Experience Verification of 63 Cases of Liver Transplantation Anesthesia Management

Background: We reviewed the intraoperative management of previous liver transplantation (LT) cases to identify an optimal anesthetic method, which may affect patient outcomes and lead to faster postoperative recovery for future recipients. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed 63 patients who underwent LT, including 51 living donor LT (LDLT), seven deceased donor LT (DDLT), and five simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation patients. We examined the patients’ backgrounds, intraoperative management (anesthetic method, water balance, and catecholamine dosage), and postoperative courses (hospitalization period, length of intensive care unit stay, renal function). Results: All patients received general anesthesia using inhalational anesthetics, either sevoflurane or desflurane, and both drugs were administered similarly. Rocuronium was administered at its usual dose despite liver failure. All patients undergoing preoperative dialysis due to acute kidney injury were successfully withdrawn from dialysis after surgery. The albumin infusion volume was 32% of the total infusion and transfusion volume. The five-year survival rate was 88% and graft failure occurred in one case. Conclusion: The anesthetic management of LT is currently conducted empirically in our institution, and we could not identify an optimal anesthetic method. However, we drew some conclusions. First, the use of human atrial natriuretic peptide as a drug infusion and appropriate transfusion management was expected to restore renal function. Second, the infusion volume of albumin was high. Third, the usual dose of rocuronium was required because excessive bleeding may cause unstable plasma drug concentration. Our results will be useful in future multi-institutional studies or meta-analyses and further improving the outcomes of future transplant recipients.

Impact of high dose of baricitinib in severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a prospective cohort study in Bangladesh

Purpose Hyperinflammation in severe COVID-19 infection increases the risk of respiratory failure and one of the cogent reasons of mortality associated with COVID-19. Baricitinib, a janus kinases inhibitor, can potentially suppress inflammatory cascades in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of high dose of baricitinib with its usual dose in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This prospective cohort study was conducted on 238 adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Eight milligram and 4 mg of baricitinib was given orally to 122 patients in the high dose (HD) group and 116 patients the usual dose (UD) group, respectively daily for 14 days, and clinical outcomes were compared among the groups. Results Blood oxygen saturation level was stabilized (≥94% on room air) earlier in the HD group compared to the UD group [5 (IQR: 4–5)/8 (IQR: 6–9), P < 0.05]. Patients in the HD group required intensive care unit (ICU) and intubation supports more in the UD group than that in patients of the HD group [17.2%/9%, P < 0.05; 11.2%/4.1%, P > 0.05; N = 116/122, respectively]. The 30-day mortality and 60-day rehospitalization rate were higher in the UD group than the HD group [6%/3.3%, P < 0.01; 11.9%/7.6%, P > 0.05; N = 116/122, respectively]. Conclusion The daily high dose of baricitinib in severe COVID-19 results in early stabilization of the respiratory functions, declined requirements of critical care supports, reduced rehospitalization with mortality rate compared to its daily usual dose.

The dilemma of using physical restraint in delirium tremens: a case report

Delirium tremens (DT) is a common presentation in tertiary care hospitals. Refractory DT, though not very common, is a dreaded presentation in any clinical setting. Usually, patients with DT respond to standard doses of benzodiazepines, but sometimes we encounter patients requiring higher than the usual dose. Also, due to the high level of agitation, confusion and hallucinatory behaviour, physical restraint is frequently used in these patients. We hereby report a case of refractory DT in whom the dilemma of using physical restraint and need for higher doses of Benzodiazepine has been highlighted.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of Kaurenoic Acid after Oral Administration of Araliae Continentalis Radix Extract Powder to Humans

The objective of this study was to characterize pharmacokinetics (PKs) of kaurenoic acid (KAU) after administration of the clinical usual dose of Araliae Continentalis Radix extract powder to Korean subjects for the first time and evaluate the mechanism of its absorption in vitro. A simple, sensitive, and selective analytical method was developed for the detection of KAU in human plasma. Concentrations of KAU were quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after simple liquid–liquid extraction. This pharmacokinetic model of KAU was best described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption. To identify efflux transporters involved in the absorption of KAU, a Caco-2 monolayer model was used. Estimated PK parameters were: systemic clearance, 23.89 L/h; inter-compartmental clearance, 15.55 L/h; rate constant for absorption, 1.72 h−1; volume of distribution of the central compartment, 24.44 L; and volume of distribution of the peripheral compartment, 64.05 L. Results from Caco-2 bidirectional transport study suggested that KAU was a potential substrate of efflux transporters. In summary, PKs of KAU were successfully characterized after administration of a usual dose of Araliae continentalis Radix extract powder in human with the newly developed bioanalytical method and the mechanism of absorption of KAU was identified clearly.