Anaesthesia, postoperative pain and surgery (more so if the site of the surgery approaches the diaphragm) will induce respiratory modifications: hypoxaemia, pulmonary volume decrease and atelectasis ...associated to a restrictive syndrome and a diaphragm dysfunction. These modifications of the respiratory function occur early after surgery and may induce acute respiratory failure (ARF). Maintenance of adequate oxygenation in the postoperative period is of major importance, especially when pulmonary complications such as ARF occur. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to techniques allowing respiratory support without the need of endotracheal intubation. Two types of NIV are commonly used: non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) which delivers two levels of positive pressure (pressure support ventilation + positive end-expiratory pressure). NIV may be an important tool to prevent (prophylactic treatment) or to treat ARF avoiding intubation (curative treatment). The aims of NIV are: (1) to partially compensate for the affected respiratory function by reducing the work of breathing, (2) to improve alveolar recruitment with better gas exchange (oxygenation and ventilation) and (3) to reduce left ventricular after load increasing cardiac output and improving haemodynamics. Evidence suggests that NIV, as a prophylactic or curative treatment, has been proven to be an effective strategy to reduce intubation rates, nosocomial infections, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, morbidity and mortality in postoperative patients. However, before initiating NIV, any surgical complication must be treated. The aims of this article are (1) to describe the rationale behind the application of NIV, (2) to report indications (including induction of anaesthesia) and contraindications and (3) to offer some algorithms for safe usage of NIV in high-risk surgery patients.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Blood cell analysis is a major pillar of biomedical research and healthcare. These analyses are performed in central laboratories. Rapid shipment from collection site to the central laboratories is ...currently needed because cells and biomarkers degrade rapidly. The dried blood spot from a fingerstick allows the preservation of cellular molecules for months but entire cells are never recovered. Here leucocyte elution is optimized from dried blood spots. Flow cytometry and mRNA expression profiling are used to analyze the recovered cells. 50–70% of the leucocytes that are dried on a polyester solid support via elution after shaking the support with buffer are recovered. While red blood cells lyse upon drying, it is found that the majority of leucocytes are preserved. Leucocytes have an altered structure that is improved by adding fixative in the elution buffer. Leucocytes are permeabilized, allowing an easy staining of all cellular compartments. Common immunophenotyping and mRNAs are preserved. The ability of a new biomarker (CD169) to discriminate between patients with and without Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome induced by Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections is also preserved. Leucocytes from blood can be dried, shipped, and/or stored for at least 1 month, then recovered for a wide variety of analyses, potentially facilitating biomedical applications worldwide.
A new method is described in which blood is dried on a polyester solid support, shipped, and/or stored at room temperature for at least 1 month. Leucocytes are recovered for a wide variety of biomedical analyses. The method has significant implications for resource limited settings and may facilitate patient management worldwide.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Guidelines recommend a ticagrelor loading dose (LD) before PCI or a prasugrel LD at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in intermediate and high-risk non–ST-elevation acute coronary ...syndrome (NSTE-ACS). However, achieving an optimal PR inhibition at the time of PCI is critical to prevent adverse events and depends on the timing of LD intake in relation to PCI. We aimed to compare the rate of myonecrosis related to PCI in patients with NSTE-ACS receiving ticagrelor pretreatment versus prasugrel at the time of intervention. We prospectively randomized 213 patients with NSTE-ACS to a 180 mg of ticagrelor LD given as soon as possible after admission and before PCI or to a 60 mg LD of prasugrel given at the time of PCI. The primary end point was the rate of periprocedural myonecrosis as defined by an increase of >5 times the ninety-ninth percentiles in troponin-negative patients or a 20% increase in troponin-positive patients. The 2 groups were similar regarding baseline characteristics including clinical setting (p = 0.2). Procedural characteristics were also identical including the number of treated vessels and stenting procedures. Patients in the prasugrel group more often required emergent PCI (p = 0.001). Patients in the ticagrelor group had less periprocedural myonecrosis compared with those in the prasugrel group (19.8% vs 38.3%; p = 0.03). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥2 at 1-month follow-up was low and similar between the 2 groups. In conclusion, a ticagrelor LD as soon as possible before PCI is superior to prasugrel at the time of PCI to prevent periprocedural myonecrosis in NSTE-ACS.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Although very common, the precise mechanisms that explain the symptomatology of neuroendocrine syncope (NES) remain poorly understood. This disease, which can be very incapacitating, manifests itself ...as a drop in blood pressure secondary to vasodilation and/or extreme slowing of heart rate. As studies continue, the involvement of the adenosinergic system is becoming increasingly evident. Adenosine, which is an ATP derivative, may be involved in a large number of cases. Adenosine acts on G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains. A1 and A2A adenosine receptor dysfunction seem to be particularly implicated since the activation leads to severe bradycardia or vasodilation, respectively, two cardinal symptoms of NES. This mini-review aims to shed light on the links between dysfunction of the adenosinergic system and NHS. In particular, signal transduction pathways through the modulation of cAMP production and ion channels in relation to effects on the cardiovascular system are addressed. A better understanding of these mechanisms could guide the pharmacological development of new therapeutic approaches.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
To assess the accuracy of chest ultrasonography in predicting pleural effusions > 500 mL in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
Prospective study.
Surgical and medical ICU in a teaching ...hospital.
Forty-four patients receiving mechanical ventilation with indications of chest drainage of a nonloculated pleural effusion.
Diagnosis of pleural effusion was based on clinical examination and chest radiography. Chest drainage was indicated when considered as potentially useful for the patient (hypoxemia and/or weaning failure). Sonograms were performed before drainage at the bedside, in the supine position, and measurements were performed at the end of expiration. Effusions were classified as > 500 mL or ≤ 500 mL according to the drained volume.
The drained volume ranged from 100 to 1,800 mL (mean, 730 ± 440 mL ± SD). The distance between the lung and posterior chest wall at the lung base (PLDbase) and the distance between the lung and posterior chest wall at the fifth intercostal space (PLD5) were significantly correlated with the drained volume (PLDbase, r = 0.68, p < 0.001; PLD5, r = 0.56, p < 0.001). A PLDbase > 5 cm predicted a drained volume > 500 mL with a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 90%, positive predictive value of 91%, and negative predictive value of 82%. Interobserver and intraobserver percentages of error were, respectively, 7 ± 6% and 9 ± 6% for PLDbase, and 6 ± 5% and 8 ± 5% for PLD5. The Pao2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio significantly increased after chest drainage in patients with collected volumes > 500 mL (p < 0.01).
Bedside pleural ultrasonography accurately predicted a nonloculated pleural effusion > 500 mL in patients receiving mechanical ventilation using simple and reproducible measurements.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: Respiratory complications are the most frequent concern following oesophagectomy. We aimed to assess the postoperative inflammatory response after oesophagectomy and to determine its ...reliability to predict the occurrence of pulmonary complications. Methods: A total of 97 patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study. All patients underwent a transthoracic oesophagectomy for cancer. From D0 to D3, plasmatic cytokine levels (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α), short synacthen test (SST), PaO2/FiO2 ratio and clinical factors determining the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were monitored and compared between patients who experienced pulmonary complications (group I) and those who did not (group II). Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was 5%. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 33 patients (34%). Sputum retention was the first step of pulmonary complications in 26 patients (occurring at a mean of 2.8 ± 1 days after the operation), leading to pneumonia in 22 patients (4.7 ± 1 days) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 10 (6.9 ± 3 days). At day 2, group I patients had significantly higher plasmatic levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α than group II patients. PaO2/FiO2 was impaired accordingly (215 vs 348; p = 0.006). SST was negative in 38% of group I patients and in 30% of group II patients (p = 0.51). SIRS was present in 33% and 6% of group I and group II patients, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). At multivariate analysis, early occurrence of SIRS was the sole significant predictor of pulmonary complications (p = 0.005; odds ratio (OR):11.4, confidence interval (CI): 2–63). Conclusions: The vast majority of postoperative pulmonary complications after oesophagectomy occur after the 4th postoperative day. The earlier detection (first 48 h) of SIRS, high plasmatic cytokine levels and impairment of PaO2/FiO2 predicts the onset of these complications. This finding suggests that early pharmacological intervention may have a beneficial impact.
The pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock (CS) varies depending on its etiology, which may lead to different hemodynamic profiles (HP) and may help tailor therapy. We aimed to assess the HP of CS ...patients according to their etiologies of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated chronic heart failure (ADCHF). We included patients admitted for CS secondary to ADCHF and AMI. HP were measured before the administration of any inotrope or vasopressor. Systemic Vascular Resistances index (SVRi), Cardiac Index (CI), and Cardiac Power Index (CPI) were measured by trans-thoracic Doppler echocardiography on admission. Among 37 CS patients, 28 had CS secondary to ADCHF or AMI and were prospectively included. The two groups were similar in terms of demographic data and shock severity criteria. AMI CS was associated with lower SVRi compared to CS related to ADCHF: 2010 (interquartile range (IQR): 1895–2277) vs. 2622 (2264–2993) dynes-s·cm−5·m−2 (p = 0.002). A trend toward a higher CI was observed: respectively 2.13 (1.88–2.18) vs. 1.78 (1.65–1.96) L·min−1·m−2 (p = 0.067) in AMICS compared to ADCHF. CS patients had different HP according to their etiologies. AMICS had lower SVR and tended to have a higher CI compared to ADHF CS. These differences should be taken into account for patient selection in future research.
Objectives. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted procedure in improving pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations 6 months after an emergency department (ED) visit among patients ...aged 65 years and older. Methods. We conducted a cluster-randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label implementation trial in 18 EDs in France and Monaco. Participants were recruited from November 2015 to September 2016. EDs were randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to provide either a multifaceted procedure that combined structured information about pneumococcal and influenza vaccines and three text message reminders sent to patients every two weeks (intervention arm) or nonstructured information only (control arm). The outcomes were self-reported pneumococcal vaccination and influenza vaccination rates within 6 months of enrollment. Results. A total of 9 EDs were randomized to the intervention arm (n = 780 patients) and 9 to the control arm (n = 695 patients). The median age for all enrolled patients was 74 years (25–75th percentiles, 69 to 82): 50.1% were male, 34.9% had at least one underlying condition, and 30.7% were at risk for invasive pneumococcal infection. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the multifaceted intervention did not alter the pneumococcal vaccination rate (6.4% versus 4.6%, absolute difference: 1.8; 95% CI: −0.9 to 4.4; p = 0.19), whereas it improved the influenza vaccination rate (52.1% versus 40.0%, absolute difference: 12.1; 95% CI: 2.4 to 21.8; p = 0.01). At 12 months, mortality did not differ between the intervention (9.7%) and control (11.2%) arms (p = 0.35). Conclusions. A multifaceted intervention based on text message reminders provides an opportunity to increase anti-influenza vaccination among elderly patients visiting the ED. Efforts are warranted to provide better information on pneumococcal diseases and the benefits of pneumococcal vaccines, especially in the elderly.
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