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J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;118:1038-1045
© 1999 Mosby, Inc.

SURGERY FOR ACQUIRED CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

THE INFLUENCE OF REGIONAL SPINAL CORD HYPOTHERMIA ON TRANSCRANIAL MYOGENIC MOTOR-EVOKED POTENTIAL MONITORING AND THE EFFICACY OF SPINAL CORD ISCHEMIA DETECTION

From the Departments of Surgery, Anesthesiology^a and Cardiopulmonary^b Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Address for reprints: M. J. H. M. Jacobs, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands (Email: M. Jacobs{at}amc.uva.nl).

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Material and methods Results Discussion References

 
Objective: Myogenic motor-evoked responses to transcranial electrical stimulation (transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials) can rapidly detect spinal cord ischemia during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Recent evidence suggests that regional spinal cord hypothermia increases spinal cord ischemia tolerance. We investigated the influence of subdural infusion cooling on transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential characteristics and the time to detect spinal cord ischemia in 6 pigs.
Methods: Regional hypothermia was produced by subdural perfusion cooling. A laminectomy and incision of the dura were performed at L2 to advance 2 inflow catheters at L4 and L6, to cool the lumbar subdural space with saline solution. Two temperature probes were advanced at L3 and L5, and 1 cerebrospinal fluid pressure line was advanced at L4. Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid outflow was allowed. Spinal cord ischemia was produced by clamping a set of critical lumbar arteries, previously identified by transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials and lumbar artery clamping. The time between the onset of ischemia and detection with transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials (amplitude < 25%) was determined at cerebrospinal fluid temperatures of 37°C and 28°C. Thereafter, the influence of progressive cerebrospinal fluid cooling on transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential amplitude and latency was determined.
Results: The time necessary to produce ischemic transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials, after the clamping of critical lumbar arteries, was not affected at moderate subdural hypothermia (3.8 ± 0.9 min) compared with subdural normothermia (3.2 ± 0.5 min; P = .6). Thereafter, progressive cooling resulted in a transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential amplitude increase at 28°C to 30°C and was followed by a progressive decrease. Response amplitudes decreased below 25% at 14.0°C ± 1.1°C. The influence of cerebrospinal fluid temperature on transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential amplitude was best represented by a quadratic regression curve with a maximum at 29.6°C. In contrast, transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential latencies increased linearly with decreasing subdural temperatures.
Conclusions: Detection of spinal cord ischemia with transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials is not delayed at moderate subdural hypothermia in pigs. At a cerebrospinal fluid temperature of 28°C, transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potential amplitudes are increased. Further cerebrospinal fluid temperature decreases result in progressive amplitude decreases and latency increases.

	Introduction

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Paraplegia is a complication of surgical repairs of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). The incidence varies between 1% and 40%, depending on the extent of the aneurysm, dissection, rupture, and crossclamp time. ¹ Protective strategies attempt to reduce the occurrence of this complication by either maintaining adequate spinal cord perfusion or increasing the spinal cord ischemia tolerance. ^2,3

Monitoring spinal cord function during TAAA repair allows selective modification of surgical technique or application and adjustment of protective measures. Somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) are widely used for spinal cord function monitoring. However, their use is limited by false-negative results and a relatively long delay between the onset of spinal cord ischemia and detection. ⁴ Monitoring of transcranial myogenic motor-evoked potentials (tc-MEPs) during TAAA surgery allows immediate detection of anterior horn ischemia, and no false-negative results have been described to date. ^5,6

Regional hypothermia is a promising technique to protect the spinal cord against transient episodes of spinal cord ischemia. ^7,8 One observational study suggested a clinical benefit of epidural spinal cord cooling in patients who undergo TAAA repair. ⁹ Regional hypothermia avoids the systemic complications associated with cooling, such as cardiac arrhythmias, ¹⁰ coagulopathy, ¹¹ and an increased rate of postoperative infection. ¹² To date, no data are available regarding the influence of regional hypothermia on spinal cord function monitoring with tc-MEPs.

We investigated in pigs the influence of moderate subdural cooling on the time between the onset of spinal cord ischemia and the detection by tc-MEPs. In addition, we investigated the effect of progressive subdural cooling on myogenic tc-MEP signals.

	Material and methods

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Animal care and all procedures were performed in compliance with The National Guidelines for Care of Laboratory Animals in the Netherlands. The study protocol was approved by the Animal Research Committee of the Academic Hospital at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Six female domestic pigs, each weighing 45 to 55 kg, were studied.

Anesthesia
Anesthetics used in this experiment have no major effect on tc-MEP responses and are also used in our clinic for tc-MEP–guided TAAA repair. Ketamine (15 mg/kg, intramuscularly) was used as premedication. Anesthesia was induced with 2.0% isoflurane by mask in a mixture of 50% oxygen in nitrous oxide. After induction, 2 intravenous lines (18-gauge) were introduced in ear veins. The animals received sufentanil 15 µg/kg and clonidine 2 µg/kg. Isoflurane was discontinued, and anesthesia was maintained with infusion of ketamine 15 mg/kg/h, sufentanil 5 µg/kg/h, clonidine 1 µg/kg/h, and nitrous oxide (60%). Animals were intubated and ventilated with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Ventilation was adjusted to maintain an end-tidal carbon dioxide between 4.8 to 5.3 kPa (36-40 mm Hg) throughout the experiment. The adequacy of ventilation was confirmed by blood gas analysis at 37°C. Arterial blood pressure was measured with a catheter placed into the axillary artery and central venous pressure by means of a catheter advanced through the right jugular vein into the superior caval vein. Electrocardiogram, central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and nasopharyngeal temperature were monitored continuously. Fluids were substituted by Ringer’s lactate solution, as required.

Tc-MEP monitoring technique
Tc-MEPs were evoked with a multipulse transcranial electrical stimulator (Digitimer D 185 cortical stimulator; Digitimer Ltd, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom). The stimuli were applied to the scalp with 4 needle electrodes, with a train of 5 pulses. The interstimulus interval between pulses was 2.0 ms. The anode was placed at the occiput; the cathode consisted of 3 interconnected cathodes placed behind the ears, in the mastoid bone, and in the soft palate. Compound muscle action potentials were recorded from the skin over the quadriceps muscles and foreleg muscles with adhesive gel Ag/AgCl electrodes (Fig 1). The signals were amplified 5000 to 20,000 times (adjusted to obtain maximum vertical resolution) and filtered between 30 and 1500 Hz. Data acquisition, processing, and analysis were performed on a computer with an analog-to-digital converter and software written in the LabVIEW programming environment (National Instruments, Austin, Tex). Tc-MEPs were recorded at a stimulus intensity of 10% above the level that produced maximal tc-MEP responses, typically 400 to 500 V. Tc-MEP amplitude was defined as the maximum peak-to-peak distance in millivolts of the compound muscle action potential, and latency was defined as the time between transcranial stimulation and the first negative deflection of the compound muscle action potential. A 25% intra-animal variation of tc-MEP amplitude was accepted as normal, in agreement with tc-MEP analysis during TAAA repairs in our clinic. ⁵ Baseline tc-MEP amplitude and latencies were assessed during laparotomy by averaging 5 consecutive responses. Ischemic spinal cord dysfunction was defined as an amplitude decrease below 25% of baseline values. Because of interanimal variation, amplitudes are given as percentages of baseline values. Tc-MEP amplitude and latencies of the left leg were used for data analysis. Tc-MEP responses of forepaw muscles were used to recognize potential systemic or technical causes of tc-MEP decrease.

View larger version (39K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Schematic representation of tc-MEP recording in the experimental animal (ventral view).

View larger version (45K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Identification of a set of critical segmental arteries. Clamps are placed on individual segmental arteries in a caudal-to-cranial direction every 5 minutes, until spinal cord ischemia is detected with tc-MEPs. This example demonstrates detection of spinal cord ischemia when the L6, L5, L4, L3, and L2 segmental arteries are clamped. CSFP , Cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Thereafter, critical segmental arteries were identified by sequentially clamping the lumbar arteries in a caudocranial direction, starting with the L6 artery. After placement of each additional segmental artery clamp, an observation period of 5 minutes was allowed to detect whether ischemic spinal cord dysfunction developed, as evidenced by a tc-MEP amplitude decrease below 25% of baseline (Fig 3). When tc-MEPs indicated spinal cord ischemia, the presently clamped set of segmental arteries was considered critical for spinal cord blood flow, and the clamps were immediately removed. A period of at least 15 minutes was allowed for the tc-MEP responses to recover completely.

View larger version (42K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Experimental setup. A laminectomy and durotomy was performed at the L2 level. Inflow catheters are introduced into the subdural space with the tips advanced to the L4 and L6 level. Temperatures are measured at the L5 level (T1) and the L3 level (T2) and within the common afferent perfusate catheter (T3). Subdural CSF pressure is measured at the L5 level.

The influence of moderate subdural hypothermia on spinal cord ischemia detection
The time interval between clamping a set of critical segmental arteries and the onset of spinal cord ischemia was assessed (ischemia detection time) during normothermic perfusion. After the ischemia detection time at normothermia was determined, at least 15 minutes were allowed for the tc-MEP response to return to baseline. At that time, subdural perfusion cooling was started by decreasing the infusate temperature until the CSF temperature reached approximately 28°C. An inflow rate of 700 mL/h was used to reach this target. CSF temperatures were maintained at 28°C for 15 minutes. Then, clamping of the set of critical segmental arteries was repeated, and the ischemia detection time was determined at 28°C. Clamps were removed as soon as ischemia was detected. Perfusion cooling was stopped, and CSF temperature was allowed to increase to 37°C spontaneously. Subsequently, a recovery period of at least 30 minutes was regarded after the tc-MEP recovered to baseline values.

The influence of progressive subdural hypothermia on tc-MEPs
Finally, the effect of CSF temperature decreases on tc-MEP amplitude and latency was assessed by cooling the perfusate to 4°C. Tc-MEPs were assessed every minute until tc-MEP amplitude decreased below 25% of baseline. The relationship between CSF temperature and tc-MEP amplitude and latency was assessed. At the end of the experiment animals were killed by infusion of pentobarbital intravenously.

Statistical analysis
All data are expressed as mean ± SEM. Differences in ischemia detection time between normothermic and hypothermic conditions were compared with paired t tests. Tc-MEP amplitudes and latencies are presented as medians (+10th and 90th percentiles). The effect of progressive CSF temperature decreases on tc-MEP amplitude and latency was analyzed with regression for each individual animal. The mean regression equation was calculated as a result of the unweighted mean of the regression coefficients of each animal.

	Results

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Mean arterial pressure was 84 ± 4 mm Hg during laparotomy and 87 ± 6 mm Hg when sets of critical segmental arteries were clamped at moderate subdural cooling. CSF pressures were compared during laparotomy, at moderate subdural cooling, and at maximal perfusion rates and were 7.9 ± 2.3 mm Hg, 13.3 ± 3.5 mm Hg, and 14.6 ± 4.0 mm Hg, respectively (P = .2; P = .2, and P = .3). As a result, spinal cord perfusion pressures remained at 72.9 ± 6.8 mm Hg in all animals during the experiment. Nasopharyngeal temperatures decreased during the experiment from 37.8°C ± 0.4°C to 36.6°C ± 0.2°C.

Reproducible tc-MEPs could be recorded in all animals. Supramaximal stimuli were obtained in every animal by the use of 400- to 500-V stimulation intensity. Response amplitude was 3707 µV (3182-4569 µV) at baseline. Baseline latency was 16.8 ms (15.7-17.7 ms). In animal 4, tc-MEP-amplitudes of the left leg decreased after introduction of the subdural catheters, possibly as a result of nerve root compression by 1 of the catheters. In this animal, amplitudes recorded from the right leg were used for analysis.

Six lumbar arteries were present in each animal. During sequential clamping of these arteries, starting from the L6 level in a cranial direction, 1 animal showed tc-MEP evidence of spinal cord ischemia after the L6-L3 level was clamped; 4 animals showed tc-MEP evidence of spinal cord ischemia when the L6-L2 arteries were clamped, and 1 animal showed tc-MEP evidence of spinal cord ischemia after the L6-L1 arteries were clamped.

The influence of moderate subdural hypothermia on spinal cord ischemia detection
No significant difference was observed between the onset of spinal cord ischemia and a tc-MEP amplitude decrease below 25% at normothermic perfusion or moderate subdural perfusion cooling (28.3°C ± 0.7°C). Tc-MEPs detected spinal cord ischemia within 3.2 ± 0.5 and 3.8 ± 0.9 minutes, respectively (P = .6). Tc-MEPs of the forepaws remained at 89.6% ± 2.4% during this part of the experiment. At a perfusion rate of 700 mL/h, CSF temperatures of 28°C were reached within 15.7 ± 4.9 minutes. Average inflow temperatures of 23.7°C ± 1.4°C were necessary to reach this target. After the arterial clamps were removed, tc-MEP amplitudes rapidly returned to baseline in all animals.

The influence of progressive subdural hypothermia on tc-MEPs
After the start of progressive CSF cooling, tc-MEP amplitudes initially increased in all animals. Below 30°C, tc-MEP amplitudes decreased progressively, and amplitudes decreased to values below 25% of baseline at an average CSF temperature of 14.0°C ± 1.1°C. The mean regression equation for log(tc-MEP amplitude) was –2.2 + 0.47 · CSF temperature – 0.008 · CSF temperature². The variances for the intercept, CSF temperature and CSF temperature² were –2.2, 0.17 and 0.002, respectively. The maximum of the quadratic function was at 29.6°C (25°C-34°C). Fig 4 shows the raw tc-MEP amplitude data and the average regression curve. The equation predicts a tc-MEP amplitude decrease below 25% at 15.5°C. For log(tc-MEP-latency), the mean regression equation was 3.1 – 0.009 · CSF temperature, with a variance of 0.2 for the intercept and 0.005 for the CSF temperature. Fig 5 shows raw tc-MEP latencies and the mean regression curve. Average inflow rates of 966 ± 20 mL/h at 4°C were necessary to reach CSF temperatures that resulted in tc-MEP loss. At these perfusion rates, CSF pressures remained below 15 mm Hg. In 1 animal, CSF temperature did not decrease below 22°C, despite the maximum pump flow rate of 999 mL/h and tc-MEP amplitude remained at 25.7% of baseline. Tc-MEP amplitudes of the forepaws remained at an average of 92.5% ± 4.8% of baseline during this part of the experiment. After the infusion pump was stopped, CSF temperatures and tc-MEP amplitudes increased to baseline within 10 minutes in all animals.

View larger version (20K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4. The influence of a progressive CSF temperature decrease on tc-MEP amplitudes. Raw data are shown as triangles . The average regression curve (continuous line ) shows an initial increase with a maximum at 29.6°C and, thereafter, a progressive tc-MEP amplitude decrease.

View larger version (20K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 5. The influence of a progressive CSF temperature decrease on tc-MEP latencies. Raw data are shown as triangles . The average regression curve (continuous line ) shows a linear increase when CSF temperatures decrease.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Material and methods Results Discussion References

At 28°C, there is considerable protection against neuronal damage after transient episodes of ischemia. ¹³ Because hypothermia decreases the ischemia-induced release of excitatory neurotransmitter release ¹⁴ and slows metabolic rate, ^15,16 we hypothesized that motor neuron function during spinal cord ischemia might be preserved when moderate subdural hypothermia is applied, possibly delaying tc-MEPs detection of spinal cord ischemia at this CSF temperature. However, at 28°C we did not observe an increased time between the onset of spinal cord ischemia and detection with tc-MEPs. These results are in accordance with observations by Svensson and colleagues, ¹⁷ who investigated spinal cord motor-evoked potentials during aortic clamping in pigs. Infusion of cold liquid into the occluded aorta did not preclude a rapid evoked potential decrease to values of approximately 25% of baseline, when the aortic segment was clamped. However, perispinal temperatures were not assessed during this experiment. Apparently, spinal cord ischemia during moderate subdural hypothermia results in a loss of synaptic activity as rapidly as during normothermia. These results do not imply, however, that spinal cord protection will not be achieved at this CSF temperature.

During the second part of the experiment, where progressive CSF cooling was performed without segmental artery clamping, an initial tc-MEP amplitude increase was followed by a decrease in all animals, although tc-MEP latencies increased progressively.

Hypothermia induces several neurophysiologic changes, including decreases in resting potential, decreases in potential amplitude, an increase in duration of the action potential, reduction of nerve conduction velocity, and depression of synaptic transmission. ^18-22 Ultimately, severe hypothermia will result in complete suppression of both axonal and synaptic transmission. However, in the present study, an initial tc-MEP amplitude increase preceded the eventual decrease. This phenomenon was also observed in cats when neurogenic corticomotor-evoked potentials and SSEPs were measured during progressive hypothermia. ²³ This hyperresponsiveness during moderate cooling is thought to be the result of an increased release of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic space because of longer duration of the action potential. ^19,24 Increased duration of individual potentials may even result in summation. ²⁵ The tc-MEP amplitude decreases and latency increases observed when CSF temperatures were further decreased in this experiment are consistent with clinical reports concerning the influence of systemic hypothermia on SSEPs. ^26,27 Progressive cooling could mimic SSEP evidence of spinal cord ischemia. In our study, tc-MEP amplitudes below 25% of baseline amplitudes were observed at CSF temperatures of 14.0°C ± 1.1°C. These results imply that progressive subdural hypothermia could also mimic tc-MEP evidence of spinal cord ischemia, rendering spinal cord monitoring unreliable at these CSF temperatures. In addition, tc-MEP latencies increased during moderate spinal cord hypothermia. However, tc-MEP potential latency is not considered to be a sensitive ischemia predictor, ⁵ and these findings may therefore have less clinical significance.

In our institution, tc-MEP monitoring is an integral part in the selective application of spinal cord protective measures and guides strategies that improve spinal cord perfusion (ie, distal aortic perfusion, reattachment of segmental arteries, and maintaining adequate proximal and distal arterial pressure). ^5,6 The protective qualities of regional spinal cord hypothermia have been described extensively in experimental studies and could, theoretically, offer spinal cord protection during prolonged aortic clamping. Indeed, a clinical series suggested a benefit in 70 patients who underwent surgical repair for type I and II TAAA, when epidural cooling during aortic clamping resulted in an overall incidence of neurologic deficits of 2.9% only. ⁹ With the use of this technique, systemic complications (such as increased cardiac excitability, ¹⁰ coagulation defects ²⁸ and an increased risk for postoperative wound infections) ¹² can be avoided. When the data from these experiments are applicable in the human situation, protection of the spinal cord during prolonged aortic crossclamp episodes could possibly be performed with regional spinal cord moderate hypothermia, although accurate detection of spinal cord ischemia remains possible. However, at CSF temperatures below 25°C, tc-MEP monitoring might become unreliable because of significant decreases in the tc-MEP response that may be indistinguishable from spinal cord ischemia.

The experimental sequence used in the present study had several disadvantages. First, spinal cord ischemia was induced 3 times in the same animal, which might have influenced later tc-MEP recordings. The induction of a relatively short period of neuronal ischemia might generate tolerance or increase sensitivity to a subsequent period of spinal cord ischemia. This would only be of influence if neuronal survival was the end point. However, in the present study neuronal transmission was assessed. Second, the influence of regional hypothermia was assessed after these episodes of ischemia, which is arguable. We opted to follow this sequence because we were uncertain whether the assessment of the influence of deep regional hypothermia on tc-MEP characteristics, before the determination of the spinal cord ischemia detection time at different CSF temperatures, might actually preclude the latter. Nevertheless, tc-MEP responses recovered to baseline values after each manipulation, suggesting that motor neuron function was not permanently impaired.

In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that myogenic tc-MEPs can be recorded reliably during moderate subdural hypothermia in pigs. Detection of acute spinal cord ischemia with tc-MEPs is not delayed at regional CSF temperatures of 28°C. At this temperature, tc-MEP amplitudes are increased. When CSF temperature is decreased further, a progressive amplitude decrease and latency increase occurs.

	Acknowledgments

 
We thank Marjolein Porsius for monitoring the tc-MEPs; Siem Hijsterkamp (Department of Biostatistics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) for his statistical insights; and Lameris (Veenendaal, The Netherlands) for providing the temperature probes.

	Footnotes

 
This work was performed at the Department of Experimental Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Supported by the Dutch Heart Association, grant 97-193.

	References

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