Both DM and older age are independently associated with HE in patients with cirrhosis.

Background Both cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and red blood cell (RBC) storage are associated with detrimental changes in RBC structure and function that may adversely affect tissue oxygen delivery. We tested the hypothesis that in cardiac surgery patients, RBC deformability and aggregation are minimally affected by CPB with autologous salvaged blood alone, but are negatively affected by the addition of stored allogeneic blood. Methods In this prospective cohort study, 32 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were divided into 3 groups by transfusion status: autologous salvaged RBCs alone (Auto; n=12), autologous salvaged RBCs + minimal (<5 units) stored allogeneic RBCs (Auto+Allo min; n=10), and autologous salvaged RBCs + moderate (≥5 units) stored allogeneic RBCs (Auto+Allo mod; n=10). Ektacytometry was used to measure RBC elongation index (deformability) and critical shear stress (aggregation) before, during, and for 3 days after surgery. Results In the Auto group, RBC elongation index did not change significantly from the preoperative baseline. In the Auto+Allo min group, mean elongation index decreased from 32.31 ± 0.02 (baseline) to 30.47 ± 0.02 (nadir on postoperative day 1) (P = 0.003, representing a 6% change). In the Auto+Allo mod group, mean elongation index decreased from 32.7 ± 0.02 (baseline) to 28.14 ± 0.01 (nadir on postoperative day 1) (P = 0.0001, representing a 14% change). Deformability then dose-dependently recovered toward baseline over the first 3 postoperative days. Changes in aggregation were unrelated to transfusion (no difference among groups). For the 3 groups combined, mean critical shear stress decreased from 359 ± 174 mPa to 170 ± 141 mPa (P = 0.01, representing a 54% change), with the nadir at the end of surgery, and returned to baseline by postoperative day 1. Conclusions In cardiac surgery patients, transfusion with stored allogeneic RBCs, but not autologous salvaged RBCs, is associated with a decrease in RBC cell membrane deformability that is dose-dependent and may persist beyond 3 postoperative days. These findings suggest that autologous salvaged RBCs may be of higher quality than stored RBCs, since the latter are subject to the so-called “storage lesions.”

The transversus abdominis plane block is a regional anesthesia technique that has become popular. Being a relatively simple procedure, the TAP block has an excellent safety profile and major complications are rare. We present a case of transient femoral nerve palsy occurring after a TAP block with involvement of the sacral plexus for a patient who had undergone a caesarean section.

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