Resumption of Cardiac Activity after Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Measures.

BACKGROUND: The minimum duration of pulselessness required before organ donation after circulatory determination of death has not been well studied. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of the incidence and timing of resumption of cardiac electrical and pulsatile activity in adults who died after planned withdrawal of life-sustaining measures in 20 intensive care units in three countries. Patients were intended to be monitored for 30 minutes after determination of death. Clinicians at the bedside reported resumption of cardiac activity prospectively. Continuous blood-pressure and electrocardiographic (ECG) waveforms were recorded and reviewed retrospectively to confirm bedside observations and to determine whether there were additional instances of resumption of cardiac activity. RESULTS: A total of 1999 patients were screened, and 631 were included in the study. Clinically reported resumption of cardiac activity, respiratory movement, or both that was confirmed by waveform analysis occurred in 5 patients (1%). Retrospective analysis of ECG and blood-pressure waveforms from 480 patients identified 67 instances (14%) with resumption of cardiac activity after a period of pulselessness, including the 5 reported by bedside clinicians. The longest duration after pulselessness before resumption of cardiac activity was 4 minutes 20 seconds. The last QRS complex coincided with the last arterial pulse in 19% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: After withdrawal of life-sustaining measures, transient resumption of at least one cycle of cardiac activity after pulselessness occurred in 14% of patients according to retrospective analysis of waveforms; only 1% of such resumptions were identified at the bedside. These events occurred within 4 minutes 20 seconds after a period of pulselessness. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and others.).

Should New Data on Rehabilitation Interventions in Critically Ill Patients Change Clinical Practice? Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: We published a meta-analysis in March 2020 to assess the impact of rehabilitation in the ICU on clinical outcomes. Since then, 15 new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published; we updated the meta-analysis to show how the recent studies have tipped the scale. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: An update of secondary data analysis of RCTs published between January 1998 and July 2023 performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PATIENTS: Critically ill adults. INTERVENTIONS: Cycling exercises or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or protocolized physical rehabilitation (PPR) or functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry (FESCE) compared with standard of care. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Days on a mechanical ventilator, length of stay in ICU and at the hospital, and mortality. We found 15 RCTs (one on cycling, eight on NMES alone, four on PPR, and two on FESCE) into which 2116 patients were randomized. The updated meta-analysis encompasses a total of 5664 patients. The exercise interventions did not influence mortality (odds ratio, 1.00 [0.87-1.14]; n = 53 RCTs) but reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference, -1.76 d [-2.8 to -0.8 d]; n = 46) and length of stay in ICU (-1.16 d [-2.3 to 0.0 d]; n = 45). The effects on the length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were only significant for the PPR subgroup by a median of -1.7 days (95% CI, -3.2 to -0.2 d) and -1.9 days (95% CI, -3.5 to -0.2 d), respectively. Notably, newly published trials provided consistent results and reduced the overall heterogeneity of these results. CONCLUSIONS: None of the rehabilitation intervention strategies being studied influence mortality. Both mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were shortened by PPR, this strengthens the earlier findings as all new RCTs yielded very consistent results. However, no early rehabilitation interventions in passive patients seem to have clinical benefits. Regarding long-term functional outcomes, the results remain inconclusive.

Impact of frailty, biomarkers and basic biochemical parameters on outcomes of comatose patients in status epilepticus: a single-center prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe acute condition in neurocritical care with high mortality. Searching for risk factors affecting the prognosis in SE remains a significant issue. The primary study's aim was to test the predictive values of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Modified 11-item Frailty Index (mFI-11), the biomarkers and basic biochemical parameters collected at ICU on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) assessed at hospital discharge (hosp), and three months later (3 M), in comatose patients with SE. The secondary aim was to focus on the association between the patient's state at admission and the duration of mechanical ventilation, the ICU, and hospital stay. METHODS: In two years single-centre prospective pilot study enrolling 30 adult neurocritical care patients with SE classified as Convulsive SE, A.1 category according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force without an-/hypoxic encephalopathy, we evaluated predictive powers of CFS, mFI-11, admission Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS), serum protein S100, serum Troponin T and basic biochemical parameters on prognosticating GOS using univariate linear regression, logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Our study included 60% males, with a mean age of 57 ± 16 years (44-68) and a mean BMI of 27 ± 5.6. We found CFS, mFI-11, STESS, and age statistically associated with GOS at hospital discharge and three months later. Among the biomarkers, serum troponin T level affected GOS hosp (p = 0.027). Serum C-reactive protein significance in prognosticating GOS was found by logistic regression (hosp p = 0.008; 3 M p = 0.004), and serum calcium by linear regression (hosp p = 0.028; 3 M p = 0.015). In relation to secondary outcomes, we found associations between the length of hospital stay and each of the following: age (p = 0.03), STESS (p = 0.009), and serum troponin T (p = 0.029) parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study found promising predictive powers of two frailty scores, namely CFS and mFI-11, which were comparable to age and STESS predictors regarding the GOS at hospital discharge and three months later in ICU patients with SE. Among biomarkers and biochemical parameters, only serum troponin T level affected GOS at hospital discharge.

The Czech Home Parenteral Nutrition Registry REDNUP: Comprehensive Analysis of Adult Patients' Data.

INTRODUCTION: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is the primary treatment modality for patients with chronic intestinal failure, one of the least common organ failures. This article provides a retrospective analysis of the data collected on HPN patients in the Czech Republic over the past 30 years. METHODS: National registry data were collected using a standardised online form based on the OASIS registry (Oley - A.S.P.E.N. Information System) across all centres providing HPN in the Czech Republic. Data collected prospectively from adult patients in the HPN program were analysed in the following categories: epidemiology, demographics, underlying syndrome, diagnosis, complications, and teduglutide therapy prevalence. RESULTS: The registry identified a total of 1,838 adult patient records, reflecting almost 1.5 million individual catheter days. The prevalence of HPN has risen considerably over the last few decades, currently reaching 5.5 per 100,000 population. The majority of patients have short bowel syndrome and GI obstruction, with cancer being the most prevalent underlying disease. Catheter-related bloodstream infections have been the most prevalent acute complication. However, the incidence in 2022 was only 0.15 per 1,000 catheter days. The study also observed an increase in the prevalence of patients on palliative HPN over the last decade. CONCLUSION: This study presents a thorough analysis of data from the Czech REgistr Domaci NUtricni Podpory (REDNUP) registry. It shows an increasing prevalence of HPN, namely, in the palliative patient group. The sharing of national data can improve understanding of this rare condition and facilitate the development of international guidelines.

Preoperative and postoperative staging in endometrial cancer - a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine how often changes the stage of the tumour in definitive histology against preoperative clinical stage in patient cohort with diagnosed endometrial cancer. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively a cohort of 166 patients with endometrial cancer. They all underwent abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy. Patients with high-risk tumours also pelvic lymfadenectomy. We collected data of preoperative diagnostic biopsy and postoperative definitive histology. The data were statistically processed. RESULTS: Detection of sentinel lymph node was successful in 71.1%, bilateral successful detection was in 40.6%. Discrepancy of tumour grade between preoperative biopsy and definitive histology was generally 31.4%. Upgrading of the tumour was in 22 (14.4%) cases, downgrading in 26 (17%) cases. Upgrade from low-risk to high-risk group of tumours was noticed in eight cases. Histopathological tumour type changed in 6.6%, 4.6% moved to histopathologic high-risk group. The tumour stage changed in definite histology in 57.3%, in 19.2% of cases moved from stage low/intermediate-risk group to intermediate-high/high-risk disease group. CONCLUSION: Correct assessment of preoperative clinical stage and histological grade of endometrial cancer is burdened with a high inaccuracy rate. A lot of cases is up-staged after surgical staging and moved to intermediate-high/high-risk disease group. Results confirm the importance of oncogynaecologic centre II. evaluation of histopathology findings from diagnostic biopsies made in referring hospitals. Sentinel lymph node biopsy should be performed even in clinically low/intermediate-risk disease group.

Amiodarone but not propafenone impairs bioenergetics and autophagy of human myocardial cells.

Cardiac and extra-cardiac side effects of common antiarrhythmic agents might be related to drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Supratherapeutic doses of amiodarone have been shown to impair mitochondria in animal studies, whilst influence of propafenone on cellular bioenergetics is unknown. We aimed to assess effects of protracted exposure to pharmacologically relevant doses of amiodarone and propafenone on cellular bioenergetics and mitochondrial biology of human and mouse cardiomyocytes. In this study, HL-1 mouse atrial cardiomyocytes and primary human cardiomyocytes derived from the ventricles of the adult heart were exposed to 2 and 7 µg/mL of either amiodarone or propafenone. After 24 h, extracellular flux analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to measure mitochondrial functions. Autophagy was assessed by western blots and live-cell imaging of lysosomes. In human cardiomyocytes, amiodarone significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, in association with an inhibition of fatty acid oxidation and impaired complex I- and II-linked respiration in the electron transport chain. Expectedly, this led to increased anaerobic glycolysis. Amiodarone increased the production of reactive oxygen species and autophagy was also markedly affected. In contrast, propafenone-exposed cardiomyocytes did not exert any impairment of cellular bioenergetics. Similar changes after amiodarone treatment were observed during identical experiments performed on HL-1 mouse cardiomyocytes, suggesting a comparable pharmacodynamics of amiodarone among mammalian species. In conclusion, amiodarone but not propafenone in near-therapeutic concentrations causes a pattern of mitochondrial dysfunction with affected autophagy and metabolic switch from oxidative metabolism to anaerobic glycolysis in human cardiomyocytes.

Previous antithrombotic therapy does not have an impact on the in-hospital mortality of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The association between antithrombotics (ATs) and the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is well known; however, data regarding the influence of ATs on outcomes are scarce. The goals of this study are: (i) to assess the impact of prior AT therapy on in-hospital and 6-month outcomes and (ii) to determine the re-initiation rate of the ATs after a bleeding event. All patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) who underwent urgent gastroscopy in three centres from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used. Among 333 patients [60% males, mean age 69.2 (±17.3) years], 44% were receiving ATs. In multivariate logistic regression, no association between AT treatment and worse in-hospital outcomes was observed. Development of haemorrhagic shock led to worse survival [odds ratio (OR) 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-10.2, P < 0.001; after PSM: OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8-15.7, P = 0.003]. During 6-months follow-up, higher age (OR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, P = 0.002), higher comorbidity (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7, P < 0.001), a history of cancer (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-8.1, P < 0.001) and a history of liver cirrhosis (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-4.4, P = 0.029) were associated with higher mortality. After a bleeding episode, ATs were adequately re-initiated in 73.8%. Previous AT therapy does not worsen in-hospital outcomes in after UGB. Development of haemorrhagic shock predicted poor prognosis. Higher 6-month mortality was observed in older patients, patients with more comorbidities, with liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Left bundle branch area pacing results in more physiological ventricular activation than biventricular pacing in patients with left bundle branch block heart failure.

Biventricular pacing (Biv) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) are methods of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Currently, little is known about how they differ in terms of ventricular activation. This study compared ventricular activation patterns in left bundle branch block (LBBB) heart failure patients using an ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography (UHF-ECG). This was a retrospective analysis including 80 CRT patients from two centres. UHF-ECG data were obtained during LBBB, LBBAP, and Biv. Left bundle branch area pacing patients were divided into non-selective left bundle branch pacing (NSLBBP) or left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP) and into groups with V6 R-wave peak times (V6RWPT) < 90 ms and ≥ 90 ms. Calculated parameters were: e-DYS (time difference between the first and last activation in V1-V8 leads) and Vdmean (average of V1-V8 local depolarization durations). In LBBB patients (n = 80) indicated for CRT, spontaneous rhythms were compared with Biv (39) and LBBAP rhythms (64). Although both Biv and LBBAP significantly reduced QRS duration (QRSd) compared with LBBB (from 172 to 148 and 152 ms, respectively, both P < 0.001), the difference between them was not significant (P = 0.2). Left bundle branch area pacing led to shorter e-DYS (24 ms) than Biv (33 ms; P = 0.008) and shorter Vdmean (53 vs. 59 ms; P = 0.003). No differences in QRSd, e-DYS, or Vdmean were found between NSLBBP, LVSP, and LBBAP with paced V6RWPTs < 90 and ≥ 90 ms. Both Biv CRT and LBBAP significantly reduce ventricular dyssynchrony in CRT patients with LBBB. Left bundle branch area pacing is associated with more physiological ventricular activation.

Spinal fusion for single-level SPECT/CT positive lumbar degenerative disc disease: the SPINUS I study.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: With current imaging modalities and diagnostic tests, identifying pain generators in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is difficult. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of SPECT/CT examination in diagnosing the source of pain in the spine. The study aims to investigate the effect of posterior interbody fusion on a single-level SPECT/CT positive lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) operated on for a single-level SPECT/CT positive DDD. Primary outcomes were changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcomes were complications, return to work, satisfaction and willingness to re-undergo surgery. RESULTS: During a 3-year period, 38 patients underwent single-level fusion surgery. The mean preoperative VAS score of 8.4 (± 1.1) decreased to 3.2 (± 2.5, p < 0.001) and the mean preoperative ODI of 51.5 (± 7.3) improved to 20.7 (± 14.68, p < 0.001) at a 2-year follow-up. A minimum clinically important difference (30% reduction in VAS and ODI) was achieved in 84.2% of patients. Some 71% of patients were satisfied with the surgery results and 89.4% would undergo surgery again. There were four complications, and two patients underwent revision surgery. Some 82.9% of patients returned to work. CONCLUSION: Fusion for one-level SPECT/CT positive lumbar DDD resulted in substantial clinical improvement and satisfaction with surgical treatment. Therefore, SPECT/CT imaging could be useful in assessing patients with CLBP, especially those with unclear MRI findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04876586.

Internal jugular vein collapsibility does not predict fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients after cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of internal jugular vein (IJV) collapsibility as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing patients after cardiac surgery. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, spontaneously breathing patients were enrolled on the first postoperative day after coronary artery bypass grafting. Hemodynamic data coupled with simultaneous ultrasound assessment of the IJV were collected at baseline and after passive leg raising test (PLR). Continuous cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), and stroke volume variation (SVV) were assessed with FloTracTM/EV1000™. Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CI ≥ 10% after PLR. We compared the differences in measured variables between fluid responders and non-responders and tested the ability of ultrasonographic IJV indices to predict fluid responsiveness. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included in the study. Seventeen (31.5%) were fluid responders. The responders demonstrated significantly lower inspiratory and expiratory diameters of the IJV at baseline, but IJV collapsibility was comparable (P = 0.7). Using the cut-off point of 20%, IJV collapsibility predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 38.9%, ROC AUC 0.55. CONCLUSION: In spontaneously breathing patients after surgical coronary revascularisation, collapsibility of the internal jugular vein did not predict fluid responsiveness.

Adherence and blood pressure control in patients with primary aldosteronism.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the adherence to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists and other antihypertensive therapy and blood pressure control in conservatively treated patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conservatively treated subjects with previously confirmed PA (n-50, 64.5 ± 9 years of age, 24% women) were investigated via our outpatient hypertension clinic. All subjects underwent regular examinations in our clinic. In addition to basic laboratory and clinical parameters, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (Spacelabs) was evaluated. Unplanned blood sampling for assessment of serum antihypertensive drug concentrations by the means of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed in all patients. In case of spironolactone, its active metabolite canrenone was also evaluated. Total non-compliance was then defined as the absence of all measured antihypertensive drugs. Partial non-compliance was calculated as the absence of serum levels of at least one, but not all antihypertensive drugs prescribed. RESULTS: Good blood pressure control was detected (mean 24 h systolic/diastolic BP 130 ± 12/77 ± 9 mmHg). The average number of antihypertensive drugs was 3.9 ± 1.5. All subjects were treated by MR antagonists. 44% of patients received spironolactone (average daily dose 45 ± 20 mg) and in the remaining 56% of subjects eplerenone was administered (average daily dose 80 ± 30 mg) due to spironolactone side effects. Assessment of antihypertensive drug concentrations revealed full adherence in 80% of all subjects, partial nonadherence was noted in the remaining 20% of subjects. MR antagonist levels were detected in almost all subjects (49 out of 50). CONCLUSIONS: Good blood pressure control and adherence to therapy were detected in conservatively treated patients with PA. Eplerenone had to be used quite often as male subjects did not tolerate dose escalation due to spironolactone side effects.

Possible donor nerves for axillary nerve reconstruction in dual neurotization for restoring shoulder abduction in brachial plexus injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Restoring shoulder abduction is one of the main priorities in the surgical treatment of brachial plexus injuries. Double nerve transfer to the axillary nerve and suprascapular nerve is widely used and considered the best option. The most common donor nerve for the suprascapular nerve is the spinal accessory nerve. However, donor nerves for axillary nerve reconstructions vary and it is still unclear which donor nerve has the best outcome. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review on reconstructions of suprascapular and axillary nerves and to perform a meta-analysis investigating the outcomes of different donor nerves on axillary nerve reconstructions. We conducted a systematic search of English literature from March 2001 to December 2020 following PRISMA guidelines. Two outcomes were assessed, abduction strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and range of motion (ROM). Twenty-two studies describing the use of donor nerves met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Donor nerves investigated included the radial nerve, intercostal nerves, medial pectoral nerve, ulnar nerve fascicle, median nerve fascicle and the lower subscapular nerve. Fifteen studies that investigated the radial and intercostal nerves met the inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis. We found no statistically significant difference between either of these nerves in the abduction strength according to MRC score (radial nerve 3.66 ± 1.02 vs intercostal nerves 3.48 ± 0.64, p = 0.086). However, the difference in ROM was statistically significant (radial nerve 106.33 ± 39.01 vs. intercostal nerve 80.42 ± 24.9, p < 0.001). Our findings support using a branch of the radial nerve for the triceps muscle as a donor for axillary nerve reconstruction when possible. Intercostal nerves can be used in cases of total brachial plexus injury or involvement of the C7 root or posterior fascicle. Other promising methods need to be studied more thoroughly in order to validate and compare their results with the more commonly used methods.

Functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry-based progressive mobility programme for mechanically ventilated patients: randomised controlled trial with 6 months follow-up.

PURPOSE: Functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry (FESCE) enables in-bed leg exercise independently of patients' volition. We hypothesised that early use of FESCE-based progressive mobility programme improves physical function in survivors of critical care after 6 months. METHODS: We enrolled mechanically ventilated adults estimated to need >7 days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay into an assessor-blinded single centre randomised controlled trial to receive either FESCE-based protocolised or standard rehabilitation that continued up to day 28 or ICU discharge. RESULTS: We randomised in 1:1 ratio 150 patients (age 61±15 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II 21±7) at a median of 21 (IQR 19-43) hours after admission to ICU. Mean rehabilitation duration of rehabilitation delivered to intervention versus control group was 82 (IQR 66-97) versus 53 (IQR 50-57) min per treatment day, p<0.001. At 6 months 42 (56%) and 46 (61%) patients in interventional and control groups, respectively, were alive and available to follow-up (81.5% of prespecified sample size). Their Physical Component Summary of SF-36 (primary outcome) was not different at 6 months (50 (IQR 21-69) vs 49 (IQR 26-77); p=0.26). At ICU discharge, there were no differences in the ICU length of stay, functional performance, rectus femoris cross-sectional diameter or muscle power despite the daily nitrogen balance was being 0.6 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.0; p=0.004) gN/m2 less negative in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Early delivery of FESCE-based protocolised rehabilitation to ICU patients does not improve physical functioning at 6 months in survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02864745.

Ventricular activation pattern assessment during right ventricular pacing: Ultra-high-frequency ECG study.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) pacing causes delayed activation of remote ventricular segments. We used the ultra-high-frequency ECG (UHF-ECG) to describe ventricular depolarization when pacing different RV locations. METHODS: In 51 patients, temporary pacing was performed at the RV septum (mSp); further subclassified as right ventricular inflow tract (RVIT) and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) for septal inflow and outflow positions (below or above the plane of His bundle in right anterior oblique), apex, anterior lateral wall, and at the basal RV septum with nonselective His bundle or RBB capture (nsHBorRBBp). The timings of UHF-ECG electrical activations were quantified as left ventricular lateral wall delay (LVLWd; V8 activation delay) and RV lateral wall delay (RVLWd; V1 activation delay). RESULTS: The LVLWd was shortest for nsHBorRBBp (11 ms [95% confidence interval = 5-17]), followed by the RVIT (19 ms [11-26]) and the RVOT (33 ms [27-40]; p < .01 between all of them), although the QRSd for the latter two were the same (153 ms (148-158) vs. 153 ms (148-158); p = .99). RV apical capture not only had a longer LVLWd (34 ms (26-43) compared to mSp (27 ms (20-34), p < .05), but its RVLWd (17 ms (9-25) was also the longest compared to other RV pacing sites (mean values for nsHBorRBBp, mSp, anterior and lateral wall captures being below 6 ms), p < .001 compared to each of them. CONCLUSION: RVIT pacing produces better ventricular synchrony compared to other RV pacing locations with myocardial capture. However, UHF-ECG ventricular dysynchrony seen during RVIT pacing is increased compared to concomitant capture of basal septal myocytes and His bundle or proximal right bundle branch.

The economic and psychological impact of cancellations of elective spinal surgeries in the COVID-19 era.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of health care restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of elective surgical care. However, the impact on patients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychological and economic impact of the cancellation of scheduled spinal operations. METHODS: We identified 50 patients with cancelled surgeries between 16 March 2020 and 24 April 2020. Forty-nine (98%) participants were contacted, with whom the modified WES-Pi questionnaire was filled in during a telephone interview. RESULTS: Of the 49 respondents, 28 (57.2%) were aged <65 years. The most often reported problem (85.7%) was an ongoing limitation in basic daily activities. At least moderate sadness was experienced by 65.3% and disappointment by 73.5% of the patients. More than 80% reported concerns about the continuation and 73.5% about the progression of their symptoms. Out of 27 employees (55.1%), 63% could not work due to severe pain or movement limitation (p < .001). The inability to work was associated with anger (p = .037). The work-related impact of the cancellation was associated with stress (p < .0001) and concerns about continuing the symptoms (p = .004). Two-third of patients would undergo immediate surgery despite the current epidemic situation. CONCLUSIONS: The cancellations of elective spinal surgeries have a serious psychological impact on patients. This together with potential economic consequences is especially evident in employees unable to work due to pain or movement disability. The information is beneficial for health management. Every effort should be made to resume planned surgical treatment if the epidemiological situation allows it.

Effects of Rehabilitation Interventions on Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of rehabilitation in ICU on clinical outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Secondary data analysis of randomized controlled trials published between 1998 and October 2019 was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. STUDY SELECTION: We have selected trials investigating neuromuscular electrical stimulation or cycling exercises or protocolized physical rehabilitation as compared to standard of care in critically ill adults. DATA EXTRACTION: Mortality, length of stay in ICU and at hospital, days on mechanical ventilator, and adverse events. DATA SYNTHESIS: We found 43 randomized controlled trials (nine on cycling, 14 on neuromuscular electrical stimulation alone and 20 on protocolized physical rehabilitation) into which 3,548 patients were randomized and none of whom experienced an intervention-related serious adverse event. The exercise interventions had no influence on mortality (odds ratio 0.94 [0.79-1.12], n = 38 randomized controlled trials) but reduced duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference, -1.7 d [-2.5 to -0.8 d], n = 32, length of stay in ICU (-1.2 d [-2.5 to 0.0 d], n = 32) but not at hospital (-1.6 [-4.3 to 1.2 d], n = 23). The effects on the length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were only significant for the protocolized physical rehabilitation subgroup and enhanced in patients with longer ICU stay and lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. There was no benefit of early start of the intervention. It is likely that the dose of rehabilitation delivered was much lower than dictated by the protocol in many randomized controlled trials and negative results may reflect the failure to implement the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation interventions in critically ill patients do not influence mortality and are safe. Protocolized physical rehabilitation significantly shortens time spent on mechanical ventilation and in ICU, but this does not consistently translate into long-term functional benefit. Stable patients with lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II at admission (<20) and prone to protracted ICU stay may benefit most from rehabilitation interventions.

Epidemiology, etiology, and types of severe adult brachial plexus injuries requiring surgical repair: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The literature describing epidemiology, etiology, and types of serious brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) is sparse. The aim of this review was to investigate the epidemiological and etiopathogenetical data of serious BPIs undergoing surgical reconstruction. A systematic search was conducted from January 1985 to December 2017. All studies that reported data about prevalence of specific types and causes of BPIs in adults treated surgically were included and cumulatively analyzed. Ten studies including 3032 patients were identified. The pooled prevalence of closed BPIs was 93% (95% CI: 87-97%), lacerations accounted for 3% (95% CI: 1-6%), and gunshot wounds (GSWs) for 3% (95% CI: 0-7%). The prevalence of male patients was 93% (95% CI: 90-96%) and female cases 7% (95% CI: 4-10%). The most common cause of closed BPI was motorcycle accidents with 67% (95% CI: 49-82%) prevalence followed by car crashes with 14% (95% CI: 8-20%). Other causes were rare. Ninety percent (95% CI: 78-98%) of patients suffered from a supraclavicular or combined supra-/infraclavicular trauma, while 10% (95% CI: 2-22%) from isolated infraclavicular injury. The prevalence of complete lesions was 53% (95% CI: 47-58%) followed by upper plexus lesion with 39% (95% CI: 31-48%) and lower plexus injury with 6% (95% CI: 1-12%). This meta-analysis demonstrates that the typical patient suffering from severe BPI is a male after motorcycle accident with closed supraclavicular injury causing complete or slightly less commonly upper plexus palsy. Lacerations and GSWs of brachial plexus are rare.

Minimally invasive surgery and one-day care.

Due to population aging in developed countries, it has become necessary to prepare a functional health care plan for the elderly. One of the possibilities to improve postoperative outcomes and recovery in elderly patients is to perform common surgical procedures in the regime of one-day surgery. We compared elderly patients who underwent surgery in a large university hospital with elderly patients who underwent surgery in a facility dedicated to one-day surgery. The homogeneity and clinical outcomes of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Complications were assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data and pre-operative risk assessment (ASA). The one-day surgery group had fewer complications and a shorter average hospital stay. Advanced age is not the only criterion for assessing the biological state of the patient and therefore does not always necessitate surgical care in a university hospital setting with a high volume of acute and complicated cases. Many elderly patients will benefit from a more individualized approach and healthcare facilities that specialize solely in elective procedures. When indicating elderly patients for one-day surgery, their health status is more important than their calendar age.

Clinically relevant pharmacokinetic knowledge on antibiotic dosing among intensive care professionals is insufficient: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic exposure in intensive care patients with sepsis is frequently inadequate and is associated with poorer outcomes. Antibiotic dosing is challenging in the intensive care, as critically ill patients have altered and fluctuating antibiotic pharmacokinetics that make current one-size-fits-all regimens unsatisfactory. Real-time bedside dosing software is not available yet, and therapeutic drug monitoring is typically used for few antibiotic classes and only allows for delayed dosing adaptation. Thus, adequate and timely antibiotic dosing continues to rely largely on the level of pharmacokinetic expertise in the ICU. Therefore, we set out to assess the level of knowledge on antibiotic pharmacokinetics among these intensive care professionals. METHODS: In May 2018, we carried out a cross-sectional study by sending out an online survey on antibiotic dosing to more than 20,000 intensive care professionals. Questions were designed to cover relevant topics in pharmacokinetics related to intensive care antibiotic dosing. The preliminary pass mark was set by members of the examination committee for the European Diploma of Intensive Care using a modified Angoff approach. The final pass mark was corrected for clinical relevance as assessed for each question by international experts on pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: A total of 1448 respondents completed the survey. Most of the respondents were intensivists (927 respondents, 64%) from 97 countries. Nearly all questions were considered clinically relevant by pharmacokinetic experts. The pass mark corrected for clinical relevance was 52.8 out of 93.7 points. Pass rates were 42.5% for intensivists, 36.1% for fellows, 24.8% for residents, and 5.8% for nurses. Scores without correction for clinical relevance were worse, indicating that respondents perform better on more relevant topics. Correct answers and concise clinical background are provided. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant pharmacokinetic knowledge on antibiotic dosing among intensive care professionals is insufficient. This should be addressed given the importance of adequate antibiotic exposure in critically ill patients with sepsis. Solutions include improved education, intensified pharmacy support, therapeutic drug monitoring, or the use of real-time bedside dosing software. Questions may provide useful for teaching purposes.

Diagnosing acute acid-base disorders.

Traditional diagnostic approach to acute acid-base disorders is based on the assessment of bicarbonate buffer system, in which pH is determined by the ratio of [HCO3-] to pCO2. This, in turn, creates basis for distinguishing metabolic and respiratory disorders, and defines the term “compensation”. The use of electroneutrality advantageously complements the bicarbonate-based approach when dealing with complex acid-base disorders. It is possible to simplify this approach so it can be applied only using mental arithmetics. In principle, the space created by strong ion difference (which can be simplified to [Na+]-[Cl-]) is shared by negative charges on albumin and bicarbonate. In turn, a shrinkage of this space ([Na+]-[Cl-]  36 mM causes alka-losis, as well as a decrease in albumin concentration (for every 10 g/L of albumin, 3 mM is freed to be occupied by [HCO3-]). Lastly, if the sum of negative charges on albumin and [HCO3-] is lower than estimated strong ion difference, an unmeasured anion must be present. This concept is explained on commented case reports.