Feasibility and Safety of Sac Embolization Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate in Emergency Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms or Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of sac embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in emergency endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and iliac artery aneurysm (IAA) in comparison to EVAR without sac embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2012 and December 2019, among 44 consecutive patients with ruptured AAA or IAA, 29 underwent EVAR. Of these, 22 patients (median age 77.5 years; 18 men) had concomitant sac embolization using NBCA; the remaining 7 patients (median age 88 years; 6 men) underwent EVAR without sac embolization and form the control group. The technical success, clinical success (hemodynamic stabilization), procedure-related complications, and mortality were compared between the groups. RESULTS: All EVAR procedures and embolizations were successful. The clinical success rates in the NBCA and control groups were 95% (21/22) and 71% (5/7), respectively (p=0.14). There was no complication related to the procedure. Type II endoleak occurred in 4 of 21 patients (19%) in the NBCA group vs none of the control patients. One patient (5%) died in the NBCA group vs 3 (43%) in the controls (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Sac embolization using NBCA in emergency EVAR appears to be feasible and safe for ruptured AAA and IAA.

[Guideline-conform treatment of sepsis]. / Leitliniengerechte Therapie der Sepsis.

The time to administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and (secondarily) to the initiation of hemodynamic stabilization are the most important factors influencing survival of patients with sepsis and septic shock; however, the basic prerequisite for the initiation of an adequate treatment is that a suspected diagnosis of sepsis is made first. Therefore, the treatment of sepsis, even before it has begun, is an interdisciplinary and interprofessional task. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in sepsis treatment and points towards new evidence that has the potential to change guideline recommendations in the coming years. In summary, the following points are critical: (1) sepsis must be diagnosed as soon as possible and the implementation of a source control intervention (in case of a controllable source) has to be implemented as soon as (logistically) possible. (2) In general, intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given within the first hour after diagnosis if sepsis or septic shock is suspected. In organ dysfunction without shock, where sepsis is a possible but unlikely cause, the results of focused advanced diagnostics should be awaited before a decision to give broad-spectrum antibiotics is made. If it is not clear within 3 h whether sepsis is the cause, broad-spectrum antibiotics should be given when in doubt. Administer beta-lactam antibiotics as a prolonged (or if therapeutic drug monitoring is available, continuous) infusion after an initial loading dose. (3) Combination treatment with two agents for one pathogen group should remain the exception (e.g. multidrug-resistant gram-negative pathogens). (4) In the case of doubt, the duration of anti-infective treatment should rather be shorter than longer. Procalcitonin can support the clinical decision to stop (not to start!) antibiotic treatment! (5) For fluid treatment, if hypoperfusion is present, the first (approximately) 2L (30 ml/kg BW) of crystalloid solution is usually safe and indicated. After that, the rule is: less is more! Any further fluid administration should be carefully weighed up with the help of dynamic parameters, the patient's clinical condition and echo(cardio)graphy.

[What is confirmed in the treatment of sepsis? : An update]. / Was ist gesichert in der Therapie der Sepsis? : Ein Update.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is defined as "being evoked as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by an inadequate host response to infection". The most recent German S3 guidelines were published in 2018 and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) last published the current recommendations for the treatment of sepsis and septic shock in 2021. OBJECTIVE: This article explores and discusses which evidence in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock has been confirmed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Discussion of the 2018 German S3 guidelines, supplementation of the content of the 2021 international guidelines and recent research results since 2021. RESULTS: The primary objective for managing sepsis and septic shock still includes rapid identification, early initiation of anti-infective treatment, and focus cleansing when feasible. In addition, the focus is on hemodynamic stabilization, including the early use of vasopressors for prevention of hypervolemia and, if necessary, the use of organ support procedures. Supportive treatment, such as the administration of corticosteroids and the use of apheresis, can be advantageous in specific scenarios. The focus is increasingly shifting towards post-intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up care, improving the quality of life after surviving sepsis and the close involvement of relatives of the patient. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that considerable progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis, the early administration of anti-infective agents, focus control, nuanced volume therapy and the use of catecholamines continue to be fundamental to sepsis management. New recommendations emphasize the early use of vasopressors (primarily norepinephrine) and the administration of corticosteroids, especially in cases of septic shock and pneumonia.

The Potential Role of Extracorporeal Cytokine Removal in Hemodynamic Stabilization in Hyperinflammatory Shock.

Hemodynamic instability due to dysregulated host response is a life-threatening condition requiring vasopressors and vital organ support. Hemoadsorption with Cytosorb has proven to be effective in reducing cytokines and possibly in attenuating the devastating effects of the cytokine storm originating from the immune over-response to the initial insult. We reviewed the PubMed database to assess evidence of the impact of Cytosorb on norepinephrine needs in the critically ill. We further analyzed those studies including data on control cohorts in a comparative pooled analysis, defining a treatment effect as the standardized mean differences in relative reductions in vasopressor dosage at 24 h. The literature search returned 33 eligible studies. We found evidence of a significant reduction in norepinephrine requirement after treatment: median before, 0.55 (IQR: 0.39-0.90); after, 0.09 (0.00-0.25) µg/kg/min, p < 0.001. The pooled effect size at 24 h was large, though characterized by high heterogeneity. In light of the importance of a quick resolution of hemodynamic instability in the critically ill, further research is encouraged to enrich knowledge on the potentials of the therapy.

Lessons learned from kidney dysfunction : Preventing organ failure.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication in patients in the intensive care unit with a significant impact on patient's mortality and morbidity. Therefore renal protective therapy is very important in these severely ill patients. AIM: Several renal protective strategies have been postulated during recent decades, which came from pathophysiologic concepts and have been contradicted or changed during the last few years. So lessons had to be learned in AKI, leading to new, in many cases completely reversed preventive and therapeutic concepts which may also be important for protection in other organs. RECENT FINDINGS: Most important for renal protection is the early identification of patients at risk for AKI or with acute kidney damage before renal function further deteriorates. A stage-based management of AKI comprises more general measures like discontinuation of the nephrotoxic agent but most importantly early hemodynamic stabilization. Recent research has contradicted that AKI is renal ischemia caused by vasoconstriction with consecutive tubular necrosis. In septic AKI, renal blood flow is even increased. Intrarenal vasodilation together with microcirculatory changes and redistribution of blood flow lead to a drop in glomerular filtration by functional changes. Accordingly it had to be learned that not vasodilators but vasoconstrictors are beneficial in AKI. A mean arterial blood pressure target of >65 mm Hg is often recommended but exact targets are not known, and patients with pre-existing hypertension even need higher perfusion pressure. Also the concept that fluid therapy is always beneficial for the kidney in shock states had to be revised. A volume restrictive therapy with only balanced crystalloids is also becoming more important in AKI. Still no specific pharmacological therapy for renal protection is available. Inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction appear to play a significant role in AKI. Anti-inflammatory strategies are under investigation and may become more important for AKI prevention and therapy in the future. (This article is freely available.).

[Evidence-based interdisciplinary treatment of abdominal sepsis]. / Evidenzbasierte, interdisziplinäre Behandlung der abdominellen Sepsis.

Abdominal sepsis is the most severe form of abdominal infection. It is characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ failure or septic shock. The latter has a mortality of >40%. This article reviews the evidence on the strategic approach to treatment of patients with abdominal sepsis and septic shock. The focus is on the time-critical elements of diagnosis, anti-infective treatment and hemodynamic stabilization.

The use of dexmedetomidine in puncture techniques for degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine / Uso de dexmedetomidina em técnicas de punção para doenças degenerativas da coluna lombar / Uso de dexmedetomidina en técnicas de punción para enfermedades degenerativas de la columna lumbar

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the results of the use of dexmedetomidine (D) in the treatment of patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine using puncture techniques. Methods The study included 77 patients who underwent surgical puncture for degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine with the use of alpha-2-adrenomimetic D: percutaneous laser denervation of the facet joints (n = 46) and posterolateral transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (n = 31). We assessed: the level of sedation using the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS); intraoperative dynamics of the cardiovascular and respiratory system parameters; the level of pain syndrome according to VAS. Results A high intraoperative level of sedation was determined, with RASS -2, -3 and Ramsay III, IV; when transferring a patient to a department (in 90 minutes) this parameter was RASS 0 and Ramsay II. There were no significant changes in central hemodynamics and respiratory depression. The minimum level of pain was determined immediately after surgery, at 30 and 60 minutes after surgery, and before transfer to the department (90 minutes): 6 (4;9); 10 (8;12); 12 (9;13); 16 (13;19) respectively. The absence of the need for additional analgesia on the first postoperative day was verified. Conclusion The use of D significantly reduces the level of pain, while maintaining the necessary verbal contact with the patient, and provides the necessary neurovegetative protection without respiratory depression or lowered hemodynamic parameters during the perioperative period. Level of evidence II; Prognostic Studies - Investigating the Effect of a Patient Characteristic on Disease Outcome. Case series, retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar os resultados do uso de dexmedetomidina (D) no tratamento de pacientes com doenças degenerativas da coluna lombar com técnicas de punção. Métodos O estudo incluiu 77 pacientes submetidos à punção cirúrgica em doenças degenerativas da coluna lombar com o uso de um agonista alfa-2 adrenérgico: denervação percutânea das articulações facetárias com laser (n = 46) e discectomia endoscópica transforaminal posterolateral (n = 31). Foram avaliados o nível de sedação usando a Escala de Sedação de Ramsay (RSS) e a Escala de Sedação e Agitação de Richmond (RASS); a dinâmica intraoperatória dos parâmetros dos sistemas cardiovascular e respiratório; o nível de síndrome de dor de acordo com a EVA. Resultados Determinou-se um alto nível intraoperatório de sedação pela RASS (-2, -3) e pela Ramsay (III, IV). Ao transferir um paciente para outro setor (depois de 90 minutos), esse parâmetro era 0 em RASS e II em Ramsay. Não houve alterações significativas na hemodinâmica central e na depressão respiratória. O nível mínimo de dor foi determinado imediatamente após a cirurgia, 30 e 60 minutos depois da cirurgia e antes da transferência para o outro setor (90 minutos depois): 6 (4; 9); 10 (8; 12); 12 (9; 13); 16 (13; 19), respectivamente. Constatou-se que não era necessária analgesia adicional no primeiro dia pós-operatório. Conclusões O uso de D reduz significativamente o nível de dor mantendo a comunicação verbal necessária com o paciente e fornece a proteção neurovegetativa necessária sem depressão respiratória e os parâmetros hemodinâmicos reduzidos durante o período perioperatório. Nível de evidência II; Estudos prognósticos - Investigação do efeito de característica de um paciente sobre o desfecho da doença. Série de casos, Estudo retrospectivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo Analizar los resultados del uso de dexmedetomidina (D) en el tratamiento de pacientes con enfermedades degenerativas de la columna lumbar con técnicas de punción. Métodos El estudio incluyó a 77 pacientes con enfermedades degenerativas de la columna lumbar que se sometieron a punción quirúrgica mediante el uso de un agonista adrenérgico alfa-2: denervación percutánea de las articulaciones facetarias con láser (n = 46) y discectomía endoscópica transforaminal posterolateral (n = 31). Fueron evaluados el nivel de sedación mediante la Escala de Sedación de Ramsay (RSS) y la Escala de Sedación y Agitación de Richmond (RASS); la dinámica intraoperatoria de los parámetros de los sistemas cardiovascular y respiratorio; el nivel del síndrome de dolor según la EVA. Resultados Se determinó un alto nivel de sedación intraoperatoria en RASS (-2, -3) y por Ramsay (III, IV)Al transferir un paciente a otro sector (después de 90 minutos), este parámetro fue 0 en RASS y II en Ramsay. No hubo cambios significativos en la hemodinámica central y la depresión respiratoria.El nivel mínimo de dolor se determinó después de la cirugía, 30 y 60 minutos después de la cirugía y antes del traslado al otro sector (90 minutos después): 6 (4; 9); 10 (8; 12); 12 (9; 13); 16 (13; 19), respectivamente. Se verificó que no era necesaria analgesia adicional el primer día postoperatorio. Conclusiones El uso de D reduce significativamente el nivel de dolor al mismo tiempo que se mantiene la necesaria comunicación verbal con el paciente y brinda la protección neurovegetativa necesaria sin depresión respiratoria y parámetros hemodinámico reducidos durante el período perioperatorio. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios de pronóstico: Investigación del efecto de la característica de un paciente sobre el desenlace de la enfermedad. Serie de casos, Estudio retrospectivo.