Changes in the Plasma Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1/Redox Factor-1(APE1/Ref-1) Level during Cancer Surgery: An Observational Study

Background and Objectives: Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is presumed to have more favorable effects on the prognosis of patients with cancer compared with volatile inhaled anesthesia (VIA). We hypothesized that these anesthetics target plasma apurinic apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox effector factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) as a possible mechanism of action. Materials and Methods: The plasma APE1/Ref-1 level was evaluated three times during surgery for cancer, i.e., before anesthesia, immediately after cancer resection, and finally, in the recovery room. Blood (3 cc) was drawn from the radial artery catheter, and plasma APE1/Ref-1 levels were compared according to measurement time and between the two groups. Spearman’s Rho correlation analysis was performed to determine relationships among body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, age, sex, cancer type, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. A total of 166 patients (VIA: 129; TIVA: 37) were enrolled. Results: Plasma APE1/Ref-1 level increased significantly (p = 0.028) after cancer resection compared with before surgery, but no significant difference was observed between anesthetics (p = 0.134). The post-resection plasma APE1/Ref-1 level showed a positive correlation with the NM stages, but not the T stage. Conclusions: The plasma APE1/Ref-1 level increased during surgery with more severe lymph node invasion, but there were no significant differences according to the anesthetics used.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous retrieval of transected radial artery catheter

Objective: To report our technique for percutaneous ultrasound-guided retrieval of accidentally transected arterial lines. Cases description: Two patients are reported herein; in both of these patients, a part of the 20-gauge catheter inserted for invasive monitoring of their blood pressure in the intensive care unit was accidentally transected with part of the catheter remaining in the radial artery. Both patients were initially asymptomatic; therefore, a minimally invasive technique was sought to remove the catheters without inducing significant risk. Under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance at the patient bedside, a 6Fr slender sheath was introduced and with the help of a Fogarty catheter in one case, and in the other case, a 0.014-in hydrophobic wire was used to cannulate the catheter, and it was withdrawn into the sheath and removed with it uneventfully.

Pilot study of viability in the use of cycle ergometer for upper limbs in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION: The use of a cycle ergometer for the upper limbs may contribute to maintain the functional capacity in patients after heart surgery (HS). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the cardiorespiratory responses of HS patients receiving or not vasoactive drugs (VADs) during the realizations of cycle ergometer for upper limbs, verifying the incidence of loss of radial arterial catheter or of steel wire fractures in the sternum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pilot study involving 26 patients divided in 2 groups. Group CO: no use of VADs (13 patients, age: 57±12 years, 09 male) and VAD group: (13 patients, age: 61±10 years, 07 male), submitted to HS, which on the first postoperative day (1stPO) performed the cycle ergometer for upper limbs. The parameters evaluated during the exercise were heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), dyspnea, fatigue of upper limbs and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The incidence of losses of the radial artery catheter and of steel wire fractures in the sternum was calculated. Statistical analysis adopted one-way or two-way analysis of variance, with post hoc from Newman Kauls or Scheffé, when necessary. The significance level was 0.05%. RESULTS: HR increased in both groups at the end of the exercise (p=0.00), with no difference between them (p=0.97); SpO2, dyspnea and MAP did not change from rest to the end of exercise (p=0.49; p=0.78 and p=0.25, respectively); The fatigue in the upper limbs increased in both groups (p=0.04), without difference between groups (p=0.79); There was no event of loss of radial artery catheter or steel wire fractures in the sternum. CONCLUSION: The adoption of the cycle ergometer for upper limbs was safe in the 1stPO of HS, even in the individuals using VADs. There was no relationship between the use of the upper limbs cycle ergometer and losses of arterial catheters or steel wire fractures in the sternum.

Acute Arterial Ischemia in a Neonate: Complication of an Indwelling Radial Artery Catheter

A full-term newborn with perinatal depression, meconium stained liquor, shock, and hypoglycemic seizures was admitted at a hospital after 70 hours of life. He was ventilated, received antibiotics, and vasopressors. After 8 hours of left radial artery catheterization, ischemic changes appeared on tips of all the fingers of the newborn. The catheter was removed, and intravenous unfractionated heparin was started. Arterial Doppler revealed thrombus in both radial and ulnar arteries. The case was of category III (irreversible) acute arterial ischemia. Review Doppler after 4 days showed low resistance and dampened flow in radial and ulnar arteries. Surgical intervention was not done. Aspirin was given at discharge, and at 40 days, the distal end of the metacarpals was affected. The positive modified Allen’s test and close clinical monitoring did not guarantee the safety of radial artery catheterization. Other measures need to be critically evaluated to identify evolving thrombus early.

Use of a pressure sensing sheath: comparison with standard means of blood pressure monitoring in catheterization procedures

PurposeMonitoring of blood pressure (BP) during procedures is variable, depending on multiple factors. Common methods include sphygmomanometer (BP cuff), separate radial artery catheterization, and side port monitoring of an indwelling sheath. Each means of monitoring has disadvantages, including time consumption, added risk, and signal dampening due to multiple factors. We sought an alternative approach to monitoring during procedures in the catheterization laboratory.MethodsA new technology involving a 330 µm fiberoptic sensor embedded in the wall of a sheath structure was tested against both radial artery catheter and sphygmomanometer readings obtained simultaneous with readings recorded from the pressure sensing system (PSS). Correlations and Bland–Altman analysis were used to determine whether use of the PSS could substitute for these standard techniques.ResultsThe results indicated highly significant correlations in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures (MAP) when compared against radial artery catheterization (p<0.0001), and MAP means differed by <4%. Bland–Altman analysis of the data suggested that the sheath measurements can replace a separate radial artery catheter. While less striking, significant correlations were seen when PSS readings were compared against BP cuff readings.ConclusionsThe PSS has competitive functionality to that seen with a dedicated radial artery catheter for BP monitoring and is available immediately on sheath insertion without the added risk of radial catheterization. The sensor is structurally separated from the primary sheath lumen and readings are unaffected by device introduction through the primary lumen. Time delays and potential complications from radial artery catheterization are avoided.