Comparison of the Sedative Effect of Ketamine, Magnesium Sulfate, and Propofol in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy provides valuable diagnostic information and intervention therapies for gastroenterologists. Therefore, various drugs have been used to induce sedation in patients undergoing endoscopy, whereas none have been considered preferred by endoscopists. In the current study, we decided to use the combination of magnesium sulfate, ketamine, and their synergistic effects for creating partial analgesia to increase the satisfaction of endoscopists and patients. METHODS: This study is a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial that investigates the sedative effect of ketamine, magnesium sulfate, and propofol in endoscopy. Patients were selected from individuals over 12 years old and with American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) physical status I or II. The study was performed on 210 patients classified as ASA (I have no underlying disease) or II (with underlying controlled disease). The whole group was relieved of pain through sedation according to Ramsay criteria, satisfaction with the operation, duration, recovery, nausea and vomiting, hypotension, and decreased oxygen saturation were compared. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were enrolled in our study, including 51 patients (midazolam and propofol), 55 patients (midazolam and ketamine), and 49 patients (midazolam and ketamine and magnesium). The results showed that preoperative heart rate, intraoperative systolic blood pressure, intraoperative diastolic blood pressure, postoperative heart rate, postoperative systolic blood pressure, and postoperative heart rate were significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: The satisfaction of the endoscopic was achieved to a great extent, mainly in the group receiving midazolam and propofol and in the group receiving midazolam and ketamine. In most cases, the satisfaction of the endoscopic was acceptable, and the low satisfaction of the endoscopic was more in the group receiving midazolam. Ketamine and magnesium were observed. The two compounds midazolam-ketamine, and midazolam-propofol, have a more favorable effect than the combination of midazolam, ketamine, and magnesium.

ARDS, Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and Pericardial Effusion due to Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Consumption: Legal and Ethical Policy in Medical Education.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are one of the ingredients of herbal and dietary supplements that are popular among sports trainers. AAS abuse predisposes everyone to several complications. Reviews of the literature on AAS users have shown mainly skin, renal, and hepatic complications. In this case report, we presented a case with simultaneous complications, including diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pericardial effusion, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and acute kidney injury (AKI). Given the potential for lethal complications and the consequences of ethical, civil, and criminal law, it seems that specific policies will be considered for the use of bodybuilding drugs. It is also suggested that this approach be added as a new part of the medical curriculum. Also, ARDS and DAH are unreported side effects in other studies, which is suggested to be considered by specialists.

Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine/Ketamine with Propofol/Fentanyl for Sedation in Colonoscopy Patients: A Doubleblinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial, we aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of a combination of Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine (DK) with Propofol and Fentanyl (PF) for sedation in colonoscopy patients. METHODS: In this study, 64 patients who underwent colonoscopy were randomized into two groups: 1) A, which received PF, and 2) B, which received DK for sedation. Among 64 patients, 31 patients were included in PF, and 33 patients were included in the DK group. Both groups were similar in terms of demographics. Patients' sedation score (based on Ramsay sedation scale) and vital signs were recorded at 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. Complications including apnea, hypotension, hypoxia, nausea, and vomiting, along with gastroenterologist satisfaction and patients' pain score (based on Wong-Baker faces pain assessment scale), were recorded by a checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS v.18 software, using chi-square, independent t-tests, and repeated measures analysis with p<0.05 as the criterion for significant differences. RESULTS: The mean score of sedation was 4.82±0.49 in the DK group and 5.22±0.45 in the PF group (p value=0.001). Serious complications, including hypotension (p value=0.005) and apnea (p value=0.10) were significantly higher in the PF group. Satisfaction of gastroenterologist (p value= 0.400) and patients' pain score (p value = 0.900) were similar among groups. CONCLUSION: Combination of DK provides sufficient sedation with fewer complications in comparison with PF in colonoscopy patients.

Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Patients Discharged from Critical Care Units.

INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of advanced technology and invasive intervention creates many psychological problems for hospitalized patients; it is especially common in critical care units. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 310 patients hospitalized in critical care units, using a non-probability sampling method. Data were collected using depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) one month after discharge from the hospital. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: 181 males and 129 females with a mean age (SD) of 55.11(1.62) years were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were 46.5, 53.6 and 57.8% respectively, and the depression, anxiety and stress mean (SD) scores were 16.15(1.40), 18.57(1.46), 19.69(1.48), respectively. A statistically significant association was reported between depression, anxiety and stress with an increase in age, the number of children, occupation, education, length of hospital stay, use of mechanical ventilation, type of the critical care unit, and drug abuse. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress in patients discharged from critical care units was high. Therefore, crucial decisions should be made to reduce depression, anxiety and stress in patients discharged from critical care units by educational strategies, identifying vulnerable patients and their preparation before invasive diagnostic-treatment procedures.

Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Nursing Care: A Need for Continuous Professional Development.

BACKGROUND: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is necessary for personal and professional success. This study aimed to determine the relationship between EI and quality of nursing care from the viewpoint of nurses and patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive correlational study was conducted using convenience sampling to select the patients (n = 300) and census sampling to select the nurses (n = 100) at Amir Alam Hospital in Tabriz, Iran, in 2018. The data collection tools were the Quality Patient Care Scale (QUALPAC) and EI test by Bradberry-Greaves. Data analysis was performed in SPSS Version 20, using t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Pearson's correlation test, and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) score of EI was 91.17 (12.33) in nurses, and the mean (SD) score of nursing care quality was 184.01 (37.41) and 202.22 (22.30) from the viewpoint of patients and nurses, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two viewpoints (p = 0.652). However, there was a significant correlation between the nurses' EI and quality of nursing care (r = 1.00, p < 0.001). The educational level was the strongest predictor of increase in nursing care quality from the patients' viewpoint, according to the multivariate analysis (ß = -0.27, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EI positively affects the quality of nursing care and its dimensions. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing policymakers consider educational programs to strengthen the nurses' EI and enhance the quality of nursing care. Patients, similar to nurses, can be proper indicators of the quality of nursing care; accordingly, simultaneous use of these indicators is suggested.

Hepatic Involvement as Hyperbilirubinemia in Patients with COVID-19: Case Series from Iran.

BACKGROUND: After the spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from Wuhan to Iran, gastroenterology clinics, was faced with a large number of patients who were suspected of being infected with the SARS-CoV-2. Among refereed patient, the incidence of pure hyperbilirubinemia as rare gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was obvious. METHODS: In this case series, we have reported the clinical data in details for patients with COVID-19 who have been admitted to the Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom city, from 3 March to 3 August 2020. COVID infection, be confirmed by using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and chest computed tomography (CT) scan, as well. RESULTS: According to the clinical findings, pure hyperbilirubinemia may consider as rare gastrointestinal (GI) symptom of COVID-19. However, it is possible that the other GI enzymes values fall in to the normal range. CONCLUSION: In some infected patients, GI physicians may face hepatic involvement as pure hyperbilirubinemia. At the age of COVID-19 crisis, all GI physicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of hepatic involvement as an important prognosis of COVID pneumonia and it should be exactly addressed in new referred patients to GI clinic.

Dysentery as a rare GI symptom found in COVID-19 patients / La disentería como síntoma digestivo poco frecuente que se encuentra en los pacientes con COVID-19

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Extracorporeal Hemoperfusion as a Potential Therapeutic Option for Severe COVID-19 patients; a Narrative Review.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (officially known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV2) was first found in Wuhan, China. On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the disease caused by SARS-CoV2, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as an emergency of international concern. Based on the current epidemiological surveys, some COVID-19 patients with severe infection gradually develop impairment of the respiratory system, acute kidney injury (AKI), multiple organ failure, and ultimately, death. Currently, there is no established pharmacotherapy available for COVID-19. As seen in influenza, immune damage mediated by excessive production of inflammatory mediators contributes to high incidence of complications and poor prognosis. Thus, removal or blocking the overproduction of these mediators potentially aids in reducing the deleterious cytokine storm and improving critically ill patients' outcomes. Based on previous experience of blood purification to treat cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), here we aimed to review the current literature on extracorporeal hemoperfusion as a potential therapeutic option for CSS-associated conditions, with a focus on severe COVID-19.

Prevalence of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Complications and Amylase Sensitivity for Predicting Pancreatitis in ERCP Patients.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a complex procedure that is widely used for diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases. With respect to its growing application, the present study aims to evaluate ERCP outcomes and complications. This cross-sectional study was performed using the data from 824 patients who underwent ERCP during 2014-2017 in Qom Shahid Beheshti hospital. Data were collected by a checklist and analyzed using SPSS V22. Among 824 patients, 397 (48.18%) were male and 427 (51.82%) were female with a mean age of 47 ± 6 years. The most common indications for ERCP were choledocholithiasis (78.28%) and cholestasis (20.27%), respectively. Total prevalence of complications was 15.66% and mortality rate was 0.72%. The most common complications were pancreatitis (9.59%) and bleeding (3.28%), respectively. A serum amylase level of greater than 160 could predict pancreatitis with sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 90.3%. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related complications are inevitable but can be controlled by early diagnosis and clinical experience. Severe complications and high-risk patients may increase the mortality of the procedure.

Prevalence of Anesthetic and Gastrointestinal Complications of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic method for treatment of many biliary diseases. With respect to rapid recovery and more patient comfort, this procedure is currently performed under light general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to clarify that intravenous sedation or light general anesthesia can be performed without great fear of anesthesia related complications in ERCP patients and sedative doses of propofol can be used safely in outpatient settings under the supervision of an expert anesthesiologist. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on 1023 ERCP patients under light GA during 2014 - 2018 in Qom, Shahid Beheshti Hospital. Data were collected by a checklist and were analyzed by using chi-square test in SPSS V.22. RESULTS: From 1023 patients, 501 (48.97 %) were male and 522 (51.03 %) were female with a mean age of 47.2 ± 6.7 years. The most common finding in ERCP was choledocholithiasis (76.15 %). The most common complication was hemodynamic instability (37.01 %) followed by desaturation (11.65 %) both of them ware anesthesia related. Prevalence of GI (gastrointestinal) related complications was 13.39 %. The most common GI related complications were pancreatitis (7.92 %) and bleeding (3.32 %). Total mortality rate was 0.88 %. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP-related complications are inevitable but can be controlled by early diagnosis and clinical experience. Severe complications and high risk patients may increase the mortality and morbidity of the procedure. Anesthesia related complications are more frequent than GI related unwanted events. Fortunately, the most common anesthesia related complications are readily manageable and are minor in nature when an expert anesthesiologist is present in the scene. Close monitoring of the patient's vital signs should be the mainstay of the safe procedure.

Anesthesia Related Complications of Gastrointestinal Endoscopies; A Retrospective Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures are widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Analgesia and sedation/anesthesia are inseparable parts of these studies and their related complications are inevitable. METHODS In a retrograde descriptive study in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran from March 2013 to March 2017, we gathered information regarding common anesthesia related complications and analyzed them. RESULTS 44659 procedures were performed during the study period and records of 21342 men (47.79%) and 23317 women (52.21%) were evaluated. Hemodynamic instability (9998; 22.39%), dysrhythmia (1600; 3.58%), desaturation (608; 1.36%), prolonged apnea (34; 0.08%), aspiration (43; 0.10%), postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (636; 1.42%), headache (106; 0.24%), delirium (51; 0.11%), aphasia (1; 0.00%), masseter muscle spasm (1; 0.01%), myocardial infarction (2; 0.00%), and death (5; 0.01%) were seen in the patients. CONCLUSION Sedation/anesthesia is enough safe in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures to enhance the patients' satisfaction and cooperation. If anesthesia with spontaneous breathing and unsecure airway is selected for this purpose, vigilance of anesthesia provider will be the key element of uneventful and safe procedure.

Propofol-Induced Masseter Muscle Spasm in a Woman with a Major Depressive Disorder.

Masseter muscle rigidity is a known complication of drugs such as succinylcholine and volatile agents. However, muscle rigidity is an uncommon complication of propofol. We report the case of a 56-year-old ASA-PS class I woman refereeing for colonoscopy due to chronic constipation under deep intravenous sedation. She suffered masseter spasm after the injection of propofol. Masseter spasm should not be considered limited to special drug groups. In any case of difficult mouth opening, masseter spasm should be kept in mind and deepening of anesthesia or complete blockade of neuromuscular junction should be considered by the use of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.