Effect of Ultrafiltration on Pulmonary Function and Interleukins in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ultrafiltration on interleukins, TNF-α levels, and pulmonary function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients undergoing CABG were randomized into a group assigned to receive ultrafiltration (UF) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or into another group (control) that underwent the same procedure but without ultrafiltration. METHODS: Interleukins and TNF-α levels, pulmonary gas exchange, and ventilatory mechanics were measured in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Interleukins and TNF-α also were analyzed in the perfusate of the test group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were increases in IL-6 and IL-8 at 30 minutes after CPB and 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after surgery, along with an increase in TNF-α at 30 minutes after CPB and 24, 36, and 48 hours after surgery in both groups. IL-1 increased at 30 minutes after CPB and 12 hours after surgery, while IL-6 increased 24 and 36 hours after surgery in the UF group. The analysis of the ultrafiltrate showed the presence of TNF-α and traces of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8. There were alterations in the oxygen index, alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, deadspace, pulmonary static compliance and airway resistance after anesthesia and sternotomy, as well as in airway resistance at 6 hours after surgery in both groups, with no difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrafiltration increased the serum level of IL-1 and IL-6, while it did not interfere with gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics in CABG.

Comparison between two physiotherapy protocols for patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

[Purpose] To compare the effects of two physiotherapy protocols for chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. [Subjects and Methods] This is a prospective, randomized study, in chronic kidney disease patients 18 years of age or older on dialysis. Sessions for each group (were conducted three times per week for a total of 10 sessions), during hemodialysis. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure), peak expiratory flow, and peripheral muscle strength were evaluated. The study group received motor and respiratory physiotherapy, and the control group received motor physiotherapy alone. [Results] We observed a significant increase in the maximal inspiratory pressure in the study group in the 5th and 10th sessions and in the maximal expiratory pressure in the 1st session, peak flow in the 1st and 10th sessions, and dynamometry in the 10th session. In the control group, there was a significant decrease in maximal inspiratory pressure in the 5th and 10th sessions, and in maximal expiratory pressure in the 10th session, peak flow in the 5th and 10th sessions, and dynamometry in the 5th session. [Conclusion] Implementation of motor physiotherapy combined with respiratory physiotherapy may have contributed to the improvement of the variables analyzed in the study group.

Relationship between Static Lung Compliance and Extubation Failure in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients. / Relação entre a Complacência Pulmonar Estática e a Falha de Extubação em Pacientes Pós-Operatório de Cirurgia Cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Static lung compliance, which is seriously affected during surgery, can lead to respiratory failure and extubation failure, which is little explored in the decision to extubate after cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate static lung compliance in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and relate its possible reduction to cases of extubation failure in patients submitted to the fast-track method of extubation. METHODS: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a state university hospital admitted to the ICU under sedation and residual block were included. Their static lung compliance was assessed on the mechanical ventilator using software that uses least squares fitting (LSF) for measurement. Within 48 hours of extubation, the patients were observed for the need for reintubation due to respiratory failure. The level of significance adopted for the statistical tests was 5%, i.e., p<0.05. RESULTS: 77 patients (75.49%) achieved successful extubation and 25 (24.51%) failed extubation. Patients who failed extubation had lower static lung compliance compared to those who succeeded (p<0.001). We identified the cut-off point for compliance through analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), with the cut-off point being compliance <41ml/cmH2O associated with a higher probability of extubation failure (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, the influence of lung compliance (divided by the ROC curve cut-off point) was found to be 9.1 times greater for patients with compliance <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Static lung compliance <41ml/cmH2O is a factor that compromises the success of extubation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

FUNDAMENTO: Pouco explorada na decisão de extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca, a complacência pulmonar estática seriamente afetada no procedimento cirúrgico pode levar à insuficiência respiratória e à falha na extubação. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a complacência pulmonar estática no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e relacionar sua possível redução aos casos de falha na extubação dos pacientes submetidos ao método fast-track de extubação. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes que realizaram cirurgia cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) em um hospital universitário estadual admitidos na UTI sob sedação e bloqueio residual. Tiveram sua complacência pulmonar estática avaliada no ventilador mecânico por meio do software que utiliza o least squares fitting (LSF) para a medição. No período de 48 horas após a extubação os pacientes foram observados respeito à necessidade de reintubação por insuficiência respiratória. O nível de significância adotado para os testes estatísticos foi de 5%, ou seja, p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Obtiveram sucesso na extubação 77 pacientes (75,49%) e falharam 25 (24,51%). Os pacientes que falharam na extubação tiveram a complacência pulmonar estática mais baixa quando comparados aos que tiveram sucesso (p<0,001). Identificamos o ponto de corte para complacência por meio da análise da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) sendo o ponto de corte o valor da complacência <41ml/cmH2O associado com maior probabilidade de falha na extubação (p<0,001). Na análise de regressão múltipla, verificou-se a influência da complacência pulmonar (dividida pelo ponto de corte da curva ROC) com risco de falha 9,1 vezes maior para pacientes com complacência <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0,003). CONCLUSÕES: A complacência pulmonar estática <41ml/cmH2O é um fator que compromete o sucesso da extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

Colistin and polymyxin B for treatment of nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients: pharmacoeconomic analysis.

Background The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria related to nosocomial infections is a growing worldwide problem, and polymyxins have become important due to the lack of new antibiotics. Objectives To evaluate the outcomes and pharmacoeconomic impact of using colistin and polymyxin B to treat nosocomial infections. Setting Neurosurgical, cardiovascular, or transplantation intensive care unit (ICU) at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Campinas (São Paulo, Brazil). Method A retrospective cohort study was conduct in patients in the ICU. The renal function was determined daily during treatment by measuring the serum creatinine. A cost minimization analysis was performed to compare the relative costs of treatment with colistin and polymyxin B. Main outcomes measure The outcomes were 30-day mortality and frequency and onset of nephrotoxicity after beginning treatment. Results Fifty-one patients treated with colistin and 51 with polymyxin B were included. 30-day mortality was observed in 25.49% and 33.33% of patients treated with colistin and polymyxin B, respectively; Nephrotoxicity was observed in 43.14% and 54.90% of patients in colistin and polymyxin B groups, respectively; and onset time of nephrotoxicity was 9.86 ± 13.22 days for colistin and 10.68 ± 9.93 days for polymyxin B group. Colistin treatment had a lower cost per patient compared to the cost for polymyxin B treatment (USD $13,389.37 vs. USD $13,639.16, respectively). Conclusion We found no difference between 30-day mortality and nephrotoxicity between groups; however, colistin proved to be the best option from a pharmacoeconomic point of view.

Relação entre a Complacência Pulmonar Estática e a Falha de Extubação em Pacientes Pós-Operatório de Cirurgia Cardíaca / Relationship between Static Lung Compliance and Extubation Failure in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients

Resumo Fundamento: Pouco explorada na decisão de extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca, a complacência pulmonar estática seriamente afetada no procedimento cirúrgico pode levar à insuficiência respiratória e à falha na extubação. Objetivo: Avaliar a complacência pulmonar estática no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e relacionar sua possível redução aos casos de falha na extubação dos pacientes submetidos ao método fast-track de extubação. Métodos: Foram incluídos pacientes que realizaram cirurgia cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) em um hospital universitário estadual admitidos na UTI sob sedação e bloqueio residual. Tiveram sua complacência pulmonar estática avaliada no ventilador mecânico por meio do software que utiliza o least squares fitting (LSF) para a medição. No período de 48 horas após a extubação os pacientes foram observados respeito à necessidade de reintubação por insuficiência respiratória. O nível de significância adotado para os testes estatísticos foi de 5%, ou seja, p<0,05. Resultados: Obtiveram sucesso na extubação 77 pacientes (75,49%) e falharam 25 (24,51%). Os pacientes que falharam na extubação tiveram a complacência pulmonar estática mais baixa quando comparados aos que tiveram sucesso (p<0,001). Identificamos o ponto de corte para complacência por meio da análise da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) sendo o ponto de corte o valor da complacência <41ml/cmH2O associado com maior probabilidade de falha na extubação (p<0,001). Na análise de regressão múltipla, verificou-se a influência da complacência pulmonar (dividida pelo ponto de corte da curva ROC) com risco de falha 9,1 vezes maior para pacientes com complacência <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0,003). Conclusões: A complacência pulmonar estática <41ml/cmH2O é um fator que compromete o sucesso da extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

Abstract Background: Static lung compliance, which is seriously affected during surgery, can lead to respiratory failure and extubation failure, which is little explored in the decision to extubate after cardiac surgery. Objective: To evaluate static lung compliance in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and relate its possible reduction to cases of extubation failure in patients submitted to the fast-track method of extubation. Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a state university hospital admitted to the ICU under sedation and residual block were included. Their static lung compliance was assessed on the mechanical ventilator using software that uses least squares fitting (LSF) for measurement. Within 48 hours of extubation, the patients were observed for the need for reintubation due to respiratory failure. The level of significance adopted for the statistical tests was 5%, i.e., p<0.05. Results: 77 patients (75.49%) achieved successful extubation and 25 (24.51%) failed extubation. Patients who failed extubation had lower static lung compliance compared to those who succeeded (p<0.001). We identified the cut-off point for compliance through analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), with the cut-off point being compliance <41ml/cmH2O associated with a higher probability of extubation failure (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, the influence of lung compliance (divided by the ROC curve cut-off point) was found to be 9.1 times greater for patients with compliance <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0.003). Conclusions: Static lung compliance <41ml/cmH2O is a factor that compromises the success of extubation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

Bloodstream Infections in Early Postsurgery Liver Transplant: An Analysis of 401 Patients Over 10 Years.

Bloodstream infections are a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation. The increasing occurrence of multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections represents a challenge for the prevention and treatment of those infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and microbiological profile of bloodstream infections during the early postoperative period (from day 0 to day 60) in patients undergoing liver transplantation from January 2005 to June 2016 at the State University of Campinas General Hospital. A total of 401 patients who underwent liver transplantation during this period were included in the study. The most common cause of liver disease was hepatitis C virus cirrhosis (34.01%), followed by alcoholic disease (16.24%). A total of 103 patients had 139 microbiologically proven bloodstream infections. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 63.31% of the cases, gram-positive bacteria in 28.78%, and fungi in 7.91%. Fifty-six infections (43.75%) were multidrug-resistant bacteria, and 72 (56.25%) were not. There was no linear trend concerning the occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms throughout the study period. Patients with multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections had a significantly lower survival rate than those with no bloodstream infections and those with non-multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections. In conclusion, the occurrence of bloodstream infections during the early postoperative period was still high compared with other profile patients, as well as the rates of multidrug-resistant organisms. Even though the occurrence of multidrug resistance has been stable for the past decade, the lower survival rates associated with that condition and the challenge related to its treatment are of major concern.

The prognostic accuracy evaluation of SAPS 3, SOFA and APACHE II scores for mortality prediction in the surgical ICU: an external validation study and decision-making analysis.

BACKGROUND: The early postoperative period is critical for surgical patients. SOFA, SAPS 3 and APACHE II are prognostic scores widely used to predict mortality in ICU patients. This study aimed to evaluate these index tests for their prognostic accuracy for intra-ICU and in-hospital mortalities as target conditions in patients admitted to ICU after urgent or elective surgeries and to test whether they aid in decision-making. The process comprised the assessment of discrimination through analysis of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration of the prognostic models for the target conditions. After, the clinical relevance of applying them was evaluated through the measurement of the net benefit of their use in the clinical decision. RESULTS: Index tests were found to discriminate regular for both target conditions with a poor calibration (C statistics-intra-ICU mortality AUROCs: APACHE II 0.808, SAPS 3 0.821 and SOFA 0.797/in-hospital mortality AUROCs: APACHE II 0.772, SAPS 3 0.790 and SOFA 0.742). Calibration assessment revealed a weak correlation between the observed and expected number of cases in several thresholds of risk, calculated by each model, for both tested outcomes. The net benefit analysis showed that all score's aggregate value in the clinical decision when the calculated probabilities of death ranged between 10 and 40%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that the tested ICU prognostic scores are fair tools for intra-ICU and in-hospital mortality prediction in a cohort of postoperative surgical patients. Also, they may have some potential to be used as ancillary data to support decision-making by physicians and families regarding the level of therapeutic investment and palliative care.

Continuous positive airway pressure increases inspiratory capacity of COPD patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperinflation with a decrease in inspiratory capacity (IC) is a common presentation for both unstable and stable COPD patients. As CPAP can reduce inspiratory load, possibly secondary to a reduction in hyperinflation, this study examined whether CPAP would increase IC in stable COPD patients. METHODS: Twenty-one stable COPD patients (nine emphysema, 12 chronic bronchitis) received a trial of CPAP for 5 min at 4, 7 and 11 cmH(2)O. Fast and slow VC (SVC) were measured before and after each CPAP trial. In patients in whom all three CPAP levels resulted in a decreased IC, an additional trial of CPAP at 2 cmH(2)O was conducted. For each patient, a 'best CPAP' level was defined as the one associated with the greatest IC. This pressure was then applied for an additional 10 min followed by spirometry. RESULTS: Following application of the 'best CPAP', the IC and SVC increased in 15 patients (nine emphysema, six chronic bronchitis). The mean change in IC was 159 mL (95% CI: 80-237 mL) and the mean change in SVC was 240 mL (95% CI: 97-386 mL). Among these patients, those with emphysema demonstrated a mean increase in IC of 216 mL (95% CI: 94-337 mL). Six patients (all with chronic bronchitis) did not demonstrate any improvement in IC. CONCLUSIONS: The best individualized CPAP can increase inspiratory capacity in patients with stable COPD, especially in those with emphysema.

Factors associated with pulmonary dysfunction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with use of intra-aortic balloon pump. / Fatores associados à disfunção pulmonar em pacientes revascularizados e com uso de balão.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify pulmonary dysfunction and factors associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, hospital stay, weaning failure and mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). METHODS: This observational study analyzed respiratory, surgical, clinical and demographic variables and related them to outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed 39 patients with a mean age of 61.2 years. Pulmonary dysfunction, characterized by mildly impaired gas exchange, was present from the immediate postoperative period to the third postoperative day. Mechanical ventilation time was influenced by the use of IABP and PaO2/FiO2, female gender and smoking. Intensive care unit (ICU) stay was influenced by APACHE II score and use of IABP. Mortality was strongly influenced by APACHE II score, followed by weaning failure. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary dysfunction was present from the first to the third postoperative day. Mechanical ventilation time was influenced by female gender, smoking, duration of IABP use and PaO2/FiO2 on the first postoperative day. ICU stay was influenced by APACHE II score and duration of IABP. Mortality was influenced by APACHE II score, followed by weaning failure.

Vasopressin serum levels and disorders of sodium and water balance in patients with severe brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of water and sodium balance are frequently seen in patients with severe brain injury (SBI), and may worsen their prognosis. PURPOSE: To evaluate vasopressin (AVP) serum levels and sodium and water balance disorders during the first week post-injury in patients with SBI. METHOD: Thirty-six adult patients with SBI (admission Glasgow Coma Scale score < or= 8) and an estimated time of injury

Syndromes related to sodium and arginine vasopressin alterations in post-operative neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and diabetes insipidus (DI) are frequently found in postoperative neurosurgery. PURPOSE: To identify these syndromes following neurosurgery. METHOD: The study included 30 patients who had been submitted to tumor resection and cerebral aneurysm clipping. Sodium levels in serum and urine and urine volume were measured daily up to the 5th day following surgery. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) was measured on the first, third and fifth days post-surgery. RESULTS: CSWS was found in 27/30 patients (90%), in 14 (46.7%) of whom it was associated with a reduction in the levels of plasma AVP (mix syndrome). SIADH was found in 3/30 patients (10%). There was no difference between the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: CSWS was the most common syndrome found, and in half the cases it was associated with DI. SIADH was the least frequent syndrome found.

Reintubation of patients submitted to cardiac surgery: a retrospective analysis. / Reintubação de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca: uma análise retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze patients after cardiac surgery that needed endotracheal reintubation and identify factors associated with death and its relation with the severity scores. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of information of 1,640 patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery between 2007 and 2015. RESULTS: The reintubation rate was 7.26%. Of those who were reintubated, 36 (30.3%) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, 27 (22.7%) underwent valve replacement, 25 (21.0%) underwent correction of an aneurysm, and 8 (6.7%) underwent a heart transplant. Among those with comorbidities, 54 (51.9%) were hypertensive, 22 (21.2%) were diabetic, and 10 (9.6%) had lung diseases. Among those who had complications, 61 (52.6%) had pneumonia, 50 (42.4%) developed renal failure, and 49 (51.0%) had a moderate form of the transient disturbance of gas exchange. Noninvasive ventilation was performed in 53 (44.5%) patients. The death rate was 40.3%, and mortality was higher in the group that did not receive noninvasive ventilation before reintubation (53.5%). Within the reintubated patients who died, the SOFA and APACHE II values were 7.9 ± 3.0 and 16.9 ± 4.5, respectively. Most of the reintubated patients (47.5%) belonged to the high-risk group, EuroSCORE (> 6 points). CONCLUSION: The reintubation rate was high, and it was related to worse SOFA, APACHE II and EuroSCORE scores. Mortality was higher in the group that did not receive noninvasive ventilation before reintubation.

OBJETIVO: Analisar pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca que necessitaram de reintubação endotraqueal, e identificar os fatores associados com óbito e seu relacionamento com escores de severidade. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de informações referentes a 1.640 pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca no período entre 2007 e 2015. RESULTADOS: A taxa de reintubação foi de 7,26%. Dentre os pacientes reintubados, 36 (30,3%) foram submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, 27 (22,7%) à substituição valvar, 25 (21,0%) à correção de um aneurisma e oito (6,7%) a um transplante cardíaco. Dentre os pacientes com comorbidades, 54 (51,9%) eram hipertensos, 22 (21,2%) diabéticos e 10 (9,6%) tinham doença pulmonar. Dentre os pacientes que tiveram complicações, 61 (52,6%) tiveram pneumonia, 50 (42,4%) desenvolveram insuficiência renal e 49 (51,0%) tiveram uma forma moderada de distúrbio transitório da troca gasosa. Foi realizada ventilação não invasiva em 53 (44,5%) pacientes. A taxa de óbitos foi de 40,3%, e a mortalidade foi mais elevada no grupo que não recebeu ventilação não invasiva antes da reintubação (53,5%). Dentre os pacientes reintubados que morreram, os valores do SOFA e do APACHE II foram, respectivamente, de 7,9 ± 3,0 e 16,9 ± 4,5. A maior parte dos pacientes reintubados (47,5%) pertencia ao grupo de risco mais elevado (EuroSCORE > 6 pontos). CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de reintubação foi elevada e se relacionou com o SOFA e o APACHE II mais graves. A mortalidade foi mais elevada no grupo que não recebeu ventilação não invasiva antes da reintubação.

Pendelluft diagnosed from ventilator weaning indexes obtained through bioelectrical impedance tomography: a case report.

CONTEXT:: Today, through major technological advances in diagnostic resources within medicine, evaluation and monitoring of clinical parameters at the patient's bedside in intensive care units (ICUs) has become possible. CASE REPORT:: This case report presents results and interpretations from predictive mechanical ventilation weaning indexes obtained through monitoring using chest electrical bioimpedance tomography. These indexes included maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, shallow breathing index and spontaneous breathing test. These were correlated with variations in tidal volume variables, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation. Regarding the air distribution behavior in the pulmonary parenchyma, the patient showed the pendelluft phenomenon. Pendelluft occurs due to the time constant (product of the airways resistance and compliance) asymmetry between adjacent lung. CONCLUSION:: Bioelectrical impedance tomography can help in weaning from mechanical ventilation, as in the case presented here. Pendelluft was defined as a limitation during the weaning tests.

Atrial natriuretic factor: is it responsible for hyponatremia and natriuresis in neurosurgery? / Fator natriurético atrial: ele é o responsável pela hiponatremia e natriurese em neurocirurgia?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of hyponatremia and natriuresis and their association with atrial natriuretic factor in neurosurgery patients. METHODS: The study included 30 patients who had been submitted to intracranial tumor resection and cerebral aneurism clipping. Both plasma and urinary sodium and plasma atrial natriuretic factor were measured during the preoperative and postoperative time periods. RESULTS: Hyponatremia was present in 63.33% of the patients, particularly on the first postoperative day. Natriuresis was present in 93.33% of the patients, particularly on the second postoperative day. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor was increased in 92.60% of the patients in at least one of the postoperative days; however, there was no statistically significant association between the atrial natriuretic factor and plasma sodium and between the atrial natriuretic factor and urinary sodium. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia and natriuresis were present in most patients after neurosurgery; however, the atrial natriuretic factor cannot be considered to be directly responsible for these alterations in neurosurgery patients. Other natriuretic factors are likely to be involved.

[Influence of the respiratory physiotherapy on intracranial pressure in severe head trauma patients]. / Influência da fisioterapia respiratória na pressão intracraniana em pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico grave.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate influence of the respiratory physiotherapy on intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe head trauma. METHOD: Thirty five patients with severe head trauma were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: ICP 0-10, 11-20 and 21-30 mmHg. The following variables were measured: ICP and mean arterial pressure. Cerebral perfusion pressure was calculated as the difference between mean arterial and intracranial pressure. RESULTS: Endotracheal aspiration increased ICP in all patients. The mean arterial pressure didn't change and cerebral perfusion pressure decreased, but remaining normal value. CONCLUSION: Respiratory physiotherapy maneuvers can be safely applied in patients with severe head trauma with ICP below 30 mmHg. More attention should be taken during endotracheal aspiration.

Risk factors for transient dysfunction of gas exchange after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective cohort study was preformed aiming to verify the presence of transient dysfunction of gas exchange in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and determine if this disorder is linked to cardiorespiratory events. METHODS: We included 942 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures who were referred to the Intensive Care Unit between June 2007 and November 2011. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome (2%), 199 (27.75%) had mild transient dysfunction of gas exchange, 402 (56.1%) had moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange, and 39 (5.4%) had severe transient dysfunction of gas exchange. Hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the emergence of moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange postoperatively (P=0.02 and P=0.019, respectively) and were risk factors for this dysfunction (P=0.0023 and P=0.0017, respectively). Diabetes mellitus was also a risk factor for transient dysfunction of gas exchange (P=0.03). Pneumonia was present in 8.9% of cases and correlated with the presence of moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange (P=0.001). Severe transient dysfunction of gas exchange was associated with patients who had renal replacement therapy (P=0.0005), hemotherapy (P=0.0001), enteral nutrition (P=0.0012), or cardiac arrhythmia (P=0.0451). CONCLUSION: Preoperative hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the occurrence of postoperative transient dysfunction of gas exchange. The preoperative risk factors included hypertension, cardiogenic shock, and diabetes. Postoperatively, pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, renal replacement therapy, hemotherapy, and cardiac arrhythmia were associated with the appearance of some degree of transient dysfunction of gas exchange, which was a risk factor for reintubation, pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and renal replacement therapy in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures.

Adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula. A new therapeutic perspective.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula during mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We studied six mechanically ventilated pigs in a surgically created, reproducible model of bronchopleural fistula managed with mechanical ventilation and water-sealed thoracic drainage. An adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve was placed between the thoracic drain and the endotracheal tube. Hemodynamic data, capnography and blood gases were recorded before and after the creation of the bronchopleural fistula as well as after every adjustment of the inspiratory occlusion valve. RESULTS: When compared with the standard water-sealed drainage treatment, the use of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve improved the alveolar tidal volume and reduced bronchopleural air leak (p<0.001), without hemodynamic compromise when compared with conventional water sealed drainage. CONCLUSION: The use of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve improved the alveolar tidal volume, reduced alveolar leak, in an experimental reproducible model of bronchopleural fistula, without causing any hemodynamic derangements when compared with conventional water sealed drainage.

Hemodynamic, ventilatory and gasometric evaluation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula.

PURPOSE: To investigate the hemodynamic and ventilatory changes associated with the creation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula (BPF) treated by mechanical ventilation and thoracic drainage with or without a water seal. METHODS: Six large white pigs weighing 25 kg each which, after general anesthesia, underwent endotracheal intubation (6mm), and mechanically ventilation. Through a left thoracotomy, a resection of the lingula was performed in order to create a BPF with an output exceeding 50% of the inspired volume. The chest cavity was closed and drained into the water sealed system for initial observation of the high output BPF. RESULTS: Significant reduction in BPF output and PaCO2 was related after insertion of a water-sealed thoracic drain, p< 0.05. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a water-sealed thoracic drain resulted in reduction in bronchopleural fistula output and better CO2 clearance without any drop in cardiac output or significant changes in mean arterial pressure.

Association of the immature platelet fraction with sepsis diagnosis and severity.

Management of Sepsis would greatly benefit from the incorporation of simple and informative new biomarkers in clinical practice. Ideally, a sepsis biomarker should segregate infected from non-infected patients, provide information about prognosis and organ-specific damage, and be accessible to most healthcare services. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) are new analytical parameters of the complete blood count, that have been studied as biomarkers of several inflammatory conditions. Recently, a study performed in critically-ill patients suggested that IPF could be a more accurate sepsis biomarker than C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin. In this retrospective study we evaluated the performance of IPF and IRF as biomarkers of sepsis diagnosis and severity. 41 patients admitted to two intensive care units were evaluated, 12 of which with severe sepsis or septic shock, and 11 with non-complicated sepsis. Significantly higher IPF levels were observed in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock. IPF correlated with sepsis severity scores and presented the highest diagnostic accuracy for the presence of sepsis of all studied clinical and laboratory parameters. No significant differences were observed in IRF levels. Our results suggest that IPF levels could be used as a biomarker of sepsis diagnosis and severity.

Vasopressin serum levels in patients with severe brain lesions and in brain-dead patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with severe brain lesions (SBL) and brain-dead patients (BD) frequently present with vasopressin (AVP) secretion disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate AVP serum levels in SBL and BD patients. DESIGN: Prospective, open label, observational trial. SETTING: A general teaching hospital. METHOD: Three groups of adult subjects (age> 18y) of both sexes were included in this study: control group: 29 healthy volunteers; SBL group: 17 patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)< 8; and BD group: 11 brain-dead patients. Samples of venous blood were collected in the morning at rest from healthy volunteers and at 8 hourly intervals over a period of 24h from SBL and BD patients for AVP determinations. Concomitantly, some clinical and laboratorial variables were also recorded. RESULTS: AVP serum levels (pg/ml) were [mean (SD); median]: control [2.2(1.1); 2.0]; SBL [5.7(6.3); 2.9]; and BD [2.6(1.0); 2.8]. AVP serum levels varied greatly in SBL patients, but without statistically significant difference in relation to the other groups (p=0.06). Hypotension (p=0.02), hypernatremia (p=0.0001), serum hyperosmolarity (p=0.0001) and urinary hypoosmolarity (p=0.003) were outstanding in BD patients when compared with SBL. CONCLUSIONS: The AVP serum levels did not demonstrate significant statistical difference between the groups, only showing a greater variability in SBL patients (manifested as serum spike levels). Hypernatremia and hyperosmolarity were present in BD patients, indicating a failure of the hypothalamic-pituitary system in AVP production and release.