Anesthesiology Commons^™

Experience Treating Electrical Storm Using An Ultrasound Guided Stellate Ganglion Blockade, Thomas A. Nicholas Iv, Levi Zehr, Han-Jun Wang, Daniel R. Anderson, Steven J. Lisco

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction: Electrical storm is a life-threatening condition in an often medically complex patient population. Pharmacologic ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blockade is a treatment option in combination with maximized systemic antiarrhythmic medications. There is an emerging body of case reports supporting stellate ganglion block efficacy and safety for this condition.

Methods: Retrospective study on ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion blocks for electrical storm investigating patient clinical characteristics, immediate and long-term outcomes, and procedure related complications.

Results: Four (75% men) critically ill patients maximized on standard antiarrhythmic therapy underwent six bedside ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block procedures. All blocks were unilateral left-sided, two patients underwent repeat …

Clinical Use Of Lactate Measurements: Reply, Richard M. Pino, Jaskaran Singh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

What Factors Predict An Anesthesiologist’S Willingness To Proceed With An Anesthetic?, Nadine K. Ragbir

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Anesthesiologists are exposed to higher stress levels than many other physician specialties. They are also at an increased risk for developing mental disorders, alcohol and drug dependencies, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideations. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to explore the factors that predict an anesthesiologist’s willingness to proceed with an anesthetic. The current study consisted of two stages. The first stage was developing a regression equation that was used to predict anesthesiologists’ willingness to proceed with an anesthetic. During the second stage, additional data was collected to test the model that was developed in the first stage. Six …

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Of Totally Occluded Coronary Venous Bypass Grafts: An Exercise In Futility?, Evan Nardone, Brandon M Madsen, Melissa Mccarey, D L Fischman, Nicholas Ruggiero, Paul Walinsky, Alec Vishnevsky, Michael P. Savage

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of diseased saphenous vein grafts (SVG) continues to pose a clinical challenge. Current PCI guidelines give a class III recommendation against performing PCI on chronically occluded SVG. However, contemporary outcomes after SVG intervention have incrementally improved with distal protection devices, intracoronary vasodilators, drug-eluting stents, and prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy.

Aim: To reassess the procedural and long-term outcomes of PCI for totally occluded SVG with contemporary techniques.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted at a single university hospital. The study population consisted of 35 consecutive patients undergoing PCI of totally occluded SVG. Post-procedure dual …

Interventional Spine And Pain Procedure Credentialing: Guidelines From The American Society Of Pain & Neuroscience, Ramana K. Naidu, Rahul Chaturvedi, Alyson M. Engle, Pankaj Mehta, Brian Su, Krishnan Chakravarthy, Kasra Amirdelfan, Jeffrey Henn, Dawood Sayed, Jay S. Grider, Timothy Deer

Anesthesiology Faculty Publications

Background: The discipline of interventional pain management has changed significantly over the past decade with an expected greater evolution in the next decade. Not only have the number of procedures increased, some of the procedures that were created for spine surgeons are becoming more facile in the hands of the interventional pain physician. Such change has outpaced academic institutions, societies, and boards. When a pain physician is in the credentialing process for novel procedure privileges, it can leave the healthcare system in a challenging situation with little to base their decision upon.

Methods: This paper was developed by a consensus …

A Call To Action Toward Optimizing The Electrical Dose Received By Neural Targets In Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy For Neuropathic Pain, Krishnan Chakravarthy, Rajiv Reddy, Adnan Al-Kaisy, Thomas Yearwood, Jay S. Grider

Anesthesiology Faculty Publications

Spinal cord stimulation has seen unprecedented growth in new technology in the 50 years since the first subdural implant. As we continue to grow our understanding of spinal cord stimulation and relevant mechanisms of action, novel questions arise as to electrical dosing optimization. Programming adjustment — dose titration — is often a process of trial and error that can be time-consuming and frustrating for both patient and clinician. In this report, we review the current preclinical and clinical knowledge base in order to provide insights that may be helpful in developing more rational approaches to spinal cord stimulation dosing. We …

Breaking The Pain Cycle Successfully In A Child With Severe Pain Due To Recurrent Pancreatitis: A Case Report, Ali Sarfraz Siddiqui, Mansoor Chandio

Department of Anaesthesia

Abdominal pain, due to pancreatic diseases like idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis, is difficult to manage with medications alone in some patients. The Coeliac plexus innervates abdominal organs including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, etc. We are presenting a case of the successful pain man-agement of a 13-year-old boy with recurrent pancreatitis, by the application of coeliac plexus block. The patient was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain in August 2019. Multimodal analgesia was provided to manage his pain, but he continued to have moderate to severe pain in the abdomen. So, he was scheduled for coeliac plexus …

Duration Of Cessation Of Smoking Before Elective Surgery: Impact On Intraoperative Hemodynamics And Early Postoperative Pain In Developing Country, Mohsin Nazir, Gauhar Afshan, Muslima Ejaz, Amir Raza

Department of Anaesthesia

Aim and Background: It is estimated that up to 20% of patients coming for elective surgery are smokers and carry a risk of perioperative complications. Though smoking cessation and its impact on perioperative outcome are widely investigated worldwide we were unable to find any data in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to determine the impact of the duration of smoking cessation before elective surgery on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative pain in Pakistani population.
Methods: It was a prospective cohort study conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, for one-year duration. A total of 260 patients scheduled …

Examining Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Protocol Compliance, Joseph Vecore, Jonathon Baich, Linda Mcdonald

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: The development of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have allowed for improved patient outcomes by utilizing a multimodal approach. The use of ERAS for surgical procedures reduces perioperative complications that could lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Additionally, by utilizing a multimodal approach, ERAS protocols help limit opioid use during the perioperative period. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to examine the rate of compliance to the ERAS protocol during colorectal surgery at Beaumont Hospital- Royal Oak. The different levels of compliance were evaluated for their effects on the following patient outcomes: opioid …

Creation And Implementation Of An Intraoperative Lidocaine Infusion Protocol For Gastric Surgery, Kayla Donnay, Eric Howard, Lindsey Krueger, Linda Mcdonald, Kyle Nelson

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: The recent opioid epidemic in the United States has damaged the country’s public health system and led to devastating patient outcomes. Healthcare providers are responsible to do their part in reducing these negative consequences. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and implement an evidence-based protocol for an intraoperative lidocaine infusion during gastric surgery. The project consisted of five parts: (1) development of an evidenced-based Intraoperative Lidocaine Infusion Protocol, (2) education of the anesthesia team, (3) collection of baseline data, (4) implementation of the Intraoperative Lidocaine Infusion Protocol and (5) evaluation of the results. Method: Baseline …

Comparison Of Perioperative Analgesia Between Intravenous Paracetamol And Fentanyl For Rigid Hysteroscopy: A Randomised Control Trial, Dileep Kumar, Kamal Kumar, Mohammad Hamid

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To compare efficacy of intravenous paracetamol and fentanyl for intra-operative and post-operative analgesia in patients undergoing rigid hysteroscopy.
Method: The prospective randomised control trial was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from October 2016 to June 2017, and comprised patients aged 18-65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II undergoing hysteroscopy who were randomised into paracetamol group P and fentanyl group F. Anaesthesia induction technique was standardised and analgesia in group P was paracetamol 15mg/Kg administered 15-30 minutes pre-surgery, and in group F, it was fentanyl 2mcg/kg administered at induction of anaesthesia. Intra-operative pain was …

Anaesthetic Management Of Tracheal Injury Following Blunt Neck Trauma: An Unusual Late Presentation, Muhammad Saad Yousuf, Mohammad Bin Pervez, Saulat Fatimi, Khalid Samad

Department of Anaesthesia

Tracheal injuries, following blunt neck trauma, are life-threatening surgical emergencies with high risk of mortality. A high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid missing an occult injury because delays in diagnosis and definitive treatment are associated with poorer outcomes. We, herein, report a case of a 28-year man who presented in Emergency Department 15 days after blunt neck trauma from an accident involving electric cable. Anaesthetic challenges, airway management and importance of effective close loop communication, during repair of complex tracheal reconstruction, will be discussed in this case report.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A Review Of Techniques And Clinical Efficacy, Alan D. Kaye, Sasha Ridgell, Edward S. Alpaugh, Aya Mouhaffel, Aaron J. Kaye, Elyse M. Cornett, Azam A. Chami, Rutvij Shah, Bruce M. Dixon, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits, Amber N. Edinoff, Richard D. Urman

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Chronic pain is a common source of morbidity in many patient populations worldwide. There are growing concerns about the potential side effects of currently prescribed medications and a continued need for effective treatment. Related to these concerns, peripheral nerve stimulation has been regaining popularity as a potential treatment modality. Peripheral nerve stimulation components include helically coiled electrical leads, which direct an applied current to afferent neurons providing sensory innervation to the painful area. In theory, the applied current to the peripheral nerve will alter the large-diameter myelinated afferent nerve fibers, which interfere with the central processing of pain signals through …

Comprehensive Review And Update Of Burning Eye Syndrome, Stephen Giacomazzi, Ivan Urits, Briggs Hoyt, Ashley Hubble, Elyse M. Cornett, Kyle Gress, Karina Charipova, Amnon A. Berger, Hisham Kassem, Alan D. Kaye, Omar Viswanath

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (“dry eye”) is a common (14%–30% of adults over age 48) though difficult to treat condition that causes both discomfort and disability with associated dryness, pain, and visual disturbances. Etiology is not clearly understood but is likely varied, with a subset of patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain referred to as “burning eye syndrome.” This review of existing literature summarizes the clinical presentation, natural history, pathophysiology, and treatment modalities of burning eye syndrome.

Chronicity of burning eye syndrome is likely secondary to increased nociception from the cornea, decrease in inhibitory signals, and nerve growth factor expression alterations. Treatment …

Ketamine In The Past, Present, And Future: Mechanisms, Metabolites, And Toxicity., Eric S. Schwenk, Basant Pradhan, Rohit Nalamasu, Lucas Stolle, Irving W. Wainer, Michael Cirullo, Alexander Olsen, Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Marc C. Torjman, Eugene R. Viscusi

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: While ketamine's analgesia has mostly been attributed to antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, evidence suggests multiple other pathways are involved in its antidepressant and possibly analgesic activity. These mechanisms and ketamine's role in the nociplastic pain paradigm are discussed. Animal studies demonstrating ketamine's neurotoxicity have unclear human translatability and findings from key rodent and human studies are presented.

RECENT FINDINGS: Ketamine's metabolites, and (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in particular, may play a greater role in its clinical activity than previously believed. The activation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and the mammalian target of rapamycin by ketamine are mechanisms that are still being …

Pain Control: Opioid Vs. Nonopioid Analgesia During The Immediate Postoperative Period, Shamsie M. Lumpkin Bsn, Srna, Isaac W. Parrish Bsn, Srna, Austin S. Terrell Bsn, Srna, Dwayne S. Accardo Dnp, Aprn, Crna

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background Opioid analgesia has become the mainstay for acute pain management in the postoperative setting. However, the use of opioid medications comes with significant risks and side effects. Due to increasing numbers of prescriptions to those with chronic pain, opioid medications have become more expensive while becoming less effective due to the buildup of patient tolerance. The idea of opioid-free analgesic techniques has rarely been breached in many hospitals. Emerging research has shown that opioid-sparing approaches have resulted in lower reported pain scores across the board, as well as significant cost reductions to hospitals and insurance agencies. In addition to …

Dexmedetomidine Vs Fentanyl In Attenuating The Sympathetic Surge During Endotracheal Intubation: A Scoping Review, Alexandra Schwieger, Kaelee Shrewsbury, Paul Shaver, Dwayne Accardo Dnp, Crna

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation after induction of anesthesia can cause a reflex sympathetic surge of catecholamines caused by airway stimulation. This may cause hypertension, tachycardia, and arrhythmias. This reflex can be detrimental in patients with poor cardiac reserve and can be poorly tolerated and lead to adverse events such as myocardial ischemia. Fentanyl, a potent opioid, with a rapid onset and short duration of action is given during induction to block the sympathetic response. With a rise in the opioid crisis and finding ways to change the practice in medicine to use less opioids, dexmedetomidine, an alpha 2 …

Opioid Free Anesthesia To Prevent Post Operative Nausea/Vomiting, Aleksander Acred, Milena Devineni, Lindsey Blake, Cindi Dabney Dnp, Crna

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in opioid-utilizing and opioid-free general anesthesia. Background PONV is an extremely common, potentially dangerous side effect of general anesthesia. PONV is caused by a collection of anesthetic and surgical interventions. Current practice to prevent PONV is to use 1-2 antiemetics during surgery, identify high risk patients and utilize tracheal intubation over laryngeal airways when indicated. Current research suggests minimizing the use of volatile anesthetics and opioids can reduce the incidence of PONV, but this does not reflect current practice.

Methods In this scoping …

Medical Schools Ignore The Nature Of Consciousness At Great Cost, Anoop Kumar

Journal of Wellness

The essential question of the relationship between consciousness and matter is ignored in medical school curricula, leading to a machine-like view of the human being that contributes to physician burnout and intellectual dissatisfaction. The evidence suggesting that the brain may not be the seat of consciousness is generally ignored to preserve the worldview of the primacy of matter. By investigating new frameworks detailing the nature of consciousness at different levels of hierarchy, we can bring intellectual rigor to a once opaque subject that supports a fundamental reality about our experience: We are human beings, not only human bodies.

Efficacy Of Programmed Intermittent Epidural Boluses For Labor Analgesia, Keisha Joyce

Nurse Anesthesia Student Research Posters

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) is an automated method of administering epidural local analgesia with or without opioids. Fixed boluses at scheduled intervals can be utilized as an alternative to a continuous epidural infusion (CEI) alone or as a background administration with a PCEA technique. The purpose of this research project is to provide education regarding PIEB and investigate the benefits and challenges of implementing this new technique into practice.

Malignant Hyperthermia, Joel Jackson

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a hypermetabolic response to succinylcholine or inhaled volatile gases administered during anesthesia and is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation of RYR1 or CACNA1S genes which affect how calcium channels function. The uncontrolled, unopposed calcium release and excitation-contraction coupling results in sustained skeletal muscle contraction resulting in muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, hypercapnia, hypertension, and tachycardia among other less common clinical features. The sequelae of an MH crisis include renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, metabolic disturbance and left untreated will result in mortality. All clinicians involved in peri-operative care both in-hospital and out of hospital must be cognizant of …

Excessive Oxygen Administration During General Anesthesia, Soleil Gibbs

Nurse Anesthesia Student Research Posters

Nearly all patients undergoing general anesthesia will be administered oxygen and 83% of patients will be exposed to potentially preventable hyperoxemia (Suzuki et al., 2018). Physiological changes occur within the body when exposed to supranormal oxygen levels. Nurse Anesthetists must evaluate the potential risk and benefit of oxygen therapy. A review of the literature was completed to provide evidence based practice guidance to Anesthesia Providers regarding the use of perioperative oxygen administration.

Update On The Safety Of Anesthesia In Young Children Presenting For Adenotonsillectomy., Stephanie R. Mcguire, Nichole M. Doyle

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Tonsillectomy with and without adenoidectomy is a frequently performed surgical procedure in children. Although a common procedure, it is not without significant risk. It is critical for anesthesiologists to consider preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient factors and events to optimize safety, especially in young children. In the majority of cases, the indication for adenotonsillectomy in young children is obstructive breathing. Preoperative evaluation for patient comorbidities, especially obstructive sleep apnea, risk factors for a difficult airway, and history of recent illness are crucial to prepare the patient for surgery and develop an anesthetic plan. Communication and collaboration with the otolaryngologist is …

Intermittent Hypoxia And Effects On Early Learning/Memory: Exploring The Hippocampal Cellular Effects Of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Arvind Chandrakantan, Adam C Adler, Mehmet Tohsun, Farrah Kheradamand, Russell S Ray, Steven Roth

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This review provides an update on the neurocognitive phenotype of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Pediatric OSA is associated with neurocognitive deficits involving memory, learning, and executive functioning. Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is presently accepted as the first-line surgical treatment for pediatric OSA, but the executive function deficits do not resolve postsurgery, and the timeline for recovery remains unknown. This finding suggests that pediatric OSA potentially causes irreversible damage to multiple areas of the brain. The focus of this review is the hippocampus, 1 of the 2 major sites of postnatal neurogenesis, where new neurons are formed and integrated into existing circuitry …

Efficiency Of Prolonged Prone Positioning For Mechanically Ventilated Patients Infected With Covid-19, Elizabeth M. Parker, Edward A. Bittner, Lorenzo Berra, Richard M. Pino

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Hypoxemia of the acute respiratory distress syndrome can be reduced by turning patients prone. Prone positioning (PP) is labor intensive, risks unplanned tracheal extubation, and can result in facial tissue injury. We retrospectively examined prolonged, repeated, and early versus later PP for 20 patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure. Blood gases and ventilator settings were collected before PP, at 1, 7, 12, 24, 32, and 39 h after PP, and 7 h after completion of PP. Analysis of variance was used for comparisons with baseline values at supine positions before turning prone. PP for >39 h maintained PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratios when …

Frequency Of Early Postoperative Adverse Events (Aes) In Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Neurosurgical Intervention At Tertiary Care Center In Pakistan, Mansoor Chandio, Faraz Shafiq, Ather Enam

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: The postoperative period is critical in neurosurgical patients, where the incidence of postoperative AEs is significantly high. Most of events occurs during recovery phase and has got relation to anaesthetic management. The objective of study was to determine frequency of early AEs in elective neurosurgical patients.
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at our tertiary care center. The duration of study was one year, from August 2017-July 2018. The data was collected using predesigned proforma. The assessment was done on arrival in recovery room (T1) and then at forty five minutes (T2), twenty-fourth hour (T3) and forty-eighth hour …

Applying A Mixed-Method Approach To Improve On-The-Job Learning And Job Satisfaction In A Cohort Of Interns At A University Hospital, Amna Subhan Butt, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, M Asghar Ali, Farah Naz Qamar, Irum Qamar Khan, Swaleha Tariq, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Quratulain Hafeez, Muhammed Tariq

Section of Gastroenterology

Introduction: Job satisfaction is vital for the optimal functioning of medical practitioners. Herein, we report our experience of restructuring the internship program by identifying the gaps, developing, implementing strategies to overcome gaps and sharing the results of the pre-implementation and post-implementation audit, as an example for establishing a system for improving intern's work-based learning and satisfaction in a university hospital setting.
Methods: Using Kern's six-step instructional model, a prospective mixed-method study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital. In phase 1 (2013) gaps were identified by evaluating various aspects of the internship program. Strategies were developed and implemented to overcome …

Essential Package Of Palliative Care For Women With Cervical Cancer: Responding To The Suffering Of A Highly Vulnerable Population, Eric L. Krakauer, Khadidjatou Kane, Xiaoxiao Kwete, Gauhar Afshan, Lisa Bazzett-Matabele, Danta Dona Ruthnie Bien-Aimé, Lawrence F. Borges, Sarah Byrne-Martelli, Stephen Connor, Raimundo Correa

Department of Anaesthesia

Women with cervical cancer, especially those with advanced disease, appear to experience suffering that is more prevalent, complex, and severe than that caused by other cancers and serious illnesses, and approximately 85% live in low- and middle-income countries where palliative care is rarely accessible. To respond to the highly prevalent and extreme suffering in this vulnerable population, we convened a group of experienced experts in all aspects of care for women with cervical cancer, and from countries of all income levels, to create an essential package of palliative care for cervical cancer (EPPCCC). The EPPCCC consists of a set of …

Ratio Of Height To Thyromental Distance: A Comparison With Mallampati And Upper Lip Bite Test For Predicting Difficult Intubation In Pakistani Population, Saman Tauheed Ali, Khalid Samad, Syed Amir Raza, Muhammad Qamarul Hoda

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To compare the accuracy of three diagnostic tests in predicting difficult laryngoscopy using Cormack and Lehane grade as the gold standard.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from August 2014 to August 2015, and comprised patients who required endotracheal intubation for elective surgical procedures. The primary investigator used ratio of height to thyromental distance, upper lip bite test and the modified Mallampati test for assessing the airway correlated with laryngoscopic view based on Cormack and Lehane grading. Data was analysed using SPSS 19.
Results: Of the 383 patients, 59(15.4%) were classified as …

Augmented Package Of Palliative Care For Women With Cervical Cancer: Responding To Refractory Suffering, Eric L. Krakauer, Khadidjatou Kane, Xiaoxiao Kwete, Gauhar Afshan, Lisa Bazzett-Matabele, Danta Dona Ruthnie Bien-Aimé, Lawrence F. Borges, Sarah Byrne-Martelli, Stephen Connor, Raimundo Correa

Department of Anaesthesia

The essential package of palliative care for cervical cancer (EPPCCC), described elsewhere, is designed to be safe and effective for preventing and relieving most suffering associated with cervical cancer and universally accessible. However, it appears that women with cervical cancer, more frequently than patients with other cancers, experience various types of suffering that are refractory to basic palliative care such as what can be provided with the EPPCCC. In particular, relief of refractory pain, vomiting because of bowel obstruction, bleeding, and psychosocial suffering may require additional expertise, medicines, or equipment. Therefore, we convened a group of experienced experts in all …