Routine immediate extubation after cardiac operation: a review of our first 100 patients.

BACKGROUND: Early extubation after cardiac operation is an important aspect of fast-track cardiac anesthesia. Immediate extubation is an extension of this concept. We describe a technique that allows immediate extubation in the majority of patients. METHODS: To allow rapid emergence, anesthesia was modified from a high-dose opioid technique to intravenous propofol anesthesia supplemented with sevoflurane. Normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass was used with routine intermittent antegrade and retrograde tepid blood cardioplegia. High thoracic epidural analgesia was used to facilitate immediate extubation in the majority of patients. Contraindications to immediate extubation were prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (>2.5 hours), hemodynamic instability, uncontrolled bleeding, morbid obesity, severe pulmonary hypertension, congestive cardiac failure, or if the operation was emergent. RESULTS: Of 109 consecutive patients, 100 were immediately extubated (92%). No patient required reintubation within the first 24 hours after operation. One patient required reintubation 3 days after operation for sputum retention, and 2 patients required reoperation. There was no mortality and the incidence of perioperative morbidity was low. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate extubation after cardiac operation can be safely achieved and is possible in a majority of patients.     

Routine immediate extubation for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting without thoracic epidural analgesia

BACKGROUND: The expansion of coronary surgery on the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass has led to increasing interest in ultra-fast track anesthesia, allowing extubation of the patient in the operating theater. The techniques described to date combined general anesthesia with thoracic epidural analgesia. We report the routine application of a technique that allows immediate extubation in the majority of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting without thoracic epidural analgesia. METHODS: Fast-track anesthesia using an ultra-shortacting opiate remifentanil, without epidural catheter insertion, was used in 160 unselected patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (aged 43 to 83 years, mean 65 years). There were an average of 2.2 bypass procedures per patient, with the left internal mammary artery used in 93%. Contraindications to immediate extubation were (except for failure to meet standard extubation criteria) hemodynamic instability and persistent bleeding at the end of operation. Satisfactory postoperative pain control was achieved by continuous remifentanil (0.0125 to 0.05 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). RESULTS: Operating theater extubation within 10 minutes of the end of operation was feasible in 150 patients (94%). Five patients (3%) were extubated within 2 hours, and the remaining 5 patients (3%) were converted to standard anesthesia. There were no deaths during hospitalization. Major complications included myocardial infarction and transient ischemic attacks (2 patients each). No pulmonary complications were seen. Episodes of atrial fibrillation occurred in 21% of the patients undergoing operation. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate extubation is possible in most patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting even without thoracic epidural analgesia. We believe this type of less invasive cardiac anesthesia is safe and promising.     

Epidural analgesia in the surgery of congenital tracheal stenosis: slide tracheoplasty on cardiopulmonary bypass

Epidural analgesia in children is highly effective and safe; however, it has not enjoyed great popularity in surgery that requires cardiopulmonary bypass. A major concern is the possibility of damage to blood vessels with the epidural needle or catheter and epidural hematoma formation. There seems to be a low incidence of epidural hematoma if certain guidelines are followed, so that in children, epidural analgesia can be used in selected patients, with safety, when surgical repair requires cardiopulmonary bypass. Epidural morphine has been used for clinical pain relief in pediatric cardiac surgery. Improved pulmonary function, suppressed hormonal and metabolic stress responses, easy early tracheal extubation, and good analgesia and sedation that allows neurological examination to alert any possibles hidden complications, are the advantages. A dedicated medical team is essential in the perioperative management to achieve maximum benefit for these patients.     

Immediate Extubation after Aortic Valve Surgery Using High Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia

Abstract Purpose: Fast-track anesthesia has gained widespread use in cardiac centers around the world. No study has focused on immediate extubation after aortic valve surgery. This study examines the feasibility and hemodynamic stability of immediate extubation after simple or combined aortic valve surgery using thoracic epidural anesthesia. Methods: Thirty patients undergoing aortic valve surgery with an ejection fraction of more than 30% were included in this prospective audit. After insertion of a high thoracic epidural catheter, induction with fentanyl 2 to 4 microg/kg, administration of propofol 1 to 2 mg/kg, and endotracheal intubation facilitated by rocuronium, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane titrated according to bispectral index (target, 50). Perioperative analgesia was provided by high thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) (bupivacaine 0.125% 6-14 mL/h). Hemodynamic data were compared by Friedman test. P <.05 was considered to show a significant difference. Data are presented as median (25th-75th percentile). Results: Patients underwent simple aortic valve surgery (n = 17) or combined aortic valve surgery (n = 13) with additional coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 8), replacement of the ascending aorta (Bentall procedure) (n = 4), and repair of open foramen ovale (n = 1). All 30 patients were extubated within 15 minutes after surgery at 36.5 degrees C (36.4 degrees C-36.6 degrees C). There was no need for reintubation. Pain scores were low immediately after surgery and 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery at 0 (0-3.5), 0 (0-2), 0 (0-2), and 0 (0-2), respectively. During and up to 6 hours after surgery, there was no significant hemodynamic change due to TEA. Fifteen of 30 patients needed temporary pacemaker activation. There were no complications related to TEA. Conclusions: Immediate extubation is feasible after aortic valve surgery with high thoracic epidural analgesia and maintenance of hemodynamic stability throughout surgery. Immediate extubation after aortic valve surgery is a promising new path in cardiac anesthesia.     

To ventilate or not after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: the role of epidural anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of immediate postoperative extubation and postoperative ventilation after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery and to assess the role of epidural anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 90) scheduled for elective MIDCAB surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: 30 patients had general anesthesia and were extubated immediately after surgery (extubated group), 30 patients had a thoracic epidural and general anesthesia and were extubated immediately after surgery (epidural group), and 30 patients had general anesthesia and were ventilated after surgery (intubated group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: With a similar cardiac index and less vasoactive medication, mean arterial blood pressure (77 plus minus 8 mmHg [mean plus minus SD]) and heart rate (76 plus minus 10 beats/min) in the epidural group were lower on the first postoperative day than in the intubated group (83 plus minus 10 mmHg and 81 plus minus 13 beats/min) and the extubated group (86 plus minus 10 mmHg and 83 plus minus 13) (p = 0.01 and p = 0.09). Oxygenation on the first postoperative day was better in the epidural group than in the intubated group (14.8 plus minus 3.8 kPa v 12.6 plus minus 3.2 kPa; p = 0.05). The epidural group and the extubated group had a transient respiratory acidosis postoperatively. Pain score in the epidural group was lower on the first postoperative day than in the extubated group with general anesthesia (3.0 plus minus 1.6 visual analog scale v 4.6 plus minus 1.8 visual analog scale; p = 0.01). Hospital stay was shorter in the epidural group than in the ventilated group (5.9 plus minus 2.4 days v 8.1 plus minus 5.3 days; p = 0.05) CONCLUSION: Immediate postoperative extubation in patients with thoracic epidural anesthesia and supplemental general anesthesia provides the most favorable clinical circumstances after MIDCAB surgery.     

Factors determining the duration of tracheal intubation in cardiac surgery: a single-centre sequential patient audit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to identify those factors associated with early tracheal extubation following cardiac surgery. Previous studies have tended to concentrate on surgery for coronary artery bypass or on other selected cohorts. METHODS: Sequential cohort analysis of 296 unselected adult cardiac surgery patients was performed over 3 months. RESULTS: In total, 39% of all patients were extubated within 6 h, 89% within 24 h and 95% within 48 h. Delayed extubation (>6 h after surgery) appeared unrelated to age, gender, body mass index, a previous pattern of angina or myocardial infarction, diabetes, preoperative atrial fibrillation, and preoperative cardiovascular assessment, as well as other factors. Delayed tracheal extubation was associated with poor left ventricular, renal and pulmonary function, a high Euroscore, as well as the type, duration and urgency of surgery. Early extubation (<6 h) was not associated with a reduced length of stay in either the intensive care unit or in hospital compared with patients who were extubated between 6 and 24 h. In these groups, it is presumed that organizational and not clinical factors appear to be responsible for a delay in discharge from intensive care. Patients who were extubated after 24 h had a longer duration of hospital stay and a greater incidence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were not adversely affected by early tracheal extubation. CONCLUSIONS: In an unselected sequential cohort, both patient- and surgery-specific factors may be influential in determining the duration of postoperative ventilation of the lungs following cardiac surgery. In view of the changing nature of the surgical population, regular re-evaluation is useful in reassessing performance.     

Thoracic epidural anesthesia in cardiac surgical patients: a prospective audit of 2,113 cases

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present an audit report of thoracic epidural anesthesia without permanent neurologic deficits in more than 2,000 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. DESIGN: A prospective audit of cases conducted over a 13-year period. SETTING: Tertiary referral heart hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand one hundred thirteen patients over a period of 13 years. INTERVENTIONS: Epidural catheters were inserted at the C7 to T3 intervertebral space on the day before the operation in all patients; cardiac surgery was performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The authors did not encounter any permanent neurologic deficits in their series. The authors encountered 18 (0.85%) primary dural punctures and 4 cases (0.18%) of temporary neurologic deficits. CONCLUSION: This series adds to the worldwide experience of the use of epidural analgesia concomitantly with anticoagulation in cardiac surgery without serious complications.     

Thoracic epidural anesthesia for cardiac surgery: the effects on tracheal intubation time and length of hospital stay.

Improvements in analgesia after major surgery may allow a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay. We performed a prospective randomized trial to study the effects of epidural analgesia on the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery. The anesthetic technique and postoperative mobilization were altered to facilitate early intensive care discharge and hospital discharge. Fifty patients received high (T1 to T4) thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) with ropivacaine 1% (4-mL bolus, 3-5 mL/h infusion), with fentanyl (100-microg bolus, 15-25 microg/h infusion) and a propofol infusion (6 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Another 50 patients (the General Anesthesia group) received fentanyl 15 microg/kg and propofol (5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)), followed by IV morphine patient-controlled analgesia. The TEA group had lower visual analog scores with coughing postextubation (median, 0 vs 26 mm; P < 0.0001) and were extubated earlier (median hours [interquartile range], 3.2 [2.1-4.6] vs 6.7 [3.3-13.2]; P < 0.0001). More than half of all patients were discharged home on Postoperative Day 4 (24%) or 5 (33%), but there was no difference in the length of stay between the TEA group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [5-6]) and the General Anesthesia group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [4-7]). There were no differences in postoperative spirometry or chest radiograph changes or in markers for postoperative myocardial ischemia or infarction. No significant TEA-related complications occurred. In summary, TEA provided better analgesia and allowed earlier tracheal extubation but did not reduce the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery. IMPLICATIONS: We found that epidural analgesia was more effective than IV morphine for cardiac surgery. Epidural anesthesia also allowed earlier weaning from mechanical ventilation, but it did not affect hospital discharge time.     

Immediate extubation and epidural analgesia allow safe management in a high-dependency unit after two-stage oesophagectomy. Results of eight years of experience in a specialized upper gastrointestinal unit in a district general hospital

Background. The perioperative management of two-stage oesophagectomyhas not been standardized and the prevailing practice regardingthe timing of extubation after the procedure varies. This audithas evaluated the outcome, in particular the respiratory morbidityand mortality, after immediate extubation in patients who havehad thoracic epidural analgesia. Methods. All the patients who underwent two-stage oesophagectomyby a single specialist upper gastrointestinal surgeon were recordedboth retrospectively (1993–1999) and prospectively (1999–2001).Physical characteristics, comorbid factors, anaesthetic managementand postoperative events were recorded on a computer database.Analysis was undertaken to evaluate the morbidity and mortality,in particular the need for reventilation and transfer to theITU. Results. Seventy-six patients underwent two-stage oesophagectomybetween 1993 and 2001. Seventy-three (96%) patients were extubatedin theatre and transferred to a high-dependency bed. Three wereventilated electively and extubated within 36 h and madean uncomplicated recovery. Seven (10%) of the immediately extubatedpatients subsequently needed admission to the ICU and reventilation.Sixty-seven patients had effective epidural analgesia and nineneeded i.v. morphine by patient-controlled analgesia. The 30-dayor in-hospital mortality was 2.6% (2 of 76). A further two patientsdied within 90 days, but after discharge. Respiratory complicationswere responsible for half of the overall morbidity (44.7%).Respiratory failure occurred in 6.5% (5 of 76) and acute respiratorydistress syndrome in 2.6% (2 of 76). Both the in-hospital deathsoccurred in patients requiring reventilation and resulted fromrespiratory complications. The following factors were foundto be significant in the reventilated patients: duration ofone-lung ventilation; forced expiratory volume in the firstsecond; and ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second/forcedvital capacity. Conclusions. Immediate extubation after two-stage oesophagectomyin patients with thoracic epidural analgesia is safe and associatedwith low morbidity and mortality. Patients can be managed ina high-dependency unit, thus avoiding the need for intensivecare. This has cost-saving and logistical implications. Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 474–9     

Is very early extubation after lung transplantation feasible?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate donor graft function, intraoperative blood consumption, and oxygenation and hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing lung transplantation. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three patients undergoing lung transplantation from January 1999 to June 2001. INTERVENTIONS: Hemodynamic monitoring, early extubation, and noninvasive ventilation criteria. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 31 nonearly extubated patients showed a lower PaO(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (F(I)O(2)), a higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure, extravascular lung-water index (EVLWI) and vasoactive drug support (norepinephrine), and more blood products consumption than 12 early extubated patients at the end of surgery. Seven of 12 early extubated patients did not show any signs of respiratory failure after tracheal extubation; they were alert and able to perform deep breathing exercise and coughing. In the other 5 patients, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and an increase of respiratory rate >30 breaths/min were observed. The intermittent application of noninvasive pressure ventilation by face mask avoided endotracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: The use of a short-acting anesthetic drug, appropriate intraoperative extubation criteria, epidural analgesia, and postoperative noninvasive ventilation make early extubation of lung-transplanted patients possible and effective.     

Immediate extubation after aortic valve surgery using high thoracic epidural analgesia or opioid-based analgesia

OBJECTIVE: Fast-track anesthesia has gained widespread use in cardiac centers around the world. No study has been published focusing on immediate extubation after aortic valve surgery. This study examines the feasibility and hemodynamic stability of immediate extubation after simple or combined aortic valve surgery using either thoracic epidural analgesia or opioid-based analgesia. DESIGN: Prospective audit, pilot study. SETTING: Single-institution university medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (N = 45). INTERVENTIONS: Forty-five patients undergoing aortic valve surgery with an ejection fraction of more than 30% were included in this prospective audit. Induction of anesthesia was done using fentanyl, 2 to 4 mug/kg, propofol, 1 to 2 mg/kg, and endotracheal intubation facilitated by rocuronium; anesthesia was maintained using sevoflurane titrated according to bispectral index (BIS [BIS target: 50]). Perioperative analgesia was provided by high thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA group, bupivacaine 0.125%, 6 to 14 mL/h) or fentanyl, up to 10 microg/kg, followed by patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (OPIOID group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Success of extubation within 30 minutes after surgery was recorded. Hemodynamic data during surgery were compared by using an analysis of variance test; p < 0.05 was considered as showing a significant difference. Data presented as median (25th-75th percentile). In the TEA group, patients underwent simple aortic valve replacement (N = 21) or combined aortic valve surgery (N = 14), with additional coronary artery bypass grafting (N = 10) and replacement of the ascending aorta (Bentall, N = 4). In the OPIOID group, patients underwent simple aortic valve replacement (N = 5) or combined aortic valve surgery (N = 5), with additional aortocoronary bypass grafting (N = 2), replacement of the ascending aorta (Bentall, N = 2), and reconstruction of the mitral valve (N = 1). All 45 patients were extubated within 15 minutes after surgery. There was no need for reintubation; pain scores were lower in the TEA group than in the OPIOID group immediately after surgery and at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. For the TEA group and OPIOID group, the pain scores were 0 (0-2), 0 (0-2), 0 (0-1.5), and 0 (0-0) and 5 (4-5.75), 4 (3-4.5), 4 (3.25-4), and 1 (0-2.5), respectively. During and up to 6 hours after surgery, there was no significant hemodynamic difference between the TEA and OPIOID groups. Eighteen of 45 patients needed temporary pacemaker activation. There were no epidural hematoma or neurologic complications related to TEA. CONCLUSION: Immediate extubation is feasible after aortic valve surgery using either high thoracic epidural analgesia or opioid-based analgesia; both techniques maintain hemodynamic stability throughout surgery. TEA provides superior pain control.     

Epidural anesthesia and analgesia: effects on recovery from cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: To measure predefined clinical effects resulting from the use of epidural anesthesia and analgesia during and after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, nonblinded clinical trial. SETTING: Single academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Sixty participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 study groups: (1) A control group received general anesthesia during surgery and intravenous opiate analgesia after surgery. (2) A treatment group received thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia during surgery and epidural analgesia for the first 24 postoperative hours. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary study measurements were planned to evaluate recovery from surgery and included time to tracheal extubation, duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay, duration of postoperative hospitalization, pain control, urinary free cortisol, cardiopulmonary complication rate, and total hospital charges. No statistically significant differences between the 2 study groups were found in these main measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course of elective cardiac surgical patients who receive epidural anesthesia during surgery and epidural analgesia after surgery is comparable to that of patients managed with general anesthesia alone during surgery followed by parenteral opiate analgesia after surgery.     

Do patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting need the intensive care unit? A prospective audit of 85 patients

With limited resources, cardiac surgery is frequently cancelled due to lack of ICU beds. Immediate postoperative extubation (UFT) is performed in our hospital setting. The aim of the present study is to report patients undergoing off-pump aortocoronary bypass grafting (OPCABG) with immediate extubation and no ICU stay. Eighty-five patients undergoing OPCABG were included. UFT analgesia consisted of high thoracic epidural analgesia (n=65), or PCA morphine (n=20). Discharge criteria from PACU to cardiac ward were: alert, cooperative patient, respiratory rate <25/min, PaO(2)>80 mmHg and PaCO(2)<45 mmHg, temperature >36 degrees C, hemodynamic stability, no bleeding, no ischemia, and sufficient analgesia. More males (71/14) were included. Mean age was 63.4 years, NYHA class III, ejection fraction 59.4. Three grafts were performed in 119 min. Patients were extubated 12+/-2 min after closure. After 428 min in PACU, four patients did not meet ward criteria; three bradycardia requiring pacing, one elevated CK-MB. Two patients returned to the ICU, one for hypertension, and one for hypovolemia. Cardiac complications were: atrial fibrillation (29%), MI=2, bradycardia=3. During the same period, 304 OR-extubated patients spent 21+/-6 h in the ICU. The cost from leaving the OR until the patient reached the cardiac ward was 1265$ for ICU bypass patients vs. 6405$ for ICU patients, the difference representing 5140$ per patient. ICU bypass after OPCABG is safe. By avoiding ICU, this protocol reduces costs, improves resource utilization and may reduce OR cancellation due to ICU bed shortages.     

Epidural analgesia in gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND: The ideal perioperative analgesia should provide effective pain relief, avoid the detrimental effects of the stress response, be simple to administer without the need for intensive monitoring, and have a low risk of complications. METHODS: This review defines the physiological effects of epidural analgesia and assesses whether the available evidence supports its preferential use in gastrointestinal surgery. All papers studied were identified from a Medline search or selected by cross-referencing. RESULTS: Epidural analgesia is associated with a shorter duration of postoperative ileus, attenuation of the stress response, fewer pulmonary complications, and improved postoperative pain control and recovery. It does not reduce anastomotic leakage, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement, risk of thromboembolism or cardiac morbidity, or hospital stay compared with that after conventional analgesia in unselected patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Thoracic epidural analgesia reduces hospital costs and stay in patients at high risk of cardiac or pulmonary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural analgesia enhances recovery after gastrointestinal surgery. The results support the development of structured regimens of early postoperative feeding and mobilization to exploit the potential for thoracic epidural analgesia to reduce hospital stay after gastrointestinal surgery.     

Thoracic epidural analgesia in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: seven years' experience

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of neurologic complications caused by an epidural hematoma in a series of patients who had coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass under combined general and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: General hospital associated with a university. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred fourteen patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting surgery over a 7-year period. INTERVENTIONS: An epidural catheter was inserted at T(1)-T(3) as soon as the patient was in the operating room and local anesthetic was administered as a bolus and then as a continuous infusion throughout the operation and postoperatively. A set of safety guidelines was routinely followed. A protocol for postoperative neurologic evaluation was used to rule out any signs of spinal compression. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Preoperatively, a battery of coagulation tests was systematically performed including APTT, platelet count, and prothrombin time. Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin) were stopped at least 7 days before surgery. No patient required parenteral opiates postoperatively. Seventy-five percent of the patients were extubated in the operating room. No clinical epidural hematomas were detected. CONCLUSION: In this study, some of the benefits previously reported during cardiac surgery under TEA, such as excellent analgesia and early extubation, were confirmed. In addition, the series adds further evidence that adherence to a set of standard safety measures, in this setting, averts the occurrence of symptomatic epidural hematomas.     

Thoracic epidurals in heart valve surgery: neurologic risk evaluation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of neurologic complications resulting from epidural hematoma in a series of patients who had surgery for repair or replacement of heart valves under combined general and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: General reference hospital associated with a university. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 305) who had surgery for replacement or repair of heart valves. INTERVENTIONS: An epidural catheter was inserted at T1-3 as soon as the patient was in the operating room, and local anesthetic was administered as a bolus, then as a continuous infusion throughout the operation and postoperatively. A protocol for postoperative neurologic evaluation was used to rule out clinical signs of spinal lesions. A set of safety guidelines was routinely followed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Preoperatively a battery of coagulation tests was systematically carried out: activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, and prothrombin time. Oral anticoagulants (warfarin) were stopped >60 hours before surgery, and antiplatelet drugs (aspirin) were stopped 7 days before. No patient required parenteral opiates postoperatively. Of the patients, 65% were extubated in the operating room. There were no neurologic complications resulting from epidural hematoma. CONCLUSION: TEA can provide effective postoperative analgesia and assist in early tracheal extubation in cardiac valve surgery. In this series, there were no neurologic deficits detected. When certain safety measures are taken, routine TEA is feasible and helpful in cardiac valve surgery.     

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia for coronary artery bypass graft surgeryEffects on postoperative complications

We have performed a retrospective analysis of the peri-operative course of 218 consecutive patients who underwent routine coronary artery bypass graft surgery in this institution. All patients received a standardised general anaesthetic using target-controlled infusions of alfentanil and propofol. One hundred patients also received thoracic epidural anaesthesia with bupivacaine and clonidine, started before surgery and continued for 5 days after surgery. The remaining 118 patients received target-controlled infusion of alfentanil for analgesia for the first 24 h after surgery, followed by intravenous patient-controlled morphine analgesia for a further 48 h. Using computerised patient medical records, we analysed the frequency of respiratory, neurological, renal, gastrointestinal, haematological and cardiovascular complications in these two groups. New arrhythmias requiring treatment occurred in 18% of the thoracic epidural anaesthesia group of patients compared with 32% of the general anaesthesia group (p = 0.02). There was also a trend towards a reduced incidence of respiratory complications in the thoracic epidural anaesthesia group. The time to tracheal extubation was decreased in the epidural group, with the tracheas of 21% of the patients being extubated immediately after surgery compared with 2% in the general anaesthesia group (p < 0.001). There were no serious neurological problems resulting from the use of thoracic epidural analgesia.     

Ultra-fast-track anesthesia in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective audit comparing opioid-based anesthesia vs thoracic epiduralbased anesthesia

PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility of immediate extubation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) using opioid based analgesia or high thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and compare postoperative analgesia with continuous TEA vs patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing OPCAB were included in this prospective audit. After induction of anesthesia using fentanyl 2 to 5 microg.kg(-1), propofol 1 to 2 mg.kg(-1) and endotracheal intubation facilitated by rocuronium, anesthesia was maintained using sevoflurane titrated according to bispectral index monitoring. Perioperative analgesia was provided by TEA (n = 63) at the T3/T4 interspace or T4/T5 interspace using bupivacaine 0.125% 8 to 14 mL.hr(-1) and repetitive boluses of bupivacaine 0.25% during surgery. In patients who were fully anticoagulated or refused TEA, perioperative analgesia was achieved by i.v. fentanyl boluses (up to 15 microg.kg(-1)) and remifentanil 0.1 to 0.2 microg.kg(-1).min(-1), followed by morphine PCA after surgery (n = 37). Maintenance of body temperature was achieved by a heated operating room and forced-air warming blankets. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were extubated within 25 min after surgery (PCA, n = 33; TEA, n = 62). Five patients were not extubated immediately because their core temperature was lower than 35 degrees C. One patient was re-intubated because of agitation (TEA group); one was re-intubated because of severe pain and morphine-induced respiratory depression (PCA group). Pain scores were low after surgery, with pain scores in the TEA group being significantly lower immediately, at six hours, 24 hr and 48 hr after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Immediate extubation is possible after OPCAB using either opioid-based analgesia or TEA. TEA provides significantly lower pain scores after surgery in comparison to morphine PCA.     

Postoperative tracheal extubation after orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and its influence on pulmonary function in liver transplant recipients is still debated controversially. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of immediate tracheal extubation, prolonged mechanical ventilation (>24 h following surgery), and episodes of reintubation in 546 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at our institution. RESULTS: Immediate tracheal extubation in the operating theater was achieved in 18.7% of patients, and prolonged mechanical ventilation was required by 11.2% of patients. In these, median time of extubation was 49.5 h, whereas the remaining 70.1% of patients required ventilation support for a median 5 h after OLT. As risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation we identified the indications of acute liver failure and retransplantation, as well as factors such as mechanical ventilation prior to OLT, massive intraoperative bleeding, and severe reperfusion injury of the liver graft. The incidence of reintubation was 8.8% in patients who were immediately extubated following surgery, and 13.1% in patients who underwent extubation within 24 h. The incidence was significantly increased in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (36.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate tracheal extubation was safe and well tolerated. The incidence of reintubation was not increased when compared to patients in whom extubation succeeded later. However, special attention should be given to transplant recipients presenting in reduced clinical condition at the time of OLT, undergoing complicated surgery, or receiving liver allografts with severe reperfusion injury because of an increased risk for prolonged mechanical ventilation.     

Near-total esophagectomy: the influence of standardized multimodal management and intraoperative fluid restriction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Esophagectomy can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. We present our experience managing these patients using a standardized multimodal approach that emphasizes intraoperative fluid restriction and early extubation. METHODS: This case series includes 56 consecutive patients over a 2-year period (1999-2000) that underwent near-total esophagectomy at a high-volume center. Surgical approach was determined by patient and tumor characteristics; intraoperative fluid replacement was conservative; and patient-controlled epidural anesthesia/analgesia was used to promote early extubation, enteral feeding, and ambulation. RESULTS: Overall morbidity was 18%; in-hospital and 30-day mortality was zero. Intraoperative urinary volume averaged 0.57 mL/kg/h. No patient developed postoperative renal dysfunction or pulmonary complications. All patients were extubated in the operating room. First ambulation averaged 1.6 days after surgery. Median intensive care unit and hospital stays were 1 and 10 days, respectively. Side effects from thoracic epidural analgesia were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Significant reduction in esophagectomy-related morbidity is possible using a standardized multimodal approach in routine clinical practice. Intraoperative fluid restriction may facilitate early extubation and reduce pulmonary complications without compromising renal function. This preliminary observation warrants further study in a randomized clinical trial.