Airway management of COVID-19 patients: A survey on the experience of 1125 physicians in Spain.

BACKGROUND: We explored the experience of clinicians from the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology (SEDAR) in airway management of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: An software-based survey including a 32-item questionnaire was conducted from April 18 to May 17, 2020. Participants who have been involved in tracheal intubations in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection were included anonymously after obtaining their informed consent. The primary outcome was the preferred airway device for tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes included the variations in clinical practice including the preferred video laryngoscope, plans for difficult airway management, and personal protective equipment. RESULTS: 1125 physicians completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 40,9%. Most participants worked in public hospitals and were anesthesiologists. The preferred device for intubation was the video laryngoscope (5.1/6), with the type of device in decreasing order as follows: Glidescope, C-MAC, Airtraq, McGrath and King Vision. The most frequently used device for intubation was the video laryngoscope (70,5%), using them in descending order as follow: the Airtraq, C-MAC, Glidescope, McGrath and King Vision. Discomfort of intubating wearing personal protective equipment and the frequency of breaching a security step was statistically significant, increasing the risk of cross infection between patients and healthcare workers. The opinion of senior doctors differed from younger physicians in the type of video-laryngoscope used, the number of experts involved in tracheal intubation and the reason that caused more stress during the airway management. CONCLUSIONS: Most physicians preferred using a video-laryngoscope with remote monitor and disposable Macintosh blade, using the Frova guide.

[Airway management of COVID-19 patients: a survey on the experience of 1125 physicians in Spain]. / Manejo de vía aérea en pacientes COVID-19: una encuesta sobre la experiencia de 1125 médicos en España.

BACKGROUND: We explored the experience of clinicians from the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology in airway management of COVID-19 patients. METHODS: An software-based survey including a 32-item questionnaire was conducted from April 18 to May 17, 2020. Participants who have been involved in tracheal intubations in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection were included anonymously after obtaining their informed consent. The primary outcome was the preferred airway device for tracheal intubation. Secondary outcomes included the variations in clinical practice including the preferred video laryngoscope, plans for difficult airway management, and personal protective equipment. RESULTS: 1125 physicians completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 40,9%. Most participants worked in public hospitals and were anesthesiologists.The preferred device for intubation was the video laryngoscope (5.1/6), with the type of device in decreasing order as follows: Glidescope, C-MAC, Airtraq, McGrath and King Vision. The most frequently used device for intubation was the video laryngoscope (70,5%), using them in descending order as follow: the Airtraq, C-MAC, Glidescope, McGrath and King Vision.Discomfort of intubating wearing personal protective equipment and the frequency of breaching a security step was statistically significant, increasing the risk of cross infection between patients and physicians. The opinion of senior doctors differed from younger physicians in the type of video-laryngoscope used, the number of experts involved in tracheal intubation and the reason that caused more stress during the airway management. CONCLUSIONS: Most physicians preferred using a video-laryngoscope with remote monitor and disposable Macintosh blade, using the Frova guide.

Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) and the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (SEDAR) on Tracheotomy in Patients with COVID-19 Infection. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica, y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC), la Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello (SEORL-CCC) y la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR) sobre la traqueotomía en pacientes con COVID-19.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has rendered up to 15% of patients under mechanical ventilation. Because the subsequent tracheotomy is a frequent procedure, the three societies mostly involved (SEMICYUC, SEDAR and SEORL-CCC) have setup a consensus paper that offers an overview about indications and contraindications of tracheotomy, be it by puncture or open, clarifying its respective advantages and enumerating the ideal conditions under which they should be performed, as well as the necessary steps. Regular and emergency situations are displayed together with the postoperative measures.

[Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) and the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (SEDAR) on tracheotomy in patients with COVID-19 infection]. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC), la Sociedad Española de Otorrinolaringología y Cirugía de Cabeza y Cuello (SEORL-CCC) y la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR) sobre la traqueotomía en pacientes con COVID-19.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has rendered up to 15% of patients under mechanical ventilation. Because the subsequent tracheotomy is a frequent procedure, the three societies mostly involved (SEMICYUC, SEDAR and SEORL-CCC) have setup a consensus paper that offers an overview about indications and contraindications of tracheotomy, be it by puncture or open, clarifying its respective advantages and enumerating the ideal conditions under which they should be performed, as well as the necessary steps. Regular and emergency situations are displayed together with the postoperative measures.

Percutaneous endovascular treatment of an iatrogenic superior cava vein syndrome during the immediate post-operative period after mitral-aortic valve replacement. / Tratamiento endovascular percutáneo de un síndrome de vena cava superior en el postoperatorio inmediato de recambio valvular mitroaórtico.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) results from superior vena cava obstruction, causing a decrease in venous return from the head, neck, and upper extremities. Although the most frequent cause is still malignant tumour processes, in recent years an increase has been observed in non-tumour causes, such as thrombosis of intravascular devices or iatrogenic causes during cardiac surgery. A case is presented of SVCS after cardiac surgery treated satisfactorily by an endovascular technique and systemic anticoagulation.

Double intracardiac thrombosis in a patient assisted by a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. / Trombosis intracardíaca doble en paciente asistido mediante membrana de oxigenación extracorpórea venoarterial.

Intracardiac thrombosis is a rare complication in patients receiving haemodynamic support with venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), but it has a high risk of mortality. This case report describes a patient who suffered cardiogenic shock after a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and who presented with intracardiac thrombosis during VA-ECMO support on two occasions after mitral valve replacement. The first one was after the insertion of a mechanical prosthesis, and the second, after replacing it with a biological valve.

Survey on the practice of anaesthesiologists in inguinal hernia surgery in Galicia. / Encuesta sobre la práctica de los anestesiólogos en la cirugía de hernia inguinal en Galicia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the preference in the anaesthetic technique by anaesthesiologists for the management of inguinal hernia surgery in Galicia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the National Catalogue of Hospitals of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs in Galicia, a questionnair was sent to the Heads of Anaesthesiology Service and Coordinators of the Postanaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) with 11 questions on the anaesthetic technique chosen by anaesthesiologists in the management of patients for inguinal hernia surgery, as well as their reasons. RESULTS: The questionnaire was sent to 11 hospitals: 8 with PACU and 3 District. A total of 94 professionals responded, 56% with more than 10 years of experience, who performed between 8-10 procedures/month (58%) on an outpatient basis (61.54%). The most used anaesthetic technique was intradural in 52.8%, compared to 41.8% of general anaesthesia. Respondents with more than 10 years of experience preferred spinal anaesthesia in 38.6% of cases, compared to those with less experience (6.8%) (P=.037). One in 4 of those who chose general anaesthesia used ultrasound-guided interfascial blocks (27.5%). The local anaesthetic most used in intradural anaesthesia was hyperbaric bupivacaine (70.8%) at doses higher than 7mg. CONCLUSION: Intradural anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine was the technique most chosen by anaesthesiologists for the management of inguinal hernia surgery. The anaesthetic techniques chosen among the different hospitals did not follow a homogenous distribution. In this survey, there was a tendency to choose the technique associated with the experience of the anaesthesiologist.

Prospective analysis of the complications, efficacy, and satisfaction level on the sedation performed by anaesthetists in gastrointestinal endoscopy. / Análisis prospectivo de las complicaciones, eficacia y grado de satisfacción en la sedación realizada por anestesiólogos en endoscopia digestiva.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the anaesthesia/sedation complications during gastrointestinal endoscopy, as well as comparing scheduled procedures versus urgent procedures. METHODS: A protocol was developed to define the anaesthesia/sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy, where the anaesthetist should always be present. These include ASA 3 and 4 patients, complex tests such as polypectomies, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or endoscopic ultrasound, deep sedation, or patients with probable difficult airway management. An analysis was made of the safety based on the complications recorded from the data directly collected automatically from the monitors, both during the sedation and in the recovery unit. An analysis was also performed on the risk factors associated with cardiorespiratory complications, the effectiveness based on the completed tests and the overall level of satisfaction through an interview using a satisfaction scale. RESULTS: The study included a total of 3746 patients over a 7 year-period. The incidence of major complications was low, especially haemodynamic and respiratory complications. An incidence of hypoxaemia of 3% was found in scheduled endoscopy versus 5.7% in urgent endoscopy (P<.05). The rate of hypotension was also low, with significant differences between scheduled and urgent endoscopy (6.4% vs. 18.8%, P<.001). In present study, no test had to be suspended due to poor patient tolerance, and the satisfaction was high in more than 99% of cases. CONCLUSION: The participation of the anaesthetist in sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy has shown excellent results in this study, in terms of safety and efficacy, mainly in the most serious patients and complex tests, as well as a high level of satisfaction.

Massive right hemothorax due to idiopathic spontaneous rupture of a phrenic artery following cardiac surgery. / Hemotórax masivo derecho por rotura espontánea idiopática de una arteria frénica tras cirugía cardiaca.

We report a case of a 35-years-old man who presented a massive haemothorax and hypovolemic shock following cardiac surgery, from spontaneous rupture of a phrenic artery. A quick diagnosis and immediate intervention is crucial to manage the patient.

Characteristics of particulate and non-particulate corticosteroids. Indications for their use in chronic pain treatments. / Características de los corticoides particulados y no particulados. Condicionantes para su uso en el tratamiento del dolor crónico.

Corticosteroids been used frequently in pain treatments since the middle of last century (1952). Due to a review of the complications as a result of their application in epidural injections, the United States of America Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an «alert controversy¼ requesting that a warning label should be added to injectable corticosteroids, where risks must be described (loss of sight, brain damage, paralysis and death) when administering by this route. It must be mentioned that there are different types of corticosteroids with diverse characteristics, which as a result, may produce different side-effects. Due to the aforementioned developments, the controversies that have arisen, and the lack of well-conducted studies on the use of steroids in epidural injections, we must begin by reviewing their indications in different pain conditions.

Thyroid hormone receptors are down-regulated in skeletal muscle of patients with non-thyroidal illness syndrome secondary to non-septic shock.

AIM: Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is related to changes in thyroid hormone (TH) physiology. Skeletal muscle (SM) plays a major role in metabolism, and TH regulates SM phenotype and metabolism. We aimed to characterize the SM of non-septic shock NTIS patients in terms of: i) expression of genes and proteins involved in TH metabolism and actions; and ii) NFKB's pathway activation, a responsible factor for some of the phenotypic changes in NTIS. We also investigated whether the patient's serum can induce in vitro the effects observed in vivo. METHODS: Serum samples and SM biopsies from 14 patients with non-septic shock NTIS and 11 controls. Gene and protein expression and NFKB1 activation were analyzed by quantitative PCR and immunoblotting. Human SM cell (HSkMC) cultures to investigate the effects of patient's serum on TH action mediators. RESULTS: Patients with non-septic shock NTIS showed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than controls. Expression of TRß (THRB), TRα1 (THRA), and retinoid X receptor γ (RXRG) was decreased in NTIS patients. RXRA gene expression was higher, but its protein was lower in NTIS than controls, suggesting the existence of a post-transcriptional mechanism that down-regulates protein levels. NFKB1 pathway activation was not different between NTIS and control patients. HSkMC incubated with patient's serum increased TH receptor and RXRG gene expression after 48  h. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-septic shock NTIS showed decreased expression of TH receptors and RXRs, which were not related to increased activation of the NFKB1 pathway. These findings could not be replicated in cultures of HSkMCs incubated in the patient's serum.

[Influence of anesthesia and antisepsis on the earliest gynecologic laparotomies: historical notes on the bicentennial of the introduction of ovariectomy]. / Influencias de la anestesia y antisepsia sobre las primeras laparotomías ginecológicas. Notas históricas a propósito del 2do centenario de la introducción de la ovariectomía.

On the occasion of the bicentennial of the first ovariectomy, we reviewed the beginnings of abdominal gynecologic surgery in Spain in order to shed light on aspects that are still unclear in medical historiography and that are often wrongly presented. We consulted a large number of sources that allowed us to follow events in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, discovering information we consider definitive and that confirmed our initial hypotheses. The work of Dr Federico Rubio, the first to perform an ovariectomy in Spain, is highlighted among the early experiences of our Spanish surgeons. Emphasis is placed on the high mortality rate associated with this operation at the beginning. We also analyze the problems of anesthesia and antisepsis and the influence of each on the surgical procedure. The events uncovered were the work of a group of forward-thinking surgeons who made considerable progress against opposing groups with more conservative views and whose contributions to Spanish surgery were far less brilliant.

[Utility of heliox during treatment of upper airway obstruction secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy]. / Utilidad del heliox en la obstrucción de vía aérea superior secundaria a disfunción bilateral de cuerdas vocales postiroidectomía.

Helium is a noble gas whose low density decreases airway resistance. This property is utilized when a mixture of helium and oxygen (heliox) is employed in certain clinical situations, particularly in the context of airway obstruction. We report the case of a woman with severe upper airway obstruction due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy. Heliox was used temporarily to reduce respiratory effort and avoid the need for tracheal intubation while the obstruction was being treated with antiinflammatory drugs.

Endemic linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in a critical care unit.

The aim of this article was to report the emergence of patient infections with linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (LRSE) in a tertiary university hospital. Our objectives were to determine the molecular mechanism of the resistance, set up the genetic relationship among isolates, and analyze the relations between linezolid usage, period of treatment, and emergence of resistance in the hospital. The emergence of infection with linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis affecting 20 patients in a tertiary university hospital was investigated using repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR, DiversiLab System; BioMérieux, Inc., France). The presence of the G2576T mutation of 23S rRNA was screened by pyrosequencing. We determined the pattern of linezolid usage in the hospital as a whole and in the critical care unit that was most affected. G2576T mutation of 23S rRNA was detected in all linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis studied. Of these, 90% were genetically related and had been recovered from patients admitted to the same critical care unit. There had been an increase in linezolid usage in the hospital and in the critical care unit in the 2 years prior to the emergence of resistant strains. More strict control measures in hand washing and linezolid prescription were subsequently established, but no reduction in LRSE rates have yet been observed. Linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis emerged at our hospital, probably from a single strain originating in the critical care unit. The most likely explanation is that person-to-person spread of linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis led to skin colonization and, after linezolid treatment, this resistant staphylococci became the dominant cutaneous flora causing infection in some critical patients. In order to preserve the usefulness of this antibiotic as a therapeutic agent and to avoid a situation similar to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, judicious use of antibiotics is essential.