Association Between Dyscapnia, Ventilatory Variables, and Mortality in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the associations between dyscapnia, ventilatory variables, and mortality. We hypothesized that the association between mechanical power or ventilatory ratio and survival is mediated by dyscapnia. Methods: Patients with moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), who received mechanical ventilation within the first 48 h after admission to the intensive care unit for at least 48 h, were included in this retrospective single-center study. Values of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were categorized into "hypercapnia" (PaCO2 ≥ 50 mm Hg), "normocapnia" (PaCO2 36-49 mmHg), and "hypocapnia" (PaCO2 ≤ 35 mm Hg). We used path analyses to assess the associations between ventilatory variables (mechanical power and ventilatory ratio) and mortality, where hypocapnia or hypercapnia were included as mediating variables. Results: Between December 2017 and April 2021, 435 patients were included. While there was a significant association between mechanical power and hypercapnia (BEM = 0.24 [95% CI: 0.15; 0.34], P < .01), there was no significant association between mechanical power or hypercapnia and ICU mortality. The association between mechanical power and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality was fully mediated by hypocapnia (BEM = -0.10 [95% CI: -0.19; 0.00], P = .05; BMO = 0.38 [95% CI: 0.13; 0.63], P < .01). Ventilatory ratio was significantly associated with hypercapnia (B = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.14; 0.32], P < .01). There was no significant association between ventilatory ratio, hypercapnia, and mortality. There was a significant effect of ventilatory ratio on mortality, which was fully mediated by hypocapnia (BEM = -0.14 [95% CI: -0.24; -0.05], P < .01; BMO = 0.37 [95% CI: 0.12; 0.62], P < .01). Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated patients with moderate or severe ARDS, the association between mechanical power and mortality was fully mediated by hypocapnia. Likewise, there was a mediating effect of hypocapnia on the association between ventilatory ratio and ICU mortality. Our results indicate that the debate on dyscapnia and outcome after ARDS should consider the impact of ventilatory variables.

Early prediction of ventricular peritoneal shunt dependency in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage patients by recurrent neural network-based machine learning using routine intensive care unit data.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) can lead to complications such as acute hydrocephalic congestion. Treatment of this acute condition often includes establishing an external ventricular drainage (EVD). However, chronic hydrocephalus develops in some patients, who then require placement of a permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The aim of this study was to employ recurrent neural network (RNN)-based machine learning techniques to identify patients who require VP shunt placement at an early stage. This retrospective single-centre study included all patients who were diagnosed with aSAH and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) between November 2010 and May 2020 (n = 602). More than 120 parameters were analysed, including routine neurocritical care data, vital signs and blood gas analyses. Various machine learning techniques, including RNNs and gradient boosting machines, were evaluated for their ability to predict VP shunt dependency. VP-shunt dependency could be predicted using an RNN after just one day of ICU stay, with an AUC-ROC of 0.77 (CI: 0.75-0.79). The accuracy of the prediction improved after four days of observation (Day 4: AUC-ROC 0.81, CI: 0.79-0.84). At that point, the accuracy of the prediction was 76% (CI: 75.98-83.09%), with a sensitivity of 85% (CI: 83-88%) and a specificity of 74% (CI: 71-78%). RNN-based machine learning has the potential to predict VP shunt dependency on Day 4 after ictus in aSAH patients using routine data collected in the ICU. The use of machine learning may allow early identification of patients with specific therapeutic needs and accelerate the execution of required procedures.

History of cerebrovascular disease but not dementia increases the risk for secondary vascular events during SARS-CoV-2 infection with presumed Omicron variant: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate if pre-existing neurological conditions, such as dementia and a history of cerebrovascular disease, increase the risk of severe outcomes including death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and vascular events in patients hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in 2022, when Omicron was the predominant variant. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test, admitted to the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf from 20 December 2021 until 15 August 2022. In all, 1249 patients were included in the study. In-hospital mortality was 3.8% and the ICU admission rate was 9.9%. Ninety-three patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease and 36 patients with pre-existing all-cause dementia were identified and propensity score matching by age, sex, comorbidities, vaccination status and dexamethasone treatment was performed in a 1:4 ratio with patients without the respective precondition using nearest neighbor matching. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that neither pre-existing cerebrovascular disease nor all-cause dementia increased mortality or the risk for ICU admission. All-cause dementia in the medical history also had no effect on vascular complications under investigation. In contrast, an increased odds ratio for both pulmonary artery embolism and secondary cerebrovascular events was observed in patients with pre-existing chronic cerebrovascular disease and myocardial infarction in the medical history. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with pre-existing cerebrovascular disease and myocardial infarction in their medical history may be particularly susceptible to vascular complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection with presumed Omicron variant.

Validation of three nociception indices to predict immediate postoperative pain before emergence from general anaesthesia: a prospective double-blind, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Nociception monitoring devices are designed to estimate nociception during general anaesthesia. We evaluated the predictive accuracy of heart rate and three nociception indices to predict postoperative pain before emergence from general anaesthesia. METHODS: In patients undergoing trauma or orthopaedic surgery, HR, Surgical Pleth Index® (SPI), Pupillary Pain Index® (PPI), and Nociception Level® (NOL) were simultaneously recorded for 5 min after the end of surgery but before return of consciousness. After admission to the recovery room, pain scores were assessed regularly for 2 h. HR, SPI, PPI, and NOL were analysed for their predictive accuracy of postoperative pain and opioid consumption with assessment of area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curves, Spearman rank-correlation coefficient, and regression modelling. RESULTS: Data for 60 subjects were analysed. The AUC (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of the predictive accuracy for moderate-to-severe postoperative pain differed between nociception indices (HR=0.46 [0.29-0.64], P=0.671; SPI=0.46 [0.31-0.61], P=0.621; PPI=0.52 [0.36-0.68], P=0.770; NOL=0.66 [0.51-0.81], P=0.038). In a multivariable logistic regression model, a higher predictive accuracy was found for a multivariable predictor combining NOL values with ASA physical status and information about use of regional anaesthesia (AUC=0.83 [0.72-0.94], P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate, Surgical Pleth Index, Pupillary Pain Index, and Nociception Level measured before emergence from general anaesthesia do not yet have sufficient diagnostic accuracy for prediction of postoperative pain. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05063227.

Effect of Hemadsorption Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 (CYTOCOV-19): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Immunomodulatory therapies have shown beneficial effects in patients with severe COVID-19. Patients with hypercytokinemia might benefit from the removal of inflammatory mediators via hemadsorption. METHODS: Single-center prospective randomized trial at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany). Patients with confirmed COVID-19, refractory shock (norepinephrine ≥0.2 µg/kg/min to maintain a mean arterial pressure ≥65 mm Hg), interleukin-6 (IL-6) ≥500 ng/L, and an indication for renal replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were included. Patients received either hemadsorption therapy (HT) or standard medical therapy (SMT). For HT, a CytoSorb® adsorber was used for up to 5 days and was replaced every 18-24 h. The primary endpoint was sustained hemodynamic improvement (norepinephrine ≤0.05 µg/kg/min ≥24 h). RESULTS: Of 242 screened patients, 24 were randomized and assigned to either HT (N = 12) or SMT (N = 12). Both groups had similar severity as assessed by SAPS II (median 75 points HT group vs. 79 SMT group, p = 0.590) and SOFA (17 vs. 16, p = 0.551). Median IL-6 levels were 2,269 (IQR 948-3,679) and 3,747 (1,301-5,415) ng/L in the HT and SMT groups at baseline, respectively (p = 0.378). Shock resolution (primary endpoint) was reached in 33% (4/12) versus 17% (2/12) in the HT and SMT groups, respectively (p = 0.640). Twenty-eight-day mortality was 58% (7/12) in the HT compared to 67% (8/12) in the SMT group (p = 1.0). During the treatment period of 5 days, 6/12 (50%) of the SMT patients died, in contrast to 1/12 (8%) in the HT group. CONCLUSION: HT was associated with a non-significant trend toward clinical improvement within the intervention period. In selected patients, HT might be an option for stabilization before transfer and further therapeutic decisions. This finding warrants further investigation in larger trials.

Impact of postanesthesia care unit delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health status: a prospective observational cohort study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health status 3 months after surgery. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study was performed in a PACU at a high-volume prostate cancer center. We used a convenience sample of patients > 60 years undergoing elective radical prostatectomy. Patients with a history of cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative disease were excluded. Fifteen, 30, 45, and 60 following extubation, patients were screened for signs of delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Three months after surgery self-reported cognitive function was assessed with the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, and health status was evaluated with the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Signs of PACU delirium were present in 32.4% (n = 72/222) of patients, and 80.2% (n = 178/222) completed the 3-month follow-up. The presence of PACU delirium signs was not significantly associated with self-reported cognitive failures (B = 0.60, 95% CI: -1.72; 2.92, p = 0.61) or SF-36 physical component scores (B = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.02; 0.36, p = 0.03) or SF-36 mental component scores (B = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.18, 0.11, p = 0.66) 3 months after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of educated, highly functioning, elderly male patients who were assessed immediately after surgery and at a 3-month follow-up, we found no association between PACU delirium and self-reported cognitive failures or perceived health status, which implies that PACU delirium may be an event of limited duration and impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04168268, Date of registration: November 19, 2019).

Comparison of four diagnostic criteria for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis-A diagnostic accuracy study in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of lung biopsy, there are various algorithms for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in critically ill patients that rely on clinical signs, underlying conditions, radiological features and mycology. The aim of the present study was to compare four diagnostic algorithms in their ability to differentiate between probable IPA (i.e., requiring treatment) and colonisation. METHODS: For this diagnostic accuracy study, we included a mixed ICU population with a positive Aspergillus culture from respiratory secretions and applied four different diagnostic algorithms to them. We compared agreement among the four algorithms. In a subgroup of patients with lung tissue histopathology available, we determined the sensitivity and specificity of the single algorithms. RESULTS: A total number of 684 critically ill patients (69% medical/31% surgical) were included between 2005 and 2020. Overall, 79% (n = 543) of patients fulfilled the criteria for probable IPA according to at least one diagnostic algorithm. Only 4% of patients (n = 29) fulfilled the criteria for probable IPA according to all four algorithms. Agreement among the four diagnostic criteria was low (Cohen's kappa 0.07-0.29). From 85 patients with histopathological examination of lung tissue, 40% (n = 34) had confirmed IPA. The new EORTC/MSGERC ICU working group criteria had high specificity (0.59 [0.41-0.75]) and sensitivity (0.73 [0.59-0.85]). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of mixed ICU patients, the agreement among four algorithms for the diagnosis of IPA was low. Although improved by the latest diagnostic criteria, the discrimination of invasive fungal infection from Aspergillus colonisation in critically ill patients remains challenging and requires further optimization.

Intraoperative impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation and delayed neurocognitive recovery after major oncologic surgery: a secondary analysis of pooled data.

Cerebral blood flow is tightly regulated by cerebrovascular autoregulation (CVA), and intraoperative impairment of CVA has been linked with perioperative neurocognitive disorders. We aim to assess whether impairment of CVA during major oncologic surgery is associated with delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNCR) postoperatively. We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients were included if they had undergone complete pre- and postoperative neuropsychological assessments, continuous intraoperative measurement of CVA, and major oncologic surgery for visceral, urological, or gynecological cancer. Intraoperative CVA was measured using the time-correlation method based on near-infrared-spectroscopy, and DNCR was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery. A decline in cognitive function before hospital discharge compared with a preoperative baseline assessment was defined as DNCR. One hundred ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. The median age of the study population was 65 years (IQR: 60-68); 11 patients (5.6%) were female. Forty-one patients (21.0%) fulfilled the criteria for DNCR in the early postoperative period. We found a significant association between impaired intraoperative CVA and DNCR before hospital discharge (OR = 1.042 [95% CI: 1.005; 1.080], p = 0.028). The type of surgery (radical prostatectomy vs. other major oncologic surgery; OR = 0.269 [95% CI: 0.099; 0.728], p = 0.010) and premedication with midazolam (OR = 3.360 [95% CI: 1.039; 10.870], p = 0.043) were significantly associated with the occurrence of DNCR in the early postoperative period. Intraoperative impairment of CVA is associated with postoperative neurocognitive function early after oncologic surgery. Therefore, intraoperative monitoring of CVA may be a target for neuroprotective interventions. The initial studies were retrospectively registered with primary clinical trial registries recognized by the World Health Organization (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: DRKS00010014, 21.03.2016 and NCT04101006, 24.07.2019).

[Targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest : What is new?] / Gezieltes Temperaturmanagement nach Reanimation : Was gibt es Neues?

The current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council recommend targeted temperature management to improve functional neurological outcome in comatose survivors after cardiac arrest. With the pathophysiological background of hypothermia-induced neuroprotection for prevention of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, targeted temperature management is a key measure and represents a central aspect in postresuscitation care.In the 2021 guidelines the application of targeted temperature management in postresuscitation care has been recommended for all rhythms and irrespective of the location of cardiac arrest. Targeted temperature management is advocated for adult patients who remain unresponsive following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after either out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or in-hospital cardiac arrest. The body temperature should be maintained at a constant value between 32 °C and 36 °C for at least 24 h. To avoid rebound hyperthermia, fever following targeted temperature management, defined as a temperature above 37.7 °C, should be prevented and treated for at least 72 h after ROSC in persistently comatose patients. The routine use of prehospital cooling by rapid infusion of large volumes of cold i.v. fluid immediately after ROSC is not recommended.Based on a systematic review of the current literature, this article summarizes the results of randomized trials and new findings on targeted temperature management in comatose adult patients after cardiac arrest. The review has a particular focus on the most recent evidence regarding the optimum range of target temperatures. Furthermore, recent data on preclinical management, different patient populations, the duration of targeted temperature management, cooling methods and rebound hyperthermia are discussed.The impact of targeted temperature management on neurological outcome after cardiac arrest has been a matter of controversy. Despite contradictory results and heterogeneity of study designs, the current evidence supports the relevance and the necessity of strict temperature control in postresuscitation care for neuroprotection and improvement in functional neurological outcomes.

MR-proAdrenomedullin as a predictor of renal replacement therapy in a cohort of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: About 20% of ICU patients with COVID-19 require renal replacement therapy (RRT). Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) might be used for risk assessment. This study investigates MR-proADM for RRT prediction in ICU patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We analysed data of consecutive patients with COVID-19, requiring ICU admission at a university hospital in Germany between March and September 2020. Clinical characteristics, details on AKI, and RRT were assessed. MR-proADM was measured on admission. RESULTS: 64 patients were included (49 (77%) males). Median age was 62.5y (54-73). 47 (73%) patients were ventilated and 50 (78%) needed vasopressors. 25 (39%) patients had severe ARDS, and 10 patients needed veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. 29 (45%) patients required RRT; median time from admission to RRT start was 2 (1-9) days. MR-proADM on admission was higher in the RRT group (2.491 vs. 1.23 nmol/l; p = 0.002) and showed the highest correlation with renalSOFA. ROC curve analysis showed that MR-proADM predicts RRT with an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.543-0.828; p = 0.019). In multivariable logistic regression MR-proADM was an independent predictor (OR: 3.813, 95% CI 1.110-13.102, p<0.05) for RRT requirement. CONCLUSION: AKI requiring RRT is frequent in ICU patients with COVID-19. MR-proADM on admission was able to predict RRT requirement, which may be of interest for risk stratification and management.

Health-related quality of life and self-reported cognitive function in patients with delayed neurocognitive recovery after radical prostatectomy: a prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Delayed neurocognitive recovery (DNCR) is a common and serious complication after radical prostatectomy. We hypothesized that patients with DNCR in the early postoperative period would report reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and more cognitive failures 12 months after surgery, compared with patients without DNCR. METHODS: We performed a 12-month follow-up on 367 patients who had been enrolled in a prospective observational trial to study the incidence of DNCR after radical prostatectomy. Patients were screened for preoperative cognitive impairment and depression. We defined DNCR as a decline in cognitive function between days 3 and 5 after surgery, compared with baseline assessments. We evaluated HRQoL and cognitive failures 12 months after surgery with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire. General linear models were used to analyze associations of DNCR with HRQoL and cognitive failures. RESULTS: Delayed neurocognitive recovery in the early postoperative period was significantly associated with self-reported cognitive failures (B for no DNCR = - 0.411 [95% CI: - 0.798;0.024], p = 0.038), but not with physical (B = 0.082 [95% CI: - 0.021;0.186], p = 0.118) or mental HRQoL (B = - 0.044 [95% CI: - 0.149;0.062], p = 0.417) 12 months after surgery. Preoperative depression screening scores were significantly associated with self-reported cognitive failures and both physical and mental HRQoL 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed neurocognitive recovery in the early period after radical prostatectomy has a long-term impact on patients' daily lives by impairing memory, attention, action, and perception. Therefore, prevention of DNCR must be a priority for physicians and researchers. Consequent preoperative screening for depressive symptoms may facilitate early psycho-oncological intervention to improve postoperative HRQoL. Trials registration DRKS00010014 , date of registration: 21.03.2016, retrospectively registered.

Nociception level-guided opioid administration in radical retropubic prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This RCT investigated the effect of opioid titration by three different nociception monitoring devices or clinical signs during general anaesthesia. METHODS: Ninety-six patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy with propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia were randomised into one of four groups to receive remifentanil guided by one of three nociception monitoring devices (surgical pleth index [SPI], pupillary pain index [PPI], or nociception level [NOL]) or by clinical judgement (control). Intraoperative remifentanil requirement was the primary endpoint, whereas recovery parameters and stress hormone levels were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: The mean [95% confidence interval {CI}] remifentanil administration rate differed between the groups: control 0.34 (0.32-0.37), SPI 0.46 (0.38-0.55), PPI 0.07 (0.06-0.08), and NOL 0.16 (0.12-0.21) µg kg-1 min-1(P<0.001). Intraoperative cessation of remifentanil administration occurred in different numbers (%) of patients: control 0 (0%), SPI 1 (4.3%), PPI 18 (75.0%), and NOL 11 (47.8%); P=0.002. The area under the curve analyses indicated differences in cumulative cortisol levels (mg L-1 min-1) amongst the groups: control 37.9 (33.3-43.1), SPI 38.6 (33.8-44.2), PPI 72.1 (63.1-82.3), and NOL 54.4 (47.6-62.1) (mean [95% CI]). Pairwise group comparison results were as follows: control vs SPI, P=0.830; control vs PPI, P<0.001; control vs NOL, P=0.001; SPI vs PPI, P<0.001; SPI vs NOL, P=0.002; and PPI vs NOL, P=0.009. CONCLUSIONS: The nociception monitoring devices and clinical signs reflect the extent of nociception differently, leading to dissimilar doses of remifentanil. Very low remifentanil doses were associated with an increase and higher remifentanil doses were accompanied by a decrease in serum cortisol concentrations. Use of nociception monitoring devices for guiding intra-operative opioid dosing needs further validation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03380949.

Do Elderly Patients With Diastolic Dysfunction Require Higher Doses of Norepinephrine During General Anesthesia for Noncardiac Surgeries? A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction is a risk factor for postoperative major cardiovascular events. During anesthesia, patients with diastolic dysfunction might experience impaired hemodynamic function and worsening of diastolic function, which in turn, might be associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications.We aimed to investigate whether patients with diastolic dysfunction require higher doses of norepinephrine during general anesthesia. Furthermore, we aimed to examine the association between the grade of diastolic dysfunction and the E/e' ratio during anesthesia. A high E/e' ratio corresponds to elevated filling pressures and is an important measure of impaired diastolic function. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study at a German university hospital from February 2017 to September 2018. Patients aged ≥60 years and undergoing general anesthesia (ie, propofol and sevoflurane) for elective noncardiac surgery were enrolled. Exclusion: mitral valve disease, atrial fibrillation, and implanted mechanical device.The primary outcome parameter was the administered dose of norepinephrine within 30 minutes after anesthesia induction (µg·kg-1 30 min-1). The secondary outcome parameter was the change of Doppler echocardiographic E/e' from ECHO1 (baseline) to ECHO2 (anesthesia). Linear models and linear mixed models were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients were enrolled, and 200 patients (75 female) were included in the final analysis. Diastolic dysfunction at baseline was not associated with a higher dose of norepinephrine during anesthesia (P = .6953). The grade of diastolic dysfunction at baseline was associated with a decrease of the E/e' ratio during anesthesia (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We did not find evidence for an association between diastolic dysfunction and impaired hemodynamic function, as expressed by high vasopressor support during anesthesia. Additionally, our findings suggest that diastolic function, as expressed by the E/e' ratio, does not worsen during anesthesia.

Comparing the effect of positioning on cerebral autoregulation during radical prostatectomy: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Surgery in the prolonged extreme Trendelenburg position may lead to elevated intracranial pressure and compromise cerebral hemodynamic regulation. We hypothesized that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with head-down tilt causes impairment of cerebral autoregulation compared with open retropubic radical prostatectomy in the supine position. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective radical prostatectomy were included at a tertiary care prostate cancer clinic. Continuous monitoring of the cerebral autoregulation was performed using the correlation method. Based on measurements of cerebral oxygenation with near-infrared spectroscopy and invasive mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), a moving correlation coefficient was calculated to obtain the cerebral oxygenation index as an indicator of cerebral autoregulation. Cerebral autoregulation was measured continuously from induction until recovery from anesthesia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in cerebral autoregulation between robot-assisted and open retropubic radical prostatectomy during induction (p = 0.089), intraoperatively (p = 0.162), and during recovery from anesthesia (p = 0.620). Age (B = 0.311 [95% CI 0.039; 0.583], p = 0.025) and a higher difference between baseline MAP and intraoperative MAP (B = 0.200 [95% CI 0.073; 0.327], p = 0.002) were associated with impaired cerebral autoregulation, whereas surgical technique was not (B = 3.339 [95% CI 1.275; 7.952], p = 0.155). CONCLUSION: Compared with open radical prostatectomy in the supine position, robot-assisted surgery in the extreme Trendelenburg position with capnoperitoneum did not lead to an impairment of cerebral autoregulation during the perioperative period in our study population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00010014, date of registration: 21.03.2016, retrospectively registered.

[Nociception monitoring : Method for intraoperative opioid control?] / Nozizeptionsmonitoring : Methode zur intraoperativen Opioidsteuerung?

The intraoperative dosing of opioids is a challenge in routine anesthesia as the potential effects of intraoperative overdosing and underdosing are not completely understood. In recent years an increasing number of monitors were approved, which were developed for the detection of intraoperative nociception and therefore should enable a better control of opioid titration. The nociception monitoring devices use either continuous hemodynamic, galvanic or thermal biosignals reflecting the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, measure the pupil dilatation reflex or the nociceptive flexor reflex as a reflexive response to application of standardized nociceptive stimulation. This review article presents the currently available nociception monitors. Most of these monitoring devices detect nociceptive stimulations with higher sensitivity and specificity than changes in heart rate, blood pressure or sedation depth monitoring devices. There are only few studies on the effect of opioid titration guided by nociception monitoring and the possible postoperative benefits of these devices. All nociception monitoring techniques are subject to specific limitations either due to perioperative confounders (e.g. hypovolemia) or special accompanying medical conditions (e.g. muscle relaxation). There is an ongoing discussion about the clinical relevance of nociceptive stimulation in general anesthesia and the effect on patient outcome. Initial results for individual monitor systems show a reduction in opioid consumption and in postoperative pain level. Nevertheless, current evidence does not enable the routine use of nociception monitoring devices to be recommended as a clear beneficial effect on long-term outcome has not yet been proven.

Triptans for Acute Migraine Headache: Current Experience With Triptan Use and Prescription Habits in a Tertiary Care Headache Outpatient Clinic: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Triptans are recommended as first-line therapy in the acute phase of a migraine attack. We describe patterns of triptan use in a tertiary care headache outpatient clinic, particularly addressing factors that are associated with triptan discontinuation. METHODS: From December 2009 until August 2012, demographic and clinical data of consecutive patients with migraine were collected. The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) was used to measure the adverse impact of headaches. Factors associated with triptan discontinuation were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 511 migraine patients included, 73.2% (n = 374) were triptan naïve on first consultation. At follow-up, 57.1% of new triptan users (n = 72/126) reported pain-freedom or pain relief after 2 hours, 40.5% (n = 51/126) did not refill their triptan, another 15.1% (n = 19/126) switched to a different type of triptan. Negative response to triptan treatment and substantial or severe headache impact (HIT-6 score ≥56) at first follow-up were associated with triptan discontinuation (OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.20-0.78], P = .007; OR 3.33 [95% CI 1.10-10.03], P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Although triptans have been in clinical use for more than two decades, many migraine sufferers in our study population were found to be triptan naïve on first consultation. The HIT-6 score may be used as an indicator of triptan adherence and help to identify patients at risk for triptan discontinuation.

Cerebral tau is elevated after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and associated with brain metabolic distress and poor functional and cognitive long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests axonal injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). The microtubule-associated protein, tau, has been shown to be elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid after aSAH, however, brain extracellular tau levels and their relation to long-term neurological and cognitive outcomes have not been investigated. METHODS: Serial cerebral microdialysis (CMD) samples were collected from 22 consecutive aSAH patients with multimodal neuromonitoring to determine CMD-total-tau by ELISA. CMD-total-tau was analysed considering other brain metabolic parameters, brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2), and functional and neuropsychological outcome at 12 months. All outcome models were analysed using generalised estimating equations with an autoregressive working correlation matrix to account for multiple measurements of brain extracellular proteins per subject. RESULTS: CMD-total-tau levels positively correlated with brain extracellular fluid levels of lactate (r=0.40, p<0.001), glutamate (r=0.45, p<0.001), pyruvate (r=0.26, p<0.001), and the lactate-pyruvate ratio (r=0.26, p<0.001), and were higher in episodes of hypoxic (PbtO2<20 mm Hg) brain extracellular lactate elevation (>4 mmol/L) (p<0.01). More importantly, high CMD-total-tau levels were associated with poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥4) 12 months after aSAH even after adjusting for disease severity and age (p=0.001). A similar association was found with 3/5 neuropsychological tests indicative of impairments in cognition, psychomotor speed, visual conceptualisation and frontal executive functions at 1 year after aSAH (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CMD-total tau may be an important biomarker for predicting long-term outcome in patients with severe aSAH. The value of axonal injury needs further confirmation in a larger patient cohort, preferably combined with advanced imaging techniques.