Association between baseline insulin resistance and hospital mortality in moderate-to-severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients without diabetes mellitus: An observational study.

Background: Insulin resistance is often implicated as a risk factor of cell-mediated immune dysfunction in sepsis patients and results in poor clinical outcome. However, it is unclear whether early insulin resistance is contributory to T-cell dysfunction and poor clinical outcome in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: Adult patients with moderate-to-severe or critically ill COVID-19 infection were included in this study. Serum samples were collected at the time of diagnosis for fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin, serum cortisol, and serum glucagon measurements, and the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) score was calculated. Results: One hundred and twenty-six subjects with a mean (standard deviation) age of 49.6 (16.3) years were recruited in this study, and 62.4% (78 of 125 patients) were male. HOMA-IR was a predictor of inhospital mortality with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) (95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.61 [0.49-0.73]). With a cutoff value of 1.91, sensitivity was 75.5% and specificity was 45.2%. Higher serum insulin was associated with higher survival with AUROC (95% CI) of 0.65 (0.53-0.76), and the best cutoff was 7.15, with a sensitivity and specificity of 62.1% and 64.5%. Serum cortisol was also a predictor of inhospital mortality with an AUROC (95% CI) of 0.67 (0.56-0.77). Conclusion: An independent association between baseline serum cortisol and poor outcome in moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients was observed. Hyperglycemia and HOMA-IR can also predict poor outcome in these patients with some accuracy.

Lung Ultrasound Findings in a Patient with Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis.

How to cite this article: Bhattacharjee S, Prasanna M, Maitra S, Ray BR. Lung Ultrasound Findings in a Patient with Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(1):82-83.

Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with deep neuromuscular blockade versus standard pressure pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease: a non-inferiority randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (LPP) is an attempt at improving laparoscopic surgery. However, it has the issue of poor working space for which deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) may be a solution. There is a lack of literature comparing LPP with deep NMB to standard pressure pneumoperitoneum (SPP) with moderate NMB. METHODOLOGY: This was a single institutional prospective non-inferiority RCT, with permuted block randomization of subjects into group A and B [Group A: LPP; 8-10 mmHg with deep NMB [ Train of Four count (TOF): 0, Post Tetanic Count (PTC): 1-2] and Group B: SPP; 12-14 mmHg with moderate NMB]. The level of NMB was monitored with neuromuscular monitor with TOF count and PTC. Cisatracurium infusion was used for continuous deep NMB in group A. Primary outcome measures were the surgeon satisfaction score and the time for completion of the procedure. Secondarily important clinical outcomes were also reported. RESULTS: Of the 222 patients screened, 181 participants were enrolled [F: 138 (76.2%); M: 43 (23.8%); Group A n = 90, Group B n = 91]. Statistically similar surgeon satisfaction scores (26.1 ± 3.7 vs 26.4 ± 3.4; p = 0.52) and time for completion (55.2 ± 23.4 vs 52.5 ± 24.9 min; p = 0.46) were noted respectively in groups A and B. On both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis it was found that group A was non-inferior to group B in terms of total surgeon satisfaction score, however, non-inferiority was not proven for time for completion of surgery. Mean pain scores and incidence of shoulder pain were statistically similar up-to 7 days of follow-up in both groups. 4 (4.4%) patients in group B and 2 (2.2%) in group A had bradycardia (p = 0.4). Four (4.4%) cases of group A were converted to group B. One case of group B converted to open surgery. Bile spills and gallbladder perforations were comparable. CONCLUSION: LPP with deep NMB is non-inferior to SPP with moderate NMB in terms of surgeon satisfaction score but not in terms of time required to complete the procedure. Clinical outcomes and safety profile are similar in both groups. However, it could be marginally costlier to use LPP with deep NMB.

Postoperative pulmonary complications with high versus standard FiO2 in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: A noninferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite the possible clinical benefit of high intraoperative oxygen therapy on surgical site infection, the effect on postoperative respiratory function is debatable. However, it remains yet to be elucidated whether hyperoxia due to a high fraction of inspired oxygen used in conjunction with lung protective ventilation can lead to increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. METHODS: In this noninferiority randomized trial, an intraoperative high fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.8 (group H) was compared to a standard fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.3 to 0.4 (group S) in adult patients undergoing major elective or emergency surgery. A lung protective ventilation strategy was employed in all patients, including volume control ventilation with a tidal volume of 6 to 8 mL/kg of predicted body weight, respiratory rate of 12 beats per minute, and positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 to 8 cm H2O. Postoperative pulmonary complications were assessed on postoperative days 3 and 5 by the Melbourne group scale. RESULTS: In this trial, n = 226 patients were randomized; among them, 130 patients underwent routine surgery, and 96 patients underwent emergency surgery. The median (interquartile range) of the patients was 48 (35-58) years, and 47.3% were female. Melbourne group scale scores at postoperative day 3 (median [interquartile range] 2 [1-4] in group S vs 2 [1-3] in group H; the difference in median [95% confidence interval] 0 [0, -1]; P = .13) and day 5 (median [interquartile range] 1 (0-3) in group S vs 1 [0-3] in group H; the difference in median [95% confidence interval] 0 [0, 0.5]; P = .34) were statistically similar in both the groups and the upper margin was within the predefined margin of 1. Incidence of surgical site infection (P = .46), postoperative hospital stay (P = .29), and days alive without antibiotic therapy at postoperative day 28 (P = .95) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: High intraoperative fiO2 was noninferior to standard fiO2 in postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major surgery.

Effect of incremental PEEP titration on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) has a significant negative impact and are associated with increased length of hospital stay and cost of care. Emergency surgery is a well-established risk factor for PPC. Previous studies reported that personalized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) might reduce postoperative atelectasis and postoperative pulmonary complications. N = 168 adult patients undergoing major emergency laparotomy under general anesthesia were recruited in this study. A minimum driving pressure based incremental PEEP titration was compared to a fixed PEEP of 5 cmH2O. The primary outcome was PPC up to postoperative day 7. The mean (standard deviation) of the recruited patients was 41.7(16.1)y, and 48.8% (82 of 168 patients) were female. The risk of PPC at postoperative day 7 was similar in both the study groups [Relative risk (RR) (95% Confidence interval, CI) 0.81 (0.58, 1.13); p = 0.25]. In addition, the incidence of intraoperative hypotension [p = 0.75], oxygen-free days at day 28 [p = 0.27], duration of postoperative hospital stay [p = 0.50], length of postoperative intensive care unit stay [p = 0.28], and in-hospital mortality [p = 0.38] were similar in two groups. Incidence of PPC was not reduced with the use of an individualized PEEP strategy based on lowest driving pressure. However, the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia was also not increased with titrated PEEP.Trial Registration: www.ctri.nic.in ; CTRI/2020/12/029765.

Ultrasonographic assessment of brachial artery reactivity as a predictor of adverse outcome in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforated peritonitis - Prospective observational study.

Background and Aims: This study aimed to assess if pre- and postoperative parameters of brachial artery reactivity (BAR), like flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and hyperaemic velocity (HV), could predict in-hospital mortality in perforation peritonitis patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. Methods: In this prospective observational study, adult patients with perforation peritonitis undergoing emergency laparotomy were recruited. FMD and HV were measured preoperatively, postoperatively and at 24 and 48 h post-surgery. Adult patients undergoing elective laparotomy served as the control group. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Baseline and BAR parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Risk factors for mortality were identified by univariate analysis. Prognostic performances of BAR parameters were assessed by different models using logistic regression. All statistical analyses were performed on STATA version 13 for Mac OS. Results: Seventy-six emergency laparotomy patients were recruited, and 26 died during the hospital stay. FMD and HV were comparable at all time points between survivors and non-survivors, except that HV was higher in survivors at 48 h post-surgery (median [interquartile range] 1.28 [1.16-1.49] vs. 1.16 [0.86-1.35], P = 0.010]. HV at 48 h predicted mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval] 21.05 [1.04-422.43], P = 0.046), and a model consisting of age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score and HV at 48 h was the best predictor of mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve 0.82). Conclusion: HV, as measured by ultrasonography of the brachial artery at 48 h postoperatively, is a good predictor of mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforation peritonitis.

Carotid artery corrected flow time and respiratory variation of blood flow peak velocity for prediction of hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for peritonitis: A prospective, observational study.

Background and Aims: Doppler waveform analysis of carotid artery has been found to predict fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing elective surgeries. We evaluated the role of carotid artery corrected flow time (FTc) and respiratory variation of blood flow peak velocity (ðVpeak) in predicting post induction hypotension in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for peritonitis. Material and Methods: Adult patients (n = 60) with perforation peritonitis undergoing emergency laparotomy under general anesthesia (GA) were recruited in this prospective, observational study. Carotid ultrasonography was performed pre-induction, to determine FTc and ðVpeak. Post-induction hemodynamic parameters were recorded for 5 minutes. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between hypotension and carotid artery measurements. Results: Post-induction hypotension occurred in 48.3% of patients. The carotid artery FTc was significantly lower (P = 0.008) in patients who developed post-induction hypotension, but ðVpeak was statistically similar (P = 0.62) in both groups. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient revealed a statistically significant correlation between FTc and systolic blood pressure (SBP) change at one-minute post induction (r2 = -0.29, P = 0.03); however statistical significance were not achieved at 2 minutes and 3 minutes (P = 0.05 at both time points). Carotid artery FTc had an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve (95% CI) of 0.70 (0.57-0.84) to predict post-induction hypotension and best cutoff value of 344.8 ms with a sensitivity and specificity of 61% and 79%, respectively. Carotid artery ðVpeak had an AUROC curve (95% CI) of 0.54 (0.39-0.69) to predict post-induction hypotension and best cutoff value of 7.9% with a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 55%, respectively. Conclusion: Carotid artery FTc and ðVpeak are not reasonable predictors of hypotension in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for perforation peritonitis.

Transfusion trigger in the critically ill with sepsis or septic shock: A prospective study.

Background & objectives: Current practice around transfusion trigger in critically ill sepsis patients is not clear. Moreover, any association of haemoglobin trigger and other transfusion parameters such as age of red blood cells (RBCs) at transfusion and number of units of RBCs transfused with mortality and other adverse outcomes need further assessment. Methods: In this prospective study, patients aged 18-70 yr and admitted to intensive care with a diagnosis of sepsis were included (n=108). Baseline demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were noted and various transfusion data, i.e., haemoglobin trigger, number of units of RBCs and the age of RBCs were recorded. Following outcome data were collected: 28 and 90 day mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, vasopressor therapy, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay and requirement of renal replacement therapy. Results: Of the total 108 participants, 78 (72.2%) survived till 28 days and 66 (61.1%) survived till 90 days. Transfusion trigger was 6.9 (6.7-7.1) g/dl [median (interquartile range)]. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% confidence interval {CI}): 0.86 (0.78, 0.96); P=0.005], cumulative fluid balance (CFB) [aOR (95% CI): 0.99 (0.99, 0.99); P=0.005] and admission platelet count [aOR (95% CI): 1.69 (1.01, 2.84); P=0.043] were the predictors of 28 day mortality [model area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) 0.81]. APACHE II [aOR (95% CI): 0.88 (0.81, 0.97); P=0.013], CFB [a OR (95% CI): 0.99977 (0.99962, 0.99993); P=0.044] and transfusion trigger [aOR (95% CI): 3 (1.07, 8.34); P=0.035] were the predictors of 90 day mortality (model AUROC: 0.82). Interpretation & conclusions: In sepsis, patients admitted to the ICU, current practice suggests transfusion trigger is below 7 g/dl and it does not affect any adverse outcome including 28 day mortality.

Subphenotypes of SARS-CoV-2-Associated ARDS Overlap Each Other: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus-associated pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were often associated with hyperinflammation and elevation of several serum inflammatory markers but usually less than what is observed in non-coronavirus disease (COVID) ARDS. Elevated inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, etc., are associated with severe infection. This study identified subphenotypes of COVID-19 ARDS patients by latent profile analysis in a cohort of Indian patients. Methods Data of n = 233 adult Indian patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital were analyzed in this retrospective study. Only patients with acute respiratory failure (defined by partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio < 200 mm Hg) and chest X-ray showing bilateral infiltrates were included. Results The patients' mean (standard deviation) age was 53.3 (14.9) years, and 62% were male. A two subphenotypic model was formulated based on the lowest Bayesian information criterion. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum IL-6 were latent variables in that model (entropy 0.91). The second phenotype (hyperinflammatory) had lower platelet count ( p = 0.02), higher serum creatinine ( p = 0.004), higher C-reactive protein ( p = 0.001), higher ferritin ( p < 0.001), and serum lactate dehydrogenase ( p = 0.009). Age-adjusted hospital mortality ( p = 0.007), duration of hospital stay ( p < 0.001), and duration of intensive care unit stay ( p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the second subphenotype. Conclusion Two distinct but overlapping subphenotypes were identified in SARS-CoV-2-associated respiratory failure. Hyperinflammatory subphenotype was associated with significantly poor short-term outcomes.

Comparative evaluation of isoflurane and desflurane for postoperative cognitive decline in elderly patients: A prospective observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 16%-62% of patients undergoing non cardiac surgeries develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction. We compared the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults aged 60-80 years who underwent open abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia using isoflurane or desflurane and correlated it with the serum concentration of interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, amyloid ß and S100 on postoperative day 3. METHOD: Forty American Association of Anesthesiologists Physical Classification I or II patients were included after acquiring institutional ethics committee approval, registering in the Clinical Trials Registry - India, and informed written consent. They underwent open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia and epidurals between 2017 and 2019. Patients with substance abuse or any disorder affecting cognition were excluded. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was assessed by Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail making test - B, Porteus Maze test, PGI memory scale, mini-mental state examination, and Bender Gestalt test the day before surgery and on the third postoperative day along with blood samples. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of the patients developed postoperative cognitive dysfunction. The risk was similar to isoflurane in comparison with desflurane (risk ratio: 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.30, 1.40). A significant percentage increase in reaction time for Porteus Maze test and Trail making test - B was noted with isoflurane (6.69 (4.20-8.94) and 8.01 (2.08-12.5), respectively) in comparison with desflurane group (13.01 (9.09-17.33), p = 0.003 and 11.62 (7.5-17.5), p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: Isoflurane and desflurane had a similar impact on the elderly for developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction and no correlation with any of the biomarkers used in the study on postoperative day 3.

Association between intraoperative starch use and postoperative kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing major gastro-intestinal surgery: A propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of intraoperative starch-based fluid therapy on postoperative kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery is uncertain. Low molecular weight starch is expected to cause less postoperative kidney dysfunction. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the impact of intraoperative 6% hydroxyethyl starch on postoperative renal dysfunction. The primary outcome of this study was postoperative acute kidney injury as per KDIGO definition within 72 hours of surgery. RESULTS: This study analysed data from 461 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 45 (33-58) years, and 48.2% of all patients were female. The proportion (95% confidence interval) of patients who developed acute kidney injury was 0.18 (0.14-0.21); 62.9% of patients had acute kidney injury stage I, 32% had acute kidney injury stage II, and the rest were acute kidney injury stage III. In the propensity score-matched sample, the average treatment effect of intraoperative colloid use on postoperative serum creatinine at day 3 (p = 0.32), duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay (p = 0.97), duration of hospital stay (p = 0.37), postoperative worst international normalised ratio (p = 0.92), and postoperative transfusion requirement (p = 0.40) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative use of low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch use was not associated with postoperative kidney dysfunction and coagulopathy in adult patients undergoing major open abdominal surgery.

The use of preoperative inferior vena cava ultrasound to predict anaesthesia-induced hypotension: a systematic review.

Preoperative ultrasound assessment of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and the collapsi-bility index might identify patients with intravascular volume depletion. The purpose of this review was to gather the existing evidence to find out whether preoperative IVC ultrasound (IVCUS) derived parameters can reliably predict hypotension after spinal or general anaesthesia. PubMed was searched to identify research articles that addressed the role of IVC ultrasound in predicting hypotension after spinal and general anaesthesia in adult patients. We included 4 randomized control trials and 17 observational studies in our final review. Among these, 15 studies involved spinal anaesthesia and 6 studies involved general anaesthesia. Heterogeneity with respect to the patient populations under evaluation, definitions used for hypotension after anaesthesia, IVCUS assessment methods, and cut-off values for IVCUS-derived parameters to predict hypotension precluded pooled meta-analysis. The maximum and minimum reported sensitivity of the IVC collapsibility index (IVCCI) for predicting post-spinal hypotension was 84.6% and 58.8% respectively, while the maximum and minimum specificities were 93.1% and 23.5% respectively. For the prediction of hypotension after general anaesthesia induction, the reported ranges of sensitivity and specificity of IVCCI were 86.67% to 45.5% and 94.29% to 77.27%, respectively. Current literature on the predictive role of IVCUS for hypotension after anaesthesia is heterogeneous both in methodology and in results. Standardization of the definition of hypotension under anaesthesia, method of IVCUS assessment, and the cut-offs for IVC diameter and the collapsibility index for prediction of hypotension after anaesthesia are necessary for drawing clinically relevant conclusions.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy guided mapping of frontal cortex, a novel modality for assessing emergence delirium in children: A prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite an 18%-30% prevalence, there is no consensus regarding pathogenesis of emergence delirium after anesthesia in children. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an optical neuroimaging modality that relies on blood oxygen level-dependent response, translating to a mean increase in oxyhemoglobin and a decrease in deoxyhemoglobin. We aimed to correlate the emergence delirium in the postoperative period with the changes in the frontal cortex utilizing fNIRS reading primarily and also with blood glucose, serum electrolytes, and preoperative anxiety scores. METHODS: A total of 145 ASA I and II children aged 2-5 years, undergoing ocular examination under anesthesia, were recruited by recording the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Score after acquiring the Institute Ethics Committee approval and written informed parental consent. Induction and maintenance were done with O2, N2O, and Sevoflurane. The emergence delirium was assessed using the PAED score in the postoperative period. The frontal cortex fNIRS recordings were taken throughout anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 59 children (40.7%) had emergence delirium. The ED+ group had a significant activation left superior frontal cortex (t = 2.26E+00; p = .02) and right middle frontal cortex (t = 2.27E+00; p = .02) during induction, significant depression in the left middle frontal (t = -2.22E+00; p = .02), left superior frontal and bilateral medial (t = -3.01E+00; p = .003), right superior frontal and bilateral medial (t = -2.44E+00; p = .015), bilateral medial and superior (t = -3.03E+00; p = .003), and right middle frontal cortex (t = -2.90E+00; p = .004) during the combined phase of maintenance, and significant activation in cortical activity in the left superior frontal cortex (t = 2.01E+00; p = .0047) during the emergence in comparison with the ED- group. CONCLUSION: There is significant difference in the change in oxyhemoglobin concentration during induction, maintenance, and emergence in specific frontal brain regions between children with and without emergence delirium.

A Combination of Inflammatory and Hematological Markers is Strongly Associated with the Risk of Death in Both Mild and Severe Initial Disease in Unvaccinated Individuals with COVID-19 Infection.

Background: Inflammatory and hematological markers are used extensively for early prognostication and monitoring in COVID-19.We aimed to determine whether routinely prescribed laboratory markers can predict adverse outcome at presentation in COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed on 401 samples collected between July to December 2020 from COVID-19 positive subjects, admitted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India. Clinical details and laboratory investigations within 3 days of COVID-19 positivity were obtained. Clinical outcomes were noted from patient medical records, till discharge or death. Laboratory parameters, with individually defined cut-offs, were used, either singly or in combination to distinguish survival and death for those having severe and non-severe disease at initial presentation. Findings: Total Leukocyte count, Absolute neutrophil count, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Lactate Dehydrogenase, Ferritin and Lymphocyte to CRP ratio (LCR) were significantly altered at presentation in severe COVID-19 as compared to non-severe cases; and, also in those who died due to COVID-19 compared to those who survived. A combination of four markers, CRP (≥3.9mg/dL); IL-6 (≥45.37pg/ml); Ferritin (≥373ng/mL); 1/LCR ≥0.405 was found to strongly predict mortality in cases with non-severe presentation as also in severe cases. Conclusion and Interpretation: The combination of routinely used markers, CRP, IL-6, Ferritin and 1/LCR can be used to predict adverse outcomes, even in those presenting with mild to moderate disease. This would identify subset of patients who would benefit from closer monitoring than usual for non-severe disease.