Recombinant activated factor VII for exsanguinating haemorrhage post bilateral lung transplantation for extra-corporeal lung support-dependent respiratory failure.

Following three weeks of extracorporeal lung support for acute respiratory distress syndrome, a 15-year-old male underwent bilateral lung transplantation. This procedure was complicated by massive postoperative haemorrhage. The administration of recombinant activated Factor VII was associated with improved haemostasis. However, development of cardiac tamponade soon after injection required emergency exploration and evacuation of a large mediastinal clot.

Does neostigmine increase gastric emptying in the critically ill?--results of a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the successful use of neostigmine for the treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, we hypothesised that neostigmine would increase gastric emptying and improve tolerance to enteral feeding in the critically ill patient. METHODS: Eleven patients intolerant of enteral feeds due to high gastric aspirates, were randomised to receive a 'study infusion' consisting of either neostigmine (0.4 mg/hr) or 0.9% saline. If, after 12 hours the patient was deemed intolerant of the nasogastric feed, the rate of the 'study infusion' was doubled. Those who remained intolerant after 24 hours of the 'study infusion' were 'crossed-over' and continued on the other infusion for a further 24 hours. Gastric emptying was assessed in each group before and after the infusion by measuring the hourly rates of feed "absorption" [(delivery rate + returned aspirates) - total aspirates] and paracetamol absorption using the area under a time-concentration curve at 120 minutes (AUC120). Differences within and between groups were analysed using Students t test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Six patients received neostigmine first and 5 received the placebo first. Four of the 6 patients receiving the neostigmine first compared with all of those receiving placebo first required to be 'crossed-over' to the other infusion. While the hourly rates of feed "absorption" were greater for patients receiving neostigmine than for placebo, these differences did not achieve statistical significance. The mean paracetamol AUC120 for all patients who received neostigmine was 3996 mg/min/L while that for placebo was 1929 mg/min/L (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that while neostigmine may have a positive effect on gastric emptying and enteral feed absorption in critically ill patients, the results did not reach statistical significance and an adequately powered study will be required to confirm this effect.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for external ventricular drains in neurosurgical patients: an audit of compliance with a clinical management protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical impact of a management protocol for external ventricular drains (EVD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with EVDs over a six-month period were reviewed retrospectively. Data concerning the indications for EVD placement, antibiotics and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses were collected. A restrictive antibiotic protocol (e.g. intravenous cephalothin 1g 6-hourly for 24 hours, unless other antibiotics were prescribed for a documented pre-existing infection) was introduced for all patients requiring placement of an EVD during the following six months and all patients were observed prospectively. Daily CSF samples were collected under sterile conditions and examined for organisms, cells, glucose and protein and sent for microbiological culture. External ventricular drains were removed after five days and replaced if further monitoring or CSF drainage was required. Adherence to the protocol and the incidence of ventriculitis was determined. RESULTS: Twelve patients with EVDs were identified during the 6 month pre-protocol period and 15 patients with EVDs were identified during the 6 month post-protocol period. There was no significant difference between the total (72 vs 88 days) and mean (6 vs 5.9 days) drain placement times between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the mean numbers of CSF samples in the two groups. CSF aspirates were not analysed in 35/72 samples (49%) in the pre-protocol group compared with 45/88 (51%) samples in the post-protocol group. Positive CSF Gram-stains were found in 3/12 (25%) patients in the pre-protocol group and in 0/15(0%) in the post-protocol group. Positive CSF cultures decreased significantly in the post-protocol group (17 vs 5, p = 0.0009). Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed in 5/12 (42%) patients in the pre-protocol group compared with 12/15 (80%) patients in the post-protocol group. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol was associated with a statistically significant improvement in compliance with antibiotic prescription and reduction in the incidence of positive CSF cultures.