A protocol based on hypotension probability indicator vs. standard care to prevent intraoperative hypotension during supratentorial brain surgery: a prospective randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis that Hypotension probability indicator (HPI) driven hemodynamic protocol use may decrease the exposition to hypotension (mean arterial pressure below 65 mmHg) during supratentorial intracranial procedures. METHODS: Patients undergoing supratentorial tumor resection under general anesthesia (ASA 1-3) were included into this randomized single center-controlled pilot trial. Patients in the control group (COV, N.=20) were managed based on the institutional standard to avoid hypotension. Patients in the intervention (INT, N.=20) group were managed using a protocol triggered by the HPI above 85 based on the stroke volume variation, dynamic elastance, and cardiac index parameters. The number of patients experiencing hypotension (mean arterial pressure below 65 mmHg) during the whole procedure and anesthesia maintenance phase was the primary outcome variable. The number of hypotensive periods, time spent in hypotension, and hypotension dose served as secondary outcome variables. Other clinically relevant parameters and postsurgical outcomes were screened. RESULTS: The number of patients who never experienced hypotension was significantly lower in the INT group during the anesthesia maintenance phase (10 (50%) vs. 16 (80%); P=0.049). In several other hemodynamic outcomes, a distinct numerical, but statistically non-significant trend towards lower hypotension exposition was observed. There were no significant differences in clinically relevant parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot trial, the HPI-based protocol decreased the incidence of hypotension during the anesthesia maintenance but non-significant trends among secondary outcomes were also documented. Larger trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Individualizing Fluid Management in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and with Reduced Lung Tissue Due to Surgery-A Narrative Review.

Fluids are the cornerstone of therapy in all critically ill patients. During the last decades, we have made many steps to get fluid therapy personalized and based on individual needs. In patients with lung involvement-acute respiratory distress syndrome-finding the right amount of fluids after lung surgery may be extremely important because lung tissue is one of the most vulnerable to fluid accumulation. In the current narrative review, we focus on the actual perspectives of fluid therapy with the aim of showing the possibilities to tailor the treatment to a patient's individual needs using fluid responsiveness parameters and other therapeutic modalities.

SepsEast Registry indicates high mortality associated with COVID-19 caused acute respiratory failure in Central-Eastern European intensive care units.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused unprecedented research activity all around the world but publications from Central-Eastern European countries remain scarce. Therefore, our aim was to characterise the features of the pandemic in the intensive care units (ICUs) among members of the SepsEast (Central-Eastern European Sepsis Forum) initiative. We conducted a retrospective, international, multicentre study between March 2020 and February 2021. All adult patients admitted to the ICU with pneumonia caused by COVID-19 were enrolled. Data on baseline and treatment characteristics, organ support and mortality were collected. Eleven centres from six countries provided data from 2139 patients. Patient characteristics were: median 68, [IQR 60-75] years of age; males: 67%; body mass index: 30.1 [27.0-34.7]; and 88% comorbidities. Overall mortality was 55%, which increased from 2020 to 2021 (p = 0.004). The major causes of death were respiratory (37%), cardiovascular (26%) and sepsis with multiorgan failure (21%). 1061 patients received invasive mechanical ventilation (mortality: 66%) without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 54). The rest of the patients received non-invasive ventilation (n = 129), high flow nasal oxygen (n = 317), conventional oxygen therapy (n = 122), as the highest level of ventilatory support, with mortality of 50%, 39% and 22%, respectively. This is the largest COVID-19 dataset from Central-Eastern European ICUs to date. The high mortality observed especially in those receiving invasive mechanical ventilation renders the need of establishing national-international ICU registries and audits in the region that could provide high quality, transparent data, not only during the pandemic, but also on a regular basis.

Patient Satisfaction with General versus Local Anesthesia during Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Both general and local anesthesia are used in our department for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The decision as to which anesthetic technique to use during surgery is made individually. The aim of our study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and preference with the anesthesia type used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The satisfaction of a group of 205 patients with regard to anesthesia used and their future preferences were evaluated prospectively through a questionnaire. The reasons for dissatisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: CEA was performed under general anesthesia (GA) in 159 cases (77.6%) and under local anesthesia (LA) in 46 cases (22.4%). In the GA group, 148 patients (93.1%) were satisfied; 30 patients (65.2%) in the LA group were satisfied (p < 0.0001). The reason for dissatisfaction with GA were postoperative nausea and vomiting (7 patients), postoperative psychological alteration (3), and fear of GA (1). The reasons for dissatisfaction with LA were intraoperative pain (9 patients), intraoperative discomfort and stress (5), and intraoperative breathing problems (2). Of the GA group, 154 (96.9%) patients would prefer GA again, and of the LA group, 28 (60.9%) patients would prefer LA if operated on again (p < 0.0001). Overall, 172 patients (83.9%) would prefer GA in the future, and 33 patients (16.1%) would prefer LA. CONCLUSION: Overall patient satisfaction with CEA performed under both GA and LA is high. Nevertheless, in the GA group, patient satisfaction and future preference were significantly higher. Both GA and LA have advantages and disadvantages for CEA. An optimal approach is to make use of both anesthetic techniques based on their individual indications and patient preference.

Indications for General versus Local Anesthesia during Carotid Endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Both general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA) are used in our department for carotid endarterectomy. The decision of which anesthetic technique to use during surgery is made on an individual basis. The aim of our study was to analyze the reasons for using GA or LA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reasons that led to the selection of either GA or LA were analyzed retrospectively in a group of 409 patients. RESULTS: GA was used in 304 patients (74%) and LA in 105 patients (26%). The reasons for a preference for GA were clopidogrel use (88 patients), patient preference (80), increased risk of shunt insertion (43), unfavorable anatomical conditions (41), surgeon preference (21), simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and cardiac surgery (18), emergent carotid endarterectomy (12), and sleep apnea syndrome (1). The reasons for selecting LA were internal comorbidities (46 patients), patient preference (39), unavailability of intraoperative electrophysiologic monitoring (15), and pacemaker (5). CONCLUSION: GA is the dominant choice for carotid endarterectomy in our department because of its prevailing benefits and its preference among neurosurgeons and patients. However, in some subgroups of patients, LA is preferable. An optimal approach is therefore an individual indication for both anesthesia techniques.

Propofol versus sevoflurane anaesthesia: effect on cognitive decline and event-related potentials.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is diagnosed in up to 30% patients after anaesthesia. The causative role of anaesthetic toxicity remains unclear. Using clinical tests, no clear-cut differences have been observed between anaesthetics so far. The aim of this trial was to compare the incidence of POCD diagnosed by a battery of neuropsychologic tests after propofol and sevoflurane anaesthesia. Secondary goal was to examine possible relationship between POCD positivity and changes in auditory event-related potentials (ERPs). Sixty patients undergoing lumbar discectomy were prospectively randomized to receive depth-controlled sevoflurane (SEVO) or propofol (PROP) based anaesthesia. The neuropsychological examination and auditory event-related potentials (N1, P3a and P3b components) recording was performed preoperatively and on days 1, 6 and 42 after surgery. POCD was defined as a decline of more than one standard deviation in three or more tests. In 43 patients (20 in PROP and 23 in SEVO group) all selected tests were performed and used for the evaluation. POCD was present in 48%/60%, 18%/20% and 17%/11% (SEVO/PROP) of patients on days 1, 6 and 42 after surgery, with no significant intergroup difference. Among neuropsychologic tests, the most significant decline was observed in Semantic Verbal Fluency and Letter-Number Sequencing Test scores, congruently in both groups on days 1 and 6, with full recovery on the last control. Transient deteriorations in other tests were observed as well. No association of POCD positivity and ERPs changes was found, although long-term modifications of P3a and P3b components were observed, mainly in SEVO group. In our study, sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia was associated with the similar incidence of POCD. Cognitive decline, mainly affecting executive functions, was temporary in most of the patients. Prolonged ERPs alterations after the anaesthesia seem not to have any relationship with the impairment registered by the neuropsychological examination and may represent subclinical changes.

Cognitive impairment measured by event-related potentials during early and late postoperative period following intravenous or inhalation anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated modification in cognitive function following inhalation (IA) and total intravenous (TIVA) anaesthesia measured using auditory ERPs (Event Related Potentials). METHODS: Auditory ERPs examination with N1, P3a and P3b component registration was carried out one day before surgery (D-1) and on the first (D+1), sixth (D+6) and 42nd (D+42) days after surgery. Results were compared between two anaesthetic groups. RESULTS: On D+1, N1 latency was increased in the IA group. A significant reduction was observed in amplitude of the P3a component on D+6, which persisted up to D+42 for both IA and TIVA groups. A reduction in the amplitude of P3b on D+1 with normalization by D+6 was found in both groups as well. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous and inhalation anaesthesia lead to similar changes in cognitive function as determined by ERPs, both during the early and late postoperative periods. It cannot be clearly confirmed whether the observed effects are due to anaesthesia or other unmonitored perioperative factors. SIGNIFICANCE: Post anaesthetic changes represent a subclinical impairment; nevertheless, they represent a potential risk for subsequent development of cognitive difficulties.

Comparison of absolute fluid restriction versus relative volume redistribution strategy in low central venous pressure anesthesia in liver resection surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUNDː Lowering central venous pressure (CVP) can decrease blood loss during liver resection and it is associated with improved outcomes. Multiple CVP reducing maneuvers have been described, but direct comparison of their effectiveness and safety has never been performed. METHODSː Patients undergoing resections of two or more liver segments were equally randomized to absolute fluid restriction (AR, N.=17) or relative volume redistribution group (RR, N.=17). The ease of reaching low CVP, blood loss, morbidity and mortality were assessed. Besides, the effect of Pringle maneuver and utility of stroke volume variation (SVV) were analyzed. RESULTSː Both methods of CVP reduction were equally effective (0.7±0.9 vs. 0.9±1.0 protocolized steps in the AR and RR group; P=0.356) and safe (no difference in observed blood loss, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, lactate levels, morbidity and mortality). Patients in the AR group received smaller amount of fluids in the pre-resection period (120 (100-150) vs. 600 (500-700) mL; P<0.001), and had slightly longer hospital stay (10 [8-14] vs. 8 [7-11]; P=0.045). Low CVP was predicted by SVV>10% with 81.4% sensitivity and 77.1% specificity. Reduced blood loss and transfusion rate was observed when Pringle maneuver was used. CONCLUSIONSː In our study, absolute fluid restriction and relative volume redistribution seemed to be equally effective and safe methods of lowering CVP in patients undergoing liver resection. According to our data high SVV might be considered as a low CVP replacement. Pringle maneuver reduced blood loss and transfusion requirement.

Comparison of the accuracy of hemoglobin point of care testing using HemoCue and GEM Premier 3000 with automated hematology analyzer in emergency room.

The laboratory analysis provides accurate, but time consuming hemoglobin level estimation especially in the emergency setting. The reliability of time-sparing point of care devices (POCT) remains uncertain. We tested two POCT devices accuracy (HemoCue®201+ and Gem®Premier™3000) in routine emergency department workflow. Blood samples taken from patients admitted to the emergency department were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration using a laboratory reference Beckman Coulter LH 750 (HBLAB), the HemoCue (HBHC) and the Gem Premier 3000 (HBGEM). Pairwise comparison for each device and HbLAB was performed using correlation and the Bland-Altman methods. The reliability of transfusion decision was assessed using three-zone error grid. A total of 292 measurements were performed in 99 patients. Mean hemoglobin level were 115 ± 33, 110 ± 28 and 111 ± 30 g/l for HbHC, HbGEM and HbLAB respectively. A significant correlation was observed for both devices: HbHC versus HbLAB (r2 = 0.93, p < 0.001) and HBGEM versus HBLAB (r2 = 0.86, p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman method revealed bias of -3.7 g/l (limits of agreement -20.9 to 13.5) for HBHC and HBLAB and 2.5 g/l (-18.6 to 23.5) for HBGEM and HBLAB, which significantly differed between POCT devices (p < 0.001). Using the error grid methodology: 94 or 91 % of values (HbHC and HbGEM) fell in the zone of acceptable difference (A), whereas 0 and 1 % (HbHC and HbGEM) were unacceptable (zone C). The absolute accuracy of tested POCT devices was low though reaching a high level of correlation with laboratory measurement. The results of the Morey´s error grid were unfavorable for both POCT devices.

Viscoelastic Methods of Blood Clotting Assessment - A Multidisciplinary Review.

Viscoelastic methods (VEM) made available the bedside assessment of blood clotting. Unlike standard laboratory tests, the results are based on the whole blood coagulation and are available in real time at a much faster turnaround time. In combination with our new knowledge about pathophysiology of the trauma-induced coagulopathy, the goal-oriented treatment protocols have been recently proposed for the initial management of bleeding in trauma victims. Additionally, the utility of viscoelastic monitoring devices has been proved even outside this setting in cardiosurgical patients or those undergoing liver transplantation. Many other situations were described in literature showing the potential use of bedside analysis of coagulation for the management of bleeding or critically ill patients. In the near future, we may expect further improvement in current bedside diagnostic tools enabling not only the assessment of secondary hemostasis but also the platelet aggregation. More sensitive assays for new anticoagulants are underway. Aim of this review is to offer the reader a multidisciplinary overview of VEM and their potential use in anesthesiology and critical care.

Continuous non-invasive monitoring improves blood pressure stability in upright position: randomized controlled trial.

Intermittent blood pressure (BP) monitoring is the standard-of-care during low and intermediate risk anaesthesia, yet it could lead to delayed recognition of BP fluctuations. Perioperative hypotension is known to be associated with postoperative complications. Continuous, non-invasive methods for BP monitoring have been developed recently. We have tested a novel non-invasive, continuous monitor (using the volume clamp method) to assist with maintaining BP in safe ranges for patients undergoing surgery in a beach chair position. Forty adult patients undergoing thyroid gland surgery in an upright position were included in this prospective randomised controlled trial. Patients were equally allocated to the group with continuous monitoring of BP using the CNAP® Monitor and to the control group managed using an intermittent oscillometric BP cuff. The absolute and proportional time spent outside the range of ±20% of the target BP along with other hemodynamic and clinical parameters were evaluated. The continuous monitoring decreased the anaesthesia time spent below -20% pressure range [absolute: 12 min (4-20) vs. 27 min (16-34); p=0.001; relative to procedure length: 14% (7-20) vs. 33.5% (17.5-53); p=0.003]. No significant differences were observed in postoperative morbidity or in hospital length of stay. Continuous non-invasive BP monitoring via the CNAP® Monitor allows for better BP management in patients undergoing surgery in a beach chair position. In our randomised trial the time spent in hypotension was significantly shorter using continuous monitoring.

Respiratory induced dynamic variations of stroke volume and its surrogates as predictors of fluid responsiveness: applicability in the early stages of specific critical states.

Respiratory induced dynamic variations of stroke volume and its surrogates are very sensitive and specific predictors of fluid responsiveness, but their use as targets for volume management can be limited. In a recent study, limiting factors were present in 53 % of surgical patients with inserted arterial line. In the intensive care unit (ICU) population the frequency is presumably higher, but the real prevalence is unknown. Our goal was to study the feasibility of dynamic variations guided initial volume resuscitation in specific critical states. We have performed a 5 year retrospective evaluation of patients admitted with diagnosis sepsis, polytrauma, after high risk surgery or cardiac arrest. Occurrence of major (sedation, mandatory ventilation and tidal volume, open chest and arrhythmias) and minor limiting factors (PEEP level, use of vasopressors and presence of arterial catheter) was screened within the first 24 h after admission. In the study period 1296 patients were hospitalized in our ICU with severe sepsis (n = 242), polytrauma (n = 561), after high risk surgery (n = 351) or cardiac arrest (n = 141). From these patients 549 (42.4 %) fulfilled all major criteria for applicability of dynamic variations. In our evaluation only limited number of patients admitted for polytrauma (51 %), sepsis (37 %), after cardiac arrest (39 %) or surgical procedure (33 %) fulfil all the major criteria for use of dynamic variations at the ICU admission. The prevalence was similar in patients with shock. Occurrence of minor factors can pose further bias in evaluation of these patients. General use of dynamic variations guided protocols for initial resuscitations seems not universally applicable.