International point prevalence study of Intensive Care Unit transfusion practices-Pilot study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia and coagulopathy are common issues in critically ill patients. Transfusion can be lifesaving, however, is associated with potential life threatening adverse events. As an international transfusion guideline for this specific patient population is lacking, we hypothesize that a high heterogeneity in transfusion practices exists. In this pilot-study we assessed transfusion practice in a university hospital in the Netherlands and tested the feasibility of this protocol for an international multi-centre study. METHODS: A prospective single centre cohort study was conducted. For seven days all consecutive non-readmitted patients to the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were included and followed for 28 days. Patients were prospectively followed until ICU discharge or up to day 28. Patient outcome data was collected at day 28. Workload for this study protocol was scored in hours and missing data. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients were included, needed in total three hours patient to include and collect all data, with 1.6% missing data showing the feasibility of the data acquisition. Six (12.5%) patients received red blood cells (RBCs), three patients (6.3%) received platelet concentrates, and two (4.2%) patients received plasma units. In total eight (16.7%) patients were transfused with one or more blood products. Median pre- and post-transfusion haemoglobin (Hb) levels were 7.6 (6.7-7.7) g/dL and 8.1 (7.6-8.7) g/dL, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this pilot-study we proved the feasibility of our protocol and observed in this small population a restrictive transfusion practice for all blood products.

Pre-operative evaluation of adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgery: Updated guideline from the European Society of Anaesthesiology

The purpose of this update of the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) guidelines on the pre-operative evaluation of the adult undergoing noncardiac surgery is to present recommendations based on the available relevant clinical evidence. Well performed randomised studies on the topic are limited and therefore many recommendations rely to a large extent on expert opinion and may need to be adapted specifically to the healthcare systems of individual countries. This article aims to provide an overview of current knowledge on the subject with an assessment of the quality of the evidence in order to allow anaesthesiologists all over Europe to integrate - wherever possible - this knowledge into daily patient care. The Guidelines Committee of the ESA formed a task force comprising members of the previous task force, members of ESA scientific subcommittees and an open call for volunteers was made to all individual active members of the ESA and national societies. Electronic databases were searched from July 2010 (end of the literature search of the previous ESA guidelines on pre-operative evaluation) to May 2016 without language restrictions. A total of 34 066 abtracts were screened from which 2536 were included for further analysis. Relevant systematic reviews with meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and cross-sectional surveys were selected. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the level of evidence and to grade recommendations. The final draft guideline was posted on the ESA website for 4 weeks and the link was sent to all ESA members, individual or national (thus including most European national anaesthesia societies). Comments were collated and the guidelines amended as appropriate. When the final draft was complete, the Guidelines Committee and ESA Board ratified the guidelines.(AU)

Goal directed hemodynamic therapy based in esophageal Doppler flow parameters: A systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. / Terapia hemodinámica guiada por objetivos basada en parámetros de flujo con Doppler esofágico: revisión sistemática, metaanálisis y análisis secuencial de ensayos.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have compared perioperative esophageal doppler monitoring (EDM) guided intravascular volume replacement strategies with conventional clinical volume replacement in surgical patients. The use of the EDM within hemodynamic algorithms is called 'goal directed hemodynamic therapy' (GDHT). METHODS: Meta-analysis of the effects of EDM guided GDHT in adult non-cardiac surgery on postoperative complications and mortality using PRISMA methodology. A systematic search was performed in Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (last update, March 2015). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in which perioperative GDHT was compared to other fluid management. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Overall complications. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Mortality; number of patients with complications; cardiac, renal and infectious complications; incidence of ileus. Studies were subjected to quantifiable analysis, pre-defined subgroup analysis (stratified by surgery, type of comparator and risk); pre-defined sensitivity analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). RESULTS: Fifty six RCTs were initially identified, 15 fulfilling the inclusion criteria, including 1,368 patients. A significant reduction was observed in overall complications associated with GDHT compared to other fluid therapy (RR=0.75; 95%CI: 0.63-0.89; P=0.0009) in colorectal, urological and high-risk surgery compared to conventional fluid therapy. No differences were found in secondary outcomes, neither in other subgroups. The impact on preventing the development of complications in patients using EDM is high, causing a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 50% for a number needed to treat (NNT)=6. CONCLUSIONS: GDHT guided by EDM decreases postoperative complications, especially in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and high-risk surgery. However, no differences versus restrictive fluid therapy and in intermediate-risk patients were found.

Dynamic muscle O2 saturation response is impaired during major non-cardiac surgery despite goal-directed haemodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy combined with a vascular occlusion test (VOT) could indicate an impairment of microvascular reactivity (MVR) in septic patients by detecting changes in dynamic variables of muscle O2 saturation (StO2). However, in the perioperative context the consequences of surgical trauma on dynamic variables of muscle StO2 as indicators of MVR are still unknown. METHODS: This study is a sub-analysis of a randomised controlled trial in patients with metastatic primary ovarian cancer undergoing debulking surgery, during which a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm was applied using oesophageal Doppler. During a 3 min VOT, near-infrared spectroscopy was used to assess dynamic variables arising from changes in muscle StO2. RESULTS: At the beginning of surgery, values of desaturation and recovery slope were comparable to values obtained in healthy volunteers. During the course of surgery, both desaturation and recovery slope showed a gradual decrease. Concomitantly, the study population underwent a transition to a surgically induced systemic inflammatory response state shown by a gradual increase in norepinephrine administration, heart rate, and Interleukin-6, with a peak immediately after the end of surgery. Higher rates of norepinephrine and a higher heart rate were related to a faster decline in StO2 during vascular occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with a VOT during surgery showed a gradual deterioration of MVR in patients treated with optimal haemodynamic care. The deterioration of MVR was accompanied by the transition to a surgically induced systemic inflammatory response state.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for gastrointestinal surgery, part 2: consensus statement for anaesthesia practice.

BACKGROUND: The present interdisciplinary consensus review proposes clinical considerations and recommendations for anaesthetic practice in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery with an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) programme. METHODS: Studies were selected with particular attention being paid to meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials and large prospective cohort studies. For each item of the perioperative treatment pathway, available English-language literature was examined and reviewed. The group reached a consensus recommendation after critical appraisal of the literature. RESULTS: This consensus statement demonstrates that anaesthesiologists control several preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative ERAS elements. Further research is needed to verify the strength of these recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evidence available for each element of perioperative care pathways, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society presents a comprehensive consensus review, clinical considerations and recommendations for anaesthesia care in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery within an ERAS programme. This unified protocol facilitates involvement of anaesthesiologists in the implementation of the ERAS programmes and allows for comparison between centres and it eventually might facilitate the design of multi-institutional prospective and adequately powered randomized trials.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for gastrointestinal surgery, part 1: pathophysiological considerations.

BACKGROUND: The present article has been written to convey concepts of anaesthetic care within the context of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme, thus aligning the practice of anaesthesia with the care delivered by the surgical team before, during and after surgery. METHODS: The physiological principles supporting the implementation of the ERAS programmes in patients undergoing major abdominal procedures are reviewed using an updated literature search and discussed by a multidisciplinary group composed of anaesthesiologists and surgeons with the aim to improve perioperative care. RESULTS: The pathophysiology of some key perioperative elements disturbing the homoeostatic mechanisms such as insulin resistance, ileus and pain is here discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based strategies aimed at controlling the disruption of homoeostasis need to be evaluated in the context of ERAS programmes. Anaesthesiologists could, therefore, play a crucial role in facilitating the recovery process.

Ultrastructural changes associated with myocardial apoptosis, in failing rat hearts induced by volume overload.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial apoptosis has been discussed to play a pivotal role in the development and progression of congestive heart failure (CHF). However, recently there is doubt on the evidence of myocardial apoptosis in heart failure as information on ultrastructural changes by electron microscopy is still scarce. This project therefore aimed to detect direct morphological evidence of myocardial apoptosis in an experimental heart failure model. METHOD: Following IRB approval, an aortocaval fistula (ACF) was induced in male Wistar rats using a 16G needle. 28±2days following ACF rats were examined by hemodynamic measurements, Western blot, immunofluorescence confocal and electron microscopic analysis. RESULTS: Within 28±2days of ACF heart (3.8±0.1 vs. 6.6±0.3mg/g) and lung (3.7±0.2 vs. 6.9±0.5mg/g) weight indices significantly increased in the ACF group accompanied by a restriction in systolic (LVEF: 72±2 vs. 39±3%) and diastolic (dP/dtmin.: -10,435±942 vs. -5982±745mmHg/s) function (p<0.01). Activated caspase-3 was significantly increased in failing hearts concomitant with mitochondrial leakage of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Finally, electron microscopy of the left ventricle (LV) of ACF rats revealed pronounced ultrastructural changes in >70% of examined cardiomyocytes, such as nuclear chromatin condensation, myofibril loss and disarray, contour irregularities and amorphous dense bodies, mitochondriosis and damaged cell-cell-contacts between cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Volume overload induced heart failure is associated with activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In addition, electron microscopy of the LV revealed direct ultrastructural evidence of extended myocardial apoptosis in ACF rats.

Oesophageal Doppler and calibrated pulse contour analysis are not interchangeable within a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm in major gynaecological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the benefit of an intraoperative use of a goal-directed haemodynamic management has grown. We compared the oesophageal Doppler monitor (ODM, CardioQ-ODM™) with a calibrated pulse contour analysis (PCA, PiCCO2™) with regard to assessment of stroke volume (SV) changes after volume administration within a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm during non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: The data were obtained prospectively in patients with metastatic ovarian carcinoma undergoing cytoreductive surgery. During surgery, fluid challenges were performed as indicated by the goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm guided by the ODM. Monitors were compared regarding precision and trending. Clinical characteristics associated with trending were studied by extended regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 762 fluid challenges were performed in 41 patients resulting in 1524 paired measurements. The precision of ODM and PCA was 5.7% and 6.0% (P=0.80), respectively. Polar plot analysis revealed a poor trending between ODM and PCA with an angular bias of -7.1°, radial limits of agreement of -58.1° to 43.8°, and an angular concordance rate of 67.8%. Dose of norepinephrine (NE) (scaled 0.1 µg kg(-1) min(-1)) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.606 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.404-0.910); P=0.016] and changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) to a fluid challenge (scaled 10%) [adjusted OR 0.733 (95% CI: 0.635-0.845); P<0.001] were associated with trending between ODM and PCA, whereas there was no relation to type of i.v. solution. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a similar precision, ODM and PCA were not interchangeable with regard to measuring SV changes within a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm. A decrease in interchangeability coincided with increasing NE levels and greater changes of MAP to a fluid challenge.

Balanced crystalloid compared with balanced colloid solution using a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal i.v. fluids for use with a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm. METHODS: In a double-blind pilot study, we randomly assigned 50 patients with primary ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery to receive either balanced crystalloid or balanced starch (HES, 130/0.4, 6%) solutions up to the dose limit (50 ml kg(-1)). Fluids were administered to optimize stroke volume measured by oesophageal Doppler within a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm. RESULTS: Baseline subject characteristics were similar in both groups. The balanced HES solution maintained stroke volume (P=0.012) better with administration of less fluid. Subjects in the colloid group reached the dose limits of the study medication less frequently (92% vs 62%, P=0.036) and later (2:26 vs 3:33 h, P=0.006) and also required less transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma units (6.0 vs 3.5 units, P=0.035) compared with the crystalloid group. Intra- and postoperative urine output and perioperative plasma levels of creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as renal injury marker were similar in both groups. No differences in the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were found. CONCLUSIONS: Using a goal-directed haemodynamic algorithm to optimize stroke volume, a balanced HES solution is associated with better haemodynamic stability and reduced need for fresh-frozen plasma. There were no signs of renal impairment by colloid solutions when fluid administration is targeted to optimize cardiac preload.

Development and feasibility study of an algorithm for intraoperative goaldirected haemodynamic management in noncardiac surgery.

This study developed an evidence-based, goal-directed haemodynamic management algorithm to standardize intraoperative haemodynamic therapy. A systematic literature search identified three haemodynamic management goals: stroke volume optimization by fluid therapy; maintenance of a target mean arterial pressure by vasopressor therapy; maintenance of a target cardiac index≥2.5 l/min per m2 by inotropic therapy. The algorithm was adapted to international standards and consensus was reached through a modified Delphi method at international meetings. Implementation of the algorithm into routine intraoperative management in noncardiac surgery was shown to be feasible. Compared with conventional haemodynamic management, use of the algorithm significantly reduced length of hospital stay, requirement for ventilation and incidence of prolonged hospital stay, thereby resulting in reduced hospital costs.

[Haemodynamic monitoring in the perioperative phase. Available systems, practical application and clinical data]. / Hämodynamisches Monitoring in der perioperativen Phase: Verfügbare Systeme, praktische Anwendung und klinische Daten.

A regular hydration status and compensated vascular filling are targets of perioperative fluid and volume management and, in parallel, represent precautions for sufficient stroke volume and cardiac output to maintain tissue oxygenation. The physiological and pathophysiological effects of fluid and volume replacement mainly depend on the pharmacological properties of the solutions used, the magnitude of the applied volume as well as the timing of volume replacement during surgery. In the perioperative setting surgical stress induces physiological and hormonal adaptations of the body, which in conjunction with an increased permeability of the vascular endothelial layer influence fluid and volume management. The target of haemodynamic monitoring in the operation room is to collect data on haemodynamics and global oxygen transport, which enable the anaesthetist to estimate the volume status of the vascular system. Particularly in high risk patients this may improve fluid and volume therapy with respect to maintaining cardiac output. A goal-directed volume management aiming at preventing hypovolaemia may improve the outcome after surgery. The objective of this article is to review the monitoring devices that are currently used to assess haemodynamics and filling status in the perioperative setting. Methods and principles for measuring haemodynamic variables, the measured and calculated parameters as well as clinical benefits and shortcomings of each device are described. Furthermore, the results for monitoring devices from clinical studies of goal-directed fluid and volume therapy which have been published will be discussed.