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.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The disease COVID-19 produces serious complications that can lead to cardiorespiratory arrest. Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can improve patient prognosis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the specialty of Anesthesiology in the management of CPR during the pandemic. METHODS: A survey was carried out with Google Forms consisting of 19 questions. The access link to the questionnaire was sent by email by the Spanish Society of Anesthesia (SEDAR) to all its members. RESULTS: 225 responses were obtained. The regions with the highest participation were: Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia. 68.6%% of the participants work in public hospitals. 32% of the participants habitually work in intensive care units (ICU), however, 62.1% have attended critical COVID-19 in the ICU and 72.6% have anesthetized them in the operating room. 26,3% have attended some cardiac arrest, 16,8% of the participants admitted to lead the manoeuvres, 16,8% detailed that it had been another department, and 66,2% was part of the team, but did not lead the assistance. Most of the CPR was performed in supine, only 5% was done in prone position. 54.6% of participants had not taken any course of Advance Life Support (ALS) in the last 2 years. 97.7% of respondents think that Anesthesia should lead the in-hospital CPR. CONCLUSION: The specialty of Anesthesiology has actively participated in the care of the critically ill patient and in the management of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, training and/or updating in ALS is required.

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.

[Late mediastinitis with bilateral hydrothorax after vessel perforation by a central venous catheter]. / Mediastinitis tardía con hidrotórax bilateral tras perforación vascular por catéter venoso central.

A central venous catheter was inserted into the right internal jugular vein of a 67-year-old woman to provide parenteral nutrition on the 7th day after surgery. Five days later, mediastinitis with bilateral hydrothorax had developed and was causing respiratory failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome secondary to documented vascular perforation by the catheter. Four factors have been associated with increased risk of perforation: catheter rigidity and diameter, the angle between the tip of the catheter and the vessel wall, and insertion from the left. Three catheter positions have been described as safe when radiologically confirmed: the superior vena cava, the point where the superior vena cava meets the atrium, and the midpoint of the innominate vein. However, it should not be forgotten that a radiograph is 2-dimensional and a single image of a catheter tip can correspond to a variety of locations (superior vena cava, vena innominata, extravascular location, and more). Even when there is clinical and radiologic evidence of catheter positioning, vascular perforation should be suspected in patients with a central venous catheter and bilateral pleural effusion who present respiratory insufficiency and hemodynamic instability.

[Evaluation of a formula for optimal positioning of a central venous catheter through the right internal jugular vein]. / Evaluación de una fórmula para la posición óptima de un catéter venoso central a través de vena yugular interna derecha.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of a formula for predicting the optimal length of catheter inserted through the right internal jugular vein. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study in which the length of catheter to insert was calculated by the following formula: (height in cm/10)-1 cm. Punctures were approximately at the cricoid cartilage and length was measured from the point of insertion. Catheter tip placement was confirmed by anteroposterior chest film, read by a radiologist blinded as to the objective of the study. The position was considered optimal if the catheter tip was in the distal portion of the superior vena cava. Patients enrolled required insertion of a central venous line for therapy or monitoring and were excluded if they had risk factors that could predispose them to poor placement. RESULTS: Fifty-eight catheterizations were performed. Three of them were excluded due to poor positioning in the contralateral subclavian vein. Among the 55 remaining patients, we observed the catheter tip in the superior vena cava in 52 cases and in the right atrium in 3. CONCLUSIONS: The aforementioned formula predicted appropriate placement of the catheter tip in 94.54% of the patients.

[Applications of informatics in anesthesiology: anesthesia graphics]. / Aplicaciones de la informática en anestesiología: gráfica anestésica.

Computerization has brought radical changes to anesthesiology. Quality of care, management, cost control, training, research, safety and privacy have all improved. The anesthesiologist has been freed from repetitive clerical tasks and is able to make better use of time. A graphic display of anesthesia is only one of the many computer applications available as a consequence of links created among monitoring, continuous infusion and intelligent alarm systems, automatic data collection, network monitoring and the availability of bibliographic information (through Internet connection). The computer graphic display of anesthesia is more precise, legible, complete and reliable (during critical events, in substitutions of anesthesiologists or for research) than the traditional graph. One of the greatest problems of computer graphing today--besides start-up costs--is that of inserting comments on monitoring artifacts, given that the graph is a legally valid medical document.

[Comparative study between thiopental and propofol in short-duration anesthesia]. / Estudio comparativo entre tiopental y propofol en anestesias de corta duración.

In a randomized study, 80 healthy unpremedicated female patients were included. For short gynaecological procedures (curettage) they were anaesthetized with either propofol 2 mg/kg (n = 40) or thiopentone 5 mg/kg (n = 40) in combination with nitrous oxide/oxygen (1/1). Supplementary doses of propofol (25 mg) or thiopentone (50 mg) were given when necessary during the procedure. Propofol caused a significant fall in arterial blood pressure (greater than thiopentone in diastolic pressure) and a decrease in heart rate (thiopentone did not change heart rate). Discomfort on injection was similar in both groups. Recovery times were shorter in propofol group: Patients opened their eyes at 1.3 minutes, were awake at 2.2 minutes and could seat with no help at 5.2 minutes. In the thiopentone group, there was a greater incidence of nausea. Propofol was associated with euphoria, "clear-headedness" and pleasant dreams more than thiopentone. We conclude that propofol is a good alternative to thiopentone in short operative procedures.