Arterial Catheters for Early Detection and Treatment of Hypotension During Major Noncardiac Surgery: A Randomized Trial BACKGROUND: Continuous blood pressure monitoring may facilitate early detection and prompt treatment of hypotension. We tested the hypothesis that area under the curve (AUC) mean arterial pressure (MAP) <65 mm Hg is reduced by continuous invasive arterial pressure monitoring. METHODS: Adults having noncardiac surgery were randomly assigned to continuous invasive arterial pressure or intermittent oscillometric blood pressure monitoring. Arterial catheter pressures were recorded at 1-minute intervals; oscillometric pressures were typically recorded at 5-minute intervals. We estimated the arterial catheter effect on AUC-MAP <65 mm Hg using a multivariable proportional odds model adjusting for imbalanced baseline variables and duration of surgery. Pressures <65 mm Hg were categorized as 0, 1–17, 18–91, and >91 mm Hg × minutes of AUC-MAP <65 mm Hg (ie, no hypotension and 3 equally sized groups of increasing hypotension). RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients were randomly assigned to arterial catheter use and 154 to oscillometric monitoring. For various clinical reasons, 143 patients received an arterial catheter, while 163 were monitored oscillometrically. There were a median [Q1, Q3] of 246 [187, 308] pressure measurements in patients with arterial catheters versus 55 (46, 75) measurements in patients monitored oscillometrically. In the primary intent-to-treat analysis, catheter-based monitoring increased detection of AUC-MAP <65 mm Hg, with an estimated proportional odds ratio (ie, odds of being in a worse hypotension category) of 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–2.70; P = .006). The result was robust over an as-treated analysis and for sensitivity analyses with thresholds of 60 and 70 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative blood pressure monitoring with arterial catheters detected nearly twice as much hypotension as oscillometric measurements. A. K. Khanna is currently affiliated with the Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Accepted for publication July 5, 2019. Funding: This study was supported by the Department of Outcomes Research, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal’s website (www.anesthesia-analgesia.org). Clinical Trial Number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02453815. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Daniel I. Sessler, MD, Department of Outcomes Research, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland, Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, P-77, Cleveland, OH 44195. Address e-mail to DS@OR.org. © 2019 International Anesthesia Research Society

Effect of Different Concentrations of Propofol Used as a Sole Anesthetic on Pupillary Diameter: A Randomized Trial BACKGROUND: Pupillometry monitoring under general anesthesia is based on the assumption that pupillary diameter variations reflect the adequacy of the provided analgesia to the intensity of the nociceptive surgical stimulus. The accurate interpretation of pupillometric data requires establishing clearly what the expected baseline unstimulated pupillary diameter at each specific level of hypnosis is. Opioids decrease pupillary diameter in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, the effects of hypnotic drugs on pupillary diameter are not well known. Our aim was to describe the potential relationship between propofol predicted effect-site concentrations (Cets) ranging from 1 to 3 µg/mL and pupillary diameter. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive propofol by target-controlled infusion at a predicted Cet of 1, 2, or 3 µg/mL (groups P1, P2, and P3, respectively). Pupillary diameter measurements were performed after 10 minutes of steady-state propofol infusion at the randomized Cet. No stimulation was performed during the study. Heart rate and bispectral index (BIS) were continuously recorded. RESULTS: Forty patients were included: (13, 14, and 13 in groups P1, P2, and P3, respectively). Mean pupillary diameter was 5.7 mm (1 mm) in group P1, 4.8 mm (1.3 mm) in group P2, and 3.3 mm (0.8 mm) in group P3. Propofol had a dose-dependent effect on pupillary diameter (linear regression R2 = 0.45, P < .001). Pupillary diameter was positively correlated with the BIS (Spearman r = 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54 to −0.87] P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: From 1 to 3 µg/mL of predicted Cet, propofol has a dose-dependent effect on pupillary diameter. Within this concentrations range, there is a positive correlation between BIS and pupillary diameter. The subcortical effect of propofol on pupillary diameter is correlated to its effect on the cortex. Studies assessing pupillary diameter as a marker of the nociception–antinociception balance should be performed in patients with a standardized depth of hypnosis. Accepted for publication June 24, 2019. Funding: None. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Registration was completed at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02998424) before enrollment of the first patient. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Nada Sabourdin, MD, Département d’anesthesiologie, Hôpital Armand Trousseau, 26 Avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, 75012 Paris, France. Address e-mail to nada.sabourdin@aphp.fr. © 2019 International Anesthesia Research Society

Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia: A Magic Bullet Too Good to Be True, or Is It Just Too Soon to Tell? No abstract available

Chestnut’s Obstetric Anesthesia: Principles and Practice, 6th ed No abstract available

Equipment Problems. Preventable Anesthetic Deaths: Is “PaF” the Magic Dragon? No abstract available

Whole Blood Point-of-Care Testing for Incomplete Reversal With Idarucizumab in Supratherapeutic Dabigatran BACKGROUND: Incomplete reversal with a recommended 5-g dose of idarucizumab has been reported in patients with excessively high dabigatran concentrations. A timely detection of reversal failure after idarucizumab using whole blood (WB) coagulation testing is clinically useful. The aims of this study were to determine residual dabigatran activity after idarucizumab on thrombin generation (TG) using in vitro supratherapeutic dabigatran models and to compare 4 WB point-of-care tests (activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], prothrombin time [PT], and 2 thromboelastometry tests) with the TG results. METHODS: Blood samples from 12 healthy volunteers were spiked in vitro with 0–5000 ng/mL of dabigatran. Dabigatran reversal was evaluated by adding 1000 μg/mL of idarucizumab (Praxbind) to dabigatran-spiked samples, which reflect the administration of 5-g idarucizumab to a 70-kg patient. Residual dabigatran activity was assessed using the calibrated automated TG (Thrombinoscope) in platelet-poor plasma samples. The TG results were compared with WB aPTT (DRIHEMATO APTT-S) and PT (DRIHEMATO PT-S) using CG02N analyzer, thromboelastometry (ROTEM) triggered by ellagic acid (INTEM) and tissue factor (EXTEM). RESULTS: At a therapeutic concentration of dabigatran (200 ng/mL), the lag time was prolonged, and peak TG was decreased. The effects of dabigatran on TG were increased up to 1000 ng/mL, and TG was obliterated at higher supratherapeutic dabigatran levels (P < .001 versus control, respectively). TG was fully restored with idarucizumab when dabigatran was ≤2000 ng/mL, but residual anticoagulant activity was observed at higher dabigatran levels. Dabigatran prolonged WB aPTT and PT concentration dependently, and residual prolongations were observed when idarucizumab was added to 3000 or 5000 ng/mL of dabigatran (P < .001 versus control, respectively). In contrast, both INTEM and EXTEM clotting times were reversed toward reference ranges at all dabigatran concentrations when idarucizumab was added. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the recommended dose of idarucizumab may not restore TG completely with excessively elevated concentrations of dabigatran. All WB measurements with aPTT, PT, and thromboelastometry predicted supratherapeutic dabigatran concentrations, whereas those tests varied in sensitivity to residual anticoagulant activity after reversal. WB aPTT corresponded well with plasma TG changes among those measurements, but the use of thromboelastometry may overestimate the effect of idarucizumab. Caution should be exercised before extrapolating in vitro point-of-care data to the clinical monitoring of dabigatran reversal. Accepted for publication August 1, 2019. Funding: The funding was provided from the Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. Material supports of test cartridges were provided by A&T Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan. Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Satoru Ogawa, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602–8566, Japan. Address e-mail to s-ogawa@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp. © 2019 International Anesthesia Research Society

A Prospective, Ex Vivo Trial of Endobronchial Blockade Management Utilizing 3 Commonly Available Bronchial Blockers BACKGROUND: Lung isolation with bronchial blockers is a well-described and accepted procedure, often described for use during the management of massive hemoptysis. Recommendations for balloon inflation are sparse, with some advocating for saline whereas other suggest air, including the manufacturers. We sought to evaluate the optimal method for balloon inflation in an ex vivo trial. METHODS: We performed a prospective trial utilizing 3 commercially available bronchial blockers commonly described for use in lung isolation and massive hemoptysis management. We utilized the Arndt Endobronchial Blocker (Cook Medical), the Cohen Tip Deflecting Endobronchial Blocker (Cook Medical), and the Fogarty Venous Thrombectomy Catheter (Edwards LifeSciences). Balloon size and deflation assessment were tested within 3 different scenarios comparing air versus saline. Welch t test was performed to compare means between groups, and a generalized estimating equation model was utilized to compare balloon diameter over time to account for correlation among repeated measures from the same balloon. RESULTS: All 3 endobronchial blocker systems were observed in triplicate. During free-standing balloon inflation, all 3 endobronchial systems displayed a greater degree of balloon deflation over time with air as opposed to saline (P < .001). Within a stent-based model, inflation with air of all 3 endobronchial systems, according to manufacturer recommendations, demonstrated significantly decreased time until fluid transgression occurred when compared to a saline model (P < .001). Within a stent-based model, inflation with air, according to clinical judgment, demonstrated significantly decreased time until fluid transgression in the Arndt (P = .016) and the Fogarty (P < .001) system, but not the Cohen (P = .173) system, when compared with saline. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of saline for balloon inflation during bronchial blockade allows for more consistent balloon inflation. The use of saline during balloon inflation appears to delay passive, spontaneous balloon deflation time when compared to air during a model of endobronchial blockade. The approach of saline inflation should be tested in humans to demonstrate the overall applicability and validity of the current findings. Accepted for publication July 18, 2019. Funding: This project was made possible with support from the Center for Lung Research in Honor of Wayne Gittinger. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Christopher R. Gilbert, DO, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology, Swedish Cancer Institute, 1101 Madison St, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104. Address e-mail to christopher.gilbert@swedish.org. © 2019 International Anesthesia Research Society

In Response No abstract available

Ventilation Is an Important Confounding Variable When End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Is Used to Help Guide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation No abstract available

Anesthesiology’s Contribution to Environmental Preservation No abstract available