Guidelines for inhaled sedation in the ICU.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sedation is used in intensive care units (ICU) to improve comfort and tolerance during mechanical ventilation, invasive interventions, and nursing care. In recent years, the use of inhalation anaesthetics for this purpose has increased. Our objective was to obtain and summarise the best evidence on inhaled sedation in adult patients in the ICU, and use this to help physicians choose the most appropriate approach in terms of the impact of sedation on clinical outcomes and the risk-benefit of the chosen strategy. METHODOLOGY: Given the overall lack of literature and scientific evidence on various aspects of inhaled sedation in the ICU, we decided to use a Delphi method to achieve consensus among a group of 17 expert panellists. The processes was conducted over a 12-month period between 2022 and 2023, and followed the recommendations of the CREDES guidelines. RESULTS: The results of the Delphi survey form the basis of these 39 recommendations - 23 with a strong consensus and 15 with a weak consensus. CONCLUSION: The use of inhaled sedation in the ICU is a reliable and appropriate option in a wide variety of clinical scenarios. However, there are numerous aspects of the technique that require further study.

Noncompliance to iodine supplementation recommendation is a risk factor for iodine insufficiency in Portuguese pregnant women: results from the IoMum cohort.

PURPOSE: After a recommendation for iodine supplementation in pregnancy has been issued in 2013 in Portugal, there were no studies covering iodine status in pregnancy in the country. The aim of this study was to assess iodine status in pregnant women in Porto region and its association with iodine supplementation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, from April 2018 to April 2019. Pregnant women attending the 1st trimester ultrasound scan were invited to participate. Exclusion criteria were levothyroxine use, gestational age < 10 and ≥ 14 weeks, non-evolutive pregnancy at recruitment and non-signing of informed consent. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in random spot urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Median UIC was 104 µg/L (IQR 62-189) in the overall population (n = 481) of which 19% had UIC < 50 µg/L. Forty three percent (n = 206) were not taking an iodine-containing supplement (ICS) and median UIC values were 146 µg/L (IQR 81-260) and 74 µg/L (IQR 42-113) in ICS users and non-users, respectively (p < 0.001). Not using an ICS was an independent risk factor for iodine insufficiency [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 6.00 (2.74, 13.16); p < 0.001]. Iodised salt use was associated with increased median iodine-to-creatinine ratio (p < 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A low compliance to iodine supplementation recommendation in pregnancy accounted for a mild-to-moderately iodine deficiency. Our results evidence the need to support iodine supplementation among pregnant women in countries with low household coverage of iodised salt. Trial registration number NCT04010708, registered on the 8th July 2019.

Respuesta rápida a COVID-19, estrategias de escalada y desescalada para ajustar la capacidad suplementaria de camas de UVI a una epidemia de gran magnitud / Rapid response to COVID-19, escalation and de-escalation strategies to match surge capacity of Intensive Care beds to a large scale epidemic

INTRODUCCIÓN: Uno de los principales retos en el manejo de la COVID-19 es el aumento súbito de la demanda de camas de cuidados intensivos. En este artículo se describen las estrategias de gestión hospitalaria durante la escalada y desescalada de la respuesta a la epidemia de COVID-19 en un hospital terciario de Madrid. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Los datos derivan del sistema informático del hospital y del plan de contingencia del mismo. RESULTADOS: La epidemia de COVID-19 produjo un rápido aumento de los pacientes con necesidad de cuidados intensivos, lo que saturó las camas de UVI disponibles en pocos días. El hospital tuvo que aumentar su capacidad abriendo cuatro UVI adicionales para proporcionar los cuidados necesarios a todos los pacientes. Los retos principales fueron relativos a la infraestructura hospitalaria, los materiales y el personal. Gracias a las estrategias de gestión utilizadas, el hospital fue capaz de aumentar su capacidad de camas de UVI en un 340%, proporcionar cuidados a todos los pacientes con necesidad y mantener una mínima actividad quirúrgica programada. CONCLUSIONES: La capacidad de un hospital de aumentar su capacidad para enfrentarse a eventos excepcionales es difícil de cuantificar y se enfrenta a limitaciones físicas (materiales, personal, espacios). Con una gestión flexible y adaptable durante eventos excepcionales se pueden alargar significativamente estos límites

BACKGROUND: A major challenge during the COVID-19 outbreak is the sudden increase in ICU bed occupancy rate. In this article we reviewed the strategies of escalation and de-escalation put in place at a large university hospital in Madrid during the COVID-19 outbreak, in order to meet the growing demand of ICU beds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data displayed originated from the hospital information system and the hospital contingency plan. RESULTS: The COVID-19 outbreak produced a surge of ICU patients which saturated the available ICU capacity within a few days. A total of four new ICUs had to be opened in order to accommodate all necessary new ICU admissions. Management challenges included infrastructure, material allocation and ICU staffing. Through the strategies put in place the hospital was able to generate a surge capacity of ICU beds of 340%, meet all requirements and also maintain minimal surgical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital surge capacity is to date hardly quantifiable and often has to face physical limitations (material, personnel, spaces). However an extremely flexible and adaptable management strategy can help to overcome some of these limitations and stretch the system capacities during times of extreme need

Rapid response to COVID-19, escalation and de-escalation strategies to match surge capacity of Intensive Care beds to a large scale epidemic. / Respuesta rápida a COVID-19, estrategias de escalada y desescalada para ajustar la capacidad suplementaria de camas de UVI a una epidemia de gran magnitud.

BACKGROUND: A major challenge during the COVID-19 outbreak is the sudden increase in ICU bed occupancy rate. In this article we reviewed the strategies of escalation and de-escalation put in place at a large university hospital in Madrid during the COVID-19 outbreak, in order to meet the growing demand of ICU beds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data displayed originated from the hospital information system and the hospital contingency plan. RESULTS: The COVID-19 outbreak produced a surge of ICU patients which saturated the available ICU capacity within a few days. A total of four new ICUs had to be opened in order to accommodate all necessary new ICU admissions. Management challenges included infrastructure, material allocation and ICU staffing. Through the strategies put in place the hospital was able to generate a surge capacity of ICU beds of 340%, meet all requirements and also maintain minimal surgical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital surge capacity is to date hardly quantifiable and often has to face physical limitations (material, personnel, spaces). However an extremely flexible and adaptable management strategy can help to overcome some of these limitations and stretch the system capacities during times of extreme need.

Left Hepatic Lobectomy in the Living Donor-Comparison Between Open vs Laparoscopic Surgery.

Laparoscopic hepatic surgery dramatically changed surgical practice in the last decades, improving outcomes in correctly selected patients. The reduction of postoperative pain, lower rate of complication, early return to work activities, and better esthetic result have been well described in several studies. The success of these procedures would inevitably clash in the more complex and delicate field of hepatectomy in the living donor. The 2nd International Consensus of the Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Surgery considers laparoscopic hepatectomy in the donor as an ideal procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the results between conventional and laparoscopic surgery; prospective data and retrospective analysis of 55 cases of live liver donor lobectomy were collected between January 2013 and June 2018. The mean age was 30.4 years in the video laparoscopic technique and 32.1 years in conventional surgery; the majority of donors were male in both groups. The mean time of ischemia was 70.2 minutes (range, 50-120 minutes) in laparoscopic surgery and 80.2 minutes (range, 50-165 minutes) in conventional surgery. The surgical time ranged from 270 to 800 minutes (mean, 452 minutes) in laparoscopic surgery and ranged from 300 to 600 minutes (mean, 424 minutes) in conventional surgery. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.2 days in laparoscopy and 3.97 days in conventional surgery. Laparoscopic left liver lobectomy in the living donor is safe and feasible. There was no significant difference in surgical time; however, the time of hospitalization was lower in patients submitted to laparoscopic technique.

Utilidad de la hemoperfusión en el tratamiento del paciente séptico grave. Actualización / Usefulness of haemoperfusion in the treatment of the severe septic patient: an update

La hemoperfusión es un procedimiento extracorpóreo que consiste en la retirada de endotoxina y/o mediadores inflamatorios por un mecanismo de adsorción durante el paso de la sangre por un filtro específico. La mayor parte de los estudios publicados han empleado la polimixina B como adsorbente. Este tratamiento se basa en la premisa de que la eliminación de endotoxina y mediadores de la circulación atenúa la respuesta inflamatoria en la sepsis. Se revisan las bases teóricas y los resultados clínicos publicados con el uso de la hemoperfusión. Si bien la mayoría de los estudios que emplean esta técnica presentan resultados positivos, existen dudas acerca de la idoneidad de los métodos empleados (grupos pequeños, baja calidad en el diseño de los estudios, mortalidad excesiva en los grupos control). También existen inconsistencias en la base teórica de su uso (ausencia de beneficios tras la eliminación de endotoxina por otros mecanismos, discrepancias en el momento de iniciar la terapia, aparente utilidad en enfermedades sin elevación de endotoxina). Los autores opinan que la hemoperfusión es prometedora en el tratamiento de la sepsis, pero requiere su confirmación en estudios bien diseñados antes de ser incluida en los protocolos habituales de tratamiento(AU)

Haemoperfusion is an extracorporeal technique that removes endotoxin and/or inflammatory mediators by means of an adsorptive mechanism during the passage of the blood through a porous filter. Most of the studies in the literature use polymyxin B as the adsorptive agent. This treatment is based on the assumption that the removal of endotoxin and inflammatory mediators from the circulation attenuates the inflammatory response in sepsis. This review summarizes the theoretical basis, and the experimental and clinical results published to date with the use of haemoperfusion. Although most of the studies show positive results, some doubts have arisen about the suitability of the methods described (small number of cases, low quality of the experimental design, and excessive mortality in the control groups). There are also some inconsistencies regarding the theoretical basis of its use (lack of positive effects after the removal of endotoxin from the circulation using alternative mechanisms, discrepancies regarding the best moment to initiate the therapy, unexplained beneficial effects in the absence of increased endotoxin levels). It is the opinion of the authors that haemoperfusion represents a promising therapy for the treatment of sepsis, but consider that its usefulness requires confirmation in well designed studies before being included in protocols(AU)

[Usefulness of haemoperfusion in the treatment of the severe septic patient: an update]. / Utilidad de la hemoperfusión en el tratamiento del paciente séptico grave. Actualización.

Haemoperfusion is an extracorporeal technique that removes endotoxin and/or inflammatory mediators by means of an adsorptive mechanism during the passage of the blood through a porous filter. Most of the studies in the literature use polymyxin B as the adsorptive agent. This treatment is based on the assumption that the removal of endotoxin and inflammatory mediators from the circulation attenuates the inflammatory response in sepsis. This review summarizes the theoretical basis, and the experimental and clinical results published to date with the use of haemoperfusion. Although most of the studies show positive results, some doubts have arisen about the suitability of the methods described (small number of cases, low quality of the experimental design, and excessive mortality in the control groups). There are also some inconsistencies regarding the theoretical basis of its use (lack of positive effects after the removal of endotoxin from the circulation using alternative mechanisms, discrepancies regarding the best moment to initiate the therapy, unexplained beneficial effects in the absence of increased endotoxin levels). It is the opinion of the authors that haemoperfusion represents a promising therapy for the treatment of sepsis, but consider that its usefulness requires confirmation in well designed studies before being included in protocols.

Complications related to less-invasive haemodynamic monitoring.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the type and incidence of complications during insertion, maintenance, and withdrawal of central arterial catheters used for transpulmonary thermodilution haemodynamic monitoring (PiCCO™). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational, multicentre study in 14 European intensive care units (six countries). A total of 514 consecutive patients in whom haemodynamic monitoring by PiCCO™ was indicated were studied. RESULTS: Five hundred and fourteen PiCCO catheters (475 in femoral, 26 in radial, nine in axillary, and four in brachial arteries) were inserted. Arterial access was obtained on the first attempt in 86.4% of the patients. Minor problems such as oozing after insertion (3.3%) or removal of the catheter (3.5%) were observed, but no episodes of serious bleeding (more than 50 ml) were recorded. Small local haematomas were observed after insertion (4.5%) and after removal (1.2%) of the catheter. These complications were not more frequent in patients with coagulation abnormalities. The incidence of site inflammation and catheter-related infection was 2% and 0.78%, respectively. Other complications such as ischaemia (0.4%), pulse loss (0.4%), or femoral artery thrombosis (0.2%) were rare, transient, and all resolved with catheter removal or embolectomy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients, central arterial catheters used for PiCCO™ monitoring were demonstrated to be a safe alternative for advanced haemodynamic monitoring.

Effects of extracts of selected medicinal plants upon hepatic oxidative stress.

Aqueous extracts of a few medicinal plants traditionally used in Portugal have been assayed for their effects upon hepatic oxidative stress in mice. Previous in vitro studies had allowed characterization of agrimony, sage, savory, and raspberry in terms of overall antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. In the present study, the antioxidant effect and safety of these four plants were evaluated in vivo. For this purpose, mice ingested extracts in aqueous form (or water, used as the control) for 4 weeks; damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA was evaluated by oxidative cell biomarkers by the end of that period. Levels of hepatic glutathione and activities of enzymes involved in metabolism thereof were also determined. Finally, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were quantified, as these enzymes play a crucial role in antioxidant defense. When compared with the control, both raspberry and savory produced significant lipid protection; however, protein damage was significantly lower only in raspberry-treated animals. On the other hand, DNA damage was prevented only by savory. All plants led to a decrease in catalase activity, whereas all but sage also produced a decrease in SOD activity. With regard to glutathione levels and activities of enzymes involved in its metabolism, the aforementioned extracts exhibited different effects. In general, raspberry appeared to be the most promising extract, followed by savory, sage, and agrimony, sorted by decreasing performance in protection; the latter was even slightly toxic. Hence, the plants tested possess compounds with interesting biological activities that may support eventual inclusion in food or feed as functional additives.

[Hemodynamic variability caused by pressure-volume plotting and alveolar recruitment maneuvers in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome]. / Variaciones hemodinámicas inducidas por la realización de una curva presión-volumen y una maniobra de reclutamiento alveolar en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo.

OBJECTIVES: The plotting of pressure-volume curves and the performance of alveolar recruitment maneuvers are common practices in the care of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), even though potentially harmful hemodynamic effects are associated with sustaining a high intrathoracic pressure. Our aim was to analyze hemodynamic and ventilatory changes related to these 2 maneuvers and to assess the short-term effectiveness of recruitment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients had ARDS and were being monitored with a catheter connected to a PiCCO system. All measurements were taken in sinus rhythm and with adequate vascular filling. Values recorded during plotting of the quasistatic pressure-volume curve and the recruitment maneuver (sustained airway pressure of 40 cm H2O) were the cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, systolic volume index, and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Blood gas measurements were recorded before the maneuvers and 15 minutes afterwards. RESULTS: All parameters decreased significantly in the 14 patients studied. The mean (SD) maximum decreases, from which all patients recovered within 2 minutes, were as follows: cardiac index, 26% (16%); mean arterial pressure, 6% (6%); heart rate, 4% (5%), systolic volume index, 21% (15%); and SpO2, 3% (3%). Significant increases in PaO2 (7% [6%]) and the ratio of PaO2 to the fraction of inspired oxygen were recorded after the recruitment maneuver (P=.016 and P=.014, respectively), but the changes were not clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic disturbances associated with the alveolar recruitment maneuver based on sustaining a high end-expiratory pressure and the minor improvement in oxygenation achieved as a result suggest that the routine use of that maneuver in ARDS patients is of questionable value.

Variaciones hemodinámicas inducidas por la realización de unacurva presión–volumen y una maniobra de reclutamiento alveolaren pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo / Hemodynamic variability caused by pressurevolume plotting and alveolar recruitment maneuvers in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome

OBJETIVOS: La realización de curvas presión-volumen(P-V) y maniobras de reclutamiento (MR) en pacientescon SDRA es una práctica extendida, si bien el mantenimientode una presión intratorácica elevada se asocia aefectos hemodinámicos potencialmente deletéreos. Nuestroobjetivo fue evaluar las alteraciones hemodinámicas y respiratoriasasociadas a la realización de ambas maniobrasy la eficacia a corto plazo de la MR.PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Pacientes con criterios de SDRAmonitorizados con un catéter PiCCOTM, en ritmo sinusal yadecuado relleno vascular. Se registraron los valores delíndice cardiaco (IC), presión arterial media (PAM), frecuenciacardiaca (FC), índice de volumen sistólico (IVS) ySpO2 durante la realización de la curva P-V (método quasi-estático) y MR (presión de 40 cmH2O mantenida). Seobtuvieron gasometrías previa a las técnicas y a los 15minutos de su finalización.RESULTADOS: En los 14 pacientes incluidos todos losparámetros estudiados disminuyeron significativamente.La máxima disminución del IC (26 ± 16%), PAM (6 ±6%), FC (4 ± 5%), IVS (21 ± 15%) y SpO2 (3 ± 3%) tuvolugar durante la MR, y se recuperó en menos de 2 minutosen todos los casos. El incremento de la PaO2 (7 ± 6%)y la PaO2/FiO2 (9 ± 8%) tras la MR fue significativo(p = 0,016 y 0,014 respectivamente), pero de escasa relevanciaclínica.CONCLUSIONES: Las alteraciones hemodinámicas asociadasy la escasa eficacia de una maniobra de reclutamientobasada en el mantenimiento de una presión teleinspiratoriaelevada hacen cuestionable su uso rutinario en pacientescon SDRA (AU)

OBJECTIVES: The plotting of pressure-volume curvesand the performance of alveolar recruitment maneuversare common practices in the care of patients with adultrespiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), even thoughpotentially harmful hemodynamic effects are associatedwith sustaining a high intrathoracic pressure. Our aimwas to analyze hemodynamic and ventilatory changesrelated to these 2 maneuvers and to assess the short-termeffectiveness of recruitment.PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients had ARDS andwere being monitored with a catheter connected to aPiCCO system. All measurements were taken in sinusrhythm and with adequate vascular filling. Values recordedduring plotting of the quasistatic pressure-volume curveand the recruitment maneuver (sustained airway pressureof 40 cm H2O) were the cardiac index, mean arterialpressure, heart rate, systolic volume index, and oxygensaturation (SpO2). Blood gas measurements were recordedbefore the maneuvers and 15 minutes afterwards.RESULTS: All parameters decreased significantly in the14 patients studied. The mean (SD) maximum decreases,from which all patients recovered within 2 minutes, wereas follows: cardiac index, 26% (16%); mean arterialpressure, 6% (6%); heart rate, 4% (5%), systolic volumeindex, 21% (15%); and SpO2, 3% (3%). Significantincreases in PaO2 (7% [6%]) and the ratio of PaO2 to thefraction of inspired oxygen were recorded after therecruitment maneuver (P=.016 and P=.014, respectively),but the changes were not clinically significant.CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic disturbancesassociated with the alveolar recruitment maneuver basedon sustaining a high end-expiratory pressure and theminor improvement in oxygenation achieved as a resultsuggest that the routine use of that maneuver in ARDSpatients is of questionable value (AU)

[Bispectral index monitoring during intrahospital transport]. / Monitorización del índice biespectral en el transporte intrahospitalario.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Risk of morbidity and mortality increases for critically ill patients during transfers within the hospital. Such patients often require sedation, and suboptimal sedation is associated with hypertension, tachycardia, and ventilator dyssynchrony. The aim of this study was to assess level of sedation as indicated by monitoring of the bispectral (BIS) index during intrahospital transport of critical patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients who required transport to the critical care unit within the hospital were studied prospectively. We recorded time in transport, the agent used for sedation and the dosage, the BIS index, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate before starting transport and upon arrival at the critical care unit. The data were recorded by an observer who was not assigned to patient care. RESULTS: The mean (SD) transport time was 13.9 (4.2) minutes. Midazolam was used in 26 patients and propofol in 4. Ten patients were given a bolus dose of cisatracurium before transfer started. Significant increases were observed in the BIS index (from 47 to 78, (P < .001), MAP (from 73 to 91 mmHg, P < .001), and heart rate (from 72 to 97 beats/min, P < .001) between the moment of starting transport and arrival at the critical care unit. Changes in the BIS index correlated significantly with changes in heart rate (r = 0.418, P = .024) but not with changes in MAP (r = 0.249, P = .19). CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring the BIS index during intrahospital transport of sedated, mechanically ventilated patients may be useful for detecting inadequate sedation.

Monitorización del índice biespectral en el transporte intrahospitalario / Bispectral index monitoring during intrahospital transport

OBJETIVO: El transporte de pacientes críticos supone un incremento de la morbi-mortalidad. Con frecuencia estos pacientes requieren sedación. La sedación insuficiente se acompaña de hipertensión, taquicardia y desadaptación a la ventilación mecánica. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido valorar el grado de sedación durante el transporte intrahospitalario de pacientes críticos monitorizando el índice biespectral (BIS). PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se estudiaron prospectivamente 30 pacientes críticos que requirieron transporte intrahospitalario a la Unidad de Críticos. Se recogieron el tiempo de transporte, el fármaco sedante elegido y la dosis empleada, valor BIS, la tensión arterial media (TAM) y la frecuencia cardiaca (FC) antes de iniciar el traslado y a su llegada. Los datos fueron recogidos por un observador no involucrado en el tratamiento de los enfermos. RESULTADOS: El tiempo medio de transporte fue 13,9 ± 4,2 minutos. Se empleó midazolam en 26 casos y en 4 casos propofol. En 10 pacientes se administró un bolo de cisatracurio antes de su traslado. Se observó un incremento significativo del BIS (de 47 a 78, p<0,001), de la TAM (de 73 a 91 mmHg, p<0,001) y de la FC a la llegada a la Unidad de Críticos (de 72 a 97, p<0,001). Las variaciones del BIS mostraron una correlación significativa con las variaciones de la FC (r=0,418, p=0,024), pero no con las de la TAM (r=0,249, p=0,19). CONCLUSIONES: La monitorización del BIS durante el transporte intrahospitalario de pacientes sedados con ventilación mecánica puede ser útil para detectar un grado de sedación superficial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Risk of morbidity and mortality increases for critically ill patients during transfers within the hospital. Such patients often require sedation, and suboptimal sedation is associated with hypertension, tachycardia, and ventilator dyssynchrony. The aim of this study was to assess level of sedation as indicated by monitoring of the bispectral (BIS) index during intrahospital transport of critical patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients who required transport to the critical care unit within the hospital were studied prospectively. We recorded time in transport, the agent used for sedation and the dosage, the BIS index, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate before starting transport and upon arrival at the critical care unit. The data were recorded by an observer who was not assigned to patient care. RESULTS: The mean (SD) transport time was 13.9 (4.2) minutes. Midazolam was used in 26 patients and propofol in 4. Ten patients were given a bolus dose of cisatracurium before transfer started. Significant increases were observed in the BIS index (from 47 to 78, (P<.001), MAP (from 73 to 91 mmHg, P<.001), and heart rate (from 72 to 97 beats/min, P<.001) between the moment of starting transport and arrival at the critical care unit. Changes in the BIS index correlated significantly with changes in heart rate (r=0.418, P=.024) but not with changes in MAP (r=0.249, P=.19). CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring the BIS index during intrahospital transport of sedated, mechanically ventilated patients may be useful for detecting inadequate sedation

Monitoring sedation in critically ill patients: bispectral index, Ramsay and observer scales.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sedation is commonly required by critically ill patients and inadequate sedation may be hazardous. Traditionally, subjective scales have been used for monitoring sedation. Bispectral index has been proposed, although its utility in the intensive care unit is debated. Our aim was to evaluate the depth of sedation in intubated surgical critically ill patients by means of two sedation scales (Ramsay and Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation) and bispectral index. METHODS: Sedation was assessed prospectively in 50 postoperative intubated patients requiring at least 24 h of sedation (35 propofol, 15 midazolam/fentanyl), every 8 h for a 24 -h period. The bispectral index value recorded was the mean value obtained during a 10-min observation period, whenever the quality signal index was above 75% and the electromyographic signal was below 25%. RESULTS: Most of the patients (78%) were oversedated (bispectral index < 60). The three sedation scores (global data) correlated significantly (P < 0.001). This correlation was lost in the midazolam group in which the patients were also significantly more sedated than the propofol group (P = 0.001). The correlation between the bispectral index and the scales in the midazolam group reappeared when the measurements with a Ramsay = 6 or an Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation = 1 were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation should be monitored routinely in intensive care units. The Ramsay and the Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation scales showed equal efficacy. Bispectral index might prove useful for discriminating between deeper levels of sedation.

Pressure-volume curve variations after a recruitment manoeuvre in acute lung injury/ARDS patients: implications for the understanding of the inflection points of the curve.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although the pressure-volume (P-V) curve has been proposed in the management of mechanically ventilated patients, its interpretation remains unclear. Our aim has been to study the variations of the P-V curve after a recruitment manoeuvre (RM). Our hypothesis was that the lower inflection point (LIP) represents the presence of compressive atelectases, so it should not change after lung recruitment, while the upper inflection point (UIP) reflects reabsorptive atelectases, and an effective recruitment should result in changes at this level. METHODS: Two P-V curves (quasi-static method) separated by an RM (40 cmH2O, two consecutive manoeuvres) were plotted in 35 postoperative patients with criteria of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). LIP, UIP and expiratory inflection point (EIP) were defined as the first point where the curve consistently starts to separate from the line. RESULTS: One to six measurements were obtained per patient (73 procedures). Neither the lower nor the EIPs varied significantly after the RM (P = 0.11 and 0.35, respectively). An UIP was observed in 18 curves (25%) before the RM and disappeared on nine occasions after the recruitment. Similar results were obtained when first measurements only were analysed, and when the cause (pulmonary vs. extrapulmonary), severity of lung injury or duration of mechanical ventilation at first measurement were studied. CONCLUSIONS: An RM does not modify the LIP significantly, but induces the disappearance of the UIP in 50% of the cases in which this point is found.

Evaluación de la función plaquetaria por medio del PFA-100 TM / On the PFA-100TM, platelet function and neuroaxial anesthesia

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Adjusting positive end-expiratory pressure and tidal volume in acute respiratory distress syndrome according to the pressure-volume curve.

BACKGROUND: Management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients implies the selection of the adequate ventilatory parameters, essentially PEEP and tidal volume (Vt), to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. These parameters should be reset as the lung injury evolves. Among the different methods proposed for the adjustment of the ventilator, the measurement of the P-V curve has emerged as a useful, although debated, tool. Our aim has been to study the relationship between the different inflection points of the P-V curve in ARDS patients, and to assess the changes in the empiric PEEP and Vt (PEEP(emp), V(temp) following its use. METHODS: P-V curves were measured in 27 patients (lung injury score [LIS] >or= 2, 69 measurements) by means of the low-flow continuous inflation method. RESULTS: A lower inflection point (LIP) was found in all patients and, although it correlated with the PEEP(emp), there was only a fair concordance, so the PEEP was modified in 80% of the cases. The expiratory inflection point (EIP) was significantly lower than the LIP (6.3 +/- 1.7 vs. 8.1 +/- 3.2, P = 0.008). An upper inflection point was observed in 16 measurements (23%) and the Vt was reset in 20% of the cases. Both PEEP and Vt were readjusted on 10 occasions (14%). Only the EIP was significantly higher on the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. The LIS was correlated with all the inflection points. There were no differences for any parameter independent of the cause of the ARDS (pulmonary/extrapulmonary). CONCLUSIONS: The quasi-static measurement of the P-V curve is a simple method, easy to interpret, for objective adjustment of the ventilatory parameters in ARDS patients as the lung injury evolves. The implementation of this strategy may vary the empiric clinical practice. The role of the EIP for the evaluation of the severity of lung injury deserves further investigation.

[Anesthesia in a case of Holt-Oram syndrome]. / Anestesia en un caso de síndrome de Holt-Oram.

A 19-year-old man with Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) underwent emergency surgical treatment of an occipital abscess. He presented total aplasia of the radius and first and second finger of the left hand, asymmetric thorax and complex cyanotic cardiopathy with double output of the right ventricle that had been treated on several occasions, malpositioning of the large vessels and interventricular conduction. He had been treated with digoxin for episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. After premedication with 0.4 mg of atropine, balanced general anesthesia was induced with etomidate and remifentanil and maintained with O2/air/desflurane and infused remifentanil. The patient remained hemodynamically stable during surgery and tubes were removed in the operating room with no complications. HOS, a hereditary disease characterized by congenital malformations of the upper extremities and the heart, is often associated with rhythm disorders. Problems that may develop in such patients during anesthesia include difficulty catheterizing vessels, difficult orotracheal intubation and ventilation, hemodynamic instability, and the presentation of arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.