Intracorporeal Anastomosis and ERAS Program: The Winning Combination of Optimized Postoperative Outcomes After Laparoscopic Right Colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic technique and the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol have become the standard of care in patients undergoing right colon cancer surgery, reducing hospital stay and postoperative morbidity. However, the optimal anastomosis technique [intracorporeal anastomosis (ICA) or extracorporeal anastomosis (ECA)] remains debated. This study aimed to determine the optimal perioperative approach (ICA vs. ECA combined with the ERAS program vs. standard care) for patients undergoing laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated all consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for cancer between January 2012 and June 2021. Patient data were analyzed in 4 treatment groups according to the type of anastomosis and the care protocol. The primary endpoint was total postoperative hospital stay (THS). The secondary endpoints were recovery time and overall morbidity rate. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the 373 included patients were comparable between the 4 groups. THS was significantly shorter in the ICA/ERAS group than in the ECA/standard and ICA/standard groups ( P <0.01), but there was no significant difference between the ICA/ERAS and ECA/ERAS groups (5.7 vs. 6.4 d; P =0.17). Recovery time was significantly shorter in the ICA/ERAS group ( P <0.01). The overall morbidity rate, including anastomotic morbidity, was comparable among the 4 groups. Regression analysis showed that ICA and the ERAS program were both predictive factors to reduce the THS and recovery time. CONCLUSIONS: ICA combined with the ERAS program achieves the best outcomes and thus seems to be the optimal approach for the management of patients undergoing laparoscopic right colectomy for cancer.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery and Endometrial Cancers: Results from an Initial Experience Focused on Elderly Patients.

Endometrial cancer is the fifth most common cancer among French women and occurs most frequently in the over-70-year-old population. Recent years have seen a significant shift towards minimally invasive surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in endometrial cancer management. However, the impact of ERAS on endometrial cancer has not been well-established. We conducted a prospective observational study in a comprehensive cancer center, comparing the outcomes between endometrial cancer patients who received care in an ERAS pathway (261) and those who did not (166) between 2006 and 2020. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis. Our primary objective was to evaluate the impact of ERAS on length of hospital stay (LOS), with the secondary objectives being the determination of the rates of early discharge, post-operative morbidity, and rehospitalization. We found that patients in the ERAS group had a significantly shorter length of stay, with an average of 3.18 days compared to 4.87 days for the non-ERAS group (estimated decrease -1.69, p < 0.0001). This effect was particularly pronounced among patients over 70 years old (estimated decrease -2.06, p < 0.0001). The patients in the ERAS group also had a higher chance of early discharge (47.5% vs. 14.5% in the non-ERAS group, p < 0.0001), for which there was not a significant increase in post-operative complications. Our study suggests that ERAS protocols are beneficial for the management of endometrial cancer, particularly for older patients, and could lead to the development of ambulatory pathways.

LATE POSTPANCREATICODUODENECTOMY HEMORRHAGE: INCIDENCE, RISK FACTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME.

ABSTRACT: Background:Postpancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening complication after PD. The main objective of this study was to evaluate incidence and factors associated with late PPH as well as the management strategy and outcomes. Methods: Between May 2017 and March 2020, clinical data from 192 patients undergoing PD were collected prospectively in the CHIRPAN Database (NCT02871336) and retrospectively analyzed. In our institution, all patients scheduled for a PD are routinely admitted for monitoring and management in intensive/intermediate care unit (ICU/IMC). Results: The incidence of late PPH was 17% (32 of 192), whereas the 90-day mortality rate of late PPH was 19% (6 of 32). Late PPH was associated with 90-day mortality (P = 0.001). Using multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for late PPH were postoperative sepsis (P = 0.036), and on day 3, creatinine (P = 0.025), drain fluid amylase concentration (P = 0.023), lipase concentration (P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration (P < 0.001). We developed two predictive scores for PPH occurrence, the PANCRHEMO scores. Score 1 was associated with 68.8% sensitivity, 85.6% specificity, 48.8% predictive positive value, 93.2% negative predictive value, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.841. Score 2 was associated with 81.2% sensitivity, 76.9% specificity, 41.3% predictive positive value, 95.3% negative predictive value, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.859. Conclusions: Routine ICU/IMC monitoring might contribute to a better management of these complications. Some predicting factors such as postoperative sepsis and biological markers on day 3 should help physicians to determine patients requiring a prolonged ICU/IMC monitoring.

Impact of fast-track care program in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: a cohort-comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Fast-track care programs after surgery improve recovery and decrease the length of hospital stay and postoperative morbidity in colonic cancer. However, the true impact of these programs on morbidity rates after rectal cancer surgery remains unclear. We aimed to assess the feasibility and impact of the fast-track program on postoperative outcomes after restorative laparoscopic rectal cancer resection and temporary loop ileostomy. METHODS: This single-center observational study assessed data of patients undergoing elective rectal cancer surgery during a defined period before (standard group) and after the introduction of a fast-track program (fast-track group) from a prospectively maintained database. The primary endpoint was postoperative 90-day morbidity. Secondary endpoints were 30-day morbidity, fast-track program compliance, length of hospital stay, and readmission rate. RESULTS: Overall, 336 patients (n = 176, standard group; n = 160, fast-track group) were assessed; there was no significant between-group difference in the patients' baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, or neoadjuvant treatment). The protocol compliance rate was 91.4% in the fast-track group. The 90-day morbidity and mean total length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the fast-track group than in the standard group (34% vs 49%, respectively, p < 0.01 and 8.96 days vs 10.2 days, p < 0.01, respectively). There was no difference in readmission rates. Multivariate analysis revealed the fast-track program to be the only predictive factor of postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSION: Fast-track programs can be safely implemented following rectal cancer surgery to reduce the overall morbidity rate and length of hospital stay without adversely increasing the readmission rate.

Essential elements of anaesthesia practice in ERAS programs.

PURPOSE: Enhanced recovery pathways vary amongst institutions but include key components for anesthesiologists, such as haemodynamic optimization, use of short-acting drugs (and monitoring), postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis, protective ventilation, and opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia. METHODS: After critical appraisal of the literature, studies were selected with particular attention being paid to meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and large prospective cohort studies. For each item of the perioperative treatment pathway, available English literature was examined and reviewed. RESULTS: Patients should be permitted to drink clear fluids up to 2 h before anaesthesia and surgery. Oral carbohydrate loading should be used routinely. All patients may have an individualized plan for fluid and haemodynamic management that matches the monitoring needs with patient and surgical risk. Minimizing the side effects of anaesthetics and analgesics using short-acting drugs with careful perioperative monitoring should be encouraged. Protective ventilation with alveolar recruitment maneuvers is required. Preventive use of a combination with 2-3 antiemetics in addition to propofol-based total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is most likely to reduce PONV. While the ideal analgesia regimen remains to be determined, it is clear that a multimodal opioid-sparing analgesic strategy has significant benefits. CONCLUSION: Careful evaluation of single patient and planning of the anesthetic care are mandatory to join the ERAS philosophy. Optimal fluid management, use of short-acting drugs, prevention of PONV, protective ventilation, and multimodal analgesia are the cornerstones of the anaesthesia management within ERAS protocols.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Radical Cystectomy Decreases Postoperative Complications at Different Times.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess whether enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) improves, at different time points, postoperative complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective monocentric study using prospectively maintained databases including all patients treated by radical cystectomy between January 2015 and July 2019. An ERAS protocol was applied in all patients from February 2018. We analyzed and compared between non-ERAS and ERAS groups early and 90-day postoperative complications and 90-day readmission. ERAS was analyzed to know its implication in fast recovery improvement over time. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients underwent radical cystectomy, 74 without ERAS and 76 with ERAS protocol. ERAS decreased significantly early (p = 0.039) and 90-day (0.012) postoperative complications. In multivariate analysis, ERAS was an independent factor associated with less early (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.96; p = 0.37) and 90-day (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.68; p = 0.004) postoperative complications. There was no significant difference between groups for 90-day readmission (p = 0.349). Mean length of stay did not differ significantly between ERAS and non-ERAS groups (12.7 ± 6.2 and 13.1 ± 5.7 days, respectively; p = 0.743). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our study shows that ERAS has an early positive impact that lasts over time on postoperative complications. ERAS implementation has decreased early and 90-day postoperative complications without increasing 90-day readmission. In our cohort, length of stay was not improved with ERAS protocol.

Systematic Early Urinary Catheter Removal Integrated in the Full Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol After Laparoscopic Mid to Lower Rectal Cancer Excision: A Feasibility Study.

PURPOSE: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs advocate early urinary catheter removal after rectal cancer surgery; however, the optimal duration remains unclear. This study assessed the feasibility of the early urinary catheter removal protocol after rectal cancer surgery within an ERAS pathway and identified predictive factors for failure of this strategy. METHODS: Between March 2017 and October 2018, all unselected and consecutive patients who underwent rectal cancer resection and benefited from our ERAS program were included. Urinary complications (infection and retention) were prospectively recorded. Success was defined as catheter removal on postoperative day (POD) 3 without urinary complications. RESULTS: Of 135 patients (male, 63.7%; neoadjuvant chemoradiation, 57.0%; urology history, 17.8%), 120 had early urinary catheter removal with no complications (success rate, 88.9%), 8 did not have urinary catheter removal on POD 3 due to clinical judgment or prescription error, 5 experienced a urinary tract infection, and 2 had acute urinary retention. Obesity (odds ratio [OR], 0.16; P = 0.003), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification > II (OR, 0.28; P = 0.048), antiaggregant platelet medication (OR, 0.12; P < 0.001), absence of anastomosis (OR, 0.1; P = 0.003), and prolonged operative time (OR, 0.21; P = 0.020) were predictive factors for failure. Conversely, optimal compliance with the ERAS program (OR, 7.68; P < 0.001), postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (OR, 21.71; P < 0.001), and balanced intravenous fluid therapy (OR, 7.87; P = 0.001) were associated with increased strategy success. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of the urinary catheter on POD 3 was successfully achieved after laparoscopic rectal resection and can be safely implemented in the ERAS program.

TRAINING-Ovary 01 (connecTed pRehabiliAtIoN pelvIc caNcer surGery): multicenter randomized study comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients managed for ovarian cancer with or without a connected pre-habilitation program.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery for advanced ovarian cancer may have impaired functional capacity, nutritional status, and emotional well-being. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: TRAINING-01 aims to determine if a connected pre-habilitation program during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients treated for an advanced ovarian cancer will improve physical capacity before major abdomino-pelvic surgery. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: A pre-habilitation program during neoadjuvant chemotherapy will bring a fitter patient to surgery and will decrease treatment morbidity and improve oncological outcomes. TRIAL DESIGN: This study is a prospective, multi-center, phase III study. The pre-habilitation program consists of providing multi-dimensional support during neoadjuvant chemotherapy using connected devices. The control group will receive usual care. MAJOR INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Eligible patients will be women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III-IV advanced ovarian cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients must be able to perform a cardiopulmonary exercise test. PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: The primary endpoint will be the comparison of the variation in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) between baseline and surgery in the pre-habilitation group and control groups. SAMPLE SIZE: 136 patients (68 per arm) will be recruited to demonstrate a medium standardized effect d=0.5 in the variations of VO2 max between baseline and surgery. ESTIMATED DATES FOR COMPLETING ACCRUAL AND PRESENTING RESULTS: The duration of the study includes 24 months of recruitment and 5 years of follow up. We anticipate reporting primary endpoint results in 2024. TRIAL REGISTRATION: TRAINING-01-IPC 2018-039 (NCT04451369).

Choosing the most appropriate minimally invasive approach to treat gynecologic cancers in the context of an enhanced recovery program: Insights from a comprehensive cancer center.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of procedures for gynecologic cancers conducted with conventional laparoscopy (CL) or robotically assisted laparoscopy (RAL) in the context of an enhanced recovery program (ERP). METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from a cohort study conducted between 2016 (when the ERP was first implemented at the Institut Paoli-Calmettes, a comprehensive cancer center in France) and 2018. We included patients who had undergone minimally invasive surgery for gynecological cancers and followed our ERP. The endpoints were the analysis of postoperative complications, the length of postoperative hospitalization (LPO), and the proportion of combined procedures depending on the approach (RAL or CL). Combined procedures were defined by the association of at least two of the following operative items: hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: A total of 362 women underwent either CL (n = 187) or RAL (n = 175) for gynecologic cancers and followed our ERP. The proportion of combined procedures performed by RAL was significantly higher (85/175 [48.6%]) than that performed by CL (23/187 [12.3%]; p < 0.001). The proportions of postoperative complications were similar between the two groups (19.4% versus 17.1%; p = 0.59). Logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically insignificant trend in the association of RAL with a reduced likelihood of an LPO > 3 days after adjusting for predictors of prolonged hospitalization (adjusted OR = 0.573 [0.236-1.388]; p = 0.217). CONCLUSION: Experts from our cancer center preferentially choose RAL to perform gynecologic oncological procedures that present elements of complexity. More studies are needed to determine whether this strategy is efficient in managing complex procedures in the framework of an ERP.

Prediction of early discharge after gynaecological oncology surgery within ERAS.

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs (ERAS) have been proven to decrease the length of hospital stay without increasing readmission rates or complications. However, the patient and operative characteristics that improve the chance of a successful early hospital discharge are not well established. The aim of this study was to design a nomogram which could be used before surgery, using the characteristics of patients, to establish who could benefit from early discharge (POD ≤ 2 days). METHODS: This observational study has been prospectively conducted. All the included patients were referred for surgical treatment of gynecologic cancer. We defined two sub-groups of patients on surgical procedure characteristics: isolated procedures (hysterectomy or lymphadenectomy) and combined procedures (at least the association of two procedures). RESULTS: 230 patients were enrolled during the study protocol. 83.9% of patients were treated with a minimally invasive surgery (MIS). 159 patients (69.1%) were discharged on or before POD 2. On multivariate analysis, the surgical approach (open surgery vs. laparoscopy, OR 0.02 (95% CI [0-0.07]), p < 0.001) and the type of surgery (combined procedure versus isolated procedure, OR 0.41 (95% CI [0.18-0.91]), p = 0.028) were found to be significant predictors of increased hospital stay. A nomogram has been built for the purpose of predicting eligible patients for early post-operative discharge based on the multivariate analysis results (AUC = 0.86, 95% CI [0.81-0.92]). CONCLUSION: The use of MIS for isolated procedures in oncologic indications constitutes an independent factor of early discharge in a setting of ERAS. These promising preliminary results still require to be validated on a prospective cohort.

Laparoscopy is not enough: full ERAS compliance is the key to improvement of short-term outcomes after colectomy for cancer.

BACKGROUND: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs and laparoscopic techniques both reduce hospital stay and postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Laparoscopic techniques are an integral part of the ERAS program. However, evidence showing that the implementation of a multimodal rehabilitation program in addition to laparoscopy for colonic cancer would improve postoperative outcomes is still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ERAS program on postoperative outcomes after elective laparoscopic colonic cancer resection. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study from a prospectively maintained database. Two groups were formed from all patients undergoing laparoscopic colonic surgery for neoplasm during a defined period before (standard group) and after introduction of an ERAS program (ERAS group). The primary endpoint was postoperative 90-day morbidity. Secondary endpoints were the total length of hospital stay, readmission rate, and compliance with ERAS protocol. RESULTS: A total of 320 patients were included in the analyses, with 160 patients in the standard group and 160 in the ERAS group. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Overall morbidity was significantly lower in the ERAS group (21.25%) than that in the standard group (34.4%; OR = 0.52 [0.31-0.85], p < 0.01). This difference was not due to the reduction in major complications. Mean total hospital stay was significantly lower in the ERAS group (5.8 days) than that in the standard group (8.2 days, p < 0.01). There were no differences in readmission rates and anastomotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS pathway reduced the overall morbidity rates and shortened the length of hospital stay, without increasing the readmission rates. A significant reduction in nonsurgical complications was evident, whereas no significant reduction was found for surgical complications.

The necessity of a more aggressive initial surgical treatment in patients with mesothelioma of the testicular tunica vaginalis.

Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis of the testis (MTVM) is a rare tumor encountering for less than 1% of mesothelioma. Patients suffering from these tumors have poor survival due to local and distant metastasis despite treatment. Actually, no specific treatment recommendations exist for this tumor, yet radical orchidectomy is the gold standard in limited disease. We herein report the case of a 71 patient with MTVM who underwent radical orchidectomy without inguinal lymph node dissection and recurred 2 years later with metastasis in pelvic and mediastinal lymph nodes. Despite systemic chemotherapy combining pemetrexed, bevacizumab and Cisplatinum, the disease relapsed eight months later with multiple metastatic lung nodules leading to a treatment shift. We believe that systematic inguinal-iliac lymph node resection should be included in the initial treatment of this tumor.

Non-specific pleuritis: pathological patterns in benign pleuritis.

A pleural biopsy without granulomatous inflammation or tumour cells is interpreted as 'non-specific pleuritis' (NSP), a diagnosis without any specificity, often frustrating for physicians. However, varying histological features are found in NSPs with unknown significance. The aim of this study was to describe the detailed microscopic features of NSP and correlate them with the underlying aetiology. One hundred patients diagnosed with NSP after pleural biopsy were retrospectively evaluated. A benign cause of pleural effusion was attributed. Histological features evaluated were inflammation, fibrosis, vascular proliferation, haemorrhage, fibrin, oedema and mesothelial hyperplasia. A semi-quantitative scoring was applied. Bacterial-caused and autoimmune disease-associated NSPs showed a higher score followed by viral and drug-induced conditions, while pneumothorax and cardiac-induced NSPs showed a lower score (p<0.0001). The degree of fibrosis was higher in bacterial NSP, and the type of fibrosis was cellular in this group (p=0.006). Vascular proliferation differed between groups (p<0.0001), and was higher in bacterial NSP. Histological findings differ significantly between the varying aetiologies of NSP, and this may be used to suggest the cause of the effusion.

Novel insights into the systemic treatment of lung cancer malignant pleural effusion.

Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy worldwide. Approximately 75% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are diagnosed at an advanced or a metastatic stage. Since 2007, NSCLC patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are staged as M1 disease. During the last decades, chemotherapeutic agents failed to offer a significant improvement of survival in patients with metastatic disease. The current review aims to summarize the actual situation of the recently developed therapies in patients with lung cancer and MPE.

Comparison of cytology, chest computed and positron emission tomography findings in malignant pleural effusion from lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common medical problem in lung cancer (LC). Pleural fluid cytology (PFC), chest computed tomography (CCT) and positron emission tomography (PET) findings are helpful as first line approach. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether there is a correlation between PFC, CCT and PET in patients with MPE due to LC. METHODS: We selected patients from our electronic files. Data of PFC, pleural biopsy (PB), CCT and PET have been recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 101 consecutive patients (66 males, 65.3%) with a mean age of 66.2±31 years were selected. Types of LC were adenocarcinoma in 71 patients (70.2%), squamous in 13 (12.8%), small-cell in 12 (11.8%) and large cell in 5 (4.9%). CCT showed nodules in 6 (5.9%), pleural thickening in 8 (7.9%) and both in 17 (16.8%) patients. PFC was positive in 55/91 thoracentesis (60.4%) and 32/52 thoracoscopy (61.5%), while PB in 38/40 performed (95%). PET fixation was found in 32/47 (68%) patients who had MPE at diagnosis. When we associate PFC to CCT and PET findings, the yield in our study becomes 90%. No correlation was observed between CCT findings and PFC (P=0.62) between PFC and PET fixation (P=0.63) or between CCT and PET (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of LC patients with MPE, we observed a high sensitivity for PFC, while in most of the cases no findings were observed in CCT. PET had a relative low sensitivity. However, when all 3 methods were combined the yield was 90%.

Enhanced recovery after surgery program in Gynaecologic Oncological surgery in a minimally invasive techniques expert center.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs (ERP) includes multimodal approaches of perioperative patient's clinical pathways designed to achieve early recovery after surgery and a decreased length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: This observational study evaluated the implementation of ERP in gynaecologic oncological surgery in a minimally invasive techniques (MIT) expert center with more than 85% of procedures done with MIT. We compared a prospective cohort of 100 patients involved in ERP between December 2015 and June 2016 to a 100 patients control group, without ERP, previously managed in the same center between April 2015 and November 2015. All the included patients were referred for hysterectomy and/or pelvic or para-aortic lymphadenectomy for gynaecological cancer. The primary objective was to achieve a significant decrease of median LOS in the ERP group. Secondary objectives were decreases in proportion of patients achieving target LOS (2 days), morbidity and readmissions. RESULTS: Except a disparity in oncological indications with a higher proportion of endometrial cancer in the group with ERP vs. the group without ERP (42% vs. 22%; p = 0.003), there were no differences in patient's characteristics and surgical procedures. ERP were associated with decreases of median LOS (2.5 [0 to 11] days vs. 3 [1 to 14] days; p = 0.002) and proportion of discharged patient at target LOS (45% vs. 24%; p = 0.002). Morbidities occurred in 25% and 26% in the groups with and without ERP and readmission rates were respectively of 6% and 8%, without any significant difference. CONCLUSION: ERP in gynaecologic oncological surgery is associated with a decrease of LOS without increases of morbidity or readmission rates, even in a center with a high proportion of MIT. Although it is already widely accepted that MIT improves early recovery, our study shows that the addition of ERP's clinical pathways improve surgical outcomes and patient care management.

Determination of normal values for an isocapnic hyperpnea endurance test in healthy individuals.

Respiratory Muscle Endurance (RME) is an alternative way to assess respiratory muscle impairment but normal values are lacking to use this test in a clinical perspective. Our objective was then to determine reference values of RME in healthy subjects. We recruited 161 healthy subjects (25-80 years old) who were distributed within 5 groups with a 10-year range. We measured vital capacity (VC) and maximal respiratory pressure (MIP, MEP). The RME test consisted of isocapnic hyperpnea at increasing levels of ventilation until exhaustion to determine Tlim (expressed in minutes and as percentage of maximal voluntary ventilation, MVV). A significant difference between age-groups was observed for both VC and MEP expressed as percentage of predicted value. Mean Tlim was 21.8±5.9min [95% confidence interval 20.9-22.8], 74.4±15.9% of predicted MVV [95% CI 71.8-76.9]. Tlim was similar among age groups. Tolerance to the RME test was excellent. This study provides normal values of RME in a large age range of healthy subjects and demonstrates that RME is preserved in the elderly.

Lung ultrasound predicts interstitial syndrome and hemodynamic profile in parturients with severe preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: The role of lung ultrasound has never been evaluated in parturients with severe preeclampsia. The authors' first aim was to assess the ability of lung ultrasound to detect pulmonary edema in severe preeclampsia. The second aim was to highlight the relation between B-lines and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressures. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in a level-3 maternity during a 12-month period. Twenty parturients with severe preeclampsia were consecutively enrolled. Both lung and cardiac ultrasound examinations were performed before (n = 20) and after delivery (n = 20). Each parturient with severe preeclampsia was compared with a control healthy parturient. Pulmonary edema was determined using two scores: the B-pattern and the Echo Comet Score. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressures were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Lung ultrasound detected interstitial edema in five parturients (25%) with severe preeclampsia. A B-pattern was associated to increased mitral valve early diastolic peak E (116 vs. 90 cm/s; P = 0.05) and to increased E/E' ratio (9.9 vs. 6.6; P < 0.001). An Echo Comet Score of greater than 25 predicted an increase in filling pressures (E/E' ratio >9.5) with a sensitivity and specificity of 1.00 (95% CI, 0.69 to 1.00) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.66 to 0.92), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In parturients with severe preeclampsia, lung ultrasound detects both pulmonary edema and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressures. The finding of a B-pattern should restrict the use of fluid. However, these preliminary results are associations from a single sample. They need to be replicated in a larger, definitive study.

Prediction of fluid responsiveness in severe preeclamptic patients with oliguria.

PURPOSE: Because severe preeclampsia (SP) may be associated with acute pulmonary oedema, fluid responsiveness needs to be accurately predicted. Passive leg raising (PLR) predicts fluid responsiveness. PLR has never been reported during pregnancy. Our first aim was to determine the percentage of SP patients with oliguria increasing their stroke volume after fluid challenge. Our second aim was to assess the accuracy of PLR to predict fluid responsiveness in those patients. METHODS: Patients with SP were prospectively included in the study. In the subgroup developing oliguria, transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline, during PLR and after a 500 ml fluid infusion over 15 min. Fluid responders were defined by a 15 % increase of stroke volume index. Five consecutive measurements were averaged for all parameters. RESULTS: Twenty-three (56 %) out of 41 patients with SP developed oliguria, 12 (52 %) out of these 23 responded to fluid challenge. During PLR, an increase of the velocity time integral of subaortic blood flow (ΔVTI) above 12 % predicted the response with a sensitivity and specificity of 75 [95 % confident interval (CI): 0.42-0.95] and 100 % (95 % CI: 0.72-1.00), respectively. An algorithm combining ΔVTI and the baseline value of VTI predicted fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity and specificity of 100 % (95 % CI: 0.74-1.00) and (95 % CI: 0.75-1.00). Urine output and respiratory variations of inferior vena cava diameter did not predict fluid responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Only 52 % of oliguric patients were responders. PLR accurately predicts fluid responsiveness in the specific setting of SP. This noninvasive test should be tested in future algorithms for the management of SP.