Development of a Predictive Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Model for High-Throughput ADME Analyses Using Learning-to-Rank (LTR) Techniques.

Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) is an important MS/MS technique commonly used in drug discovery and development, allowing for the selective and sensitive quantification of compounds in complex matrices. However, compound optimization can be resource intensive and requires experimental determination of product ions for each compound. In this study, we developed a Learning-to-Rank (LTR) model to predict the product ions directly from compound structures, eliminating the requirement for MRM optimization experiments. Experimentally determined MRM conditions for 5757 compounds were used to develop the model. Using the MassChemSite software, theoretical fragments and their mass-to-charge ratios were generated, which were then matched to the experimental product ions to create a data set. Each possible fragment was ranked based on its intensity in the experimental data. Different LTR models were built on a training split. Hyperparameter selection was performed using 5-fold cross validation. The models were evaluated using the Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain at top k (NDCG@k) and the Coverage at top k (Coverage@k) metrics. Finally, the model was applied to predict MRM conditions for a prospective set of 235 compounds in high-throughput Caco-2 permeability and metabolic stability assays, and quantification results were compared to those obtained with experimentally acquired MRM conditions. The LTR model achieved a NDCG@5 of 0.732 and Coverage@5 of 0.841 on the validation split, and its predictions led to 97% of biologically equivalent results in the Caco-2 permeability and metabolic stability assays.

A retrospective case-control study to evaluate the use of beta-lactam desensitization in the management of penicillin-allergic patients: a potential strategy for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs.

Introduction: Penicillin allergy labels (PAL) are common in the hospital setting and are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Desensitization can be a useful strategy for allergic patients when alternative options are suboptimal or not available. The aim was to compare clinical outcomes of patients with PAL managed with antibiotic desensitization vs. those who received alternative non-beta-lactam antibiotic treatments. Methods: A retrospective 3:1 case-control study was performed between 2015-2022. Cases were adult PAL patients with infection who required antibiotic desensitization; controls were PAL patients with infection managed with an alternative antibiotic treatment. Cases and controls were adjusted for age, sex, infection source, and critical or non-critical medical services. Results: Fifty-six patients were included: 14 in the desensitization group, 42 in the control group. Compared to the control group, desensitized PAL patients had more comorbidities, with a higher Charlson index (7.4 vs. 5; p = 0.00) and more infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens (57.1% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.05). Thirty-day mortality was 14.3% in the desensitized group, 28.6% in the control group (p = 0.24). Clinical cure occurred in 71.4% cases and 54.8% controls (p = 0.22). Four control patients selected for MDR strains after alternative treatment; selection of MDR strains did not occur in desensitized patients. Five controls had antibiotic-related adverse events, including Clostridioides difficile or nephrotoxicity. No antibiotic-related adverse events were found in the study group. In multivariate analysis, no differences between groups were observed for main variables. Conclusion: Desensitization was not associated with worse clinical outcomes, despite more severe patients in this group. Our study suggests that antibiotic desensitization may be a useful Antimicrobial Stewardship tool for the management of selected PAL patients.

Clinical, Microbiological and Treatment Characteristics of Severe Postoperative Respiratory Infections: An Observational Cohort Study.

Respiratory infections are frequent and life-threatening complications of surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, microbiological and treatment characteristics of severe postoperative pneumonia (POP) and tracheobronchitis (POT) in a large series of patients. This single-center, prospective observational cohort study included patients with POP or POT requiring intensive care unit admission in the past 10 years. We recorded demographic, clinical, microbiological and therapeutic data. A total of 207 patients were included, and 152 (73%) were men. The mean (SD) age was 70 (13) years and the mean (SD) ARISCAT score was 46 (19). Ventilator-associated pneumonia was reported in 21 patients (10%), hospital-acquired pneumonia was reported in 132 (64%) and tracheobronchitis was reported in 54 (26%). The mean (SD) number of days from surgery to POP/POT diagnosis was 6 (4). The mean (SD) SOFA score was 5 (3). Respiratory microbiological sampling was performed in 201 patients (97%). A total of 177 organisms were cultured in 130 (63%) patients, with a high proportion of Gram-negative and multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria (20%). The most common empirical antibiotic therapy was a triple-drug regimen covering MDR Gram-negative bacteria and MRSA. In conclusion, surgical patients are a high-risk population with a high proportion of early onset severe POP/POT and nosocomial bacteria isolation.

Antibiotic desensitization as a potential tool in antimicrobial stewardship programs: retrospective data analysis and systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Antibiotic allergy labels (AAL) are related to worse therapeutic results. Strategies to improve the management of these patients, such as the implementation of antibiotic desensitization, are essential for Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP). The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antibiotic desensitization procedures for the management of patients with AAL. METHODS: A retrospective study from 2015 to 2022 was performed to describe all antibiotic desensitization conducted in our institution, within the framework of ASP. A systematic literature review using electronic databases, such as PubMed, was also done to identify studies describing antibiotic desensitization between 2000 and 2022. RESULTS: Sixteen antibiotic desensitization protocols were carried out in our institution. In fourteen cases, the desensitization was successfully completed, and the antibiotic could be used to treat the infection. In the systematic review, twenty-two studies were included, with a total of 202 desensitization episodes . In 97% of them, the desensitization was completed successfully. No desensitization-related mortality was observed neither in our cohort nor in literature review. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic desensitization strategies should be considered a safe and effective tool that can be included in ASP for patients with a high risk of or confirmed allergy to penicillin.

Early procalcitonin to predict mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a multicentric cohort study.

BACKGROUND: High levels of procalcitonin (PCT) have been associated with a higher risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. We explored the prognostic role of early PCT assessment in critically ill COVID-19 patients and whether PCT predictive performance would be influenced by immunosuppression. METHODS: Retrospective multicentric analysis of prospective collected data in COVID-19 patients consecutively admitted to 36 intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain and Andorra from March to June 2020. Adult (>18 years) patients with confirmed COVID-19 and available PCT values (<72 hours from ICU admission) were included. Patients were considered as "no immunosuppression" (NI), "chronic immunosuppression" (CI) and "acute immunosuppression" (AIT if only tocilizumab; AIS if only steroids, AITS if both). The primary outcome was the ability of PCT to predict ICU mortality. RESULTS: Of the 1079 eligible patients, 777 patients were included in the analysis. Mortality occurred in 227 (28%) patients. In the NI group 144 (19%) patients were included, 67 (9%) in the CI group, 66 (8%) in the AIT group, 262 (34%) in the AIS group and 238 (31%) in the AITS group; PCT was significantly higher in non-survivors when compared with survivors (0.64 [0.17-1.44] vs. 0.23 [0.11-0.60] ng/mL; P<0.01); however, in the multivariable analysis, PCT values was not independently associated with ICU mortality. PCT values and ICU mortality were significantly higher in patients in the NI and CI groups. CONCLUSIONS: PCT values are not independent predictors of ICU mortality in COVID-19 patients. Acute immunosuppression significantly reduced PCT values, although not influencing its predictive value.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Meropenem by Extended or Continuous Infusion in Low Body Weight Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Pathophysiological changes such as extreme body weights in critically ill patients with severe infections may alter the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antimicrobials, leading to treatment failure or toxicity. There are almost no PK data on meropenem in critically ill patients with low body weight (LwBW) and therefore information is lacking on the most appropriate dosing regimens, especially when administered by extended infusion. Objectives: To assess if the current administered doses of meropenem could lead to supratherapeutic concentrations in LwBW patients and to identify the factors independently associated with overexposure. Methods: A matched case-control 1:1 study of surgical critically ill patients treated with meropenem administered by extended or continuous infusion and undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring was conducted. Cases (patients with LwBW (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2)) were matched with normal body weight controls (NBW) (patients with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and ≤30 kg/m2)) by age, gender, baseline renal function and severity status (APACHE II score). A 100% fT > MIC was considered an optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target and 100% fT > 10 × MIC as supratherapeutic exposure. Results: Thirty-six patients (18 cases and 18 controls) were included (median (range) age, 57.5 (26-75) years; 20 (55.6% male)). Meropenem was administered by 6 h (extended) or 8 h (continuous) infusion at a median (range) daily dose of 5 (1-6) g/day. Similar median meropenem trough plasma concentrations (Cmin,ss), measured pre-dose on day three to four of treatment) were observed in the two groups (19.9 (22.2) mg/L vs 22.4 (25.8) mg/L, p > 0.999). No differences in the proportion of patients with an optimal or a supratherapeutic PKPD target between cases and controls were observed. A baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 90 mL/min was the only factor independently associated with a supratherapeutic PK/PD target. Conclusions: LwBW seems not to be a risk factor for achieving a supratherapeutic PK/PD target in critically ill patients receiving meropenem at standard doses by extended or continuous infusion.

Outcomes From Brain Death Donors With Previous Cardiac Arrest Accepted for Pancreas Transplantation: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cardiac arrest time (CAT) in donors after brain death (DBD) donors on pancreas transplant outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Results from donors after circulatory death report good outcomes despite warm ischemia times up to 57 minutes. Previous cardiac arrest in DBD has been addressed as a potential risk factor, but duration of the CAT has never been evaluated. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis including 342 pancreas transplants performed at our center from 2000 to 2016, and evaluated the effect of previous cardiac arrest in DBD (caDBD) on pancreas transplant outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 49 (14.3%) caDBD were accepted for transplantation [median CAT of 5.0 min (IQR 2.5-15.0)]. Anoxic encephalopathy was most frequent and P-PASS higher (16.9 vs 15.6) in caDBD group when compared with other DBD. No differences were found in all other characteristics evaluated.Graft survival was similar between both groups, as was the incidence of early graft failure (EGF). CAT increased the risk for EGF [OR 1.09 (95% CI, 1.01-1.17)], and the duration of CPR discriminated for EGF [AUC of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74-0.98)], with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 75% at a cutoff of 15 minutes. When evaluated separately, caDBD >15 min increased over 5 times the risk for EGF [HR 5.80 (95% CI, 1.82-18.56); P = 0.003], and these presented fewer days on the ICU (1.0 vs 3.0 d). CONCLUSION: CaDBD donors are suitable for routine pancreas transplantation without increasing EGF risk, and in those with longer CAT it may be prudent to postpone donation a few days to allow a thorough evaluation of organ damage following cardiac arrest.

Awake prone positioning does not reduce the risk of intubation in COVID-19 treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy: a multicenter, adjusted cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Awake prone positioning (awake-PP) in non-intubated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients could avoid endotracheal intubation, reduce the use of critical care resources, and improve survival. We aimed to examine whether the combination of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) with awake-PP prevents the need for intubation when compared to HFNO alone. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, adjusted observational cohort study in consecutive COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) receiving respiratory support with HFNO from 12 March to 9 June 2020. Patients were classified as HFNO with or without awake-PP. Logistic models were fitted to predict treatment at baseline using the following variables: age, sex, obesity, non-respiratory Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, APACHE-II, C-reactive protein, days from symptoms onset to HFNO initiation, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation. We compared data on demographics, vital signs, laboratory markers, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, days to intubation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality between HFNO patients with and without awake-PP. RESULTS: A total of 1076 patients with COVID-19 ARF were admitted, of which 199 patients received HFNO and were analyzed. Fifty-five (27.6%) were pronated during HFNO; 60 (41%) and 22 (40%) patients from the HFNO and HFNO + awake-PP groups were intubated. The use of awake-PP as an adjunctive therapy to HFNO did not reduce the risk of intubation [RR 0.87 (95% CI 0.53-1.43), p = 0.60]. Patients treated with HFNO + awake-PP showed a trend for delay in intubation compared to HFNO alone [median 1 (interquartile range, IQR 1.0-2.5) vs 2 IQR 1.0-3.0] days (p = 0.055), but awake-PP did not affect 28-day mortality [RR 1.04 (95% CI 0.40-2.72), p = 0.92]. CONCLUSION: In patients with COVID-19 ARF treated with HFNO, the use of awake-PP did not reduce the need for intubation or affect mortality.

Intrapulmonary concentrations of meropenem administered by continuous infusion in critically ill patients with nosocomial pneumonia: a randomized pharmacokinetic trial.

BACKGROUND: Optimal antimicrobial drug exposure in the lung is required for successful treatment outcomes for nosocomial pneumonia. Little is known about the intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics (PK) of meropenem when administered by continuous infusion (CI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the PK of two dosages of meropenem (3 g vs 6 g/day by CI) in the plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in critically ill patients with nosocomial pneumonia. METHODS: Thirty-one patients (81% male, median (IQR) age 72 (22) years) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, clinical trial. Sixteen patients received 1 g/8 h and 15 2 g/8 h by CI (8 h infusion). Plasma and ELF meropenem concentrations were modeled using a population methodology, and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate the probability of attaining (PTA) a free ELF concentration of 50% of time above MIC (50% fT>MIC), which results in logarithmic killing and the suppression of resistance in experimental models of pneumonia. RESULTS: The median (IQR) of meropenem AUC0-24 h in the plasma and ELF was 287.6 (190.2) and 84.1 (78.8) mg h/L in the 1 g/8 h group vs 448.1 (231.8) and 163.0 (201.8) mg h/L in the 2 g/8 h group, respectively. The penetration ratio was approximately 30% and was comparable between the dosage groups. In the Monte Carlo simulations, only the highest approved dose of meropenem of 2 g/8 h by CI allowed to achieve an optimal PTA for all isolates with a MIC < 4 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the dose of meropenem administered by CI achieved a higher exposure in the plasma and ELF. The use of the highest licensed dose of 6 g/day may be necessary to achieve an optimal coverage in ELF for all susceptible isolates (MIC ≤ 2 mg/L) in patients with conserved renal function. An alternative therapy should be considered when the presence of microorganisms with a MIC greater than 2 mg/L is suspected. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT-no. 2016-002796-10). Registered on 27 December 2016.

The development of a predictive model of graft function in uncontrolled donors after circulatory death: validity of a pulsatile renal preservation machine cut-off value for kidney acceptance.

BACKGROUND: The criteria for kidney suitability in uncontrolled donors after circulatory death (uDCD) procured after regional normothermic perfusion are based on macroscopic appearance and renal haemodynamic values with final renal resistance (FRR). However, these criteria have not been analysed to predict the future graft function. This study presents a model to predict the outcome in uDCD kidneys and define the predictive FRR value. METHODS: All uDCD kidney transplants performed in our hospital from 2004 to 2016 were included. Donors and recipients and pre-transplantation data are described. The endpoint was glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥30 mL/min at 6 months after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 194 recipients were included. FRR in donors ≥60 years old was (mean ± SD) 0.27 ± 0.11 versus 0.22 ± 0.09 mmHg/mL/min in donors <60 years (P = 0.042). Kidney survival was 88.2% versus 84% at 12 months and 60.7% versus 30.8% at 120 months (P = 0.067). For the group of recipients from donors ≥60 years, the FRR was 0.37 ± 0.08 mmHg/mL/min in the GFR <30 mL/min group versus 0.18 ± 0.06 mmHg/mL/min in the GFR ≥30 mL/min group (P < 0.001). The value FRR ≥0.3 mmHg/mL/min predicts 59-79% of GFR <30 mL/min [odds ratio = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80-6.40; P < 0.001]. The predictive accuracy of FRR for GFR by ROC curve was 0.968 (95% CI). The best cut-off for FRR was 0.3 mmHg/mL/min to predict GFR at 6 months with a sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 83% and negative predictive value of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in uDCD donors the combination of donor age ≥60 years together with FRR ≥0.3 mmHg/mL/min could predict poor outcome at 6 months after transplantation in low immunological risk recipients.

Common variants of NFE2L2 gene predisposes to acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with severe sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether common variants across the nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2) gene contribute to the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with severe sepsis. NFE2L2 is involved in the response to oxidative stress, and it has been shown to be associated with the development of ARDS in trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a case-control study of 321 patients fulfilling international criteria for severe sepsis and ARDS who were admitted to a Spanish network of post-surgical and critical care units, as well as 871 population-based controls. Six tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NFE2L2 were genotyped, and, after further imputation of additional 34 SNPs, association testing with ARDS susceptibility was conducted using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After multiple testing adjustments, our analysis revealed 10 non-coding SNPs in tight linkage disequilibrium (0.75 ≤ r (2) ≤ 1) that were associated with ARDS susceptibility as a single association signal. One of those SNPs (rs672961) was previously associated with trauma-induced ARDS and modified the promoter activity of the NFE2L2 gene, showing an odds ratio of 1.93 per T allele (95 % confidence interval, 1.17-3.18; p = 0.0089). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the involvement of NFE2L2 gene variants in ARDS susceptibility and reinforce further exploration of the role of oxidant stress response as a risk factor for ARDS in critically ill patients.

Optimización del proceso de donación de tejidos en un hospital universitario: 10 años de experiencia / Optimising tissue donation process in a universiy hospital: 10 years of experience

Fundamento y objetivo: La necesidad de tejido para trasplante requiere un esfuerzo continuo en la detección y evaluación de las causas de fallecimiento de los sujetos potencialmente donantes de tejidos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la capacidad de optimizar la donación de tejidos tras la detección activa de fallecidos y la revisión exhaustiva de las causas de muerte de acuerdo con los estándares internacionales y locales de bancos de tejidos. Material y método. Desde el año 2002 se instauró un procedimiento de detección activa y precoz de fallecidos hospitalarios. Se estudió el incremento de potencialidad de donación modificando los criterios: edad (80 a 85 años), aceptación de facoemulsiones corneales, enfermedades autoinmunitarias y reevaluación de las sepsis. En la década 2002-2011 se mantuvieron los mismos criterios de exclusión absoluta. Se analizó la tasa de conversión de potenciales donantes a donantes reales de uno o varios tejidos. Resultados: Analizamos 16.531 fallecidos en parada cardiorrespiratoria. Cumplían criterios de exclusión absoluta 11.191 casos. La modificación de criterios incrementó los potenciales donantes: un 10,4% la edad, un 4,5% las enfermedades autoinmunitarias/facoemulsión y un 11,8% el criterio de sepsis (p < 0,00), con un incremento global del 16% (p < 0,00) al final del período de estudio. Se generaron un total de 2.371 donantes efectivos. La efectividad de generar donantes pasó del 11 al 21% durante la década (p < 0,00). Conclusiones: La combinación de un sistema de detección proactiva del fallecimiento y la revisión continua de los criterios de aceptación para cada tipo de tejido permite, en un medio hospitalario, incrementar el número de potenciales donantes (AU)

Background and objective: The demand of tissue for transplants requires a continuous effort in detecting potential donors and assessing the causes of death. We aimed to assess the capacity to optimise tissue donation rates with the implementation of an active detection system of hospital deaths alongside a comprehensive assessment of the causes of death according to current international and local tissue banks’ standards. Material and method: An early and pro-active detection programme of hospital deaths was implemented in 2002. The potential increase in donation was analysed according to modified criteria: age (80 to 85 years), acceptance of corneal phacoemulsification, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis reassessment. During the 2002-2011 decade, the criteria for absolute exclusion remained the same. The conversion rate from potential donors to actual donors of one or more tissue types was analysed. Results: A total of 16.531 cases of cardiac arrest were analysed, and 11.191 of the cases fulfilled criteria of absolute exclusion. The modification of criteria led to an increase of potential donors: 10.4% age factor, 4.5% autoimmune diseases/phacoemulsification factor, 11.8% sepsis factor (P < .00). The study indicated a total increase of 16% (P < .00). A total of 2.371 successful donations were generated. The efficiency to generate donors increased from 11 to 21% during the aforementioned decade (P < .00). Conclusion: A pro-active detection system of hospital deaths combined with a continuous re-assessment of the acceptance criteria for each tissue type in the hospital setting leads to an increase in the potential donors’ rate (AU)

[Optimising tissue donation process in a university hospital: 10 years of experience]. / Optimización del proceso de donación de tejidos en un hospital universitario: 10 años de experiencia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The demand of tissue for transplants requires a continuous effort in detecting potential donors and assessing the causes of death. We aimed to assess the capacity to optimise tissue donation rates with the implementation of an active detection system of hospital deaths alongside a comprehensive assessment of the causes of death according to current international and local tissue banks' standards. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An early and pro-active detection programme of hospital deaths was implemented in 2002. The potential increase in donation was analysed according to modified criteria: age (80 to 85 years), acceptance of corneal phacoemulsification, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis reassessment. During the 2002-2011 decade, the criteria for absolute exclusion remained the same. The conversion rate from potential donors to actual donors of one or more tissue types was analysed. RESULTS: A total of 16.531 cases of cardiac arrest were analysed, and 11.191 of the cases fulfilled criteria of absolute exclusion. The modification of criteria led to an increase of potential donors: 10.4% age factor, 4.5% autoimmune diseases/phacoemulsification factor, 11.8% sepsis factor (P<.00). The study indicated a total increase of 16% (P<.00). A total of 2.371 successful donations were generated. The efficiency to generate donors increased from 11 to 21% during the aforementioned decade (P<.00). CONCLUSION: A pro-active detection system of hospital deaths combined with a continuous re-assessment of the acceptance criteria for each tissue type in the hospital setting leads to an increase in the potential donors' rate.

Intravascular cooling for rapid induction of moderate hypothermia in severely head-injured patients: results of a multicenter study (IntraCool).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of a new method of intravascular temperature management for inducing moderate hypothermia (MHT). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Prospective, international-multicenter clinical trial conducted in four university hospitals. PATIENTS: In a 2-year period 24 patients with severe head injury and refractory high ICP were treated with MHT (32.5 degrees C) by intravascular methods. RESULTS: Seventeen were males and seven females, with a median age of 25 years (range 15-60). The median Glasgow Coma Scale upon admission was 7 (range 3-13) and the median Injury Severity Score was 22 (range 13-43). A total of 75% of patients presented a diffuse lesion in the pre-enrollment computed tomography. Median time from injury until reaching refractory high ICP was 71.5 h after injury (minimum 14 h, maximum 251 h). Twelve patients (50%) reached this situation within the first 72 h after injury. MHT was attained in a median time of 3 h. Pre-enrollment median ICP was 23.8 mmHg and was reduced to 16.8 mmHg upon reaching target temperature. At 6 months after injury, nine patients had died (37.5%), six were severely disabled (25%), two moderately disabled (8.3%) and seven had a good recovery (29.2%). Of the nine patients who died, in four the cause was rebound ICP during rewarming, one death was attributed to accidental potassium overload, two to septic shock, one to cardiac arrest of unknown origin and the ninth to a pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: Intravascular methods to induce MHT combined with precooling with cold saline at 4 degrees C appear to be feasible and effective in reducing ICP in patients with high ICP refractory to first-line therapeutic measures.

Anesthetic management of a patient in prone position with a drill bit penetrating the spinal canal at C1-C2, using a laryngeal mask.

UNLABELLED: Airway management in patients with penetrating neck trauma must guarantee cervical spine stability. Moreover, the prone position increases the risk of difficult ventilation and cervical spine injury. A 19-yr-old patient was brought to the emergency room in prone position with a drill bit protruding from the posterolateral aspect of his neck. The bit had entered the spinal canal below the first cervical vertebra, and placed near the odontoid peg. He was referred for surgical removal of the drill. The use of an inhaled induction of anesthesia, avoiding muscle relaxants, and ventilation through a laryngeal mask airway inserted in the prone position seemed to offer a satisfactory approach. IMPLICATIONS: Management of patients with penetrating neck trauma must guarantee cervical spine stability. Moreover, the prone position increases the risk of difficult ventilation and cervical spine injury. Anesthesia may be induced and the airway can be managed with the patient already in the prone position for surgery.

Hepatic preconditioning after prolonged warm ischemia by means of S-adenosyl-L-methionine administration in pig liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors.

BACKGROUND: This study ascertained the effect of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) administration on the ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with pig liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) after prolonged warm ischemia. METHOD: Twenty-five animals underwent transplantation with an allograft from an NHBD. After donor cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary bypass and normothermic recirculation (NR) were performed for 30 min. Ten animals were given SAMe during NR. Donors were cooled to 15 degrees C, and liver procurement was performed. RESULTS: SAMe reduced histologic liver damage 5 days after transplantation. The necrotic area affected 15.9%+/-14.5% of the liver biopsies in controls and 7.4%+/-9% in SAMe livers. Six of eight controls and only one of eight survivors in the SAMe group developed ischemic cholangitis. SAMe reduced apoptosis of hepatocytes 5 days after transplantation and apoptosis of sinusoidal endothelial cells at reperfusion and at 5 days. SAMe increased energy charge at the end of NR and favored the balance between adenosine and xanthine. It was also associated with higher portal blood flow (740+/-59.2 vs. 475.2+/-65.0 mL/min-1/m-2), hepatic hyaluronic acid extraction (132+/-72.2 vs. -205.8+/-64.6 microg/L), and lower levels of alpha-glutathione-S-transferase after reperfusion (2,601%+/-581% with respect to baseline vs. 6,488%+/-5,612%). CONCLUSION: SAMe administration during liver procurement from NHBDs prevents liver endothelial, parenchymal, and biliary tract damage. The protective role of SAMe may be partially mediated by the effect of adenosine during liver procurement.