Biomedical subjects

Pierre Coriat

Publications and source records attributed to Pierre Coriat.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Atenolol administration via a nasogastric tube after abdominal surgery: an unreliable route.

beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, especially atenolol, reduce perioperative cardiac morbidity. Because there are no data on the bioavailability of atenolol given by nasogastric tube in the postoperative period, we assessed the efficacy of this route of administration in 18 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. We found a 36% reduction in the area under the atenolol concentration curve and a 46% reduction in the peak concentration of atenolol in the postoperative period compared with preoperative values. In addition, patients had more rapid mean heart rates on the second postoperative day compared with the day before surgery. We conclude that the administration of atenolol via nasogastric tube in the postoperative period does not result in adequate plasma concentrations.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2005

Assessing fluid-responsiveness by a standardized ventilatory maneuver: the respiratory systolic variation test.

Respiratory-induced changes in arterial blood pressure predict fluid responsiveness. However, the accuracy of these variables is affected by the preset tidal volume and by the early inspiratory increase in arterial blood pressure. We have therefore calculated the slope produced by the minimal systolic blood pressures (plotted against the respective airway pressures) during a ventilatory maneuver consisting of four incremental, successive, pressure-controlled breaths, termed the Respiratory Systolic Variation Test (RSVT). In 14 ventilated patients, after major vascular surgery, the slope of the RSVT decreased significantly after intravascular fluid administration and correlated with the end-diastolic area and with changes in cardiac output better than filling pressures. This preliminary study suggests that a standardized ventilatory maneuver may be useful in guiding fluid therapy in ventilated patients.

Body Fluids↗

PubMed2004

A high initial VAS score and sedation after iv morphine titration are associated with the need for rescue analgesia.

PURPOSE: Administration of sc morphine has been recommended two hours after the end of iv morphine titration in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), but in some cases patients complain of pain earlier than this. We assessed pain after the end of iv morphine titration and studied the characteristics of patients who needed rescue sc morphine. METHODS: Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 to 100) and the threshold required to administer morphine in the PACU was a score of 30. VAS was measured every 15 min up to two hours after the end of iv morphine titration. Patients were divided into two groups, those who required sc morphine before two hours and those who did not. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD or odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Four hundred and two patients were analyzed. Mean age was 51 +/- 19 yr, initial VAS 69 +/- 19, and the dose of iv morphine 11.7 +/- 6.6 mg. The number of patients requiring sc morphine within two hours was 84 (21%). These patients had more severe initial postoperative pain (73 +/- 20 vs 68 +/- 19, P < 0.05), and experienced sedation more frequently during morphine titration (45 vs 25%, P < 0.001). Using a multivariate analysis, occurrence of sedation during titration [OR 2.3 (1.4-3.8), P < 0.001] and an initial pain score > or = 60 [OR 1.9 (1.0-3.4), P < 0.05] were significantly associated with the need for rescue sc morphine. CONCLUSION: Sedation during titration and an initial VAS > or = 60 are characteristics of the patients who require rescue (less than two hours) sc morphine after iv morphine titration.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Remifentanil induces systemic arterial vasodilation in humans with a total artificial heart.

BACKGROUND: To assess intrinsic vascular effects of remifentanil, increased concentrations were infused in critically ill patients with a total artificial heart. METHODS: In the early postoperative period after implantation of a total artificial heart, nine ventilated patients requiring short general anesthesia were included in this study. After anesthesia was induced with 0.3 mg/kg intravenous etomidate, the artificial heart settings were modified to render cardiac output "preload-independent." While maintenance of anesthesia was ensured by a continuous infusion of etomidate, increased concentrations of remifentanil (from 0.1 to 1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) were infused in steps of 5 min under hemodynamic monitoring, including left and right atrial pressures, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, and left and right cardiac indices. The invasive procedure was started under the highest concentration of remifentanil tolerated by the patient. Infusion of remifentanil was stopped at the end of the invasive procedure, while etomidate infusion was maintained. New hemodynamic measurements were performed at the end of the 12-min recovery period. RESULTS: Remifentanil produced a dose-dependent and significant decrease in systemic arterial pressure and vascular resistances (n = 9) from a concentration of 0.25 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1). No significant changes were observed on pulmonary vascular resistances (n = 6). Neither right (n = 9) nor left (n = 6) atrial pressures were affected by remifentanil infusion. Hemodynamic variables returned to baseline value over the 12-min recovery period. CONCLUSIONS: In humans with a total artificial heart, remifentanil induces a systemic arterial vasodilation without significant effect on the capacitance vessels.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Influence of sensory and proprioceptive impairment on the development of phantom limb syndrome during regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The relation between impairment of sensorimotor function and occurrence of phantom limb syndrome (PLS) during regional anesthesia has not been described. This study assessed the temporal relation between PLS and the progression of sensorimotor impairment during placement of a brachial plexus nerve block. METHODS: Fifty-two patients had their arm randomly placed either alongside their body (group A) or in 90 degrees abduction (group B) immediately after brachial plexus nerve block placement. Responses to pin prick, cold, heat, touch, proprioception, and voluntary movement were assessed every 5 min for 60 min. Meanwhile, patients described their perceptions of the size, shape, and position of their anesthetized limb. RESULTS: Phantom limb syndrome occurred 19 +/- 9 min after nerve block placement. Proprioception was impaired and abolished after 22 +/- 9 and 43 +/- 17 min, respectively (P < 0.05 vs. PLS onset). When PLS occurred, responses to pin prick, cold, heat, and proprioception were abolished in 96, 94, 87, and 4% of patients, respectively. Patients were more likely to feel their anesthetized limb in adduction and in abduction in groups A and B (P < 0.05 vs. group A), respectively. After PLS had become motionless, two stereotyped positions were identified: arm adduction, elbow flexion, hand over the abdomen (68% of group A patients) and arm abduction, elbow flexion, hand held close to the homolateral ear (48% of group B patients). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a better understanding of the determinants of PLS by showing that the final position of PLS is related both to the abolition of proprioception and the initial position of the anesthetized limb.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Myocardial effects of halothane and sevoflurane in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes induces significant myocardial abnormalities, but the effects of halogenated anesthetics on this diseased myocardium remain a matter of debate. METHODS: Left ventricular papillary muscles and triton-skinned cardiac fibers were provided from control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The effects of halothane and sevoflurane were studied on inotropic and lusitropic responses, under low (isotony) and high (isometry) loads in papillary muscles and then on isometric tension-Ca2+ concentration (pCa) relations obtained in triton-skinned cardiac fibers. Data are presented as mean +/- SD. RESULTS: Sevoflurane and halothane induced a negative inotropic effect that was more important in diabetic rats (active force: 1.5% halothane, 19+/-6 vs. 24+/-6% of baseline, P < 0.05; 3.6% sevoflurane, 47+/-14 vs. 69+/-17% of baseline, P < 0.05). However, when differences in minimum alveolar concentration were considered, no significant difference was observed between groups for halothane. The effects of halothane and sevoflurane on isotonic relaxation and postrest potentiation were not significantly different between groups. In contrast, the decrease in Ca myofilament sensitivity produced by each anesthetic agent was greater in diabetic rats than in control rats (0.65% halothane, -0.15+/-0.07 vs. -0.05+/-0.04 pCa unit, P < 0.05; 1.8% sevoflurane, -0.12+/-0.06 vs. -0.06+/-0.04 pCa unit, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The negative inotropic effect of halothane and sevoflurane was greater in diabetic rats, mainly because of a significant decrease in myofilament Ca sensitivity.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Predictive performance and variability of the cardiac anesthesia risk evaluation score.

BACKGROUND: The Cardiac Anesthesia Risk Evaluation (CARE) score, a simple Canadian classification for predicting outcome after cardiac surgery, was evaluated in 556 consecutive patients in Paris, France. The authors compared its performance to those of two multifactorial risk indexes (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation [EuroSCORE] and Tu score) and tested its variability between groups of physicians (anesthesiologists, surgeons, and cardiologists). METHODS: Each patient was simultaneously assessed using the three scores by an attending anesthesiologist in the immediate preoperative period. In a blinded study, the CARE score category was also determined by a cardiologist the day before surgery, by a surgeon in the operating room, and by a second anesthesiologist at arrival in intensive care unit. Calibration and discrimination for predicting outcomes were assessed by goodness-of-fit test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, respectively. The level of agreement of the CARE scoring between the three physicians was then assessed. RESULTS: The calibration analysis revealed no significant difference between expected and observed outcomes for the three classifications. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for mortality were 0.77 with the CARE score, 0.78 with the EuroSCORE, and 0.73 with the Tu score (not significant). The agreement rate of the CARE scoring between two anesthesiologists, between anesthesiologists and surgeons, and between anesthesiologists and cardiologists were 90%, 83%, and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its simplicity, the CARE score predicts mortality and major morbidity as well the EuroSCORE. In addition, it remains devoid of significant variability when used by groups of physicians of different specialties.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Time sequence of sensory changes after upper extremity block: swelling sensation is an early and accurate predictor of success.

BACKGROUND: Sensory assessment to estimate spread and effectiveness of a peripheral nerve block is difficult because no clinical test is specific for small sensory fibers. Occurrence of a swelling illusion (SI) during a peripheral nerve block corresponds to the impairment of small sensory fibers. The authors investigated the usefulness of SI in predicting successful peripheral nerve block by assessing the temporospatial correlation between progression of sensory impairment in cutaneous distributions anesthetized and localization of SI during peripheral nerve block installation. METHODS: Interscalene, infracoracoid, or sciatic nerve blocks were performed using a nerve stimulator and 1.5% mepivacaine in 53 patients, with a total of 201 nerves to be anesthetized. Pinprick, cold, warm, touch, and proprioception were assessed every 3 min, while patients were asked to describe their perception of size and shape of their anesthetized limb and localization of these illusions. Data are presented as mean +/- SD and percentage (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Failure occurred in 12 cutaneous distributions out of a total of 201 theoretically blocked nerves. SI appeared earlier than warmth impairment (4.3 +/- 2.7 vs. 6.2 +/- 2.0 min; P < 0.05), always corresponding to successfully anesthetized cutaneous distributions, with the exception of 1 patient, who developed SI in 2 cutaneous distributions while sensory testing indicated failure in 1 distribution. SI successfully predicted the blockade of a cutaneous distribution with a sensitivity of 1.00 (0.98-1.00), a specificity of 0.92 (0.65-0.99), and an accuracy of 0.99 (0.97-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Swelling illusion may provide an early assessment of the success of a peripheral nerve block in unsedated patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Interaction of halogenated anesthetics with alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations in diabetic rat myocardium.

BACKGROUND: Halogenated anesthetics potentiate the positive inotropic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulations. Although diabetes mellitus induces significant myocardial abnormalities, the interaction of halogenated anesthetics and adrenoceptor stimulation in diabetic myocardium remains unknown. METHODS: Left ventricular papillary muscles were provided from healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effects of 1 minimum alveolar concentration halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane on the inotropic and lusitropic responses of alpha (phenylephrine)- and beta (isoproterenol)-adrenoceptor stimulations were studied at 29 degrees C with 12 pulses/min. Data shown are mean percentage of baseline active force +/- SD. RESULTS: Phenylephrine induced comparable positive inotropic effects in healthy and diabetic rats (143 +/- 8 vs. 136 +/- 18%; not significant), but the potentiation by halogenated anesthetics was abolished in the diabetic rats (121 +/- 20, 130 +/- 20, and 123 +/- 20% for halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, respectively; not significant). In diabetic rats, the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol was markedly diminished (109 +/- 9 vs. 190 +/- 18%; P < 0.05), but its potentiation was preserved with isoflurane (148 +/- 21%; P < 0.05) and sevoflurane (161 +/- 40%; P < 0.05) but not with halothane (126 +/- 16%; not significant). Halothane induced a deleterious effect on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, as shown by its impairment in the lusitropic effect of isoproterenol, compared with isoflurane and sevoflurane. CONCLUSION: Potentiation of the positive inotropic effect of alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation by halogenated anesthetics is abolished in diabetic rats. In contrast, potentiation of beta-adrenoceptor stimulation is preserved with isoflurane and sevoflurane but not with halothane, probably because of its deleterious effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed2004

The effects of a polymerized bovine-derived hemoglobin solution in a rabbit model of arterial thrombosis and bleeding.

UNLABELLED: Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) have been developed primarily for their oxygenating function and possible use as an alternative to red blood cells during surgery or after major trauma. However, their effect on hemostasis has not been studied extensively. We compared the effects on hemostasis of bovine-derived hemoglobin solution (HBOC-201) with gelatin solution and saline infusion in an experimental model of arterial thrombosis and bleeding. After anesthesia, the Folts model was constructed in 30 rabbits. The common carotid artery was exposed, and a 60% stenosis was induced. A compression injury of the artery was then produced, which triggered a series of cyclic episodes of thrombosis (cyclic flow reductions [CFRs]). After the number of baseline CFRs was counted, animals were assigned randomly to one of three groups (n = 10 each): saline (control), gelatin, or HBOC-201 solution. The effect of studied solutions was observed by recording the number of CFRs during another period and was compared with that of saline. Ear immersion bleeding time was recorded after each CFR period. Gelatin and HBOC-201 had similar effects, manifested by significantly decreased CFRs (from median of 7 to 1 and 6 to 1, respectively) and significantly lengthened bleeding time (from 88 to 98 s and 81 to 102 s, respectively; P < 0.05). Saline infusion had no significant effect on CFRs or bleeding time. HBOC-201 and gelatin had similar effects marked by a reduction in the arterial thrombosis rate and increased bleeding time in rabbits. IMPLICATIONS: In a rabbit thrombosis and hemorrhagic model, a polymerized bovine-derived hemoglobin solution and a gelatin solution infusion decreased arterial thrombosis and lengthened bleeding time.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Amplification by hyperoxia of coronary vasodilation induced by propofol.

UNLABELLED: We tested the hypothesis that in vitro coronary and myocardial effects of propofol (10-300 microM) should be significantly modified in an isolated and erythrocyte-perfused rabbit heart model in the absence (PaO(2) = 137 +/- 16 mm Hg, n = 12) or in the presence (PaO(2) = 541 +/- 138 mm Hg, n = 12) of hyperoxia. The induction of hyperoxia provoked a significant coronary vasoconstriction (-13% +/- 7%). Propofol induced increased coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. Because high oxygen tension has been reported to induce a coronary vasoconstriction mediated by the closure of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels, we studied the effects of propofol in 2 additional groups of hearts (n = 6 in each group) pretreated by glibenclamide (0.6 microM) and cromakalim (0.5 microM) in the absence and presence of hyperoxia, respectively. The pretreatment by glibenclamide induced a coronary vasoconstriction (-16% +/- 7%) which did not affect propofol coronary vasodilation. The pretreatment by cromakalim abolished the amplification of propofol coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. Propofol induced a significant decrease in myocardial performance for a concentration >100 micro M both in the absence and presence of hyperoxia. We conclude that propofol coronary vasodilation is amplified in the presence of hyperoxia. This phenomenon is not explained by the previous coronary vasoconstriction induced by glibenclamide. However, the pretreatment of hearts by cromakalim abolished the amplification of propofol coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. The myocardial effects of propofol were not affected by the presence of hyperoxia. IMPLICATIONS: Propofol induced a coronary vasodilation that was amplified in the presence of hyperoxia. This phenomenon does not seem to be related to previous coronary vasoconstriction. The myocardial effects of propofol were not significantly modified in the presence of hyperoxia.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

PubMed2003

[What pre-operative explorations should be performed in a cardiac patient scheduled for non cardiological surgery?].

In general, preoperative assessment of cardiac patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery relies on thorough clinical evaluation and rest EKG associated if necessary with further examination. In the case of coronary failure, coronary artery disease is the pathology most frequently encountered and is worrying because of the severe complications it provokes. Modern care of such patients requires a thorough study of clinical risk factors as well as pre-test probability of post-operative complications. This will enable one to quantify the cardiac risk and to work out the best strategy for pre-operative examinations in a restricted budgetary context. If the cardiac risk is low, no special pre-operative planning is necessary. On the contrary, a higher cardiac risk (institution dependent) renders relevant invasive exams necessary, such as radionuclide angiography and stress echocardiography. Positive testing leads to coronary angiography. If the latter reveals severe coronary stenosis, bypass grafting or percutaneous angioplasty is required if its risk does not exceed the patient's present post-operative complication rate for the scheduled surgery. For the other cardiac pathologies, echocardiography is the leading exam to assess left ventricular failure or valvular pathologies. New York Heart Association and Duke University classifications help in the risk stratification of such patients.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed2003

Target-controlled infusion for remifentanil in vascular patients improves hemodynamics and decreases remifentanil requirement.

UNLABELLED: Remifentanil is a potent ultra-short-acting opioid, which permits rapid emergence. However, remifentanil is expensive and may have detrimental effects on hemodynamics in case of overdose. Target-controlled infusion (TCI) permits adapting infusion to pharmacokinetic models. In this prospective randomized study, we compared intra- and postoperative hemodynamics, remifentanil requirement during anesthesia, and postoperative morphine requirement in patients scheduled for carotid surgery, and receiving either continuous IV weight-adjusted infusion of remifentanil (RIVA) or TCI for remifentanil (TCIR). Forty-six patients were enrolled in this study: all were anesthetized by using TCI for propofol. Twenty-three received RIVA (0.5 micro g. kg(-1) x min(-1)) for the induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, with the infusion rate decreased to 0.25 micro g x kg(-1) x min(-1) after intubation, then adapted by step of 0.05 micro g x kg(-1) x min(-1) according to hemodynamics. Twenty-three patients received TCIR (Minto model, Rugloop), with an effect-site concentration at 4 ng/mL during induction, then adapted by step of 1 ng/mL according to hemodynamics. All patients received atracurium and a 50% mixture of N(2)O/O(2). Hemodynamic variables were recorded each minute. The number and duration of hemodynamic events were collected, and total doses of anesthetics (remifentanil and propofol) and vasoactive drugs were noted in both groups of patients. Data were analyzed by using unpaired t-tests. RIVA was significantly associated with more frequent episodes of intraoperative hypotension (16 versus 6, P < 0.001) and more frequent episodes of postoperative hypertension and/or tachycardia requiring more frequent administration of beta-adrenergic blockers (16 vs 10, P < 0.04) in comparison with TCIR. The need for morphine titration was not significantly different between groups. TCIR led to a significantly smaller requirement of remifentanil (700 +/- 290 versus 1390 +/- 555 micro g, P < 0.001) without difference in propofol requirement. This prospective randomized study demonstrated that, during carotid endarterectomy, in comparison with patients receiving remifentanil using continuous RIVA, TCI results in less hypotensive episodes during the induction of anesthesia, in fewer episodes of tachycardia and/or hypertension and a smaller beta-adrenergic blocker requirement during recovery, and a decrease in remifentanil requirement. Recommendations to prefer TCI for remifentanil administration during carotid endarterectomy may be justified. IMPLICATIONS: Remifentanil for intraoperative analgesia in carotid artery surgery is associated with a better stability in perioperative hemodynamics when administered in target-controlled infusion compared with continuous weight-adjusted infusion. This may be related to a smaller requirement of this drug when using target-controlled infusion, as well as a smooth mode of administration.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2003

Terlipressin versus norepinephrine to correct refractory arterial hypotension after general anesthesia in patients chronically treated with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Terlipressin, a precursor that is metabolized to lysine-vasopressin, has been proposed as a drug for treatment of intraoperative arterial hypotension refractory to ephedrine in patients who have received long-term treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The authors compared the effectiveness of terlipressin and norepinephrine to correct hypotension in these patients. METHODS: Among 42 patients scheduled for elective carotid endarterectomy, 20 had arterial hypotension following general anesthesia that was refractory to ephedrine. These patients were the basis of the study. After randomization, they received either 1 mg intravenous terlipressin (n = 10) or norepinephrine infusion (n = 10). Beat-by-beat recordings of systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate were stored on a computer. The intraoperative maximum and minimum values of blood pressure and heart rate, and the time spent with systolic arterial blood pressure below 90 mmHg and above 160 mmHg, were used as indices of hemodynamic stability. Data are expressed as median (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Terlipressin and norepinephrine corrected arterial hypotension in all cases. However, time spent with systolic arterial blood pressure below 90 mmHg was less in the terlipressin group (0 s [0-120 s] vs. 510 s [120-1011 s]; P < 0.001). Nonresponse to treatment (defined as three boluses of terlipressin or three changes in norepinephrine infusion) occurred in zero and eight cases (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who received long-term treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, intraoperative refractory arterial hypotension was corrected with both terlipressin and norepinephrine. However, terlipressin was more rapidly effective for maintaining normal systolic arterial blood pressure during general anesthesia.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Relationships between measurement of pain using visual analog score and morphine requirements during postoperative intravenous morphine titration.

BACKGROUND: Although intravenous morphine titration is widely used to obtain rapid and complete postoperative pain relief, the relationship between measurement of pain and morphine requirements varies, and the evolution of pain during titration is poorly understood. METHODS: Intravenous morphine titration was administered as a bolus of 2 (body weight < or = 60 kg) or 3 mg (body weight > 60 kg) during the immediate postoperative period in the PACU. The interval between each bolus was 5 min. The visual analog scale (VAS) score threshold required to administer morphine was 30, and pain relief was defined as a VAS score of 30 or less. RESULTS: Data from 3,045 patients were analyzed. The mean initial VAS score was 73 +/- 19 (mean +/- SD), and the mean morphine dose required to obtain pain relief was 0.17 +/- 0.10 mg/kg, i.e., a median of four boluses (range, 1-20). When patients were grouped according to several classes of initial VAS score (31-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90-100), it seemed that the relationship between VAS score and morphine requirements was a sigmoid curve. A VAS score of 70 or greater predicted the need for a high (>0.15 mg/kg) morphine dose (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.54). During the pain relief process, the relationship between VAS score and time was depicted by a sigmoid curve. CONCLUSION: A VAS score of 70 or greater should be considered indicative of severe pain. The relationship between the initial VAS score and morphine requirements is not linear, and the evolution of the VAS score during the pain relief process is described by a sigmoid curve.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Overestimation of Bispectral Index in sedated intensive care unit patients revealed by administration of muscle relaxant.

BACKGROUND: Electromyographic activity has previously been reported to elevate the Bispectral Index (BIS) in patients not receiving neuromuscular blockade while under sedation in the intensive care unit. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of the decrease of BIS following administration of muscle relaxant in sedated intensive care unit patients. METHODS: The authors prospectively investigated 45 patients who were continuously sedated with midazolam and sufentanil to achieve a Sedation-Agitation Scale value equal to 1 and who required administration of muscle relaxant. BIS (BIS version 2.10), electromyography, and acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis muscle were recorded simultaneously before and after neuromuscular blockade. Sixteen of these 45 patients were also studied simultaneously with the new BIS XP. RESULTS: After administration of a muscle relaxant, BIS (67 +/- 19 vs. 43 +/- 10, P < 0.001) and electromyographic activity (37 +/- 9 vs. 27 +/- 3 dB, P < 0.001) significantly decreased. Multiple regression analysis showed that the decrease of BIS following administration of myorelaxant was significantly correlated to BIS and electromyographic baseline values. Using standard BIS range guidelines, the number of patients under light or deep sedation versus general anesthesia or deep hypnotic state was markedly overestimated before administration of myorelaxant (53 vs. 2%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The BIS in sedated intensive care unit patients may be lower with paralysis for an equivalent degree of sedation because of high muscular activity. The magnitude of BIS overestimation is significantly correlated to both BIS and electromyographic activity before neuromuscular blockade. The authors conclude that clinicians who determine the amount of sedation in intensive care unit patients only from BIS monitoring may expose them to unnecessary oversedation.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

PubMed2003

Postoperative morphine consumption in the elderly patient.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the dose of intravenous morphine used during postoperative titration is not modified by aging. The authors therefore studied morphine requirements in patients undergoing total hip replacement. METHODS: Intravenous morphine titration was administered as boluses, then subcutaneous morphine was administered every 4 h over 24 h. Pain was assessed by use of the visual analog scale (0 to 100), and the threshold required to administer morphine was 30. Young and elderly (> or =70 yr old) patients were compared. Data are mean +/- SD or odds ratio (OR) [95% CI]. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-four patients (68%) were young and 105 (32%) were elderly. The initial visual analog scale was not significantly different between groups. The dose of intravenous morphine in the postanesthesia care unit was not significantly different between young and elderly patients (0.15 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.10 mg/kg, P = NS), in contrast to the dose of subcutaneous morphine (0.18 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.11 +/- 0.11 mg/kg, P < 0.001) in the ward. Only severe pain (visual analog scale of 70 or greater; OR, 10.5 [4.5-24.8]) was significantly associated with a high dose (greater than 0.15 mg/kg) of intravenous morphine, whereas severe pain (OR, 2.5 [1.6-4.0]), age less than 60 yr (OR, 2.3 [1.4-3.8]), and absence of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (OR, 1.9 [1.2-3.1]) were significantly associated with a high dose (greater than 0.12 mg/kg) of subcutaneous morphine. CONCLUSIONS: The dose of intravenous morphine during titration is not modified in elderly patients, in contrast to the dose administered subcutaneously over a prolonged period.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

A comparison of intrathecal opioid and intravenous analgesia for the incidence of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal complications after abdominal aortic surgery.

UNLABELLED: Major surgery evokes a stress response that can produce deleterious consequences, especially in a population at high risk for those complications. We tested the hypothesis that decreasing or eliminating one of the sources of stress by providing intense analgesia in the immediate postoperative period via application of neuraxial opioids would decrease major nonsurgical complications. Two-hundred-seventeen patients scheduled to undergo abdominal aortic surgery were randomly allocated to receive either general anesthesia alone (control) or general anesthesia combined with intrathecal opioid (1 micro g/kg sufentanil with 8 micro g/kg preservative-free morphine injected at the L4-5 interspace). Postoperative care was identical in the two groups, including patient-controlled analgesia. Each patient provided an assessment of postoperative pain using a visual analog scale. Postopera-tive complications were recorded according to criteria established a priori. The administration of intrathecal opioid provided more intense analgesia than patient-controlled analgesia during the first 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.05). There was no difference between groups for the incidence of combined major cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal complications (P > 0.05) or mortality (P > 0.05). The incidence of myocardial damage or infarction, as defined by abnormal plasma concentration of troponin I, did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). In patients undergoing major abdominal vascular surgery, decrease of one contributor to postoperative stress, by provision of intense analgesia for the intraoperative and initial postoperative period, via application of neuraxial opioid, does not alter the combined major cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal complication rate. IMPLICATIONS: Provision of intense analgesia for the initial postoperative period after major abdominal vascular surgery, via the administration of neuraxial opioid, does not alter the combined incidence of major cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal complications.

Aged↗