Noninvasive monitoring in a patient with SAH diagnosis treated with Cerebrolysin - case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes a high percentage of deaths and rehabilitation failures. Despite endovascular and surgery treatment algorithms, there is still no consensus on the guidelines for monitoring and neuroprotective treatment of patients. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a patient with SAH treated endovascularly. The patient was hospitalized in the intensive care unit and monitored using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Optic Nerve Diameters Assessment (ONDS). CONCLUSIONS: Early and high-dose Cerebrolysin was used safely as neuroprotective treatment intravenously. The treatment using Cerebrolysin and additional monitoring was beneficial for the patient.

Comparison of the risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and diabetes among the selected group of football referees and the group of general population men from Northern Poland - a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at comparing the total body fat and visceral adipose tissue content in football referees and in the control group of general population men. An assessment of compliance with health promoting behavior in both groups was carried out. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study, conducted in Northern Poland, involved 112 men. The study group comprised 56 men, football referees. The control group consisted of randomly chosen general population men, not engaged in any sport activities. Assessment of compliance with health promoting behavior among football referees and general population men was based on ultrasound imaging using the BodyMetrix System device (IntelaMetrix, Poland). The study employed a survey questionnaire comprised of the original section and two standardized questionnaires: the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI): the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). RESULTS: The visceral adipose tissue content in the study group (football referees) was found to be low, and the excess of body fat was 0-0.25 kg. In the control group, the trunk fat volume was found to be higher by more than 8% as compared with the study group. Also, the level of visceral adipose tissue was high, and the excess of body fat was 0-4 kg. CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to properly planned and systematically continued physical activity, despite non-compliance with certain pro-health principles (increased sweet supply and consumption of alcoholic beverages), football referees are characterized by the correct body fat volume and low level of visceral adipose tissue. The parameters were found to be markedly higher in the control group of randomly selected men from the general population. The risk of diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases among football referees was found to be very low.

Summary of five years of operation of the out-of-court system for pursuing patient claims in Poland - a retrospective analysis of applications for evaluating medical events.

OBJECTIVE: Providing health services involves a risk of medical events and adverse events. The transparency and quality of the healthcare system have a direct impact on patient's safety. One of the measures of the quality of health services is monitoring and reporting these irregularities, as well as analysing the causes of their occurrence. The aim of this study was to present the principles of the functioning of the Regional Commission for Evaluation of Medical Events in Szczecin and to analyse medical events in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship from 2012 to 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis included applications for evaluating medical events and documentation collected for the purpose of conducting cases by the Regional Commission for Evaluation of Medical Events in Szczecin. The study was retrospective. All applications for evaluating medical events that were received by the Regional Commission for Evaluation of Medical Events in Szczecin in 2012-2017 were analysed. The study was conducted from October 2017 to December 2018. RESULTS: The retrospective analysis of the years 2012-2017 revealed 42 medical events and 120 adverse events. The most common medical events were health disorders (33.3%) and bodily injuries (30.9%). Out of the 42 medical events, 34 (80.9%) were for surgical procedures and childbirth. The most common procedures were orthopedic (26.6%) and surgical (23.5%) procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Medical events and adverse events should be reported so that they can be analyzed, conclusions can be drawn, and remedial measures can be introduced.

Preventative and medical treatment of ear disease in remote or resource-constrained environments.

BACKGROUND: Important ear problems can affect the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Globally, the greatest burden of disease is due to ear conditions that are associated with otorrhoea and hearing loss. METHODS: This study reviewed the literature on the prevention and treatment of common ear conditions that are most relevant to settings with high rates of ear disease and limited resources. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation ('GRADE') approach was utilised to assess interventions. RESULTS: Accurate diagnosis of ear disease is challenging. Much of the preventable burden of ear disease is associated with otitis media. Nine otitis media interventions for which there is moderate to high certainty of effect were identified. While most interventions only provide modest benefit, the impact of treatment is more substantial in children with acute otitis media with perforation and chronic suppurative otitis media. CONCLUSION: Disease prevention through good hygiene practices, breastfeeding, reducing smoke exposure, immunisation and limiting noise exposure is recommended. Children with acute otitis media with perforation, chronic suppurative otitis media, complications of otitis media, and significant hearing loss should be prioritised for medical treatment.

Administration of a recombinant factor Vlla in patients undergoing liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure.

BACKGROUND: Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is associated with profound clotting disturbances leading to the risk of a major blood loss during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Application of a recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa) that promptly corrects clotting abnormalities remains controversial in the OLT setting. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the effect of rVIIa on the prothrombin time (PT) and other perioperative parameters in patients transplanted for FHF in our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen consecutive patients (9 males/10 females) of overall mean age of 33 +/- 13 years underwent the procedure due to: Wilson's (n = 8), non-A-non-B hepatitis (n = 6) or Amanita phalloides toxicity (n = 5). All subjects received rVIIa at a mean dose of 54 +/- 16 microg/kg body weight at 10 minutes before the skin incision. The PT was measured at 15 minutes and 12 hours after injection. Data were analyzed with StatView program with P < .05 considered significant. RESULTS: Rapid correction of PT was observed in all patients: the mean PT before injection was 37 +/- 14 versus 14 +/- 3 after 15 minutes (P < .0001). Twelve hours after the injection the PT was 19 +/- 5 (P < .0001 vs before injection and P < .0007 vs 15 minutes after injection). Two patients died at 1 and 4 days after OLT. Mean red blood cell requirement was 5 +/- 4 U and fresh frozen plasma was 11 +/- 5 U. The mean operative time was 527 +/- 126 minutes and intensive care unit stay 8 +/- 9 days. None of the patients developed thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSION: Administration of rVIIa caused a rapid improvement in the PT shortly after injection. It was safe and not associated with any thromboembolic events in our series.

Immunosuppression with low-dose daclizumab in liver transplant recipients with impaired kidney function: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotoxicity of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) may exert detrimental effects, particularly in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients with impaired kidney function. Immunosuppression with daclizumab permits delayed introduction of CNI, and may be preferred for patients with kidney dysfunction. This retrospective analysis of our experience using daclizumab was performed among patients who underwent transplantation with impaired kidney function. METHODS: We analyzed 168 patients. A serum creatinine (Cr) level >1.5 mg/dL was the indication for a protocol with low-dose daclizumab (50 mg intravenous [IV], day 0 and day 4), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; 500 mg twice daily IV/orally), and tapering doses of prednisolone from day 0 after OLT. CNI were introduced at day 4-15 after OLT. Patients with a Cr level <1.5 mg/dL received immunosuppression with CNI+MMF+steroids or CNI+steroids. RESULTS: Fourteen patients fulfilled the criterion for daclizumab immunosupression. Their Cr and creatinine clearance (CrCl) values at OLT were 2.85 +/- 1.22 mg/dL and 19 +/- 11 mL/min, respectively. In the remaining 154 patients, Cr and CrCl results were 0.88 +/- 0.3 mg/dL and 107 +/- 82 mL/min, respectively. At discharge, the daclizumab group showed Cr and CrCl estimates of 0.97 +/- 0.45 mg/dL and 86 +/- 34 mL/min (P < .0001 for both, when compared with prior to OLT). Both Cr and CrCl levels at discharge were not different from those values of patients who underwent transplantation with normal kidney function. The incidence of acuterejection was 14% in the daclizumab group and 18% in the other recipients (P = not significant [NS]). CONCLUSIONS: Immunosuppression with low-dose daclizumab and delayed introduction of CNI was safe and did not increase the risk of an acute rejection episode, thus offerring an excellent therapeutic option for patients who undergo transplantation with impaired kidney function.

Assessment of a modified Child-Pugh-Turcotte score to predict early mortality after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) predicts mortality on the transplant list; however, it has not been of much use to predict posttransplant outcomes. Several prognostic models have been tested among patients with cirrhosis; nevertheless, their predictive value has not been established in the posttransplant setting. We recently modified the Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) score by adding creatinine levels (CPT + Cr), which has proven useful for patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. This retrospective analysis sought to predict early (1 month) mortality using CPT + Cr versus 5 other prognostic models in patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 48 consecutive patients (30 males, 18 females, median age 51 years). The predictive values of CPT + Cr were compared with CPT scores without or with the Huo modification, CPT + Na, MELD, and MESO, which is the MELD to serum Na ratio. Pearson correlations and ROC curves as evidenced by the area under the curve (AUC) were determined for each index. P < .05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: CPT + Cr showed the highest correlation with the risk of death (r = .368, P = .01); MELD and MESO were the lowest (r = .204, P = NS; and r = .254, P = NS, respectively). ROC analysis showed the best predictive value of CPT and CPT-Crea with AUC of 0.758 (P = .010) and 0.748 (P = .011) respectively, as compared to 0.689 for MESO and 0.659 for MELD (both NS). CONCLUSIONS: A modified CPT score with creatinine levels may be of value to predict early death after OLT. Its usefulness must be validated in a prospective study of a large patient cohort.

Reduction of biliary complication rate using continuous suture and no biliary drainage for duct-to-duct anastomosis in whole-organ liver transplantation.

Biliary complications (BC) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are related to various factors including surgical technique and use of biliary drains for a duct-to-duct (DD) anastomosis. Herein we have reported the influence of changes in surgical technique on BC following OLT in our center. From February 2002 to February 2007, we performed 101 whole-organ OLT with a DD anastomosis in 99 adults, of whom we analyzed 84 subjects. We excluded recipients who died within 30 days of OLT without any evidence of BC and 1 patient with a biliary stricture secondary to a hepatic artery thrombosis. Until late 2004, a DD anastomosis with interrupted sutures over an external biliary drain (DD/BD) was performed in 35 patients (Group I). Subsequently, no biliary drain was used for the DD anastomosis (DD/non-BD), using a continuous suture in 49 patients (Group II). The DD anastomosis with interrupted sutures over a biliary drain was associated with a higher incidence of both total (31% vs 8%; P = .008) and late BC (>30 days; 20% vs 2%; P = .008) with a trend toward more leaks (17% vs 4%; P = .06). All biliary leaks in patients with DD/BD reconstruction occurred at the exit site of the biliary drain following its removal. No significant differences were observed when we compared the incidence of biliary strictures and the necessity for surgical intervention. One patient died due to a BC. Our results indicated that a DD anastomosis performed with a continuous suture technique and no external biliary drainage reduced the incidence of BC after whole-organ OLT.

Vascular complications following adult piggyback liver transplantation with end-to-side cavo-cavostomy: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications remain a significant cause of morbidity, graft loss, and mortality following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). These problems predominantly include hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis or stenosis. Venous outflow obstruction may be specifically related to the technique of piggyback OLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2002 and February 2009, we performed 200 piggyback OLT in 190 recipients. A temporary portacaval shunt was created in 44 (22%) cases, whereas end-to-side cavo-cavostomy was routinely performed for graft implantation. Pre-existent partial portal or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis was present in 17 (12%) cirrhotics in whom we successfully performed eversion thrombectomy, which was followed by a typical end-to-end portal anastomosis. The donor hepatic artery was anastomosed to the recipient aorta via an iliac interposition graft in 31 (16%) patients. RESULTS: The 14 (7%) vascular complications included hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 5), hepatic artery stenosis (n = 3), aortic/celiac trunk rupture (n = 2), portal vein stenosis (n = 2), and isolated left and middle hepatic venous outflow obstruction (n = 1). There was also 1 case of arterial steal syndrome via the splenic artery. No patient experienced portal or mesenteric vein thrombosis. Therapeutic modalities included re-OLT, arterial/aortic reconstruction and splenic artery ligation. Vascular complications resulted in death of 5 (36%) patients. CONCLUSION: Our experience indicated that piggyback OLT with an end-to-side cavo-cavostomy showed a low risk of venous outflow obstruction. Partial portal or mesenteric vein thrombosis is no longer an obstacle to OLT; it can be successfully managed with the eversion thrombectomy technique.

The evaluation of anaesthesia-related information on the Internet.

The quality and accessibility of anaesthesia-related information available to patients on the Internet is a growing concern for the specialty. We sought to evaluate the quality of anaesthesia-related websites using a simple scoring system. The scoring system comprised quality and technical scores individually, and these were also combined into a total score. Test-retest reliability was assessed by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. We employed the four most popular search engines and one meta-search engine, using the search term "general anaesthesia". Only the first 10 sites retrieved were scored. The intraclass correlation coefficients for all terms demonstrated at least moderate agreement and the total scores demonstrated high consistency r = 0.852, 0.774 (P < 0.001, and P < 0.003 respectively). There were 18 duplicate websites and 32 were scored. There was no difference between search engines for any of the three scores awarded. The majority of websites were rated as either 'poor' or fair' across all scores. Our study indicates that quality anaesthesia-related information is unlikely to be retrieved by patients using the Internet.

Outcome of emergency liver transplantation including mortality on the waiting list: a single-center experience.

Patients with irreversible fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) as well as recipients with primary graft nonfunction (PNF) and early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) die unless they undergo emergent liver transplantation (OLT). Therefore, they have the highest priority in organ allocation systems. Herein we describe our initial experience with 18 emergency among 103 OLT procedures performed in 99 adults from February 2002 through February 2007. Their diagnoses were FHF (n = 16), PNF (n = 1), and early HAT (n = 1). Ten subjects (56%) underwent emergency OLT after a mean 1.6 (range, 1 to 4) days after listing, whereas 8 (44%) patients died while awaiting a graft for a mean of 5.9 days (range, 2 to 17). All the transplants were performed according to the piggyback technique with routine preoperative use of intravenous recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa) to control the coagulopathy, which resulted in significant (P < .0001), prompt correction of prothrombin time from a mean of 61 (range, 22 to 300) to 14 (range, 11 to 22) seconds at 15 minutes after drug administration. A mean of 4 (range, 0 to 14) units of RBC and 9 (range, 3 to 18) units of fresh frozen plasma were transfused during the procedure. Eight (80%) transplanted patients are alive in good condition with normal liver function at a mean of 18 (range, 4 to 36) months follow-up. Two patients died in the early postoperative period after massive aortic bleeding and biliary sepsis. In summary, only 56% of patients requiring emergency OLT received grafts achieving good medium and long-term survivals, which was significantly lower compared with Western European centers where this proportion reaches 90%. This outcome could be improved by international organ-sharing arrangements for emergency transplantation or living donation alternatives.

Liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure without venovenous bypass and without portacaval shunting.

Preservation of the caval vein during liver transplantation (OLT) has gained wide acceptance but portosystemic bypass or temporary portocaval shunt is still believed to be indicated in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Herein we have described our initial experience with piggyback OLT without venovenous bypass and without portocaval shunting in five such patients. Division of the portal vein was always delayed until the native liver was completely dissected off the caval vein. The donor hepatic artery was anastomosed to the recipient aorta via an iliac interposition graft placed in the supraceliac position in two and at an infrarenal site in three patients. The ahepatic phase urinary output was low in the two patients in whom we applied supraceliac cross-clamping of the aorta. The mean ahepatic phase was 53 (45 to 67) minutes in four recipients who remained hemodynamically stable throughout surgery and prolonged to 5 hours in one patient due to a complicated supraceliac aortic anastomosis. Its repair resulted in hemodynamic instability, multiorgan failure, and death at 4 days following OLT. Four (80%) patients are alive in good condition with normal liver function after a mean of 12 (5 to 25) months of follow-up. In summary, liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure may be safely performed without venovenous bypass and without temporary portocaval shunting if the ahepatic phase is minimized and portal flow to the liver maintained up to the moment of hepatic excision. Arterial anastomosis with the supraceliac aorta prolongs the ahepatic phase and may impair kidney function: therefore, it should be avoided in these patients.

Rapid correction of prothrombin time after low-dose recombinant factor VIIA in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is associated with a major risk of blood loss resulting from portal hypertension, collateral circulation, and clotting disturbances. Application of a recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been reported to promptly correct clotting abnormalities reducing the risk of intraoperative bleeding. This study included 8 patients who underwent OLTx for end-stage liver cirrhosis, with protrombin times (PT) exceeding the upper limit of normal by more than 4 seconds before surgery. All subjects were administered a small single intravenous dose of rFVIIa [mean 68.37 microg/kg body mass (range, 32.88-71.64)] 10 minutes prior to the skin incision. The PT was then measured 15 minutes later, following graft reperfusion, and 12 hours since drug application. All patients showed rapid correction of PT within 15 minutes after injection (median PT before injection 20.25 seconds vs 11.5 seconds after injection, P <.0001). Following the reperfusion PT was found to be prolonged again. These values are not significantly differ from those before surgery and are comparable to PT values after reperfusion in patients who did not receive rFVIIa. None of the patients developed thromboembolic complications. In conclusion, lower than recommended dose of rFVIIa caused rapid improvement in the PT shortly after injection. After reperfusion PT became prolonged again, which may account for the lack of thromboembolic complications observed in this group of patients.

[Physicochemical examination of materials used for dentures for elaboration of individual composition of acrylic plastics]. / Fizykochemiczne badania zagranicznych materialow do wykonywania protez stomatologicznych jako podstawa do opracowania wlasnej kompozycji dentystycznego tworzywa akrylowego.

It has been found that materials for dentures are obtained from poly (methyl methacrylate) as the basic component. Basing on the identification analysis of foreign acrylic plastics used for performing denture plates and literature and patent investigations a production technology of individual material calle Akpol S has been elaborated. Series of physicochemical comparative examinations of this composition and the foreign materials with regard to the requirements of ISO 1567 international standard have been carried out. It has been found that this material is comparable with the plastics of this type commonly used with regard to physicochemical features; a it also meets the requirements of the standard.