The Effect of Ipratropium Bromide with Violet Flower Extract, Ipratropium Bromide with Budesonide, and Ipratropium Bromide Alone on the Cuff-Leak of the Endotracheal Tube in Intubated ICU Patients.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ipratropium bromide with violet flower extract, ipratropium bromide with budesonide, and ipratropium bromide alone on the cuff-leak of the endotracheal tube and changes in hemodynamic parameters in intubated patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: The present randomized clinical trial study was performed on 195 intubated patients in three groups of 65 patients. The first group received nebulized ipratropium bromide with budesonide (I + B group), the second group in addition to ipratropium bromide, received one tablespoon of the violet flower extract syrup every 8 hours (I + V group), and the third group received nebulized ipratropium bromide alone (I group). Hemodynamic parameters and the cuff-leak ratio (CLR) of patients were evaluated up to 72 hours after intubation. Results: The results of the present study revealed that 12 hours after intubation, the mean of CLR was significantly lower in group I (with a mean of 0.14 ± 0.02) as compared with that of the I + V and I + B groups (with the means of 0.16 ± 0.05 and 0.23 ± 0.05, respectively) (P < 0.001). In addition, 24 hours after intubation, the mean of CLR in group I + V was higher than that of I + B and I groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the use of violet extract syrup in patients under intubation can significantly improve patients' ratio of cuff-leak and SpO2. It seems that the use of violet extract syrup is effective to prevent unwanted complications during intubation and to facilitate patients' breathing.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the modified nutrition risk in the critically ill (mNUTRIC) score in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a very harmful pandemic, and its recovery process is highly influenced by nutritional status; however, an appropriate nutritional scale has not yet been proposed for these patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill (mNUTRIC) score in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed on 204 critically ill patients affected by COVID-19 admitted to the ICU wards. Evaluated indicators include the mNUTRIC Score as well as demographic, and biochemical indicators. RESULTS: A high percentage of COVID-19 patients (67.2%) had severe disease. Hospital and ICU stay (p > 0.001) and PH (p > 0.001) values were significantly lower in non-survivors than in survivors. mNUTRIC score (p > 0.001), PCO2 (p = 0.003), and CRP levels (p = 0.021) were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors. mNUTRIC score had a direct correlation with age (p > 0.001), AST (p = 0.000), LDH (p = 0.026), and CRP (p = 0.014) and an inverse correlation with hospital duration (p = 0.031), albumin (p = 0.003) and PH (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a non-significant correlation between the mNUTRIC score and mortality chance (OR = 1.085, 95%CI [0.83, 1.42], p = 0.552). While, patients with more severe COVID-19 disease (OR = 8.057, 95%CI [1.33, 48.64], p = 0.023) and higher PCO2 (OR = 1.042, 95%CI [1.01, 1.08], p = 0.023) levels had higher odds of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that COVID-19 patients with higher CRP levels and lower PH had higher mortality and poor nutritional condition. Moreover, there was a non-significant association between the mNUTRIC score and mortality chance.

Hemoperfusion in patients with severe COVID-19 respiratory failure, lifesaving or not?

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus outbreak quickly filled hospital beds and stunned the world. Intensive care is required for 5% of patients, and the mortality rate for critically ill patients is 49%. The "cytokine storm" is considered as the main cause of pathogenesis for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)-related respiratory failure, hemoperfusion may be a modality for treatment of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven an patients with positive real-time polymerase chain reaction for SARStions2 in an upper respiratory tract sample or typical chest computed tomography lesion were eligible for this case-control study. Patients meeting the criteria for hemoperfusion including clinical and laboratory indices, were evaluated for outcomes such as hospitalization length and mortality. Patients were divided into three groups, i.e., patients who received hemoperfusion without a need for mechanical ventilation (MV), patients who received hemoperfusion before MV, and patients who received hemoperfusion after MV. RESULTS: Among 37 patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure, 32% were female with a mean age of 55.54 (standard deviation 14.1) years. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of length of hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) stay (P-tayns: 0.593 and 0.243, respectively, confidence interval [CI]: 95%). Heart rate, respiratory rate, PaO2/FIO2, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and ferritin significantly improved after the application of hemoperfusion in all groups (P < 0.05, CI: 95%). CONCLUSION: It seems that applying hemoperfusion in the inflammatory phase of the disease, especially before the intubation, reduce the need for MV. However, hemoperfusion does not have any impacts on the duration of hospital and ICU stay.

Comparison of hemodynamic changes and serum potassium levels in the use of succinylcholine and cisatracurium in electroconvulsive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is nowadays used commonly as one the most effective treatment methods in psychiatric disorders. In patients undergoing ECT, succinylcholine is usually used. In addition, cisatracurium is occasionally used on a case report basis globally. In this study, we compared the hemodynamic changes and serum potassium levels in the use of succinylcholine and cisatracurium in ECT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current crossover clinical trial was performed on 45 patients who were candidates for ECT between 2017 and 2018. The patients were given succinylcholine or cisatracurium randomly on two separate occasions of ECT. The independent t-test and Chi square Test were used to compare the data. RESULTS: Comparison of mean systolic blood pressure (P = 0.14), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.33), and mean arterial pressure (P = 0.23) did not show any significant difference between the two groups. The induced seizure duration (P = 0.002), return of spontaneous respiratory from seizure ending (P = 0.001), and apnea duration (P = 0.01) were significantly higher in the cisatracurium group compared to the succinylcholine group. However, the frequency of tachycardia in cisatracurium group was lower than the succinylcholine group (P < 0.001). In addition, the serum potassium level had a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Using cisatracurium can be an alternative to succinylcholine during ECT since it causes less elevation in serum potassium and creates a longer duration of induced seizure, more rapid re emergence of spontaneous breathing at the end of seizure (P = 0.001), and a lower prevalence of tachycardia compared to succinylcholine (P < 0.001).

Comparing the Efficacy of Two Drugs Senalin and Bisacodyl in Treatment of Constipation in Intensive Care Units' Patients.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is an intestinal syndrome that can be created alone or in the context of another disease in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Given the role of sennosides in increasing the transfer rate of materials from the large intestine, we aimed to compare the effect of senalin with bisacodyl on the treatment of constipation in patients admitted to ICUs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, 70 patients admitted to the ICU were divided into two groups. The senalin recipient group received senalin with a dose of 500 mg daily for 3 days. The bisacodyl recipient group received bisacodyl with a dose of 10 mg daily for 3 days. RESULTS: The mean of defecation frequency during the 2nd day of treatment of constipation was significantly higher in the group receiving bisacodyl than in the senalin group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fecal consistency in any of the study days (P < 0.05). The prevalence of complications in the 3rd day of treatment was significantly higher in bisacodyl group than in the senalin group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Given the lack of difference in the efficacy of two drugs, fecal consistency, daily defecation frequency and fewer complications of senalin compared to bisacodyl, it s eems that this drug can be used as an appropriate treatment for constipation in patients admitted to ICUs.

The Comparison Effects of Two Methods of (Adaptive Support Ventilation Minute Ventilation: 110% and Adaptive Support Ventilation Minute Ventilation: 120%) on Mechanical Ventilation and Hemodynamic Changes and Length of Being in Recovery in Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND: The conventional method for ventilation is supported by accommodative or adaptive support ventilation (ASV) that the latter method is done with two methods: ASV minute ventilation (mv): 110% and ASV mv: 120%. Regarding these methods this study compared the differences in duration of mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic changes during recovery and length of stay in Intensive Care Units (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a clinical trial study, forty patients candidate for ventilation were selected and randomly divided into two groups of A and B. All patients were ventilated by Rafael ventilator. Ventilator parameters were set on ASV mv: 110% or ASV mv: 120% and patients were monitored on pulse oximetry, electrocardiography monitoring, central vein pressure and arterial pressure. Finally, the data entered to computer and analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: The time average of connection to ventilator in two groups in modes of ASV mv: 110% and 120% was 12.3 ± 3.66 and 10.8 ± 2.07 days respectively, and according to t-test, there was no significant difference between two groups (P = 0.11). The average of length of stay in ICU in two groups of 110% and 120% was 16.35 ± 3.51 and 15.5 ± 2.62 days respectively, and according to t-test, there found to be no significant difference between two groups (P = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Using ASV mv: 120% can decrease extubation time compared with ASV mv: 110%. Furthermore, there is not a considerable side effect on hemodynamic of patients.

Comparing the effect of intravenous dexamethasone, intravenous ondansetron, and their combination on nausea and vomiting in cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting are frequently seen in patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) under regional anesthesia. We aimed to compare the antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron and dexamethasone combination with that of the use of each agent alone to decrease the incidence of postdelivery intra- and post-operative nausea and vomiting during CS under spinal anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, prospective, double-blind study was performed on 90 patients undergoing planned CS under spinal anesthesia. The patients received 4 mg ondansetron in Group O, 8 mg dexamethasone in Group D, and 4 mg ondansetron +8 mg dexamethasone in Group OD intravenously within 1-2 min after the umbilical cord was clamped. Frequency of postdelivery intra- and post-operative nausea and vomiting episodes was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 90 eligible patients were included in the study. There were 30 patients in Group O, 30 patients in Group D, and 30 patients in Group OD. Intraoperative nausea in Group D was more than the other two groups. Postoperative nausea in group OD was lesser than the other two groups. Intraoperative vomiting in Group OD was lesser than the other two groups. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups in postoperative vomiting (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined use of dexamethasone and ondansetron for the same indication seems to increase the antiemetic efficacy.

Effect of hypertonic saline on hypotension following induction of general anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of preoperatively administered i.v. hypertonic saline on hypotension following induction of general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated to two groups of 27 patients who received hypertonic saline 5% (2.3 ml/kg) or received normal saline (13 ml/kg). Infusion of hypertonic saline was done half an hour before induction of anesthesia during 30 minutes. Anesthesia was conducted in a standard protocol for all patients. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed in all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 36.68 ± 10.8 years. Forty percent of patients were male. The mean SBP at min 2 and min 5, mean of DBP at min 2, 5, and 15, mean of HR at all time points and mean of MAP at min 2 and 15 between groups were no significantly different (P > 0.05), but mean of SBP at min 10 and 15, mean of DBP at min 10, and mean of MAP at min 5 and 10 in hypertonic saline group was significantly more than the normal group (P < 0.05). Trend of SBP, DBP, HR and MAP between groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Infusion of hypertonic saline 5% (2.3 mg/kg) before the general anesthesia led to a useful reduction in MAP and reduced heart rate, with no episodes of severe hypotension.

Paravertebral block using bupivacaine with/without fentanyl on postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A double-blind, randomized, control trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is one of the most common complaints after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of paravertebral block using bupivacaine with/without fentanyl on postoperative pain and complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was done on 90 patients scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were assessed in two groups: The case group received bupivacaine and fentanyl, and the control group received bupivacaine and normal saline. Primary outcomes were severity of postoperative pain at rest and during coughing. Secondary outcomes were postoperative cumulative morphine consumption and the incidence of side-effects. RESULTS: Pain score at rest before surgery, after recovery, hour-1 and hour-6 was not significantly different between the groups. But in hour-24 cases, the pain score during coughing was significantly higher than controls. Severity of pain at rest in time points was not different between groups. The frequencies (%) of moderate pain at mentioned times in case and control groups were 64, 31, 16, 9, 0 versus 67, 16, 7, 4, and 0, respectively. Pain score during coughing was lower in controls at hour-24 in comparison with cases, but in other time points was not significant. The control group significantly received more total dose of morphine in comparison with cases group. Nausea, vomiting and hypotension were similar in groups, but pruritus was significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Adding fentanyl to bupivacaine in paravertebral block did not significantly improve the postoperative pain and complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, further studies are needed to be done.