effects of dexmedetomidine on tourniquet‐induced ischemia‐reperfusion injury in lower extremity surgeries performed under general anesthesia. The effects of dexmedetomidine were measured with serum MDA and TAC levels. We studied 60 adult American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II patients undergoing one‐sided lower extremity surgery with tourniquet. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group D was administered a dexmedetomidine infusion at a rate of 0.1 μg/kg/minute−1 for 10 minutes prior to induction and then at 0.7 μg/kg/hour−1 until 10 minutes before the end of the operation. The control group (Group C) received a saline infusion of the same amount and for the same period of time. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental, fentanyl, and rocuronium and maintained with nitrous oxide and sevoflurane in both groups. Venous blood samples were obtained before the administration of the study drugs (basal) at 1 minute before tourniquet release and at 5 and 20 minutes after tourniquet release (ATR). In both groups, MDA levels decreased at 5 and 20 minutes ATR when compared with the basal values (p < 0.05). TAC levels decreased at 1 and 5 minutes ATR and then returned to basal values at 20 minutes ATR (p < 0.05). In reference to the prevention of lipid peroxidation in tourniquet‐induced ischemia‐reperfusion injury, the results from the two groups in our study showed that dexmedetomidine did not have an additional protective role during routine general anesthesia.

Preoperative abnormal P and QTc dispersion intervals in patients with metabolic syndrome.

We evaluated P wave dispersion (Pwd), QT, corrected QT (QTc), QT dispersion, and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) intervals in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Patients scheduled to undergo elective noncardiac surgery were included in the study. The main diagnoses, anthropometric measurements, waist circumferences, body mass index, electrocardiograms, serum levels of electrolytes, glucose, and lipids were recorded for all patients. QTc, QTcd intervals were determined with the Bazett formula. MetS (group M, n = 36) was diagnosed using the Adult Treatment Panel III. Controls (group C, n = 40) were chosen on the basis of patients with no MetS and matched for age and gender. There were no differences between groups in terms of age, sex, or serum electrolyte levels (P > 0.05). Waist circumferences, body mass index, serum glucose, and triglyceride values in group M were significantly higher than those in group C (P < 0.001). In group M, Pwd, QTc, QT dispersion and QTcd intervals were significantly longer than those in group C (P < 0.001). This finding and our retrospective analysis suggest that these patients may be at greater risk of perioperative arrhythmias.

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation with spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.

We present the successful use of perioperative non-invasive mechanical ventilation in a morbidly obese pregnant woman with bronchial asthma, severe preeclampsia and pulmonary edema undergoing an emergency cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. The combination of non-invasive mechanical ventilation with neuraxial anesthesia may be of value in selected parturients with acute or chronic respiratory insufficiency requiring surgery.

Effect of Low-flow Anesthesia Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of the Anesthesia Team

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education on the knowledge, attitude and behavior of anesthesiology staff and residents towards low‐flow anesthesia. The staff and residents in the Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Zonguldak Karaelmas University were given theoretical and practical training in delivering low‐flow anesthesia. To evaluate their attitudes and behaviors toward low‐flow anesthesia, we collected data during the 6 months before training, during the first 3 months after training, and at 4–6 months after training. Anesthesia follow‐up records, operation time, volatile anesthetic agent used, and the amount (in liters) of fresh gas low mid‐anesthesia were recorded in all three stages. A total of 3,158 patients received general anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia was used in 3,115 of these patients. Our study group consisted of 2,752 patients who had no absolute or relative contraindications to low‐flow anesthesia. While the mean fresh gas flow was 4.00 ± 0.00 L/min before training, this level dropped to 2.98 L/min in the first 3 months after training, and to 3.26 L/min in the following 3 months. The mean fresh gas flow was significantly lower at the two post‐training assessments than before training (p < 0.05). In conclusion, low‐flow anesthesia may be used more frequently if educational seminars are provided to anesthetists. The use of low‐flow anesthesia may increase further by allocating more time to this technique in anesthesia training programs provided at regular intervals.

Brief report: the effects of the menstrual cycle on the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

We designed this study to determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation (TI). Sixty-two ASA I women who were either in the follicular phase (group F, n = 31) or luteal phase (group L, n = 31) of their menstrual cycle were included in the study. Patients received propofol and rocuronium for intubation. Hemodynamic variables were recorded before administration of the IV anesthetic, as well as after TI. Rate pressure products were calculated. Groups were similar in terms of demographic data. Rate pressure products values at the first minute after TI were significantly increased in group L than were those in group F (P < 0.001). We conclude that the phase of the menstrual cycle is an important factor in the hemodynamic response to TI.