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Rapid ventricular pacing for neurovascular surgery

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

Subtitle:a study on cardiac and cerebral effects
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intraoperative rupture of a cerebral aneurysm during neurosurgery can be a devastating event that increases perioperative morbidity and mortality. Rapid ventricular pacing (RVP) is a technique to obtain flow arrest for short periods of time during dissection or rupture of the aneurysm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the neurological and cardiac effects of repetitive periods of RVP during cerebrovascular surgery. METHODS: Data from patients who underwent repetitive RVP during craniotomy for cerebrovascular disorders were retrospectively analyzed from a single-center medical records database (Cegeka Medical Health Care Systems). We compared preoperative and postoperative troponin levels (cTnl) to assess cardiac ischemia. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were screened for RVP-induced infarcts by evaluating diffusion restriction in the hemisphere contralateral to the operated side and the fossa posterior. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were analyzed. An immediate decrease of systolic arterial blood pressure (<60 mm Hg) was achieved after initiation of RVP. Postoperative MRI did not reveal areas of diffusion restriction. RVP tended to be a predictor of postoperative cTnl increase. Preoperative and postoperative cTnl levels were higher in patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage compared to patients without one. After 24 hours cTnl jevels normalized to preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic arterial blood pressure decreased after RVP but normalized immediately when pacing stopped. MRI of the brain did not show RVP-related ischemia and the limited cTnl level increase normalized to preoperative values. Therefore, RVP during short periods of time seems to be a safe blood pressure-lowering technique for the brain and heart.
Journal: World neurosurgery
ISSN: 1878-8750
Volume: 119
Pages: E71 - E77
Publication year:2018
Keywords:A1 Journal article
BOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Closed