Flipped Classroom: Improved team performance during resuscitation training through interactive pre-course content - a cluster-randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitation is a team effort, and it is increasingly acknowledged that team cooperation requires training. Staff shortages in many healthcare systems worldwide, as well as recent pandemic restrictions, limit opportunities for collaborative team training. To address this challenge, a learner-centred approach known as flipped learning has been successfully implemented. This model comprises self-directed, asynchronous pre-course learning, followed by knowledge application and skill training during in-class sessions. The existing evidence supports the effectiveness of this approach for the acquisition of cognitive skills, but it is uncertain whether the flipped classroom model is suitable for the acquisition of team skills. The objective of this study was to determine if a flipped classroom approach, with an online workshop prior to an instructor-led course could improve team performance and key resuscitation variables during classroom training. METHODS: A single-centre, cluster-randomised, rater-blinded study was conducted on 114 final year medical students at a University Hospital in Germany. The study randomly assigned students to either the intervention or control group using a computer script. Each team, regardless of group, performed two advanced life support (ALS) scenarios on a simulator. The two groups differed in the order in which they completed the flipped e-learning curriculum. The intervention group started with the e-learning component, and the control group started with an ALS scenario. Simulators were used for recording and analysing resuscitation performance indicators, while professionals assessed team performance as a primary outcome. RESULTS: The analysis was conducted on the data of 96 participants in 21 teams, comprising of 11 intervention groups and 10 control groups. The intervention teams achieved higher team performance ratings during the first scenario compared to the control teams (Estimated marginal mean of global rating: 7.5 vs 5.6, p < 0.01; performance score: 4.4 vs 3.8, p < 0.05; global score: 4.4 vs 3.7, p < 0.001). However, these differences were not observed in the second scenario, where both study groups had used the e-learning tool. CONCLUSION: Flipped classroom approaches using learner-paced e-learning prior to hands-on training can improve team performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00013096 ).

Adjusting Acute Kidney Injury Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Urine Output Criterion for Predicted Body Weight Improves Prediction of Hospital Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definitions, urine output, serum creatinine, and need for kidney replacement therapy are used for staging acute kidney injury (AKI). Currently, AKI staging correlates strongly with mortality and can be used as a predictive tool. However, factors associated with the development of AKI may affect its predictive ability. We tested whether adjustment for predicted (versus actual) body weight improved the ability of AKI staging to predict hospital mortality. METHODS: A total of 3279 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery in a university hospital were retrospectively analyzed. AKI was staged according to KDIGO criteria (standard staging) and after adjustment for hourly urine output adjusted by predicted body weight for each patient and each day of their hospital stay. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI (all stages) was 43% (predicted body weight adjusted) and 50% (standard staging), respectively ( P < .001). In sensitivity-specificity analyses for predicting hospital mortality, the area under the curve was significantly higher after adjustment for predicted body weight than with standard staging ( P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to standard staging, adjustment of urine output for predicted body weight increases the specificity and improves prediction of hospital mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

A model of porcine polymicrobial septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Mortality of patients with sepsis is high and largely unchanged throughout the past decades. Animal models have been widely used for the study of sepsis and septic shock, but translation into effective treatment regimes in the clinic have mostly failed. Pigs are considered as suitable research models for human diseases due to their high comparability and similarity to human anatomy, genetics, and the immune system. We here evaluated the previously reported models of septic shock in pigs and established a novel model of polymicrobial sepsis that meets the clinical criteria of septic shock in pigs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature search was performed using the keywords "pig", "sepsis" and "septic shock". For the establishment of septic shock in n = 10 German landrace pigs, mechanical ventilation was initiated, central venous and arterial lines and invasive hemodynamic monitoring via pulse contour cardiac output measurement (PiCCO) established. Peritoneal polymicrobial faecal sepsis was induced by application of 3 g/kg body weight faeces into the abdominal cavity. Septic shock was defined according to the third international consensus definitions (Sepsis-3). Upon shock, pigs underwent the 1-h bundle for the treatment of human sepsis. Cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Published porcine sepsis models exhibited high methodological variability and did not meet the clinical criteria of septic shock. In our model, septic shock developed after an average of 4.8 ± 0.29 h and was associated with a reproducible drop in blood pressure (mean arterial pressure 54 ± 1 mmHg) and significant hyperlactatemia (3.76 ± 0.65 mmol/L). Septic shock was associated with elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL6) and initial cardiac depression followed by a hyperdynamic phase with significant loss of systemic vascular resistance index after initial resuscitation. In addition, organ dysfunction (acute kidney injury) occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We here established a model of septic shock in pigs that meets the clinical criteria of septic shock utilized in human patients. Our model may thus serve as a reference for clinically relevant sepsis research in pigs.

Population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in patients with external ventricular drain-associated ventriculitis.

BACKGROUND: To determine the distribution of vancomycin into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with external ventricular drain (EVD)-associated ventriculitis, the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were evaluated and covariate relationships explored. METHODS: For the population pharmacokinetic model patients were recruited in a neurocritical care unit at the University Hospital of Muenster in the period between January 2014 and June 2015. All patients had a clinical evidence of EVD-associated ventriculitis. Population pharmacokinetic analysis of vancomycin was performed using NONMEM. RESULTS: A total of 184 blood and 133 CSF samples were collected from 29 patients. The final population pharmacokinetic model is a three-compartment model with linear elimination. Creatinine clearance (ClCr ) and CSF-lactate were detected as significant covariates, showing that the total vancomycin plasma clearance (Cl) depends on ClCr and furthermore the clearance (Cldif ) between the central and CSF compartment correlates with CSF lactate concentration. Based on the final model, the following values were estimated by NONMEM: Cl = 5.15 L/h, Q (intercompartmental clearance) = 3.31 L/h, Cldif  = 0.0031 L/h, Vcentral  = 42.1 L, VCSF  = 0.32 L and the value of Vperipheral was fixed to 86.2 L. With the developed pharmacokinetic model, area under the curve (AUC) values as well as CSF trough levels were simulated. CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis, the dosing of vancomycin should be referred to the degree of inflammation (derived from the CSF lactate concentration) and renal function (derived from ClCr ).

Long term follow-up of a simplified and less burdened pancreatic duct ligation model of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in Goettingen Minipigs.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic duct ligation in a minipig model leads to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This allows the study of digestive processes and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies. However, detailed descriptions of the surgical procedure, perioperative management, a determination of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are scarce in the literature. Data of the long-term health status of minipigs upon EPI induction are still not available. Therefore, the present study describes in detail an experimental approach to the induction of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency via pancreatic duct ligation in minipigs and the long term follow up of the animal's health state. METHODS: 14 Goettingen minipigs underwent pancreatic duct ligation via midline laparotomy for the induction of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Fecal fat content, fat absorption, chymotrypsin levels, body weight and blood vitamin and glucose levels were determined. RESULTS: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was successfully induced in 12 Goettingen minipigs. Two minipigs failed to develop exocrine insufficiency most likely due to undetected accessory pancreatic ducts. All animals tolerated the procedure very well and gained weight within 8 weeks after surgery without requiring pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. The follow up for approx. 180 weeks showed a stable body weight and health state of the animals with normal blood glucose levels (Table 1). From approx. 130 weeks post pancreatic duct ligation, all animals were supplemented with pancreatic enzymes and vitamins resulting in blood concentrations almost within the reference range. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic duct ligation in minipigs is an excellent method of inducing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It is important to identify and ligate accessory pancreatic ducts since persistence of accessory ducts will lead to maintenance of exocrine pancreatic function. The EPI model caused no persistent side effects in the animals and has the potential to be used in long-term EPI studies with up to 100 weeks post-OP without supplementation with enzymes and vitamins.

Author Correction: Optical coherence tomography angiography as a novel approach to contactless evaluation of sublingual microcirculation: A proof of principle study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Optical coherence tomography angiography as a novel approach to contactless evaluation of sublingual microcirculation: A proof of principle study.

Microcirculatory disorders are crucial in pathophysiology of organ dysfunction in critical illness. Evaluation of sublingual microcirculation is not routinely conducted in daily practice due to time-consuming analysis and susceptibility to artifacts. We investigated the suitability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for contactless evaluation of sublingual microcirculation. Sublingual microcirculation was imaged in 10 healthy volunteers, using an OCTA device and an incident dark field (IDF) illumination microscopy (current gold standard). OCTA images were analyzed with regard to flow density and perfused vessel density (PVDbyOCTA). IDF videos were analyzed following current recommendations. Flow density was automatically extracted from OCTA images (whole en face 48.9% [43.2; 54.5]; central ring 52.6% [43.6; 60.6]). PVDbyOCTA did not differ from the PVD calculated from IDF videos (PVDbyOCTA 18.6 mm/mm² [18.0; 21.7]) vs. PVDbyIDF 21.0 mm/mm² [17.5; 22.9]; p = 0.430). Analysis according to Bland-Altman revealed a mean bias of 0.95 mm/mm² (95% Confidence interval -1.34 to 3.25) between PVDbyOCTA and PVDbyIDF with limits of agreement of -5.34 to 7.24 mm/mm². This study is the first to demonstrate the suitability of OCTA for evaluating sublingual microcirculation. Comparison of the perfused vessel density between methods showed a plausible level of agreement.

Resuscitation with Hydroxyethyl Starch Maintains Hemodynamic Coherence in Ovine Hemorrhagic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Fluid resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock aims to restore hemodynamics and repair altered microcirculation. Hemodynamic coherence is the concordant performance of macro- and microcirculation. The present study on fluid therapy in hemorrhagic shock hypothesized that the choice of fluid (0.9% sodium chloride [saline group] or balanced 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 [hydroxyethyl starch group]) impacts on hemodynamic coherence. METHODS: After instrumentation, 10 sheep were bled up to 30 ml/kg body weight of blood stopping at a mean arterial pressure of 30 mmHg to establish hemorrhagic shock. To reestablish baseline mean arterial pressure, they received either saline or hydroxyethyl starch (each n = 5). Hemodynamic coherence was assessed by comparison of changes in mean arterial pressure and both perfused vessel density and microvascular flow index. RESULTS: Bleeding of 23 ml/kg blood [21; 30] (median [25th; 75th percentile]) in the saline group and 24 ml/kg [22; 25] (P = 0.916) in the hydroxyethyl starch group led to hemorrhagic shock. Fluid resuscitation reestablished baseline mean arterial pressure in all sheep of the hydroxyethyl starch group and in one sheep of the saline group. In the saline group 4,980 ml [3,312; 5,700] and in the hydroxyethyl starch group 610 ml [489; 615] of fluid were needed (P = 0.009). In hemorrhagic shock perfused vessel density (saline from 100% to 83% [49; 86]; hydroxyethyl starch from 100% to 74% [61; 80]) and microvascular flow index (saline from 3.1 [2.5; 3.3] to 2.0 [1.6; 2.3]; hydroxyethyl starch from 2.9 [2.9; 3.1] to 2.5 [2.3; 2.7]) decreased in both groups. After resuscitation both variables improved in the hydroxyethyl starch group (perfused vessel density: 125% [120; 147]; microvascular flow index: 3.4 [3.2; 3.5]), whereas in the saline group perfused vessel density further decreased (64% [62; 79]) and microvascular flow index increased less than in the hydroxyethyl starch group (2.7 [2.4; 2.8]; both P < 0.001 for saline vs. hydroxyethyl starch). CONCLUSIONS: Resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch maintained coherence in hemorrhagic shock. In contrast, saline only improved macro- but not microcirculation. Hemodynamic coherence might be influenced by the choice of resuscitation fluid.

[Optical coherence tomography angiography in intensive care medicine : A new field of application?] / Optische Kohärenztomographie-Angiographie in der Intensivmedizin : Ein neues Einsatzgebiet?

BACKGROUND: Many critically ill patients show a disturbance of the microcirculation, which is not yet regularly examined in the clinical routine; however, for treatment decisions and estimation of the prognosis it would be important to obtain detailed information about the microcirculation in critically ill patients. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive, contact-free technique, which enables visualization of the blood flow in the retinal microcirculation within a few seconds. Therefore, it may have the potential to diagnose microcirculation disorders in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to assess the importance of the microcirculation in intensive care medicine, a comparison of the methods of video microscopy and OCTA and analysis of preclinical and clinical data on the use of OCTA in intensive care medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A selective literature review and data analysis were carried out. RESULTS: A direct visualization of the microcirculation has been possible for many years with the technique of video microscopy but this has not become established in the clinical routine due to the susceptibility to interferences and a time-consuming manual analysis. The OCTA is a non-invasive and contact-free method for the visualization of retinal blood flow. First preclinical data in septic and hemorrhagic shock show good results of OCTA for analysis of the microcirculation. CONCLUSION: The non-invasive technique of OCTA is a promising measurement method to enable bedside analysis of the microcirculation in critically ill paients in the future; however, some technical limitations must still be overcome.

Differential Effects of Selective and Nonselective Potassium Channel Inhibitors in Ovine Endotoxemic Shock (Macrocirculation) and in a Rat Model of Septic Shock (Microcirculation).

BACKGROUND: Potassium-(K)-channel inhibitors may increase systemic vascular resistance in vasodilatory shock states. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the macro- and microvascular effects of the adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K-channel-(KATP)-inhibitor glipizide and the nonselective K-channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA) in ovine endotoxemic shock and septic shock in rats. DESIGN: Two randomized, controlled laboratory studies. ANIMALS: Thirty female sheep and 40 male Sprague Dawley rats. SETTING: Animal research facility INTERVENTION:: Systemic hemodynamics were analyzed in ovine endotoxemic shock with guideline-oriented supportive therapy. Sheep were allocated to three treatment groups for 12 h: glipizide 10 mg kg·h, TEA 8 mg kg·h, or 0.9% saline. The microvascular effects of each drug were evaluated in septic rats (cecal ligation and puncture model) receiving a 2-h infusion of each study drug: glipizide 20 mg kg·h; TEA 50 mg kg·h, or 0.9% saline, respectively, followed by intravital microscopy of villi microcirculation. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, glipizide infusion increased systemic vascular resistance index and decreased cardiac index and heart rate (HR) in sheep (P < 0.05), whereas TEA infusion decreased HR and resulted in a decreased survival time (P = 0.001). In rats, glipizide infusion resulted in an increase in mean arterial pressure and a decrease in HR compared with baseline measurement (P < 0.05) without relevant effects on the villi microcirculation. TEA decreased HR and decreased capillary perfusion of the villi microcirculation compared with the sham group (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Selective inhibition of KATP-channels in ovine endotoxemic shock with glipizide partially restored vasomotor tone without exerting harmful effects on intestinal microcirculation in septic shock in rats. On the contrary, nonselective K-channel inhibition with TEA showed deleterious effects in both models, including impaired microcirculation and decreased survival time. Future research on glipizide in vasodilatory shock may be warranted.

Monitoring of Conjunctival Microcirculation Reflects Sublingual Microcirculation in Ovine Septic and Hemorrhagic Shock.

INTRODUCTION: The conjunctival region may serve as an alternative site for microcirculatory measurements. The present study was performed to investigate the correlation of sublingual and conjunctival microcirculation in ovine models of septic and hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Septic shock was induced in 10 sheep by inoculation of feces into the peritoneal cavity until mean arterial pressure (MAP) was <60 mm Hg and arterial lactate level was ≥1.8 mmol· L. In another 10 sheep, hemorrhagic shock was induced by stepwise blood withdrawal of 3×10 mL·kg. Systemic hemodynamics and parameters of blood gas analysis were analyzed. Conjunctival and sublingual microcirculation were monitored and analyzed according to current recommendations. Parameters were measured at baseline and at shock time. RESULTS: Septic shock resulted in a significant drop in MAP and cardiac index (CI), and an increase in arterial lactate levels. While the total vessel density (TVD) in the sublingual microcirculation was relatively well maintained, the perfused vessel density (PVD) and the microvascular flow index (MFI) were significantly reduced in septic shock. Hemorrhagic shock reduced MAP and CI, and increased arterial lactate levels. TVD was relatively unchanged in hemorrhagic shock, while PVD and MFI were significantly decreased. The conjunctival microcirculation showed similar changes to the sublingual microcirculation in both models. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study support the proposed use of the conjunctiva as an alternative site for microcirculatory monitoring in hemorrhagic and septic shock. Further studies should focus on the impact of therapy and the loss of correlation between the different microcirculatory regions in advanced shock.

The Effect of Propofol and Dexmedetomidine Sedation on Norepinephrine Requirements in Septic Shock Patients: A Crossover Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Propofol-based sedation may increase hemodynamic instability by decreasing vascular tone and venous return. Incremental exogenous catecholamines doses may be required to counteract such effects, aggravating the deleterious effects of sympathetic overstimulation. α-2 adrenergic agonists have been reported to decrease norepinephrine requirements in experimental septic shock. The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that switching from sedation with propofol to the α-2 agonist dexmedetomidine may decrease norepinephrine doses in septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective open-label crossover study. SETTINGS: University hospital, ICU. PATIENTS: Thirty-eight septic shock patients requiring norepinephrine to maintain adequate mean arterial pressure and needing deep sedation with propofol and remifentanil to maintain a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score between -3 and -4. INTERVENTIONS: An initial set of measurements including hemodynamics, norepinephrine doses, and depth of sedation were obtained during sedation with propofol. Propofol was then replaced by dexmedetomidine and a second set of data was obtained after 4 hours of dexmedetomidine infusion. Sedation was switched back to propofol, and a final set of measurements was obtained after 8 hours. A Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score between -3 and -4 was maintained during the study period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Norepinephrine requirements decreased from 0.69 ± 0.72 µg/kg/min before dexmedetomidine to 0.30 ± 0.25 µg/kg/min 4 hours after dexmedetomidine infusion, increasing again to 0.42 ± 0.36 µg/kg/min while on propofol 8 hours after stopping dexmedetomidine (p < 0.005). Dexmedetomidine dosage was 0.7 ± 0.2 µg/kg/hr. Before and after dexmedetomidine infusion, sedative doses remained unchanged (propofol 2.6 ± 1.2 vs 2.6 ± 1.2 mg/kg/hr; p = 0.23 and remifentanil 1.27 ± 0.17 vs 1.27 ± 0.16 µg/kg/hr; p = 0.52, respectively). Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale was -4 (-4 to -3) before, -4 (-4 to -3) during, and -4 (-4 to -4) after dexmedetomidine (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: For a comparable level of sedation, switching from propofol to dexmedetomidine resulted in a reduction of catecholamine requirements in septic shock patients.

Sole causal therapy worsens outcome as compared to no therapy and combined causal and goal-directed supportive therapy in ovine septic shock.

BACKGROUND: There is clear evidence that early causal therapy improves outcome in sepsis and septic shock, whereas recent studies on supportive hemodynamic therapy have produced very conflictive results. The objective of the present study was to determine whether a supportive hemodynamic therapy guided by clinically relevant invasive monitoring improves survival and organ function in a high-lethality model of septic shock in sheep as compared to sole causal therapy including surgical and antimicrobial treatment. METHODS: Twenty healthy ewes were anaesthetized and instrumented for hemodynamic surveillance. After laparotomy and fecal withdrawal from the caecum, animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups: sham, control, causal and combined therapy. In all groups but the sham group, feces were injected into the peritoneal cavity. Septic shock was defined as mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≤60 mmHg and arterial lactate concentration ≥1.8 mmol·L-1. Animals of the control group received no therapy, while the causal group received broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and peritoneal lavage. The combined therapy group received causal therapy plus supportive hemodynamic therapy. RESULTS: The sham animals showed no signs of systemic infection, while all other animals developed septic shock with arterial hypotension and lactic acidosis within 4.0 (4.0-6.8) hours. Induction of causal therapy did not impact on haemodynamics as compared to the control group. Notably, 50% of the control animals and none of the causal therapy animals survived the study. Combined therapy stabilized haemodynamics and improved organ function and survival as compared to control and causal therapy groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that sole causal sepsis therapy without hemodynamic support worsens outcome even more than natural evolution of sepsis and combined causal and supportive therapy. This underlines the importance of early hemodynamic stabilization in parallel with antibiotic and surgical treatment of the sepsis focus.

A new complimentary web-based tool for manual analysis of microcirculation videos: Validation of the Capillary Mapper against the current gold standard AVA 3.2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to compare a newly developed web-based freely accessible software program for manual analysis of the microcirculation, the Capillary Mapper (CM), with AVA 3.2 software (AVA; MicroVision Medical B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands), which is the current gold standard for analysis of microcirculation videos. METHODS: A web-based software program was developed, which enables manual analysis of videos of the microcirculation to be carried out according to recommendations of the 2018 consensus conference. A set of 50 high quality microcirculation videos was analyzed with AVA and CM with respect to total vessel density, perfused vessel density, proportion of perfused vessels, and the microvascular flow index. RESULTS: Comparison of the mean values derived from manual analysis with CM and AVA revealed no significant differences in microcirculatory variables. Analysis according to Bland and Altman revealed an acceptable bias between manual analysis with the CM and AVA for all variables tested with sufficient limits of agreement. The analysis of intraclass correlation showed "excellent" agreement for all microcirculatory variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed CM was successfully validated for manual analyses of microcirculation videos against the current gold standard, the software AVA 3.2.

Availability of cookies during an academic course session affects evaluation of teaching.

OBJECTIVES: Results from end-of-course student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are taken seriously by faculties and form part of a decision base for the recruitment of academic staff, the distribution of funds and changes to curricula. However, there is some doubt as to whether these evaluation instruments accurately measure the quality of course content, teaching and knowledge transfer. We investigated whether the provision of chocolate cookies as a content-unrelated intervention influences SET results. METHODS: We performed a randomised controlled trial in the setting of a curricular emergency medicine course. Participants were 118 third-year medical students. Participants were randomly allocated into 20 groups, 10 of which had free access to 500 g of chocolate cookies during an emergency medicine course session (cookie group) and 10 of which did not (control group). All groups were taught by the same teachers. Educational content and course material were the same for both groups. After the course, all students were asked to complete a 38-question evaluation form. RESULTS: A total of 112 students completed the evaluation form. The cookie group evaluated teachers significantly better than the control group (113.4 ± 4.9 versus 109.2 ± 7.3; p = 0.001, effect size 0.68). Course material was considered better (10.1 ± 2.3 versus 8.4 ± 2.8; p = 0.001, effect size 0.66) and summation scores evaluating the course overall were significantly higher (224.5 ± 12.5 versus 217.2 ± 16.1; p = 0.008, effect size 0.51) in the cookie group. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of chocolate cookies had a significant effect on course evaluation. These findings question the validity of SETs and their use in making widespread decisions within a faculty.

Comparison of first-line and second-line terlipressin versus sole norepinephrine in fulminant ovine septic shock.

The Surviving Sepsis Guidelines suggest the use of vasopressin in case of catecholamine-refractory septic shock. Terlipressin (TP) as a V1-selective AVP analogue is a potential alternative, though data regarding the first-line administration in septic shock are scarce. The present study explored and compared the effects of first-line vs. second-line infusion of TP or sole norepinephrine regarding organ function, fluid and norepinephrine requirements and survival in fulminant ovine septic shock. Peritoneal sepsis was induced in 23 ewes after laparotomy and faecal withdrawal from the caecum. After onset of shock, causal and supportive sepsis therapy (antibiotics, peritoneal lavage, fluids and open-label norepinephrine) was performed in all animals. Concurrently, animals were randomized to receive 0.9% sodium chloride (control group) or TP (2 µg∙kg-1∙h-1, first-line group) after shock onset. In the second-line TP group, TP (2 µg∙kg-1∙h-1) was started once norepinephrine requirements exceeded 0.5 µg∙kg-1∙min-1. No significant differences were found between groups regarding survival, haemodynamics as well as fluid- and catecholamine-requirements. Kidney function and electron microscopic kidney injury were comparable between groups. In the present model of fulminant ovine septic shock, first-line TP infusion had no significant effect on fluid and norepinephrine requirements or organ dysfunction as compared to second-line TP infusion or placebo.

Feasibility of optical coherence tomography angiography to assess changes in retinal microcirculation in ovine haemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) for quantitative analysis of flow density to assess changes in retinal perfusion in an experimental model of haemorrhagic shock. METHODS: Haemorrhagic shock was induced in five healthy, anaesthetized sheep by stepwise blood withdrawal of 3 × 10 ml∙kg- 1 body weight. OCT-A imaging of retinal perfusion was performed using an OCT device. Incident dark-field illumination microscopy videos were obtained for the evaluation of conjunctival microcirculation. Haemodynamic variables and flow density data in the OCT angiogram were analysed before and during progressive haemorrhage resulting in haemorrhagic shock as well as after fluid resuscitation with 10 ml∙kg- 1 body weight of balanced hydroxyethyl starch solution (6% HES 130/0.4). Videos of the conjunctival microcirculation were recorded at baseline, in haemorrhagic shock, and after resuscitation. Data are presented as median with interquartile range. Comparisons between time points were made using Friedman's test and the degree of correlation between two variables was expressed as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure and cardiac index (CI) decreased and lactate concentration increased after induction of shock, and haemodynamics recovered after resuscitation. The flow density in the superficial retinal OCT angiogram decreased significantly after shock induction (baseline 44.7% (40.3; 50.5) vs haemorrhagic shock 34.5% (32.8; 40.4); P = 0.027) and recovered after fluid resuscitation (46.9% (41.7; 50.7) vs haemorrhagic shock; P = 0.027). The proportion of perfused vessels of the conjunctival microcirculation showed similar changes. The flow density measured using OCT-A correlated with the conjunctival microcirculation (perfused vessel density: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient ρ = 0.750, P = 0.001) and haemodynamic parameters (CI: ρ = 0.693, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal flow density, measured using OCT-A, significantly decreased in shock and recovered after fluid therapy in an experimental model of haemorrhagic shock. OCT-A is feasible to assess changes in retinal perfusion in haemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation.

Misinterpretation of the sublingual microcirculation during therapy with levosimendan.

There is increasing evidence in the literature that preoperative treatment with levosimendan optimizes cardiopulmonary haemodynamics in patients scheduled for the implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). The present case report describes changes in sublingual microcirculation using incident dark field video microscopy in a patient, who received a continuous infusion of 0.5 mg/h levosimendan 12 h before LVAD implantation. Despite no evident macrohaemodynamic or metabolic changes, there was a dramatic reduction in total vessel density and perfused vessel density suggesting a deterioration of microcirculation according to the consensus conference criteria in vessels smaller than 20 µm in diameter. However, the microcirculation of all visible vessels (regardless of diameter) was maintained. This potential misinterpretation is explained by a levosimedan-induced vasodilation and the subsequent reduction of the percentage of vessels with a diameter smaller than 20 µm. Physicians should carefully consider this pitfall of applying the consensus conference criteria in vasodilator-treated patients.

Provision of physiological data and reference values in awake and anaesthetized female sheep aged 6-12 months.

OBJECTIVE: To provide physiological data and reference values in awake and anaesthetized sheep aged 6-12 months. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. ANIMALS: Data from 260 female sheep of the species Ovis orientalis aries aged 6-12 months were extracted from 10 experimental trials. METHODS: Data from pulmonary arterial thermodilution in awake (cohort 1; n = 109) and anaesthetized animals (cohort 2; n = 81), and transpulmonary thermodilution in anaesthetized animals (cohort 3; n = 70) were analysed. General anaesthesia was induced by intramuscular injection of S-ketamine and midazolam and maintained by inhaled isoflurane. Standard laboratory variables (blood gas and clinical chemistry) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 7553 single data entries from 260 healthy sheep were included. Measurement errors or invalid data documentation meant that 313 data entries (4.1%) were excluded. A small confidence interval for median values was calculated for nearly all variables. The median body weight was 39.8 kg (2.5-97.5th percentile 30.6-48.1 kg). A set of reference values (2.5-97.5th percentiles) is provided for common cardiopulmonary and laboratory variables. Compared to awake animals, haemodynamic variables were markedly influenced by anaesthesia, as reflected by a considerably lower stroke volume index in anaesthetized sheep. There were also differences in stroke volume index between the cohorts of pulmonary artery and transpulmonary thermodilution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present work presents a large and consistent database of a variety of physiological variables measured in healthy juvenile female sheep. The data appear to be robust and allow the establishment of standardized inclusion criteria for experimental studies and may help to better evaluate past, present and future research. Differences between pulmonary artery and transpulmonary thermodilution should be assessed in future studies.