Effect of dilutional anemia that can be treated with only one unit of red blood cell transfusion on tissue oxygenation in cardiac surgery patients

Background/aim: Cardiac surgery, especially in the presence of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), is associated with an inflammatory reaction that may promote microcirculatory alterations, in addition to the general impact on system hemodynamics. Anemia and transfusion make patients more susceptible to the deleterious effects of CPB. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of dilutional anemia, which is caused by CPB and can be treated with 1­2 units of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, on global tissue oxygenation parameters in cardiac surgery patients. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study comprised 127 patients who had a relatively stable operation period without any major anesthetic or surgical complications (e.g., operation duration >5 h, bleeding or hemodilution requiring more than 1­2 units of RBCs, or unstable hemodynamics, requiring inotropic support of more than 5 µg/kg/min dopamine). Patients were observationally divided into two groups: minimally transfused (Group Tr) and nontransfused (Group NTr). Global tissue oxygenation parameters were evaluated after anesthesia induction (T1) and at the end of the operation (T3) and compared between the groups. Results: Group Tr consisted of patients who had significantly lower preoperative hemoglobin values than Group NTr patients. The dilutional anemia of all Group Tr patients could be corrected with 1 unit of RBCs. The lactate levels at T3, increment rates of lactate, and venoarterial carbon dioxide pressure difference (ΔpCO2) levels [(T3 ­ T1) : T1] in Group Tr were significantly higher than those in Group NTr. Conclusion: Dilutional anemia as a result of CPB mostly occurs in patients with borderline preoperative hemoglobin concentrations and its correction with RBC transfusion does not normalize the degree of microcirculatory and oxygenation problems, which the patients are already prone to because of the nature of CPB. Preventing dilutional anemia and transfusion, especially in patients with preoperative borderline hemoglobin levels, may therefore reduce the burden of impaired microcirculation-associated organ failure in on-pump cardiac surgery.

Aspiration of Fractured Tracheostomy Tube in a Prone Positioned COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A 61-year-old male patient diagnosed with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was managed with tracheostomy and intermittent prone positioning in the intensive care unit. After a sudden deterioration, examination of tracheostomy tube (TT) and X-ray of the chest revealed that he had aspirated the fractured TT. The fractured tube was removed through the tracheostomy stoma using a rigid ventilating bronchoscope and forceps. Prone positioning is a beneficial postural therapy capable of improving patient oxygenation. However, it has some complications, like unplanned extubation and facial tissue injury. Percutaneous tracheostomy is also a valuable and safe procedure and has been increasingly performed in critical care patients, including those who suffer from COVID-19 ARDS. Fractures and aspiration of a tracheostomy tube can occur anytime after tracheostomy. We think prone positioning may contribute to the rupture and aspiration of the tracheostomy tube in this study.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Variants on Maternal Infection and Severity: A Single-Center Experience.

Background and aims Pregnant women are one of the vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19. With the mutation of the virus, the severity of the disease in this vulnerable group may vary in different waves of COVID-19 subtypes. The aim of this study is to define the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and mortality results of pregnant COVID-19 patients according to three time frames (March to December 2020, January to June 2021, and July to November 2021). Materials and methods The data of patients admitted to the ICU between March 23, 2020, and November 30, 2021, were retrospectively scanned. Pregnant patients with SARS-CoV-2 PCR test positivity or pregnant patients with COVID-19 who have a negative PCR test but symptoms of COVID-19 and radiological findings consistent with COVID-19 on thorax CT who need intensive care were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the dates when the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey reported the variants of COVID-19 in Turkey. The nonvariant type was dominant in the first period (March to December 2020), alpha and beta variants were dominant in the second period (January to June 2021), and the delta variant appeared in the last period (July to November 2021). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings at the first admission to the ICU and mortality rates of the patients were recorded. Results PCR test was performed in all 109 patients, of whom 101 were PCR test positive. In other eight patients, despite the negative PCR test, thorax CT findings were typical of COVID-19 pneumonia, and other bacterial and viral agents were also excluded. The mean age of the patients was 30.53 years, the mean APACHE II score was 9.68, and the mean gestational age was 28.55 weeks. Around 72.5% of the patients were in the third trimester. Of the 101 PCR-positive patients, 20.2% were delta variants, 16.5% alpha or beta variants, and 63.3% were of unknown variants. Five of the patients were vaccinated. The most common symptom was dyspnea (94.5%), and the most common comorbidity was hypothyroidism (9.17%). Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) was needed in 44.95% of pregnant patients. The distribution of pregnant patients admitted to the ICU according to the periods March to December 2020, January to June 2021, and July to November 2021 was 16.5%, 21.1%, and 62.4%, respectively (p<0.001). Two groups of patients were compared: those that survived versus those that deceased. Variables predicting mortality were APACHE score, IMV requirement, length of stay in the ICU, prone positioning, Anakinra treatment, and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenator) requirement, which were significantly higher in the deceased group than in the living group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between the patients' age, gestational age, variants, treatments other than Anakinra, and the number of patients admitted to the ICU in the three periods (p=0.667, p=0.174, p=0.904, and p=0.605, respectively).In the multiple logistic regression analysis for mortality, high APACHE II score and IMV requirement were found as risk factors for mortality. Conclusion In the last period of delta variant predominance, pregnant COVID-19 patients were admitted to the ICU significantly more frequently than in the first two periods. Mechanical ventilation requirement and high APACHE II score were determined as risk factors for mortality.

Predicting postoperative ischemic stroke problems in patients following coronary bypass surgery using neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and red blood cell distribution width values.

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) plays an important role in the revascularization of ischemic heart disease. However, stroke is a rare but extremely serious complication after CABG. Aim: We investigated the relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values, and postoperative ischemic stroke by examining the preoperative complete blood count (CBC) parameters in patients who underwent CABG. Material and methods: A total of 1240 patients who underwent CABG between September 2016 and June 2019 were included in this retrospective observational study. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made in the postoperative period by neurology consultation and radiological imaging. The CBC data used as preoperative values for each case were obtained the day before surgery. Results: Ischemic stroke was observed in 40 patients. In patients with stroke, the mean age was higher, the hemoglobin (HB) value and lymphocyte count were lower (p < 0.001), and there were also higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), PLR, and RDW values (p < 0.001), number of mechanical ventilator days, length of stay in the hospital, and length of stay in the ICU (p < 0.001). Statin and acetylsalicylic acid use were statistically significantly higher in patients without ischemic stroke after CABG (p < 0.001); the use of other antiaggregants was found to be higher in stroke patients (p < 0.05). However, age, operation time, PLR, NLR, and RDW values were determined as independent risk factors for ischemic stroke. Conclusions: In patients undergoing CABG, high preoperative PLR, NLR, and RDW values can be used as useful and independent risk factors for the prediction of postoperative ischemic stroke.

A Randomized Clinical Trial on the Effect of Hypnosis on Anxiety and Pain in Rigid Cystoscopy Patients.

Introduction: Cystoscopy is one of the most common procedures in outpatient urology. Although flexible cystoscopes are more tolerable, rigid cystoscopes have still been used in many clinics because of their lower costs, better visual performance, and easier handling. It can be difficult to achieve optimal relief of pain and anxiety during rigid cystoscopy. The aim of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of hypnosis as an adjunct to routine local anesthesia in reducing pain and anxiety in rigid cystoscopy patients. Materials and Methods: Ninety male patients undergoing rigid cystoscopy for the first time were randomized into two groups: (1) Hypnosis Group (Group H) patients underwent cystoscopy with hypnotic communication as an adjuvant approach for periprocedural analgesia and anxiety, (2) Standard Care Group (Group SC) patients underwent cystoscopy with routine local anesthesia and lubrication as control group. The data were collected using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for anxiety and hemodynamic parameters. Furthermore, a VAS was also completed by the urologist to assess his satisfaction. Results: Baseline characteristics, STAI, hemodynamic parameters, and recovery duration were statistically similar between the two groups. The procedure duration was shorter in Group H (p = 0.018). The postprocedural STAI and VAS scores of patients in Group H were significantly lower than those of Group SC (p = 0.006; p = 0.02, respectively). Heart rate and mean arterial pressure after positioning of the patient (p = 0.000; p = 0.004, respectively) and insertion of the cystoscope (p = 0.000; p = 0.000) were statistically lower in Group H, whereas baseline, postprocedural, and predischarge hemodynamic measurements were similar. Urologists were also more satisfied in Group H (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Hypnosis as an adjunct therapy to local anesthesia during rigid cystoscopy significantly reduces pain and anxiety, provides more stable hemodynamic conditions, shortens procedure duration, and thus appears attractive for pain and anxiety management.

Anxiety and Depression in the Relatives of COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Intensive Care Patients During the Pandemic.

Background and aim In the literature, there is no study on the anxiety and depression status of the relatives of intensive care COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients during the pandemic period. In this study, we aimed to compare the risk of developing anxiety and depression in the relatives of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 intensive care patients during the pandemic, and also to determine the factors that may cause anxiety and depression. Materials and methods Relatives of patients admitted to Ankara City Hospital COVID-19 (n=45) and non-COVID-19 (n=45) intensive care units between 15 May and 31 July 2021 were included in this prospective study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was administered to the relatives of the patients within the first 48 hours of their admission to the intensive care unit. The answers were recorded and HADS, HADS-A (anxiety) and HADS-D (depression) scores were calculated accordingly. Demographics, education and marital statuses of both the patients and their relatives were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with depression and anxiety. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves were drawn for the factors affecting depression and anxiety, and the area under the curve values were calculated. Results Demographics, APACHE II score, and patient affiliation were similar in both groups. The mean HADS scores of the relatives of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients were 24.76 and 16.04 (p<0.001). The mean HADS-A scores were 12.89 and 7.78 (p<0.001), and the mean of HADS-D scores were 11.87 and 8.27 (p=0.001). Moderate and high-risk anxiety and depression were significantly higher in relatives of COVID-19 patients (p=0.018, p=0.001, respectively). The area under curve (AUC) values were 0.727 in the ROC curve plotted for the independent risk factor Q3 responses that reduced anxiety, and 0.791 and 0.785 in the ROC curve drawn for the independent risk factor Q1 and Q3 responses that reduced the development of depression. Conclusion We found that the anxiety and depression risk of the relatives of COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit during the pandemic period is significantly higher than the relatives of non-COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit. In addition, regardless of the diagnosis, younger intensive care patients may increase the anxiety and depression of the relatives of the patients during the pandemic. The higher-education level of the relatives of patients was determined as a factor reducing anxiety and depression.

The predictive power of C-reactive protein- lymphocyte ratio for in-hospital mortality after colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The relation between immunity, inflammation, and tumor development and progression has been emphasized in colorectal cancer widely and the prognosis is linked to the inflammatory reaction of the host as well as the biological behavior of the tumor. AIM: In this study, we aimed to find out the predictive power of C-reactive protein- lymphocyte ratio (CLR) for in-hospital mortality after colorectal surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of 388 CRC patients were enrolled in the present retrospective study which was conducted in a tertiary state Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. In-hospital mortality was the main outcome to evaluate the predictive power of inflammatory markers, while the other outcomes that would be evaluated as separate variables were LOS in hospital and LOS in ICU. In this study, there were 260 males and 128 females, and the mean age was 60.9. The in-hospital mortality rate was 3.4% (n = 13) and age, APACHE II score and Charlson comorbidity index score were related to in-hospital mortality statistically. The mean LOS in the hospital was 13.9 days and LOS in ICU was 4.5 days. The CRP levels and the CLR levels were higher both in the preoperative and postoperative periods in the mortality (+) group and the difference was significant statistically (P = .008/ .002 and .004/ <.001, respectively). CLR in the postoperative period had the best predictive power with AUC: 0.876. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, within the context of our study there appears to be a relationship between CLR, as measured on day 2 postoperatively, and in-hospital mortality. It is observed to be more effective than NLR, ALC, and CRP.

Comparison of fentanil and remifentanil for coronary artery surgery with low ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we evaluated patient response and haemodynamic parameters in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing coronary bypass surgery with either fentanil or remifentanil in conjunction with etomidate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 30 cases of coronary artery surgery, which were divided into two treatment groups (n = 15 each). In group F (fentanil group), the following regimen was employed for anaesthesia induction: 1 mg/kg lidocaine, 0.3 mg/kg etomidate, and, following a 1 µg/kg 60 s bolus dose of fentanil, a 0.1 µg/kg/min fentanil infusion was initiated, after which 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium was administered. In group R (remifentanil group), the following regimen was employed for anaesthesia induction: 1 mg/kg lidocaine, 0.3 mg/kg etomidate and, following a 1 µg/kg 60 s bolus dose of remifentanil, a 0.1 µg/kg/min remifentanil infusion was initiated, after which 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium was administered. Systolic artery pressure, diastolic artery pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, SPO2 (saturation), cardiac output, stroke volume variance, central venous pressure, and systemic vascular resistance values were recorded for all study patients at five minutes before anaesthetic induction (T1), immediately following induction (T2), and immediately following intubation (T3). RESULTS: The demographic values obtained for both groups were similar. We found that remifentanil use was associated with decreased cardiac output and increased fluctuations in both heart rate and mean values of arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Although many studies have demonstrated remifentanil to be as safe as fentanil when titrated to an appropriate dose, our study suggests that fentanil may be a more appropriate choice during the induction of anaesthesia in patients with a low ejection fraction.

Current Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in Intensive Care Units.

Neuromuscular blocking agents can be used for purposes such as eliminating ventilator-patient dyssynchrony, facilitating gas exchange by reducing intra-abdominal pressure and improving chest wall compliance, reducing risk of lung barotrauma, decreasing contribution of muscles to oxygen consumption by preventing shivering and limiting elevations in intracranial pressure caused by airway stimulation in patients supported with mechanical ventilation in intensive care units. Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), status asthmaticus, increased intracranial pressure and therapeutic hypothermia following ventricular fibrillation-associated cardiac arrest are some of clinical conditions that can be sustained by neuromuscular blockade. Appropriate indication and clinical practice have gained importance considering side effects such as ICU-acquired weakness, masking seizure activity and longer durations of hospital and ICU stays. We mainly aimed to review the current literature regarding neuromuscular blockade in up-to-date clinical conditions such as improving oxygenation in early ARDS and preventing shivering in the therapeutic hypothermia along with summarising the clinical practice in adult ICU in this report.

The Use of Sugammadex in a Patient With Guillain-Barre Syndrome: A Case Report.

Sugammadex encapsulates and inactivates rocuronium and vecuronium. It is used to reverse neuromuscular blockade from these nondepolarizing agents. The safety of sugammadex in patients with neuromuscular disease has not been established. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a neuromuscular disease characterized by acute inflammatory polyneuropathy. Patients with GBS may exhibit autonomic dysfunction, chronic pain, abnormal reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents, and may require postoperative mechanical ventilation. We report the successful use of sugammadex to reverse rocuronium in a patient with chronic GBS, who presented for a hemicolectomy.