Successful treatment of pulmonary haemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by fulminant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia respiratory infection in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - case report.

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia-induced pulmonary haemorrhage is considered a fatal infection among haematological patients. The outcome can be explained by the patients' immunity status and late diagnosis and treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the rare case of successful outcome in a 61-year-old female who developed alveolar haemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome 8 days after a chemotherapy session for her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, in the context of secondary bone marrow aplasia. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was isolated in sputum culture. The patient benefitted from early empirical treatment with colistin followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, according to the antibiogram. Despite a severe initial clinical presentation in need of mechanical ventilation, neuromuscular blocking agents infusion, and ventilation in prone position, the patient had a favourable outcome and was discharged from intensive care after 26 days. CONCLUSIONS: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia severe pneumonia complicated with pulmonary haemorrhage is not always fatal in haematological patients. Empirical treatment of multidrug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in an immunocompromised haematological patient presenting with hemoptysis should be taken into consideration.

The Hemodynamic Profile and Intraoperative Bleeding Impact on Liver Transplant Patients.

Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease and despite accumulated experience over the years, improved surgical techniques, better immunosuppression and adequate intensive care management, it still represents the greatest challenge for anesthesiologists. The aim of the study was the characterization of the hemodynamic profile of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation with the help of the PiCCO system during the three surgical stages, the impact of bleeding on hemodynamic status and correlation between the amount of bleeding, lactate levels, severity scores and survival rate and complications. Another focus of this study was the amount of transfused blood products and their impact on postoperative complications. Our study included 70 patients who underwent liver transplantation in our center and were hemodynamically monitored with the PiCCO system. Data were processed using the Python 3.9 programming language. Results: The mean MELD severity score was 18 points. During surgery, significant variations in the hemodynamic parameters occurred. All patients had a decrease in cardiac output in the anhepatic phase, with 50% presenting a decrease of more than 40%. In total, 78% of patients showed a decrease in the global ejection fraction, with a median value of 30%.Overall, 75% of patients had a total blood loss of less than 6000 mL and 31 patients developed immediate postoperative complications with a 50% probability with blood loss exceeding 6500 mL. Seven patients (10%) did not survive after 30 days. An amount of 5 mmol/L of serum neohepatic lactate determines a 50% probability of complications. Conclusions: Surgical technique causes an important decrease in cardiac output. Intraoperative bleeding has a major impact on outcome and the first month represents a critical period after liver transplantation. Statistical tests describe the probability of 30/90-day survival and the occurrence of complications according to variables such as intraoperative bleeding and MELD severity score. Intraoperative transfusion correlates with the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Lymphocyte-to-Red Blood Cell Ratio-The Guide Star of Acute Coronary Syndrome Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Beneath the surface of the acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) iceberg lies a hidden peril, obscured by the well-known cardiovascular risk factors that tip the iceberg. Before delving into the potential time bomb these risk factors represent, it is crucial to recognize the obscured danger lurking under the surface. What secrets does the STEMI iceberg hold? To unveil these mysteries, a closer look at the pathophysiology of STEMI is imperative. Inflammation, the catalyst of the STEMI cascade, sets off a chain reaction within the cardiovascular system. Surprisingly, the intricate interplay between red blood cells (RBC) and lymphocytes remains largely unexplored in previous research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study encompassed 163 patients diagnosed with STEMI. Utilizing linear and logistic regression, the lymphocyte-to-red blood cell ratio (LRR) was scrutinized as a potential predictive biomarker. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between LRR and the prognosis of STEMI patients. Building upon this discovery, an innovative scoring system was proposed that integrates LRR as a crucial parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Uncovering novel predictive markers for both immediate and delayed complications in STEMI is paramount. These markers have the potential to revolutionize treatment strategies by tailoring them to individual risk profiles, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Anaesthesia for Liver Transplantation: An Update.

Liver transplantation (LT) is a challenging surgery performed on patients with complex physiology profiles, complicated by multi-system dysfunction. It represents the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, and a successful procedure requires an excellent understanding of the patho-physiology of liver failure and its implications. Despite advances in knowledge and technical skills and innovations in immunosuppression, the anaesthetic management for LT can be complicated and represent a real challenge. Monitoring devices offer crucial information for the successful management of patients. Hemodynamic instability is typical during surgery, requiring sophisticated invasive monitoring. Arterial pulse contour analysis and thermo-dilution techniques (PiCCO), rotational thromboelastometry (RO-TEM), transcranial doppler (TCD), trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and bispectral index (BIS) have been proven to be reliable monitoring techniques playing a significant role in decision making. Anaesthetic management is specific according to the three critical phases of surgery: pre-anhepatic, anhepatic and neo-hepatic phase. Surgical techniques such as total or partial clamping of the inferior vena cava (IVC), use of venovenous bypass (VVBP) or portocaval shunts have a significant impact on cardiovascular stability. Post reperfusion syndrome (PRS) is a significant event and can lead to arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.