Efectividad del tratamiento tópico de la flebitis secundaria a la cateterización periférica: una revisión sistemática / Efectiveness of topical therapies for phlebitis related to peripheral intravenous canulation: a sistematic review

Introducción: La flebitis es la complicación más frecuente secundaria a la cateterización periférica. Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de tratamientos tópicos de la flebitis post-perfusión en pacientes portadores de catéter venoso periférico. Método: Se realizó revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos y revisiones sistemáticas publicados desde 1995 a 2015 en las bases de datos Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN y la BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), en inglés y español. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: paciente adulto hospitalizado, portador de vía venosa periférica, con perfusión continua o intermitente, incluyendo todo tipo de terapia de infusión que hubieran desarrollado cualquier grado de flebitis. La valoración de la calidad metodológica de los estudios seleccionados, se realizó por pares de forma independiente utilizando el Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme en su versión española. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 11 estudios: 8 ensayos clínicos y 3 revisiones sistemáticas. Analizaron los efectos de fitoterapéuticos: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita y notoginseny; pomadas heparinoides y geles de heparina; antiinflamatorios como el diclofenaco y vasodilatadores como la nitroglicerina, resultando todos ellos efectivos. Conclusiones: El aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenaco y heparina gel 1000 UI, mostraron nivel de evidencia y grado de recomendación moderado. La heparina gel es el único compuesto con indicación de la Agencia Española del Medicamento para tratar la flebitis post-perfusión, el notoginseny no está comercializado en Occidente y el diclofenaco es un antiinflamatorio utilizado en diversas patologías. Es merecedor de especial atención el tratamiento con aloe vera a la espera de estudios más concluyentes (AU)

Background: Phlebitis is the most common complication induced by peripheral intravenous catheter. Aim: To assess the best available evidence concerning the effectiveness of topical therapies in patients with peripheral venous canulation who developed phlebitis Method: The bibliographic search for clinical trials and sistematic reviews, published between 1995 and 2015, was carried out in the following databases Pubmed, Cinahl, Cochrane plus CUIDEN and BVS (Biblioteca Virtual en Salud), in english and spanish. Inclusion criteria were: adult inpatient with peripheral venous cateterization with continous or intermitent infusion, including all types of infusion therapy who developed any degree of superficial phlebitis. The quality of selected studies was assessed independently by peer reviewers using the Clinical Appraisal Skills Programme in its spanish version. Results: 11 studies were identified, 8 clinical trials and 3 sistematic reviews. The efectiveness of topical phytotherapeutics: aloe vera, chamomilla recutita and notoginseny; heparinoid creams and heparin gels; anti-inflamatory as diclofenac, and vasodilators as nitroglycerin was analized, showing effectivity all of them. Conclusions: Aloe vera, notoginseny, diclofenac and heparine gel suggest a weak level of evidence and moderate grade of recommendation. Heparin gel is the only product provided by the Spanish Medicine Agency to treat post-infusion phlebitis, notoginseny is not marketed in Spain and diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory used for various pathologies. Deserves special attention of topical therapy with aloe vera but further studies are needed (AU)

Intraoperative management: carotid endarterectomies.

The management of anesthesia for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy is challenging and dynamic. Effective management and good outcome requires the anesthesiologist's understanding of cerebral physiology, knowledge of neck anatomy, and understanding of the rapid pathophysiologic changes that occur during carotid artery manipulations. The anesthesiologist must be flexible in the management of patients, who frequently have underlying multiorgan pathology and cardiovascular compromise. Good communication between the anesthetic and surgical teams is needed to avoid irreversible debilitating consequences for the patient.

[Use of Organon, a synthetic heparinoid, in two cardiopulmonary bypass procedures in the same patient sensitive to heparin]. / Utilisation de l'Orgaran, héparinoïde de synthèse, lors de deux circulations extracorporelles, chez un même patient allergique à l'héparine.

We report the case of a patient who underwent two cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures with Orgaran because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. A 38 years-old man with ischemic mitral insufficiency was operated for coronary artery bypass and valvular replacement. The CPB was carried out with heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia occured and was proven immunologically. Two months later, a new valvular replacement was performed because of paravalvular leak due to endocarditis. The Orgaran-CPB protocol was as follows: 5,000 units before cardiopulmonary bypass, 5,000 units in the priming volume, anti-Xa level between 0.9 and 1.1 units/mL, with injection of 1,500 units if necessary, no administration of protamine. One month later, a new valvular replacement was necessary and performed with the same protocol using Orgaran. No bleeding or thrombotic complication occurred. Orgaran is a safe and reliable anti-thrombotic substitute if anti-Xa activity is closely monitored.

Enhanced blood conservation in primary coronary artery bypass surgery using heparin-bonded circuits with lower anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Despite many advances in blood conservation techniques, a significant proportion of patients undergoing primary coronary revascularization still require homologous transfusions. A comprehensive strategy to diminish perioperative blood loss was developed by integrating many individual components to create an improved blood conservation environment and was prospectively applied to 557 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures performed in our medical center over a 14-month period. METHODS: The first 455 patients were treated with conventional, nonheparinbonded circuits (NHBCs) and full anticoagulation (activated clotting time [ACT] > 480 sec). We wanted to test the hypothesis of whether "tip-to-tip" heparin-bonded circuits (HBCs) used in conjunction with lower anticoagulation (ACT > 280 sec) when added to our current blood conservation environment can further enhance clinical outcomes. We prospectively applied this technique to a consecutive group of patients (n = 102). RESULTS: Compared to patients treated with NHBCs, patients treated with HBCs had a significantly lower mediastinal and pleural chest tube output in the first 24 hours (683 +/- 561 mL vs 984 +/- 616 mL, p < 0.00001) were less likely to be transfused (52% vs 68.1%, p < 0.01) and had a lower exposure to different blood donor units (4.1 +/- 8.4 vs 9.3 +/- 10.3, p < 0.000003). There were no complications directly related to HBCs used in conjunction with lower anticoagulation. Morbidity and mortality rates were similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In summary, HBCs in conjunction with lower anticoagulation were safely applied in patients undergoing primary CABG with marked improvement in blood conservation, and should be considered for broader clinical use.

A comparative study of the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma and fresh autologous whole blood on haemostasis after cardiac surgery.

The effects of fresh autologous platelet-rich plasma and autologous whole blood on haemostasis after cardiopulmonary bypass were examined in adult cardiac surgery patients. Platelet count, adenosine diphosphate 10 microM maximum aggregation rate and clotting Factor VIII were greater in the platelet-rich plasma group (n = 11) than in the whole blood group (n = 8) after platelet-rich plasma or whole blood reinfusion. Blood loss after heparin neutralization was less in the platelet-rich plasma group than in the whole blood group. Blood loss from heparin neutralization to 12h after surgery was correlated with platelet count, fibrinogen and ADP aggregation rate. The number of patients who required homologous blood transfusion was less in the platelet-rich plasma group. In conclusion, the reinfusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma improves haemostasis after cardiopulmonary bypass, and may enable surgery to be performed without homologous blood transfusion.