Clinical phenotypes of patients with acute stroke: a secondary analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and a major cause of disability having a high burden on patients, society, and caregiving systems. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of clusters of in-hospital patients with acute stroke based on demographic and clinical data. Cluster analysis reveals patterns in patient characteristics without requiring knowledge of a predefined patient category or assumptions about likely groupings within the data. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of open-access anonymized data from patients with acute stroke admitted to a hospital between December 2019 to June 2021. In total, 216 patients (78; 36.1% men) were included in the analytical dataset with a mean (SD) age of 60.3 (14.4). Many demographic and clinical features were included in the analysis and the Barthel Index on discharge was used for comparing the functional recovery of the identified clusters. RESULTS: Hierarchical clustering based on the principal components identified two clusters of 109 and 107 patients. The clusters were different in the Barthel Index scores on discharge with the mean (SD) of 39.3 (29.3) versus 62.6 (29.4); t (213.87) = -5.818, P <0.001, Cohen's d (95%CI) = -0.80 (-1.07, -0.52). A logistic model showed that age, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, D-dimer blood level, low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin, creatinine concentration, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale value, and the Barthel Index scores on admission were significant predictors of cluster profiles (all P ≤0.029). CONCLUSION: There are two clusters in hospitalized patients with acute stroke with significantly different functional recovery. This allows prognostic grouping of hospitalized acute stroke patients for prioritization of care or resource allocation. The clusters can be recognized using easily measured demographic and clinical features.

The impact of rivastigmine on post-surgical delirium and cognitive impairment; a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is an acute and transient disorder of brain function that often occurs in post-surgical patients. Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor drug that has been proposed as an adjuvant drug in recent years, still, despite significant theoretical evidence, few clinical studies have been performed on its impact on delirium. AIM: Due to the widespread use of cholinesterase inhibitors in pediatric and adult surgery, the present study aims to investigate the impact of Rivastigmine as a cholinesterase inhibitor on delirium after radical surgery. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, a hundred recruited patients were randomly assigned to either Rivastigmine (n = 50) or placebo (n = 50) groups, and we measured post-operative impact on delirium, by Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) score, and cognitive impairment, by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Our univariate and multivariate logistical regression models assessed this hypothesized impact. RESULTS: Treatment with Rivastigmine was significantly associated with reduced day one post-op delirium, as measured by CAM score (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.35, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.11 to 0.97, p = 0.05), and cognitive impairment, as measured by MMSE (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.59, p = 0.0022). These associations became stronger after controlling for age, blood loss, and post-op blood sodium levels: Delirium (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.92, p = 0.05), cognitive impairment (OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42, p = 0.000178). CONCLUSION: The significant result of our randomized clinical trial is that pre-op Rivastigmine treatment may be associated with a substantial drop in patients experiencing post-op delirium and post-op cognitive impairment.

Fibrinogen prophylaxis for reducing perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing radical cystectomy: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive bleeding is an important complication of radical cystectomy. We aimed to assess whether preoperative administration of fibrinogen decreases perioperative bleeding and improves the outcome of radical cystectomy. DESIGN: Double-blinded randomized trial with two parallel arms. SETTING: The study was conducted in the department of surgery at a teaching hospital affiliated with a University of Medical Sciences. PATIENTS: In total, 70 men undergoing radical cystectomy were randomized to fibrinogen (n = 35) and placebo-control groups. Mean (SD) age was 64.7 (7.4) years. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention group received 2 g fibrinogen concentrate diluted in 100 ml distilled water, and the control group received 100 ml normal saline; both intravenously 15 ̶ 30 min before the start of the surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the amount of perioperative blood loss. The secondary outcomes were hemodynamic features and vital signs. MAIN RESULTS: Fibrinogen significantly decreased the volume of blood loss (p < 0.001) and the total number of transfused packed-cell units per group (38 vs. 115 units); and compensated the decrease of HCO3 (p = 0.030), the mean arterial pressure (p < 0.001), hemoglobin O2 saturation (p = 0.001), heart rate (p < 0.001), and temperature (p < 0.001) throughout the surgery compared with the placebo. Patients in the fibrinogen group had shorter Intensive Care Unit (p = 0.001) and hospital (p < 0.001) stay. We did not find any adverse reaction in our patients receiving fibrinogen concentrate. CONCLUSION: Fibrinogen concentrate reduces perioperative bleeding and the need for blood transfusion in radical cystectomy. It improves the outcomes of the surgery and decreases patients' length of stay in the healthcare system following radical cystectomy. REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) http://www.irct.ir/, reference number: IRCT20191013045091N1. ETHICS CODE: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, reference number: IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1398.033.

Performing Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy without using Fiberoptic Bronchoscope.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous tracheostomy is an elective method that is increasingly being taken up in the intensive care unit alongside the patient's bed. In many centers, bronchoscopy is used, but the necessity of using bronchoscopy in percutaneous tracheostomy has not yet been determined. Discontinuing use of bronchoscopy can potentially reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of percutaneous tracheostomy. Therefore, in this study, we performed a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy without using fiberoptic bronchoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed as a descriptive epidemiological survey among 70 patients in Shahid Rajaei Hospital of Qazvin in 2015 and 2016. The results were assessed in the patients. RESULTS: In this study, pneumothorax, trauma, major and minor bleeding, cuff leak and change to surgical procedures as well as accidental extubation were not seen. However, subcutaneous emphysema, mal-position and hypoxia each were seen in one patient (1.4%). CONCLUSION: Totally the results demonstrated that percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy without fiberoptic bronchoscopic guidance is useful and safe.

Attitudes of Anesthesiology Residents Toward a Small Group Blended Learning Class.

BACKGROUND: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has been used to evaluate the residents' competency; however, the thriving of residents needs especial training methods and techniques. Small group learning has been used for this propose. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the attitudes of CA-1 to CA-3 anesthesiology residents toward level-specific small-group blended learning. METHODS: Anesthesiology residents from Department of Anesthesiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran participated in this cross-sectional attitude assessment descriptive-analytical study throughout the 2nd academic semester (May-October 2019). They took part in a level-specific small-group blended learning program and filled out an attitude assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire included eight closed questions and was filled out anonymously. RESULTS: The residents believed that this program made important contributions to their theory training and clinical skills of anesthesia; while created a greater sense of solidarity. In addition, nearly the majority of the respondents did not believe that participating in the classes made interference in their clinical duties or was a difficult task. Instead, the majority of residents believed that these classes were in favor of reducing their burnout. The reliability of the questionnaire based on Cronbach's Alpha was 0.885. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiology residents are in favor of small-group learning, especially when considering their clinical setting and the degree of burnout they tolerate.

A Comparison between the i-gel® and air-Q® Supraglottic Airway Devices Used for the Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia with Muscle Relaxation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare two supraglottic airway (SGA) devices (i.e., the i-gel® © Intersurgical Ltd and air-Q® (Reusable) Cookgas company) in terms of the insertion time, amount of leak during ventilation with maximum positive pressure, and postoperative complications in patients referring to Modarres Hospital in Tehran. METHOD: The present double-blind clinical trial was performed on 60 patients undergoing elective surgeries that required general anesthesia with muscle relaxation. Patients were randomly assigned to either i-gel® (n = 30) or Air-Q® (n = 30) groups. RESULTS: The mean age, body mass index, duration of surgery, duration of anesthesia, and gender ratio were not significantly different between the two groups. Mean ± SD values of the SGA devices' insertion time (in seconds) in the air-Q® and i-gel® groups were 4.87 ± 1.6 and 6.80 ± 1.2, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean OLP in the Air-Q® group was significantly higher than that of the i-gel® group (35.9 ± 9.6 versus 24.8 ± 3.7, p < 0.001). The frequency of complications occurred after the supraglottic airway insertion was higher in the i-gel® group. However, only in terms of sore throat, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant: 6 (20%) had sore throat (P = 0.024) in the i-gel groups, but in in the Air-Q® groups no one had this side effect after surgery. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the Air-Q® supraglottic airway was placed faster and easier with fewer complications than the i-gel in general anesthesia with muscle relaxation. The frequency of the occurrence of all three complications, cough, sore throat, and blood, on the cuff (6 (20%) was higher in the i-gel group than that in the air-Q® group (cough3 (10%), sore throat 0 (0%), and blood on the cuff 3 (10%) (P < 0.05).

The effect of mannitol administration to kidney donor on short-term outcomes of kidney transplantation.

As the cases of kidney transplant are increasing, the need to apply the factors to increase the success of transplant seems necessary. Mannitol increases the osmotic pressure and urine volume as a protective agent on renal tubules. We aimed to evaluate the effect of mannitol on short-term outcome of kidney transplantation by comparing two groups based on prescribing mannitol to donors. In a randomized clinical trial, 60 kidney recipients were assigned in two groups (30 in each), except that in one group donors received mannitol. They were studied with respect to age, gender, weight, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and arterial blood gas (ABG) before and after surgery, and their pulse rate (PR) and blood pressure (BP) before, during and after surgery. Their urine volume was assessed in the operation room and the first 24 h after surgery. The short-term outcome, including BUN and Cr in the first 10 days after transplant, have been charted. Both the case (mannitol-positive donor patient) and the control (mannitol negative) groups were the same regarding the results gained for pre- and post-operative parameters. Follow-up assessments showed no significant differences in renal function. Based on this, we conclude that mannitol administration to donors does not have a beneficial effect on the prognosis and short-term outcome of transplantation on recipients; therefore, we feel that it should not be advised for kidney donors.

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized clinical trial comparing intraperitoneal bupivacaine versus intravenous pethidine.

Pain is the most common complaint of patients on the first day after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This clinical trial compared the effects of intraperitoneal (IP) bupivacaine and intravenous (IV) pethidine on this pain. Forty-eight patients who underwent LC were randomly assigned to 2 groups of IP bupivacaine and IV pethidine. Postoperative pain, oral analgesic consumption, peak expiratory flow rate, and presence of nausea or vomiting was recorded at baseline and 4, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. Patients who received IP bupivacaine showed a significantly lower pain score (P = 0.022) and improved peak expiratory flow rate (P = 0.006), and received lower doses of ibuprofen (P = 0.003) within the first 24 hours after surgery. Likewise, the presence of nausea/vomiting was significantly lower in bupivacaine groups 1 and 4 hours after surgery (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). Our results indicate that IP instillation of bupivacaine is more beneficial than traditional IV pethidine for pain reduction after LC.

Effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate and lidocaine on hemodynamic variables following direct laryngoscopy and intubation in elective surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy and intubation incur hemodynamic changes like increase in heart rate, arterial blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, wedge capillary pressure and arrhythmias. Anesthesiologists are continually in search of ways to alleviate such complications. Several medicinal methods have been suggested that serve the purpose including the administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate to minimize these unfavorable responses. This study compares the effects of intravenous administration of lidocaine and magnesium sulfate on unwanted hemodynamic responses following laryngoscopy and intubation in elective surgery candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 ASA-I and ASA-II candidates who received 60 mg/kg (based on Lean Body Mass) magnesium sulfate or lidocaine randomly before intubation. Values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate were recorded for both groups during the 5 minutes following administration, and compared with baseline values. RESULTS: In both groups, systolic blood pressure increased compared to the baseline value. However, there was a significant difference between the two groups as this increase occurred within the first 3 minutes in the lidocaine group, while within the first minute in the magnesium sulfate group. The increase in diastolic blood pressure was not significant. But there was a significant difference in the mean arterial pressure increase between the two groups since in the magnesium sulfate group this increase occurred in the first minute whereas in the lidocaine group it occurred during the first two minutes. There was no significant difference in the heart rates after intubation between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate is more effective than lidocaine in controlling hemodynamics, although it may increase the heart rate.

Priming with atracurium efficiently suppresses etomidate-induced myoclonus.

INTRODUCTION: Etomidate is a hypnotic drug widely used as an intravenous anesthetic induction agent. The incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus has been reported as much as 50-80% after induction making it an undesirable drug for induction. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to use a priming dose of atracurium to suppress etomidate-induced myoclonus during induction of anesthesia. METHODS: In a double-blinded clinical trial 80 patients were randomly given either atracurium (20% of ED95 × kg) or saline as a priming agent. Then, induction of anesthesia was performed using 0.4 mg/kg etomidate. Age, weight, body mass index, bispectral index (BIS) monitor, and duration and grade of myoclonus were recorded. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics, age, body mass index, BIS score, and weight were not significantly different between the atracurium (ATRA) priming group and control groups. The binomial regression model showed that BMI was an independent predictor variable for myoclonus (OR: 2.1, CI 95%: 1.7-7.5, p = 0.032). In this model, adjusted odds ratios (OR) of myoclonus (multivariate logistic regression analysis) in the control group was 6.6 (95% CI: 1.5-9.7, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Low-dose atracurium priming could effectively suppress etomidate-induced myoclonus.

The Impact of Reverse Trendelenburg Versus Head-up Position on Intraoperative Bleeding of Elective Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: In spite of several efforts for decreasing blood loss, our experience sometimes shows that some patients bleed more profusely during rhinoplasty. Patient position could have deep impact on bleeding amount during surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to compare reverse trendelenburg position and head-up position on intra-operative bleeding of elective rhinoplasty. This was to check the effects of reverse trendelenburg position and head up position on the intraoperative bleeding of elective rhinoplasty. METHODS: In this study, 30 ASA I (American Society of Anesthesiology physical condition classification) patients between 18 and 40 years of age who were candidate to rhinoplasty operations for first time were included. Patients were randomly assigned to reverse trendelenburg or head-up position. Exclusion criteria was any history or lab indicating coagulation problems or using any drug. All gauzes used and the blood that accumulated in the aspirator throughout the operation were calculated. RESULTS: Our results showed that the mean amount of blood loss in reverse trendelenburg was lower (77.00 ± 13.20 ml) than head-up position (83.33 ± 21.18 ml), although, there was no statistical difference between two groups. However, there was no significant differences among two groups in different aspects of hemodynamic determinants and bleeding amount during and after rhinoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that patient bleeding is not increased because of positioning per se. In conclusion, perhaps in the future reverse trendelenburg will be given more often during rhinoplasry.