[Anaphylaxis needing adrenaline administration during anesthesia: a 7-year single-institution study].
BACKGROUND
Adrenaline is the key treatment for acute anaphylaxis; however, it is difficult to use it appropriately in terms of dosage and timing. If used incorrectly, adrenaline can cause cardiac infarction, stroke, recurrence and other problems.


METHODS
We collected data of suspected anaphylaxis from records in our anesthesia department between April 2005 and March 2012. All cases where the skin of patients turned red and blood pressure decreased continuously were included. We analyzed the usage of adrenaline in these cases.


RESULTS
Six (0.034%) suspected anaphylaxis cases were analyzed from a total of 27,597 anesthesia cases. Adrenaline was administered subcutaneously in 2 cases, intravenously in 3 cases, and with and infused in 1 case. In the 4 cases with intravenous administration, the median dose was 0.52 (range : 0.02-1.6) mg. Following decreased and unstable blood pressure, adrenaline was initiated after a median of 12.5 (5-25) min, and blood pressure returned to normal after 20 (5-95) min. Patients were extubated 19 (4-24) hours after observation of anomalous blood pressure. No aftereffects or recurrences were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Adrenaline was administered appropriately in terms of dosage, but timing should have been earlies in 3 of 6 cases.
Department of Anesthesiology, Kyushukoseinenkin Hospital, Kitakyushu 806-8501.
Kenji
K
Kayashima
Reiko
R
Sozen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004837:Epinephrine