Trigeminocardiac Reflex Research Articles

The clinical surrogate definition of the trigeminocardiac reflex: Development of an optimized model according to a PRISMA-compliant systematic review.

Background:The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is defined as sudden onset of parasympathetic dysrhythmias including hemodynamic irregularities, apnea, and gastric hypermotility during stimulation of sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve. Since the first description of the TCR 1999, there is an ongoing discussion about a more flexible than the existing clinical definition. Aim of this work was to create a clinical surrogate definition through a systematic review of the literature.Methods:In this meta-analysis study, literature about TCR occurrences was, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement, systematically identified through various search engines including PubMed (Medline), Embase (Ovid SP), and ISI Web of Sciences databases from January 2005 to August 2015. TCR was defined as a drop of heart rate (HR) below 60 bpm or 20% to the baseline. We extracted detailed data about hemodynamic changes and searched for connections between arterial blood pressure (BP) and HR changes during such episodes.Results:Overall 45 studies harboring 57 patients were included in the study but only 32 patients showed sufficient data for final analyze. HR showed a nonlinear behavior with a “tipping point” phenomena that differs in variance from the central/peripheral (20–30% drop) to ganglion (40–49% drop). BP showed a linear behavior with a “central limit” phenomena not differing in variance in the whole subgroup (30–39% drop). An analyzation of the correlation between BP and HR showed a trend to a linear correlation.Conclusions:We can show for the first time that HR is the dominant variable in the TCR and present a new surrogate definition model. This model and the role of BP must be better investigated in further studies.

Definition and Diagnosis of the Trigeminocardiac Reflex: A Grounded Theory Approach for an Update.

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is defined as sudden onset of parasympathetic dysrhythmias including hemodynamic irregularities, apnea, and gastric hypermotility during stimulation of sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve. Since the first description of the TCR in 1999, there is an ongoing discussion about a more emergent clinical definition. In this work, the author worked out an approach to such an improved definition. In this study, a grounded theory approach was used. Literature about TCR was systematically identified through PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE (Ovid SP), and ISI Web of Sciences databases from 1/2005 until 8/2015. TCR was defined as a drop of heart rate (HR) below 60 bpm or 20% to the baseline. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze and interpret the data through a synthesis by the researcher's perspectives, values, and positions. Out of the included studies, the authors formed available data to an update of the understanding of changes in hemodynamic parameters (HR and blood pressure) in a TCR. According to this update, an HR deceleration should be a constant observation to identify a TCR episode while a drop in blood pressure should probably not being fixed to a certain percentage of decrease. The here presented working definition improves our understanding of the TCR. It leads the way to a new understanding of the TCR for a proper clinical definition.

A near catastrophe from trigeminocardiac reflex

AbstractTrigeminocardiac reflex is a brainstem reflex that results from stimulation of any branch of the trigeminal nerve along its course. It produces a constellation of signs and symptoms decrease in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, dysrhythmias, apnoea and increased gastric motility. We present a case of 80-year-old female patient who developed alarming hypotension and bradycardia during craniotomy for meningioma excision resulting from this reflex. In the face of refractory hypotension despite administering ephedrine and phenylephrine, we had to resort to adrenaline to restore her normal BP.

Trigeminocardiac reflex: Can theneuro-anaesthesiologist afford to be complacent?

Trigeminocardiac reflex: Can theneuro-anaesthesiologist afford to be complacent?

Posterior meningeal artery DMSO injection resulting in reproducible asystole prior to Onyx therapy of a dural arteriovenous fistula: a previously undescribed variant of the trigeminocardiac reflex or a new phenomenon?

We describe a case of reproducible asystole during endovascular treatment of a posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula. Catheterisation of the posterior meningeal artery, a branch of the vertebral artery in...

The Trigeminocardiac Reflex During the Anterior Transpetrosal Approach.

The anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA), during which the trigeminal nerve (TN) is manipulated, has a risk of eliciting the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). The aim of this study was to assess the risk of TCR during ATPA. Surgical records of 92 patients who had surgical treatment via ATPA at the Keio University Hospital between December 2005 and June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the occurrence of TCR during surgery, and clinical and tumor characteristics were compared. Tumor characteristics were evaluated based on preoperative images and intraoperative findings and included the side of the lesion, size of the lesion, tumor size in Meckel cave, pathology of the disease, cavernous sinus invasion, extension into Meckel cave, and adhesion of lesion to TN. TCR was observed in 14 of 92 patients (15.2%). TCR occurrence was significantly related to Meckel cave tumor size (P= 0.0264) and adhesion of the lesion to TN (P= 0.0002). This study suggests that TCR is related to Meckel cave tumor size and tumor adhesion to TN in ATPA. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing TCR during ATPA.

Trigeminocardiac reflex during non-surgical root canal treatment of teeth with irreversible pulpitis.

Trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a unique clinical incident of acute change in hemodynamic balance, which may lead to hypotension, bradycardia, and even clinical crisis. Up to date, no study so far considers the impact of non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT) of irreversible pulpitis teeth under either local infiltration or block anesthesia on hemodynamic change possibly related to TCR. This study enrolled 111 patients with 138 irreversible pulpitis teeth that were treated by two sessions of NSRCT. The first session involved mainly the removal of vital pulp tissue with the direct stimulation of the dental branches of the trigeminal nerve, and the second session included the root canal enlargement and debridement with minimal disturbance to the dental branches of the trigeminal nerve. Vital signs mainly the blood pressure were recorded during both NSRCT sessions. The incidences of NSRCT patients with MABP decrease ≧10%, ≧15%, or ≧20% were all significantly higher in the first NSRCT session than in the second NSRCT session (all the P-values<0.001). In the first NSRCT session, the incidence of patients with MABP decrease ≧10% was significantly associated with tooth type. For both upper and lower teeth, the patients with premolars treated by NSRCR had significantly higher incidences of MABP decrease ≧10% than those with either anterior or molar teeth treated by NSRCR (all the P-values<0.05). We conclude that vital pulp extirpation may lead to a substantial drop in patient's blood pressure possibly related to TCR.

Occurrence of trigeminocardiac reflex during dental implant surgery: An observational prospective study.

Trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a clinical phenomenon that manifests as s sudden onset of hemodynamic perturbations. TCR has been reported in cranio-maxillofacial surgery resulting in severe medical risks. Monitoring the hemodynamic changes during cranio-maxillofacial surgery can provide important information to ensure the continuous evaluation of patient's physical conditions. This prospective observational study was conducted to determine the hemodynamic alterations related to the possibly of occurrence of TCR in patients during dental implant surgery. One hundred and thirty-five patients (69 males and 66 females) received dental implant placement were enrolled in this study. The hemodynamic changes were evaluated by monitoring heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse oximetry (SpO2). The above data were collected before, during, and after dental implant surgery. The data demonstrated that the minimal values of HR, SBP, and DBP as well as MABP decreased significantly during operation comparing with the corresponding values before operation (p<0.0001). In addition, HR and SBP decreased significantly in post-operation stage comparing with the corresponding values in pre-operation stage (p<0.0001). Comparing to dental implant placement in the mandible, patients received dental implant placement in the maxilla had more risks to confront with MABP reduction (OR=3.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-13.2). A significant HR and BP reduction possibly due to TCR can occur during dental implant surgery. Therefore, the dentists should monitor the hemodynamic changes during dental implant surgery to prevent the possible occurrence of medical risks related to TCR.

Rhinitis and sleep disorders: The trigeminocardiac reflex link?

Rhinitis, allergic or non-allergic, is an inflammatory condition of the nose. It is associated with a wide range of sleep disorders that are generally attributed to nasal congestion and presence of inflammatory mediators like cytokines and interleukins. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind these sleep disorders remain unclear. On the other hand, the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) has recently been linked to various sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, sleep bruxism and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep apnea. TCR can be incited by stimulation of the trigeminal nerve or the area innervated by its branches including the nasal mucosa. Trigeminal nasal afferents can be activated on exposure to noxious stimuli (mechanical or chemical) like ammonia vapors, carbon-dioxide, nicotine, hypertonic saline, air-puffs and smoke. In rhinitis, there is associated neuronal hyper-responsiveness of sensory nasal afferents due to inflammation (which can be suppressed by steroids). This may further lead to increased occurrence of TCR in rhinitis. Moreover, there is involvement of autonomic nervous system both in rhinitis and TCR. In TCR, parasympathetic over activity and sympathetic inhibition leads to sudden onset bradycardia, hypotension, apnea and gastric motility. Also, the autonomic imbalance reportedly plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of rhinitis. Thus, considering these facts we hypothesize that the TCR could be the link between rhinitis and sleep disorders and we believe that further research in this direction may yield significant development in our understanding of sleep disorders in rhinitis.

Trigeminocardiac reflex during endoscopic juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma surgery: an appraisal.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a locally aggressive benign tumour which has propensity to erode the skull base. The tumour spreads along the pathways of least resistance and is in close proximity to the extracranial part of trigeminal nerve. Advancements in expanded approaches for endoscopic excision of tumours in infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa increase the vulnerability for the trigeminocardiac reflex. The manipulation of nerve and its branches during tumour dissection can lead to sensory stimulation and thus inciting the reflex. The aim of our study is to report the occurrence of trigeminocardiac reflex in endoscopic excision of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. To describe the occurence of trigeminocardiac reflex during endoscopic endonasal excision of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. We studied the occurrence of TCR in 15 patients (out of 242 primary cases and 52 revision cases) operated for endoscopic endonasal excision of JNA. The drop in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were observed and measured. To the best of our knowledge of English literature, this is the first case series reporting TCR as complication in endoscopic excision of JNA. occurence of this reflex has been mentioned in various occular, maxillofacial surgeries but its occurence during endoscopic excision of JNA has never been reported before. Manifestation of trigeminocardiac reflex during surgery can alter the course of the surgery and is a potential threat to life. It is essential for the anesthetist and surgeons to be familiar with the presentations, preventive measures and management protocols.

Trigeminocardiac reflex — a phenomenon neglected in maxillofacial surgery?

Trigeminocardiac reflex — a phenomenon neglected in maxillofacial surgery?

Sleep Disorders: Is the Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex a Missing Link?

Trigeminal innervated areas in face, nasolacrimal, and nasal mucosa can produce a wide array of cardiorespiratory manifestations that include apnea, bradypnea, bradycardia, hypotension, and arrhythmias. This reflex is a well-known entity called “trigemino-cardiac reflex” (TCR). The role of TCR is investigated in various pathophysiological conditions especially in neurosurgical, but also skull base surgery procedures. Additionally, its significance in various sleep-related disorders has also been highlighted recently. Though, the role of diving reflex, a subtype of TCR, has been extensively investigated in sudden infant death syndrome. The data related to other sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, bruxism is very limited and thus, this mini review aims to investigate the possible role and correlation of TCR in causing such sleep abnormalities.

Antagonistic and Synergistic Activation of Cardiovascular Vagal and Sympathetic Motor Outflows in Trigeminal Reflexes.

The trigeminal nerve and heart are strongly related through somato-autonomic nervous reflexes that induce rapid changes in cardiovascular function. Several trigeminal reflexes have been described, but the diving and trigeminocardiac reflexes are the most studied. The heart is a target organ dually innervated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Thus, how cardiac function is regulated during the trigeminal reflexes is the result of the combination of an increased parasympathetic response and increased, decreased, or unaltered sympathetic activity. Various hemodynamic changes occur as a consequence of these alterations in autonomic tone. Often in the oxygen-conserving physiological reflexes such as the diving reflex, sympathetic/parasympathetic co-activation reduces the heart rate and either maintains or increases blood pressure. Conversely, in the trigeminocardiac reflex, bradycardia and hypotension due to parasympathetic activation and sympathetic inactivation tend to be observed. These sudden cardiac innervation disturbances may promote the generation of arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia during surgeries in the trigeminal territory. However, the function and mechanisms involved in the trigeminal reflexes remain to be fully elucidated. The current review provides a brief update and analysis of the features of these reflexes, with special focus on how the autonomic nervous system interacts with cardiovascular function.

Chronic Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex: An Underestimated Truth.

The trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR) is a brainstem reflex that manifests as adverse cardiorespiratory events upon the stimulation of sensory branches of the fifth cranial nerve. This reflex is mainly investigated in different neurosurgical procedures and intervention. This reflex is commonly considered as an acute and mild physiological response. On the other hand, more devastating and chronic nature of this reflex is largely underreported and unknown. Therefore, this article aims to provide the comprehensive understanding of the chronic form of TCR, its manifestations, and management by literature search. Also, this paper would certainly impart a better diagnosis and understanding of TCR phenomenon by knowing the relatively less common form of a chronic TCR. This will help thousands and thousands of patients who are still in the phase of diagnosis and are suffering from vague symptoms related to this reflex.

The trigeminocardiac reflex during linac-based hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for a skull base tumor

The trigeminocardiac reflex during linac-based hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy for a skull base tumor

Trigemino-Cardiac Reflex: A Phenomenon Neglected in Maxillofacial Surgery?

Trigemino-cardiac reflex is a physiologic response of the body to pressure effects in the region of distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures can induce the development of this reflex, which leads to significant changes in the heart rate and sinus rhythms. This study intends to evaluate the effects of this reflex in patients with facial fractures and its subsequent management. A total of thirty-seven patients with facial fractures who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Basaveswar Teaching and General Hospital, Gulbarga during a period from July 2015-March 2016 were considered for the study. A male preponderance is observed with the most susceptible age group being 21-30years. Twenty-three patients sustained mid-facial fractures alone, nine patients had isolated mandible fractures and five patients had fractures of both the mid-face and mandible. A relative bradycardia was observed in the patients with mid-facial trauma, both at the time of presentation and also during the surgical reduction of midfacial fractures which improved after completion of procedure in most of the patients. However, in two patients, the bradycardia progressed to a cardiac asystole during midface manipulation which required immediate halt of the procedure and intravenous administration of atropine. Trigeminocardiac reflex though physiologic, which usually tends to subside without complications is not to be neglected in the surgeries of the maxillofacial skeleton. A propensity for unforeseen complications due to this reflex has to be avoided by meticulous monitoring of the ECG.

Trigeminocardiac Reflex Induced by Electrohemostasis during Total Ear Canal Ablation in a Dog

Trigeminocardiac Reflex Induced by Electrohemostasis during Total Ear Canal Ablation in a Dog

Sustained trigeminocardiac reflex following balloon embolization of carotico-cavernous fistula.

Sustained trigeminocardiac reflex following balloon embolization of carotico-cavernous fistula.

Acute coronary spasm during posteriorfossa surgery and its successful management: A variable presentation of trigemino cardiac reflex

Acute coronary spasm during posteriorfossa surgery and its successful management: A variable presentation of trigemino cardiac reflex

Trigeminocardiac reflex and haemodynamic changes during Le Fort I osteotomy

The Le Fort I osteotomy is performed under general anaesthesia and specific haemodynamic conditions, i.e. hypotensive general anaesthesia. This study assessed the incidence of the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) during the different stages of the Le Fort I osteotomy. Forty-seven patients requiring a Le Fort I osteotomy were included. General anaesthesia was induced. In terms of haemodynamic changes, each patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and electrocardiogram (ECG) were monitored by SADAAT Monitoring System and recorded during the different stages of osteotomy: before the induction of anaesthesia, before osteotomy cuts, after finishing the right pterygoid plate osteotomy, after finishing the left pterygoid plate osteotomy, and after performing down-fracture of the maxilla. No significant alteration in haemodynamic values was seen at the different stages of Le Fort I osteotomy. One patient showed arrhythmia with non-sinus junction rhythm after sinus bradycardia and two premature atrial contractions in the down-fracture stage, which led to the abrupt cessation of the procedure by the surgeon. This study showed no significant alterations in haemodynamic values during the different stages of Le Fort I osteotomy. Halting the procedure momentarily was sufficient to allow spontaneous normalization of the HR, blood pressure, and dysrhythmia.