Comparison of clinical features and outcomes in COVID-19 and influenza pneumonia patients requiring intensive care unit admission.

BACKGROUND: Little is known in distinguishing clinical features and outcomes between coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and influenza (FLU). MATERIALS/METHODS: Retrospective, single-centre study including patients with COVID-19 or FLU pneumonia admitted to the Intensive care Unit (ICU) of Policlinico Umberto I (Rome). Aims were: (1) to assess clinical features and differences of patients with COVID-19 and FLU, (2) to identify clinical and/or laboratory factors associated with FLU or COVID-19 and (3) to evaluate 30-day mortality, bacterial superinfections, thrombotic events and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with FLU versus COVID-19. RESULTS: Overall, 74 patients were included (19, 25.7%, FLU and 55, 74.3%, COVID-19), median age 67 years (58-76). COVID-19 patients were more male (p = 0.013), with a lower percentage of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively) than FLU. SOFA score was higher (p = 0.020) and lymphocytes were significantly lower in FLU than in COVID-19 [395.5 vs 770.0 cells/mmc, p = 0.005]. At multivariable analysis, male sex (OR 6.1, p < 0.002), age > 65 years (OR 2.4, p = 0.024) and lymphocyte count > 725 cells/mmc at ICU admission (OR 5.1, p = 0.024) were significantly associated with COVID-19, whereas CKD and COPD were associated with FLU (OR 0.1 and OR 0.16, p = 0.020 and p < 0.001, respectively). No differences in mortality, bacterial superinfections and thrombotic events were observed, whereas IPA was mostly associated with FLU (31.5% vs 3.6%, p = 0.0029). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients, male sex, age > 65 years and lymphocytes > 725 cells/mmc are related to COVID-19. FLU is associated with a significantly higher risk of IPA than COVID-19.

Scedosporium apiospermum atrial mycetomas after lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis.

A 37-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis underwent double lung transplantation. She developed disseminated Scedosporium apiospermum infection 2 months after surgery. Along with multiple brain abscesses, lung infection, and chorioretinitis, a cardiac echo revealed 2 large intra-atrial mycetomas floating close to the right upper pulmonary vein orifice. The mycetomas were removed through a trans-atrial approach under cardiopulmonary by pass; histology and cultures confirmed the diagnosis. Despite intensive treatment, the patient succumbed from massive brain hemorrhage on the 10th postoperative day.

Primary nonfunction: timing retransplantation versus hemodynamic parameters and kidney function.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute liver failure (ALF) show an aggravated hyperdynamic circulation. We evaluated potential changes in systemic hemodynamics and improved kidney function induced by the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) in a group of patients with primary nonfunction (PNF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the intensive care unit we treated 18 patients with PNF (6 females and 12 males) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) of overall mean age 47.8 years (range, 28-60 years). Continuous MARS treatment was performed on all patients with a kit change every 8 hours during a mean of 10 days (range, 1-20 days). Double-lumen catheter type veno-venous access was used for the blood supply. The blood flow rate was 150 to 250 mL/min, depending on the hemodynamic situation of the patient. Blood passed through an albumin nonpermeable, high flux dialysis membrane. During MARS treatment we monitored the hemodynamic condition, using a series of parameters: heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) before (baseline value) as well as after 1 hour (T1), 3 hours (T2), and the end of treatment (T3). RESULTS: There was a progressive decrease in positive inotropic support (dobutamine, norepinephrine) and significant improvement in hemodynamic parameters, such as MAP (P< .01), PVRI/SVRI/V(mean) (P< .002), and KARI (P< .01). The improved kidney functions were shown by significant improvements in serum creatinine (P< .03), urea (P< .02), and urine volume (P< .005). Eleven patients were alive: 6 with OLT and 5 without OLT. Seven patients died: 4 after OLT and 3 before OLT due to multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: The MARS device significantly improved the hemodynamic parameters and kidney function that also determine patient survival in ALF (61.1%) with PNF while awaiting retransplantation presumably by removal of certain vasoactive substances.

Pediatric acute liver failure with molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) has been significantly improved by emergency orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Since 2004, the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has been proposed as a bridging procedure. The aim of our study was to assess its efficacy in children with PALF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1999 we performed treatment of 39 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) cases with MARS. Since September 2004 we treated 6 pediatric patients with FHF who were of mean age 10.6 years (range, 3-15 years) including 4 females and 2 males. In 3 cases the cause of FHF was unknown; in 2 cases, it was induced by paracetamol overdose; and in 1, by acute hepatitis B virus. Inclusion criteria were: bilirubin >15 mg/dL; creatinine >or=2 mg/dL; encephalopathy grade >II; and International normalized ratio (INR) >2.5. Other estimated parameters were: AST and ALT serum levels, lactate, and urine volume. Neurological status was monitored using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Continuous MARS treatment was performed in all patients with a kit change every 8 hours. Intensive care unit (ICU) treatment was applied to optimize regeneration and to prevent cardiovascular complications. RESULTS: We observed a significant improvement among levels of bilirubin (P< .009), ammonia (P< .005), creatinine (P< .02), GCS (P< .002), and predictive criteria and as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD). Three children underwent OLT: 1 died after 5 days due to primary nonfunction and 2 children are alive after a median follow-up of 14 months. In 2 children the MARS treatment led to resolution of clinical status without liver transplantation. One child died before OLT due to sepsis and multiorgan failure. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that application of the MARS liver support device in combination with experienced ICU management contributed to improve the clinical status in children with PALF awaiting liver transplantation.

Hemodynamic improvement as an additional parameter to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the molecular adsorbent recirculating system in liver failure patients.

BACKGROUND: The molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) is an extracorporeal acute liver failure (ALF) support system method using albumin-enriched dialysate to remove albumin-bound toxins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 1999 we performed 2027 MARS treatments in 191 patients: 39 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), 16 primary nonfunction (PNF), 21 delayed function (DF), 94 acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCHF), 7 post-hepatic resection, and 14 intractable pruritus. RESULTS: We divided the complications by the AoCHF versus the ALF populations. Among 83 ALF patients, we observed worsening of hemodynamic parameters in 16 patients: 3 with PNF, 2 with DF without retransplantation, 9 with FHF, and 2 after hepatic resection. Among 94 AoCHF patients, 42 showed hemodynamic instability requiring intensive care unit support. Our study did not note significant adverse effects (1.8%), except for infections and hemorrhage from the central venous catheter not due to MARS treatment. The thrombocytopenia was controlled through administration of platelets before the start of treatment when a patient showed a level under 30,000 mm(3). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that nonbiological hepatic support by MARS was safe and tolerable.

Activated recombinant factor VII in orthotopic liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is affected by important alterations of hemostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant factor VII activated (rFVIIa) to reduce intraoperative bleeding during OLT. METHODS: Twenty OLT patients were assigned in double-blind way to a rFVIIa group or a control group. Inclusion criteria were hemoglobin > 8 g/dL: INR > 1,5 and fibrinogen > 100 mg/dL. We administered a single bouls of rFVIIa (40 microg/kg) or placebo. We determined INR, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, ATIII, and blood cell counts. Blood products were administered as follows: 4 units of fresh frozen plasma when INR > 1.5, and 1 unit of RBC for Hb < 10 g/dL. The study ended 6 hours after the bolus. RESULTS: No thromboembolic events occurred. The INR was different between rFVIIa group and the controls at T0 (1.9 vs 1.6 P < .021) and during T1 (1.2 vs 1.6 P < .004). The total transfused red blood cells was 300 mL +/- 133 in rFVIIa group and 570 mL +/- 111 in control group (P < .017). The total fresh frozen plasma was 600 mL +/- 154 in rFVIIa group and 1400 mL +/- 187 in control group (P < .001). Total blood loss was greater in the control group than the rFVIIa group: 1140 mL +/- 112 vs 740 mL +/- 131 (P < .049). DISCUSSION: The use of rFVIIa during OLT can reduce the risk of bleeding during surgery. The literature has described cases who did not benefit from the treatment. An adequate cut-off of INR, allowed us to treat only patients at greater bleeding risk.

Fenoldopam and gastric tonometry during orthotopic liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous infusion of fenoldopam on splanchnic perfusion in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 40 patients of mean age 57+/-16 years who underwent (OLT). They were randomly divided into two double blinded groups; continuous fenoldopam (0.06 mcg/kg per minute) or placebo infusion. Hemodynamics, gastric tonometry, urine output, renal function parameters, and diuretics use were collected during selected phases of the surgery and postoperatively every 12 hours for 72 hours in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning hemodynamics, though in the fenoldopam group we observed increased splanchnic perfusion during the whole study period but particularly after arterial unclamping (pHi 7,31+/-0.04 vs 7.28+/-0.05; P < .05) and at 48 hours after surgery (pHi 7.49+/-0.15 vs 7.39+/-0.15; P < .05). Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen values were slightly higher in the placebo group, but this data did not reach statistical significance, while higher doses of furosemide were administered to the placebo group to maintain a urinary output over 200 mL/hour during the whole study. DISCUSSION: In this study we observed that continuous fenoldopam infusion (0.06 mg/kg per minute) improved splanchnic perfusion without affecting systemic pressure. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing OLT have altered splanchnic perfusion related to cirrhosis, surgical manipulation, and fluid shifts during and after surgery. The use of a splanchnic vasodilator drug improved outcomes in these patients.

Clinical effects of use polymyxin B fixed on fibers in liver transplant patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

UNLABELLED: Polymyxin B (PMX-B) is a polycationic antibiotic, known to bind the lipid A portion of endotoxin, a cell wall component exclusively found in gram-negative bacteria (GNB). An extracorporeal hemoperfusion device (TORAYMYXIN) has been developed: PMX is covalently bound to the surface of an insoluble carrier material to inactivate endotoxin in blood without exerting toxicity on the brain or the kidney. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column (DHP-PMX) among liver transplant patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. METHODS: From June 2004 to May 2005, 10 patients (6 men and 4 women) of overall mean age of 55 years (46-65 range) underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and developed severe sepsis or septic shock according to The Consensus Conference of American College Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria. GNB were detected in all treated patients who received conventional antibiotic therapy, vasopressor or inotropic agents, and ventilatory support. The DHP-PMX treatment was performed three times in each patient. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters and dosages of vasopressor or inotropic drugs were assessed at baseline and after each treatment. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred. From baseline to the third treatment the mean arterial pressure increased from 64 +/- 5 mm Hg to 89 +/- 4 mm Hg); while the dosages of dobutamine and norepinephrine were reduced: 6.4 to 1 mcg/kg/min and 1.3 to 0.001 mcg/kg per min, respectively. The PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio increased: 214 to 291 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: The use of DHP-PMX may be an important aid in patients with sepsis in association with conventional therapy.

Malignancies following lung transplantation.

During the last 2 decades, long-term survival after lung transplantation has significantly improved. However, among the complications related to the continuous administration of immunosuppressive drugs, malignancy plays an important role. We retrospectively revisited our series of patients to report our experience. From January 1991 we performed 134 lung transplantations in 128 recipients (mean age, 33.4 +/- 13.5 years). In all patients the first-line immunosuppressive regimen was based on a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus), an antimetabolic agent (azathioprine), and steroids. Five patients (4.2%) developed malignancy and the mean time of occurrence after the transplantation was 46.4+/-23 months. The mean age was 41 +/- 16 years (P = not significant [ns]). The tumors were as follows: laryngeal cancer (radiotherapy), colon cancer (surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy), gastric cancer (surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy), endobronchial non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (endoscopic resection plus chemoradiotherapy), and cutaneous and visceral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (chemotherapy). All patients have reduced the dose of immunosuppressive drugs; in 1 of them, tacrolimus was changed to rapamycin. Two patients died because of neoplastic dissemination, another 1 due to obliterans bronchiolitis. The 2 patients with NHL and KS are alive at 6 and 9 months, respectively, without signs of recurrence. Malignancies after lung transplantation represent an important problem. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to obtain satisfactory results in terms of improved quality of life and long-term survival.

Modifications of intracranial pressure after molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment in patients with acute liver failure: case reports.

UNLABELLED: Cerebral dysfunction may be fatal in patients with acute liver failure (ALF); intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring may be mandatory to direct measures to prevent further cerebral edema. Recently the introduction of dialysis with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has improved the outcomes among patients with ALF. The aim of this study was to evaluate ICP changes after MARS treatment among patients with ALF. METHODS: Three patients -- 14, 18 and 16 years old -- were admitted to the ICU for acute liver failure induced by HBV in two cases and by acetaminophen in the other one. Because of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) <8, they were intubated and ventilated to protect the airway and maintain moderate hypocapnia. Invasive monitoring of intracranial pressure MARS treatments were performed in all patients. RESULTS: The patients received MARS treatments every day after their admission to liver transplantation. After MARS therapy the ICP decreased on average from 21 to 7 mm Hg. Significant hemodynamic modifications were not observed and their neurological conditions improved. CONCLUSION: MARS treatment improved the clinical pictures of these patients increasing the available time to obtain an urgent liver graft.

Incidence of fungal infections in a solid organ recipients dedicated intensive care unit.

UNLABELLED: Invasive fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing solid organ transplantation. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of invasive fungal infections in solid organ recipients within a dedicated intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2002 to May 2005, 278 patients undergoing solid organ transplantation (105 liver, 142 kidney, 20 lung, 2 combined liver-kidney, 9 combined pancreas-kidney) were admitted to our posttransplant intensive care unit. We retrospectively analyzed data obtained from the ICU stay. Fungal infection was defined by positivity of normally sterile biological samples and by elevated positivity of normally non sterile biological samples. We did not consider superficial fungal infections and asymptomatic colonizations. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (16.5%) developed a fungal infection; at least one mycotic agent was isolated from each patient. Candida albicans was the most common pathogen, isolated from 71 % of infected patients (33 of 46). Infected patients showed a mortality rate of 35%, while that for non infected recipients was 3.5%. Total length of ICU stay was the most significant risk factor among infected patients (30.26 days vs 5.04 days P < .0001). Mean time between transplantation and first positive samples was 6.17 days (SD 8.88). CONCLUSION: Fungal infections in solid organ transplant patients are a major issue because of their associated morbidity and mortality. Candida albicans was the most common pathogen and total length of ICU stay was the most important risk factor.

Clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin-B immobilized column in solid organ transplanted patients with signs of severe sepsis and septic shock. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Polymyxin B (PMX-B) is a polycationic antibiotic, known to bind the lipid A portion of endotoxin, a cell wall component found exclusively in gram negative bacteria (GNB). An extracorporeal hemoperfusion device (TORAYMYXIN) has been developed: PMX is covalently bound on the surface of an insoluble carrier material so that the endotoxin can be inactivated in the blood without exerting its toxicity on the brain and kidney. The aim of this study was to clarify the efficacy, safety and clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin-B fiber column (DHP-PMX) in solid organ transplanted patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. METHODS: From June 2004 to May 2005, 15 patients (10 men and 5 women), mean age 55 years old (46-65 range), underwent kidney or liver transplantation and developed severe sepsis or septic shock, as defined by the Consensus Conference of American College Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria. GNB were detected in all the patients receiving conventional treatments including antibiotic therapy, vasopressive or inotropic agents, and ventilation support. The DHP-PMX treatment was performed three times in each patient. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, dosage of vasopressor/inotropic drugs were assessed at baseline and after each treatment. RESULTS: No adverse events occurred. From baseline to 3rd treatment, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was increased (from 63+/-5 to 83+/-4 mmHg), while the dosage of dobutamine (from 7.5+/-3 to 3+/-2 mcg/kg/min) and noradrenaline (from 1.3+/-0.45 to 0.05+/-0.02 mcg/kg/min) were reduced. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased (from 234+/-38.47 to 290+/-107.48 mmHg). CONCLUSION: The use of DHP-PMX in association with conventional therapy may be an important aid in patients with sepsis.

Preoperative anaemia does not affect the early postoperative outcome in patients with lung cancer.

AIM: Several prognostic factors like age, gender, histology, stage, type of operation, associated disorders and administration of induction therapy have been evaluated to assess the risk of postoperative complications and outcome in patients with resectable lung cancer. Anemia is a frequent condition in this subset of patients being estimated up to 50%. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative anemia on early outcome after lung cancer resection. METHODS: One-hundred thirty nine consecutive patients undergoing surgery for non small cell lung cancer were retrospectively considered. The mean age was 64.8+/-11.6 years. No patient received blood transfusions or administration of erythropoetin preoperatively. Overall, we performed 96 lobectomies, 14 pneumonectomies, 2 bilobectomies and 27 atypical resections. A subset of 27 patients (19.4%) (group I) had a preoperative value of Hb less than 12 g/dl (10.4+/-1.9 g/dL). Seven patients of them were stage IA (26%), 9 stage IB (33.3%), 2 stage IIA (7.4%), 6 stage IIB (22.2%), 2 stage IIIA (7.4%) and 1 stage IIIB (3.7%). Age, gender, stage, type of operation, induction chemotherapy, comorbidities were evaluated by univariate analysis comparing patients with and without preoperative anaemia. The two groups were homogenous regarding demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Three patients (11.1%) in group I and 2 (1.8%) in group II required blood transfusions after surgery (P=0.01); 4 of them received pneumonectomy (P<0.0001). The overall morbidity was 17.9% (25/139); the most frequent complication was persistent air leakage, followed by retention of secretions. No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups about early mortality (1 patient-3.7% in group I and 2 patients-1.8% in group II) and postoperative complications (5 patients-18.5% in group I and 20 patients-17.9% in group II). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anaemia is not a risk factor for an increased rate of postoperative complications and should not be considered a contraindication to surgery.

Extracorporeal circulation with low systemic heparinization during lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Some lung transplantation (LT) recipients suffer from pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction or failure requiring extracorporeal circulation (ECC) to avoid catastrophic complications during surgery. The extracorporeal support usually requires systemic heparinization which is potentially associated with important side effects. We performed eight LT using preheparinized ECC circuits and an oxygenator associated with a lower level of systemic heparinization without evidence of perioperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 2002 to May 2005, 8 patients (5 men and 3 women) of mean age 22.5 +/- 9.5 years underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation (BSLT) for cystic fibrosis (n = 6) or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 2). All procedures were performed with ECC through a femoro-femoral veno-arterial bypass with preheparinized circuits and an oxygenator. RESULTS: No intraoperative mortality occurred. The mean ECC time was 147.8 +/- 31.3 minutes and the mean heparin administered was 3525 +/- 969.16 UI. No coagulopathy or thrombotic events were observed perioperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the efficacy and safety of prehepanized circuits and oxygenator for femoro-femoral veno-arterial bypass during LT for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension requiring ECC.

Adacolumn Granulocyte-Apheresis for Alcoholic Hepatitis: Preliminary Study.

INTRODUCTION: Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is an acute-on-chronic inflammatory response affecting the liver. It has been recognized that white blood cells (WBCs) are involved in the pathogenesis and in the prognosis of AH. The aim of study was to use Adacolumn, which can selectively adsorb myeloid linage leucocytes (granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages) from the blood in the column and improve the clinical status of patients. MATERIALS: Six patients with a diagnosis of AH were treated with Adacolumn granulocyte-apheresis therapy. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients not responders to corticosteroids therapy with Maddrey Discriminant Function (MDF) >32 and MELD score 20-26. The patients underwent five 1-hour sessions for 5 consecutive days with a follow-up at 28 days. The column was placed in an extracorporeal setting with a perfusion rate of 30 mL/min and a duration of 60 minutes. Liver parameters, WBC count, proinflammatory cytokines, coagulation, and predictive scores were valued before and after the cycle of apheresis treatment. RESULTS: After 5 days, the findings showed a significant improvement of WBC count (P < .014) and cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 (P < .019), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (P < .02), and IL-8 (P < .029). The results probably determined a reduction of aspartate transaminase (AST; P < .02) and alanine transaminase (ALT; P < .011), although we did not observe a significant improve in bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT), and Maddrey score. The improvement of MELD score, depending on an improvement of international normalized ratio for administration of plasma, was not considered. At day 28 of follow-up, PT, IL-6, TNFα, AST and ALT results significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The Adacolumn apheresis was safe and was able to determine an improvement of clinical status of patients with reduction of inflammatory markers. More patients are needed to validate these results.

One hundred sixteen cases of acute liver failure treated with MARS.

The various definitions of acute liver failure do not accurately reflect the differences in clinical signs and prognosis. Liver support devices to improve the clinical condition before liver transplantation (LT) were used in 13 patients with primary nonfunction, 24 with fulminant hepatitis, 17 were affected by delayed nonfunction, and 56 of acute on chronic hepatic failure. The average age of these patients was 41.8 years. The average number of applications of molecular absorbing recirculating system (MARS) was about 6 (range: 1-24). The mean length of application was about 9 hours (range: 8-20). MARS treatment was carried out in HLF patients with continuous acute-on-chronic hepatic failure dialisate flow similar to continuous veno venus hemofiltration (CVVH), albumin flow < 20% of hematic flow, heparin 5/10 UI/kg. In acute on chronic hepatic failure (AoCHF) patients, 6- to 11-hour (average 8.5) treatments were performed for a minimum of three treatments. The majority of patients were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Laboratory results were also monitored and showed progressive modification: bilirubin (before treatment 22.37 +/- 11.6 mg/dL, after treatment 11.36 +/- 7.5 mg/dL) and ammonium (before treatment 238.2 +/- 19 microg/dL, after treatment 115.4 +/- 12 microg/dL) showed significant change (P < .01). Lactates (before treatment 3.48 +/- 1.3 mmol/L, after treatment 1.76 +/- 1.1 mmol/L) and creatinine (before treatment 2.36 +/- 0.18 mg/dL, after treatment 1.26 +/- 0.67 mg/dL) also showed significant changes (P < .02 and P < .04). Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) went from 8.6 +/- 1.4 to 11.9 +/- 3.9 (P < .05). The mean middle cerebral artery flow (V media) went from 46 cm/s/26-59) to 73 cm/s (52-106) representing decreased cerebral edema, a difference that was not significant. INR scores (before treatment 2.4 after treatment 1.8) also showed no significant change. The MARS can be applied with tolerability for long periods for patients with PDF and FH as a bridge to transplant. In patients with PDF, it is used for a waiting recovery of the transplanted organ. Therefore MARS can also limit the necessity to perform further transplants.

Non-invasive pressure support ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure after bilateral lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate non-invasive ventilation (NIV) prospectively in a group of patients developing acute respiratory failure (ARF) after bilateral lung transplantation (BLT). SETTING: General intensive care unit (ICU) of Rome "La Sapienza" University. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients (18 with cystic fibrosis) undergoing BLT. RESULTS: All consecutive patients developing ARF (according to predefined criteria) and requiring ventilatory support, received non-invasive pressure support ventilation through a face-mask (PEEP 5 cmH2O, PSV 14+/-2 cmH2O) for a mean period of 5+/-4 days. Eighteen out of 21 patients avoided intubation and were discharged from the ICU; 3 patients required intubation: 1 of them survived while 2 developed septic shock and died. CONCLUSIONS: NIV administration was well tolerated and avoided intubation in the large majority of patients (86%); in NIV responders the rate of complications was low and ICU mortality nil. NIV should be considered as an interesting alternative to conventional ventilation in patients who require ventilatory support after BLT.

Inhaled nitric oxide in patients with cystic fibrosis during preoperative evaluation and during anaesthesia for lung transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been recently used as pulmonary vasodilator without any systemic effects because of a rapid inactivation by haemoglobin. We studied haemodynamic and oxygenation effects during iNO administration in cystic fibrotic patients during preoperative evaluation and during anaesthesia for lung transplantation. METHODS: From March 1996 to November 1997, 35 patients received iNO (40 ppm) during preoperative evaluation in spontaneously breathing. 13 patients, who underwent double lung transplantation, received iNO (40 ppm) during the surgical procedures, after pulmonary artery clamping. RESULTS: In the preoperative evaluation a significant decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index and intrapulmonary shunt, with an increase of PaO2/FiO2, were observed during iNO administration, compared to baseline in 100% O2. During lung transplantation a significant decrease in intrapulmonary shunt was noted. All the transplants were successfully performed without cardio-pulmonary bypass. In all procedures, after iNO administration, we observed no modification of systemic haemodynamics. In conclusion, our study confirms the pulmonary effects of iNO without any systemic effects in patients affected by cystic fibrosis during preoperative evaluation and during anaesthesia for lung transplantation.

Anaesthesia for liver transplantation in cystic fibrosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease caused by an inherited genetic defect. While pulmonary and pancreatic abnormalities predominate the clinical spectrum, other organ involvement is common, including liver. The severity of liver disease does not appear to be related to the severity of exocrine pancreatic or lung function. We discuss anaesthesia in four CF patients undergoing liver transplantation. METHODS: We studied haemodynamic and oxygenation modifications during anaesthesia in four patients affected by CF with end-stage liver disease and mild to moderate pulmonary abnormalities. The patients received pancreatic enzyme prior to transplantation and two had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. All patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. After a waiting time ranging one week to three months, all patients were successfully transplanted. General anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl, thiopental and pancuronium, and maintained with isoflurane supplemented by fentanyl in O2:air. Haemodynamic and oxygenation evaluations were made during the main phases of the transplant. After the intubation and at the end of the procedure all patients received a broncho-alveolar toilet through fiberoptic bronchoscopy. RESULTS: During anaesthesia for liver transplantation, PaO2 increased proportionally to the decreasing of Qs/Qt. In postoperative follow-up, Fev1 and FVC improved from preoperative time in all patients. In conclusion, even if cystic fibrosis is a multisystem disease, liver transplantation can be offered to CF patients with endstage liver disease and mild to moderate pulmonary function abnormalities. The four patients are still alive, enjoying good health. The improved respiratory function and quality of life of these children is remarkable.

[Congenital duplication of the gallbladder. A rare case of a trabecular gallbladder]. / Duplicazione congenita della colecisti. Un raro caso di colecisti trabecolare.

Duplication of the gallbladder is a congenital anomaly of rare preoperative diagnostic finding, which could be present in an asymptomatic or symptomatic form. The authors report a case of double gallbladder, which becomes clinically manifest through repeated biliary colics. The preoperative diagnostic procedures did not reveal the malformation, but only the presence of lithiasis in one of the gallbladders, in the common bile duct and, for an anomalous insertion of the cystic duct, a suspect cancer of the distal choledochus.