Factor XIII-guided treatment algorithm reduces blood transfusion in burn surgery / Algoritmo de tratamento guiado pelo fator XIII reduz a transfusão sanguínea na cirurgia de queimados

Abstract Background and objectives: Major burn surgery causes large hemorrhage and coagulation dysfunction. Treatment algorithms guided by ROTEM® and factor VIIa reduce the need for blood products, but there is no evidence regarding factor XIII. Factor XIII deficiency changes clot stability and decreases wound healing. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of factor XIII correction and its repercussion on transfusion requirements in burn surgery. Methods: Randomized retrospective study with 40 patients undergoing surgery at the Burn Unit, allocated into Group A those with factor XIII assessment (n = 20), and Group B, those without assessment (n = 20). Erythrocyte transfusion was guided by a hemoglobin trigger of 10 g.dL-1 and the other blood products by routine coagulation and ROTEM® tests. Analysis of blood product consumption included units of erythrocytes, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and fibrinogen. The coagulation biomarker analysis compared the pre- and post-operative values. Results and conclusions: Group A (with factor XIII study) and Group B had identical total body surface area burned. All patients in Group A had a preoperative factor XIII deficiency, whose correction significantly reduced units of erythrocyte concentrate transfusion (1.95 vs. 4.05, p = 0.001). Pre- and post-operative coagulation biomarkers were similar between groups, revealing that routine coagulation tests did not identify factor XIII deficiency. There were no recorded thromboembolic events. Correction of factor XIII deficiency in burn surgery proved to be safe and effective for reducing perioperative transfusion of erythrocyte units.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A cirurgia no grande queimado causa hemorragia de grande porte e disfunção da coagulação. Os algoritmos de tratamento guiados por ROTEM® e fator VIIa reduzem as necessidades de hemoderivados, mas falta evidência em relação ao fator XIII. A deficiência do fator XIII altera a estabilidade do coágulo e diminui a cicatrização. Este estudo avalia a eficácia e a segurança da correção do fator XIII e sua repercussão nas necessidades transfusionais na cirurgia do queimado. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo randomizado de 40 doentes submetidos à cirurgia na Unidade de Queimados alocados em grupo A com estudo do fator XIII (n = 20) e grupo B sem estudo (n = 20). A transfusão eritrocitária foi guiada por gatilho de hemoglobina de 10 g.dL-1 e os outros hemoderivados por testes de coagulação de rotina e ROTEM®. A análise do consumo de hemoderivados incluiu unidades de eritrócitos, plasma fresco congelado, plaquetas e fibrinogênio. A análise dos biomarcadores da coagulação comparou os valores pré e pós-operatórios. Resultados e conclusões: O grupo A (com estudo de fator XIII) e o grupo B apresentaram área de superfície corporal total queimada idêntica. Todos os doentes do grupo A revelaram déficit pré-operatório de fator XIII, cuja correção reduziu significativamente a transfusão de unidades de concentrado eritrocitário (1,95 vs. 4,05, p = 0,001). Os biomarcadores de coagulação pré e pós-operatórios foram semelhantes entre os grupos, revelaram que os testes de coagulação de rotina não identificam o déficit de fator XIII. Sem eventos tromboembólicos registrados. A correção do fator XIII na cirurgia do queimado revelou-se segura e eficaz na redução da transfusão perioperatória de unidades de eritrócitos.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the neural structures of the posterior cruciate ligament in osteoarthritis patients submitted to total knee arthroplasty: an analysis of thirty-four cases

OBJECTIVES: Many authors recommend posterior cruciate ligament-retaining arthroplasty with the intention to maintain the proprioception properties of this ligament. Preservation of the neuroreceptors and nervous fibers may be essential for retaining the proprioception function of the posterior cruciate ligament. The present study was thus developed to evaluate the presence of neural structures in the posterior cruciate ligament resected during posterior stabilized arthroplasty in osteoarthritis patients. In particular, clinical, radiographic and histological parameters were correlated with the presence or absence of neural structures in the posterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: In total, 34 posterior cruciate ligament specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Gomori trichrome. An immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against the S100 protein and neurofilaments was also performed. The presence of neural structures was correlated with parameters such as tibiofemoral angulation, histological degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament, Ahlbäck radiological classification, age, gender and the histologic pattern of the synovial neurovascular bundle around the posterior cruciate ligament. RESULTS: In total, 67.5% of the cases presented neural structures in the posterior cruciate ligament. In 65% of the cases, the neurovascular bundle was degenerated. Nervous structures were more commonly detected in varus knees than in valgus knees (77% versus 50%). Additionally, severe histologic degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament was related to neurovascular bundle degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Severe posterior cruciate ligament degeneration was related to neurovascular bundle compromise. Neural structures were more commonly detected in varus knees. Intrinsic neural structures were detected in the majority of the posterior cruciate ligaments of patients submitted to knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. .

Prevalence of Antibody to Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 in Burn Patients

BACKGROUND: Burn wounds lack normal barriers that protect against pathogenic bacteria, and burn patients are easily colonized and infected by Staphylococcus aureus. Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but fatal disease caused by S. aureus. A lack of detectable antibodies to TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1) in serum indicates susceptibility to TSS. METHODS: A total of 207 patients (169 men and 38 women; median age, 42.5 yr) admitted to a burn center in Korea were enrolled in this study. The serum antibody titer to TSST-1 was measured by sandwich ELISA. S. aureus isolates from the patients' nasal swab culture were tested for TSST-1 toxin production by PCR-based detection of the TSST-1 toxin gene. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four (84.1%) patients showed positive results for antibody against TSST-1. All patients aged > or =61 yr (n=28) and <26 months (n=7) were positive for the anti-TSST-1 antibody. S. aureus was isolated from 70 patients (33.8%), and 58.6% of the isolates were methicillin resistant. Seventeen patients were colonized with TSST-1-producing S. aureus. The antibody positivity in these 17 carriers was 88.2%, and the positivity in the non-carriers was 83.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Most burn patients had antibody to TSST-1, and nasal colonization with TSST-1-producing S. aureus was associated with positive titers of anti-TSST-1 antibody. Additionally, patients with negative titers of anti-TSST-1 antibody might be susceptible to TSS.

Inflammatory Cytokines and Their Prognostic Ability in Cases of Major Burn Injury

BACKGROUND: Major burn injuries induce inflammatory responses and changes in the levels of various cytokines. This study was conducted to assess early changes in the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines after burn injury, identify cytokines associated with mortality, and characterize correlations among cytokines. METHODS: Blood samples of 67 burn patients were collected on days 1 and 3 after burn injury, and the concentrations of 27 cytokines were measured using the Bio-Plex Suspension Array System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA). Blood samples of 25 healthy subjects were used as controls. We analyzed statistical differences in the concentrations of each cytokine between the control and patient groups, between day 1 and day 3, and between survival and nonsurvival groups. Correlations among 27 cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: Median concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 15 (IL-15), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta (MIP-1beta), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in burn patients than in controls. IL-1RA, IL-6, and MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in the nonsurvival group than in the survival group on day 1 after burn injury. Correlation analysis of 27 cytokines showed different relationships with one another. Stronger correlations among interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-12p70, and IL-17 were found. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1RA, IL-6, and MCP-1 may be used as prognostic indicators of mortality in burn patients and the increase in cytokine concentrations is induced by interactions within a complex network of cytokine-related pathways.

Serum albumin level as a risk factor for mortality in burn patients

OBJECTIVE: Hypoalbuminemia is a common clinical deficiency in burn patients and is associated with complications related to increased extravascular fluid, including edema, abnormal healing, and susceptibility to sepsis. Some prognostic scales do not include biochemical parameters, whereas others consider them together with comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum albumin can predict mortality in burn patients. METHODS: We studied burn patients ≥16 years of age who had complete clinical documentation, including the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index, serum albumin, globulin, and lipids. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed to determine the cut-off level of albumin that predicts mortality. RESULTS: In our analysis of 486 patients, we found that mortality was higher for burns caused by flame (p = 0.000), full-thickness burns (p = 0.004), inhalation injuries (p = 0.000), burns affecting >30% of the body surface area (p = 0.001), and burns associated with infection (p = 0.008). Protein and lipid levels were lower in the patients who died (p<0.05). Albumin levels showed the highest sensitivity and specificity (84% and 83%, respectively), and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (0.869) had a cut-off of 1.95 g/dL for mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with albumin levels <2 g/dL had a mortality risk of >80%, with 84% sensitivity and 83% specificity. At admission, the albumin level could be used as a sensitive and specific marker of burn severity and an indicator of mortality. .

Changes in the Levels of Interleukins 6, 8, and 10, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, and Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor in Korean Burn Patients: Relation to Burn Size and Postburn Time

BACKGROUND: Major burn injury induces an inflammatory response that is accompanied by the release of various cytokines. We investigated the gradual changes in the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines following burn injury and determined the relationship between these levels and burn size in adult Korean patients with burn injury. METHODS: Blood samples from 9 healthy controls and 60 Korean burn patients were collected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after burn injury, and concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured. Burn patients were divided into 3 groups according to burn size (15-30%, 31-50%, >50% total body surface area), and the concentrations of the cytokines were compared between these groups and the control group over 3 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to their levels in controls, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and G-CSF levels in burn patients were significantly higher during the observation period. Median concentrations of IL-8, IL-10, and G-CSF at each time point increased with burn size, although peak levels and time to peak levels of these cytokines differed from patient to patient. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and G-CSF are important mediators in inflammatory changes after burn injury; however, various factors, including burn size, may influence the concentrations of these cytokines.

Changes in the Levels of Interleukins 6, 8, and 10, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, and Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor in Korean Burn Patients: Relation to Burn Size and Postburn Time

BACKGROUND: Major burn injury induces an inflammatory response that is accompanied by the release of various cytokines. We investigated the gradual changes in the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines following burn injury and determined the relationship between these levels and burn size in adult Korean patients with burn injury. METHODS: Blood samples from 9 healthy controls and 60 Korean burn patients were collected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after burn injury, and concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured. Burn patients were divided into 3 groups according to burn size (15-30%, 31-50%, >50% total body surface area), and the concentrations of the cytokines were compared between these groups and the control group over 3 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to their levels in controls, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and G-CSF levels in burn patients were significantly higher during the observation period. Median concentrations of IL-8, IL-10, and G-CSF at each time point increased with burn size, although peak levels and time to peak levels of these cytokines differed from patient to patient. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and G-CSF are important mediators in inflammatory changes after burn injury; however, various factors, including burn size, may influence the concentrations of these cytokines.

Soluble cell adhesion molecules and parameters of lipoprotein metabolism in patients with severe burns / Moléculas de adhesión celular soluble y parámetros del metabolismo de la lipoproteína en pacientes con quemaduras severas

BACKGROUND: The role of leukocyte adhesion molecules in patients with burns and their relationship to other parameters of inflammation and lipid metabolism is only recently beginning to be explored. Therefore, we investigated the temporal changes in the levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules and other parameters of inflammation and lipoprotein metabolism in patients with thermal injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and sE-selectin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen in seven patients with severe burns over a 30- day period were measured to determine the involvement of these factors in the pathophysiology of severe burns. Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were determined by ELISA. Furthermore, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL chol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL chol) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. RESULTS: Blood levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, CRP and fibrinogen increased with maximum values six days after thermal injury. In contrast, serum levels of sE-selectin were elevated two days after thermal injury. The sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin levels correlated significantly with both the CRP and the fibrinogen levels. Plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased with minimum values four days after thermal injury. Furthermore, an increase of triglyceride levels was observed. CONCLUSION: The observed inflammatory response of soluble cell adhesion molecules could be useful in monitoring endothelial activation immediately following thermal injury. Further studies involving a larger number of patients with burns should help to clarify the extent to which measured parameters, especially the temporal changes of sCAMs, could be relevant in assessing the morbidity of patients with thermal injury.

ANTECEDENTES: El papel de las moléculas de adhesión leucocitaria en pacientes con quemaduras y su relación con otros parámetros de inflamación y metabolismo de lípidos ha comenzado a ser explorados sólo recientemente. Por lo tanto, investigamos los cambios temporales en los niveles de las moléculas de adhesión celular solubles y otros parámetros de inflamación y metabolismo de las lipoproteínas en pacientes con daños térmicos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Los niveles de suero de las moléculas de adhesión solubles, las moléculas 1 de adhesión intracelular (sICAM-1), las moléculas 1 de adhesión celular vascular (sVCAM-1) y sE-selectina, la proteína reactiva C (CRP), y el fibrinógeno en siete pacientes con quemaduras severas en un período de 30 días, fueron medidas a fin de determinar la participación de estos factores en la patofisiología de las quemaduras severas. Los niveles séricos de sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 y sE-selectina fueron determinados mediante ELISA. Además, se midieron el colesterol total, el colesterol de lipoproteína de alta densidad (HDL col), el colesterol de lipoproteína de baja densidad (LDL col), y los triglicéridos. RESULTADOS: Los niveles de sangre de sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, CRP y fibrinógeno aumentaron a valores máximos, seis días después del daño térmico. Los niveles de sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 y sE-selectina tuvieron una correlación significativa tanto con la CRP como con los niveles de fibrinógeno. El colesterol total de plasma, el colesterol HDL y el colesterol LDL disminuyeron a valores mínimos cuatro días después del daño térmico. Además, se observó un aumento en los niveles de triglicéridos. CONCLUSIÓN: La respuesta inflamatoria observada de las moléculas de adhesión celular soluble puede ser útil para monitorear la activación endotelial inmediatamente luego del daño térmico. Estudios ulteriores que comprendan un gran número de pacientes con quemaduras deben ayudar a aclarar hasta que punto los parámetros medidos, especialmente los cambios temporales de sCAMs, pudieran ser relevantes a la hora de evaluar la morbilidad de los pacientes con heridas térmicas.

Hiperglicemia e morbimortalidade em crianças graves: análise crítica baseada em revisão sistemática / Hyperglycemia, morbidity and mortality in critically ill children: critical analysis based on a systematic review

OBJETIVO: Verificar se a hiperglicemia observada em pacientes de terapia intensiva pediátrica é fator de risco para o aumento da morbimortalidade e realizar uma análise crítica das pesquisas em pediatria e neonatologia. MÉTODOS: A técnica empregada foi uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre hiperglicemia e terapia intensiva pediátrica. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado nos bancos de dados Medline, Lilacs, Cochrane Library e Embase, além da utilização de referências bibliográficas de textos escolhidos. Selecionados artigos em língua inglesa e espanhola sendo utilizados para pesquisa os termos hyperglycemia, intensive care units (pediatrics), hospitals, pediatrics e pediatric intensive care. Foram analisados estudos de coorte, retrospectivos e prospectivos. Os desfechos avaliados foram mortalidade durante internação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica (UTIP); mortalidade durante internação hospitalar; tempo de internação em UTIP; tempo de internação hospitalar; mortalidade por doenças específicas; incidência de infecção; necessidade de ventilação pulmonar mecânica. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 79 artigos relacionados ao tema da pesquisa durante o período de estudo. Dentre estes, 15 (19 por cento) consistiam em estudos de coorte (Dois prospectivos e 13 retrospectivos), analisados separadamente. CONCLUSÃO: A partir da análise dos estudos listados concluímos que há evidências de que a hiperglicemia, tanto isolada como persistente durante internação em UTIP, aumenta a morbimortalidade em crianças gravemente doentes, bem como seu tempo de internação hospitalar; entretanto, tais estudos apresentam problemas metodológicos como ausência de protocolos específicos de coleta glicêmica, desenho (maioria coortes retrospectivos) e falta da caracterização isolada da hiperglicemia como preditor de morbimortalidade, sendo necessários, portanto, novos estudos prospectivos.

OBJECTIVE: This article focused on verifying if hyperglycemia in critically ill pediatric patients is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality and carried out a critical analysis of the articles in pediatrics and neonatology. METHODS: A systematic review of literature was performed using Medline, Cochrane, Lilacs and Embase databases and references of articles. Articles written in Portuguese, English and Spanish were selected and the terms used in the search were hyperglycemia, intensive care units (pediatrics), hospitals, pediatrics and pediatric intensive care. Cohort studies, retrospective and prospective, were selected for analysis. The outcomes evaluated were mortality during pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay, mortality during hospital stay, length-of-stay in the PICU, mortality due to specific diseases, and risk of infection and time of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: During the study period 79 articles related to hyperglycemiain criticallyillpediatric patients were selected; 15 (19 percent) were cohort studies (2 prospective and 13 retrospective) that were analyzed separately. CONCLUSION: Analysis of these cohort studies supported the conclusion that hyperglycemia, isolated or persistent during stay in PICU, increases morbidity, mortality and length-of-stay in PICU of critically ill children. However, these studies disclosed methodological issues such as lack of protocols for glucose measurement, design (most of them retrospective cohorts) and many articles did not confirm hyperglycemia as a single predictor of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics; therefore further prospective studies are necessary.

Factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de hipomagnesemia en el paciente quemado / Risk Factors for Development of Hypomagnesemia in the Burn Patient

Las alteraciones electrolíticas son frecuentes en el paciente quemado, y en general se presentan enpacientes con quemaduras de mayor gravedad. Es poco conocida la frecuencia y magnitud de la hipomagnesemia, asicomo los factores de riesgo para presentarla en esta situación clínica. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional de revisión de casos, en 35 pacientes con quemaduras, manejados en el servicio de Cirugía Plástica Reconstructiva del Hospital Central Sur de PEMEX. Se determinó el comportamiento del magnesio sérico y se formaron dos grupos, un grupo de estudio que incluyó a 11 pacientes con quemaduras e hipomagnesemia, y un segundo grupo de 24 pacientes, con quemaduras y sin hipomagnesemia. Se determinaron los principales factores de riesgo relacionados con los episodios de hipomagnesemia. Se encontró que el paciente de mayor riesgo es aquel con quemaduras mayores de 40%de superficie corporal, de segundo y tercer grado, que se encuentra en el cuarto y el décimo día después de la quemadura, y que presenta hipocalemia, hipocalcemia o las dos y que además no ha recibido aporte por vía intravenosa este catión. La mejor manera de prevenirlo es identificar al paciente de alto riesgo o diagnosticar de manera oportuna para evitar mayores complicaciones.

Electrolyte abnormalities are common in the severely burned patient. There is little information with regard to the frequency and magnitude of hypomagnesemia, as well as on risk factors for this condition. We performed an observational, retrospective analysis of 35 burned patients treated at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service at the Hospital Central Sur PEMEX, Mexico City. We determined serum magnesium behavior and divided patients into two groups: the first included 11 patients with burns and hypomagnesemia, and the second, 24 patients with burns but without hypomagnesemia. Risk factor identification was performed. We found patient at riskwas the one with more than 40% of 2nd or 3rd degree total burned body area, in day 4 or 10 after the burn, and with hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, or both, and without intravenous (i.v.) supplementation of magnesium. The best way to prevent or avoid major complications is to identify the high-risk patient, or to diagnose earlier.

Spuriously elevated automated platelet count in severe burns--a report of two cases.

Increasing use of automated analyzers in the hematology laboratory has resulted in enhanced accuracy of results. However, operators of automated analyzers and the end users utilizing the automated data need to be aware of factitious results which might be reported at times by these instruments. Case summaries of two patients with severe burns showing spuriously elevated automated platelet count are presented here.

Increased free radical activity in burns.

In burn trauma there is excessive activity of FR at the site of injury that result in oxidative stressful state. This is reflected as elevated blood levels of LPP, UA and CLP. The fall of AA in serum appears to counteract the oxidative stress. Increased eCAT activity occurs as a metabolic response to compensate the oxidative stress. These alterations in the biochemical parameters occur parallel to the degree of burn injury. It is suggested that therapeutic use of antioxidants may be beneficial in the clinical management of burn patients.

Neutrophil signaling alteration: an adverse inflammatory response after burn shock

The inflammatory response syndrome in shock-like states might frequently be accompained by an oxidative cell/tissue demage in one or more organ-systems in the body. The inflammatory response related hyperactivation of neutrophils can contribute to oxidative cell/tissue damage. Studies discussed in this review examined the role of cell sgnaling pathways in the hyperactivation of neutrophils in an early stage of burn injury shock. The studies were carried out in peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from rats with a 25 per cent body surface area scald burn. Neutrophil cell signaling responses were evaluated by measuring cytosolic [Ca2+] and protein kinase C activity, and were correlated with neutrophil superoxide production. The cytosolic [Ca2+] and protein kinase C responses were highly upregulated along with enhanced superoxide production in the early phase of burn injury. The treatment of burn-injured rats with the calcium antagonist diltiazem abrogated enhanced Ca2+ and protein kinase C signaling and superoxide generation. The signaling upregulation in neutrophils could result from potentiation of actions of burn-injury induced chemotactic mediators on the leukocytes. The neutrophil signaling upregulation leading to increased superoxide generation could thus be responsible for the oxidative cell/tissue damage. The organ-system dysfunction/failure accompanying burn shock may be initiated with the oxidative cell/tissue damage.

Trastornos preoperatorios de la crasis en la escarectomía precoz del paciente quemado / Preoperative coagulation disorders in early scarectomy of burned patient

Objetivos: fue estudiar los trastornos preoperatorios de la crasis en los pacientes portadores de quemaduras que fuesen sometidos a cirugía de escarectomía precoz. Método: se analizaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de los pacientes que ingresaron al Centro Nacional de Quemados (CENAQUE) durante los seis primeros meses de actividad. Se focalizó el estudio en el período comprendido entre el ingreso y el quinto dia. Durante dicho lapso no se realizaron maniobras quirúrgicas. Se excluyeron los pacientes tratados con anticoagulantes o portadores de patologías previas con repercusión sobre la crasis sanguínea. La muestra estudiada fue de 57 pacientes, edad promedio 43 años (rango 14-86 años), sexo masculino 51 por ciento superficie corporal quemada (SCQ) promedio 38 por ciento (rango 2-95 por ciento), quemadura de vía de aire (QVA) en 26 por ciento de la población y mortalidad global de 30 por ciento. Dicha población fue dividida en dos grupos: a) pacientes con menos de 35 por ciento de SCQ (46 pacientes con promedio de 15 por ciento) y b) pacientes con más de 35 por ciento de SCQ (11 pacientes con promedio de 62 por ciento). Se estudiaron las siguientes variables: 1) tiempo de protrombina (TP), 2) fibrinógeno (F), 3) tiempo de tromboplastina parcial (KPTT), 4) recuento plaquetario (RP). Resultados: se observaron alteraciones de la crasis sanguínea en todas las variables estudiadas para ambos grupos. Grupo a) (SCQ <35 por ciento): F por encima del rango superior normal en 57 por ciento, y TP, Kptt y RP por debajo del rango normal en 49 por ciento, 72 y 30 por ciento de los casos, respectivamente. Grupo b) (SCQ >35 por ciento): F elevado en 17 por ciento, TP por debajo del rango normal en 66 por ciento de los casos. Existió correlación estadisticamente significativa entre TP prolongado, plaquetopenia y SCQ mayor de 35 por ciento. Los portadores de SCQ mayores de 35 por ciento presentan un riesgo aumentado de sangrado, mientras que los menores de 35 por ciento podrían estar expuestos a riesgo de trombosis. Estos trastornos deben ser tratados antes de la escarectomía, si el RP es inferior a 100.000 por mm3 y el TP y el KPTT superan 1,5 veces la cifra testigo

Some serum enzymes in burns and their probable correlation with surgical shock--a prospective combined surgicobiochemical study.

Serum enzymes such as phosphohexoisomerase, aldolase and amylase were estimated in serum of 100 patients with thermal burn of different degrees. These enzymes were estimated at the time of admission, at 12th hour, 24th hour, 36th hour, 72nd hour, 7th day and 14th day. The patients with high serum levels of these enzymes till 72nd hour showed grave prognosis and serial measurements of these enzymes might help in predicting the outcome.

Kinetics of peripheral blood leucocyte counts in patients following thermal injuries.

Total and differential white cell counts (WCC) were done in 50 patients with burns involving 10% to 40% of the total body surface area (TBSA) and in 32 age and sex matched controls. Polymorphonuclear cell counts were low from 1st to 30th post burn (PB) days, lymphocyte counts were normal throughout the PB period whereas eosinophil counts were high from 1st to 60th PB days. Total leucocyte counts were significantly lower than controls from 8th to 60th PB days.

Carboxy hemoglobin and arterial blood gases levels in fire victims

The study was carried out on 40 burned patients admitted to the burn unit of Alexandria Main University Hospital. The mean age of patients was 27.98 +/- 20.27 years. The burn was accidental in 82.5% of patients and in 17.5% it was an attempt of suicide. The home was responsible for more than three quarters of burn accident [77.5%]. More than a quarter of patients with attempted suicide by burn [28.5%] showed a high% of body surface area burned [90- 100%]. A significant relation was observed between carboxyhemoglobin% and body surface area burned. Again blood carboxyhemoglobin level was high in patients with head and neck burns, neck burns and multiple burns. There was a slight decrease in the PaO2 and pH, and a significant decrease in the PaCO2 and bicarbonate levels. Thus, the possibility of high carboxyhemoglobin level and change in the acid- base status should be considered in fire victims especially those with smoke inhalation

Fibronectina: respuesta clínica a su corrección en pacientes traumatizados y sépticos

Se estudio un grupo de 15 pacientes con patología traumática y/o séptica, en quienes se dosificaron los niveles iniciales de fibronectina (FN), encontrando cifras subnormales en todos los casos (X: 212 mcgr/ml). Posteriormente, cuando las condiciones clínicas empezaron a deteriorarse con alteraciones hemodinámicas importantes y falla respiratoria y/o neurológica, se administraron 10 unidades de criprecipitado del plasma, como suuplemento de su esquema terapéutico básico. Se obtuvo elevación de los niveles iniciales de FN hasta 306 mcgr/ml (p<0.02), a las dos horas de aplicación del crioprecipitado y normalización de éstos al séptimo día. Se correlacionaron los niveles bajos e FN con leucocitosis y aumento de cayados, cifras que al normalizarse coinciden con la elevación de FN y la mejoría del estado clínico. La mortalidad en este grupo fue de 21.4 por ciento. Nueve pacientes con patologías similares e idénticas medidas terapéuticas se tomaron como control sin administrarles crioprecipitados. La mortalidad fue del 78.6 por ciento. Reemplazar las perdidas de FN puede ser una nueva modalidad terapéutica, que amerita estudios aleatorios adecuados con el fin de establecer su verdadero valor en el manejo de los pacientes sépticos y traumatizados