Background
The administration of endovenous immunoglobulins in patients with septic shock could be beneficial and preparations enriched with IgA and IgM (ivIgGAM) seem to be more effective than those ...containing only IgG. In a previous study Berlot et al. demonstrated that early administration of ivIgGAM was associated with lower mortality rate. We studied a larger population of similar patients aiming either to confirm or not this finding considering also the subgroup of patients with septic shock by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.
Methods
Adult patients with septic shock in intensive care unit (ICU) treated with ivIgGAM from August 1999 to December 2016 were retrospectively examined. Collected data included the demographic characteristics of the patients, the diagnosis at admission, SOFA, SAPS II and Murray Lung Injury Score (LIS), characteristics of the primary infection, the adequacy of antimicrobial therapy, the delay of administration of ivIgGAM from the ICU admission and the outcome at the ICU discharge. Parametric and nonparametric tests and logistic regression were used for statistic analysis.
Results
During the study period 107 (30%) of the 355 patients died in ICU. Survivors received the ivIgGAM earlier than nonsurvivors (median delay 12 vs 14 h), had significantly lower SAPS II, SOFA and LIS at admission and a lower rate of MDR- and fungal-related septic shock. The appropriateness of the administration of antibiotics was similar in survivors and nonsurvivors (84 vs 79%, respectively,
p
: n.s). The delay in the administration of ivIgGAM from the admission was associated with in-ICU mortality (odds ratio per 1-h increase = 1.0055, 95% CI 1.003–1.009,
p
< 0.001), independently of SAPS II, LIS, cultures positive for MDR pathogens or fungi and onset of septic shock. Only 46 patients (14%) had septic shock due to MDR pathogens; 21 of them (46%) died in ICU. Survivors had significantly lower SAPS II, SOFA at admission and delay in administration of ivIgGAM than nonsurvivors (median delay 18 vs 66 h). Even in this subgroup the delay in the administration of ivIgGAM from the admission was associated with an increased risk of in-ICU mortality (odds ratio 1.007, 95% CI 1.0006–1.014,
p
= 0.048), independently of SAPS II.
Conclusions
Earlier administration of ivIgGAM was associated with decreased risk of in-ICU mortality both in patients with septic shock caused by any pathogens and in patients with MDR-related septic shock.
Abstract Purpose Because the use of IgM and IgA enriched polyclonal intravenous immunoglobulins (eIg) is a standard of care in critically ill patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) with ...the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock, we investigated if the delay from the onset of severe sepsis and septic shock and their administration could influence the outcome. Materials and Methods The medical records of all patients with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to our ICU from July 2004 through October 2009 and treated with eIg (Pentaglobin®; Biotest, Dreieich, Germany) were retrospectively examined. Results A total of 129 adult patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were considered eligible. Thirty-two percent of patients died during the ICU stay. Survivors were given eIg significantly earlier than nonsurvivors (23 vs 63 hours, P < .05). The delay in the administration of eIg and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II were the only variables that entered stepwise a propensity score-adjusted logistic model. The delay in the administration of eIg was a significant predictor of the odds of dying during the ICU stay (odds ratio for 1 hour of delay, 1.007; P < .01; 99% confidence interval from 1.001 to 1.010) and proved to be independent from the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and other variables. Conclusions The efficacy of eIg, being maximal in early phases of severe sepsis and/or septic shock, is probably time dependent.
Gynecological procedures are among the most frequent surgical interventions, and effective postoperative analgesia is associated with improved patient comfort. Despite the efficacy of neuraxial ...analgesia, limitations and potential complications have led to seek new strategies for pain relief. A novel, pre-programmed, non-invasive, hand-held system (Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet System SSTS) displayed good results in the orthopedic setting. However, it has never been applied in gynecological procedures.
This retrospective observational case series evaluates receiving SSTS for postoperative analgesia. Data from 42 consecutive patients undergoing open gynecological surgery with Pfannenstiel incision were retrieved from medical charts in two Italian hospitals.
The mean age was 49±11 years, and mean BMI was 24.4±4.6 kg/m2. We reported effective relief on both static and dynamic pain all along the perioperative period, with good effect on patient's rehabilitation. Postoperative nausea and vomiting is the most common adverse effect, but the incidence was strongly decreased with medical prophylaxis. SSTS was easy to prepare, use and manage by both patients and care providers.
SSTS may be an interesting option for postoperative analgesia in gynecologic procedures. The efficacy in the management of dynamic pain is an interesting outcome that needs to be compared with the other standards of pain management, such as neuraxial techniques. Rigorous studies are required to give conclusive evidence, but this is the first report, to our knowledge, of SSTS use in open gynecologic procedures. Our preliminary experience encourages the routine application of SSTS in gynecologic surgery and will help designing future randomized controlled trials on the topic.
Background
Surgery for obesity and metabolic diseases has been evolved in the light of new scientific evidence, long-term outcomes and accumulated experience. EAES has sponsored an update of previous ...guidelines on bariatric surgery.
Methods
A multidisciplinary group of bariatric surgeons, obesity physicians, nutritional experts, psychologists, anesthetists and a patient representative comprised the guideline development panel. Development and reporting conformed to GRADE guidelines and AGREE II standards.
Results
Systematic review of databases, record selection, data extraction and synthesis, evidence appraisal and evidence-to-decision frameworks were developed for 42 key questions in the domains Indication; Preoperative work-up; Perioperative management; Non-bypass, bypass and one-anastomosis procedures; Revisional surgery; Postoperative care; and Investigational procedures. A total of 36 recommendations and position statements were formed through a modified Delphi procedure.
Conclusion
This document summarizes the latest evidence on bariatric surgery through state-of-the art guideline development, aiming to facilitate evidence-based clinical decisions.
Obesity is a chronic disease that has already reached pandemic proportions and is becoming one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A comprehensive, sustainable, and proactive ...strategy to deal with the challenges posed by the obesity epidemic is urgently needed. Weight loss induced by surgery has proven to be highly efficacious in treating obesity and its comorbidities.
The increasing importance of treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), while avoiding side effects and maintaining sexual function, has allowed for the development of minimally invasive ...surgical therapies (MISTs). Recently, the European Association of Urology guidelines reported a paradigm shift from the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to the management of nonneurogenic male LUTS. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the most commonly used MISTs: ablative techniques such as aquablation, prostatic artery embolization, water vapor energy, and transperineal prostate laser ablation, and nonablative techniques such as prostatic urethral lift and temporarily implanted nitinol device (iTIND). MISTs are becoming a new promise, even if clinical trials with longer follow-up are still lacking. Most of them are still under investigation and, to date, only a few options have been given as a recommendation for use. They cannot be considered as standard of care and are not suitable for all patients. Advantages and disadvantages should be underlined, without forgetting our objective: treatment of LUTS and re-treatment avoidance.
Introduction
Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become a widespread treatment option in patients affected by severe obesity. However, studies investigating the impact of the subsequent weight loss on the ...ventilatory response at rest and during physical exercise are lacking.
Methods
This is an observational study on 46 patients with severe obesity (76% females), comparing parameters of ventilatory function 1 month before and 6 months after SG. Patients were first evaluated by resting spirometry and subsequently with an incremental, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on treadmill.
Results
The important weight loss of 26.35 ± 6.17% of body weight (BMI from 43.59 ± 5.30 to 32.27 ± 4.84 kg/m
2
) after SG was associated with a significant improvement in lung volumes and flows during forced expiration at rest, while resting ventilation and tidal volume were reduced (all
p
≤ 0.001). CPET revealed decreased ventilation during incremental exercise (
p
< 0.001), with a less shallow ventilatory pattern shown by a lower increase of breathing frequency (∆BF
rest to AT
p
= 0.028) and a larger response of tidal volume (∆TV
AT to Peak
p
< 0.001). Furthermore, a concomitant improvement of the calculated dead space ventilation, VE/VCO
2
slope and peripheral oxygen saturation was shown (all
p
≤ 0.002). Additionally, the increased breathing reserve at peak exercise was associated with a lower absolute oxygen consumption but improved exercise capacity and tolerance (all
p
< 0.001).
Conclusion
The weight loss induced by SG led to less burdensome restrictive limitations of the respiratory system and to a reduction of ventilation at rest and during exercise, possibly explained by an increased ventilatory efficiency and a decrease in oxygen demands.
The association between PSA density, prostate cancer (PCa) and BPH is well established. The aim of the present study was to establish whether PSA density can be used as a reliable parameter to ...predict csPCa and to determine its optimal cutoff to exclude increased PSA levels due to intraprostatic inflammation. This is a large prospective single-center, observational study evaluating the role of PSA density in the discrimination between intraprostatic inflammation and clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Patients with PSA ≥ 4 ng/ml and/or positive digito-rectal examination (DRE) and scheduled for prostate biopsy were enrolled. Prostatic inflammation (PI) was assessed and graded using the Irani Scores. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess if PSA density was associated with clinically significant PCa (csPCa) rather than prostatic inflammation. A total of 1988 patients met the inclusion criteria. Any PCa and csPCa rates were 47% and 24% respectively. In the group without csPCa, patients with prostatic inflammation had a higher PSA (6.0 vs 5.0 ng/ml; p=0.0003), higher prostate volume (58 vs 52 cc; p<0.0001), were more likely to have a previous negative biopsy (29% vs 21%; p=0.0005) and a negative DRE (70% vs 65%; p=0.023) but no difference in PSA density (0.1 vs 0.11; p=0.2). Conversely in the group with csPCa, patients with prostatic inflammation had a higher prostate volume (43 vs 40 cc; p=0.007) but no difference in the other clinical parameters. At multivariable analysis adjusting for age, biopsy history, DRE and prostate volume, PSA density emerged as a strong predictor of csPCA but was not associated with prostatic inflammation. The optimal cutoffs of PSA density to diagnose csPCa and rule out the presence of prostatic inflammation in patients with an elevated PSA (>4 ng/ml) were 0.10 ng/ml
2
in biopsy naïve patients and 0.15 ng/ml
2
in patients with a previous negative biopsy. PSA density rather than PSA, should be used to evaluate patients at risk of prostate cancer who may need additional testing or prostate biopsy. This readily available parameter can potentially identify men who do not have PCa but have an elevated PSA secondary to benign conditions.
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