We report an unusual cause of failure of successful delivery of antegrade cardioplegia through the aortic root that was caused by the accidental passage of the left ventricular vent catheter across the aortic valve producing acute aortic regurgitation. This problem is best prevented.

Objective (s):The aim of this study was to compare the effects of using inhalational anesthesia with desflurane with that of a total intravenous (iv) anesthetic technique using midazolam-fentanyl-propofol on the release of cardiac biomarkers after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS). The specific objectives included (a) determination of the levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) as markers of myocardial injury, (b) effect on mortality, morbidity, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital stay, incidence of arrhythmias, pacing, cardioversion, urine output, and serum creatinine.Methodology and Design:Prospective randomized clinical study.Setting:Operation room of a cardiac surgery center of a tertiary teaching hospital.Participants:Seventy-six patients in New York Heart Association classification II to III presenting electively for AVR for severe symptomatic AS.Interventions:Patients included in the study were randomized into two groups and subjected to either a desflurane-fentanyl based technique or total IV anesthesia (TIVA). Blood samples were drawn at preordained intervals to determine the levels of IMA, cTnI, and serum creatinine.Measurements and Main Results:The IMA and cTnI levels were not found to be significantly different between both the study groups. Patients in the desflurane group were found to had significantly lower ICU and hospital stays and duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation as compared to those in the TIVA group. There was no difference found in mean heart rate, urine output, serum creatinine, incidence of arrhythmias, need for cardioversion, and 30-day mortality between both groups. The patients in the TIVA group had higher mean arterial pressures on weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass as well as postoperatively in the ICU and recorded lower inotrope usage.Conclusion:The result of our study remains ambiguous regarding the overall protective effect of desflurane in patients undergoing AVR although some benefit in terms of shorter duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stays, as well as cTnI, were seen. However, no difference in overall outcome could be clearly established between patients who received desflurane and those that were managed solely with IV anesthetic technique using propofol.

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Background Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) have multifactorial hematologic abnormalities. In continuation of our previous study titled “Coagulopathies in Cyanotic Cardiac Patients: An Analysis with Three Point-of-Care Testing Devices (Thromboelastography, Rotational Thromboelastometry, and Sonoclot Analyzer),” we extended this prospective observational study to a larger cohort to reconfirmed the need to do a point-of-care (POC) test in bleeding cyanotic children. We formulated an algorithm. We conducted this study now by comparing three different POC parameters in an algorithm-based manner and deciphering the best parameter from an algorithm-based and the best parameter POC from an algorithm-based perspective. We conducted this study to compare three different viscoelastic POC tests: thromboelastography (TEG), rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), and Sonoclot analyzer to predict thrombocytopenia and hypofibrinogenemia in cyanotic cardiac surgery patients. Material and Methods A total of 105 patients of either sex, who were scheduled to undergo elective cardiac surgery for CCHD on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), were enrolled after obtaining written and informed consent. Blood samples for TEG, ROTEM, Sonoclot, and standard laboratory coagulation tests were collected after induction of anesthesia (T1) and 30 minutes after protamine reversal (T2). Results We observed significant correlations between POC parameters, platelet count, and serum fibrinogen levels. Area under the curve (AUC, 0.90) of ROTEM FIBTEM-A10 was found to be superior in detecting hypofibrinogenemia (serum fibrinogen < 200 mg/dL). AUC of TEG α angle (AUC 0.79), TEG MA (AUC 0.77) and Sonoclot CR (AUC 0.73) were comparable. Sonoclot PF was found to have highest AUC (0.95) to detect thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/μL). ROTEM FIBTEM-A10 at cutoff value ≤ 7.5 mm had highest sensitivity (87.2%) and specificity (80.3%) to detect hypofibrinogenemia. Sonoclot PF at cutoff value ≤ 0.95 had highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (83.7%) to detect thrombocytopenia. We formulated a POC algorithm based on cutoff value derived from ROC curves. Conclusion In conclusion, although all three viscoelastic POC devices (TEG, ROTEM, and Sonoclot) can be used to detect hypofibrinogenemia and thrombocytopenia, it was reaffirmed on a larger subset of patients that ROTEM FIBTEM has highest diagnostic accuracy for hypofibrinogenemia, whereas Sonoclot PF has highest diagnostic value for thrombocytopenia in CCHD surgical patients.

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