Faculty Bibliography

The standard modeling paradigm used to describe the relationship between input anesthetic agents and output patient endpoint variables are single-input single-output pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) compartment models. In this paper, we propose the use of multivariable piecewise-linear models to describe the relations between inputs that include anesthesia, surgical stimuli and disturbances to a variety of patient output variables. Subspace identification methods are applied to clinical data to construct the models. A comparison of predicted and measured responses is completed, which includes predictions from PK-PD models, and piecewise-linear time-invariant models

Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring requires information on the effects of anesthetic drugs because these drugs can directly alter evoked potentials, thus interfering with monitoring. We report on our evaluation of the effect of the recently introduced alpha2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, on the somatosensory evoked potentials in two patients undergoing cervico-occipital fusion. Our results suggest that, although dexmedetomidine can affect the later cortical peaks of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), consistent and reproducible potentials can be recorded

We tested the hypothesis that remifentanil-nitrous oxide (N(2)O) anesthesia shortens postoperative emergence and recovery compared with an isoflurane-N(2)O-fentanyl combination in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. A total of 60 patients (>65 yr old) were randomly assigned to one of two groups for maintenance of anesthesia. After the induction with 3.6 +/- 1.2 mg/kg IV thiopental and endotracheal intubation facilitated with 1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/kg succinylcholine, patients were maintained with either 0.5%-1.5% isoflurane, 70% N(2)O, and up to 7 microg/kg fentanyl (iso/fent group) or 48 +/- 11 microg/kg remifentanil and 70% N(2)O (remi group). A mini-mental status examination was used to assess cognitive ability preoperatively, at 15, 30, and 60 min after arrival at the postanesthesia care unit and again 12-24 h postoperatively. The time from the conclusion of anesthesia to spontaneous respiration was similar in both groups. Times to eye opening (4.8 +/- 2.6 vs 2.3 +/- 1.1 min), extubation (6.8 +/- 3.8 vs 3.2 +/- 2.1 min), and verbalization (9.9 +/- 6.2 vs 3.9 +/- 2.6 min) were significantly shorter for the remi group (P < 0.05). Postoperative mini-mental status examination scores were significantly lower in the iso/fent group at 15 (16.3 +/- 5.8 vs 23. 7 +/- 3.3), 30 (20.2 +/- 5.2 vs 26.3 +/- 2.7), and 60 min (23.5 +/- 4.4 vs 27.5 +/- 2.0) (P < 0.001); however, the scores equalized after 12 h. Requirements for postoperative analgesics were similar in the two groups. More patients in the remi group were treated with antiemetics (21 vs 7, P = 0.06). Use of remifentanil-N(2)O for maintenance did not shorten the overall length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit; a stay is often related to multiple administrative issues, rather than cognitive recovery. IMPLICATIONS: Maintenance of anesthesia with remifentanil-nitrous oxide (N(2)O), compared with isoflurane-N(2)O-fentanyl, can safely shorten postoperative recovery of cognitive function in a geriatric population. Earlier recovery may facilitate postoperative neurological assessment. Use of remifentanil-N(2)O for maintenance did not shorten the overall length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, a stay often related to multiple administrative issues, rather than cognitive recovery

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of peripheral nerve compression caused by a specialized spinal retraction system, the Thompson-Farley retractor system, that most likely would not have been detected without intraoperative monitoring of the ulnar nerve. DESIGN: Bilateral median and peroneal nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were monitored continuously during a C5 corpectomy, as was core body temperature. RESULTS: Within minutes after cervical soft-tissue retraction, the left ulnar nerve SSEP began to decline in amplitude. Peroneal nerve SSEPs were normal throughout the surgery; core body temperature remained at 36 degrees +/- 0.2 degrees C. After much effort to reposition the patient, the SSEPs returned to baseline and the Thompson-Farley system was replaced by a self-retracting system. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of peripheral nerve compression caused by the Thompson-Farley retractor system. Even with careful positioning on the operating table, obese patients may be particularly at risk for upper arm compression. Continuous monitoring of SSEPs is suggested to prevent postoperative morbidity

Several studies suggest that relative changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) may be assessed via transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD). The present study investigates the correlation between changes in TCD-mean flow velocity (Vm) and changes in CBF in patients with a variety of types of intracranial pathology undergoing cerebrovascular reactivity tests. After informed consent was obtained, 32 patients presenting with stenoses of brain-supplying arteries (n = 13), cerebral vascular malformations (n = 6), surgical decompression for subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 2), brain edema after closed head injury (n = 8), or hepatic encephalopathy (n = 3) were studied. The patients were divided into two groups for different reactivity tests. Patients in group 1 (awake or sedated, n = 18) received a 1-g dose of acetazolamide intravenously. In group 2 (n = 14), mechanical ventilation was adjusted to produce a 20% decrease in arterial CO2 tension compared with baseline. Regional CBF was measured using xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe-CT). Xe-CT scans at the levels of the basal ganglia and the lateral ventricles were performed during a 4.5-min xenon wash-in period. Bilateral flow velocity was measured in the middle cerebral artery using a 2-MHz pulsed TCD system. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal CO2 were continuously recorded during the procedure. After baseline measurements and either alteration of CO2 or application of acetazolamide, the cerebrovascular reactivity was assessed at 20 min by a second measurement of CBF, TCD, and all other physiologic variables. The correlation coefficient for relative changes of MCA territory CBF versus Vm and for the overall population was r = 0.82. In groups 1 and 2, the r values were 0.39 and 0.5, respectively. Correlation coefficients did not exceed r = 0.4 in any subgroup-classification based on diagnosis. The close correlation between changes in CBF and Vm (r = 0.82) in patients with heterogeneous intracranial pathology seems to show that TCD is a measure of CBF. However, in groups 1 and 2 and in subgroups formed of patients classified according to diagnoses, data dispersion suggests that the actual correlation is weaker. Relation of changes in Vm to those in CBF may depend on the underlying diagnosis. These data indicate that the correlation between Vm and CBF may vary with intracranial pathology.

Etomidate and ketamine controlled seizures but acute tachyphylaxis occurred. Isoflurane was then used to control seizures

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index (BIS), a value derived from the electroencephalograph (EEG), has been proposed as a measure of anesthetic effect. To establish its utility for this purpose, it is important to determine the relation among BIS, measured drug concentration, and increasing levels of sedation. This study was designed to evaluate this relation for four commonly used anesthetic drugs: propofol, midazolam, isoflurane, and alfentanil. METHODS: Seventy-two consenting volunteers were studied at four institutions. Volunteers were given either isoflurane, propofol, midazolam, or alfentanil. Each volunteer was administered a dose-ranging sequence of one of the study drugs to achieve predetermined target concentrations. A frontal montage was used for continuous recording of the EEG. At each pseudo-steady-state drug concentration, a BIS score was recorded, the participant was shown either a picture or given a word to recall, an arterial blood sample was obtained for subsequent analysis of drug concentration, and the participant was evaluated for level of sedation as determined by the responsiveness portion of the observer's assessment of the alertness/ sedation scale (OAAS). An OAAS score of 2 or less was considered unconscious. The BIS (version 2.5) score was recorded in real-time and the BIS (version 3.0) was subsequently derived off-line from the recorded raw EEG data. The relation among BIS, measured drug concentration, responsiveness score, and presence or absence of recall was determined by linear and logistic regression for both the individual drugs and, when appropriate, for the pooled results. The prediction probability was also calculated. RESULTS: The BIS score (r = 0.883) correlated significantly better than the measured propofol concentration (r = -0.778; P < 0.05) with the responsiveness score. The BIS provided as effective correlation with responsiveness score of the OAAS as did the measured concentration for midazolam and isoflurane. None of the volunteers given alfentanil lost consciousness and thus were excluded from the pooled analysis. The pooled BIS values at which 50% and 95% of participants were unconscious were 67 and 50, respectively. The prediction probability values for BIS ranged from 0.885-0.976, indicating a very high predictive performance for correctly indicating probability of loss of consciousness. CONCLUSIONS: The BIS both correlated well with the level of responsiveness and provided an excellent prediction of the loss of consciousness. These results imply that BIS may be a valuable monitor of the level of sedation and loss of consciousness for propofol, midazolam, and isoflurane