Impact of high spinal anesthesia technique on fast-track strategy in cardiac surgery: retrospective study

Background and objectivesAlthough high spinal anesthesia (HSA) has been used in cardiac surgery, the technique has not yet been widely accepted. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the impact of HSA technique on fast-track strategy in cardiac surgery.MethodsElective cardiac surgery cases (n=1025) were divided into two groups: cases with HSA combined with general anesthesia (GA) (HSA group, n=188) and cases with GA only (GA group, n=837). In the HSA group, bupivacaine and morphine were intrathecally administered immediately before GA was induced. Outcomes included fast-track extubation (less than 6 hours), extubation in the operating room, fast-track discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) (less than 48 hours) and hospital (less than 7 days).ResultsIn the HSA group, 60.1% were extubated in less than 6 hours after ICU admission, as compared with 39.9% in the GA group (p<0.001). In the HSA group, 33.0% were extubated in the operating room, as compared with 4.4% in the GA group (p<0.001). LOS in the ICU was less than 48 hours in 67.6% in the HSA group, as compared with 57.2% of those in the GA group (p=0.033). LOS in the hospital was less than 7 days in 63.3% in the HSA group, as compared with 53.5% in the GA group (p=0.084).ConclusionsHSA technique combined with GA in cardiac surgery increased the rate of fast-track extubation (less than 6 hours) when compared with GA only.

Anesthetic complications in cesarean section

Background: Obstetric anesthetists need to face with the unique situation of providing anesthesia for caesarean sections, where they have to provide care for both the mother and the unborn baby. This study was performed in 100 women who underwent cesarean section, either elective or emergency to evaluate type of anesthesia, anesthetic complications and neonatal outcome.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 100 women with singleton pregnancy undergoing cesarean section in the department of Anesthesiology in collaboration with department of Obstetrics and gynecology at Dr PDMMC and Hospital, Amravati from January 2017 to March 2018. Detailed information regarding medical and obstetric history, intrapartum course, postpartum complications diagnosed before hospital discharge, and infant outcome were collected directly from maternal and infant charts. Other details like age of the patient, parity, type of cesarean section and type of anesthesia was noted. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores and type of anesthesia was noted.Results: In our study, spinal anesthesia was given in 62 (62%) patients, epidural anesthesia was given in 20 (20%) patients, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was given in 10 (10%) patients while general anesthesia was given in 8 (8%) patients. Anesthetic complications were less. About 10 (10%) patients had spinal headache, 4 (4%) patients had failed regional anesthesia, 2 (2%) patients had failed intubation while 2 (2%) patients had high spinal anesthesia. Babies of 96 (96%) patients had Apgar score at 5 minutes of more than 7 and babies of 4 (4%) patients had Apgar score at 5 minutes of less than 7. Only babies of 2 (2%) patients required intubation for resuscitation.Conclusions: This study provides strong evidence that the guidelines recommending regional block over GA for most cesarean section. It is beneficial for neonates as well as for mothers.