Lennart Fagraeus

Myocardial depression by anesthetic agents (halothane, enflurane and nitrous oxide): quantitation based on end-systolic pressure-dimension relations.

The end-systolic pressure-diameter relation of the left ventricle was used to examine the effect of halothane, enflurane and nitrous oxide on left ventricular (LV) contractility in 10 dogs chronically instrumented with dimension transducers to measure LV diameter and micromanometers to measure LV transmural pressure. Contractility was assessed by the slope (EES) of the end-systolic pressure-diameter relation. A new index that identifies the dose of anesthetic necessary to depress the inotropic state by 20% (ID20) was calculated to be 0.63% for halothane and 1.55% for enflurane, indicating a greater apparent myocardial depressant effect of halothane than enflurane. However, when these agents were compared at equi-anesthetic concentrations by normalizing the ID20 to the minimal alveolar concentration of each drug, they had comparable degrees of myocardial depressant effects. This measurement technique was used in 7 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting conducted under narcotic anesthesia showing that halothane induced a similar depression of contractility. The use of ID20 should allow reclassification of anesthetic agents according to their myocardial depressant effects.

The Effect of PEEP on Left Ventricular Diastolic Dimensions and Systolic Performance Following Myocardial Revascularization

To quantitate the alterations in left ventricular (LV) dimensions and performance at successive levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), 16 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) underwent instrumentation with ultrasonic dimension transducers to measure the minor-axis diameter of the left ventricle. Matched micromanometers were placed to measure intracavitary LV pressure and intrathoracic pressure. LV pressure and dimension data were recorded and computer analyzed during continuous positive-pressure ventilation at 0, 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O of PEEP 4 to 8 hours postoperatively. Preload was determined by the end-diastolic minor-axis diameter, cardiac output was measured by thermodilution, and indices of LV contractility assessed included the maximal velocity of minor-axis shortening and the slope of the end-systolic pressure-diameter relationship. PEEP produced a progressive increase in intrathoracic pressure associated with a fall in cardiac output; this was associated with a decrease in LV end-diastolic diameter and no significant change in the maximal velocity of minor-axis shortening or the slope of the end-systolic pressure-diameter relationship. Our results indicate that PEEP of 10 cm H2O or greater will produce a significant fall in cardiac output in patients following CABG, due to a decrease in preload rather than impaired LV contractility.

The emerging role of epidural anesthesia in arteriography and in vascular operations.

Continuous epidural anesthesia offers special advantages for patients with vascular disease. In 193 patients who had this technique employed for aortofemoral arteriography, profound pain relief was provided and the accompanying vasodilation produced superior demonstration of collateral and small distal vessels. Eleven of these patients had epidural anesthesia for major vascular reconstruction operations. This caused minimal depression of pulmonary and myocardial performance during the procedure. Postoperative epidural analgesics improved the pulmonary performance by allowing normal pain-free breathing. No epidural complications were seen. Special precautions are described for the safe use of these techniques.

The Influence of Time on the Response to Dopamine after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Assessment of Left Ventricular Performance and Contractility Using Pressure/Dimension Analyses

Pressure and dimension analyses were used to quantitate the changing cardiac response to dopamine over a 24-hour interval after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Ultrasonic dimension transducers were utilized to measure the minor-axis diameter of the left ventricle, and matched micromanometers were inserted to measure intracavitary left ventricular pressure and intrathoracic pressure. Pressure and dimension data were recorded and analysed by computer during dopamine infusion at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 micrograms per kilogram per minute, at periods designated as early (2 to 4 hours after CABG) and late (18 to 24 hours after CABG). Myocardial contractile responses to dopamine (peak velocity of minor-axis shortening, maximal excursion) were similar at each dose in the early and late studies. However, overall hydraulic performance, as reflected by cardiac outputs and the areas of the pressure/diameter work loops, had augmented late dose responses. This study suggests a major change in the relationship between the heart and peripheral control mechanisms that may partially explain diminishing inotropic requirements over time, in addition to the generally accepted occurrence of improvement in contractile state and functional reserve following cardiac operation.

Epidural anesthesia in aortofemoral arteriography.

The experience with a well-established regional anesthetic technique i.e., epidural anesthesia for alleviating pain during aortofemoral arteriography is described. Of 59 patients, 51 experienced no subjective or objective evidence of pain, while eight patients subjectively reported mild burning pain during injection of contrast. Apart from patient satisfaction, important additional benefits of epidural anesthesia were excellent filling of both distal small arteries and collateral vessels around obstructing arterial lesions. Complications were few and insignificant. It is concluded that epidural anesthesia is a safe procedure that not only eliminates pain, but also gives better quality radiographs.

Myocardial Depression by Anesthetic Agents (Halothane, Enflurane and Nitrous Oxide): Quantitation Based on End-Systolic Pressure-Dimension Relations

The end-systolic pressure-diameter relation of the left ventricle was used to examine the effect of halothane, enflurane and nitrous oxide on left ventricular (LV) contractility in 10 dogs chronically instrumented with dimension transducers to measure LV diameter and micromanometers to measure LV transmural pressure. Contractility was assessed by the slope (EES) of the end-systolic pressure-diameter relation. A new index that identifies the dose of anesthetic necessary to depress the inotropic state by 20% (ID20) was calculated to be 0.63% for halothane and 1.55% for enflurane, indicating a greater apparent myocardial depressant effect of halothane than enflurane. However, when these agents were compared at equi-anesthetic concentrations by normalizing the ID20 to the minimal alveolar concentration of each drug, they had comparable degrees of myocardial depressant effects. This measurement technique was used in 7 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting conducted under narcotic anesthesia showing that halothane induced a similar depression of contractility. The use of ID20 should allow reclassification of anesthetic agents according to their myocardial depressant effects.