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To avoid the risk of R-on-T incident and the unnecessary decrease of cardiac output, we devised an algorithm consisting of six steps for choosing the most appropriate intraoperative pacemaker (PM) mode, which is modified from Heart Rhythm Society and the American Society of Anesthesiologists expert consensus statement. Following this algorithm, we reviewed previous operations at our hospital to evaluate the appropriateness of the choices. Six of 78 cases (7.7%) were unfit to the algorithm because of an inappropriate mode change. The PM mode was changed preoperatively in four patients, even though the surgical site was under the umbilicus. In one case of the two other cases, the PM mode was changed from AAI to VOO. This case could not be avoided by the previous algorithm of the expert clinical statements. In another case, the anesthesiologist did not change PM mode even though the patient underwent parotidectomy and his heart rate depended on PM. Prospective research on this algorithm could clarify its usefulness in the future. Moreover, discussions about this algorithm could help develop this field of study and improve the intraoperative management of PMs., Author(s): Yusaku Terada [sup.1], Tetsuya Miyashita [sup.1], Yusuke Nagamine [sup.1], Takahisa Goto [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.470126.6, 0000 0004 1767 0473, Department of Anesthesiology, Yokohama City University Hospital, , 3-9 [...]

The aim of this special article is to introduce Perianesthesia Nurses (PANs) who play an essential role in assisting anesthesiologists to ensure the safety of patients undergoing anesthesia and to improve the quality of anesthetic care. In Japan, there is no national license for nurse anesthesia providers. Therefore, most of the tasks related to anesthesia are performed by the anesthesiologists. Due to the size and complexity of the aging population, higher quality perioperative care is needed. In search of a solution, PANs were introduced to improve anesthetic care in Japan, enabling anesthesiologists to delegate some of their tasks to PANs who work within the scope of registered nurse's policies. They are a new type of anesthesia care provider in Japan, and different from Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in the United States. Currently, six schools provide 2-year master's degree perianesthesia nursing programs, and graduates are now providing anesthetic care both inside and outside of the operating room under the direct supervision of anesthesiologists. PANs not only assist anesthesiologists and help to reduce anesthesiologists' workload, but also contribute to the expansion of anesthesia services. They ensure patient safety and improve the quality of patient care before, during, and after the patient undergoing anesthesia., Author(s): Yukiko Ide [sup.1], Yuki Umeno [sup.2], Nanako Tanaka [sup.1], Yusuke Nagamine [sup.1], Takahisa Goto [sup.1], Susan P. McMullan [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.470126.6, 0000 0004 1767 0473, Department of [...]

A 72-year-old man developed hypertensive crisis five month previously, and was diagnosed with massive adrenal pheochromocytoma, with a diameter of 14.5 cm. Preoperative echocardiography revealed normal cardiac function. The open abdominal surgery was performed under general anesthesia. During manipulation of the tumor he developed hypertension and tachycardia. Severe hypotension (50/25 mmHg) and mild bradycardia (70 beats x min(-1)) followed the resection of the tumor. In addition to volume replacement noradrenaline and adrenaline were administered, but the systolic blood pressure rose only to 60-70 mmHg. In order to treat vasodilatory shock, we started to administer arginine vasopressin infusion at 0.03 units x min(-1). His systolic blood pressure rose to 90 mmHg. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) postoperatively. The echocardiography revealed diffuse hypokinetic cardiac function. In order to treat cardiogenic shock, we started to administer olprinone (phosphodiesteraseIII inhibitor, infusion of 0.1 μg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). On postoperative day 2, circulatory shock improved and the patient was discharged from the ICU. In conclusion, circulatory shock after the resection of a massive pheochromocytoma was due to the down regulation of α and β adrenergic receptors. The non-adrenergic vasoconstrictor and inotrope were useful for this situation.

We experienced a case of undiagnosed extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma in an adult patient with single ventricle circulation after the bidirectional Glenn operation. A 32-year-old woman was scheduled for open abdominal surgery for incidental retroperitoneal tumor. She had undergone the bidirectional Glenn operation for complex congenital heart disease consisting of double outlet right ventricle, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary artery stenosis. She had not undergone the Fontan operation because of insufficient development of pulmonary circulation. Her physical status was New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II, and her oxygen saturation was 80% in room air. She reported no symptoms for the abdominal tumor preoperatively. The surgery was performed under general and epidural anesthesia. After induction of general anesthesia, she developed hypertension and tachycardia, and the manipulation of the tumor worsened them. Landiolol, a short acting beta blocker, and nicardipine were administrated. After the resection of the tumor, hypotension refractory to volume replacement emerged, and we administrated low dose noradrenaline. She was extubated in'the operating room and was transferred to the intensive care unit. The histopathological examination of the tumor revealed extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma). Catecholamine release from pheochromocytoma can be dangerous in patients with single ventricular circulation because it may elevate pulmonary resistance and thereby decrease cardiac output. Thorough preoperative examination is desirable.

A 74-year-old man with ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm was scheduled for open surgical repair under partial cardiopulmonary bypass. He had a history of diabetes mellitus and a concomitant renal dysfunction, requiring regular intermittent hemodialysis. To maintain electrolytes, acid base as well as water balance within adequate ranges, we planned to use continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) during the surgery because there was a high incidence of bolus transfusion to deal with massive bleeding in these surgeries. We increased fluid removal speed of ultrafiltration when blood components had to be infused rapidly. With these considerations, the patient did not develop fluid overload, hyperkalemia, or aggravation of acidosis. We did not administer anticoagulants into CHDF circuit because activated coagulation time was prolonged probably due to massive bleeding prior to the surgery. Heparin was administered just before the partial car diopulmonary bypass. There was no evidence for thromboembolic complications due to CHDF use. In conclusion, we successfully managed electrolytes as well as acid base balance, and hydration of a patient with chronic renal failure by using CHDF during open graft repair of ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Perioperative complications are prevalent among current smokers. Smoking cessation program is covered by national insurance for patients who meet certain criteria in Japan. We established a smoking cessation program in a preoperative clinic of our anesthesia department in July 2010., Methods: We pick up patients who meet the following criteria; Brinkman index of over 200, tobacco dependence screener test of 5 or higher, and having a will to quit smoking, and encourage them to enroll in the program. The program consists of counseling, prescription of varenicline, and an examination of carbon monoxide fraction in exhaled breath. Patients who lose impulse to smoke and actually quit smoking when 12 weeks' program is completed are considered as successes., Results: As of December 2012, 24 patients were enrolled in the program. Eighteen succeeded, 2 failed, and 4 discontinued the program. The discontinuers of the program were patients who had side effects (2) and patients who lost will to quit smoking (2). The success rate was 75%., Discussion: Varenicline is one of the first-line medications for smoking cessation aid in the U.S.A. and is also approved in Japan. It is also well documented that counseling in addition to medication results in higher smoking abstinence rate than either counseling or medication alone. Anesthesiologists usually have better knowledge about perioperative complications related to smoking than physicians of other specialties. Therefore, there is an advantage in anesthesiologists being the counselor of the smoking cessation program. In addition, patients may be well motivated for quitting smoking right before receiving a surgery., Conclusions: Smoking cessation program is effective when offered to patients right before surgery. Preoperative anesthesia clinic may be one of the most suitable opportunities for the program.

We experienced two pediatric cases of severe pulmonary hypertension after congenital heart surgery. It was difficult to wean two cases from cardiopulmonary bypass for systemic hypotension concomitant with pulmonary hypertension reflactory to conventional therapy, including administration of adrenaline, nitroglycerin, milrinone, and/or inhalation of nitric oxide. In order to increase systemic arterial blood pressure and improve severe right heart failure, we administered arginine vasopressin (AVP) intravenously, which is a potent vasoconstrictor via V1 receptor. The dose of AVP was 0.0002 unit x kg(-1) x min(-1). After administration of AVP, systemic arterial pressure increased markedly and pulmonary arterial pressure decreased slightly, and we succeeded in weaning the patients from cardiopulmonary bypass. No adverse effect with AVP was found. In conclusion, administration of AVP is a therapeutic option for treating systemic hypotension concomitant with severe pulmonary hypertension in pediatric congenital heart surgery.

We report a case of a 3-year-old boy who had undergone total cavopulmonary connection for repair of corrected transposition of the great arteries (cTGA), and developed intractable supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. The patient was in cardiogenic shock and did not respond to antiarrhythmic drugs and cardioversion, and we used extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to maintain hemodynamics. We used dexmedetomidine to block sympathetic activity. After administration of dexmedetomidine, tachycardia was improved, and the sinus rhythm returned. No recurrence was observed. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine might be useful for intractable supraventricular tachyarrhythmia after pediatric congenital heart surgery.

We experienced eight cases of general anesthesia for tracheobronchial stent insertion. All stents were Ultraflex stent (Boston Scientific, Tokyo), and they were inserted guided by bronchofiberscopy under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with patients under spontaneous breathing, and we inserted a tracheal tube or a laryngeal mask airway. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol and sevoflurane. In four cases with severe tracheobronchial stenosis, we used venovenous extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA) before general anesthesia induction. Oxygenation during stent insertion was well-maintained in all patients. We must evaluate the severity of tracheobronchial stenosis preoperatively. In high risk cases anticipated of airway obstruction, ECLA should be used for safe anesthetic management.