Independent variables of pH: Ten Knights of the Hydrogen Ion Kingdom-Part I. A prospective observational study.

CO2, HCO3, SID, and total weak acids have been defined as pH's independent variables. However, according to Gamble, HCO3 should be equal to the difference between the sum of cations and the sum of anions besides HCO3. Therefore, if this mathematical expression is substituted for HCO3 in the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, all independent variables of pH can be demonstrated. Our aim is to test this theory in this study. This prospective observational study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. All admitted patients to the intensive care unit who were >18 years old were included. Demographic data, blood gas parameters, albumin, magnesium, and inorganic phosphorus levels, and outcomes were recorded twice (at admission and at the 24th hour). The multivariate linear regression model was used to determine pH's independent variables. In the multivariate linear regression model, pH was significantly increased by each unit increase in Na, K, Ca, and Mg (mmol L-1). In contrast, pH was significantly decreased by each unit increase in CO2, Cl, lactate, albumin (g dL-1), inorganic phosphorus (mg dL-1), and the strong ion gap. Ten independent variables can accurately predict the changes in pH. For this reason, all ten independent variables should be separately evaluated when interpreting the acid-base status. With this understanding, all algorithms regarding acid-base evaluation may become unnecessary.

Cardiovascular Effects of Tourniquet Application with Cardiac Cycle Efficiency: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objectives: The impact of the tourniquet on cardiac efficiency remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the impact of the tourniquet on cardiac cycle efficiency (CCE) and to interpret how general anesthesia (GA) or combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) affects this during surgery using cardiac energy parameters. Methods: This prospective observational study included 43 patients undergoing elective unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a tourniquet divided into GA (n = 22) and CSEA (n = 21) groups. Cardiac energy parameters were measured before anesthesia (T1), pre-tourniquet inflation (T2), during inflation (T3-T8), and post-deflation (T9). The estimated power of the study was 0.99 based on the differences and standard deviations in CCE at T2-T3 for all patients (effect size: 0.88, alpha error: 0.05). Results: CCE decreased significantly more at T3 in the GA group than in the CSEA group, whereas dP/dtmax and Ea increased more (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively). At T9, CCE increased significantly in the GA group, whereas dP/dtmax and Ea decreased (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The tourniquet reduces cardiac efficiency through compensatory responses, and CSEA may mitigate this effect.

Relationship between Postoperative Complications and Ratio of Amount of Wetting Solution to Ideal Body Weight in Liposuction Procedures.

BACKGROUND: The use of wetting solutions (WSs) during high-volume liposuction is standard; however, the optimal amount of WS and its components and their effect on postoperative complications are unclear. We evaluated the effect of a WS and its components, calculated according to ideal body weight (IBW), on postoperative complications. METHODS: High-volume liposuction with a WS containing 0.5 g of lidocaine and 0.5 mg of epinephrine in each liter was performed in 192 patients. Patients who received ≤90 mL/kg of WS were designated as group I and those who received >90 mL/kg of WS as group II. Postoperative complications and adverse events that occurred until discharge were recorded. RESULTS: The mean total amount of epinephrine in the WS was significantly higher for group II (3.5 mg; range, 3.0-4.0 mg) than for group I (2.0 mg; range, 1.8-2.5 mg; p < 0.001), as was the mean total amount of lidocaine (3.5 g [range, 3.5-4.3 g] vs. 2.0 g [range, 1.8-2.5 g], respectively; p < 0.001). No major cardiac or pulmonary complications occurred in either group. Administration of >90 mL/kg of WS increased the median risk of postoperative nausea 5.3-fold (range, 1.8- to 15.6-fold), that of hypertension 4.9-fold (range, 1.1- to 17.7-fold), and that of hypothermia 4.2-fold (range, 1.1- to 18.5-fold). The two groups had similar postoperative pain scores and blood transfusion rates. CONCLUSIONS: The risks of postoperative nausea, vomiting, hypothermia, and hypertension may increase in patients who receive >90 mL/kg of WS calculated according to IBW during high-volume liposuction.

Elevated strong ion gap: A predictor of the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: There is no optimal timing for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI is a reason for the increased unmeasured anions, which refers to the increased organic acids in the blood, and they can be detected by calculating strong ion gap (SIG). SIG level at the moment of the AKI diagnosis may be a predictor for the initiation of CRRT. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with AKI in the first week of the intensive care unit (ICU) period were included in this prospective observational study. At the moment of the AKI diagnosis, blood gas samples were recorded, and SIG was calculated. RESULTS: The median level of SIG at the moment of the AKI diagnosis of CRRT (+) patients was significantly higher than CRRT (-) patients (7.4 and 3.2 mmol L-1, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the likelihood of the initiation of CRRT was increased 1.16-fold (1.01-1.33) and 4.0-fold (1.9-8.7) by only 1 mmol L-1 increases in SIG and SIG ≥6 mmol L-1 at the moment of AKI diagnosis, respectively (p = 0.035 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased SIG at the moment of the AKI diagnosis in patients with AKI may be a predictive marker to initiate CRRT.

Effect of the Duration of Restrictive Fluid Therapy on Acute Kidney Injury in Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: In robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), restrictive fluid therapy (RFT) is often utilized until the vesicourethral anastomosis (console period) is completed. RFT can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Thus, RFT prolongation in surgeries that utilize the Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum may increase the risk of postoperative AKI. We aimed to evaluate the effect of RFT duration on postoperative AKI. METHODS: Forty-four patients who underwent RALP were included in this prospective observational study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the RFT duration (Group I, RFT duration ≤ 3 h, and Group II, RFT duration >3 h). AKI was diagnosed and staged according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria (KDIGO) using patients' serum creatinine levels after the first 24 h postoperatively. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored using the pressure recording analytical method. RESULTS: The AKI incidence was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I (45.5% vs. 9.1%; p = 0.016). In both groups, all patients who developed AKI were KDIGO stage 1 and all recovered on the second postoperative day. At the end of the console period, the heart rate and arterial elastance were significantly higher, whereas the stroke volume index was significantly lower in Group II than in Group I (p = 0.041, p = 0.016, and p < 0.001, respectively). Although the amounts of fluid administered before and after the anastomosis were similar between the groups, the total amount of fluid administered was significantly different (p < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between RFT duration and the total amount of fluid administered (r2 = 0.43, p < 0.001). RFT duration of >3 h, total fluid administration of ≤3.3 mL/kg/h, and stroke volume index (SVI) at the end of the console period of ≤32 mL/m2 increased the risk of AKI by 12.0 times (1.7-85.2) (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: RFT prolongation in RALP may increase the risk of developing AKI.

The evaluation of cardiac functions in deep Trendelenburg position during robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the reliability of the cardiac cycle efficiency value through its correlation with longitudinal strain by observing the effect of the deep Trendelenburg position. Design: A prospective, observational study. Setting: Single center. Participants: Between May and September 2022, the hemodynamic parameters of 30 patients who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy under general anesthesia were prospectively evaluated. Measurements and main results: All invasive cardiac monitoring parameters and longitudinal strain achieved transesophageal echocardiography were recorded in pre-deep Trendelenburg position (T3) and 10th minute of deep Trendelenburg position (T4). Delta values were calculated for the cardiac cycle efficiency and longitudinal strain (values at T4 minus values at T3). The estimated power was calculated as 0.99 in accordance with the cardiac cycle efficiency values at T3 and T4 (effect size: 0.85 standard deviations of the mean difference: 0.22, alpha: 0.05). At T4, heart rate, pulse pressure variation, cardiac cycle efficiency, dP/dt and longitudinal strain were significantly lower than those at T3 (p = 0.009, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the delta-cardiac cycle efficiency and delta-longitudinal strain (R2 = 0.36, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although the absence of significant changes in mean arterial pressure and cardiac index after Trendelenburg position suggests that cardiac workload has not changed, changes in cardiac cycle efficiency and longitudinal strain indicate increased cardiac workload due to increased ventriculo-arterial coupling.

Hypotension after Anesthesia Induction: Target-Controlled Infusion Versus Manual Anesthesia Induction of Propofol.

BACKGROUND: Post-induction hypotension frequently occurs and can lead to adverse outcomes. As target-controlled infusion (TCI) obviates the need to calculate the infusion rate manually and helps safer dosing with prompt titration of the drug using complex pharmacokinetic models, the use of TCI may provide a better hemodynamic profile during anesthesia induction. This study aimed to compare TCI versus manual induction and to determine the hemodynamic risk factors for post-induction hypotension. METHODS: A total of 200 ASA grade 1-3 patients, aged 24 to 82 years, were recruited and randomly assigned to the TCI (n = 100) or manual induction groups (n = 100). Hemodynamic parameters were monitored with the pressure-recording analytic method. The propofol dosage was adjusted to keep the Bispectral Index between 40 and 60. RESULTS: Post-induction hypotension was significantly higher in the manual induction group than in the TCI group (34% vs. 13%; p < 0.001, respectively). The propofol induction dose did not differ between the groups (TCI: 155 (135-180) mg; manual: 150 (120-200) mg; p = 0.719), but the induction time was significantly longer in the TCI group (47 (35-60) s vs. 150 (105-220) s; p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariable Cox regression model, the presence of hypertension, stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac power output (CPO), and anesthesia induction method were found to predict post-induction hypotension (p = 0.032, p = 0.013, p = 0.024, and p = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: TCI induction with propofol provided better hemodynamic stability than manual induction, and the presence of hypertension, a decrease in the pre-induction SVI, and the CPO could predict post-induction hypotension.

Different Types of Intraoperative Hypotension and their Association with Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Recovery.

Background: The underlying causative mechanism leading to intraoperative hypotension (IOH) may vary depending on the stage of anesthesia and surgery, resulting in different types of IOH. Consequently, the incidence, severity, and postoperative complications associated with IOH types may differ. This study explores the association between IOH types and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery, with a focus on duration and complications. Methods: From May 2022 to December 2022, we included 4776 consecutive surgical patients aged ≥18 who underwent elective surgery with planned overnight stays at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital and received general anesthesia. Post-induction hypotension (pIOH) was defined as a decrease in blood pressure during the first 20 minutes after anesthesia induction, while maintenance intraoperative hypotension (mIOH) referred to a decrease in blood pressure occurring after the 20th minute following induction, with or without preceding pIOH. Results: Among the included patients, 22.13% experienced IOH, with a higher prevalence observed among females. Patients with mIOH exhibited higher rates of bleeding, transfusions, hypothermia, longer stays in the PACU, and increased oxygen requirements. The duration of anesthesia did not increase the likelihood of IOH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ephedrine usage, hypothermia, the need for additional analgesics, nausea, and vomiting were factors associated with longer PACU duration. Older patients (≥65), patients with ASA≥2 status, those undergoing major surgery, experiencing unexpected bleeding, and exhibiting hypothermia at the end of anesthesia had a higher likelihood of requiring vasopressor support. Conclusions: Patients experiencing hypotension, particularly during the maintenance of anesthesia, are more prone to complications in the PACU and require closer monitoring and treatment. Although less common, mIOH has a more significant impact on outcomes compared to other factors affecting PACU recovery. The impact of mIOH on PACU duration should not be overlooked in favor of other factors. Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05671783.

The Relationship Between Decreased CD-8 T-Cells and Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit, A Retrospective Study.

Objective: CD-8 T-cells are responsible for the clearance of virally infected cells. In patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, there are quantitative reductions and functional impairments in T-cells. Low CD-8 T-cell levels cause worse clinical situations. In this study, the relationship between decreased CD-8 T-cells and mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU) was investigated. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, 277 patients were analyzed. Demographic data, ICU admission scores, blood gas levels, laboratory samples, and outcomes were recorded. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 28 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Two hundred forty of 277 patients were included in the study. The mortality rate was 43.3%. In non-survivors, median values of age, Charlson comorbidity index, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II), procalcitonin, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio, and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation were significantly higher, whereas median values of PaO2-FiO2 ratio, lymphocyte count, CD-4, and CD-8 T-cells were significantly lower than those in survivors. In the multivariate Cox regression model, the risk of mortality increased 1.04-fold (1.02-1.06) and 1.05-fold (1.01-10.8) by every one unit increase in age and APACHE-II, respectively, whereas it decreased 0.71-fold (0.58-0.87) by every hundred increase in CD-8 T-cells P < 0.001, P=0.007 and P=0.001 respectively. Conclusion: According to our findings, age, APACHE-II, and CD-8 T-cell levels seem to be independent risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the ICU.

Arterial Elastance: A Predictor of Hypotension Due to Anesthesia Induction.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension is common after anesthesia induction and may have adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether arterial elastance (Ea) is a predictor of post-induction hypotension. METHODS: Between January and June 2022, the hemodynamic parameters of 85 patients who underwent major surgery under general anesthesia were prospectively evaluated. The noncalibrated pulse contour device MostCare (Vytech, Vygon, Padua, Italy) was used to measure hemodynamic parameters before and after anesthesia induction. The duration of the measurements was determined from one minute before induction to 10 min after induction. Hypotension was defined as a greater than 30% decrease in mean arterial pressure from the pre-induction value and/or systolic arterial pressure of less than 90 mmHg. The patients were divided into post-induction hypotension (-) and (+) groups. For the likelihood of post-induction hypotension, a multivariate regression model was used by adding significantly different pre-induction parameters to the post-induction hypotension group. RESULTS: The incidence of post-induction hypotension was 37.6%. The cut-off value of the pre-induction Ea for the prediction of post-induction hypotension was ≥1.08 mmHg m-2mL-1 (0.71 [0.59-0.82]). In the multivariate regression model, the likelihood of postinduction hypotension was 3.5-fold (1.4-9.1), increased by only an Ea ≥ 1.08 mmHg m-2mL-1. CONCLUSION: Pre-induction Ea showed excellent predictability of hypotension during anesthetic induction and identified patients at risk of general anesthesia induction-related hypotension.

Is SARS-CoV-2 viral load a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients?

OBJECTIVE: Viral load varies during infection and is higher during the initial stages of disease. Given the importance of the intensive care unit (ICU) in the late stages of COVID-19 infection, analyzing cycle threshold values to detect viral load upon ICU admission can be a clinically valuable tool for identifying patients with the highest mortality risk. METHODS: This was a retrospectively designed study. Patients older than 18 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and had a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <200 were included in the study. The patient population was divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: Two hundred patients were included in the study. In non-survivors, age, relevant ICU admission scores, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher whereas PaO2/FiO2 ratios and cycle threshold levels were significantly lower than in survivors. CONCLUSION: Viral load at ICU admission has significant prognostic value. In combination with age, comorbidities, and severity scores, viral load may assist clinicians in identifying individuals who need more intensive monitoring. Increased awareness may improve outcomes by allowing the more effective monitoring and treatment of patients. More prospective studies are needed to determine how a high viral load worsens disease and how to avoid irreversible results.

Base-excess chloride; the best approach to evaluate the effect of chloride on the acid-base status: A retrospective study.

To practically determine the effect of chloride (Cl) on the acid-base status, four approaches are currently used: accepted ranges of serum Cl values; Cl corrections; the serum Cl/Na ratio; and the serum Na-Cl difference. However, these approaches are governed by different concepts. Our aim is to investigate which approach to the evaluation of the effect of Cl is the best. In this retrospective cohort study, 2529 critically ill patients who were admitted to the tertiary care unit between 2011 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The effects of Cl on the acid-base status according to each evaluative approach were validated by the standard base excess (SBE) and apparent strong ion difference (SIDa). To clearly demonstrate only the effects of Cl on the acid-base status, a subgroup that included patients with normal lactate, albumin and SIG values was created. To compare approaches, kappa and a linear regression model for all patients and Bland-Altman test for a subgroup were used. In both the entire cohort and the subgroup, correlations among BECl, SIDa and SBE were stronger than those for other approaches (r = 0.94 r = 0.98 and r = 0.96 respectively). Only BECl had acceptable limits of agreement with SBE in the subgroup (bias: 0.5 mmol L-1) In the linear regression model, only BECl in all the Cl evaluation approaches was significantly related to the SBE. For the evaluation of the effect of chloride on the acid-base status, BECl is a better approach than accepted ranges of serum Cl values, Cl corrections and the Cl/Na ratio.

Brain MRI Findings in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19 Infection.

Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Chordoma: Immunohistochemical Analysis of Brachury.

AIM: Chordomas are rare, slow growing but locally aggressive malignancies of the axial skeleton. Skull base chordomas, due to their intricate anatomical localization, pose significant challenges to managing physicians. In classical and chondroid chordomas, the disease course cannot be reliably determined using only morphological criteria. Brachyury (T Gene) was shown to play a central role in chordoma pathogenesis and several studies also showed that this gene also carries potential as a prognostic biomarker. This study aims to correlate Brachyury expression with the clinical course in surgically treated skull base chordomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chordoma tumor samples from 14 patients with skull base chordomas, diagnosed using histopathological and immunohistochemistry criteria (epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S100, pan cytokeratin (panCK)) were retrospectively analyzed for Brachyury expression using immunohistochemistry. Brachyury expression was graded using a 4 point semi-quantitative scoring system. Focal (grade II) and diffuse staining (grade III) were considered as overexpression. Patient recurrence-free survival and total survival were compared between Brachyury overexpressing and non-overexpressing groups using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: Among the stained tumor samples, 85.7% were positive for brachyury expression. In both groups, there was one sample that was negative. We did not observe any significant difference among the groups for staining, grade and percentage of brachyury positive cells. CONCLUSION: Brachyury expression in tumor samples is not a sensitive indicator of prognosis in chordomas.

Serum Vitamin D Level at ICU Admission and Mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a major role in the regulation of bone and calcium metabolism and has effects on the immune and cardiovascular systems. Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in the general population as well as in critically ill patients and is reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Our aim was to determine the relationship between vitamin D level at ICU admission and mortality. METHODS: A total of 491 patients admitted to the ICU between January 2014 and January 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients who were under 18 years old, had elective surgery, or whose serum vitamin D levels and outcomes were unknown were excluded. The patient's age, gender, APACHE II score, number of organ dysfunction, serum vitamin D level at ICU admission and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Vitamin D level was low (<25 ng dL-1) in 166 (77.1%) of the patients. In non-survivor patients, APACHE II score and the number of organ dysfunction were significantly higher than the survivor patients (p<0.001 and p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and APACHE II score (r2=0.04, p=0.006). In multivariate analyses, the likelihood of mortality was increased 9.8-fold (range 4.2-17.6) and 8.9-fold (range 3.9-14.1) with an APACHE II score ≥24 and the number of organ dysfunction ≥2, respectively (p<0.001 and p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in intensive care patients. Although it is not an independently decisive factor for mortality, it might be related with poor clinical status at ICU admission. The APACHE II score and number of organ dysfunction are still important parameters for increased mortality.

Postoperative acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation recipients.

PURPOSE: There are many risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in liver transplantation. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation recipients. METHODS: 220 living donor liver transplantation recipients were retrospectively evaluated in the study. According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Guidelines, acute kidney injury in postoperative day 7 was investigated for all patients. The patient's demographic data, preoperative and intraoperative parameters, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Acute kidney injury was found in 27 (12.3%) recipients. In recipients with acute kidney injury, female population, model for end-stage liver disease score, norepinephrine requirement, duration of mean arterial pressure less than 60 mmHg, the usage of gelatin and erythrocyte suspension and blood loss were significantly higher than recipients with nonacute kidney injury (for all p<0.05). In multivariate analyses, the likelihood of acute kidney injury on postoperative day 7 were increased 2.8-fold (1.1-7.0), 2.7-fold (1.02-7.3), 3.4-fold (1.2-9.9) and 5.1-fold (1.7-15.0) by postoperative day 7, serum tacrolimus level ≥10.2 ng dL-1, intraoperative blood loss ≥14.5 mL kg-1, the usage of gelatin >5 mL kg-1 and duration of MAP less than 60 mmHg ≥5.5 minutes respectively (for all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In living donor liver transplantation recipients, serum tacrolimus levels, intraoperative blood loss, hypotension period and the usage of gelatin may be risk factors for acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period.

The effects of the chloride:sodium ratio on acid-base statusand mortality in septic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Calculation of the chloride:sodium (Cl-:Na+) ratio is proposed to enable a quick evaluation of the effect of Cl- and Na+ on the acid-base balance in critically ill patients. In the present study, the relationship of the Cl-:Na+ ratio of septic patients with acid-base status and ICU mortality were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our two-center study, 434 patients who were diagnosed with sepsis were included. The patients were divided into three groups: low (<0.75), normal (≥0.75, <0.80), and high (≥0.80) Cl-:Na+ ratio groups. Patients' demographic data, blood gas values, length of ICU stay, and ICU mortality were recorded. RESULTS: In the low and high groups, ICU mortality was significantly higher than in the normal group (29.3%, 37.1%) (P = 0.005). There was a negative correlation between the Cl:Na+ ratio and each of HCO3-, standard base excess, and PaCO2 (r2 = 0.21, r2 = 0.19, and r2 = 0.17) (P < 0.001 for each). In the multivariate analysis, the ICU mortality was increased 2.6-fold (1.2-5.8) by low Cl-:Na+ ratio (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The Cl-:Na+ ratio is a useful parameter for showing the relationship between Cl- and Na+ and their impact on acid-base status. Low Cl-:Na+ ratio at ICU admission can be used as a prognostic indicator for increased ICU mortality in septic patients.

Elective Tracheotomy Practices in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: Elective tracheotomy (ET) procedures in intensive care units (ICU) might be different in accordance with countries and ICUs' features. The aim of the present study was to search the epidemiology of ET procedures in Turkey. METHODS: A questionnaire which consists of 43 questions was sent by e-mail to 238 ICUs which were officially recognized by The Turkish Ministry of Health. All answers were obtained between August 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015. RESULTS: Two hundred and three ICUs (85.3%) participated in this study. 177 (87.2%) and 169 (83.4%) of ICU's were level III and mixed ICUs respectively. Anesthesiologists were the director of 189 (93.0%) ICUs. Estimated total count of admitted, mechanically ventilated and tracheotomized patients in 2014 were 126282, 80569 (63.8%) and 8989 (7.1%) respectively. Most common indication for ET was prolonged mechanical ventilation (76.9%). The first choice for ET procedure was percutaneous in 162 (79.8%) ICUs. Griggs guide wire dilatational forceps (GWDF) technique was used as the first choice for elective percutaneous tracheotomy (EPT) by 143 (70.4%) ICUs. Most common early EPT complication was bleeding (68.0%) and late EPT complication was stenosis (35.0%). While facilitation of weaning was most important advantage (26.1%), bleeding and tracheal complications were most important disadvantages for EPT (29.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Most common indications for ET are prolonged MV and coma in Turkish ICUs. EPT is the preferred procedure for ET and GWDF is the most common technique. Bronchoscopy and USG are rarely used as a guide.

Non-lactate strong ion difference: a clearer picture.

PURPOSE: The recommended method for elucidating the effects of strong ions other than lactate on acid-base balance is to calculate the non-lactate strong ion difference (SIDnl). A relationship between HCO3 (-) and SIDnl in hyperchloremic patients has already been demonstrated; in the present study, the relationships between SIDnl, the apparent strong ion difference (SIDa), and mortality at intensive care unit (ICU) admission were investigated. METHODS: In our two-center study, 2691 patients admitted to the ICU were retrospectively evaluated, including 1069 critically ill patients. These patients were divided into three subgroups according to their SIDnl levels at admission to the ICU: low (<38 mmol L(-1)), normal (38-40 mmol L(-1)), and high (>40 mmol L(-1)). Patient age, gender, diagnosis, blood gas values, length of ICU stay, and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: The low-SIDnl group included 768 patients (71.8 %), the normal-SIDnl group consisted of 127 patients (11.9 %), and the high-SIDnl group contained 174 patients (16.3 %). There was no significant difference in lactate levels among the SIDnl groups (p = 0.635). In a multivariate logistic regression model, likelihood of mortality was increased 1.24-fold (1.20-1.28), 2.56-fold (1.61-4.08) and 2.55-fold (1.003-6.47) by APACHE II, lactate level ≥2mmol L(-) and low SIDnl (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SIDnl can be used to determine the effects of strong ions other than lactate on SIDa values and acid-base balance. Furthermore, a low SIDnl at ICU admission can be a prognostic indicator of mortality.