Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Intraoperative Hemodynamics and Blood Loss in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a highly selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist that reduces blood pressure and heart rate. However, its ability to provide stable hemodynamics and a clinically significant reduction in blood loss in spine surgery is still a matter of debate. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Dex on intraoperative hemodynamics and blood loss in patients undergoing spine surgery.Methods The Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to February 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including patients undergoing spine surgeries under general anaesthesia and comparing Dex and saline. A fixed- or random-effect model was used depending on heterogeneity.Results Twenty-one RCTs, including 1388 patients, were identified. Dex added the overall risk of intraoperative hypotension (odds ratio [OR]: 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24 - 3.58; P=0.006) and bradycardia (OR: 2.48; 95%CI: 1.57 - 3.93; P=0.0001). The use of a loading dose of Dex led to significantly increased risks of intraoperative hypotension (OR: 2.00; 95%CI: 1.06 - 3.79; P=0.03) and bradycardia (OR: 2.28; 95%CI: 1.42 - 3.66; P=0.0007). For patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia, there was an increased risk of hypotension (OR: 2.90; 95%CI: 1.24 - 6.82; P=0.01) and bradycardia (OR: 2.66; 95%CI: 1.53 - 4.61; P=0. 0005). For patients in the inhalation anesthesia group, only an increased risk of bradycardia (OR: 4.95; 95%CI: 1.41 - 17.37; P=0.01) was observed. No significant increase in the risk of hypotension and bradycardia was found in the combined intravenous-inhalation anesthesia group. The incidence of severe hypotension (OR: 2.57; 95%CI: 1.05 - 6.32; P=0.04), but not mild hypotension, was increased. Both mild (OR: 2.55; 95%CI: 1.06 - 6.15; P=0.04) and severe (OR: 2.45; 95%CI: 1.43 - 4.20; P=0.001) bradycardia were associated with a higher risk. The overall analyses did not reveal significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss. However, a significant decrease in blood loss was observed in total inhalation anesthesia subgroup (mean difference [MD]: -82.97; 95%CI: -109.04 - -56.90; P<0.001).Conclusions Dex increases the risks of intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia in major spine surgery. The administration of a loading dose of Dex and the utilization of various anesthesia maintenance methods may potentially impact hemodynamic stability and intraoperative blood loss.

Safety and Tolerability of Starting Aripiprazole Lauroxil With Aripiprazole Lauroxil NanoCrystal Dispersion in 1 Day Followed by Aripiprazole Lauroxil Every 2 Months Using Paliperidone Palmitate Monthly as an Active Control in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Aripiprazole lauroxil (AL) 1064 mg every 2 months following initiation using the AL NanoCrystal Dispersion formulation (ALNCD) plus 30-mg oral aripiprazole was efficacious and well tolerated in a 25-week, randomized, double-blind phase 3 trial in adults with acute schizophrenia. This post hoc analysis further characterized the safety of AL 1064 mg administered every 2 months and that of active control paliperidone palmitate (PP) 156 mg monthly based on occurrence, timing, and severity of adverse events (AEs) associated with antipsychotic medications.

Methods: This study was conducted between November 2017 and March 2019. AL or PP was initiated during an inpatient stay of ≥ 2 weeks with transition to outpatient treatment thereafter. Rates of AEs of clinical interest, including injection site reactions (ISRs), motor AEs, sedation, hypotension, prolactin level increase, weight gain, and suicidal ideation/behavior, were summarized through weeks 4, 9, and 25 for each treatment.

Results: Of 200 patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study treatment, 99 (49.5%) completed the study (AL, 57%; PP, 43%). Mean (SD) baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores were 94.1 (9.04) and 94.6 (8.41) in the AL and PP treatment groups, respectively. AEs were reported by 69/99 (70%) patients administered AL and 72/101 (71%) administered PP; most AEs were mild or moderate in severity. ISRs (AL, 18.2%; PP, 26.7%) occurred primarily on days 1 and 8. All akathisia/restlessness AEs (AL, 10.1%; PP, 11.9%) occurred during the first 4 weeks; <10% of patients (either treatment) experienced hypotension, sedation, or suicidal ideation/behavior events. Weight gain of ≥ 7% from baseline occurred in 9.3% of AL- and 23.8% of PP-treated patients. Median prolactin concentrations changed by -4.60 and -3.55 ng/mL among AL-treated males and females, respectively, and did not exceed 2 times normal levels in any AL-treated patients. In PP-treated patients, changes were 21.20 and 80.40 ng/mL and concentrations exceeded 2 times normal in 38% and 88% of males and females, respectively.

Conclusions: No new early- or late-emerging safety concerns were observed through 25 weeks of treatment with AL 1064 mg every 2 months following initiation using ALNCD plus 30-mg oral aripiprazole. Results were consistent with known safety profiles of AL and PP and support the safety of AL 1064 mg every 2 months initiated using ALNCD plus 30-mg oral aripiprazole.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03345979.

The real-world safety of sacubitril / valsartan among older adults (≥75): A pharmacovigilance study from the FDA data

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. Sacubitril-Valsartan (Sac/Val) has been shown to improve patients' outcomes; however, its safety profile among older adults has not been adequately examined. We therefore aimed to examine its safety profile among this population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective pharmacovigilance study utilizing the FDA's database of safety reports (FAERS). We employed disproportionality analysis comparing Sac/Val to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). We aim to evaluate the reporting of pre-defined adverse events associated with Sac/Val (hypotension, acute kidney injury (AKI), hyperkalemia and angioedema) in two age groups: adults (< 75 years) and older adults (≥ 75). For each subgroup, we calculated reporting odds ratio (ROR) and compared them by calculating P for interaction.

RESULTS

The FAERS database encompassed 18,432 unique reports of Sac/Val. Of them, 12,630 (68.5%) subjects were adults (< 75 years), and 5802 (31.5%) were older adults (≥ 75 years), with a median age (IQR) of 68 (59-77). When compared to ARBs, Sac/Val was associated with higher reporting of hypotension, lower reporting of acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyperkalemia, and similar reporting of angioedema. Notably, we did not observe a significant interaction between the age subgroups and the risk estimates (AKI: Pinteraction = 0.72, hyperkalemia: Pinteraction = 0.94, hypotension: Pinteraction = 0.31, and angioedema: Pinteraction = 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

In this postmarking study, none of the prespecified adverse events was reported more frequently in older adults. These findings provide reassurance for safety use of Sac/Val in older adults.

Successful treatment of severe calcium channel blocker poisoning, new experience with the guidance of invasive hemodynamic monitoring in a 17-year-old girl: a case report

BACKGROUND

Calcium channel blocker poisoning is one of the most lethal cardiac drugs overdoses. Calcium and high-dose insulin infusion are the first-line therapy for symptomatic patients, and Intralipid emulsion infusion is useful for refractory cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we describe a 17-year-old Iranian girl who took 250 mg of the drug for a suicidal attempt and presented with refractory hypotension and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema treated successfully with the guidance of invasive hemodynamic parameters.

CONCLUSION

For complicated cases, in addition to supportive care and adjuvant therapy such as high-dose insulin and Intralipid, it is mandatory to utilize advanced hemodynamic monitoring to treat hypotension in severe calcium channel blocker poisoning to guide the treatment.

Hypotension in heart failure is less harmful if associated with high or increasing doses of heart failure medication: Insights from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) medication may reduce blood pressure (BP). Low BP is associated with worse outcomes but how this association is modified by HF medication has not been studied. We evaluated the association between BP and outcomes according to HF medication dose in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied HFrEF patients from the Swedish HF registry (2000-2018). Associations between systolic BP (SBP) and cardiovascular death (CVD) and/or HF hospitalization (HFH) were analysed according to doses of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). Among 42 040 patients (median age 74.0), lower baseline SBP was associated with higher risk of CVD/HFH (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] per 10 mmHg higher SBP: 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-0.93), which was less high risk under optimized RAS inhibitor and beta-blocker doses (10% decrease in event rates per 10 mmHg SBP increase in untreated patients vs. 7% decrease in patients at maximum dose, both adjusted p < 0.02). Among the 13 761 patients with repeated measurements, 9.9% reported a SBP decrease >10 mmHg when HF medication doses were increased, whereas 24.6% reported a SBP decrease >10 mmHg with stable/decreasing doses. Decreasing SBP was associated with higher risk of CVD/HFH in patients with stable (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17) or decreasing (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.18-1.42) HF medication dose but not in patients with an increase in doses (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.86-1.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The association of lower SBP with higher risk of CVD/HFH is attenuated in patients with optimized HF medication. These results suggest that low or declining SBP should not limit HF medication optimization.

Comparative dose-response study on the infusion of norepinephrine combined with intravenous ondansetron versus placebo for preventing hypotension during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Ondansetron has been reported to attenuate the incidence of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension (SAIH) and norepinephrine requirement during caesarean section. However, no quantitative study has evaluated the extent of this effect. This study aimed to determine the dose-response of prophylactic infusion of norepinephrine to prevent SAIH in parturients who received intravenous ondansetron or placebo before spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. The median effective dose (ED 50 ) and 90% effective dose (ED 90 ) were compared to evaluate the effect of ondansetron versus placebo on the norepinephrine requirement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred fifty parturients undergoing caesarean section were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg ondansetron (group O) or saline control (group C) 10 min before spinal anaesthesia. The parturients were randomly assigned to one of five different norepinephrine infusion groups: 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 or 0.10 µg/kg/min. An effective infusion dose of norepinephrine was defined as non-occurrence of hypotension during the study period. The values for ED 50 and ED 90 of norepinephrine infusion were determined using probit regression. Differences between the two groups were evaluated by comparing the relative median potency with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

The ED 50 values were 0.033 (95% CIs, 0.024-0.043) µg/kg/min in group C and 0.021 (95% CIs, 0.013-0.029) µg/kg/min in group O. The ED 90 values were 0.091 (95% CIs 0.068-0.147) µg/kg/min in group C and 0.059 (95% CIs 0.044-0.089) µg/kg/min in group O, respectively. The estimate of the relative median potency for norepinephrine in group C versus group O was 0.643 (95% CIs, 0.363-0.956). The incidence of side effects was comparable between groups. No significant difference in neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg before spinal anaesthesia significantly reduced the dose requirement of prophylactic norepinephrine infusion in parturients undergoing elective caesarean section. This finding is potentially useful for clinical practice and further research.

Exploring the norepinephrine to angiotensin II conversion ratio in patients with vasodilatory hypotension: A post-hoc analysis of the ARAMIS trial

PURPOSE

Angiotensin II is approved for catecholamine-refractory vasodilatory shock but the conversion dose ratio from norepinephrine to angiotensin II remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the Acute Renal effects of Angiotensin II Management in Shock (ARAMIS) trial involving patients with vasodilatory hypotension. We determined the norepinephrine equivalent dose immediately prior to angiotensin II initiation and calculated the conversion dose ratio between norepinephrine and angiotensin II. We performed subgroup analyses based on recent exposure to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and renin levels at baseline.

RESULTS

In 37 patients, the median conversion dose ratio between norepinephrine equivalent and angiotensin II was to 10:1 for norepinephrine bitartrate (5:1 for norepinephrine base). The conversion ratio was not affected by the baseline renin, with a median ratio of 10 (7-21) in the high renin group versus 12 (5-22) in the low renin group. Finally, exposure to ARBs prior admission appeared to diminish the conversion ratio with a median ratio of 7 (4-13) in ARB patients vs. 12 (7-22) in non-ARB patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The norepinephrine to angiotensin II conversion dose ratio is 10:1 in a vasodilatory hypotension population. These findings can guide clinicians and researchers in the use, dosing, and study of angiotensin II in critical care.

Pharmacoutilization and adherence to sacubitril/valsartan in real world: the REAL.IT study in HFrEF

AIMS

The current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines provide clear indications for the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure (HF). Nevertheless, there is a constant need for real-world evidence regarding the effectiveness, adherence, and persistence of drug therapy. We investigated the use of sacubitril/valsartan for the treatment of HF with reduced ejection fraction in real-world clinical practice in Italy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An observational, retrospective, non-interventional cohort study based on electronic medical records from nine specialized hospital HF centres in Italy was carried out on patients with prescription of sacubitril/valsartan. Overall, 948 patients had a prescription of sacubitril/valsartan, with 924 characterized over 6 months and followed up for 12 months. Pharmacoutilization data at 1 year of follow-up were available for 225 patients {mean age 69.7 years [standard deviation (SD) = 10.8], 81.8% male}. Of those, 398 (45.2%) reached the target dose of sacubitril/valsartan of 97/103 mg in a mean time of 6.9 (SD = 6.2) weeks. Blood pressure and hypotension in 61 patients (65%) and worsening of chronic kidney disease in 10 patients (10.6%) were the main reasons for not reaching the target dose. Approximatively 50% of patients had a change in sacubitril/valsartan dose during follow-up, and 158 (70.2%) were persistent with the treatment during the last 3 months of follow-up. A sensitivity analysis (persistence during the last 4 months of follow-up) showed persistence for 162 patients (72.0%). Adherence data, available for 387 patients, showed full adherence for 205 (53%). Discontinuation (102/717 patients, 14.2%) was mainly due to hypotension and occurred after a mean time of 34.3 (SD = 28.7) weeks. During follow-up, out of 606 patients with available data, 434 patients (71.6%) had an HF add-on drug or drugs concomitant with sacubitril/valsartan. HF-related hospitalization during follow-up was numerically higher in non-persistent (16/67 patients, 23.9%) vs. patients persistent to sacubitril/valsartan (30/158, 19%) (P = 0.405).

CONCLUSIONS

Real-world data on the use of sacubitril/valsartan in clinical practice in Italy show a rapid titration to the target dose, high therapeutic adherence enabling a good level of therapeutic management in line with ESC guidelines for patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Efficacy of Low Dose Intravenous Epinephrine Infusion in Improving Perioperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Prostate: A Prospective Parallel Arm Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of intraoperative low-dose intravenous epinephrine infusion in improving intraoperative bleeding and perioperative outcomes of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) surgery.

METHODS

This was a double-blinded, randomized control trial in which all patients undergoing bipolar TURP were included. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac disease, and on anticoagulants were excluded. The study group received intravenous epinephrine, whereas the control group received normal saline at the same rate (0.05 μg/kg/min) throughout the procedure. Intraoperative blood loss was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were incidence of intraoperative hypotension (due to spinal anesthesia), resection time, indwelling catheter time, and length of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients were included in each group. Demographic and clinical profiles were comparable with an overall median prostate size of 41 (34-52) gram in both groups. The primary objective, mean intraoperative blood loss in the study group was lower than the control group but statistically insignificant (67.91+/-18.7 mL vs 75.14 +/-17.1 mL; P = .086). Incidence of intraoperative hypotension was significantly lower in the study group (8.3% vs 33.3%; P = .01). Rest of the secondary outcomes, resection time (83 (64-111.5) minutes vs 86 (68-94.75) minutes; P = .97), mean indwelling catheter time (P = .94), postoperative complications (P = .73), and length of hospitalization (P = .87) were comparable.

CONCLUSION

In this first-of-its-kind trial, low-dose epinephrine infusion did not reduce intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing TURP. However, it significantly reduced intraoperative hypotension, which complicates spinal anesthesia particularly in elderly population.

Immune-related cardiovascular toxicities of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in solid tumors: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of cardiovascular toxicities related to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in solid tumors.

Methods

A literature search was performed following the participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) principles, and the study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data analysis was conducted using Review Manager version 5.4.

Results

This meta-analysis included 69 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) divided into five groups based on the treatment regimens: PD-1/PD-L1 + chemotherapy versus chemotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 versus chemotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 versus placebo, PD-1/PD-L1 + CTLA-4 versus PD-1/PD-L1 and PD-1/PD-L1 + CTLA-4 versus chemotherapy. Compared to chemotherapy treatment alone, PD-1/PD-L1 +chemotherapy significantly increased the risk of hypertension [all-grade (OR = 1.27, 95% CI [1.05, 1.53], p = 0.01); grade 3-5 (OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.04, 1.79], p = 0.03)], hypotension [all-grade (OR = 2.03, 95% CI [1.19, 3.45], p = 0.009); grade 3-5 (OR = 3.60, 95% CI [1.22, 10.60], p = 0.02)], arrhythmia [all-grade (OR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.02, 2.30], p = 0.04); grade 3-5 (OR = 2.91, 95% CI [1.33, 6.39], p = 0.008)] and myocarditis [all-grade (OR = 2.42, 95% CI [1.06, 5.54], p = 0.04)]. The risk of all-grade hypotension (OR = 2.87, 95% CI [1.26, 6.55], p = 0.01) and all-grade arrhythmia (OR = 2.03, 95% CI [1.13, 3.64], p = 0.02) significantly increased when treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors compared to the placebo. The risks of cardiovascular toxicities are significantly higher with PD-1+CTLA-4 compared to PD-1 alone (OR = 2.02, 95% CI [1.12, 3.66], p = 0.02).

Conclusion

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular toxicities, especially hypertension, hypotension, arrhythmia, and myocarditis.

Sacubitril/valsartan compared to ramipril in high-risk post-myocardial infarction patients stratified according to use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: Insight from the PARADISE MI trial

AIM

It is unknown whether safety and clinical endpoints by use of sacubitril/valsartan (an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor [ARNI]) are affected by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in high-risk myocardial infarction (MI) patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether MRA modifies safety and clinical endpoints by use of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with a MI and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and/or pulmonary congestion.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients (n = 5661) included in the PARADISE MI trial (Prospective ARNI vs. ACE Inhibitor Trial to Determine Superiority in Reducing Heart Failure Events After MI) were stratified according to MRA. Primary outcomes in this substudy were worsening heart failure or cardiovascular death. Safety was defined as symptomatic hypotension, hyperkalaemia >5.5 mmol/L, or permanent drug discontinuation. A total of 2338 patients (41%) were treated with MRA. Safety of ARNI compared to ramipril was not altered significantly by ± MRA, and both groups had similar increase in symptomatic hypotension with ARNI. In patients taking MRA, the risk of hyperkalaemia or permanent drug discontinuation was not significantly altered by ARNI (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The effect of ARNI compared with ramipril was similar in those who were and were not taking MRA (hazard ratio [HR]MRA 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-1.19 and HRMRA- 0.87, 95% CI 0.71-1.05, for the primary endpoint; p = 0.51 for interaction [Clinical Endpoint Committee adjudicated]); similar findings were observed if investigator-reported endpoints were evaluated (p = 0.61 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a MRA did not modify safety or clinical endpoints related to initiation of ARNI compared to ramipril in the post-MI setting in patients with LVSD and/or congestion.

Tizanidine Induced Hypotension: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

Spasticity is a common sequelae of stroke, and often these patients receive anti-spastic drugs such as baclofen or tizanidine. Stroke patients have multiple co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and seizure. Tizanidine is an α2 and imidazole receptor agonist at a spinal and supraspinal level resulting in reduced central sympathetic outflow and causing hypotension rarely, especially in those receiving beta-blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 56-year-old hypertensive male presenting with altered sensorium who had recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage with left spastic hemiplegia and focal seizures. He was on amlodipine, atenolol, telmisartan and oxcarbazepine. After 3 doses of tizanidine 2mg, his blood pressure dropped from 140/90 to 80/40 mmHg and pulse from 82 bpm to 44 bpm. His blood counts, serum chemistry, procalcitonin, and Trop I were normal. ECG revealed sinus bradycardia. After 8 hours of withdrawing tizanidine, his blood pressure became 110/70 mmHg, and on the next day, it became 140/82 mmHg. His attendants were taught physiotherapy to minimize spasticity.

CONCLUSION

This patient highlights the need for close monitoring of patients receiving tizanidine co-medication with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. These drugs have a synergistic effect on reducing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, thereby hypotension and bradycardia.

Epoprostenol (Prostacyclin Analog) as a Sole Anticoagulant in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Critically Ill Children With Liver Disease: Single-Center Retrospective Study, 2010-2019

OBJECTIVES

Despite deranged coagulation, children with liver disease undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are prone to circuit clotting. Commonly used anticoagulants (i.e., heparin and citrate) can have side effects. The aim of this study was to describe our experience of using epoprostenol (a synthetic prostacyclin analog) as a sole anticoagulant during CRRT in children with liver disease.

DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective study, 2010-2019.

SETTING

Sixteen-bedded PICU within a United Kingdom supra-regional center for pediatric hepatology.

PATIENTS

Children with liver disease admitted to PICU who underwent CRRT anticoagulation with epoprostenol.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Regarding CRRT, we assessed filter life duration, effective 60-hour filter survival, and effective solute clearance. We also assessed the frequency of major or minor bleeding episodes per 1,000 hours of CRRT, the use of platelet and RBC transfusions, and the frequency of hypotensive episodes per 1,000 hours of CRRT. In the 10 years 2010-2019, we used epoprostenol anticoagulation during 353 filter episodes of CRRT, lasting 18,508 hours, in 96 patients (over 108 admissions). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) filter life was 48 (IQR 32-72) hours, and 22.9% of filters clotted. Effective 60-hour filter survival was 60.5%.We identified that 5.9% of filters were complicated by major bleeding (1.13 episodes per 1,000 hr of CRRT), 5.1% (0.97 per 1,000 hr) by minor bleeding, and 11.6% (2.22 per 1,000 hr) by hypotension. There were no differences in filter life or clotting between patients with acute liver failure and other liver diseases; there were no differences in rates of bleeding, hypotension, or transfusion when comparing patients with initial platelets of ≤ 50 × 109 per liter to those with a higher initial count.

CONCLUSIONS

Epoprostenol, or prostacyclin, as the sole anticoagulant for children with liver disease receiving CRRT in PICU, results in a good circuit life, and complications such as bleeding and hypotension are similar to reports using other anticoagulants, despite concerns about coagulopathy in this cohort.

Efficacy and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan in Japanese Patients With Heart Failure According to Baseline Systolic Blood Pressure - Results From a Subgroup Analysis of the PARALLEL-HF Study

BACKGROUND

Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) is known to be associated with poor prognosis in heart failure (HF). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan according to baseline SBP tertiles in Japanese patients from the PARALLEL-HF study.Methods and Results: In all, 223 patients were stratified into tertiles according to baseline SBP (≤114 mmHg: n=75; >114 and ≤130 mmHg: n=76; and >130 mmHg: n=72). Patients with lower SBP (≤114 mmHg) had the highest median N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations at baseline (P=0.0184). No significant difference was observed between sacubitril/valsartan and enalapril for the composite outcome of cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization across SBP tertiles (P-interaction=0.2682). Although the P-interaction value was not significant (0.2106), a greater reduction in NT-proBNP with sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril was observed in patients with SBP >130 mmHg (P=0.0076). The incidence of hypotension-related events and reduction or discontinuation of treatment due to hypotension-related events was higher in the lower SBP subgroup, and these events were more frequent in the sacubitril/valsartan than enalapril group.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril was consistent across baseline SBP tertiles in Japanese patients from the PARALLEL-HF study. Hypotension-related events were more common in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan with lower SBP.

Inferior vena cava collapsibility index as a predictor of hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive patients are more susceptible to develop hypotension after the induction of general anesthesia (GA), most likely due to hypovolemia. An inferior vena cava collapsibility index (IVCCI) > 40-50% can predict hypotension after the induction of GA in the general population by variable accuracies. The current study aimed to investigate IVCCI% as a predictor of postinduction hypotension in hypertensive patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

METHODS

Ultrasound IVCCI % was assessed for all controlled hypertensive patients immediately before induction of GA. After induction of GA, patients were diagnosed with postinduction hypotension if their systolic arterial pressure (SAP) dropped by ≥ 30% of the baseline value and/or mean arterial pressure (MAP) dropped to < 65 mmHg up to 15 min after intubation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of IVCCI% was compared to patients' classification either developing hypotension after induction of GA or not as a gold standard.

RESULTS

Of the 153 patients who completed the study, 62 (40.5%) developed hypotension after the induction of GA, and 91 (59.5%) did not. An IVCCI > 39% predicted the occurrence of postinduction hypotension with high accuracy (84%) (AUC 0.908, P < 0.001). The area of uncertainty (by gray zone analysis) of IVCCI lies at values from 39 to 45%. This gray zone included 21 patients (13.7% of all patients).

CONCLUSION

An inferior vena cava collapsibility index > 39% before anesthetic induction can be a simple noninvasive reliable predictor of hypotension after the induction of GA for hypertensive patients not treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and undergoing noncardiac surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This clinical trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Zagazig University (ZUIRB #9424 dated 03/04/2022), and patients' informed consent for participation in the study was obtained during the period from May 2022 to May 2023. All study procedures were carried out in accordance with the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration of 2013.

Nebulized dexmedetomidine for attenuating hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in adult patients undergoing surgeries under general anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Sympathetic stimulation associated with laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation (ETI) may lead to adverse cardio-/cerebro-vascular events in susceptible patients. Nebulization is a novel route for dexmedetomidine administration providing a large surface area for absorption while avoiding bradycardia and hypotension associated with intravenous route. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine nebulization for attenuating hemodynamic response to ETI in adult patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia.

METHODS

This systematic review was registered prospectively in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023403624). PubMed, Embase (OvidSP), Cochrane library, Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate) and Google Scholar were systematically searched from database inception until March 31, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and then full text against pre-specified eligibility criteria. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing effect of dexmedetomidine nebulization on hemodynamic response to ETI in adult patients undergoing surgeries under general anaesthesia were included. All studies reporting heart rate and systolic blood pressure at baseline and various time points after ETI were included. A pre-piloted data extraction form, Cochrane revised risk-of-bias tool (ROB 2) tool, GRADE approach and RevMan 5.4.1 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) were used for data extraction, risk of bias assessment, rating certainty of evidence and data synthesis respectively. Mean difference and relative risk with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were used for continuous and dichotomous variables respectively.

RESULTS

Six RCTs randomized 480 patients with ASA I/II patients aged < 60 years of age and undergoing elective surgeries to receive either dexmedetomidine (n = 240) or saline nebulization (n = 240). Except for one RCT which used 2 μg/kg, all other RCTs used dexmedetomidine dose of 1 μg /kg. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group at all the measured time points after laryngoscopy and ETI with the only exception being systolic blood pressure at 3 min [mean difference -13.86 (95% CI -30.01 to 2.99), p = 0.09]. Bradycardia and hypotension as adverse effects were absent across the included studies. However, only one-third of the included studies had a low risk of bias and strength of evidence was very low according to the GRADE assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to placebo, premedication with dexmedetomidine nebulization was associated with lower HR and BP following ETI without any risk of bradycardia and hypotension. However, the strength of evidence was very poor and came from just one country. Future well designed and conducted studies in different populations are warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42023403624.

Incidence of intraoperative hypotension in older patients undergoing total intravenous anesthesia by remimazolam versus propofol: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

An increase in the frequency of surgeries among older individuals is observed in some countries. Hypotension is common and exaggerated in older patients and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Total intravenous anesthesia is commonly administered with propofol, while remimazolam has been suggested as an alternative to propofol because of advantages such as a more stable hemodynamic profile and less respiratory suppression. We conducted a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to compare the incidence of intraoperative hypotension between patients administered with remimazolam and propofol.

METHODS

A total of 132 patients, aged between 65 to 80 years and undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy or transurethral resection of bladder tumors were randomly assigned to the propofol or remimazolam group with a permuted block system while being blinded to the hypnotic agent. Remifentanil was administered via target-controlled infusion in both groups, with an initial effect-site concentration of 3.0 ng/mL and titration range of 1.5 to 4.0 ng/mL intraoperatively. The primary outcome of this study was the overall incidence of hypotension during general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Patients in the propofol group experienced higher intraoperative hypotension than those in the remimazolam group (59.7% vs 33.3%, P = .006). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that remimazolam administration was associated with reduced hypotension (adjusted odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.73). Secondary outcomes such as recovery time, delirium, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Total intravenous anesthesia with remimazolam was associated with less intraoperative hypotension than propofol in older patients, with a comparable recovery profile.

Preparation/administration of push-dose versus continuous infusion epinephrine and phenylephrine: A simulation

BACKGROUND

Hypotension is a common problem in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) and can increase risk for poor outcomes. Many EDs/ICUs utilize epinephrine and phenylephrine to treat hypotension and these medications are most often administered as a continuous infusion (CI). Push-dose (PD) is the administration of small medication doses as intermittent intravenous pushes (IVPs). There is limited information comparing the time required to prepare and administer PD versus CI and errors have been reported when preparing and administering these medications at bedside. This simulation study sought to estimate preparation and administration times and preparation and errors with PD and CI epinephrine and phenylephrine when prepared by an ED/ICU pharmacist.

METHODS

This crossover simulation study took place in a simulation center at an academic medical center and utilized a multi-venous intravenous training arm kit equip with an 18-gauge intravenous line, an extension tubing set, and a luer-lock adapter. The primary outcome was total preparation and administration time in seconds. The secondary outcome was major preparation and administration errors, defined as errors causing a five-fold or greater overdose.

RESULTS

In total, 16 pharmacists participated, including nine ED and seven ICU pharmacists. PD had faster total preparation and administration time and administration time, but not preparation time; PD showed an approximate 70 s decrease in total preparation and administration time versus CI. PD had more major preparation and administration errors and six PD preparations (18.8%, 6/32) had at least one major preparation and administration error. CI, on the other hand, had no major preparation and administration errors.

DISCUSSION

This simulation found faster total preparation and administration time with PD versus CI epinephrine and phenylephrine, but also found that PD had more major preparation and administration errors. Dilutional errors during medication preparation were the cause of 83.3% (5/6) of our overdoses.

CONCLUSION

This simulation study showed that ED/ICU pharmacists had faster median total preparation and administration times for PD epinephrine and phenylephrine versus CI, but PD also had more preparation and administration errors.

Effect of methoxymine on prevention and treatment of myocardial injury and cardiac function in elderly patients with hypotension during intraspinal anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the effects of methoxamine to prevent hypotension in the elderly with intraspinal anesthesia (IA) on myocardial injury and cardiac function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted by enrolling sixty elderly patients who underwent femoral head replacement (FHR) under IA in our hospital from August 2019 to August 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method. In the control group (CG) (30 patients), 5 mg of ephedrine was administered sedately when patients developed hypotension (20% below basal blood pressure). In the research group (RG) (30 cases), 2 μg/(kg·h) of methoxamine hydrochloride was given as a constant-rate pump before anesthesia, and 1 mg of methoxamine hydrochloride was administered intraoperatively if hypotension occurred. The hemodynamic [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR)], myocardial injury indexes [cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), fatty acid binding protein (FABP), plasma amino-terminal brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP)], cardiac function indexes [systemic vascular resistance (SVR), stroke volume (SV), net percentage ejection time (ET)] were observed before anesthesia (T1), at the end of surgery (T2), and 6 h after surgery (T3) in both groups. The Bruggemann Comfort Score (BCS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at T3, 12 h postoperatively (T4) and 24 h postoperatively (T5) in both groups were observed, and the incidence of adverse reactions to intralesional anesthesia in both groups was counted.

RESULTS

SBP, DBP and HR at T2 were lower than those at T1 in both groups, and SBP, DBP and HR at T3 were higher than those at T2, and SBP, DBP and HR at T2 and T3 in the RG were higher than those in the CG (p<0.05). In both groups, cTnⅠ, CK-MB and FABP were higher at T2 and T3 than at T1, higher at T3 than at T2, and NT-proBNP was higher at T2 than at T1 and T3, and lower in the RG than in the CG (p<0.05). In both groups, SVR and SV at time point T2 were lower than at time point T1 and ET was higher than at time point T1, SVR and SV at time point T3 were higher than at time point T2 and ET was lower than at time point T2, SVR and SV in the RG were higher than in the CG and ET was lower than in the CG (p<0.05). VAS scores were higher in both groups at T4 and T5 than at T3, and lower in the RG than in the CG (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Methoxamine can effectively reduce the risk of hypotension in geriatric endotracheal anesthesia, which can reduce myocardial injury and stabilize cardiac function in patients.

Ventricular Tachycardia Following Ephedrine During Dexmedetomidine Dental Procedural Sedation

We present the case of a 46-year-old man who received ephedrine for hypotension after surgery for a mandibular lesion under intravenous (IV) moderate sedation with dexmedetomidine (DEX) and experienced transient ventricular tachycardia (VT). The patient was scheduled to have cystectomy and multiple apicoectomies for the mandibular periapical infection and the simple bone cyst. Other than obesity, snoring, and a nonalcoholic fatty liver, he denied any other significant medical history, medications, or allergies. The surgery was successful; however, his blood pressure dropped after stopping the DEX infusion. Ephedrine was administered IV several times, which resulted in the onset of VT on the electrocardiogram (ECG). His blood pressure could not be measured at the time, but he was able to respond and breathe independently. A defibrillator was immediately made available. The ECG revealed a spontaneous transition from VT to atrial fibrillation with ST depression. Because he was unable to revert to a normal sinus rhythm, the patient was transferred to a general hospital, where he underwent additional testing. No abnormalities were observed in his heart or brain. After DEX administration, its long-lasting alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist effects can cause vasodilation and inhibition of sympathetic activity, leading to hypotension in some patients. Should that occur, ephedrine can be used to increase blood pressure, but it may also provoke transient coronary artery spasms and lead to VT. Consequently, extreme caution should be exercised in patients who develop hypotension following DEX administration. We also recognize the significance of regular training sessions, such as advanced cardiac life support programs.

The Hypotensive and Vasodilatory Effects Observed in Rats Exposed to Chiranthodendron pentadactylon Larreat Flowers Can Be Attributed to Cyanidin 3-O-Glucoside

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon Larreat is a tree native to southeastern Mexico and Guatemala. Its flower is used in Mexican folk medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including conditions of blood pressure. However, scientific information on its usefulness in this pathology is lacking. The present study evaluates the effect of a methanolic extract (ME) from the flower and its active constituents on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in anesthetized rats (MAPHR). The study also analyzed the effects on rat-isolated aortic rings (RIAR) and the rat mesenteric arterial bed (MABR). Active fractions were chromatographed, which led to the isolation of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) identified through HPLC. The Chiranthodendron pentadactylon flowers produced hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects associated with C3G. The vasorelaxant effect is a mechanism underlying the synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO). Neither cholinergic receptors nor prostaglandins are involved. ME and C3G cause cardiovascular depression in anesthetized rats via cholinergic and prostanoid mechanisms. Our research expands the scientific understanding of the flowers on the rat cardiovascular system. This amplifies the appreciation of the flower's ethnomedicine employed to control blood pressure. However, researchers need to conduct toxicity studies to determine the safety of this plant.

Micro- and macrocirculatory effects of norepinephrine on anaesthesia-induced hypotension: a prospective preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative arterial hypotension (IOH) leads to increased postoperative morbidity. Norepinephrine is often use to treat IOH. The question regarding the mode of administration in either a bolus or continuous infusion remains unanswered. The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the effects on macrocirculation and microcirculation of a bolus and a continuous infusion of norepinephrine to treat IOH.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study with adult patients who underwent neurosurgery. Patients with invasive arterial blood pressure and cardiac output (CO) monitoring were screened for inclusion. All patients underwent microcirculation monitoring by video-capillaroscopy, laser doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy technology, and tissular CO2. In case of IOH, the patient could receive either a bolus of 10 µg or a continuous infusion of 200 µg/h of norepinephrine. Time analysis for comparison between bolus and continuous infusion were at peak of MAP. The primary outcome was MFI by videocapillaroscopy.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were included, with 41 boluses and 33 continuous infusion. Bolus and continuous infusion induced an maximal increase in mean arterial pressure of +30[20-45] and +23[12-34] %, respectively (P=0,07). For macrocirculatory parameters, continuous infusion was associated with a smaller decrease in CO and stroke volume (p<0.05). For microcirculatory parameters, microvascular flow index (-0,1 vs. + 0,3, p=0,03), perfusion index (-12 vs. +12%, p=0,008), total vessel density (-0,2 vs. +2,3 mm2/mm2, p=0,002), showed significant opposite variations with bolus and continuous infusion, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results on macro and microcirculation enlighten the potential benefits of a continuous infusion of norepinephrine rather than a bolus to treat anaesthesia-induced hypotension.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

(NOR-PHARM: 1-17-42 Clinical Trials: NCT03454204), 05/03/2018.