Tanmoy Ghatak

Evaluation of the effect of magnesium sulphate vs. clonidine as adjunct to epidural bupivacaine.

For treatment of intra and postoperative pain, no drug has yet been identified that specifically inhibits nociception without associated side effects. Magnesium has antinociceptive effects in animal and human models of pain. The current prospective randomised double-blind study was undertaken to establish the effect of addition of magnesium or clonidine, as adjuvant, to epidural bupivacaine in lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. A total of 90 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade I and II patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries were enrolled to receive either magnesium sulphate (Group B) or clonidine (Group C) along with epidural bupivacaine for surgical anaesthesia. All patients received 19 ml of epidural bupivacaine 0.5% along with 50 mg magnesium in group B, 150 mcg clonidine in Group C, whereas in control group (Group A), patients received same volume of normal saline. Onset time, heart rate, blood pressure, duration of analgesia, pain assessment by visual analogue score (VAS) and adverse effects were recorded. Onset of anaesthesia was rapid in magnesium group (Group B). In group C there was prolongation of duration of anaesthesia and sedation with lower VAS score, but the incidence of shivering was higher. The groups were similar with respect to haemodynamic variables, nausea and vomiting. The current study establishes magnesium sulphate as a predictable and safe adjunct to epidural bupivacaine for rapid onset of anaesthesia and clonidine for prolonged duration of anaesthesia with sedation.

A new technique to insert nasogastric tube in an unconscious intubated patient

Background: Insertion of a nasogastric tube in an unconscious intubated patient may be difficult as they cannot follow the swallowing instructions, and therefore has a high first attempt failure rate. Aim and Methods: We describe here a new technique to insert nasogastric tube in an unconscious intubated patient by neck flexion and using angiography catheter as a stylet and manipulating the cricoid ring of trachea for easy passage of nasogastric tube. Results and Conclusions: The technique is easy and helpful for nasogastric insertion in unconscious intubated patients. Additionally, it neither alters vital responses nor increases intracranial pressure like with laryngoscopy.

Accidental guide-wire loss during central venous catheterization: A report of two life-threatening cases

A 40‐year‐old female was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU) with severe acute pancreatitis and respiratory distress. During initial management it was noticed that 7.5‐Fr central venous catheter (CVC), placed in her right subclavian vein during her prior hospitalization, was nonfunctional. Hence, right‐sided internal jugular vein was canulated. Reviewing her chest X‐ray (taken 2 dayspreviously) we were surprised to identify a guide wire along with the first CVC [Figure 1]. The guide wire could be felt after pulling the CVC out for a few centimeters but it seemed to be stuck within the catheter. We fixed the guide‐wire CVC assembly with artery forceps and gently pulled the entire assembly intact.

Effects of addition of ketamine, fentanyl and saline with Propofol induction on hemodynamics and laryngeal mask airway insertion conditions in oral clonidine premedicated children

Background: The aim of this double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled study was to compare the effect of addition of ketamine; fentanyl and saline with propofol anesthesia on hemodynamic profile and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion conditions in oral clonidine premedicated children. Methods: 180 children (age 2 - 10 years) were at first given oral clonidine (4 μg/kg) 90 minutes before operation, and then were randomly allocated to receive either ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (n=60), fentanyl 1 μg/kg (n=60) or 0.9% normal saline (n=60) before induction with propofol 3.0 mg/kg. Insertion of LMA was performed within 1 minute of injection of propofol. Heart rate and mean blood pressure were noted 1 min before induction (baseline), immediately after induction, before and after insertion of LMA for up to 3 min. Following LMA insertion, 6 subjective end points were noted-mouth opening, coughing, swallowing, patients movement, laryngospasm, and ease of an insertion. LMA insertion summed score was prepared depending upon these variables. Results: LMA insertion summed score was nearly similar in ketamine and fentanyl group, which were significantly better than saline group (P<0.004). Mean blood pressure and heart rate were maintained in ketamine than with fentanyl or saline group. Incidence of prolonged apnea (>120 secs.) was higher in fentanyl group compared to ketamine and saline group. Conclusion: Even in oral clonidine premedicated children, addition of ketamine with propofol provides hemodynamic stability and comparable conditions for LMA insertion like fentanyl propofol with significantly less prolonged apnea.

Malposition of central venous catheter in a small tributary of left brachiocephalic vein

Erroneous positioning of central venous catheters in small tributaries of large central veins is a rare occurrence. We describe two such unusual incidents involving cannulation of the small tributaries of left brachiocephalic vein. Malposition was suspected when the central venous waveform could not be obtained despite all attempts. Unusual central venous waveforms may indicate central venous catheter malposition, and these waveforms have not previously been described.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in undiagnosed situs inversus totalis in emergency department: An intensivist challenge.

Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital condition. A 34-year-old woman with undiagnosed situs inversus was referred to our emergency department with cardiac arrested state. She underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation with a modified approach. We faced different challenging aspects during intensive care management. Ultrasonography in CPR in our patient was very helpful. We restricted our discussion on special aspect of SIT in emergency and intensive care unit.

Anaphylactic shock with intravenous 20% lipid emulsion in a young patient: Should we ask about soybean allergy beforehand?

Asian Journal of Transfusion Science Vol 8, Issue 2, July December 2014 143 D-negative recipients. Alloimmunization of D negatives can occur with weak D, while in child-bearing age can be disastrous and can lead to hemolytic disease of newborn. Newborns of D negative mother should be tested for D/weak D and Rh immunoglobulin is recommended for mothers of D/weak D positive infants in order to prevent immunization. On the other hand, partial D recipients should be considered as D negative else they will form antibodies against the missing epitopes of D antigen when transfused with D-positive blood. Use of IAT procedure for weak D typing can be dangerous as patients can be recorded as D positive when controls have been omitted/wrongly interpreted. If a mistyped D-negative female patient was then transfused with D-positive blood, the consequences due to the serious risk of alloimmunization would be more serious than if the test had not been performed.

Spontaneous central vein thrombosis in a patient with activated protein C resistance and dengue infection: An association or causation?

Spontaneous central vein thrombosis is a rare and potentially fatal condition in critical care setting. Activated protein C resistance due to homozygous factor V Leiden mutation is an exceptional cause of central venous thrombosis. We recently treated a healthy female student who presented with acute febrile illness, septic shock, and encephalopathy. Neck ultrasonography (USG) prior to an attempt of right internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation revealed non compressibility of the vein along with absence of venous blood flow. Right IJV and subclavian vein thrombus was confirmed subsequently in USG Doppler by radiologist. Radiological evidence of distal pulmonary artery embolism in pulmonary angiography was also evident. Further investigations demonstrated homozygous Factor V Leiden mutation and activated factor C resistance and Dengue IgM positivity in our patient. Intravenous heparin followed by oral vitamin K anticoagulants (OVKA) aided in her recovery. Spontaneous intravascular thrombosis with activated protein C resistance and the relationship of acute Dengue infection were explored in our report.

Use of optimized ultrasound axis along with marked introducer needle to prevent mechanical complications of internal jugular vein catheterization

Internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization is a routine technique in the intensive care unit. Ultrasound (US) guided central venous catheter (CVC) insertion is now the recommended standard. However, mechanical complications still occur due to non-visualization of the introducer needle tip during US guidance. This may result in arterial or posterior venous wall puncture or pneumothorax. We describe a new technique of (IJV) catheterization using US, initially the depth of the IJV from the skin is measured in short-axis and then using real time US long-axis view guidance a marked introducer needle is advanced towards the IJV to the defined depth measured earlier in the short axis and the IJV is identified, assessed and cannulated for the CVC insertion. Our technique is simple and may reduce mechanical complications of US guided CVC insertion.

An unusual case of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia in a young girl.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is a type of acute mesenteric ischemia with high mortality seen mostly in elderly cardiac patients. We present a 21-year-old healthy student with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia along with radiological evidence of hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis, with subsequent fatality. Its significance and its possible etiology are discussed.