Predictive ability of shock index in survival of ICU admitted emergency surgery patients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Shock index (SI) is defined as the ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure and is a feasible and reliable tool to assess patients' circulatory status in emergency conditions. Its efficiency was shown in hemorrhagic shock, sepsis, trauma, and emergency triages. This study was planned to evaluate predictive ability of SI on 28-day survival of intensive care unit (ICU) admitted emergency surgery (eSurg) patients. METHODS: The study was conducted in a 20-bed capacity ICU of a University Hospital. Medical records of patients who were admitted to ICU after an eSurg between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were retrospectively scanned. Patients with age <18 and >90, elective surgeries, no written consents, missing data, and lost to follow-up were excluded from the study. Patients age, gender, surgery type, associated medical comorbidity, ICU mechanic ventilatory (MV) length, length of stay (LOS), and 28-day survival status were recorded. Selected pre-operative (pre-op) and post-operative (post-op) laboratory parameters (hemoglobin [Hb], platelet count, international normalized ratio [INR], and pH) were collected, sequential organ failure assessment and SI scores were calculated. Data were statistically processed with 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 significance in relation to survival. RESULTS: Patient survival rate was 95%. Abdominal and gastrointestinal surgeries constituted 47% of the cases. The most frequent comorbidities were cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. In statistical analyses, neither surgery type nor associated medical con-dition was related to patient outcome. The mean LOS was 2.3 days. The mean MV length was about 23 h and significantly shorter in survived patients (p<0.001, t=-7.5). The higher post-op Hb levels were related to the higher survival (p=0.020, t=2.4). Post-op higher INR levels were found as a negative prognostic factor for survival (p=0.025, t=-2.3). Both pre-op and post-op pH levels were significantly related to patient survival (p=0.001, t=1.9 and p<0.001, t=7.1). The lower post-op SI scores were predictive to the shorter MV lengths (p=0.010, t=1.9). A significant relation was presented between lower pre-op and especially post-op SI scores and patients' survival (p=0.001, t=-1.6 and p=0.001, t=-2.9). CONCLUSION: This study presented that SI scores successfully predicted patients' survival in ICU admitted eSurg patients. We believe that the SI forgotten in the dusty shelves of the literature does not get the importance it deserves. SI is a simplistic, reliable, and highly cost-effective assessment tool. Larger prospective RCTs should be planned to assess feasibility and reliability of SI in different patient populations.

Does ultrasonographic assessment of gastric antrum correlate with gastric residual volume in critically ill patients? A prospective observational study.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ultrasonographic gastric antral measurements and aspirated gastric residual volume (GRV) in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN). This prospective observational study included 56 enterally-fed critically ill patients in one-year period. All imaging procedures were done at 30-degree head-of-bed elevation and supine position on epigastric region of abdomen with 2.5-6 MHz convex-array probe just before routine GRV aspiration. The antral cross-sectional area (CSA) was calculated by measuring the anteroposterior (dAP) and craniocaudal diameters (dCC) of the gastric antrum. Total 283 ultrasonographic gastric antrum imaging procedures were done. In only eight (2.82%) attempts, the antrum could not be visualized due to inhibition from intra-gastric air or gas in the surrounding intestinal lumen. The calculated mean antral CSA was 568.15 ± 348.37 mm2 (103.43-2,846.30). The antral CSA correlated significantly with aspirated GRV, and the antral CSA increased linearly with increasing aspirated GRV (R2 = 0.73, p < 0.0001). In Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of antral CSA ≥ 920 mm2 (mean + 1*SD) for estimating aspirated GRV, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.848 (95% CI, 0.76 ~ 0.93) (p < 0.0001), and ROC analysis of antral CSA to discriminate aspirated GRV ≥ 250 mL showed a significant relation (AUC = 0.969, 95% CI 0.94 ~ 0.99, p < 0.0001). Ultrasonographic measurement of gastric antral CSA is an easy and reliable bedside procedure to estimate GRV in critically ill patients receiving EN in 30-degree head-of-bed elevation and supine position. Trial registration number: NCT04413474, date of registration: June 17, 2020, retrospectively registered.

Clinical correlation of biopsy results in patients with temporal arteritis

Summary Objective: Temporal arteritis is systemic vasculitis of medium and large sized vessels. The lowest incidence rates were reported in Turkey, Japan and Israel. We aimed to investigate the results of patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis and those classified according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria from a low-incidence region for temporal arteritis. The results of our study are noteworthy, since there is limited data on pathologic diagnosis of temporal arteritis in Turkey. Method: We studied the medical records, laboratory findings such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels, biopsy results, and postoperative complications of all the patients operated for temporal artery biopsy at our clinic. We used the computerized laboratory registry that keeps all records of 42 consecutive temporal artery biopsy results from January 2011 to December 2016. Results: The mean age was 66±12.5 years. The most common manifestations on admission were temporal headache, optic neuritis and jaw claudication, respectively. Temporal artery biopsy results confirmed tempoal arteritis in eight out of 42 (19%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between biopsy-positive and biopsy-negative groups in terms of sex, age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and biopsy length. Conclusion: We were not able to find a correlation between the analysis of biopsy results and clinical evaluation of patients with temporal arteritis. We suggest that diagnosis of temporal arteritis depends on clinical suspicion. Laboratory examination results may not be helpful in accurate diagnosis of tempoal arteritis.

Clinical correlation of biopsy results in patients with temporal arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: Temporal arteritis is systemic vasculitis of medium and large sized vessels. The lowest incidence rates were reported in Turkey, Japan and Israel. We aimed to investigate the results of patients with biopsy-proven temporal arteritis and those classified according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria from a low-incidence region for temporal arteritis. The results of our study are noteworthy, since there is limited data on pathologic diagnosis of temporal arteritis in Turkey. METHOD: We studied the medical records, laboratory findings such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels, biopsy results, and postoperative complications of all the patients operated for temporal artery biopsy at our clinic. We used the computerized laboratory registry that keeps all records of 42 consecutive temporal artery biopsy results from January 2011 to December 2016. RESULTS: The mean age was 66±12.5 years. The most common manifestations on admission were temporal headache, optic neuritis and jaw claudication, respectively. Temporal artery biopsy  results confirmed tempoal arteritis in eight out of 42 (19%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between biopsy-positive and biopsy-negative groups in terms of sex, age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and biopsy length. CONCLUSION: We were not able to find a correlation between the analysis of biopsy results and clinical evaluation of patients with temporal arteritis. We suggest that diagnosis of temporal arteritis  depends on clinical suspicion. Laboratory examination results may not be helpful in accurate diagnosis of tempoal arteritis.

The Levels and Duration of Sensory and Motor Blockades of Spinal Anesthesia in Obese Patients That Underwent Urological Operations in the Lithotomy Position.

Obesity has a significant effect on the cephalic spread of a spinal block (SB) due to a reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). SB is controlled by the tissue blood flow in addition to the CSF. Some positions and techniques of surgery used can cause changes in hemodynamics. We investigated effects of hemodynamic changes that may occur during Transurethral prostate resection (TUR-P) and lithotomy position (LP) at the SB level in obese versus nonobese individuals. Sixty patients who had undergone TUR-P operation under spinal anesthesia were divided into a nonobese (BMI < 25 kg/m(2), Group N) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2), Group O) group. SB assessments were recorded afterthe LP. SB at 6 and 120 min and the peak SB level were compared between two groups. Hemodynamics were recorded after LP. Peak and 6 min SB levels were similar between the groups, while 120 min SB levels were significantly higher for Group O (P < 0.05). Blood pressure (BP) after the LP was significantly higher for Group N (P < 0.05). LP and TUR-P increased the BP in Group N when compared to Group O. The increase in hemodynamics enhances the blood flow in the spinal cord and may form similar SB levels in nonobese patients to those in obese patients. However, SB time may be longer in obese patients.

Pheochromocytoma presenting with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure: a case report.

Rhabdomyolysis ranges from an asymptomatic illness with elevated creatine kinase levels to a life-threatening condition associated with extreme elevations in creatine kinase, electrolyte imbalances, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The most common causes are crush injury, overexertion, alcohol abuse, certain medicines, and toxic substances. A number of electrolyte abnormalities and endocrinopathies, including hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, nonketotic hyperosmolar state, and hyperaldosteronism, cause rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure are unusual manifestations of pheochromocytoma. There are a few case reports with pheochromocytoma presenting rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Herein, we report a case with pheochromocytoma crisis presenting with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine, deferoxamine and selenium on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity.

The aims of our study were to evaluate the antioxidant defence mechanisms of liver tissue challenged by doxorubucin (DOX) and to compare the possible protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (n=10), deferoxamine (DOF) (n=10), DOF+NAC (n= 10) and selenium (n=9) on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity. Fifty-six male rats (Mean weight = 250 ± 50 g) randomly divided into five groups. Animals in study groups were pretreated with a single dose of Dox, which was administered intravenously. Control group (n=7) was treated with intravenous saline injection. Selenium was given intraperitoneally. Blood and urine samples were collected before sacrifice. Liver tissue samples were collected and tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), CAT activity, MDA, Zn, iron and copper were determined. DFO decreased lipid peroxidation significantly. DFO and NAC decreased CAT activity significantly. Antioxidant regimes increase SOD activities significantly. DOF and NAC increase GSH-px activities and copper levels significantly. Beneficial effect of selenium seems to result from its stimulation of SOD but not to GSH-px. It has been found that DOF, NAC and selenium have protective effects on Dox-induced hepatocellular damage. DOF+NAC did not result additional benefit.

Allopurinol in rat chronic pancreatitis: effects on pancreatic stellate cell activation.

OBJECTIVES: Activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) is a key event in pancreatic fibrosis. Xanthine oxidase-derived free radicals are involved in the mechanism of chronic pancreatitis (CP). We here searched the in vivo effects of allopurinol on PSC activation and its relation to tissue oxidative stress and histological findings in rat CP. METHODS: Rat CP was induced with intraductal trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in groups 1 (n = 16) and 2 (n = 10). Group 3 (n = 10) received intraductal saline. Four weeks after induction, group 1 received allopurinol (200 mg/kg, s.c.), and groups 2 and 3 received saline. After 4 weeks, oxidative stress parameters, histological evaluation, and immunostaining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (+) PSCs were performed in the pancreata. RESULTS: Oxidative stress parameters improved significantly in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3. Collagen deposition and lobular/sublobular atrophy were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (+) PSCs counts in group 1 were significantly lower than in group 2, and were in correlation with the degree of fibrosis and atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Allopurinol inhibits PSC activation in vivo. Pancreatic fibrosis can be prevented, at least in part, by antioxidant treatment through xanthine oxidase metabolism. Long-term use of allopurinol and its analogs may be considered in clinical trials with CP.

Oxidative stress status in familial Mediterranean fever with or without proteinuria.

Although several studies have indicated oxidative system abnormalities in patients with familial Mediterranean fever, it is still obscure whether proteinuria seen in this disease has an effect on the oxidative system. In the present study, oxidative system changes were investigated in familial Mediterranean fever with or without proteinuria. Plasma malondialdehyde levels in proteinuric and nonproteinuric patients were higher than those of the controls and they were also significantly higher in the patients with proteinuria compared to patients without proteinuria. The patients had significantly lower plasma glutathione peroxidase activities than the controls. Glutathione peroxidase activities did not show statistically significant differences between the patients with and those without proteinuria. A significant difference was not established for erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities. These data suggest that there is an increase in lipid peroxidation in familial Mediterranean fever. Decreased plasma glutathione peroxidase activities seem to be responsible for increased plasma malondialdehyde levels in both patient groups. However, the fact that higher plasma malondialdehyde levels in proteinuric patients were observed compared to nonproteinuric patients in the presence of the unchanged plasma glutathione peroxidase activities in these groups suggests that the nephrotic state may have a contribution to this situation.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to determine the levels of Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to investigate their contribution to tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-seven GSH-Px patients (35 with ulcerative colitis and 12 with Crohn's disease) and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Their plasma and MDA levels were compared using nonparametric statistical methods. RESULTS: Plasma GSH-Px levels of the patients group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between patients and controls in view of plasma levels of MDA. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of GSH-Px, which is response against oxidative stress, indicates the increase of free radicals in IBD, while normal plasma MDA levels suggest the clearance of free radicals without leading to lipid peroxidation. Our result reveals that there is an existing antioxidant capacity despite oxidative stress in patients with IBD.