Combination of arterial lactate levels and Cv-aCO2/Da-vO2 ratio to predict early allograft dysfunction after liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: We examined the ability of the P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio combined with elevated lactate levels to predict early allograft dysfunction (EAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were classified into four groups according to lactate levels and P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio: Group 1; lactate >2.0 mmol/L and P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio >1.0; Group 2; lactate >2.0 mmol/L and P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio <1.0; group 3; lactate<2.0 mmol/L and P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio >1.0; group 4; lactate<2.0 mmol/L and P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio <1.0. We defined EAD according to Olthoff criteria. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty patients were included. EAD occurred in 41 patients (27.3%), and was associated with worse graft survival at 1 year (92% vs. 73%; P = ,003) as well as a higher re-transplantation rate (4,6% vs. 17,1%; P = ,019). The multivariate analysis revealed that P(v-a)CO2/Da-vO2 ratio at T6 [OR 7.05(CI95% 2.77-19.01, P<.001)] was an independent predictor for EAD. Belonging to group 1 at 6 h was associated with worse clinical outcomes but no association was found with 1-year graft survival or 1-year patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: In this single center, prospective, observational study in patients who received an OLT, we found that elevated lactate levels combined with a high Cv-aCO2/Da-vO2 after 6 h was associated with the development of EAD and worse clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period.

Full Facial Allotransplantation Including the Temporomandibular Joints: A Radiologic and Anatomical Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: Facial allotransplantation including the temporomandibular joints may improve the functional outcomes in face transplant candidates who have lost or damaged this joint. METHODS: Linear and angular measurements were taken in 100 dry skulls and mandibles and in 100 three-dimensionally-reconstructed facial computed tomographic scans to determine the variability of the temporomandibular joint, glenoid fossa, and mandible. A vascular study was performed in six fresh cadaveric heads, followed by harvest of the face allograft in three heads. Next, four heads were used for mock transplantation (two donors and two recipients). The full facial allograft included four different segments: a Le Fort III, a mandibular tooth-bearing, and two condyle and temporomandibular joint-bearing segments. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS software. RESULTS: In only one-third of the skulls, the condylar shape was symmetric between right and left sides. There was a wide variability in the condylar coronal (range, 14.3 to 23.62 mm) and sagittal dimensions (range, 5.64 to 10.96 mm), medial intercondylar distance (range, 66.55 to 89.91 mm), and intercondylar angles (range, 85.27 to 166.94 degrees). This high variability persisted after stratification by sex, ethnicity, and age. The temporomandibular joint was harvested based on the branches of the superficial temporal and maxillary arteries. The design of the allograft allowed fixation of the two condyle and temporomandibular joint-bearing segments to the recipient skull base, preserving the articular disk-condyle-fossa relationship, and differences were adjusted at the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy sites. CONCLUSION: Procurement and transplantation of a temporomandibular joint-containing total face allograft is technically feasible in a cadaveric model.

Lipid Use in Hospitalized Adults Requiring Parenteral Nutrition.

In hospitalized patients, lipid emulsions are an integral part of balanced parenteral nutrition. Traditionally, a single lipid source, soybean oil, has been given to patients and was usually regarded as just a source of energy and to prevent essential fatty-acid deficiency. However, mixtures of different lipid emulsions have now become widely available, including mixtures of soybean oil, medium-chain triglycerides, olive oil, and fish oil. Fish oil is high in the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). There is a growing body of evidence that these ω-3 fatty acids can exert beneficial immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and inflammation-resolution effects across a wide range of patient groups including surgical, cancer, and critically ill patients. At least in part, these effects are realized via potent specialized pro-resolution mediators (SPMs). Moreover, parenteral nutrition including ω-3 fatty acids can result in additional clinical benefits over the use of standard lipid emulsions, such as reductions in infection rates and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay. Clinical and experimental evidence is reviewed regarding lipid emulsion use in a variety of hospitalized patient groups, including surgical, critically ill, sepsis, trauma, and acute pancreatitis patients. Practical aspects of lipid emulsion use in critically ill patients are also considered, such as how to determine and fulfill energy expenditure, how and when to consider parenteral nutrition, duration of infusion, and safety monitoring.

Prevalence of hospital malnutrition in cancer patients: a sub-analysis of the PREDyCES® study.

PURPOSE: In oncology patients, hospital malnutrition is associated with a greater risk of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of nutritional risk and the clinical and economic consequences of hospital malnutrition in oncology patients hospitalised in Spanish centres. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study. The prevalence of nutritional risk was determined using the Nutrition Risk Screening(®)-2002 (NRS(®)-2002). RESULTS: Four hundred one oncology patients were included; 33.9% (136/401) were at nutritional risk (NRS(®)-2002 ≥ 3) at admission and 36.4% (135/371) at discharge. On average, patients at nutritional risk were more elderly and had lower weights, body mass indices and arm and calf circumferences, as well as lower serum albumin levels than patients not at risk. Mean duration of hospitalisation and healthcare costs were greater in patients at nutritional risk at discharge (12.1 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.83-13.39) than in well-nourished patients (8.6 days; 95% CI 7.86-9.40). Only a third of the patients at risk of malnutrition at discharge had received any kind of nutritional support. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that hospital malnutrition is a prevalent and undertreated condition in oncology patients that is associated with longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs.

[PHARMACONUTRITION IN SEVERELY ILL PATIENT]. / FARMACONUTRICIÓN EN EL PACIENTE GRAVE.

"Pharmaconutrient" is a term applicable to those compounds which. in addition to their nutritional function, play a role as aids in the treatment of patients with severe pathologies, including sepsis, trauma, burns and major surgery, In general, enrichment of enteral an parenteral formulas with pharmaconutrients contribute to positively modulate the inflammatory response, infection and controlling the internal milieu, which in turn can be evaluated through lower mortality, hospital and intensive care units stay, days of mechanical ventilation and other parameters allowing to asses their effects. Arginine, glutamine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant micronutrients, make up the nucleus of pharmaconutrients used with that aim, usually as mixtures of them. In the present review current evidence about the effects, indications, limitations, doses, potential adverse risks and even counter-indications is analysed.

El término farmaconutriente se aplica a aquellos compuestos que poseen un efecto añadido al meramente nutricional y que se utilizan como terapia coadyuvante en pacientes con patologías graves que incluyen sepsis, traumatismos, grandes quemados y enfermos quirúrgicos. En general, con su enriquecimiento en las fórmulas enterales o parenterales se pretende modular positivamente la respuesta inflamatoria, la infección y el control del medio interno, valorables a través de mortalidad, tiempo de estancia en hospital y en UCI, días de ventilación mecánica y otros parámetros que permiten dimensionar los efectos de su utilización. Arginina, glutamina, nucleótidos, ácidos grasos omega-3 y micronutrientes antioxidantes constituyen el núcleo de los farmaconutrientes utilizados con la finalidad antedicha, habitualmente en forma de mezclas. En la presente revisión se analiza la evidencia actual acerca de sus efectos, indicaciones, limitaciones, cantidades a aportar, peligros potenciales e incluso contraindicaciones.

[EFFECTS OF WEIGHT LOSS AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY ON PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IN MORBIDLY OBESE WOMEN]. / EFECTO DE LA PÉRDIDA DE PESO TRAS LA CIRUGÍA BARIÁTRICA SOBRE LA FUNCIÓN RESPIRATORIA Y EL SÍNDROME DE APNEAS-HIPOPNEAS DEL SUEÑO EN MUJERES CON OBESIDAD MÓRBIDA.

INTRODUCTION: obesity impacts on respiratory function and also it acts as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). AIMS: to study the effects of bariatric surgery on pulmonary function tests and on OSA in morbidly obese women over 4 years. METHODS: fifteen morbidly obese women (mean body mass index [BMI] 50.52 ± 12.71 kg.m-2, mean age 40.13 ± 10.06 years) underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT) in two opportunities (before and after weight loss surgery). PFT included spirometry, body plethysmography and measure of maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) and of tension-time index for inspiratory muscles. Also, in both opportunities, resting arterial blood gas tensions were evaluated and a full night sleep register was performed. RESULTS: BMI significantly decreased after bariatric surgery (-44.07 kg.m-2 [CI 95% -38.32 - -49.81]). Also, there was a significantly increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (p < 0.01), forced vital capacity (FVC) (p < 0.01), expiratory reserve volume (ERV) (p = 0.040), functional residual capacity (FRC) (p = 0.009) and a decline in airways resistance (Raw) (p = 0.018). Concerning sleep registers, apnea hypopnea index (p = 0.001) and desaturation index (p = 0.001) were also reduced after weight loss. Improve in ERV had a significant correlation with weight loss (r = 0.774, p = 0.024). Conclussions: pulmonary function tests and apnea hypopnea index improve after bariatric surgery in mor bidly obese women. Improvement of ERV is well correlated with weight loss.

Introducción: la obesidad afecta a la función respiratoria e incrementa el riesgo de síndrome de apneas-hipopneas del sueño (SAHS). Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la cirugía bariátrica, en mujeres con obesidad mórbida, sobre la función respiratoria y sobre el índice de apneas-hipopneas (IAH) tras dos años de seguimiento. Métodos: se incluyeron 15 mujeres (índice de masa corporal [IMC] medio 50,52 ± 12,71 kg.m-2, edad media 40,13 ± 10,06 años). Los enfermos fueron analizados en dos fases: previo a la cirugía bariátrica y tras dos años de la misma. En cada visita se valoraron las medidas antropométricas y se realizaron pruebas de función respiratoria consistentes en espirometría, pletismografía, medida de la presión inspiratoria máxima y del índice de tensión-tiempo de los músculos inspiratorios, así como análisis de gases arteriales. Por último, también se efectuó una poligrafía cardiorrespiratoria durante el sueño. Resultados: tras la cirugía bariátrica el IMC disminuyó en 44,07 kg.m-2 (IC 95% 38,32 ­ 49,81). De igual forma, se observaron incrementos significativos en el volumen espiratorio forzado al primer segundo (FEV1) (p < 0,01), la capacidad vital forzada (FVC) (p < 0,01), el volumen de reserva espiratorio (ERV) (p = 0,040), la capacidad funcional residual (FRC) (p = 0,009) y la resistencia de las vías aéreas (Raw) (p = 0,018). Por otra parte, el IAH (p = 0,001) y el índice de desaturación de oxígeno (p = 0,001) disminuyeron tras la cirugía. Se observó una correlación significativa entre el grado de pérdida de peso y el incremento del ERV (0,774, p = 0,024). Conclusiones: tras dos años desde la cirugía bariátrica se siguen observando mejorías significativas en la función respiratoria y en la gravedad del SAHS. La mejoría del ERV estaría en relación directa con los niveles de peso perdido.

[Changes in lung function testing associated with obesity]. / Función pulmonar y obesidad.

Excess bodyweight has an important impact on the physiology of breathing. In fact, it affects resting lung volumes and exercise capacity. These effects appear as a consequence of ventilatory and inflammatory changes commonly associated to obesity. As a result, obese individuals have a rapid and shallow pattern of breathing, their respiratory compliance is reduced and the airway resistance tends to be higher. However, with respect to aerobic capacity, contradictory results have been reported depending on the way peak oxygen uptake is expressed. Moreover, the inability of this population to achieve maximal efforts during exercise testing also affects their cardiorespiratory fitness.

La obesidad puede afectar, a través de mecanismos inflamatorios y alteraciones ventilatorias, la función pulmonar y la capacidad al ejercicio. Los sujetos obesos desarrollan, de esta forma, un tipo de respiración más rápida y superficial que la de personas sin obesidad. También a nivel de la vía aérea se han detectado cambios, observando mayores resistencias en los obesos. Sin embargo, todas estas alteraciones no siempre se han acompañado de un menor rendimiento en las pruebas de esfuerzo cardiorespiratorias. Probablemente la forma en que se expresa su capacidad al ejercicio pueda explicar parte de estos resultados contradictorios.

An exclusively based parenteral fish-oil emulsion reverses cholestasis.

Prolonged parenteral nutrition (PN) leads to liver damage. Recent interest has focused on the lipid component of PN. A lipid emulsion based on w-3 fatty acids decrease conjugated bilirubin. A mixed lipid emulsion derived from soybean, coconut, olive, and fish oils reverses jaundice. Here we report the reversal of cholestasis and the improvement of enteral feeding tolerance in 1 infant with intestinal failure-associated liver disease. Treatment involved the substitution of a mixed lipid emulsion with one containing primarily omega-3 fatty acids during 37 days. Growth and biochemical tests of liver function improved significantly. This suggests that fat emulsions made from fish oils may be more effective means of treating this condition compared with an intravenous lipid emulsion containing soybean oil, medium -chain triglycerides, olive oil, and fish oil.

La nutrición parenteral prolongada produce daño hepático. Recientemente se ha comunicado el efecto de las emulsiones lipídicas intravenosas basadas exclusivamente en ácidos grasos omega-3 en la resolución de la colestasis. Lo mismo se ha observado con el uso de emulsiones lipídicas mixta derivadas del aceite de soja, coco, oliva y pescado. Comunicamos la desaparición de colestasis y mejoría de la tolerancia enteral en un niño con enfermedad hepática asociada a nutrición parenteral. El tratamiento consistió en sustituir una emulsión lipídica mixta por otra que contenía de forma exclusiva aceite de pescado durante 37 días. El crecimiento y los datos bioquímicos de función hepática mejoraron de forma significativa. Este caso sugiere que emulsiones lipídicas intravenosas a partir de aceite de pescado pueden ser mas eficaces para tratar la colestasis si se comparan con emulsiones mixtas.

Outcomes with respect to disabilities of the upper limb after hand allograft transplantation: a systematic review.

The aim of this work is to compare disabilities of the upper limb before and after hand allograft transplantation (HAT), and to describe the side effects of immunosuppressive (IS) agents given to recipients of hand allografts. Clinical cases of HAT published between 1999 and 2011 in English, French, or German were reviewed systematically, with emphasis on comparing disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores before and after transplantation. Duration of ischemia, extent of amputation, and time since amputation were evaluated for their effect on intrinsic musculature function. Infectious, metabolic, and oncological complications because of IS therapy were recorded. Twenty-eight patients were reported in 56 clinical manuscripts. Among these patients, disabilities of the upper limb dropped by a mean of 27.6 (±19.04) points on the DASH score after HAT (P = 0.005). Lower DASH scores (P = 0.036) were recorded after secondary surgery on hand allografts. The presence of intrinsic muscle function was observed in 57% of the recipients. Duration of ischemia, extent of transplantation, and time since amputation were not associated statistically with the return of intrinsic musculature function. Three grafts were lost to follow-up because of noncompliance with immunosuppression, rejection, and arterial thrombosis, respectively. Fifty-two complications caused by IS agents were reported, and they were successfully managed medically or surgically. HAT recipients showed notable functional gains, but most complications resulted from the IS protocols.

N-3 fatty acids, cancer and cachexia: a systematic review of the literature.

Use of n-3 fatty acids (FA) has been reported to be beneficial for cancer patients. We performed a systematic review of the literature in order to issue recommendations on the clinical use of n-3 FA in the cancer setting. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Healthstar databases. We selected clinical trials or prospective observational studies including patients with cancer and life expectancy >2 months, in which enteral supplements with n-3 FA were administered. Parameters evaluated individually were clinical (nutritional status, tolerance, survival and hospital stays), biochemical (inflammatory mediators), and functional (functional status, appetite and quality of life (QoL)). Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria; eight were of high quality. The panel of experts established the following evidence: (1) oral supplements with n-3 FA benefit patients with advanced cancer and weight loss, and are indicated in tumours of the upper digestive tract and pancreas; (2) the advantages observed were: increased weight and appetite, improved QoL, and reduced post-surgical morbidity; (3) there is no defined pattern for combining different n-3 FA, and it is recommended to administer > 1.5 g/day; and (4) better tolerance is obtained administering low-fat formulas for a period of at least 8 weeks. All the evidences were grade B but for 'length of treatment' and 'advantage of survival' it was grade C. Our findings suggest that administration of n-3 FA (EPA and DHA) in doses of at least 1.5 g/day for a prolonged period of time to patients with advanced cancer is associated with an improvement in clinical, biological and QoL parameters.

[The "Seville" Consensus Document on Alternatives to Allogenic Blood Transfusion. Sociedades españolas de Anestesiología (SEDAR), Medicina Intensiva (SEMICYUC), Hematología y Hemoterapia (AEHH), Transfusión sanguínea (SETS) Trombosis y Hemostasia (SETH)]. / Documento «Sevilla¼ de Consenso sobre Alternativas a la Transfusión de Sangre Alogénica.

The Consensus Document on Alternatives to Allogenic Blood Transfusion (AABT) has been drawn up by a panel of experts from 5 scientific societies. The Spanish Societies of Anesthesiology (SEDAR), Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), Hematology and Hemotherapy (AEHH), Blood Transfusion (SETS) and Thrombosis and Hemostasis (SETH) have sponsored and participated in this Consensus Document. Alternatives to blood transfusion have been divided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological, with 4 modules and 12 topics. The main objective variable was the reduction of allogenic blood transfusions and/or the number of transfused patients. The extent to which this objective was achieved by each AABT was evaluated using the Delphi method, which classifies the grade of recommendation from A (supported by controlled studies) to E (non-controlled studies and expert opinion). The experts concluded that most of the indications for AABT were based on middle or low grades of recommendation, "C", "D", or "E", thus indicating the need for further controlled studies.

Glycemic and lipid control in hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients: evaluation of 2 enteral nutrition formulas (low carbohydrate-high monounsaturated fat vs high carbohydrate).

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetic patients may need enteral nutrition support as part of their treatment. The objective was to compare glycemic and lipid control in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes requiring feeding via nasogastric tube using enteral feedings with either a highcarbohydrate or a high-monounsaturated-fat content. METHODS: This trial included type 2 diabetes patients admitted to the hospital for neurologic disorders or head and neck cancer surgery who received either a low-carbohydrate-high-mono-unsaturated-fat (Glucerna) or a high-carbohydrate diet (Precitene Diabet). Glycemic and lipid control was determined weekly. Safety and gastrointestinal tolerance were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were randomized and 63 were evaluable according to preestablished protocol criteria. Median duration of therapy was 13 days in both groups. Mean glucose was significantly increased at 7 days of treatment (p = .006) in the Precitene arm, with no significant variations in the Glucerna arm. Mean weekly blood triglycerides levels in the Precitene arm were increased without reaching statistical significance, whereas patients in the Glucerna arm showed a stable trend. Patients in the Precitene arm showed a significantly higher incidence of diarrhea than patients in Glucerna arm (p = .008), whereas the incidence of nausea was smaller in the Precitene arm than in the Glucerna arm (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: An enteral formula with lower carbohydrate and higher monounsaturated fat (Glucerna) has a neutral effect on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients compared with a high-carbohydrate and a lower-fat formula (Precitene Diabet).

Clinical evidence for enteral nutritional support with glutamine: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to locate and assess the quality of scientific evidence to establish a graded recommendation based on the effectiveness of glutamine-enriched enteral nutrition in different medical and surgical conditions. We were concerned with the following topics: 1) benefits of enteral administration of glutamine in different pathologic conditions, and 2) dose, duration, and time of initiation of glutamine-enriched diets. METHODS: The sources consulted for the search were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Healthstar and HSTAT. Ninety-one studies were assessed; after a methodologic review (primary review), only 16 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis by a group of experts (secondary review). The coordinators supervised all data, and a final consensus was reached among the coordinators, experts, and methodologists. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Glutamine-enriched diets showed good overall tolerance, improvement of immunologic aspects in multiple trauma patients, cost reduction in critically ill patients, and improvement of mucositis in post-chemotherapy patients (grade B recommendations). The doses given and the duration of therapy varied widely depending on the pathologic condition. Intake of 20 to 30 g/d, early initiation of diet, and maintenance for 5 d or longer are recommended (grade C recommendations).