Limited effect of sugammadex on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing spine surgery in prone position intraoperatively: A retrospective analysis of matched cohort data.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) increase postoperative mortality, hospital stays, and healthcare costs. Whether the use of sugammadex could reduce PPCs remains controversial. This study aimed to determine if sugammadex could more effectively reduce PPCs than acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEi) in patients who had undergone spine surgery, in prone position intraoperatively. From March 2019 to February 2021, adult patients who underwent elective spine surgery were eligible. Primary outcomes were PPCs (including atelectasis on chest radiograph, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and aspiration pneumonitis) and respiratory failure that occurred within 28 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, in-hospital death, and readmission rate within 30 days. Patients were divided into 2 groups (Sugammadex group and AChEi group) and compared by 1:1 propensity score matching. Of a total of 823 patients who underwent spinal surgery, 627 were included. After 1:1 propensity matching, 142 patients were extracted for each group. PPCs occurred in 9 (6.3%) patients in both groups (P = 1.000). Respiratory failure occurred in 7 (4.9%) patients in the Sugammadex group and 5 (3.5%) patients in the AChEi group (P = .77). There was no significant difference in secondary outcomes between the 2 groups. Although there have been some evidences showing that the use of sugammadex can attenuate the development of PPCs, this study did not show positive effects of sugammadex on patients who underwent spine surgery in the prone position.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Ischemic Conditioning on Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Although liver transplantation (LT) is one of the definitive treatments for patients with end-stage liver failure, it inevitably results in ischemic reperfusion injury. It is known that prognosis is improved when temporary ischemic conditioning (IC) is applied to patients with ischemic reperfusion injury. The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the short-term and long-term effects of IC on the clinical outcomes of LT recipients. METHODS: Randomized controlled studies on IC in patients with LTs were included. Patients were compared between an IC group and a sham group. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The risk of bias was evaluated using RoB 2.0. Mortality, graft function, and major complications were synthesized using RevMan 5.4.1. RESULTS: Among 316 papers, 17 articles (1196 patients) were included. There was an insignificant increase in short-term mortality (risk ratio [RR]: 3.00, 95% CI: 0.32-28.14, P = .34). However, long-term mortality was lower in the IC group than in the sham group, but not significantly (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.47-1.20, P = .23). Short-term graft function (acute graft rejection and primary graft non-function) was not improved by IC. One-year graft loss tended to show better results in the IC group (RR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.26-1.07, P = .08). CONCLUSION: Ischemic conditioning did not have a beneficial effect on LT. Although long-term outcomes appear to be better in the IC group than in the sham group, further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Impact of preoperative red blood cell transfusion on long-term mortality of liver transplantation: A retrospective cohort study.

Preoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion can induce immune modulation and alloimmunization; however, few studies have investigated the effect of preoperative transfusion and hemoglobin levels that need to be corrected before surgery, especially in critically ill patients such as those with end-stage liver disease who undergo liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative RBC transfusion on long-term mortality in LT recipients. A total of 249 patients who underwent LT at a single center between January 2012 and December 2021 were included in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: preoperative transfusion and preoperative non-transfusion. Since the baseline characteristics were significantly different between the 2 groups, we performed propensity score matching, including factors such as the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and intraoperative RBC transfusion, to exclude possible biases that could affect prognosis. We analyzed the 5-year mortality rate as the primary outcome. The preoperative transfusion group showed a 4.84-fold higher hazard ratio than that in the preoperative non-transfusion group. There were no differences in 30-day mortality, duration of intensive care unit stay, or graft rejection rate between the 2 groups. Preoperative transfusion could influence long-term mortality in LT, and clinicians should pay attention to RBC transfusion before LT unless the patient is hemodynamically unstable. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the possible mechanisms related to preoperative RBC transfusion, long-term mortality, and the level of anemia that should be corrected before surgery.

Is atelectasis related to the development of postoperative pneumonia? a retrospective single center study.

BACKGROUND: Atelectasis may play a substantial role in the development of pneumonia. However, pneumonia has never been evaluated as an outcome of atelectasis in surgical patients. We aimed to determine whether atelectasis is related to an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and hospital length of stay (LOS). METHODS: The electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent elective non-cardiothoracic surgery under general anesthesia between October 2019 and August 2020 were reviewed. They were divided into two groups: one who developed postoperative atelectasis (atelectasis group) and the other who did not (non-atelectasis group). The primary outcome was the incidence of pneumonia within 30 days after the surgery. The secondary outcomes were ICU admission rate and postoperative LOS. RESULTS: Patients in the atelectasis group were more likely to have risk factors for postoperative pneumonia including age, body mass index, a history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus and duration of surgery, compared with those in the non-atelectasis. Among 1,941 patients, 63 (3.2%) developed postoperative pneumonia; 5.1% in the atelectasis group and 2.8% in the non-atelectasis (P = 0.025). In multivariable analysis, atelectasis was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio, 2.33; 95% CI: 1.24 - 4.38; P = 0.008). Median postoperative LOS was significantly longer in the atelectasis group (7 [interquartile range: 5-10 days]) than in the non-atelectasis (6 [3-8] days) (P < 0.001). Adjusted median duration was also 2.19 days longer in the atelectasis group (ß, 2.19; 95% CI: 0.821 - 2.834; P < 0.001). ICU admission rate was higher in the atelectasis group (12.1% vs. 6.5%; P < 0.001), but it did not differ between the groups after adjustment for confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 1.52; 95% CI: 0.88 - 2.62; P = 0.134). CONCLUSION: Among patients undergoing elective non-cardiothoracic surgery, patients with postoperative atelectasis were associated with a 2.33-fold higher incidence of pneumonia and a longer LOS than those without atelectasis. This finding alerts the need for careful management of perioperative atelectasis to prevent or reduce the adverse events including pneumonia and the burden of hospitalizations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: None.

Lung ultrasound score-based assessment of postoperative atelectasis in obese patients according to inspired oxygen concentration: A prospective, randomized-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: According to a recent meta-analysis, in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30, a high fraction of inhaled oxygen (FiO2) did not increase postoperative atelectasis. However, a high FiO2 generally increases the risk of postoperative atelectasis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of FiO2 on the development of atelectasis in obese patients using the modified lung ultrasound score (LUSS). METHODS: Patients were assigned to 4 groups: BMI ≥ 30: group A (n = 21) and group B (n = 20) and normal BMI: group C (n = 22) and group D (n = 21). Groups A and C were administered 100% O2 during preinduction and emergence and 50% O2 during anesthesia. Groups B and D received 40% O2 for anesthesia. The modified LUSS was assessed before and 20 min after arrival to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). RESULTS: The difference between the modified LUSS preinduction and PACU was significantly higher in group A with a BMI ≥ 30 (P = .006); however, there was an insignificant difference between groups C and D in the normal BMI group (P = .076). CONCLUSION: High FiO2 had a greater effect on the development of atelectasis in obese patients than did low FiO2; however, in normal-weight individuals, FiO2 did not have a significant effect on postoperative atelectasis.

Reliability of Marked Scales on Intravenous Fluid Plastic Bags.

Precise fluid administration is important to prevent hypo- or hypervolemia. However, the accuracy of scales marked on intravenous (IV) fluid plastic bags had remained unknown. Ten 1 L sized IV crystalloids were prepared from each of three manufacturers (H, J, and D). At each scale, the actual volume of the IV fluid was measured. Differences with the measured volumes for each scale were investigated between the three manufacturers. All initial total volume was greater than 1 L. Except for the full-filled level, H overfilled, whereas J and D filled less. For J and D, the maximal differences between the scale and the measured volume were about 200 mL. Fluid volumes of each scale were significantly different among the three manufacturers (P < 0.001). It is inaccurate to measure the amount of fluid depending on the IV bag scales. Clinicians must use electronic infusion pumps for accurate fluid administration.

Increase in body temperature in pediatric patients after costal cartilage harvest in microtia reconstruction: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence has clearly shown that maintaining normothermia in children undergoing surgery is difficult and is associated with adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to retrospectively analyze the changes in body temperature over time in 2 different types of microtia reconstruction surgeries, namely, embedding, and elevation surgeries. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent microtia reconstruction (embedding and elevation) between July 2012 and February 2015 (n = 38). The changes in body temperature between the 2 types of surgeries were compared. RESULTS: During microtia reconstruction, the body temperature in the embedding surgery group was significantly higher than that in the elevation surgery group from 1 hour after the start of surgery to 1 day after the surgery (P < .001). Time, group, and time-group interaction were associated with an increase in body temperature (P < .001) but not the warming method. CONCLUSION: We found an increase in body temperature in patients with microtia who underwent embedding surgery (autologous costal cartilage harvest surgery), and this was related to the type of surgery and not to the warming method. Therefore, further research is warranted to determine the cause of the increase in body temperature during this surgery.

Effects of perioperative erythropoietin administration on acute kidney injury and red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The renoprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) are well-known; however, the optimal timing of EPO administration remains controversial. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is an independent risk factor for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EPO on CSA-AKI and RBC transfusion according to the timing of administration. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases for randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was the incidence of CSA-AKI following perioperative EPO administration, and the secondary outcomes were changes in serum creatinine, S-cystatin C, S-neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, volume of RBC transfusion, and mortality. The subgroup analysis was stratified according to the timing of EPO administration in relation to surgery. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials with 610 patients were included in the study. EPO administration significantly decreased the incidence of CSA-AKI (odds ratio: 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43-0.85, P = .004; I2 = 52%; P for heterogeneity = .04), intra-operative RBC transfusion (standardized mean difference: -0.30, 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.05, P = .02; I2 = 15%, P for heterogeneity = .31), and hospital length of stay (mean difference: -1.54 days, 95% CI: -2.70 to -0.39, P = .009; I2 = 75%, P for heterogeneity = .001) compared with control groups. Subgroup analyses revealed that pre-operative EPO treatment significantly reduced the incidence of CSA-AKI, intra-operative RBC transfusion, serum creatinine, and length of hospital and ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative administration of EPO may reduce the incidence of CSA-AKI and RBC transfusion, but not in patients administered EPO during the intra-operative or postoperative period. Therefore, pre-operative EPO treatment can be considered to improve postoperative outcomes by decreasing the length of hospital and ICU stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The Effects of Intravenous Fluid Viscosity on the Accuracy of Intravenous Infusion Flow Regulators.

Intravenous infusion flow regulators (IIFRs) are widely used devices but it is unknown how much the difference between the IIFR scale and the actual flow rate depends on the viscosity of the intravenous (IV) fluid. This study evaluated the effects of viscosity on the flow rate of five IV fluids (0.9% normal saline, Hartmann's solution, plasma solution-A, 6% hetastarch, and 5% albumin) when using IIFRs. The viscosity of crystalloids was 1.07-1.12 mPa·s, and the viscosities of 6% hetastarch and 5% albumin were 2.59 times and 1.74 times that of normal saline, respectively. When the IIFR scales were preset to 20, 100, and 250 mL/hr, crystalloids were delivered at the preset flow rate within a difference of less than 10%, while 6% hetastarch was delivered at approximately 40% of the preset flow rates and 5% albumin was approximately 80% transmitted. When delivering colloids, IIFRs should be used with caution.

Postoperative hypoalbuminemia is an independent predictor of 1-year mortality after surgery for geriatric intertrochanteric femoral fracture: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia from malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after geriatric hip fracture surgery. However, little is known regarding the correlation between postoperative hypoalbuminemia and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate whether postoperative hypoalbuminemia could predict 1-year mortality after intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery in elderly patients.The medical records of 263 geriatric patients (age ≥65 years) who underwent intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery between January 2013 and January 2016 in a single hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were allocated to 2 groups based on lowest serum albumin levels within 2 postoperative days (≥3.0 g/dL [group 1, n = 46] and <3.0 g/dL [group 2, n = 217]. Data between the non-survival and survival groups were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent predictor for 1-year mortality.The 1-year mortality rate was 16.3% after intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that postoperative hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 8.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-47.09; P = .021). The non-survival group showed a significantly increased incidence of postoperative hypoalbuminemia (95.4% vs 80.0%, P = .015) and intensive care unit admission (11.6% vs 2.7%, P = .020), older age (82.5 ±â€Š5.8 years vs 80.0 ±â€Š7.2 years, P = .032), lower body mass index (20.1 ±â€Š3.2 kg/m2 vs 22.4 ±â€Š3.8 kg/m2, P < .001), and increased amount of transfusion of perioperative red blood cells (1.79 ±â€Š1.47 units vs 1.43 ±â€Š2.08 units, P = .032), compared to the survival group.This study demonstrated that postoperative hypoalbuminemia is a potent predictor of 1-year mortality in geriatric patients undergoing intertrochanteric femoral fracture surgery. Therefore, exogenous albumin administration can be considered to improve postoperative outcomes and reduce the risk of mortality after surgery for geriatric hip fracture.

Effects of high versus low inspiratory oxygen fraction on postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether high perioperative inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) compared with low FiO2 has more deleterious postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing non-thoracic surgery under general anesthesia. DESIGN: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. SETTING: Operating room, postoperative recovery room and surgical ward. PATIENTS: Surgical patients under general anesthesia. INTERVENTION: High perioperative FiO2 (≥0.8) vs. low FiO2 (≤0.5). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was mortality within 30 days. Secondary outcomes were pulmonary outcomes (atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, postoperative pulmonary complications [PPCs], and postoperative oxygen parameters), intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and length of hospital stay. A subgroup analysis was performed to explore the treatment effect by body mass index (BMI). MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-six trials with a total 4991 patients were studied. The mortality in the high FiO2 group did not differ from that in the low FiO2 group (risk ratio [RR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-1.97, P = 0.810). Nor were there any significant differences between the groups in such outcomes as pneumonia (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.74-1.92, P = 0.470), respiratory failure (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.82-2.04, P = 0.270), PPCs (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.69-1.59, P = 0.830), ICU admission (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.55-1.60, P = 0.810), and length of hospital stay (mean difference [MD] 0.27 d, 95% CI -0.28-0.81, P = 0.340). The high FiO2 was associated with postoperative atelectasis more often (risk ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.00-1.62, P = 0.050), and lower postoperative arterial partial oxygen pressure (MD -5.03 mmHg, 95% CI -7.90- -2.16, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis of BMI >30 kg/m2, these parameters were similarly affected between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of high FiO2 compared to low FiO2 did not affect the short-term mortality, although it may increase the incidence of atelectasis in adult, non-thoracic patients undergoing surgical procedures. Nor were there any significant differences in other secondary outcomes.

Medicosocial Conflict and Crisis due to Illegal Physician Assistant System in Korea.

The Korean Medical Association opposes the illegal attempt to implement the physician assistant (PA) system in Korea. The exact meaning of 'PA' in Korea at present time is 'Unlicensed Assistant (UA)' since it is not legally established in our healthcare system. Thus, PA in Korea refers to unlawful, unqualified, auxiliary personnel for medical practitioners. There have been several issues with the illegal PA system in Korea facing medicosocial conflicts and crisis. Patients want to be diagnosed and treated by medically-educated, licensed and professionally trained physicians not PAs. In clinical settings, PAs deprive the training and educational opportunities of trainees such as interns and residents. Recently, there have been several attempts, by CEO or directors of major hospitals in Korea, to adopt and legalize this system without general consensus from medical professional associations and societies. Without such consensus, this illegal implementation of PA system will create new and additional very serious medical crises due to unlawful medical, educational, professional conflicts and safety issues in medical practice. Before considering the implementation of the PA system, there needs to be a convincing justification by solving the fundamental problems beforehand, such as the collapsed medical delivery system, protection and provision of optimal education program and training environment of trainees, burnout from excessive workloads of physicians with very low compensational system and poor conditions for working and education, etc.

Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on the deformability and aggregation of red blood cells in a rat endotoxemia model.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of rheologic alterations in erythrocytes may be important for reducing sepsis-associated morbidity and mortality. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been shown to prevent tissue damage caused by severe ischemia and mortality resulting from sepsis. However, the effect of RIPC on erythrocytes in sepsis is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of RIPC on rheologic alterations in erythrocytes in sepsis. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. An endotoxin-induced sepsis model was established by intraperitoneally injecting 20 mg/kg LPS (LPS group). RIPC was induced in the right hind limb using a tourniquet, with three 10-minute of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion cycles immediately before the injection of LPS (RIPC/LPS group) or phosphate-buffered saline (RIPC group). The aggregation index (AI), time to half-maximal aggregation (T1/2), and maximal elongation index (EImax) of the erythrocytes were measured 8 h after injection. RESULTS: The AI, T1/2, and EImax values in the LPS and RIPC/LPS groups differed significantly from those in the RIPC group, but there were no differences between the values in the LPS and RIPC/LPS groups. CONCLUSIONS: RIPC did not prevent rheologic alterations in erythrocytes in the rat model of LPS-induced endotoxemia.

A Comparison of Anesthetic Quality Between Interscalene Block and Superior Trunk Block for Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Interscalene block is the most commonly used nerve block for shoulder surgery, and superior trunk block has been investigated as a phrenic-sparing alternative. This randomized controlled trial compared ultrasound-guided interscalene block and superior trunk block as anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to determine the superiority of anesthesia quality and compare the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis between these 2 blocks. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital. METHODS: Forty-eight patients undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery under an ultrasound guided brachial plexus block were randomized to receive either an interscalene block (ISB group, n = 24) or a superior trunk block (STB group, n = 24) for surgery. Ten milliliters of 2% lidocaine and 10 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine were used as local anesthesia in both brachial plexus block groups (total 20 mL). In the ISB group, the local anesthesia was injected between the C5-C6 root and at the upper part of C5 with equally divided doses. In the STB group, the local anesthesia was injected into the anterior and posterior parts of the superior trunk with equally divided doses. Sensory blockade of each trocar's insulting site (supraclavicular, axillary, and suprascapular nerve areas) and motor blockade of the axillary nerve (shoulder abduction) and the suprascapular nerve (shoulder external rotation) were assessed by a blinded observer at 5-minute intervals for 30 minutes after the block. Anesthesia quality was assessed using 3 grades (excellent/insufficient/failure). The blinded investigator also assessed the grade of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (normal/partial/complete) by comparing pre- and postoperative chest radiographs. Primary outcome variables were anesthesia grade and rate of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Secondary outcome variables were performance time and anesthesia onset time. RESULTS: The anesthetic grade was significantly different between the 2 groups (22/2/0 in the ISB group vs. 16/3/5 in the STB group, P = 0.046). Both groups displayed equivalent incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (12/6/6 in the ISB group vs. 7/14/3 in the STB group, P = 0.063). No intergroup differences were found in terms of performance time and anesthesia onset time. LIMITATIONS: Our sensory and motor function test was not applied to the subscapular nerve, which serves internal rotation of the humeral head so may be difficult to evaluate in patients with rotator cuff tears. We assessed the diaphragmatic movement by chest radiographs instead of by ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The superior trunk block provided lower quality of surgical anesthesia than the interscalene block and did not effectively decrease the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis during arthroscopic shoulder surgery for rotator cuff syndrome.

Resilience in the Surgical Scheduling to Support Adaptive Scheduling System.

Operating Room (OR) managers frequently encounter uncertainties related to real-time scheduling, especially on the day of surgery. It is necessary to enable earlier identification of uncertainties occurring in the perioperative environment. This study aims to propose a framework for resilient surgical scheduling by identifying uncertainty factors affecting the real-time surgical scheduling through a mixed-methods study. We collected the pre- and post-surgical scheduling data for twenty days and a one-day observation data in a top-tier general university hospital in South Korea. Data were compared and analyzed for any changes related to the dimensions of uncertainty. The observations in situ of surgical scheduling were performed to confirm our findings from the quantitative data. Analysis was divided into two phases of fundamental uncertainties categorization (conceptual, technical and personal) and uncertainties leveling for effective decision-making strategies. Pre- and post-surgical scheduling data analysis showed that unconfirmed patient medical conditions and emergency cases are the main causes of frequent same-day surgery schedule changes, with derived factors that affect the scheduling pattern (time of surgery, overtime surgery, surgical procedure changes and surgery duration). The observation revealed how the OR manager controlled the unexpected events to prevent overtime surgeries. In conclusion, integrating resilience approach to identifying uncertainties and managing event changes can minimize potential risks that may compromise the surgical personnel and patients' safety, thereby promoting higher resilience in the current system. Furthermore, this strategy may improve coordination among personnel and increase surgical scheduling efficiency.

Quantifying the depth of anesthesia based on brain activity signal modeling.

Various methods of assessing the depth of anesthesia (DoA) and reducing intraoperative awareness during general anesthesia have been extensively studied in anesthesiology. However, most of the DoA monitors do not include brain activity signal modeling. Here, we propose a new algorithm termed the cortical activity index (CAI) based on the brain activity signals. In this study, we enrolled 32 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Raw electroencephalography (EEG) signals were acquired at a sampling rate of 128 Hz using BIS-VISTA with standard bispectral index (BIS) sensors. All data were stored on a computer for further analysis. The similarities and difference among spectral entropy, the BIS, and CAI were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficient between the BIS and CAI was 0.825. The result of fitting the semiparametric regression models is the method CAI estimate (-0.00995; P = .0341). It is the estimated difference in the mean of the dependent variable between method BIS and CAI. The CAI algorithm, a simple and intuitive algorithm based on brain activity signal modeling, suggests an intrinsic relationship between the DoA and the EEG waveform. We suggest that the CAI algorithm might be used to quantify the DoA.

Renal hemodynamics by return cannular position of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in swine.

BACKGROUND: Whether arterial return cannula position affects the kidney during Veno-Arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is unclear. Therefore, we compared hemodynamic parameters and acute kidney injury (AKI) biomarkers between ascending aorta return (aECMO) and femoral artery return ECMO (fECMO) in swine to evaluate the effect of cannula position on the kidney. METHODS: A total of twelve swines were allocated randomly into two groups. ECMO was maintained for 6h. Hemodynamic parameters including mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal arterial flow rate (AF), energy equivalent pressure (EEP), and surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE) were measured at the left renal artery. For evaluation of kidney injury, samples were obtained for blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (before ECMO, and 1, 3, and 6 h after initiating ECMO). RESULTS: Before the start of ECMO, hemodynamic parameters were not different between the two groups. With regard to the rate of change before and after ECMO, the fECMO group showed a significantly higher increase in MAP, AF, and EEP and a greater decrease in SHE than the aECMO group (P<0.001). In inter-group analysis, no significant difference in time-dependent trends were observed for biochemical laboratory levels. CONCLUSIONS: fECMO support was associated with a higher energy profile at the renal artery than that with aECMO, whereas pulsatility was decreased.

Remote ischemic preconditioning ameliorates indirect acute lung injury by modulating phosphorylation of IκBα in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Acute lung injury is responsible for mortality in seriously ill patients. Previous studies have shown that systemic inflammation is attenuated by remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) via reducing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, we investigated whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced indirect acute lung injury (ALI) can be protected by RIPC. METHODS: RIPC was accomplished by 10 minutes of occlusion using a tourniquet on the right hind limb of mice, followed by 10 minutes of reperfusion. This process was repeated three times. Intraperitoneal LPS (20 mg/kg) was administered to induce indirect ALI. Inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pulmonary tissue was excised for histological examination, and for examining NF-κB activity and phosphorylation of inhibitor of κBα (IκBα). RESULTS: NF-κB activation and LPS-induced histopathological changes in the lungs were significantly alleviated in the RIPC group. RIPC reduced phosphorylation of IκBα in lung tissue of ALI mice. CONCLUSIONS: RIPC attenuates endotoxin-induced indirect ALI. This attenuation might occur through modification of NF-κB mediation of cytokines by modulating phosphorylation of IκBα.

Early red blood cell abnormalities as a clinical variable in sepsis diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a medical emergency during which early detection is closely associated with mortality. In sepsis, red blood cell (RBC) abnormalities have been reported. However, it is not known how early RBC abnormalities are expressed compared with various clinical manifestations used in sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA). OBJECTIVE: Therefore, using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis model we investigated the clinical significance of RBC abnormalities as an early indicator in the detection of septic injury compared with clinical variables. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats received LPS (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Aggregation indices (AIs) and aggregation half-time (T1/2), and elongation indices (EI max) were measured. Clinical data-related SOFA and lactate were measured at 2 h, 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after LPS injection. RESULTS: AIs increased at 4 h, and T1/2 decreased at 2 h after LPS injection. Platelet counts decreased at 4 h, and lactate increased at 2 h after LPS injection. AIs showed strong correlations with T1/2 and platelets, EI max increased at 2 h after LPS injection, while EI max had a positive correlation with lactate. CONCLUSIONS: RBC aggregation appears to be an early indicator of clinical deterioration in sepsis and may represent a diagnostic indicator in sepsis.

Effect of varying external pneumatic pressure on hemolysis and red blood cell elongation index in fresh and aged blood: Randomized laboratory research.

BACKGROUND: External applied pneumatic pressure is usually used for rapid transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs). However, increased shear stress can cause increased hemolysis and decreased RBC elongation indices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the degree of hemolysis and the alteration of RBC elongation indices under varying external pressure in fresh and aged blood. METHODS: Venous blood samples were obtained from 20 healthy human volunteers. Each blood bag was divided into 2 subgroups (5 or 35 days of storage), and 5 levels of pressure were applied: 0, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mmHg. After infusion, a laboratory study was conducted. The percentages of irreversibly changed cells were evaluated using Bessis classification. RBC elongation indices were measured using a microfluidic ektacytometer. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the percentage of irreversibly changed RBCs between the pressures of 0 and 300 mmHg. Moreover, there were no significant differences in laboratory test results or elongation indices among all levels of pressure. Irreversibly changed RBCs and hemolysis were increased depending on the storage period. CONCLUSION: Irreversible changes in RBCs did not occur as a result of external pressure. The hemolysis and elongation indices of fresh RBCs were not influenced by external pneumatic pressure up to 300 mmHg. Only the storage period affected the irreversible changes in RBCs and hemolysis. Therefore, the application of external pressure to RBCs in variously aged blood is likely to be a safe procedure.