Target controlled infusion: One more step forward

V.I. Stamov, J.V. Deshko, A.A. Bunatian

Department of Anaesthesiology, National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia

Background and Goal of Study: We started using target controlled infusion (TCI) by means of  Diprifusor® system (Fresenius Master TCI) in 1998. Now the infusion pumps came into being which allow to conduct TCI-anaesthesia with 1% and 2% propofol as well as that with sufentanil and remifentanil. The aim of our study was to define functional potential of Asena® PK Syringe Pump for TCI & TIVA.

Patients and Methods: With our institute ethical committee approval, the above mentioned perfusor was put to the test during different abdominal operations of duration from 1 to 3 hrs. We studied 26 patients  (8 male, 18 female) aged from 28 to 75 yrs (M + SD 52.2 + 11.2), ASA 1-3 (1.9 + 0.6), weight ranged from 50 to 130 kg, BMI 19.5-51.1 kg/m2 (30.3 + 2.5). Premedication: i.m. diazepam (0.15-0.2 mg/kg) + chloropyramine (0.4-0.6 mg/kg) + atropine (0.01-0.015 mg/kg). Preinduction: i.v. ondansetron 0.05-0.06 mg/kg + midazolam 0.03-0.06 mg/kg. Induction: 1% propofol (target 3.0 mcg/ml for 3 min), fentanyl 2-4 mcg/kg, cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg, vecuronium 0,1 mg/kg or rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. Maintenance: propofol (Ctarg 0.8-3.7 mcg/ml), fentanyl 4-8 mcg/ml/h, relaxants by bolus or infusion. Monitoring: NIBP, HR, SpO2, etCO2, ECG, acid-base balance, ARX-index (Alaris AEPTM Monitor), NMB (TOF-Watch® SX, Organon). Statistical analysis: Student΄s t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearmen correlation (SPSS 13.0).

Results and Discussion: The patients fell asleep at Ceff of propofol 1.15 + 0.45 mcg/ml. We did not allow Ceff to fall beyond the sleep concentration level, and thus there were no cases of awareness. Anaesthesia duration was 145.7 + 46.4 min, time from the end of surgery to extubation – 15.9 + 7.4 min, time from the end of propofol infusion to extubation – 10.8 + 5.5 min. The awaking Ceff did not correspond to asleep Ceff in most cases. Moreover, in 6 cases asleep Ceff was less than 30% below, while in 4 cases it exceeded awaking Ceff by more than 40%. However this is not the problem of the pump but that of individual pharmacokinetic peculiarities (Marsh model). ARX-index provided the additional information of depth of anaesthesia. Correlation between Ceff and ARX-index during all anesthesia was -0.601 (p < 0.05) (757 pairs of comparison).

 

Mean + SD

Loss of consciousness

Awakening

Correlation

Propofol

C1, mcg/ml

Ceff , mcg/ml

ARX-index

0.93 + 0.35 mg/kg

1.84 + 0.53

1.15 + 0.45

30.8 + 7.9

4.1 + 1.3 mg/kg/h

0.87 + 0.36

1.09 + 0.41

68.1 + 12.6

-

0.504 (p < 0.001)

0.614 (p < 0.001)

0.263 (p = 0.204)

 

Perfusor Asena® PK proved to be easy and comfortable to use. The monitor displays vivid and full information about the parameters of infusion. Obvious advantage: the possibility to use various types of syringes, the information on the amount of drug sufficient at this infusion rate, drugs libraries. An additional research has been made to estimate the possibilities of pump usage for the conduction of the traditional infusion of propofol (in mg/kg/h account) and any other drugs. Unlike the first perfusors with a built-in Diprifusor® system this kind of pump is universal for different drugs. Also unique is that during anaesthesia it is possible to shift from TCI-regime to traditional TIVA and vice versa with Ctarg, C1, Ceff and decrement time available on the pump display. 

Conclusion: The availability of the Asena® PK is undoubtedly an important step forward in the development of TCI concept. The next step would be the implementation of the already elaborated soft programmes to use infusion propofol according to Schnider and Kataria models. This would enlarge the scope of TIVA implementation even more.

References:

1  Schnider T.W., Minto C.F., Gambus P.L. et al. Anesthesiology 1998; 88: 1170-1182. 

2  Kataria B.K., Ved S.A., Nicodemus H.F. et al. Anesthesiology 1994; 80: 104-122.