Cefazolin tissue concentrations with a prophylactic dose administered before sleeve gastrectomy in obese patients: a single centre study in 116 patients.

BACKGROUND: In obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, the blood and fatty-tissue concentrations of cefazolin required for adequate antibiotic prophylaxis are uncertain. METHODS: This was a single centre prospective study in obese (Group A: 40≤ BMI ≤50 kg m-2) and severely obese (Group B: 50< BMI ≤65 kg m-2) patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Blood and fatty-tissue samples were collected after a cefazolin 4 g i.v. injection. The primary aim was to compare cefazolin concentrations in subcutaneous fatty tissue with a targeted tissue concentration of 4 µg g-1 according to Staphylococcus aureus resistance breakpoint. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen patients were included: 79 in Group A and 37 in Group B. At the beginning of the surgery, cefazolin concentration in subcutaneous fatty tissue was 12.2 (5.4) µg g-1 in Group A and 12 (6.1) µg g-1 in Group B (P=0.7). At the end, cefazolin concentrations in subcutaneous fatty tissue were 9.0 (4.9) and 7.8 (4.2) µg g-1 in Groups A and B, respectively (P=0.2). The plasma concentration of free cefazolin during surgery was higher in Group A than in Group B (P<0.0001). Fatty-tissue concentrations of 95% and 83% patients in Groups A and B, respectively, were above S. aureus resistance breakpoint. CONCLUSIONS: After a 4 g dose, the concentrations of cefazolin in fatty tissue were above the 4 µg g-1 tissue concentration target, providing adequate antibiotic tissue concentrations during bariatric surgery. As cefazolin concentration in fatty tissue is a surrogate endpoint, the results should be considered in conjunction with the results on free cefazolin concentrations in subcutaneous tissue. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01537380.

Blood pressure monitoring during arrhythmia: agreement between automated brachial cuff and intra-arterial measurements.

BACKGROUND: Since arrhythmia induces irregular pulse waves, it is widely considered to cause flawed oscillometric brachial cuff measurements of blood pressure (BP). However, strong data are lacking. We assessed whether the agreement of oscillometric measurements with intra-arterial measurements is worse during arrhythmia than during regular rhythm. METHODS: Among patients of three intensive care units (ICUs), a prospective comparison of three pairs of intra-arterial and oscillometric BP readings was performed among patients with arrhythmia and an arterial line already present. After each inclusion in the arrhythmia group, one patient with regular rhythm was included as a control. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard validation required a mean bias <5 (sd 8) mm Hg. RESULTS: In 135 patients with arrhythmia, the agreement between oscillometric and intra-arterial measurements of systolic, diastolic and mean BP was similar to that observed in 136 patients with regular rhythm: for mean BP, similar mean bias [-0.1 (sd 5.2) and 1.9 (sd 5.9) mm Hg]. In both groups, the ISO standard was satisfied for mean and diastolic BP, but not for systolic BP (sd >10 mm Hg) in our ICU population. The ability of oscillometry to detect hypotension (systolic BP <90 mm Hg or mean BP <65 mm Hg), response to therapy (>10% increase in mean BP after cardiovascular intervention) and hypertension (systolic BP >140 mm Hg) was good and similar during arrhythmia and regular rhythm (respective areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranging from 0.89 to 0.96, arrhythmia vs regular rhythm between-group comparisons all associated with P>0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to widespread belief, arrhythmia did not cause flawed automated brachial cuff measurements.

Risk factors and pathogens involved in early ventilator-acquired pneumonia in patients with severe subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) is a common burden in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but, to date, specific data are not available in patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A single neuro-ICU retrospective analysis of 193 patients with SAH requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥48 h admitted from January 2005 to May 2010 was undertaken. The diagnosis of early VAP was prospectively upheld during a multidisciplinary staff meeting, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2005 guidelines with a threshold of 7 days after the onset of MV. Patients had a median age of 53 (44-62) years and 70 (36 %) were male. The median Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score before MV was 9 (5-14). 142 (74 %) patients had a World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WFNS) score ≥III. Aneurysm was secured with an endovascular coiling procedure in 162 (84 %) patients. 81 (48.7 %) patients declared an early VAP. On multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, 95 % confidence interval [CI] [1.14-4.46]), use of mannitol before day 7 (OR 3.03, 95 % CI [1.54-5.95]), and achieving enteral nutrition ≥20 kcal kg(-1) day(-1) after day 7 (OR 2.91, 95 % CI [1.27-6.67]) remained independent risk factors of VAP. The main pathogens involved were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (34.9 %), Haemophilus influenzae (28.1 %), Streptococcus pneumoniae (15.5 %), and Enterobacteriaceae (10.7 %). Early VAP was associated with a longer duration of MV and ICU stay, but not with an excess of mortality. Early VAP bears significant morbidity in patients with severe SAH. Pathogens involved in early VAP are susceptible to antibiotics. Among modifiable risk factors of VAP, early enteral nutrition could be an easy and effective target.

Long-term survival of traumatic brain injury and intra-cerebral haemorrhage patients: A multicentric observational cohort.

PURPOSE: Mortality is often assessed during ICU stay and early after, but rarely at later stage. We aimed to compare the long-term mortality between TBI and ICH patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From an observational cohort, we studied 580 TBI patients and 435 ICH patients, admitted from January 2013 to February 2021 in 3 ICUs and alive at 7-days post-ICU discharge. We performed a Lasso-penalized Cox survival analysis. RESULTS: We estimated 7-year survival rates at 72.8% (95%CI from 67.3% to 78.7%) for ICH patients and at 84.9% (95%CI from 80.9% to 89.1%) for TBI patients: ICH patients presenting a higher mortality risk than TBI patients. Additionally, we identified variables associated with higher mortality risk (age, ICU length of stay, tracheostomy, low GCS, absence of intracranial pressure monitoring). We also observed anisocoria related with the mortality risk in the early stage after ICU stay. CONCLUSIONS: In this ICU survivor population with a prolonged follow-up, we highlight an acute risk of death after ICU stay, which seems to last longer in ICH patients. Several variables characteristic of disease severity appeared associated with long-term mortality, raising the hypothesis that the most severe patients deserve closer follow-up after ICU stay.

[Cough syncope caused by a possible Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia]. / Ictus laryngé au cours d'une possible pneumopathie à Chlamydia pneumoniae.

We report the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with coughing fits followed by sinus pauses and syncope. Cardiac and neurological diagnostic work-up was negative and the patient was considered to have cough syncope. As this occurred within the context of febrile pneumonia, an infectious disease was suspected but diagnostic work-up only revealed an increase of antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae. The responsibility of this agent is discussed. Clinical recovery was obtained with the prescription of antitussive medication.

[Institutional accreditation: general observations and local specificities]. / Accreditamento istituzionale: riflessioni generali e specificita' locali.

The article describes the nature and development of the institutional accreditation process in Italy, with reference to the law in force. This process is an administrative act whose objective is the selection of providers for the National Health Service to ensure quality control and to support quality improvement. The general approach adopted by the Italian region of Emilia Romagna to assess health care facilities is also described. Moreover, the article identifies the role of clinicians and the methods adopted to define the appropriate criteria for specialised contexts.

[Epidemiology of cerebral perioperative vascular accidents]. / Épidémiologie des accidents vasculaires cérébraux périopératoires.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke is a well-described postoperative complication, after carotid and cardiac surgery. On the contrary, few studies are available concerning postoperative stroke in general non-cardiac non-carotid surgery. The high morbid-mortality of stroke justifies an extended analysis of recent literature. ARTICLE TYPE: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Firstly, Medline and Ovid databases using combination of stroke, cardiac surgery, carotid surgery, general non-cardiac non-carotid surgery as keywords; secondly, national and European epidemiologic databases; thirdly, expert and French health agency recommendations; lastly, reference book chapters. RESULTS: In cardiac surgery, with an incidence varying from 1.2 to 10% according to procedure complexity, stroke occurs peroperatively in 50% of cases and during the first 48 postoperative hours for the others. The incidence of stroke after carotid surgery is 1 to 20% according to the technique used as well as operator skills. Postoperative stroke is a rare (0.15% as mean, extremes around 0.02 to 1%) complication in general surgery, it occurs generally after the 24-48th postoperative hours, exceptional peroperatively, and 40% of them occurring in the first postoperative week. It concerned mainly aged patient in high-risk surgeries (hip fracture, vascular surgery). Postoperative stroke was associated to an increase in perioperative mortality in comparison to non-postoperative stroke operated patients. CONCLUSION: Postoperative stroke is a quality marker of the surgical teams' skill and has specific onset time and induces an increase of postoperative mortality.

[Argatroban, a new antithrombotic treatment for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia application in cardiac surgery and in intensive care]. / L'argatroban, nouvel antithrombotique pour la thrombopénie induite par l'héparine en chirurgie cardiaque de l'adulte: utilisation en chirurgie cardiaque et en réanimation.

OBJECTIVES: Although heparin-induced thrombocytopemia (HIT) is uncommon, its thromboembolic complications are potentially life-threatening. The low-molecular weight heparins are less responsible of HIT than unfractionated heparin (UFH) but this latter is still indicated in some circumstances such as cardiac surgery. Argatroban, a selective thrombin inhibitor, recently available, has been indicated in HIT treatment. This review presents the main pharmacological characteristics, its indications and uses in the context of cardiac surgery and in intensive care medicine. METHODS: Review of the literature in Medline database over the past 15 years using the following keywords: argatroban, cardiac surgery, circulatory assistance, cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Despite its short-acting pharmacokinetic, argatroban cannot be recommended during cardiopulmonary bypass. On the contrary, argatroban is indicated in many circumstances in postoperative period of various cardiac surgeries (on-pump, off-pump, circulatory assistance). Nevertheless, after cardiac surgery, doses have to be adapted according to coagulation laboratory testing (ACT), particularly in patients presenting acute organ failure (kidney injury, heart failure, liver failure). This compound has no antagonist and is excluded during severe hepatic failure. The continuous intravenous administration is a drawback. CONCLUSION: Argatroban is a new direct competitive thrombin inhibitor well evaluated as treatment of HIT after cardiac surgery. In HIT management, argatroban is an interesting alternative to lepirudin that is not anymore available and danaparoid because of supply disturbances.

Ammonia plasma concentration and prolonged infusion of remifentanil in patients with acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Glycine is an excipient of remifentanil and may induce side effects. To investigate glycine and ammonia concentration with the use of remifentanil in Intensive Care Unit patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) defined by a decrease in creatinine clearance above 50%. METHODS: Prospective open-label cohort study in three surgical Intensive Care Units. Thirty-three patients with AKI and requiring sedation for at least 72 hours. Sedation with remifentanil and midazolam or propofol was adapted every six hours according to ATICE. Glycine and ammonia plasma concentrations were measured at H0 (start of infusion) and every 12 hours during a continuous intravenous 72 hours remifentanil infusion, and 24 hours after the end of the infusion. Clinical and biological glycine or ammonia toxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen patients required continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Glycine and ammonia plasma concentrations exceeded the normal value respectively for 11 (33%) and 15 (45%) patients before remifentanil infusion (H0). Accumulation of glycine or ammonia was observed neither for patients with or without CVVHDF. For patients without CVVHDF, the plasma ammonia concentration at the end of remifentanil infusion was significantly correlated with the creatinine clearance at H72 (P=0.03) and with the mean rate of remifentanil infusion (P=0.002). No side effect was reported. CONCLUSION: Remifentanil was not associated with an accumulation of glycine or ammonia in patients with AKI. Plasma ammonia concentration was correlated with the mean rate of remifentanil and creatinine clearance. A 72-hours remifentanil infusion appeared safe for sedation of patients with AKI.

Operative care and surveillance in severe trauma patients. Interference between resuscitation treatments and anaesthesiology, and consequence on immunity.

Major trauma remains a worldwide cause of morbi-mortality. Early mortality is the consequence of hemorrhagic shock and traumatic brain injury. During early resuscitation, anaesthesia is often mandatory to perform surgery. It is mandatory to master the hemodynamic effects of hypnotic drugs in order to anticipate their potential deleterious effects in the setting of hemorrhagic shock. After early resuscitation, trauma patients present a high prevalence of nosocomial pneumonia, which sustains major morbidity. Nosocomial pneumonia are the consequence of an overwhelming systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) as well as a trauma-related immunosuppression. The administration of hemisuccinate of hydrocortisone modulates the SIRS and reduces the risk of nosocomial pneumonia as well as the length of mechanical ventilation. Finally in the operating theatre, fighting against hypothermia and un-anatomical positions, which can aggravate rhabdomyolysis, are both mandatory.

[Perioperative adverse events related to antidepressive agents use]. / Complications liées à l'utilisation périopératoire des médicaments antidépresseurs.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is the most common psychiatric disease, which is treated by the use of antidepressive agents possessing various mechanisms of action. Thus, the use in preoperative period of antidepressive agents is frequent (7% of patients scheduled for surgery). The objective of this review was to update the knowledge on the drug interactions between antidepressive agents and drugs used in perioperative period. METHODS: (i) Medline and Ovid databases using combination of antidepressive agent and perioperative period as keywords; (ii) national and European epidemiologic database; (iii) expert recommendation and official French health agency; (iv) reference book chapters. RESULTS: The clinical practice showed a limited risk of adverse event related to antidepressant agents interaction with perioperative used drugs. In the two past decades, few relevant observations of adverse event related with imipramine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors use was reported. The most recent antidepressive agents had no serious adverse interaction. Nevertheless, the serotonin syndrome has to be known as far as it is more and more reported. In case of hypotension, the use of vasopressive agent has to be careful because of excessive response.