Head cooling wrap could suppress the elevation of core temperature after cardiac surgery during forced-air warming in a pediatric intensive care unit: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the current trial was to explore our hypothesis that cooling head wraps lower the core temperature more effectively than ice packs on the head during forced-air warming after pediatric cardiac surgeries. METHODS: This study was a single-center Randomized Controlled Trial. Participants were children with a weight ≤ 10 kg and hyperthermia during forced-air warming after cardiac surgeries. When the core temperature reached 37.5 °C, ice packs on the head (group C) or a cooling head wrap (group H) were used as cooling devices to decrease the core temperature. The primary outcome was the core temperature. The secondary outcomes were the foot surface temperature and heart rate. We measured all outcomes every 30 min for 240 min after the patient developed hyperthermia. We conducted two-way ANOVA as a pre-planned analysis and also the Bonferroni test as a post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to groups C and H. The series of core temperatures in group H were significantly lower than those in group C (p < 0.0001), and post hoc analysis showed that there was no significant difference in core temperatures at T0 between the two groups and statistically significant differences in all core temperatures at T30-240 between the two groups. There was no difference between the two groups' surface temperatures and heart rates. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to ice packs on the head, head cooling wraps more effectively suppress core temperature elevation during forced-air warming after pediatric cardiac surgery.

Changes of Cerebral Oxygenation in Sequential Glenn and Fontan Procedures in the Same Children.

Recently, it is common to perform the Fontan procedure after the Glenn procedure as surgical repair for the univentricular heart. How the brain oxygen saturation (rSO2) values change with the cardiac restoration and the process of growth during these procedures in individual children remains unknown. In this study, we retrospectively studied rSO2 data as well as the perioperative clinical records of 30 children who underwent both Glenn and Fontan procedures by the same surgeon in the same institute. The rSO2 was measured at the beginning and end of each procedure with an INVOS 5100C. Cerebral perfusion pressure was calculated by subtracting central venous pressure from mean arterial pressure. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and the hemoglobin concentration were obtained as candidates affecting rSO2 changes at the start and the end of both procedures. The rSO2 increased during the Glenn procedure, but this increase was slight and insignificant. On the other hand, the rSO2 significantly increased during the Fontan procedure. Significant increases in SaO2 were observed only between the beginning and end of the Fontan procedure. Correlation coefficients determined by linear regression analysis were more than 0.5 between rSO2 and SaO2 in both procedures. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that SaO2 was the key determinant of the rSO2. The rSO2 increases step by step from the Glenn to the Fontan procedure in the same patient. Within each procedure, SaO2 is the key determinant of the rSO2. The significance of rSO2 monitoring in these procedures should be further evaluated.

Clinical profile of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome in Japan: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) are life-threatening complications of diabetes mellitus. Their clinical profiles have not been fully investigated. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in 21 acute care hospitals in Japan. Patients included were adults aged 18 or older who had been hospitalized from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016 due to DKA or HHS. The data were extracted from patient medical records. A four-group comparison (mild DKA, moderate DKA, severe DKA, and HHS) was performed to evaluate outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 771 patients including 545 patients with DKA and 226 patients with HHS were identified during the study period. The major precipitating factors of disease episodes were poor medication compliance, infectious diseases, and excessive drinking of sugar-sweetened beverages. The median hospital stay was 16 days [IQR 10-26 days]. The intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate was 44.4% (mean) and the rate at each hospital ranged from 0 to 100%. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.8% in patients with DKA and 7.1% in the HHS group. No significant difference in mortality was seen among the three DKA groups. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate of patients with DKA in Japan is similar to other studies, while that of HHS was lower. The ICU admission rate varied among institutions. There was no significant association between the severity of DKA and mortality in the study population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the UMIN clinical Trial Registration System (UMIN000025393, Registered 23th December 2016).

Epidemiology, microbiology, and diagnosis of infection in diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome: A multicenter retrospective observational study.

AIMS: We investigated the characteristics of infection and the utility of inflammatory markers in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective observational study in 21 acute-care hospitals was conducted in Japan. This study included adult hospitalized patients with DKA and HHS. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for bacteremia. Multiple regression models were created for estimating bacteremia risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 771 patients, including 545 patients with DKA and 226 patients with HHS, were analyzed. The mean age was 58.2 (SD, 19.3) years. Of these, 70 tested positive for blood culture. The mortality rates of those with and without bacteremia were 14 % and 3.3 % (P-value < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of CRP and PCT for diagnosis of bacteremia was 0.85 (95 %CI, 0.81-0.89) and 0.76 (95 %CI, 0.60-0.92), respectively. Logistic regression models identified older age, altered level of consciousness, hypotension, and higher CRP as risk factors for bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate was higher in patients with bacteremia than patients without it. CRP, rather than PCT, may be valid for diagnosing bacteremia in hyperglycemic emergencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in the UMIN clinical trial registration system (UMIN000025393, Registered December 23, 2016).

High versus low chloride load in adult hyperglycemic emergencies with acute kidney injury: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Hyperglycemic emergencies frequently lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and require treatment with large amount of intravenous fluids. However, the effects of chloride loading on this population have not yet been investigated. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study in 21 acute-care hospitals in Japan. The study included hospitalized adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) who had AKI upon arrival. The patients were classified into high and low chloride groups based on the amount of chloride administered within the first 48 h of their arrival. The primary outcome was recovery from AKI; secondary outcome was major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30), including mortality and prolonged renal failure. A total of 390 patients with AKI, including 268 (69%) with DKA and 122 (31%) with HHS, were included in the study. Using the criteria of Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes, the severity of AKI in the patients was Stage 1 (n = 159, 41%), Stage 2 (n = 121, 31%), and Stage 3 (n = 110, 28%). The analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in recovery from AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI 0.72-1.28; P = 0.78) and in MAKE30 (adjusted odds ratio, 0.91; 95% CI 0.45-1.76; P = 0.80). Chloride loading with fluid administration had no significant impact on recovery from AKI in patients with hyperglycemic emergencies.Trial Registration This study was registered in the UMIN clinical trial registration system (UMIN000025393, registered December 23, 2016).

Multiple Retroperitoneal Abscesses Caused by Citrobacter koseri are Associated with a Poor Prognosis: A Case Report.

Citrobacter koseri causes opportunistic infections in various organs. We herein report an 84-year-old man with diabetes mellitus who presented to our hospital with left hip pain and walking difficulty. Computed tomography showed an extensive abscess with gas production, mainly in the left retroperitoneal space, caused by C. koseri infection. Despite daily cleaning of the wound and antimicrobial therapy (with surgical drainage), the patient developed repeated pneumonia and small bowel hemorrhaging caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation and died on day 65 of hospitalization. Overall, retroperitoneal abscesses caused by C. koseri are rare, and multiple abscesses may show a poor prognosis.

A case of plastic bronchitis with a remarkable response to steroids.

Plastic bronchitis can cause fatal airway obstruction. An 85-year-old woman with no medical history presented to the emergency department of our hospital with progressing respiratory failure and hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy revealed a fibrin-type cast thrombus in the trachea, and plastic bronchitis was diagnosed. Initial treatment involved airway thrombus removal, and the patient survived. However, bleeding persisted for 6 days, and respiratory status showed slight improvement despite ventilatory management. Steroids were administered for concomitant acute respiratory distress syndrome, and there was marked improvement in both airway hemorrhage and respiratory failure. The patient was extubated, the steroid dose was reduced, and no rebleeding was observed. The patient was discharged from the hospital 1 month after the onset of symptoms. Blood tests were positive for the myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; however, no biopsy was performed, and no specific symptoms were observed. A definitive diagnosis was therefore not reached. The causes of plastic bronchitis are numerous, and there are no standardized diagnostic criteria or treatment guidelines for this condition. The present case suggests that steroids may be effective in some patients with plastic bronchitis.

Ductus arteriosus banding to regulate excessive pulmonary blood flow in a neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis and complex congenital heart disease, including pulmonary atresia and total anomalous pulmonary venous return: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with right isomerism have accompanying complex congenital heart disease, which is characterized by pulmonary atresia and total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Balanced regulation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation is essential for successful management, especially for cases complicated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-day-old male neonate with a single ventricle, pulmonary atresia, patent ductus arteriosus (DA), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return associated with right isomerism was admitted because of dyspnea, cyanosis, and melena. The patient presented circulatory incompetence due to excessive pulmonary blood flow, resulting in NEC. The patient underwent DA banding and colectomy following continuous intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E1 at six days. Subsequently, his condition improved, reaching a systemic oxygen saturation of around 80%. He underwent a bidirectional Glenn procedure and closure of colectomy at the ages of 5 and 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: DA banding can be an alternative to placing an aortopulmonary shunt, which is conventional in patients with ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation, because DA banding is feasible without cardiopulmonary bypass.