Study of behavioral and psychosocial factors relating to needle stick injuries in nursing staff of a tertiary care cancer hospital of Punjab, India.

Background and Objectives: Needle stick injury (NSI) is the most dreaded occupational health hazard affecting a healthcare worker (HCW) psychologically and physically. The risk of infection post needle stick injury ranges between 1.9% to greater than 40% for HBV infections, 2.7-10% for HCV and 0.2-0.44% for HIV infections. As per National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) records, nursing staff is at highest risk (43%) followed by physicians (28%). The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge of nursing staff about needle stick injuries and to study factors leading to such incidents in their working areas, impart them knowledge regarding the same and fill gaps in knowledge. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional retrospective analysis involving nursing staff and students. p values were calculated using SPSS software. Results: Overall NSI prevalence among nursing staff and students was 51.6% whereas in more exposed and less exposed group was 47.45% and 10.16% respectively (p=0.2056). The most common cause of NSI incident was recapping of needle (38.5%) followed by transferring needle to sharp container (35%). Conclusion: Consequences of NSI are serious and this study has tried to emphasize on the need to study the factors leading to NSI.

Epilepsia Partialis Continua as a Sequelae of Measles Infection in Children With Hematolymphoid Malignancies.

PURPOSE: To share our clinical experience with the diagnosis and management of children with hematolymphoid malignancies presenting with epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) as a sequelae of measles infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In December 2022, a series of children in our hemato-oncology unit presented with focal status epilepticus with no conclusive evidence pointing toward any underlying etiology. One such child had a typical measles rash a few weeks before the onset of this focal status epilepticus. After a series of cases with a similar presentation, a clinical pattern suspicious for measles became evident. cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction was positive for measles virus with measles immunoglobin M detected in the serum. This led to the diagnosis of measles inclusion-body encephalitis in a series of children who presented with EPC over a period of 3 months. EPC is a rare manifestation of measles that is seen only in immunocompromised patients. RESULTS: Among the 18 children reported in this series, only 10 had a history of rashes. The rash was mostly transient and elicited only on retrospective history taking. Five of the 18 children who did not lose consciousness during the prolonged seizure episode survived the disease but had residual neurologic sequelae. Among the 18 children, two were unimmunized and immunization status could not be confirmed in three other children. CONCLUSION: This case series highlights the threats posed by measles infection in children with cancer who are immunosuppressed because of the underlying disease and ongoing chemotherapy. Loss of herd immunity because of declining measles immunization rates secondary to vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19 lockdown pose a greater risk of measles infection and its complications for patients with deficient immune systems.

A Clinicopathological Analysis of Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer using Immunohistochemical Surrogates: A 6-Year Institutional Experience from a Tertiary Cancer Center in North India.

Puneet Kaur SomalObjective Classification of breast cancer into different molecular subtypes has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The immunohistochemistry surrogate classification has been advocated for this purpose. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of the different molecular subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma and study the clinicopathological parameters in a tertiary care cancer center in rural North India. Materials and Methods All female patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and registered between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, were included. Patients with bilateral cancer, missing information on HER2/ER/PR receptor status, absence of reflex FISH testing after an equivocal score on Her 2 IHC were excluded. The tumors were classified into different molecular subtypes based on IHC expression as follows-luminal A-like (ER- and PR-positive, Her2-negative, Ki67 < 20%), luminal B-like Her2-negative (ER-positive, Her2-negative and any one of the following Ki67% ≥ 20% or PR-negative/low, luminal B-like Her2-positive (ER- and HER2-positive, any Ki67, any PR), Her2-positive (ER- and PR-negative, Her2-positive) and TNBC (ER, PR, Her2-negative). Chi square test was used to compare the clinicopathological parameters between these subtypes. Results A total of 1,625 cases were included. Luminal B-like subtype was the most common (41.72%). The proportion of each subtype was luminal A (15.69%), luminal B Her2-negative (23.93%), luminal B Her2-positive (17.78%), Her2-positive (15.26%), TNBC (27.32%). Majority of the tumors were Grade 3 (75.81%). Nodal metastases were present in 59%. On subanalysis of the luminal type tumors without Her2 expression (luminal A-like and luminal B-like (Her2-negative), luminal A-like tumors presented significantly with a lower grade ( p < 0.001) and more frequent node-negative disease in comparison to luminal B-like (Her2-negative) tumors. In comparison to other subtypes, TNBC tumors were more frequently seen in the premenopausal age group ( p < 0.001) and presented with node-negative disease ( p < 0.001). Conclusion This is one of the largest studies that enumerates the prevalence of various molecular subtypes of breast cancer in North India. Luminal B-like tumors were the most common followed by TNBC. TNBC tumors presented more commonly in premenopausal age group and with node negative disease in comparison to other subtypes.

Deciphering the Patterns of Dual Primary Cases Registered at the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry: First Experience from Rural Cancer Center in North India.

Objectives The objective is to present the patterns of dual primary malignancies diagnosed at the Pathology Laboratory of Cancer Hospital with the support from hospital-based cancer registry (HBCR), Sangrur, Punjab, India for the years 2018 and 2019. Methods HBCR abstracts data from electronic medical records. Trained cancer registry staff abstracts cases in standard pro forma. Dual primary was coded as per the International Agency for Research on Cancer rule and was rechecked by the pathologist. Statistical Analysis Data about multiple primary was entered and documented in an Excel sheet. Time interval was calculated by subtracting the date of diagnosis for second primary and first primary. Results A total of 6,933 cases were registered, 45 cases are dual primary (26 females, 19 males) of which 64.4% are synchronous and 35.6% metachronous cases. Seventy-nine percent received cancer-directed treatment for synchronous and 87% for metachronous. The most common sites of the primary tumor were breast (33%), head and neck (22.2%), gynecological sites (11%), prostate (9%), esophagus (4%), and remaining other tumors (20.8%). Most common sites for second malignancies were gastrointestinal (GI) tract (31%), gynecological sites (18%), head and neck (16%), hematological malignancies (7%), soft tissue sarcoma (4%), breast (2%), and other sites (22%). Conclusion More than 70% of cases of primary tumors were in breast, head and neck, gynecological, and prostate. Of these, more than 60% of the second malignancy was found in the GI tract, gynecological, and head and neck sites. Around two-thirds of dual tumors are synchronous. Breast cancer cases have higher incidence of second malignancy. Regular follow-up is necessary to assess the survival of the second primary.

Impact of surgical site infection on unplanned hospital readmissions, initiation of adjuvant treatment following surgery, and disease-free survival on patients with upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned hospital readmission (UHR) is an important indicator of the quality of the healthcare system in place. It has various implications for the patients and the healthcare system at large. In this article, we have attempted to understand the various factors influencing UHR and the start of adjuvant treatment following cancer surgery. PATIENTS & METHODS: In this study adult patients above 18 years of age with upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgery at our center between July 2019 to December 2019 were included in the study. Various factors influencing UHR and delay in receiving adjuvant treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Surgical site infection (SSI) was the factor that had the maximum influence on the UHR (p < 0.002, OR: 5.6, 95% CI: [1.911-16.4]) and delaying the start of adjuvant treatment (p = 0.008, OR: 3.786, 95% CI: [1.421-10.086]) on multivariate analysis. Surgery lasting for >4 h and patients who had received prior treatment tended to develop SSI postoperatively. The presence of SSI also seemed to have had a negative influence on disease-free survival (DFS) as well. CONCLUSIONS: SSI is an important postoperative complication having major implications in terms of increased UHR and delays in starting adjuvant treatment which in turn is reflected as a poorer DFS among patients who develop SSI postoperatively.

Role of gabapentinoids in post-operative pain management in thoracic surgeries: A single-centre propensity score-matched audit.

Background and Aims: The analgesic role of gabapentinoids following thoracic surgeries is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the benefits of gabapentinoids for pain management in patients undergoing thoracic onco-surgery in terms of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) sparing effect. We also compared pain scores (PSs), number of days of active surveillance by the acute pain service team, and side effects associated with gabapentinoids. Methods: After ethics-committee approval, data were retrieved retrospectively from clinical sheets, an electronic database, and nurses' charts from a tertiary cancer care hospital. Propensity score matching was performed for six covariates, that is, age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists grading, surgical approach, analgesia modality, and worst PS in the first 24 hours performed. A total of 272 patients were grouped into group N (not given gabapentinoids, n = 174) and group Y (given, n = 98). Results: The median opioid consumption in terms of fentanyl equivalent by group N was 800 µg [inter-quartile range (IQR): 280-900], and the median opioid consumption by group Y was 400 µg (IQR: 100-690) (p = 0.001). The median number of rescue doses of NSAIDs administered to group N was 8 (IQR = 4-10), and the median number of rescue doses to group Y was 3 (IQR = 2-5) (p = 0.001). No difference was found in subsequent PS and for the number of days under acute pain service surveillance for either group. Group Y had an increased incidence of giddiness compared to group N (p = 0.006), with a relative reduction in post-operative nausea and vomiting scores (p = 0.32). Conclusion: Gabapentinoids used following thoracic onco-surgeries result in a significant reduction in concomitant use of NSAIDs and opioids. There is an increased incidence of dizziness with the use of these drugs.

Risk factors for mortality over 18 years in 317 ICUs in 9 Asian countries: The impact of healthcare-associated infections.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for mortality in intensive care units (ICUs) in Asia. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: The study included 317 ICUs of 96 hospitals in 44 cities in 9 countries of Asia: China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged >18 years admitted to ICUs. RESULTS: In total, 157,667 patients were followed during 957,517 patient days, and 8,157 HAIs occurred. In multiple logistic regression, the following variables were associated with an increased mortality risk: central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI; aOR, 2.36; P < .0001), ventilator-associated event (VAE; aOR, 1.51; P < .0001), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI; aOR, 1.04; P < .0001), and female sex (aOR, 1.06; P < .0001). Older age increased mortality risk by 1% per year (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Length of stay (LOS) increased mortality risk by 1% per bed day (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Central-line days increased mortality risk by 2% per central-line day (aOR, 1.02; P < .0001). Urinary catheter days increased mortality risk by 4% per urinary catheter day (aOR, 1.04; P < .0001). The highest mortality risks were associated with mechanical ventilation utilization ratio (aOR, 12.48; P < .0001), upper middle-income country (aOR, 1.09; P = .033), surgical hospitalization (aOR, 2.17; P < .0001), pediatric oncology ICU (aOR, 9.90; P < .0001), and adult oncology ICU (aOR, 4.52; P < .0001). Patients at university hospitals had the lowest mortality risk (aOR, 0.61; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Some variables associated with an increased mortality risk are unlikely to change, such as age, sex, national economy, hospitalization type, and ICU type. Some other variables can be modified, such as LOS, central-line use, urinary catheter use, and mechanical ventilation as well as and acquisition of CLABSI, VAE, or CAUTI. To reduce mortality risk, we shall focus on strategies to reduce LOS; strategies to reduce central-line, urinary catheter, and mechanical ventilation use; and HAI prevention recommendations.

Outcomes of elective cancer surgery in COVID-19 survivors: An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Guidelines recommend deferral of elective surgery after COVID-19. Delays in cancer surgeries may affect outcomes. We examined perioperative outcomes of elective cancer surgery in COVID-19 survivors. The primary objective was 30-day all-cause postoperative mortality. The secondary objectives were 30-day morbidity, and its association with COVID-19 severity, and duration between COVID-19 and surgery. METHODS: We collected data on age, gender, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, preoperative investigations, surgery performed, and intra and postoperative outcomes in COVID-19 survivors who underwent elective cancer surgery at a tertiary-referral cancer center. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-eight COVID-19 survivors presented for elective cancer surgery. Of these, 332/348 (95%) patients had mild COVID-19 and 311 (89%) patients underwent surgery. Among patients with repeat investigations, computerized tomography scan of the thorax showed the maximum new abnormalities (30/157, 19%). The 30-day all-cause mortality was 0.03% (1/311) and 30-day morbidity was 17% (54/311). On multivariable analysis, moderate versus mild COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval  [CI]: 0.52-7.30; p = 0.32) and surgery within 7 weeks of COVID-19 (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.33-1.11; p = 0.10) were not associated with postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who recover from mild to moderate COVID-19, elective cancer surgery can proceed safely even within 7 weeks. Additional preoperative tests may not be indicated in these patients.

Outcomes of COVID-19 and risk factors in patients with cancer.

Patients with cancer are at higher risk for adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Here, we studied 1,253 patients with cancer, who were diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at a tertiary referral cancer center in India. Most patients had mild disease; in our settings, recent cancer therapies did not impact COVID-19 outcomes. Advancing age, smoking history, concurrent comorbidities and palliative intent of treatment were independently associated with severe COVID-19 or death. Thus, our study provides useful insights into cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intensive Care in India in 2018-2019: The Second Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study organizational aspects, case mix, and practices in Indian intensive care units (ICUs) from 2018 to 2019, following the Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study (INDICAPS) of 2010-2011. METHODS: An observational, 4-day point prevalence study was performed between 2018 and 2019. ICU, patient characteristics, and interventions were recorded for 24 hours, and ICU outcomes till 30 days after the study day. Adherence to selected compliance measures was determined. Data were analyzed for 4,669 adult patients from 132 ICUs. RESULTS: On the study day, mean age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were 56.9 ± 17.41 years, 16.7 ± 9.8, and 4.4 ± 3.6, respectively. Moreover, 24% and 22.2% of patients received mechanical ventilation (MV) and vasopressors or inotropes (VIs), respectively. On the study days, 1,195 patients (25.6%) were infected and 1,368 patients (29.3%) had sepsis during their ICU stay. ICU mortality was 1,092 out of 4,669 (23.4%), including 737 deaths and 355 terminal discharges (TDs) from ICU. Compliance for process measures related to MV ranged between 62.7 and 85.3%, 11.2 and 47.4% for monitoring delirium, sedation, and analgesia, and 7.7 and 25.3% for inappropriate transfusion of blood products. Only 34.8% of ICUs routinely used capnography. Large hospitals with ≥500 beds, closed ICUs, the APACHE II and SOFA scores, medical admissions, the presence of cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, the presence of infection on the study day, and the need for MV or VIs were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital size and closed ICUs are independently associated with worse outcomes. The proportion of TDs remains high. There is a scope for improvements in processes of care.Registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03631927). HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Divatia JV, Mehta Y, Govil D, Zirpe K, Amin PR, Ramakrishnan N, et al. Intensive Care in India in 2018-2019: The Second Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(10):1093-1107.

Epidemiology and Predictors of Hospital Outcomes of Critically Ill Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The number of pediatric oncology patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) has increased, and their hospital outcomes are improving. Since scarce data are available about this patient population, we conducted this retrospective study to evaluate the epidemiology and predictors of hospital outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included all children with cancers who were admitted to our ICU over 1 year. We excluded children admitted after elective surgery and those following bone marrow transplant. We collected data about demographics, admission diagnosis, type of malignancies, and ICU interventions. The primary outcome was the hospital outcome. The secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay (LOS), and ICU and hospital mortality. We analyzed the predictors of hospital outcome. RESULTS: Two hundred pediatric oncology patients were admitted from November 1, 2014 to October 30, 2015. Seventy-eight children had solid organ malignancies, and the rest had hematological malignancies. Hematooncology malignancy patients had significantly higher hospital mortality than those with solid organ malignancies. (61.5 vs 34.6%, p = 0.015). On multivariate regression analysis, mechanical ventilation [odds ratio (OR), 14.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-165.05; p <0.030], inotropes (OR, 9.81; 95% CI: 1.222-78.66; p <0.032), and the presence of coagulopathy (OR, 3.86; 95% CI: 1.568-9.514; p <0.003) were independent predictors of hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort of 200 children with malignancies, we found that children with hematologic cancer had significantly higher hospital mortality as compared to those with solid tumors. The need for mechanical ventilation, use of inotrope infusion, and coagulopathy were independent predictors of mortality. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Bhosale SJ, Joshi M, Patil VP, Kothekar AT, Myatra SN, Divatia JV, et al. Epidemiology and Predictors of Hospital Outcomes of Critically Ill Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(10):1183-1188.

Multimodal opioid sparing onco-anesthesia: A consensus practice guideline from Society of Onco-Anesthesia and Perioperative Care (SOAPC).

Opioids are an indispensable part of perioperative pain management of cancer surgeries. Opioids do have some side effects and abuse potential, and some laboratory data suggest a possible association of cancer recurrence with perioperative opioid use. Opioid-free anesthesia and opioid-sparing anesthesia are emerging new concepts worldwide to safeguard patients from adverse effects of opioids and potential abuse. Opioid-free anesthesia could lead to ineffective pain management, leaving the perioperative physician with limited options, while opioid-sparing anesthesia may be a rational approach. This consensus guideline includes general considerations of the safe use of perioperative opioids along with concomitant use of central neuraxial or regional blockade and systematic nonopioid analgesics. Region-specific onco-surgeries with their specific recommendations and consensus statements for judicious use of opioids are suggested. Use of epidural analgesia or regional catheter during thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and lower limb surgeries and use of regional nerve blocks/catheter in head neck, neuro, and upper limb onco-surgeries, wherever possible along with nonopioids analgesics, are suggested. Short-acting opioids in small aliquots may be allowed to control breakthrough pain for expedient control of pain. The purpose of this consensus practice guideline is to provide the practicing anesthesiologists with best practice evidence and consensus recommendations by the expert committee of the Society of Onco-Anesthesia and Perioperative Care for safe opioid use in onco-surgeries.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been questioned in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with/without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal malignancies. This survey was performed to study clinicians' practice about ERAS in patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC. METHODS: An online survey, comprising 76 questions on elements of prehabilitation (n=11), preoperative (n=8), intraoperative (n=16) and postoperative (n=32) management, was conducted. The respondents included surgeons, anesthesiologists, and critical care specialists. RESULTS: The response rate was 66% (136/206 clinicians contacted). Ninety-one percent of respondents reported implementing ERAS practices. There was encouraging adherence to implement the prehabilitation (76-95%), preoperative (50-94%), and intraoperative (55-90%) ERAS practices. Mechanical bowel preparation was being used by 84.5%. Intra-abdominal drains usage was 94.7%, intercostal drains by 77.9% respondents. Nasogastric drainage was used by 84% of practitioners. The average hospital stay was 10 days as reported by 50% of respondents. A working protocol and ERAS checklist have been designed, based on the results of our study, following recent ERAS-CRS-HIPEC guidelines. This protocol will be prospectively validated. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents were implementing ERAS practices for patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, though as an extrapolation of colorectal and gynecological guidelines. The adoption of postoperative practices was relatively low compared to other perioperative practices.

Identification of patients for a delayed extubation strategy versus elective tracheostomy for postoperative airway management in major oral cancer surgery: A prospective observational study in seven hundred and twenty patients.

OBJECTIVES: Tracheostomy (TT) and delayed extubation (DE) are two approaches to postoperative airway management in patients after major oral cancer surgery. We planned a study to determine the safety of overnight intubation followed by extubation the next morning (DE) compared to elective TT and to identify factors that were associated with a safe DE (maintenance of a patent airway). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a tertiary referral cancer care center. We included adult patients undergoing elective major oral cancer surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. The decision regarding postoperative airway management using either TT or DE was made according to the usual practice at our center. RESULTS: We screened a total of 4477 patients, 720 patients were included. DE was performed in 417 patients (58.4%) and TT in 303 patients (42.4%). On multivariable analysis, T1-T2 tumor stage, absence of extensive resection, primary closure or reconstruction using fasciocutaneous flap, absence of preoperative radiation, no neck dissection or unilateral neck dissection and shorter duration of anesthesia were independent predictors for a safe DE. Overall complications (4.3% versus 22.5%, p = 0.00) and airway complications (1.7% versus 8.7%, p = 0.00) were lower in the DE compared to the TT group respectively. DE was associated with a shorter hospital stay (7.2 ± 3.7 versus 11.5 ± 7.2 days, p = 0.00), time to oral intake and speech compared to TT. CONCLUSIONS: A DE strategy after major oral cancer surgery is a safe alternative to TT in a select group of patients.

Mortality in Cancer Patients With COVID-19 Who Are Admitted to an ICU or Who Have Severe COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: There are scarce data to aid in prognostication of the outcome of critically ill cancer patients with COVID-19. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the mortality of critically ill cancer patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We searched online databases and manually searched for studies in English that reported on outcomes of adult cancer patients with COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) or those with severe COVID-19 between December 2019 and October 2020. Risk of bias was assessed by the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We also determined the odds of death for cancer patients versus noncancer patients, as also outcomes by cancer subtypes, presence of recent anticancer therapy, and presence of one or more comorbidities. Random-effects modeling was used. RESULTS: In 28 studies (1,276 patients), pooled mortality in cancer patients with COVID-19 admitted to an ICU was 60.2% (95% CI, 53.6 to 6.7; I2 = 80.27%), with four studies (7,259 patients) showing higher odds of dying in cancer versus noncancer patients (odds ratio 1.924; 95% CI, 1.596 to 2.320). In four studies (106 patients) of patients with cancer and severe COVID-19, pooled mortality was 59.4% (95% CI, -39.4 to 77.5; I2 = 72.28%); in one study, presence of hematologic malignancy was associated with significantly higher mortality compared with nonhematologic cancers (odds ratio 1.878; 95% CI, 1.171 to 3.012). Risk of bias was low. CONCLUSION: Most studies were reported before the results of trials suggesting the benefit of dexamethasone and tocilizumab, potentially overestimating mortality. The observed mortality of 60% in cancer patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU is not prohibitively high, and admission to the ICU should be considered for selected patients (registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020207209).

Pre-Anesthesia Re-Evaluation in Post COVID-19 Patients Posted for Elective Surgeries: an Online, Cross-Sectional Survey.

Multiple studies have reported the increased risk of pulmonary complications and mortality in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative COVID-19 infection. With several reports of long-term sequelae in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection, this survey was conducted to collect the opinions of anesthesiologists regarding modifications to pre-anesthesia checkup (PAC) when COVID-19 survivors are posted for elective surgeries. We designed, validated and distributed a detailed online questionnaire, about various modifications in PAC in different patient populations like asymptomatic patients, patients with mild, moderate or severe hypoxia, significant cardiac complaints during COVID-19 and also geriatric, pediatric and pregnant patients with a history of COVID-19. We received 154 responses. Majority of responders agree that 0-2 weeks from the date of negative for SARS-CoV-2, is the ideal duration for all elective surgeries. Greater than 50% responders agree that a fresh PAC evaluation should be done for such patients which should include documentation of current functional status, fresh chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and coagulation profile. All patients who had hypoxia or cardiac symptoms during COVID-19 infection and even recovered asymptomatic geriatric patients should undergo cardiorespiratory evaluation with investigations such as HRCT chest, ABG, PFT, echocardiography and troponin I levels. Patients' PAC should be individualized, factoring in the severity of COVID-19 infection, post recovery functional status, associated co-morbidities and the urgency as well as the risk of surgical intervention. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-021-01347-z.

Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients with Hematolymphoid Malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in the field of oncology and intensive care, the outcomes of hematolymphoid malignancy (HLM) patients admitted to ICU are poor. This study was carried out to look at the demographic data, clinical features, and predictors of hospital mortality in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 101 adult critically ill patients with HLM admitted to the 14-bedded mixed medical surgical ICU of a tertiary care cancer center. Out of 101 patients, end-of-life care decisions were taken in 7 patients, who were excluded from the outcome analysis. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The ICU and in-hospital mortality recorded in our study were 48.9 and 54.3%, respectively. Neutropenia at ICU admission, Simplified Acute Physiology Score III (SAPS III) score, and mechanical ventilation (MV) within 24 hours of ICU admission were associated with in-hospital mortality on univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, neutropenia at ICU admission (OR 4.621; 95% CI, 1.2-17.357) and MV within 24 hours of ICU admission (OR 2.728; 95% CI, 1.077-6.912) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: The HLM patients needing critical care have high acuity of illness, and acute respiratory failure is the commonest reason for ICU admission in these patients. In our study, the ICU survival was more than 50% and more than 45% patients were discharged alive from the hospital. We found a need for MV within 24 hours of ICU admission and presence of neutropenia at ICU admission to be independent predictors of hospital mortality in our study. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Siddiqui SS, Prabu NR, Chaudhari HK, Narkhede AM, Sarode SV, Dhundi U, et al. Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients with Hematolymphoid Malignancy. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(1):56-61.

Clinico-demographic and Outcome Predictors in Solid Tumor Patients with Unplanned Intensive Care Unit Admissions: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Critically ill solid organ malignancy patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) as unplanned medical admissions behave differently from other subsets of cancer patients (hematolymphoid malignancies and cancer patients admitted for postoperative care). These patients if appropriately selected may benefit from the ICU care. There is paucity of data on critically ill unplanned admissions of solid organ malignancies from South Asia. We analyzed data of patients with solid tumors with unplanned admissions to the ICU to determine the clinical, epidemiological characteristics, and predictors of hospital mortality in an Indian ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study was done in our 14-bedded mixed medical-surgical ICU from July 2014 to November 2015. We included all consecutive adult unplanned admissions with solid organ malignancies having ICU stay of >24 hours. Surgical admissions, hematolymphoid malignancies, advanced malignancy with no treatment options, and those cured of cancer >5 years were excluded. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients were included in this cohort. ICU and hospital mortalities were 36.6 and 40%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, cancer status [odds ratio (OR): 3.204; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.271-8.078], invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 5.940; 95% CI: 2.632-13.408), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on the day of ICU admission (OR: 1.199; 95% CI: 1.042-1.379) were independent predictors of hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Acute respiratory failure and septic shock are the common reasons of unplanned ICU admission for patients with solid organ malignancies. With good patient selection, more than half of such patients are likely to be discharged alive from the hospital. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Siddiqui SS, Narkhede AM, Chaudhari HK, Ravisankar NP, Dhundi U, Sarode S, et al. Clinico-demographic and Outcome Predictors in Solid Tumor Patients with Unplanned Intensive Care Unit Admissions: An Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(12):1421-1426.