Intravenous magnesium re-establishes neuromuscular block after spontaneous recovery from an intubating dose of rocuronium: a randomised controlled trial

in European Journal of Anaesthesiology (2012), 29(2), 95-99

Nursing aid specialized in anesthesia and resuscitation (NASAR): why should we promote the involvement of anesthesia helping nurses within the current and future Belgian anesthesia field?

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2012), 63(1), 1-2

Comparison of the Surgical Pleth Index (TM) with haemodynamic variables to assess nociception-anti-nociception balance during general anaesthesia

in British Journal of Anaesthesia (2011), 106(1), 101-11

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) is proposed as a means to assess the balance between noxious stimulation and the anti-nociceptive effects of anaesthesia. In this study, we compared SPI, mean ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) is proposed as a means to assess the balance between noxious stimulation and the anti-nociceptive effects of anaesthesia. In this study, we compared SPI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) as a means of assessing this balance. METHODS: We studied a standard stimulus [head-holder insertion (HHI)] and varying remifentanil concentrations (CeREMI) in a group of patients undergoing neurosurgery. Patients receiving target-controlled infusions were randomly assigned to one of the three CeREMI (2, 4, or 6 ng m(1)), whereas propofol target was fixed at 3 microg ml(1). Steady state for both targets was achieved before HHI. Intravascular volume status (IVS) was evaluated using respiratory variations in arterial pressure. Prediction probability (Pk) and ordinal regression were used to assess SPI, MAP, and HR performance at indicating CeREMI, and the influence of IVS and chronic treatment for high arterial pressure, as possible confounding factors. RESULTS: The maximum SPI, MAP, or HR observed after HHI correctly indicated CeREMI in one of the two patients [accurate prediction rate (APR)=0.5]. When IVS and chronic treatment for high arterial pressure were taken into account, the APR was 0.6 for each individual variable and 0.8 when all of them predicted the same CeREMI. That increase in APR paralleled an increase in Pk from 0.63 to 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: SPI, HR, and MAP are of comparable value at gauging noxious stimulation-CeREMI balance. Their interpretation is improved by taking account of IVS, treatment for chronic high arterial pressure, and concordance between their predictions. [less ▲]

Maintaining the communication and information tool of the Belgian anesthesiology community

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(4), 173-174

Unexpected entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery: a few cases report.

in Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica (2011), 62(2), 87-90

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and ... [more ▼]

The Spectral Entropy proposed to monitor the depth of anesthesia includes the State Entropy (SE) computed from the EEG (0.8-32 Hz frequency band), and the Response Entropy (RE) computed from EEG and facial muscles activity (0.5-47 Hz frequency band). We report an unexpected Entropy response to saline spraying at the end of posterior fossa surgery. Six patients undergoing scheduled functional surgery of the posterior fossa were included in this report. They were anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil using TCI and received an intubation dose of rocuronium. At the end of surgery, saline spraying, performed for hemostatic purpose and wreckage elimination, resulted in a sustained increase in RE and SE without hemodynamic modification in four patients, while no change was observed in the two other ones. In one of the responding patients, 0.1 mg kg(-1) rocuronium attenuated the Entropy response. In the two non responders, repetition of spraying or rocuronium administration did not change Entropy value. Recovery from anesthesia was comparable in all patients and none of them complained from awareness. We conclude that Entropy can increase during posterior fossa surgery in non-paralyzed patients. This response probably reflects an increase in facial muscle activity rather than a change in depth of anesthesia, as far as it can be attenuated by a small dose of rocuronium. While this hypothesis requires further investigation, these observations suggest that saline spraying may confound interpretation of Entropy during posterior fossa surgery. [less ▲]

Sevoflurane facial mask induction in children: using two different techniques end to comparable intubation conditions but different Bispectral Index values

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica (2010, June 19), 61(2), 94

Side effects of the addition of clonidine 75 microg or sufentanil 5 microg to 0.2% ropivacaine for labour epidural analgesia.

in International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia (2010), 19(2), 149-54

BACKGROUND: Sufentanil 5 microg and clonidine 75 microg produce a similar reduction in minimum local anaesthetic concentration of ropivacaine. The aim of the present study was to compare the side effects ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Sufentanil 5 microg and clonidine 75 microg produce a similar reduction in minimum local anaesthetic concentration of ropivacaine. The aim of the present study was to compare the side effects of two equianalgesic solutions by combining 0.2% ropivacaine with either sufentanil 5 microg or clonidine 75 microg for labour epidural analgesia. METHODS: In a prospective double-blind study, 60 women at 5 cm cervical dilatation were randomly allocated to receive 0.2% ropivacaine with either sufentanil 5 microg or clonidine 75 microg to initiate labour analgesia. The analgesic efficacy and side effects of the two mixtures were compared. RESULTS: Onset, duration and quality of analgesia and subsequent ropivacaine consumption were similar in the two groups. Hypotension was significantly more frequent and severe with clonidine than with sufentanil (systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg: 17/26 vs. 6/24, P <0.05; systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg: 5/26 vs. 0/24, P <0.05) resulting in more frequent ephedrine administration (11/26 vs. 2/24, P <0.05) and larger fluid requirements (1696 +/- 583 mL vs. 1264 +/- 407 mL, P < 0.05). Conversely, pruritus was more frequent with sufentanil than with clonidine (6/26 vs. 1/24, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypotension occurs more frequently when clonidine is added to epidural ropivacaine instead of an equianalgesic dose of sufentanil. Therefore, clonidine cannot be recommended for routine administration for labour epidural analgesia. [less ▲]

Effect of an intravenous infusion of lidocaine on cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular block duration: a randomized-controlled trial.

in Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (2010), 54(10), 1192-6

BACKGROUND: Intravenous lidocaine can be used intraoperatively for its analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties but local anaesthetics may also prolong the duration of action of neuromuscular blocking ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Intravenous lidocaine can be used intraoperatively for its analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties but local anaesthetics may also prolong the duration of action of neuromuscular blocking agents. We hypothesized that intravenous lidocaine would prolong the time to recovery of neuromuscular function after cisatracurium. METHODS: Forty-two patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Before induction, patients were administered either a 1.5 mg/kg bolus of intravenous lidocaine followed by a 2 mg/kg/h infusion or an equal volume of saline. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained using propofol and remifentanil infusions. After loss of consciousness, a 0.15 mg/kg bolus of cisatracurium was administered. No additional cisatracurium injection was allowed. Neuromuscular function was assessed every 20 s using kinemyography. The primary endpoint was the time to spontaneous recovery of a train-of-four (TOF) ratio >/= 0.9. RESULTS: The time to spontaneous recovery of a TOF ratio >/= 0.9 was 94 +/- 15 min in the control group and 98 +/- 16 min in the lidocaine group (P=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: No significant prolongation of spontaneous recovery of a TOF ratio >/= 0.9 after cisatracurium was found in patients receiving intravenous lidocaine. [less ▲]

Management of the unstable cervical spine: elective versus emergent cases.

in Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology (2009), 22(5), 579-85

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review focuses on similarities and discrepancies in the management of emergent and elective unstable cervical spine (C-spine) patients. RECENT FINDINGS: During mobilization ... [more ▼]

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review focuses on similarities and discrepancies in the management of emergent and elective unstable cervical spine (C-spine) patients. RECENT FINDINGS: During mobilization, lifting is superior to rolling in limiting spine movements. Before prone position surgery, the transfer of the patient on a rotating table is preferable to rolling. In trauma patients, helical computed tomography (CT) with sagittal reconstruction is the first choice for clearing the C-spine. In those patients, airway compromise may be related to hidden cervical edema or hematoma. Several devices can be of help in performing safe tracheal intubation in patients with limited neck movements, but awake fiberoptic intubation remains the safest procedure. The muscle relaxant antagonist sugammadex can improve safety for rapid sequence induction. It can rapidly reverse profound steroid-based neuromuscular blockade and allows avoidance of succinylcholine in this indication. Propofol anesthesia better prevents coughing upon emergence than inhaled anesthesia. Neuroprotection in cord-damaged patients is disappointing, and the controversy on the efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone is not closed. Nevertheless, maintenance of homeostasis remains the cornerstone of neuroprotection. SUMMARY: Subtle details differentiate the management of emergent and elective unstable C-spine patients. In both situations, the presence or the absence of a neurological insult governs the therapeutic strategy. [less ▲]

Acid-base status and hemodynamic stability during propofol and sevoflurane-based anesthesia in patients undergoing uncomplicated intracranial surgery.

in Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology (2009), 21(2), 112-9

Propofol anesthesia may induce metabolic disturbances and sevoflurane anesthesia arterial hypotension. This study compares both techniques regarding acid-base and hemodynamic status during intracranial ... [more ▼]

Propofol anesthesia may induce metabolic disturbances and sevoflurane anesthesia arterial hypotension. This study compares both techniques regarding acid-base and hemodynamic status during intracranial surgery. Sixty-one patients were randomized into 2 groups according to anesthesia maintenance, a propofol group (n=30), and a sevoflurane group (n=31). The anesthesia protocol including rocuronium and remifentanil infusion was otherwise similar in both groups. Arterial blood samples were drawn every 2 hours during the procedure and upon arrival in the intensive care unit to assess acid-base status. The number of hypotensive and hypertensive events served to assess hemodynamic stability. Metabolic acidosis was more frequent during propofol than sevoflurane anesthesia (7 out of 29 and 1 out of 31, P=0.02). Its severity was linearly correlated with lactate concentration (R=0.32), total dose of propofol (R=0.2), and length of procedure (R=0.28). Hyperlactacidemia was also observed during sevoflurane anesthesia, but without acidosis. Hypertension occurred more frequently during propofol than sevoflurane anesthesia (13 out of 30 vs. 1 out of 31, P<0.001), particularly in patients with a past medical history of hypertension. Higher remifentanil infusion rates reduced the risk of hypertension. Conversely, sevoflurane anesthesia favored arterial hypotension (22 out of 31 vs. 12 out of 30, P=0.015). Preoperative morning administration of antihypertensive medications to patients with a history of arterial hypertension was associated with a low probability of hypertensive events, at the cost of more frequent hypotension. In conclusion, propofol anesthesia for intracranial surgery is more frequently associated with lactic acidosis and hypertension; sevoflurane anesthesia may favor arterial hypotension. [less ▲]