Echocardiography predictors of sustained sinus rhythm after cardioversion of supraventricular arrhythmia in patients with septic shock.

PURPOSE: The echocardiography parameters may predict the maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion of a supraventricular arrhythmia (SVA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in septic shock with onset of an SVA, normal to moderately reduced LV systolic function (EF_LV˃̳35%) and on a continuous noradrenaline of <1.0 µg/kg.min were included. Echocardiography was performed at the arrhythmia onset, 1 h and 4 h post cardioversion on an infusion of propafenone or amiodarone. RESULTS: Cardioversion was achieved in 96% of the 209 patients within a median time of 6(1.8-15.6)h, 134(64.1%) patients experienced at least one SVA recurrence after cardioversion. At 4 h the left atrial emptying fraction (LA_EF, cut-off 38.4%, AUC 0.69,p˂0.001), and transmitral A wave velocity-time-integral (Avti, cut-off 6.8 cm, AUC 0.65,p = 0.001) showed as limited predictors of a single arrhythmia recurrence. The LA_EF 44(36,49)%, (p = 0.005) and the Avti 8.65(7.13,9.50)cm, (p < 0.001) were associated with sustained sinus rhythm and decreased proportionally to increasing numbers of arrhythmia recurrences (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). The enlarged left atrial end-systolic diameter at the arrhythmia onset (p = 0.04) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure at 4 h (p = 0.007) were weak predictors of multiple(˃3) recurrences. CONCLUSION: The LA_EF and Avti are related to arrhythmia recurrences post-cardioversion suggesting potential guidance to the choice between rhythm and rate control strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03029169, registered on 24th of January 2017.

[Polytraumas in injured patients over 65 years of age]. / Polytrauma u zranených starsích 65 let.

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric trauma is most commonly defined as a trauma in patients of 65 years of age and over. These patients represent a specific problem due to their vulnerability, limited physiological response to the traumatic stress and high frequency of associated disorders, complicating the treatment. The aim of this report is to assess polytrauma patients of 65 years of age and older, compared to a group of younger patients. PATIENTS, METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: 198 polytrauma patients, hospitalized from 2005 to 2006 were included in the retrospective study. Out of the total, 27 subjects (13.6%) were 65+ years old. Upon their admission, the difference in APACHE II between the groups was highly statistically significant (19-27.2, p = 0.0001). The ISS (the mean value) score was higher in the elderly patients (29-38). Traffic injuries, including pedestrian-vehicle collisions (61-73%), were the commonest mechanism of injuries in the both groups. There was a significant difference in the rates of craniocerebral injuries (80-96%, p = 0.041). During the early posttraumatic period, 99 (57%) urgent surgical procedures were performed in younger patients, compared to 11 (79%) procedures in the elderly. The difference in death rates was statistically significant (25-44%, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Polytraumas in the elderly (65 years of age and over) injured is characterized by higher severity scores and higher rates of craniocerebral injuries. Traffic injury was the commonest mechanism of injury. The death rate was higher in the elderly patients.

Ultrasound estimation of volume of pleural fluid in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to develop a practical method for estimation of the volume of pleural effusion using ultrasonography in mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: 20-bed general intensive care unit in the university hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: 81 patients were included after initial suspicion of pleural fluid on chest supine X-ray and pre-puncture ultrasound confirming effusion. Patients with thoracic deformities, post-lung surgery, with diaphragm pathology, haemothorax, empyema and with incomplete aspiration of pleural fluid on post-puncture ultrasound were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were supine with mild trunk elevation at 15 degrees . Probe was moved upwards in posterior axillary line, and transverse section perpendicular to the body axis was obtained with pleural separation visible at lung base. The maximal distance between parietal and visceral pleura (Sep) in end-expiration was recorded. Thoracentesis was performed at previous probe position and volume of pleural fluid (V) recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: 92 effusions were evaluated and drained; 11 (12%) were excluded for incomplete aspiration. Success rate of obtaining fluid under ultrasound guidance was 100%; the incidence of pneumothorax or bleeding was zero. Mean Sep was 35+/-13 mm. Mean V was 658+/-320 ml. Significant positive correlation between both Sep and V was found: r=0.72; r(2)=0.52; p<0.001. The amount of pleural fluid volume can be estimated with the simplified formula: V (ml)=20 x Sep (mm). Mean prediction error of V using Sep was 158.4+/-160.6 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Easy quantification of pleural fluid may help to decide about performing thoracentesis in high-risk patients, although thoracentesis under ultrasound guidance appears to be a safe procedure.

Microcycle conidiation in submerged cultures of Penicillium cyclopium attained without temperature changes.

Microcycle conidiation in shaken cultures of Penicillium cyclopium M 79 was induced at 24 degrees C without any shock treatment. The occurrence of a microcycle depended on the presence of an organic acid (especially glutamic acid) in combination with glucose, low phosphate concentration, light and sufficient aeration. Absence of glucose and/or lowered aeration evoked vegetative growth. A synchronous and homogeneous microcycle required a certain relationship between the number of inoculated conidia and the concentration of the organic acid in the medium; the optimum was at 0.08 nmol acid per conidium. Higher values stimulated normal vegetative growth. A shortage or absence of the organic acid led to an atypical growth. The effect of organic acid can be partially replaced by addition of 2% (w/v) CaCO3. Addition of NH+4 in concentrations higher than 6 mM to cultures with glutamate or glutamine evoked vegetative growth.