European Journal of Anaesthesiology最新文献

Background: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is important to increase lung volume and counteract airway closure during anaesthesia, especially in obese patients. However, maintaining PEEP during emergence preoxygenation might increase postoperative atelectasis by allowing susceptible lung areas to be filled with highly absorbable oxygen that gets entrapped when small airways collapse due to the sudden loss of PEEP at extubation.

Objective: This study aimed to test the hypothesis that withdrawing PEEP just before emergence preoxygenation would better maintain postoperative oxygenation.

Design: Prospective, randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Single centre secondary hospital in Sweden between December 2019 and January 2023.

Patients: A total of 60 patients, with body mass index between 35 and 50 kg m -2 , undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Intervention: Intraoperative ventilation was the same for all patients with a fixed PEEP of 12 or 14 cmH 2 O depending on body mass index. No recruitment manoeuvres were used. After surgery, patients were allocated to maintained PEEP or zero PEEP during emergence preoxygenation.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was change in oxygenation from before awakening to 45 min postoperatively as measured by estimated venous admixture calculated from arterial blood gases.

Results: Both groups had impaired oxygenation postoperatively; in the group with PEEP maintained during awakening, estimated venous admixture increased by mean 9.1%, and for the group with zero PEEP during awakening, estimated venous admixture increased by mean 10.6%, difference -1.5% (95% confidence interval -4.6 to 1.7%), P  = 0.354. Throughout anaesthesia, both groups exhibited low driving pressures and superior oxygenation compared with the awake state.

Conclusions: Withdrawing PEEP before emergence preoxygenation, did not alter early postoperative oxygenation in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Intraoperative oxygenation was excellent despite using fixed PEEP and no recruitment manoeuvres, but deteriorated after extubation, indicating a need for future studies aimed at improving the emergence procedure.

Clinical trial number and registry: www.clinicaltrials.gov , NCT04150276.

Background: Previous studies have discussed the correlation between mechanical power (MP) and lung injury. However, evidence regarding the relationship between MP and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in children remains limited, specifically during one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Objectives: Propensity score matching was employed to generate low MP and high MP groups to verify the relationship between MP and PPCs. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors of PPCs in young children undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: Single-site tertiary children's hospital.

Patients: Children aged ≤2 years who underwent VATS between January 2018 and February 2023.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: The incidence of PPCs.

Results: Overall, 581 (median age, 6 months [interquartile range: 5-9.24 months]) children were enrolled. The median [interquartile range] MP during OLV were 2.17 [1.84 to 2.64) J min-1. One hundred and nine (18.76%) children developed PPCs. MP decreased modestly during the study period (2.63 to 1.99 J min-1; P < 0.0001). In the propensity score matched cohort for MP (221 matched pairs), MP (median MP 2.63 vs. 1.84 J min-1) was not associated with a reduction in PPCs (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.87 to 2.37; P = 0.16). In the propensity score matched cohort for dynamic components of MP (139 matched pairs), dynamic components (mean 2.848 vs. 4.162 J min-1) was not associated with a reduction in PPCs (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.85 to 3.10; P  = 0.15).The multiple logistic analysis revealed PPCs within 7 days of surgery were associated with male gender, OLV duration >90 min, less surgeon's experience and lower positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) value.

Conclusions: MP and dynamic components were not associated with PPCs in young children undergoing VATS, whereas PPCs were associated with male gender, OLV duration >90 min, less surgeon's experience and lower PEEP value.

Trial registration: ChiCTR2300074649.

Background: Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with the risk of acquired coagulopathy, including dysregulated fibrinolysis, which can result in life-threatening bleeding complications. Aprotinin, an antifibrinolytic agent, has been recommended for the prevention of these complications. Its effectiveness has been attributed to its ability to nonspecifically inhibit various serine proteases involved in the coagulation and fibrinolysis cascade. Additionally, aprotinin may protect platelets from CPB-induced dysfunction through a platelet-sparing effect, further enhancing its efficacy.

Objectives: The biochemical pathways underlying aprotinin's platelet-sparing effect remain unclear. Furthermore, it is uncertain to what extent this effect contributes to reducing blood loss and need for transfusion.

Design: A scoping review.

Data sources: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane were searched from inception until 21 December 2023.

Eligibility criteria: Studies in which a platelet-sparing effect of aprotinin was investigated. These included systematic reviews; experimental, and observational studies describing healthy humans, patients, or animals undergoing any type of surgery; studies in which donated blood was used for in-vitro studies.

Results: Sixty-four studies were deemed eligible, the majority of which observed a platelet-sparing effect, attributing it to the inhibition of platelet aggregation (via protection of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors), platelet adhesion (by protection of GP Ib receptors), both aggregation and adhesion receptors, proteolysis of protease-activated receptor 1 receptors, platelet activation (by inhibition of plasmin) and platelet activation (by inhibition of thrombin). A dose-dependency of the platelet-sparing effect was investigated in both in-vitro studies and randomised controlled trials, yielding mixed results. No studies have explored the relative contribution of aprotinin's platelet-sparing effect and its antifibrinolytic effect in reducing blood loss and need for transfusion.

Conclusions: This review elucidated current knowledge on how aprotinin influences platelets and exerts its platelet-sparing effect, while highlighting gaps in the existing literature.

Resistance to the effects of rocuronium and other neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) has been previously reported, including delayed onset of relaxation, rapid recovery and incomplete paralysis under recommended doses. These conditions have been associated with denervation injury, burns, immobilisation, infections, metabolic disorders, and drug interactions. In this report, we describe the case of a young male without any known pre-disposing factor for NMBA resistance, who failed to attain muscle relaxation with non-depolarising NMBA despite high doses of rocuronium and atracurium during two surgeries for colorectal cancer, several months apart. Investigations for drug failure and genetic testing did not indicate a plausible cause. After chemotherapy and tumour resection, the patient underwent a third surgical procedure under general anaesthesia with normalised NMBA response. Patient's written consent was obtained for publication.

Background: Preoperative anaemia is associated with poor postoperative outcomes; however, few studies have reported its prevalence in developing countries and its association with significant postoperative outcomes.

Objective: We aimed to identify the prevalence of anaemia and its association with postoperative outcomes in a major public hospital in Brazil.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single-centre, 860-bed, quaternary university-affiliated teaching hospital in Southern Brazil.

Patients: We included adult patients who had undergone surgery between 2015 and 2019. Main outcome measures: The main outcome was the in-hospital 30-day postoperative mortality. According to the World Health Organisation, we defined anaemia and its sub-classification (mild, moderate, and severe). We developed Poisson regression models to examine the association between preoperative anaemia and outcomes.

Results: We included 15 166 patients, of whom 6387 (42.1%) were anaemic. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with anaemia had an increased risk of in-hospital 30-day postoperative mortality (relative risk (RR) 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44 to 1.99, P  < 0.001). Mild [relative risk (RR) 1.38, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.71, P  = 0.003], moderate (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.10, P  < 0.001), and severe anaemia (RR 2.43, 95% CI 1.92 to 3.07, P  < 0.001) were associated with the primary outcome. Anaemia increased the transfusion risk (RR 4.44, 95% CI 3.90 to 5.06, P  < 0.001) and postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.16, P  = 0.001).

Conclusions: Four out of 10 patients had anaemia. These patients had an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes. Comprehension of the magnitude and impact of anaemia is essential to establish interventions in low-resource scenarios to optimise the patient's journey.

Study registration: Institutional Review Board Registration number 40522820000005327 (Brazilian CEP/CONEP System, available in https://plataformabrasil.saude.gov.br/ ).

Background: Fully digital preoperative information could save valuable time and resources. However, compared with face to face consultations, equivalent levels of safety, patient satisfaction and participation need to be maintained when using other methods to inform patients. This trial compared knowledge retention between preoperative stand-alone video education and face-to-face education by an anaesthesiologist.

Objectives: To assess if video education, alone or combined with face-to-face education, leads to better knowledge retention more than conventional face-to-face education.

Design: A randomised controlled trial with four arms: Video, Anaesthesiologist, Video & Anaesthesiologist, and Reference for baseline measurements and exploration of a test-enhanced learning effect.

Setting: A Dutch tertiary care centre from February 2022 to February 2023.

Patients: A total of 767 adult patients undergoing preoperative consultation for elective non-cardiothoracic surgery, with 677 included in the complete case analysis.

Interventions: Stand-alone preoperative video education and video education in combination with face-to-face education in the preoperative outpatient clinic.

Main outcome measures: Primary outcome, measured by the Rotterdam Anaesthesia Knowledge Questionnaire, was knowledge retention on day 0. Secondary outcomes included knowledge retention at 14 and 42 days, preoperative anxiety, and the need for additional information using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale. Other outcomes were satisfaction, self-assessed knowledge, and test-enhanced learning effect.

Results: Stand-alone video education led to higher Rotterdam Anaesthesia Knowledge Questionnaire scores than face-to-face education on day 0: median [IQR], 87.5 [81.3 to 93.8] vs. 81.3 [68.8 to 87.5], P < 0.001. Combined education in the "Video & Anaesthesiologist" group led to better knowledge retention compared with both the "Anaesthesiologist" group and the Video group: 93.8 [87.5 to 93.8] vs. 81.3 [68.8 to 87.5], P < 0.001; 93.8 [87.5 to 93.8] vs. 87.5 [81.3 to 93.8], P = 0.01, respectively. No differences in the patients' preoperative anxiety and satisfaction levels were found.

Conclusion: Compared with face-to-face education by an anaesthesiologist, stand-alone video and combined video education improve short-term knowledge retention, without increasing patient anxiety.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05188547 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05188547).

Background and study objective: Delirium is an organic mental syndrome significantly associated with long-term cognitive decline, increased hospital stays and higher mortality. This systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analysis assesses the association of remimazolam with postoperative cognitive function and delirium compared with non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.

Design: Systematic review of RCTs with meta-analysis.

Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases up to 27 April 2024.

Eligibility criteria: Adult patients undergoing general anaesthesia or sedation procedures; use of remimazolam as the primary hypnotic or as an adjunct, administered via intermittent bolus or continuous infusion; comparison with other hypnotics or sedatives; evaluation of cognitive function or delirium.

Main results: Twenty-three RCTs with 3598 patients were included. The incidence of delirium was not significantly different between remimazolam and other sedatives in general anaesthesia and sedation procedures [n = 3261; odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.76 to 1.91; P = 0.378843; I2 = 17%]. Regarding cognitive function evaluation, remimazolam showed no difference compared with the control group in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores on the first postoperative day (n = 263; mean difference = 0.60, 95% CI, -1.46 to 2.66; P = 0.5684; I2 = 90%) or on the third postoperative day (n = 163; mean difference  = 1.33, 95% CI, -0.72 to 3.38; P = 0.2028; I2 = 93%). Remimazolam exhibited superiority over the control group in MMSE scores on the seventh postoperative day (n = 247; mean difference = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.75; P < 0.0001; I2 = 28%).

Conclusion: Remimazolam does not increase the incidence of delirium or cognitive impairments compared with non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. However, the analysis showed that the type of surgery significantly influenced the incidence of delirium. Additionally, remimazolam was associated with better short-term postoperative cognitive function.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42024532751.