A comparison of scoring systems and biomarkers to predict the severity of acute pancreatitis in patients referring to the emergency clinic.

To investigate scoring systems and biomarkers for determining the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Between January and July 2023, 100 patients with AP diagnosed and treated in the emergency department were included. AP was divided into 2 groups according to severity: mild AP and moderately severe AP (MSAP-SAP), according to the revised Atlanta Classification in 2012. Demographic characteristics, severity, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit, red cell distribution width from whole blood taken at admission and 48 hours later, C-reactive protein (CRP) and biochemistry values, Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP), Pancreatitis Activity Scoring System (PASS), and harmless AP score scores were recorded retrospectively. Our variables, which were found to be significant in multiple logistic regression results, were found to increase MSAP-SAP expectation by 4.36-, 7.85-, 6.63 and 5.80 times in the presence of CRP > 47.10, WBC > 13.10, PASS > 0, and necrotizing computed tomography findings, respectively. It was detected that the risk factor which was found significant as a single variable affecting the ICU admission increased the risk of ICU requirement by 28.88 when PASS > 0, by 3.96 when BISAP > 1, and it increased the Atlanta score by 9.93-fold. We found that WBC and CRP values at the time of hospital admission and WBC, CRP, and red cell distribution width values after 48 had the highest accuracy in determining AP disease severity. BISAP, which was found to be significant in determining MSAP-SAP expectations, lost its significance in multiple logistic regression results, and PASS was found to be effective. The PASS is an important score in the clinical evaluation of patients with AP and in determining the need for ICU hospitalization.

Is a guideline required to predict the intensive care unit need of patients over 65 years of age during the pre-operative period? A comparison of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, lung ultrasound score, Charlson age-added comorbidity index, surgi.

BACKGROUND: All pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables of the patients at 65 years of age who had a surgi-cal procedure determine the necessity of post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring. The indication for post-operative ICU is detected through ideal scoring systems related to the surgery and anesthesia that will be performed easily and fast would prevent the development of morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, lung ultrasound score (LUSS), Charlson age-added comorbidity index (CACI), and surgical outcome risk tool (SORT) score of the indication for ICU. The hypothesis of our study is to show that real visual LUSS is superior to the screening test SORT, CACI, and the other score, ASA, for ICU indication determination. METHODS: The study enrolled 101 patients over 65 years of age who will have surgical procedures under elective conditions. De-mographic features, clinical parameters, ICU indications, ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORTs of the patients were calculated prospectively and recorded. The effects of patients' ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT on determining the need for postoperative ICU admission were examined. RESULTS: The age of patients who needed post-operative ICU admission was significantly higher than those who did not need post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). The groups did not show differences in terms of gender, body mass index, smoking, and type of anesthesia (P>0.05). ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT were significantly higher for patients who needed post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). The proportion of patients who needed post-operative ICU admission was higher for patients with post-operative ICU indication (P<0.001). The number of consultations was significantly higher for patients who needed post-operative ICU admission (P<0.001). SORT was found to be the highest accuracy for predicting the need for post-operative ICU admission. CONCLUSION: It was detected that ASA, LUSS, CACI, and SORT are effective for the determination of the ICU indication in the pre-operative evaluation process of patients over the age of 65 who had elective surgery. However, the efficiency of SORT was found to be superior to the others.

Comparing elective and emergency caesarean section by using bioimpedance method.

BACKGROUND: There are limited studies focusing on hemodynamic changes between elective and emergent C/S cases. We considered that a better understanding of the alterations and physiological reactions in both situations with non-invasive novel technologies might be useful in managing maternal and fetal sides. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, non-invasive hemodynamic changes were observed by using the whole-body impedance method using the NICaS™ device. CO, cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), total peripheric resistance (TPR), and cardiac reserve (GGI) parameters were evaluated with a non-invasive method. Measurements were done initiating before surgery, 9 times of 5 min intervals. RESULTS: All 95 patients finished the study. 47 cesarean sections were in the elective group, 48 were in the emergent group. SV in 4.5.6. time intervals were statistically increased in the elective group (p values: SvMl4: 0.025, SvMl5: 0.049, SvMl6: 0.044) (p < 0.05). SI in the second-time interval was statistically increased in the emergent group (p-value SI2: 0.047) (p < 0.05). SI in the 4th time interval was statistically increased in the elective group (p-value SI4: 0.047) (p < 0.05). CO measurements were not statistically different between groups in all time intervals for all comparisons. CI in the second time interval was statistically decreased in the elective group (p-value CI2: 0.012) (p < 0.05). GGI in the 4th time interval was statistically increased in the elective group (p-value GGI4: 0.035) (p < 0.05). TPRI in the second time interval was statistically increased in the elective group (p-value TPRI 2: 0.014) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding normal hemodynamic values before, during, and after C/S is feasible and might help the clinician assess patients' cardiac performance with a reliable noninvasive technique. NICaS might be a reliable tool to evaluate patients' baseline values and diagnose complications earlier during the surgery.

The Comparison Between Inhalation and Total Intravenous Anesthesia Effect on Voice With Supraglottic Airway Devices for Short-term Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are a good alternative to endotracheal intubation (ETI) in short-term anesthesia applications since they have advantages including easy application, lower cost, enabling spontaneous ventilation. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and desflurane anesthesia allowing rapid recovery are anesthesia methods to be selected. Inhalation anesthesia by desflurane may cause adverse effects on airway mucosa and vocal cord functions. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of the chosen anesthesia method on voice in gynecological patients who underwent short-term anesthesia with SADs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seventy four patients whom short-term surgical procedure was planned in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic were randomized into two groups for desflurane anesthesia (group D) and TIVA (group T). Voice recording was performed through larynx examination before anesthesia. Perioperative hemodynamic parameters, airway complications and postoperative airway complications were recorded. Laryngeal examination and voice recording were performed for the second time after 24 hours following the anesthesia procedure. Acoustic voice analysis of the patients was evaluated through the Praat program. The conditions including sore throat, dysphagia, and hoarseness were investigated after the anesthesia. Acoustic and aerodynamic properties of the voice, airway complications and pharyngolaryngeal complaints related to the use of SADs were compared in the patients. RESULT: There was not any significant difference between the groups for demographic data. The SADs type and size have similar characteristics. No significant difference was detected between Group T and Group D for anesthesia duration (P = 0.964). Both anesthesia methods cause similar effects on pharyngolaryngeal functions and voice. No significant difference was found between Group T and Group D in parameters other than the shimmer value of acoustic analysis. A statistically significant increase was observed in the Shimmer variable of group D (P < 0.05). When group T and group D were compared, there was not any significant difference in terms of airway complications, sore throat, dysphagia, and hoarseness. CONCLUSION: The TIVA and desflurane anesthesia presented similar clinical effects on voice and pharyngolaryngeal morbidity in the short-term gynecological operations through SADs. The increased shimmer value of acoustic voice analysis in Group D suggests that desflurane anesthesia may cause clinically insignificant deterioration on the voice. Further comprehensive studies are needed in order to demonstrate the effect of anesthetic agents on larynx functions in patients whom SADs is used.

Prevention of etomidate-induced myoclonus: which is superior: Fentanyl, midazolam, or a combination? A Retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective comparative study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of fentanyl, midazolam, and a combination of fentanyl and midazolam to prevent etomidate-induced myoclonus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed based on anesthesia records. Depending on the drugs that would be given before the induction of anesthesia with etomidate, the patients were separated into 4 groups: no pretreatment (Group NP), fentanyl 1 µg·kg-1 (Group F), midazolam 0.03 mg·kg-1 (Group M), and midazolam 0.015 mg·kg-1 + fentanyl 0.5 µg·kg-1 (Group FM). Patients who received the same anesthetic procedure were selected: 2 minutes after intravenous injections of the pretreatment drugs, anesthesia is induced with 0.3 mg·kg-1 etomidate injected intravenously over a period of 20-30 seconds. Myoclonic movements are evaluated, which were observed and graded according to clinical severity during the 2 minutes after etomidate injection. The severity of pain due to etomidate injection, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and adverse effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: Study results showed that myoclonus incidence was 85%, 40%, 70%, and 25% in Group NP, Group F, Group M, and Group FM, respectively, and were significantly lower in Group F and Group FM. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that pretreatment with fentanyl or combination of fentanyl and midazolam was effective in preventing etomidate-induced myoclonus.

Spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine: a comparison of hypertensive and normotensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension is the most common problem with spinal anesthesia. This prospective study aimed to compare normotensive and hypertensive patients with respect to the hemodynamic effects of spinal anesthesia performed with hyperbaric bupivacaine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients who were scheduled to undergo various elective operations under spinal anesthesia were included into the study. The patients were separated into 2 groups: hypertensive patients constituted Group H (n=30) and normotensive patients constituted Group N (n=30). After fluid loading, spinal anesthesia was performed with 3.5 ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Demographic characteristics and incidence of hypotension and bradycardia were compared. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean blood pressures (MBP) and heart rate (HR) were also compared before and after spinal anesthesia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to demographic characteristics, maximal height of sensory block, incidences of hypotension and bradycardia, and the amount of fluids infused (p>0.05). In the hypertensive patient group, the SBP, DBP, and MBP values were significantly higher than in the normotensive patient group at all measurement times (p<0.05). Comparison within the groups did not reveal any significant differences in either group compared to the basal values (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in HR between or within groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference between normotensive and hypertensive patients in the incidences of hypotension caused by spinal anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine.