Comorbidities and COVID-19 status influence the survival rate of geriatric patients in intensive care units: a prospective cohort study from the Indonesian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy.

BACKGROUND: With the more advanced science in the field of medicine and disease management, the population of geriatric intensive care patients is increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare management around the globe, especially on critically-ill elderly patients. We aim to analyse the relationship between underlying illnesses, including COVID-19, and the survival rate of elderly patients who are treated in the intensive care setting. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at 14 teaching hospitals for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Education in Indonesia. We selected all subjects with 60 years of age or older in the period between February to May 2021. Variables recorded included subject characteristics, comorbidities, and COVID-19 status. Subjects were followed for 30-day mortality as an outcome. We analysed the data using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: We recruited 982 elderly patients, and 728 subjects were in the final analysis (60.7% male; 68.0 ± 6.6 years old). The 30-day mortality was 38.6%. The top five comorbidities are hypertension (21.1%), diabetes (16.2%), moderate or severe renal disease (10.6%), congestive heart failure (9.2%), and cerebrovascular disease (9.1%). Subjects with Charlson's Comorbidity Index Score > 5 experienced 66% death. Subjects with COVID-19 who died were 57.4%. Subjects with comorbidities and COVID-19 had lower survival time than subjects without those conditions (p < 0.005). Based on linear correlation analysis, the more comorbidities the geriatric patients in the ICU had, the higher chance of mortality in 30 days (p < 0.005, R coefficient 0.22). CONCLUSION: Approximately one in four elderly intensive care patients die, and the number is increasing with comorbidities and COVID-19 status.

Perioperative Factors Impact on Mortality and Survival Rate of Geriatric Patients Undergoing Surgery in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study in Indonesia.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on geriatric patients worldwide since geriatrics itself is an age group with a high risk due to declined physiological function and many comorbidities, especially for those who undergo surgery. In this study, we determine the association between perioperative factors with 30-day mortality and a survival rate of geriatric patients undergoing surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at 14 central hospitals in Indonesia. The recorded variables were perioperative factors, 30-day mortality, and survival rate. Analyses of associations between variables and 30-day mortality were performed using univariate/multivariable logistic regression, and survival rates were determined with Kaplan−Meier survival analysis. Results: We analyzed 1621 elderly patients. The total number of patients who survived within 30 days of observation was 4.3%. Several perioperative factors were associated with 30-day mortality (p < 0.05) is COVID-19 (OR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.04−18.07; p = 0.04), CCI > 3 ( odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03−5.26; p = 0.04), emergency surgery (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.96−7.00; p ≤ 0.01), postoperative ICU care (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.32−5.53; p = 0.01), and adverse events (AEs) in the ICU (OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.32−8.96; p = 0.01). Aligned with these findings, COVID-19, CCI > 3, and comorbidities have a log-rank p < 0.05. The six comorbidities that have log-rank p < 0.05 are moderate-to-severe renal disease (log-rank p ≤ 0.01), cerebrovascular disease (log-rank p ≤ 0.01), diabetes with chronic complications (log-rank p = 0.03), metastatic solid tumor (log-rank p = 0.02), dementia (log-rank p ≤ 0.01), and rheumatology disease (log-rank p = 0.03). Conclusions: Having at least one of these conditions, such as COVID-19, comorbidities, emergency surgery, postoperative ICU care, or an AE in the ICU were associated with increased mortality in geriatric patients undergoing surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of Empirical Meropenem Bolus Protocol in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Three-Year Analysis in Tertiary Intensive Care Unit.

PURPOSE: To describe meropenem empirical use, susceptibility trend, and associated factors for acquired nonsusceptibility in P. aeruginosa in the intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the intensive and high care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Indonesia to evaluate empirical meropenem bolus administration protocol. All patients admitted during the 3 year study period from January 2018 through January 2021 with culture-confirmed P. aeruginosa infection were included in the study. Primary data were collected from hospital database electronic medical record and series of local biannual report of microorganism susceptibility pattern. RESULTS: The data suggested that there was increasing trend in meropenem nonsusceptibility and multidrug-resistance rates. A total of 135 patients with various primary diagnoses and comorbidities were studied. P. aeruginosa isolates were mostly (73.4%) obtained from sputum specimen. Empirical meropenem therapy was administrated in 24.4% of patients with standard- and high-dose as indicated. Nonsusceptibility was acquired in 37% patients who mostly received empirical therapy. Multivariable analysis revealed protocol being evaluated as a statistically significant risk factor for nonsusceptibility in P. aeruginosa (PR = 30.65; p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Empirical meropenem administration protocol in this study was an independent determinant of nonsusceptibility acquisition in P. aeruginosa. These findings proved that empirical therapeutic strategy modification is indispensable and routine evaluation practice should be promulgated.

Combined ultrasound-guided Pecs II block and general anesthesia are effective for reducing pain from modified radical mastectomy.

Purpose: Combined regional and general anesthesia are often used for the management of breast cancer surgery. Thoracic spinal block, thoracic epidural block, thoracic paravertebral block, and multiple intercostal nerve blocks are the regional anesthesia techniques which have been used in breast surgery, but some anesthesiologists are not comfortable because of the complication and side effects. In 2012, Blanco et al introduced pectoralis nerve (Pecs) II block or modified Pecs block as a novel approach to breast surgery. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of combined ultrasound-guided Pecs II block and general anesthesia for reducing intra- and postoperative pain from modified radical mastectomy. Patients and methods: Fifty patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy with general anesthesia were divided into two groups randomly (n=25), to either Pecs (P) group or control (C) group. Ultrasound-guided Pecs II block was done with 0.25% bupivacaine (P group) or 0.9% NaCl (C group). Patient-controlled analgesia was used to control postoperative pain. Intraoperative opioid consumption, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, and postoperative opioid consumption were measured. Results: Intraoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in P group (P≤0.05). VAS score at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hrs postoperative were significantly lower in P group (P≤0.05). Twenty-four hours postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in P group (P≤0.05). There are no complications following Pecs block in both groups, including pneumothorax, vascular puncture, and hematoma. Conclusion: Combined ultrasound-guided Pecs II block and general anesthesia are effective in reducing pain both intra- and postoperatively in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Ultrasound-guided Pecs II block is a relatively safe peripheral nerve block.

Effectiveness of intramuscular neostigmine to accelerate bladder emptying after spinal anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is one of the most common complications following spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia may influence urinary bladder function due to interruption of the micturition reflex. Urinary catheterization is the standard treatment of POUR. Urinary catheter insertion is an invasive procedure, which is associated with catheter-related infections, urethral trauma, and patient discomfort. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of intramuscular (IM) neostigmine to accelerate bladder emptying after spinal anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 36 patients undergoing lower abdominal (except for pelvic, urologic, anorectal, and hernia surgery) and lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia were divided into two groups randomly (n=18), to either neostigmine (N) group or control (C) group. Neostigmine 0.5 mg (N group) or NaCl 0.9% (C group) was administered intramuscularly when Bromage score 0 and sensory level sacral two have been achieved. The time to first voiding after IM injection and the time to first voiding after spinal anesthesia were measured. RESULTS: The time to first voiding after IM injection was significantly faster (P≤0.05) in the N group than that in the C group, with median time as 40 minutes (20-70 minutes) and 75 minutes (55-135 minutes), respectively. Time to first voiding after spinal anesthesia was also significantly faster (P≤0.05) in the N group than that in the C group (mean of 280.8±66.6 minutes and 364.2±77.3 minutes, respectively). CONCLUSION: IM neostigmine effectively accelerates bladder emptying after spinal anesthesia.

Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale correlates with bispectral index in traumatic brain injury patients who underwent craniotomy.

BACKGROUND: Assessing consciousness in traumatic brain injury is important because it also determines the treatment option, which will influence patients' outcome. A tool used to objectively assess consciousness level is the bispectral index (BIS) monitor, which was originally designed to monitor the depth of anesthesia. Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) provides a measuring tool to assess traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcome. The goal of this study was to assess the correlation between GOS-E scores with BIS values in patients with TBI who underwent craniotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 68 patients admitted to the emergency department with decreased consciousness due to TBI who underwent craniotomy were included in the study. BIS value was measured upon admission, then GOS-E score was determined 6 months after the incident took place. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between GOS-E score and BIS value. RESULTS: In 68 patients, the GOS-E score was found to have a strong correlation (r =0.921, p<0.01) with BIS values. From this study, the formula to estimate GOS-E score based on BIS value upon admission stands as: GOS-E =0.19 (BIS) - 8.31. CONCLUSION: This study found that there is a strong correlation between GOS-E score and BIS value. These findings suggest that BIS scores upon admission may be used to predict the outcomes in patients with TBI. However, the wide distribution of BIS values for each GOS-E score may limit the use of BIS scores in accurately predicting GOS-E scores.

Bispectral index value correlates with Glasgow Coma Scale in traumatic brain injury patients.

BACKGROUND: Accuracy of consciousness level assessment is very important. It may determine and influence further clinical decisions, thus influences patients' outcomes. The widest method in determining the level of awareness is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Despite its common use, GCS scores obtained by one clinician may differ from others depending on their interpretations and past experience. One of the tools used to assess the level of consciousness objectively is bispectral index (BIS). The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between BIS and GCS score in patients with traumatic brain injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients who were admitted to emergency room for traumatic brain injury were included in this study. One observer evaluated the GCS of all patients to minimize subjectivity. Another investigator then obtained the BIS values for each patient. Spear-man's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine whether GCS correlated with BIS value. RESULTS: In 78 patients, the BIS was found to be significantly correlated with GCS (r=0.744, p<0.01). The BIS values increased with an increasing GCS. Mean BIS values of mild, moderate, and severe head injury were 88.1±5.6, 72.1±11.1, and 60.4±11.7, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, a significant correlation existed between GCS and BIS. This finding suggests that BIS may be used for assessing GCS in patients with traumatic brain injury. However, the scatters of BIS values for any GCS level may limit the BIS in predicting GCS accurately.

Jugular bulb oxygen saturation correlates with Full Outline of Responsiveness score in severe traumatic brain injury patients.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining brain oxygenation status is the main goal of treatment in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) monitoring is a technique to estimate global balance between cerebral oxygen supply and its metabolic requirement. Full Outline of Responsiveness (FOUR) score, a new consciousness measurement scoring, is expected to become an alternative for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in evaluating neurologic status of patients with severe traumatic head injury, especially for those under mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A total of 63 patients with severe TBI admitted to emergency department (ED) were included in this study. SjvO2 sampling was taken every 24 hours, until 72 hours after arrival. The assessment of FOUR score was conducted directly after each blood sample for SjvO2 was taken. Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the correlation between SjvO2 and FOUR score. Regression analysis was used to determine mortality predictors. RESULTS: From the 63 patients, a weak positive correlation between SjvO2 and FOUR score (r=0.246, p=0.052) was found upon admission. Meanwhile, strong and moderate negative correlation values were found in 48 hours (r=-0.751, p<0.001) and 72 hours (r=-0.49, p=0.002) after admission. Both FOUR score (p<0.001) and SjvO2 (p=0.04) were found to be independent mortality predictors in severe TBI. CONCLUSION: There was a negative correlation between the value of SjvO2 and FOUR score at 48 and 72 hours after admission. Both SjvO2 and FOUR score are independent mortality predictors in severe TBI.

Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block is more effective than landmark technique for reducing pain from thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Thyroidectomy causes postoperative pain and patient discomfort. Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block is a regional anesthesia technique that can provide analgesia during and after surgery. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided versus landmark (LM) technique for bilateral superficial cervical plexus block in thyroidectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients undergoing thyroidectomy were divided into two groups randomly (n=18); either US-guided (US group) or LM technique (LM group) for bilateral superficial cervical plexus block. Patient-controlled analgesia was used to control postoperative pain. Intraoperative opioid rescue, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score and opioid consumption were measured. RESULTS: The number of patients who required intraoperative opioid rescue was significantly lower in the US group (p≤0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative VAS score at 3 hours (p>0.05), but postoperative VAS score at 6 and 24 hours was significantly lower in the US group (p≤0.05). Twenty-four hour postoperative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the US group (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block is more effective in reducing pain both intra- and postoperatively compared with landmark technique in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Effectiveness of low-dose intravenous ketamine to attenuate stress response in patients undergoing emergency cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Cesarean section is a surgical procedure. Surgical procedures will induce stress responses, which may have negative impact on postoperative recovery. Ketamine plays a role in the homeostatic regulation of inflammatory response in order to attenuate stress response. We tried to determine the effectiveness of low-dose intravenous ketamine to attenuate stress response in patients undergoing emergency cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six pregnant women undergoing emergency cesarean section with spinal anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups (n=18). Ketamine 0.3 mg/kg (KET group) or NaCl 0.9% (NS group) was administered intravenously before the administration of spinal anesthesia. C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Elevation of CRP stress response was lower in the KET group and significantly different (P≤0.05) from that in the NS group. Neutrophil level was elevated in both the groups and hence not significantly different from each other (P>0.05). Postoperative visual analog scale pain score was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), but there was a statistically significant (P≤0.05) positive and weak correlation between visual analog scale and CRP level postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Low-dose intravenous ketamine effectively attenuates the CRP stress response in patients undergoing emergency cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.