Project description:Background/aimsThis study aimed to compare tolerance to air, carbon dioxide, or water insufflation in patients with anticipated difficult colonoscopy (young, thin, obese individuals, and patients with prior abdominal surgery or irradiation).MethodsPatients with body mass index (BMI) less than 18 kg/m2 or more than 30 kg/m2, or who had undergone previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries were randomized to air, carbon dioxide, or water insufflation during colonoscopy. The primary endpoint was cecal intubation with mild pain (less than 5 on visual analogue scale [VAS]), without use of sedation.ResultsThe primary end point was achieved in 32.7%, 43.8%, and 84.9% of cases with air, carbon dioxide and water insufflation (P<0.001). The mean pain scores were 5.17, 4.72, and 3.93 on the VAS for air, carbon dioxide, and water insufflation (P<0.001). The cecal intubation rate or procedure time did not differ significantly between the 3 groups.ConclusionsWater insufflation was superior to air or carbon dioxide for pain tolerance. This was seen in the subgroups with BMI <18 kg/m2 and the post-surgical group, but not in the group with BMI >30 kg/m2.
Project description:BackgroundPhrenic nerve palsy is a well-known complication of cardiac ablation, resulting from the application of direct thermal energy. Emerging pulsed field ablation (PFA) may reduce the risk of phrenic nerve injury but has not been well characterized.MethodsAccelerometers and continuous pacing were used during PFA deliveries in a porcine model. Acute dose response was established in a first experimental phase with ascending PFA intensity delivered to the phrenic nerve (n=12). In a second phase, nerves were targeted with a single ablation level to observe the effect of repetitive ablations on nerve function (n=4). A third chronic phase characterized assessed histopathology of nerves adjacent to ablated cardiac tissue (n=6).ResultsAcutely, we observed a dose-dependent response in phrenic nerve function including reversible stunning (R2=0.965, P<0.001). Furthermore, acute results demonstrated that phrenic nerve function responded to varying levels of PFA and catheter proximity placements, resulting in either: no effect, effect, or stunning. In the chronic study phase, successful isolation of superior vena cava at a dose not predicted to cause phrenic nerve dysfunction was associated with normal phrenic nerve function and normal phrenic nerve histopathology at 4 weeks.ConclusionsProximity of the catheter to the phrenic nerve and the PFA dose level were critical for phrenic nerve response. Gross and histopathologic evaluation of phrenic nerves and diaphragms at a chronic time point yielded no injury. These results provide a basis for understanding the susceptibility and recovery of phrenic nerves in response to PFA and a need for appropriate caution in moving beyond animal models.
Project description:Visualization during GI endoscopy requires distention of the bowel lumen. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation decreases postprocedure abdominal discomfort and distension after colonoscopy, but there have been few published studies on its use in ERCP.To assess the safety and efficacy of CO(2) insufflation during ERCP.Double-blind, controlled, randomized trial.Tertiary-care referral center.This study involved consecutive patients referred for ERCP, excluding those with known CO(2) retention or with chronic use of opiate medications.Insufflation of CO(2) versus insufflation of air.Primary outcomes were abdominal pain assessed on a visual analogue scale and abdominal distension. Secondary outcomes included transcutaneous CO(2) levels (pCO(2)) and procedural complications.We analyzed 74 patients, 38 in the air group and 36 in the CO(2) group. Pain scores were similar in both groups 1-hour postprocedure (16 vs 11 mm in the CO(2) and air groups, respectively; P = .29) as well as over the subsequent 24 hours. There were also no significant differences between groups in abdominal distension or pCO(2) levels. There were 13 patients with complications in the air group and 5 in the CO(2) group (P = .04; nominal significance removed by Bonferroni correction), although most complications were minor in nature.Single-center study.The use of CO(2) for insufflation during ERCP was safe in a tertiary-care referral population. However, use of CO(2) during ERCP did not lead to decreased postprocedural pain or less abdominal distension, so its role in this procedure remains in question. NCT00685386.
Project description:Data with regard to potential recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) compromise caused by intra-neck CO2 insufflation during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) are missing. RLN electromyographic (EMG) profiles, metabolic and hemodynamic parameters (oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, experimental time, CO2 partial pressure, pH, O2 partial pressure), central venous pressure (CVP), airpocket temperature and pressure were recorded in a TOETVA animal model. Twelve pigs were randomly divided into different groups according to increasing CO2 insufflation pressures. Nerves segments were then collected for histopathology. Significant variation of metabolic and hemodynamic parameters were registered when CO2 insufflation pressures increased x3 and x5 the baseline parameters. Combined EMG amplitude drop and latency increase also were documented. There was no significant change in the intraluminal temperature. RLNs structure were preserved with normal axons, no fibrosis, and no vacuolization and without loss of myelinated fibers during the experiment. RLN EMG profiles (but not histology) were altered when CO2 insufflation pressures increased.
Project description:One of the methods used to reduce pain and discomfort during colonoscopy is insufflation of carbon dioxide instead of air. However, the actual benefit of carbon dioxide insufflation is not unequivocally proven. The aim of the study was to evaluate the advantages of carbon dioxide insufflation during screening colonoscopy. A total of 200 patients undergoing screening colonoscopy between 2010 and 2011 were included in the prospective, randomized study carried out in a surgical referral center. Screening unsedated colonoscopy with either air or carbon dioxide insufflation was performed; patients were randomly assigned to air or carbon dioxide group by means of computer-generated randomization lists. All examinations were performed in an ambulatory setting with standard videocolonoscopes. The main outcomes analyzed were (a) duration of the entire procedure, (b) cecal intubation time, and (c) pain severity immediately, 15, and 60 min after the procedure. Group I included 59 women and 41 men and group II included 51 women and 49 men. The duration of the procedure was circa 10 min in both groups. Pain score values immediately and 15 min after the procedure were similar in both groups (P=0.624 and 0.305, respectively). A lower pain score was observed only after 60 min in patients insufflated with carbon dioxide (1.28 vs. 1.54, P=0.008). No pain reduction was observed in women and in obese patients (BMI>30). Carbon dioxide insufflation during unsedated screening colonoscopy does not decrease the duration of the procedure and appears to reduce pain intensity at 60 min after examination to an extent without clinical significance. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01461564.
Project description:Abstract Background Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a new feasible and safe method for the ablative treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Through the use of electric fields, it causes pore-like openings in the cell’s wall, leading to cell death. The most appealing characteristic of this new technique is its selectivity for cardiomyocytes and consequently its low risk of collateral damage to extracardiac tissues. We present three cases of a PFA-induced transient phrenic nerve (PN) injury documented during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Case summaries Three patients aged 55–81 years underwent PFA for symptomatic AF. Cases 1 and 3 were affected by paroxysmal AF without evidence of structural heart disease. Case 2 had persistent AF and ischaemic cardiomyopathy with preserved ejection fraction. We observed a transient right hemidiaphragm palsy during the delivery of impulses in the right superior pulmonary vein (Cases 1 and 2) and in the right inferior pulmonary vein (Case 3). The palsy lasted <1 min and was followed by spontaneous full recovery in all cases. Discussion Transient PN dysfunction can be observed following PFA in AF ablation. According to our initial experience, a full recovery of the PN function can be expected within seconds. We hypothesize a hyperpolarization of neuronal cells or a depletion of acetylcholine in the motoric endplate to explain this event. Further studies are required to understand the exact pathophysiological mechanism.
Project description:BackgroundSuperior vena cava (SVC) isolation has improved the outcomes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) originating from the SVC. However, right phrenic nerve (PN) injury is a major complication of this procedure. Therefore, in cases where the right atrium (RA)-SVC conduction site is near the PN, tremendous care is required to prevent PN injury.Case summaryRepeated SVC isolation was performed due to the recurrence of SVC-triggered AF. The RA-SVC activation map revealed that the partial conduction block line was detected, and the propagation broke through the gap at the course of the PN site from the RA to the SVC. Since the course of the PN identified at high-output pacing was wide, the SVC was isolated by making longitudinal lines on both sides of the PN in a cranial direction, except for where low-output pacing captured, confirming compound muscle action potential to detect PN injury. Eventually, the SVC was successfully isolated without PN injury, and the sinus rhythm was maintained without antiarrhythmic drugs during a 14-month follow-up period.ConclusionSuperior vena cava isolation was difficult depending on the course of the PN, and some methods to avoid PN injury were reported. However, this method can facilitate safe and effective SVC isolation with the conventional system, including the cases with AF foci located on the course of the PN.
Project description:AimsA novel sinus node (SN) sparing hybrid ablation for inappropriate sinus node tachycardia (IST)/postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has been demonstrated to be an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with symptomatic drug-resistant IST/POTS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term rate of redo procedures after hybrid IST ablation and procedural strategy, outcomes and safety of redo procedures.Methods and resultsAll consecutive patients from 2015 to 2023 were prospectively enrolled in the UZ Brussel monocentric IST/POTS registry. They were analysed if the following inclusion criteria were fulfilled: 1) diagnosis of IST or POTS, 2) symptomatic IST/POTS refractory or intolerant to drugs, and 3) hybrid SN sparing ablation performed. The primary endpoint was redo procedure. The primary safety endpoint was pacemaker (PM) implantation. A total of 220 patients undergone to hybrid IST ablation were included, 185 patients (84.1%) were treated for IST and 61 patients (27.7%) for POTS.After a follow-up of 73.3 ± 16.2 months, 34 patients (15.4%) underwent a redo. A total of 23 patients (67.6%) had a redo for IST recurrence and 11 patients (32.4%) for other arrhythmias. Pacemaker implantation was performed in 21 patients (9.5%). Nine patients (4.1%) had no redo procedure and experienced sick sinus syndrome requiring a PM. Twelve patients (5.4%) received a PM as a shared therapeutic choice combined with SN ablation procedure.ConclusionIn a large cohort of patients the long-term free survival from redo procedure after hybrid IST ablation was 84.6% with a low PM implantation rate.