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D R Spahn

Publications and source records attributed to D R Spahn.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Clonidine decreases propofol requirements during anaesthesia: effect on bispectral index.

Assessment of the effect of clonidine on depth of anaesthesia is difficult because clonidine combines analgesic, sedative and direct haemodynamic effects. We thus evaluated the influence of clonidine on the bispectral index (BIS) and its potential dose-sparing effect on propofol. After induction of anaesthesia with target-controlled infusion of propofol and obtaining an unchanged bispectral index (pre-BIS), clonidine 4 microg kg(-1) or placebo was administered randomly to 50 patients in a double-blind manner. Subsequently, if there was a decrease in BIS we reduced the target concentration of propofol until pre-BIS was reached. The pre-BIS was maintained and a remifentanil infusion was added during surgery. The courses of the BIS, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded and the total amounts of intra-operative propofol and remifentanil were determined. Assessment of implicit memory during anaesthesia was performed with an auditory implicit memory test consisting of item sequences. Administration of clonidine resulted in a decrease in the BIS from 45 (SD 4) to 40 (6) (P<0.001), which allowed a reduction of propofol target concentration from 3.3 (0.6) to 2.7 (0.7) microg ml(-1) (P<0.001) and measured propofol concentration from 2.9 (0.6) to 2.5 (0.7) kg ml(-1) (P=0.009) in order to maintain the pre-BIS value. During subsequent surgery, propofol requirements were reduced by 20% (P=0.002) in the clonidine group and a similar amount of remifentanil was used in each group. The increase in anaesthetic depth given by clonidine can therefore be measured with bispectral EEG analysis and allows reduction of the propofol dose to achieve a specific depth of anaesthesia.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

Isolated reduction of haematocrit does not compromise in vitro blood coagulation.

Low haematocrit values are generally well tolerated in terms of oxygen transport but a low haematocrit might interfere with blood coagulation. We thus sampled 60 ml of blood in 30 healthy volunteers. The blood was centrifuged for 30 min at 2000 g and separated into plasma, which contained the platelet fraction, and packed red blood cells. The blood was subsequently reconstituted by combining the entire plasma fraction with a mixture of packed red blood cells, 0.9% saline, so that the final haematocrit was either 40, 30, 20, or 10%. Blood coagulation was assessed by computerized Thrombelastograph analysis. Data were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction. Decreasing the haematocrit from 40 to 10% resulted in a shortening of reaction time (r) and coagulation time (k), and an increase in angle alpha, maximum amplitude (MA) and clot strength (G) (all P<0.02). This pattern represents acceleration of blood coagulation with low haematocrit values. The isolated reduction in haematocrit, therefore, does not compromise in vitro blood coagulation.

Adult↗

Physiological properties of blood substitutes.

Blood substitutes (modified hemoglobin solutions, perfluorocarbon emulsions) serve as artificial oxygen carriers and are alternatives to blood transfusions. Hemoglobin solutions mimic the sigmoidal oxygen dissociation curve of natural blood. Perfluorocarbon emulsions exhibit a linear relation between PO2 and dissolved oxygen. The most advanced substances may enter medicine in few years.

Animals↗

Current status of artificial oxygen carriers.

Artificial oxygen carriers may be grouped into modified hemoglobin solutions and fluorocarbon emulsions. In animal experiments, both have been shown to be efficacious in improving tissue oxygenation and as substitutes for blood transfusions. Advantages and disadvantages are being discussed in this article as well as the latest steps in the clinical development.

Animals↗

Preoperative clonidine attenuates stress response during emergence from anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a single preoperative IV dose of clonidine blunts the hemodynamic and hyperadrenergic responses not only to intubation, but also to extubation. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS: 29 ASA physical status I and II patients (ages 18-65) who were scheduled for noncardiac, elective surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to either receive clonidine 3 microg/kg IV immediately before anesthesia induction or placebo. INTERVENTIONS: Insertion of a 14 G cannula in a large cubital vein for the determination of plasma catecholamines using local anesthesia. Insertion of a radial artery catheter for measuring blood pressure (BP) using local anesthesia. Transthoracic echocardiography to determine cardiac output (CO). MEASUREMENTS: Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), CO, and plasma catecholamine concentrations. Measurements were performed: before induction (baseline), during intubation, 10 min after intubation, after surgery, during extubation, and 10 min after extubation. MAIN RESULTS: During intubation MAP, HR, and CO were lower in the clonidine group. Compared with baseline measurements, MAP and CO increased less in the clonidine group during intubation. During extubation, MAP was lower in the clonidine group. CO and MAP increased less as compared with baseline measurements in the clonidine group. Compared with the measurements after surgery CO less in the clonidine group during extubation (p < 0.05 for all results). CONCLUSIONS: A single preoperative IV dose of clonidine (3 microg/kg) blunts the hemodynamic responses due to extubation in noncardiac surgery of intermediate duration.

Adolescent↗

Carbon dioxide elimination during high-frequency jet ventilation for rigid bronchoscopy.

Oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide values should be monitored during high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). Modern transcutaneous PCO2 (PtcCO2) measurement allows the estimation of ventilation efficiency. We studied how tests of lung function could predict carbon dioxide elimination during HFJV. Lung function tests from 180 adult patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy were analysed as factors affecting carbon dioxide elimination. The lung function test results showed a significant relationship with the efficiency of carbon dioxide elimination; the greatest impairment of carbon dioxide elimination was found in patients with combined abnormalities of lung function. Further factors associated with difficult carbon dioxide elimination were male gender and elevated body weight. Of the patients investigated, 72% had normal carbon dioxide elimination, whereas in 23% hypercapnia could be avoided only by increasing the driving pressure. The prevalence of abnormal preoperative lung function test results predicts (sensitivity 76%, positive predictive value 27%) impaired carbon dioxide elimination during jet ventilation and rigid bronchoscopy.

Adolescent↗

Influence of airway-occluding instruments on airway pressure during jet ventilation for rigid bronchoscopy.

We measured changes in airway pressure (Paw) caused by microsurgical instruments introduced into a rigid bronchoscope during high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). With approval of the institutional Ethics Committee, 10 adults undergoing elective tracheobronchial endoscopy and endosonography during general anaesthesia were investigated. Inflation of an endosonography probe balloon in the left main stem bronchus caused airway obstruction. Pressure measurements proximal and distal to the obstruction were compared after three degrees of obstruction (0%, 50% and 90%) and with two different driving pressure settings. Airway obstruction increased the mean (SD) peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) from 7.5 (2.6) to 9.5 (3.5) mm Hg for 2 atm (P = 0.0008) and from 9.7 (3.7) to 13.0 (5.1) mm Hg for 3 atm (P = 0.0001). Airway obstruction did not alter peripheral PIP (7.2 (4.1) to 7.1 (3.7) mm Hg for 2 atm and 8.8 (4.3) to 9.4 (5.2) mm for 3 atm), but resulted in an end-expiratory pressure (EEP) beyond the narrowing being significantly greater than in the unobstructed airway (2.5 (3.4) to 5.5 (3.7) mm Hg for 2 atm; P = 0.0005) and 3.2 (3.6) to 8.0 (4.3) mm for 3 atm; P < 0.0001). Severe airway narrowing increases inspiratory pressure proximal and expiratory pressure distal to the obstruction in relation to the applied driving pressure. Since the distal EEP never exceeded PIP, even near-total airway obstruction should not cause severe lung distension or barotrauma in subjects with normal lungs.

Aged↗

Citrate storage affects Thrombelastograph analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thrombelastograph analysis (TEG) is used to evaluate blood coagulation. Ideally, whole blood is immediately processed. If impossible, blood may be citrated and assessed after recalcification. No data describe the effect of such treatment and storage on TEG parameters. METHODS: Three studies were performed in 90 surgical patients. In 30 patients, blood was citrated (1:10, 0. 129 M) and recalcified (20 microl 2 M CaCl2 to 340 microl citrated blood), and TEG was performed with native blood and after recalcification after 0, 15, and 30 min of citrate storage. In another 30 patients, TEG was performed with citrated blood recalcified immediately and after 1-72 h storage. In a third study, thrombin-antithrombin complex, prothrombin fragment 1+2, and beta-thromboglobulin were measured (using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay tests) at corresponding time points. Data were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hocpaired t tests. RESULTS: TEG parameters were different in recalcified citrated blood compared with native blood (P < 0.05) and changed significantly during 30-min (P < 0.025) and 72-h (P < 0.001) citrate storage. TEG parameters measured between 1 and 8 h of citrate storage were stable. Thrombin-antithrombin complex and prothrombin fragment 1+2 values were not elevated in native blood. After 30 min of citrate storage a gradual thrombin activation was observed, as evidenced by increasing thrombin-antithrombin complex and prothrombin fragment 1+2 values (P < 0.05). beta-Thromboglobulin level was increased after 2 and 8 h of citrate storage (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of native blood yields the most reliable TEG results. Should immediate TEG processing not be possible, citrated blood may be used if recalcified after 1-8 h.

Analysis of Variance↗

Low- and medium-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starches: comparison of their effect on blood coagulation.

BACKGROUND: High-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch (HES) compromises blood coagulation more than medium-molecular-weight HES. The authors compared medium molecular weight HES (200 kd [HES200]) and low-molecular-weight HES (70 kd [HES70]). METHODS: In a prospective, double-blind, randomized-sequence crossover study, 22 male volunteers received 15 ml/kg HES200 and HES70. Blood samples were taken before and 5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 24 h after infusion. The following parameters were analyzed at all time points: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, factor VIII, antigenetic and functional von Willebrand factor, platelets, Thrombelastograph analysis parameters (reaction time, coagulation time, maximum amplitude, angle alpha, and clot lysis 30 and 60 min after maximum amplitude), ionized calcium, hematocrit, HES plasma concentration, molecular weight (weight average and number average), molar substitution, and polydispersity (weight average/number average). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < 0.05) was used to compare the response of the aforementioned parameters to the infusion of HES70 and HES200. RESULTS: Both HES solutions had a significant impact on all parameters. A slightly greater compromise with HES200 was found in activated partial thromboplastin time (P = 0.010), factor VIII (P = 0.009), antigenetic von Willebrand factor (P = 0.041), functional von Willebrand factor (P = 0.026), maximum amplitude (P = 0.008), and angle alpha (P = 0.003). No difference was established with the other parameters. HES concentration (P < 0.001), weight average (P < 0.001), number average (P < 0.001), and polydispersity (P < 0.001) were higher with HES200. There was no difference with molar substitution (P = 0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Low-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch (70 kd) compromises blood coagulation slightly less than HES200, but it is unclear whether this is clinically relevant.

Adult↗

Perioperative Transfusion Triggers for Red Blood Cells.

Perioperative transfusion triggers for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion include physiologic signs of inadequate oxygenation of the entire organism or a specific organ, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and logistic aspects such as experience of anesthesiologists and surgeons, predictability and magnitude of blood loss and time required for a Hb determination and RBC delivery. At a Hb concentration <6 g/dL a RBC transfusion may be given, however, if the patient is hemodynamically stable one may opt not to transfuse. With Hb concentrations between 6 g/dL and 10 g/dL physiologic signs of inadequate oxygenation decide on RBC transfusion. In absence of hypovolemia signs of inadequate oxygenation include tachycardia and hypotension, an O2 extraction>50%, a a mixed-venous O2 partial pressure <4.3 kPa (32 mmHg), a decrease of O2 consumption >10% (not otherwise explained) and signs of locally deficient oxygenation such as myocardial ischemia. At Hb concentrations >10 g/dL, RBC transfusions are rarely, if ever, indicated.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Blood substitutes.

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Blood Substitutes↗

Blood substitutes. Artificial oxygen carriers: perfluorocarbon emulsions.

Perfluorocarbon emulsions are being clinically evaluated as artificial oxygen carriers to reduce allogeneic blood transfusions or to improve tissue oxygenation. Perfluorocarbon emulsions are efficacious in animal experiments, and in humans they are well tolerated and at least as successful to reverse physiologic transfusion triggers than autologous blood. Perfluorocarbon emulsions may be used in the future in the concept of augmented acute normovolaemic haemodilution. In this concept relatively low preoperative haemoglobin levels are targeted during preoperative normovolaemic haemodilution and a perfluorocarbon emulsion is given to augment oxygen delivery during surgery when low endogenous haemoglobin levels are expected. The autologous blood is subsequently retransfused in the postoperative period when the patient's oxygenation is provided primarily by the endogenous haemoglobin. Additional uses of perfluorocarbon emulsions will include treatments of diseases with compromised tissue oxygenation such as cerebral or myocardial ischaemia, air embolism and emergency or trauma surgery as long as no allogeneic blood is available.

Biological Transport↗

Perflubron emulsion delays blood transfusions in orthopedic surgery. European Perflubron Emulsion Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Fluorocarbon emulsions have been proposed as temporary artificial oxygen carriers. The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of perflubron emulsion with the effectiveness of autologous blood or colloid infusion for reversal of physiologic transfusion triggers. METHODS: A multinational, multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel group study was performed in 147 orthopedic patients. Patients underwent acute normovolemic hemodilution with colloid to a target hemoglobin of 9 g/dl with an inspiratory oxygen fraction (FIO2) of 0.40. Patients were then randomized into one of four treatment groups after having reached any of the protocol-defined transfusion triggers including tachycardia (heart rate > 125% of posthemodilution rate or > 110 bpm), hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 75% of posthemodilution level or < or = 60 mmHg), elevated cardiac output (> 150% of posthemodilution level) or decreased mixed venous oxygen partial pressure (PVO2; < 38 mmHg). Treatments in the four groups were 450 ml autologous blood harvested during acute normovolemic hemodilution given at FO2 = 0.40; 450 ml colloid at FIO2 = 1.0; 0.9 g/kg perflubron emulsion with colloid (total = 450 ml) at FIO2 = 1.0; and 1.8 g/kg perflubron emulsion with colloid (total = 450 ml) at FIO2 = 1.0. The primary endpoint was duration of transfusion-trigger reversal. A secondary end-point was percentage of transfusion-trigger reversal. RESULTS: Perflubron emulsion was well tolerated with no serious adverse event attributed to drug treatment. Duration of reversal was longest in the 1.8 g/kg perflubron group (median, 80 min; 95% confidence interval, 60-100 min; P = 0.014 vs. autologous blood, P < 0.001 vs. colloid) followed by the 0.9 g/kg perflubron group (median, 59 min; 95% confidence interval, 40-90 min), the autologous blood group (median, 55 min; 95% confidence interval, 30-70 min) and the colloid group (median, 30 min; 95% confidence interval, 27-60 min). Percentage of reversal was also highest in the 1.8 g/kg perflubron group (97%; P < 0.001 vs. autologous blood; P = 0.014 vs. colloid), followed by 0.9 g/kg perflubron (82%), colloid (76%), and autologous blood (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Perflubron emulsion (1.8 g/kg) combined with 100% oxygen ventilation is more effective than autologous blood or colloid infusion in reversing physiologic transfusion triggers.

Aged↗

Factors influencing the individual effects of blood transfusions on oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors influencing the individual effects of blood transfusions regarding oxygen delivery and consumption. DESIGN: Chart review. SETTING: A university hospital cardiosurgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Sixty-seven patients with 170 transfusion events evaluated. INTERVENTIONS: Blood transfusion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Measurements were performed before and after a blood transfusion, separated by 302 +/- 13 mins (mean +/- SEM). The individual increase in cardiac index resulting from a blood transfusion was inversely related to cardiac index before transfusion (p < .001), oxygen delivery index before transfusion (p < .001), and oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). The individual increase in oxygen delivery index was inversely related to oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). The individual increase in oxygen consumption index was inversely related to oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). Individual changes in cardiac index, oxygen delivery index, and oxygen consumption index were not significantly related to preoperative ejection fraction (25%-87%), age (32-81 yrs), and pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration (5.0-11.8 g/dL). CONCLUSION: In adult patients after cardiovascular surgery, oxygen delivery- and oxygen consumption-related variables predict the individual response to blood transfusions better than do patient characteristics such as preoperative ejection fraction, age, and pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration. Including oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption, variables into the transfusion decision, thus, may enable a more individual use of allogeneic blood in specific situations.

Adult↗