The effect of peri-operative dexmedetomidine on the incidence of postoperative delirium in cardiac and non-cardiac surgical patients: a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Delirium occurs commonly following major non-cardiac and cardiac surgery and is associated with: postoperative mortality; postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction; increased length of hospital stay; and major postoperative complications and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peri-operative administration of dexmedetomidine on the incidence of postoperative delirium in non-cardiac and cardiac surgical patients. In this randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial we included 63 patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing major open abdominal surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, as screened for with the Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium assessment was performed twice daily until postoperative day 5, at the time of discharge from hospital or until postoperative day 14. We found that dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative delirium within the first 5 postoperative days, 43.8% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.038. Severity of delirium, screened with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist, was comparable in both groups, with a mean maximum score of 1.54 vs. 1.68, p = 0.767. No patients in the dexmedetomidine group died while five (15.6%) patients in the placebo group died, p = 0.029. For patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing major cardiac or non-cardiac surgery, we conclude that the peri-operative administration of dexmedetomidine is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative delirium.

Impact of brief prewarming on anesthesia-related core-temperature drop, hemodynamics, microperfusion and postoperative ventilation in cytoreductive surgery of ovarian cancer: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: General (GA)- and epidural-anesthesia may cause a drop in body-core-temperature (BCTdrop), and hypothermia, which may alter tissue oxygenation (StO2) and microperfusion after cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. Cell metabolism of subcutaneous fat- or skeletal muscle cells, measured in microdialysis, may be affected. We hypothesized that forced-air prewarming during epidural catheter placement and induction of GA maintains normothermia and improves microperfusion. METHODS: After ethics approval 47 women scheduled for cytoreductive surgery were prospectively enrolled. Women in the study group were treated with a prewarming of 43 °C during epidural catheter placement. BCT (Spot on®, 3 M) was measured before (T1), after induction of GA (T2) at 15 min (T3) after start of surgery, and until 2 h after ICU admission (TICU2h). Primary endpoint was BCTdrop between T1 and T2. Microperfusion-, hemodynamic- and clinical outcomes were defined as secondary outcomes. Statistical analysis used the Mann-Whitney-U- and non-parametric-longitudinal tests. RESULTS: BCTdrop was 0.35 °C with prewarming and 0.9 °C without prewarming (p < 0.005) and BCT remained higher over the observation period (ΔT4 = 0.9 °C up to ΔT7 = 0.95 °C, p < 0.001). No significant differences in hemodynamic parameters, transfusion, arterial lactate and dCO2 were measured. In microdialysis the ethanol ratio was temporarily, but not significantly, reduced after prewarming. Lactate, glucose and glycerol after PW tended to be more constant over the entire period. Postoperatively, six women without prewarming, but none after prewarming were mechanical ventilated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prewarming at 43 °C reduces the BCTdrop and maintains normothermia without impeding the perioperative routine patient flow. Microdialysis indicate better preserved parameters of microperfusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ; ID: NCT02364219 ; Date of registration: 18-febr-2015.

Risk factors for 30-day complications after cancer surgery in geriatric patients: a secondary analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyse the association between severity of complications up to 30 days after surgery and pre-operative nutritional and physical performance parameters. METHODS: The participants were a subsample of the previously published PERATECS study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01278537) and included 517 onco-geriatric patients aged ≥ 65 years, undergoing thoracoabdominal, gynaecological, or urological surgery. Post-operative complications were classified according to the Clavien Classification System (CCS). Independent risk factors related to the severity of complications, defined as major complications (CCS IIIa-V) and graded complications (CCS grade 0-V), were analysed using logistic and ordinal regression, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 132 patients suffered major post-operative complications. The development of major post-operative complications was independently associated with body mass index (BMI) < 20 kg/m2 , hypoalbuminaemia (< 30 g/l), longer duration of surgery, and specific tumour sites (upper gastrointestinal, gynaecological, colorectal) (all P < 0.05). Higher-grade complications were predicted by Timed Up and Go (TUG) > 20 s, hypoalbuminaemia (< 30 g/l), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status III-IV, longer duration of surgery (> 165 min), and specific tumour sites (upper gastrointestinal, gynaecological) (all P < 0.05). Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores and weight loss were not independent risk factors for the severity of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional and physical performance risk factors that predicted the severity of complications differed between major and higher-grade post-operative complications, but hypoalbuminaemia independently predicted both. The results support the need for pre-operative risk screening. Due to the explorative nature of the study, further research is required in larger cohorts to corroborate these findings.

No convincing association between post-operative delirium and post-operative cognitive dysfunction: a secondary analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative delirium and post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are both common but it has not been clarified how closely they are associated. We aimed to assess the possible relationship in a secondary analysis of data from the 'Surgery Depth of anaesthesia and Cognitive outcome'- study. METHODS: We included patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing non-cardiac surgery planned for longer than 60 min. Delirium was assessed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV criteria in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) as well as within the first week after surgery. Cognitive function was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery. Multivariable analysis of POCD was performed with consideration of predisposing and precipitating factors. RESULTS: Of 1277 randomized patients, 850 (66.6%) had complete data. Delirium was found in 270 patients (32.9% of 850). We detected POCD in 162 (20.9% of 776) at 1 week and in 52 (9.4% of 553) at 3 months. In multivariable analysis (n = 808), delirium had no overall effect on POCD (P = 0.30). Patients with no delirium in PACU but with postoperative delirium within 7 days had an increased risk of POCD at 3 months (OR = 2.56 (95%-confidence interval: 1.07-6.16), P = 0.035). No significant association was found for the other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear evidence that postoperative delirium is independently associated with POCD up to 3 months.

Obesity in regional anesthesia--a risk factor for peripheral catheter-related infections.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is believed to increase the risk of surgical site infections and possibly increase the risk of catheter-related infections in regional anesthesia. We, therefore, analyzed the influence of obesity on catheter-related infections defined within a national registry for regional anesthesia. METHODS: The German Network for Regional Anesthesia database with 25 participating clinical centers was analyzed between 2007 and 2012. Exactly, 28,249 cases (13,239 peripheral nerve and 15,010 neuraxial blocks) of patients ≥ 14 years were grouped in I: underweight (BMI 13.2-18.49 kg/m(2) , n = 597), II: normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2) , n = 9272), III: overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2) , n = 10,632), and IV: obese (BMI 30.0-70.3 kg/m(2) , n = 7,744). The analysis focused on peripheral and neuraxial catheter-related infections. Differences between the groups were tested with non-parametric ANOVA and chi-square (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression was used to compare obese, overweight, or underweight patients with normal weight patients. Odds ratios (OR and 95% confidence interval) were calculated and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Confounders with significant influence on the risk for catheter-related infections were gender, age, ASA score, diabetes, preoperative infection, multiple skin puncture, and prolonged catheter use. The incidence (normal weight: 2.1%, obese: 3.6%; P < 0.001) and the risk of peripheral catheter-related infection was increased in obese compared to normal weight patients [adjusted OR: 1.69 (1.25-2.28); P < 0.001]. In neuraxial sites, the incidence of catheter-related infections differed significantly between normal weight and obese patients (normal weight: 3.2%, obese: 2.3%; P = 0.01), whereas the risk was comparable [adjusted OR: 0.95 (0.71-1.28); P = 0.92]. CONCLUSION: This retrospective cohort study suggests that obesity is an independent risk factor for peripheral, but not neuraxial, catheter-related infections.

Monitoring depth of anaesthesia in a randomized trial decreases the rate of postoperative delirium but not postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium in elderly patients is a frequent complication and associated with poor outcome. The aim of this parallel group study was to determine whether monitoring depth of anaesthesia influences the incidence of postoperative delirium. METHODS: Patients who were planned for surgery in general anaesthesia expected to last at least 60 min and who were older than 60 yr were included between March 2009 and May 2010. A total of 1277 patients of a consecutive sample were randomized (n=638 open, n=639 blinded) and the data of 1155 patients were analysed (n=575 open, n=580 blinded). In one group, the anaesthesiologists were allowed to use the bispectral index (BIS) data to guide anaesthesia, while in the other group, BIS monitoring was blinded. Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline, 1 week, and 3 months after operation. RESULTS: Delirium incidence was lower in patients guided with BIS. Postoperative delirium was detected in 95 patients (16.7%) in the intervention group compared with 124 patients (21.4%) in the control group (P=0.036). In a multivariate analysis, the percentage of episodes of deep anaesthesia (BIS values <20) were independently predictive for postoperative delirium (P=0.006; odds ratio 1.027). BIS monitoring did not alter the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (7th day P=0.062; 90th day P=0.372). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative neuromonitoring is associated with a lower incidence of delirium, possibly by reducing extreme low BIS values. Therefore, in high-risk surgical patients, this may give the anaesthesiologist a possibility to influence one precipitating factor in the complex genesis of delirium. Clinical trial registration ISRCTN Register: 36437985. http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN36437985/.

Documentation of post-operative nausea and vomiting in routine clinical practice.

This study investigated the quality of documentation of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) by comparing incidences collected by a research team with those reported routinely by nursing personnel. A total of 560 patients passing through an interdisciplinary recovery room were included in the study. The overall recorded incidence of PONV over 24 h was 30.7%, which was in agreement with the predicted value of 32% calculated using incidences from published randomized controlled trials. Out of the total number of 86 cases of PONV in the recovery room only 36 (42%) were detected by nursing staff. Similarly, out of the total number of 129 cases of PONV on the ward over 24 h, only 37 (29%) were recognized by nursing staff during routine care. In conclusion, PONV in routine clinical care is likely to be under-reported. To use PONV as a valid quality measure, patients need to be actively asked about nausea and vomiting at frequent intervals in a standardized fashion. A considerable proportion of patients experience PONV after discharge from the recovery room, so the assessment of PONV should cover at least 24 h post-operatively.

Remifentanil reduces the incidence of post-operative delirium.

A secondary exploratory analysis of data from an observational study was used to study the influence of the opioid used for intraoperative anaesthesia on the incidence of post-operative delirium. Patients who had been admitted to the recovery room following elective general anaesthesia were divided into those who had received fentanyl or remifentanil. For unbiased patient analysis, matched pairs were built with respect to gender, age, physical status, anaesthetic type and surgery duration. In 752 patients, the overall incidence of delirium was 9.9% in the recovery room and 3.8% on the first post-operative day. Compared with the remifentanil group, the fentanyl group had a significantly higher incidence of delirium in the recovery room (12.2% versus 7.7%) and on the first post-operative day (5.8% versus 1.9%). Delirium in the recovery room and on the first post-operative day were both associated with a significantly prolonged post-operative hospital stay. The choice of intraoperative opioid influences the incidence of post-operative delirium. Remifentanil was associated with a lower incidence of post-operative delirium in the early post-operative period.

[Adherence to treatment guidelines for postoperative nausea and vomiting. How well does knowledge transfer result in improved clinical care?]. / Einhaltung der Behandlungsrichtlinien für postoperative Ubelkeit und Erbrechen. Wie gut gelingt der Wissenstransfer hin zu einer besseren klinischen Versorgung?

BACKGROUND: In order to reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) a standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed in our department. This consists basically in the administration of one antiemetic intervention for moderate risk (2 risk factors), two interventions for high risk (3-4 risk factors) and no prophylaxis in patients who have no or only one risk factor. The aim of this study was to find out whether PONV prophylaxis according to our SOP was followed and led to a lower incidence of PONV. METHOD AND PATIENTS: A total of 2,729 patients were examined in a prospective observational study with post-ad hoc analysis in our department. Inclusion criteria were age over 14 years after general anesthesia and postoperative care in the recovery room. This group was examined in relation to compliance with the SOP. RESULTS: A total of 725 (26.6%), 1050 (38.5%) and 954 (35.0%) patients were grouped according to risk classification into groups with low, medium and high risks, respectively. An SOP compliant regime occurred in 668 patients (92.1%) of the low risk groups, in 373 patients (35.6%) of the moderate risk group and 177 patients (18.6%) of patients at high risk for PONV. In the high risk group 565 patients (59.2%) received at least one antiemetic medication. Patients with PONV were on average cared for 12 min longer in the recovery room (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Patients with medium and high risk have a lower incidence of PONV than expected per risk calculation by complying with the SOP. However, the recommended risk-adapted approach was inadequately implemented. Considering this there is room for improvement. Moreover taking into account these implementation issues a general PONV prophylaxis may be beneficial.

Profound haemodilution during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass influences neither gastrointestinal permeability nor cytokine release in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) impairs intestinal barrier function and induces systemic inflammation after cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of profound haemodilution (haematocrit 19-21%) during normothermic CPB on gastrointestinal permeability and cytokine release in comparison with a standard haemodilution (haematocrit 24-26%). METHODS: This was a prospective, controlled, randomized pilot trial of 60 patients without gastrointestinal disease undergoing normothermic CPB (35.5-36 degrees C) for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Gastrointestinal permeability was measured by the triple-sugar technique (sucrose, lactulose, and mannitol excretion in urine) before and after CPB. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Data from 59 patients (19-21% haematocrit, n=28; 24-26% haematocrit, n=31) were analysed. Data on gastrointestinal permeability were available for 47 patients (19-21% haematocrit, n=23; 24-26% haematocrit, n=24), blood samples for cytokine analysis from 59 patients. Mannitol excretion was normal before and after surgery without significant differences between the groups (after operation: 5.4% vs 2.9%, P=0.193). Lactulose and sucrose excretion was within a normal range before surgery and increased afterwards without differences between the groups. IL-6, IL-10, and TNFalpha were elevated after surgery, but there was no difference between the groups [IL-6 (P=0.78), IL-10 (P=0.74), and TNFalpha (P=0.67)]. CONCLUSIONS: Profound haemodilution during normothermic CPB brought about significant changes neither in intestinal permeability nor in cytokine release. It may be concluded that a haematocrit of 19-21% during normothermic CPB does not impair intestinal barrier function and cytokine response in patients without gastrointestinal comorbidity.

Comparison of three scores to screen for delirium in the recovery room.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is often seen in the recovery room and is a predictor for postoperative delirium on the ward. However, monitoring to detect delirium in the recovery room as a basic prerequisite for early intervention is rarely used. The aim of this study was to identify a valid and easy-to-use test for early screening of delirium in the recovery room. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four adult patients admitted to the recovery room during regular working hours were included. A screening assessment for delirium was performed in the recovery room by a trained research team at the time when the patient was judged to be 'ready for discharge'. Delirium monitoring was performed with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), the Delirium Detection Score (DDS), and the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria were used as the gold standard. RESULTS: Delirium in the recovery room was seen in 21 patients (14%) with the DSM-IV criteria, in 11 patients (7%) with the CAM, in four patients (3%) with the DDS, and in 37 patients (24%) with the Nu-DESC. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.43 and 0.98 for the CAM, 0.14 and 0.99 for the DDS, and 0.95 and 0.87 for the Nu-DESC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All scores used were very specific, but the CAM and the DDS were less sensitive compared with the gold standard. Overall, the Nu-DESC was the most sensitive test in the recovery room to detect delirium.

Motivation of trauma patients to stop smoking after admission to the emergency department.

Every smoker should be offered smoking cessation treatment when they present for clinical care. The Readiness to Change-Smokers (RTC-S) questionnaire and the Heidelberg Smoking History (HSH) are brief questionnaires that divide patients into three stages. The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare the performance of each questionnaire at identifying patients who will successfully quit smoking within one year of Emergency Department (ED) discharge. Out of 1292 injured ED patients nearly half (n = 599, 46.4%) were identified as current smokers. Both questionnaires were given to all 599 subjects, and used to divide patients into three stages. At 12-months postdischarge 306 patients (51.1%) were contacted to determine smoking status. Patients were similarly classified by both tests in only 36% of cases. Concordance between tests was poor (kappa = 0.33). The RTC-S classified fewer patients as ready to quit (A = 13% vs. 22.2%). At 12 month follow-up, 55 patients (17.9%) had stopped smoking. The HSH was more successful to predict quitters. Multivariate logistic regression with respect to smoking cessation resulted in significant impact of HSH (p = 0.024).

Cardiac output measurement by arterial waveform analysis in cardiac surgery--a comparison of measurements derived from waveforms of the radial artery versus the ascending aorta.

In cardiac surgery, perioperative haemodynamic management is often guided by cardiac output (CO) measurements. The Vigileo monitor offers uncalibrated CO measurement by arterial waveform analysis (CO(wave)). This validation study compared CO measurements derived from radial artery waveform analysis with those derived from the ascending aorta. CO measurements from the radial artery versus the ascending aorta showed a significant correlation before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean bias of 0.1 l/min and 0.1 l/min, and limits of agreement (LOA) of +2.2 l/min and -1.9 l/min prior to CPB, and +2.5 l/min and -2.7 l/min after weaning from CPB. A comparison of these CO measurements showed a low mean bias, but wide LOA before and after CPB. Therefore measurements using uncalibrated CO(wave) have to be interpreted with caution in a clinical situation.

Effects of remifentanil and fentanyl on the cell-mediated immune response in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

This prospective randomized pilot study compared the influence of fentanyl-based versus remifentanil-based anaesthesia on cytokine responses and expression of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-3 gene following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Forty patients were assigned to receive anaesthesia with either intravenous remifentanil (0.3 - 0.6 microg/kg per min; n = 20) or intravenous fentanyl (5 - 10 microg/kg per h; n = 20). Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the expression of SOCS-3 were measured pre- and post-operatively. The data from 33 of the patients were analysed. The IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratio after concanavalin A stimulation in whole blood cells on post-operative day 1 and SOCS-3 gene expression on post-operative day 2 were significantly lower in the remifentanil group than in the fentanyl group. The time in the intensive care unit was also significantly lower in the remifentanil group. These findings suggest that remifentanil can attenuate the exaggerated inflammatory response that occurs after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Further clinical trials are required to define the influence of choice of intra-operative opioid on post-operative outcome.

Impact of combined C1 esterase inhibitor/coagulation factor XIII or N-acetylcysteine/tirilazad mesylate administration on leucocyte adherence and cytokine release in experimental endotoxaemia.

We determined the effects of combinations of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) with factor XIII and of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with tirilazad mesylate (TM) during lipo-polysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxaemia in rats. Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: the control (CON) group received no LPS; the LPS, C1-INH + factor XIII and NAC + TM groups received endotoxin infusions (5 mg/kg per h). After 30 min of endotoxaemia, 100 U/kg C1-INH + 50 U/kg factor XIII was administered to the C1-INH + factor XIII group, and 150 mg/kg NAC + 10 mg/kg TM was administered in the NAC + TM group. Administration of C1-INH + factor XIII and NAC + TM both resulted in reduced leucocyte adherence and reduced levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). The LPS-induced increase in IL-6 levels was amplified by both drug combinations. There was no significant effect on mesenteric plasma extravasation. In conclusion, the administration of C1-INH + factor XIII and NAC + TM reduced endothelial leucocyte adherence and IL-1beta plasma levels, but increased IL-6 levels.

Influence of vaccination and surgery on HLA-DR expression in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

Major surgery is associated with an increased risk of post-operative immunosuppression and infections. We investigated the influence of influenza vaccination on cell-mediated immune responses in cancer patients undergoing either surgical or conservative therapy. Forty patients with an upper aerodigestive tract tumour were allocated to either a surgical or non-surgical treatment course. Patients within each group were randomized to the vaccination or non-vaccination group. Vaccination was performed twice before surgery or conservative treatment. Human leucocyte antigen receptor (HLA-DR) expression on monocytes was analysed by flow cytometry. In the surgical patients, HLA-DR expression on day 1 after surgery decreased in both the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. Vaccinated non-surgical patients showed significantly increased HLA-DR expression levels compared with the non-vaccinated patients. This pilot study demonstrated that vaccination increased monocyte HLA-DR expression in conservatively-treated cancer patients whereas surgery abrogated this response. Vaccination before surgery, therefore, might not help to maintain immune reactivity after surgery.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine and tirilazad mesylate on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence, mesenteric plasma extravasation and cytokine levels in experimental endotoxemia in rats.

INTRODUCTION: The study's objective was to determine the effects of the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and of tirilazad mesylate (TM) on intestinal functional capillary density, mesenteric plasma extravasation, leukocyte adherence and on cytokine release during experimental endotoxemia in rats. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, controlled animal study, 80 male Wistar rats were examined in 2 test series. Both series were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 served as control group (CON group). Group 2 (LPS group), group 3 (NAC group) and group 4 (TM group) received endotoxin infusions (10 mg/kg over 2 h). In NAC group 150 mg/kg body weight NAC was administered after the first 30 minutes of endotoxemia intravenously. In TM group, 10 mg/kg body weight TM was administered after the first 30 minutes of endotoxemia intravenously. Animals of the series 1 underwent studies of leukocyte adherence on submucosal venular endothelium of the small bowel wall and intestinal functional capillary density (FCD) in the intestinal mucosa and the circular as well as the longitudinal muscle layer by intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM). Plasma levels of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), interferone gamma (IFN-gamma) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule1 (s-ICAM 1) as well as white blood cell count (WBC) were estimated. In the animals of the series 2 mesenteric plasma extravasation was determined by IVM and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. RESULTS: After LPS administration, FCD in the villi intestinales was unchanged and in the longitudinal muscularis layer it was increased. There was no effect of NAC or TM administration on FCD.Although the plasma extravasation was not significantly influenced by LPS administration, TM administration resulted in a lower plasma extravasation in the TM group compared to the other groups. After endotoxin challenge, the firmly adherence of leukocytes to vascular endothelium as a parameter of leukocyte activation in endotoxemia was increased but NAC or TM administration had no influence on leukocyte adherence. The plasma levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and sICAM-1 were increased in the endotoxemic groups (LPS group, NAC group and TM group) and the WBC was decreased compared to controls. IL-4 levels were unchanged during observation period. Plasma MDA levels were not influenced by LPS administration compared to controls. The administration of NAC resulted in lower sICAM-1 and MDA levels compared to the LPS group. The IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma plasma levels were not influenced by NAC or TM administration. CONCLUSIONS: In this posttreatment sepsis model in rats, NAC administration resulted in lower sICAM-1 and MDA levels compared to the LPS treated animals. TM administration reduced the plasma extravasation in this model.

Propofol increased the interleukin-6 to interleukin-10 ratio more than isoflurane after surgery in long-term alcoholic patients.

This study investigated the effect of an anaesthetic regimen on the immune response in 40 long-term alcoholic patients undergoing surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either propofol or isoflurane during surgery. Plasma cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were measured at defined times and rates of post-operative infections were documented. The IL-6/IL-10 ratio significantly increased with propofol compared with isoflurane on day 1 after surgery and the IL-10 level significantly increased with isoflurane on day 1 after surgery. The overall post-operative infection rate was significantly higher in isoflurane-treated patients. Our findings indicate that propofol anaesthesia might be the more favourable regimen, with the IL-6/IL-10 ratio indicating an attenuation of the immune imbalance after surgery in long-term alcoholic patients. These results support the undertaking of a properly powered clinical trial to determine if propofol anaesthesia can reduce the postoperative infection rate in this special patient population.

Trauma patients' desire for autonomy in medical decision making is impaired by smoking and hazardous alcohol consumption--a bi-national study.

This cross-sectional investigation studied the association between substance use and patients' desire for autonomy in medical decision making (MDM) in two trauma settings. A total of 102 patients (age 42.7 +/- 17.4 years, 70.6% male) admitted to an orthopaedic service in Warsaw, Poland, and 1009 injured patients (age 34.6 +/- 12.8 years, 62.3% male) treated in an emergency department in Berlin, Germany, were enrolled. Patients' desire for autonomy in MDM was evaluated with the Decision Making Preference Scale of the Autonomy Preference Index. Substance use (hazardous alcohol consumption and/or tobacco use) and educational level were measured. Linear regression techniques were used to determine the association between substance use and desire for autonomy in MDM. Substance use was found to be independently associated with a reduced desire by the patient for autonomy in medical decision making. No differences in patients' desire for autonomy were observed between the study sites. Empowerment strategies that encourage smokers or patients with hazardous alcohol consumption to participate in MDM may increase the effectiveness of health promotion and injury prevention efforts in this population.

Hyperactive delirium and blood glucose control in critically ill patients.

Delirium is a common complication of critically ill patients and is often associated with metabolic disorders. One of the most frequent metabolic disorders in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is hyperglycaemia. The aim of this retrospective study of 196 adult ICU patients was to determine if there is an association between hyperactive delirium and blood glucose levels in ICU patients. Hyperactive delirium was diagnosed using the delirium detection score. Blood glucose levels were monitored by blood gas analysis every 4 h. Hyperactive delirium was detected in 55 (28%) patients. Delirious patients showed significantly higher blood glucose levels than non-delirious patients Higher overall complication rates, length of ventilation, ICU stay and mortality rates were seen in the delirium group. In a multivariate analysis, glucose level, alcohol abuse, APACHE II score, complication by hospital-acquired pneumonia and a diagnosis of polytrauma on-admission all significantly influenced the appearance of delirium.