Factors Affecting Duration of Hospital Stay in Deceased COVID-19 Patients.

Objective: Extensive research has been conducted to identify the predictive criteria for COVID-19 disease. White blood cell, C-reactive protein, CRP/albumin ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and ferritin are among the indicators of increased inflammatory response; hence, they could be used to determine the prognosis of COVID-19 cases. Within the scope of this study, we aimed to elucidate the predictivity of NLR, CAR and other laboratory parameters on the duration of hospital stay and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Method: The data of 1516 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in our institution have been analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups those who deceased within the first 10 days of hospitalization (Group I, ≤10 days) and those who deceased in the later period (Group II, >10 days). Age, gender, time to mortality after hospitalization, neutrophil count, CRP, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), and d-dimer values were obtained from blood samples taken during hospitalization. Results: NLR and CAR values were significantly higher in those who died in the first 10 days compared to the other group (p<0.02 and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, WBC, neutrophil, CRP and d-dimer levels were statistically significantly higher than the other group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis results for NLR and CAR were significant. The cut-off values were calculated (5.74 and 4.27, respectively) for both parameters. Among the most common comorbid diseases were hypertension (HT) in 41%, coronary artery disease (CAD) in 41.7%, asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 36.7%, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 36.1%. Conclusion: NLR and CAR may have a decisive influence in determining the length of stay in hospital for patients who die in hospital due to COVID-19. In addition, it is recommended that COVID-19 cases with diabetes be followed closely.

Organ Donation on the Internet: Quality and Readability in English.

BACKGROUND: Many websites do not appear to be sources from which the public will learn reliable information about organ donation (OD). We visited websites related to OD and analyzed the quality of their content and the readability of the texts in English. METHODS: OD websites were identified using the search terms "organ donor" or "organ donation" on Google. A relevant websites list was compiled consisting of the 100 top-ranking ".gov" websites, the top 100 ".edu" websites, and the 100 top-ranking ".org" websites concerning their domain suffixes. We generated a scoring system to identify the quality of information about OD. Flesch-Kincaid grade formula, FOG index, Flesch Reading ease test, and a Fry graph test were used to assess the readability grade. RESULTS: Of 300 websites, 50 were eligible for evaluation. Only 3 (27.3%) of the relevant 11 ".gov" websites were of high quality. Seven (43.8%) of 16 ".edu" websites and only 9 (39.1%) of 23 ".org" websites were deemed as being high quality. None of these websites had fairly easy, easy, or very easy readability levels. The median readability score was 11.5 (interquartile range, 10.25-13.50) grade level. Quality scores and readability grades were not different among the website sources containing ".edu", ".gov", and ".org" (P = .795, P = .218, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the present study, the most important finding was that the content of websites related to OD far exceeds current readability grade recommendations, and they do not have a satisfactory quality.

Analysis of Consciousness Level Using Galvanic Skin Response during Therapeutic Effect.

The neurological status of patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) is determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Patients in coma are thought to be unaware of what is happening around them. However, many studies show that the family plays an important role in the recovery of the patient and is a great emotional resource. In this study, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) signals were analyzed from 31 patients with low consciousness levels between GCS 3 and 8 to determine relationship between consciousness level and GSR signals as a new approach. The effect of family and nurse on unconscious patients was investigated by GSR signals recorded with a new proposed protocol. The signals were recorded during conversation and touching of the patient by the nurse and their families. According to numerical results, the level of consciousness can be separated using GSR signals. Also, it was found that family and nurse had statistically significant effects on the patient. Patients with GCS 3,4, and 5 were considered to have low level of consciousness, while patients with GCS 6,7, and 8 were considered to have high level of consciousness. According to our results, it is obtained lower GSR amplitude in low GCS (3, 4, 5) compared to high GCS (7, 8). It was concluded that these patients were aware of therapeutic affect although they were unconscious. During the classification stage of this study, the class imbalance problem, which is common in medical diagnosis, was solved using Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE), Adaptive Synthetic Sampling (ADASYN) and random oversampling methods. In addition, level of consciousness was classified with 92.7% success using various decision tree algorithms. Random Forest was the method which provides higher accuracy compared to all other methods. The obtained results showed that GSR signal analysis recorded in different stages gives very successful GCS score classification performance according to literature studies.

Bedside Ultrasonography of the Optic Nerve Sheath in Brain Death.

Increased intracranial pressure has successfully been detected by using bedside optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) ultrasonography. ONSD ultrasonography has become one of the current methods used to detect potential brain death in recent years. In this study, we carried out ONSD ultrasonography for patients who were diagnosed with brain death and in comatose state. Mean ONSD values obtained from the patients with brain death were compared with ONSD values of patients in a comatose state. There was no significant difference between the mean ONSD values of the right and left eye and no significant difference in transverse and sagittal plane measurements in all groups. Mean ONSD values of Group BD were significantly higher than both Group CT (P < .05) and Group CM values (P < .05). Some of the patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, or traumatic brain injuries who remain in a comatose state in intensive care units may ultimately result in brain death. Therefore, it may be kept in mind that intermittent ONSD measurements of patients in deep comas might have an important role for diagnosing brain death early for purposes of cadaveric organ donation. In conclusion, transorbital ONSD measurement using bedside ultrasonography, an inexpensive, comfortable, and noninvasive test for patients in deep comas, may be helpful in determining potential brain death.

Does chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation provide sufficient cerebral oxygenation?

Background/aim: Some of the patients suffering from cardiac arrest (CA) remain in a chronic unconscious state in intensive care units (ICUs). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chest compression (CC) on cerebral oxygenation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As a secondary goal, we attempted to determine the effects of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) values on consciousness and the survival rate using the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) scoring method. Materials and methods: This observational preliminary study was carried out with 20 patients with CA who were hospitalized in ICUs. The rSO2 values measured by near-infrared spectroscopy were recorded during CA. FOUR scoring was used to determine the neurological status, severity of disease, and degree of organ dysfunction in survivors. Results: Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was gained in 8 (40%) of 20 patients. Maximum rSO2 values were higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors (P = 0.005). The mean FOUR score before CA was 11.50 ± 0.8 in survivors, whereas this value was 7.87 ± 0.7 for 1 week after ROSC (P < 0.0001). There was a significant positive correlation between the minimum and mean rSO2 values and the mean 1-week FOUR scores in survivors (r = 0.811, r = 0.771 and P = 0.015, P = 0.025, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the maximum rSO2 values affect ROSC while the minimum and mean rSO2 values affect the post-cardiac arrest neurological outcome.

Comparison of effectiveness of intubation by way of "Gum Elastic Bougie" and "Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway" in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma / Comparação da eficácia de intubação por meio de guia introdutor Bougie de tubo endotraqueal e máscara laríngea em intubação traqueal de pacientes com trauma cervical simulado

Abstract Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of intubations by way of "Gum Elastic Bougie" and "Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway" in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma. Method: 134 patients were included in the study. All patients were placed cervical collar for a simulated cervical trauma. Patients were allocated randomly into three groups: Group NI (n = 45) intubation with Macintosh laryngoscopy, Group GEB (n = 45) intubation with Gum Elastic Bougie, and Group ILMA (n = 44) intubation with Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway. The number of intubation attempts, success of intubation, duration of complete visualization of the larynx, duration of intubation, user's performance score, hemodynamic changes and the observed complications were recorded. Results: Success of intubation in the first attempt was highest in Group GEB while it was lowest in Group ILMA. Regarding the intubation success, rates of successful intubation were 95.6%, 84.4% and 65.9% in Groups GEB, NI, and ILMA, respectively. Durations of visualization of larynx and intubation were shorter in Groups NI and GEB than in Group ILMA. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) while there was no significant difference between Groups NI and GEB. The number of patients with "good" intubation performance was significantly higher in Group GEB while the number of patients with "poor" intubation performance was significantly higher in Group ILMA (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that GEB, which is cheap and easily accessible, should be an advantageous choice in cervical trauma patients for both the easeness of intubation and patient morbidity and mortality.

Resumo Objetivo: Neste estudo avaliamos a eficácia de intubações por meio de guia introdutor Bougie e máscara laríngea em intubação endotraqueal de pacientes com trauma cervical simulado. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo 134 pacientes. Colar cervical foi colocado em todos os pacientes para um trauma cervical simulado. Os pacientes foram alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: Grupo NI (n = 45) foi submetido à intubação com laringoscópio Macintosh; Grupo ITE (n = 45) foi submetido à intubação com guia introdutor de tubo endotraqueal e Grupo ML (n = 44) foi submetido à intubação com máscara laríngea. Número de tentativas de intubação, sucesso de intubação, tempo de visualização completa da laringe, tempo de intubação, escore de desempenho do usuário, alterações hemodinâmicas e complicações observadas foram registrados. Resultados: O sucesso da intubação na primeira tentativa foi maior no Grupo ITE e menor no grupo ML. Ainda em relação ao sucesso da intubação, as taxas de sucesso foram 95,6%, 84,4% e 65,9% nos grupos ITE, NI e ML, respectivamente. Os tempos de visualização da laringe e de intubação foram menores nos grupos NI e ITE do que no Grupo ML. Essa diferença foi estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05), enquanto não houve diferença significativa entre os Grupos NI e ITE. O número de pacientes com bom desempenho na intubação foi significativamente maior no grupo ITE, enquanto o número de pacientes com mau desempenho na intubação foi significativamente maior no grupo ML (p < 0,05). Conclusões: Concluímos que o ITE, que é barato e facilmente acessível, deve ser uma opção vantajosa em pacientes com trauma cervical, tanto pela facilidade de intubação quanto devido à taxa de morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes.

[Comparison of effectiveness of intubation by way of "Gum Elastic Bougie" and "Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway" in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma]. / Comparação da eficácia de intubação por meio de guia introdutor Bougie de tubo endotraqueal e máscara laríngea em intubação traqueal de pacientes com trauma cervical simulado.

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of intubations by way of "Gum Elastic Bougie" and "Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway" in endotracheal intubation of patients with simulated cervical trauma. METHOD: 134 patients were included in the study. All patients were placed cervical collar for a simulated cervical trauma. Patients were allocated randomly into three groups: Group NI (n=45) intubation with Macintosh laryngoscopy, Group GEB (n=45) intubation with Gum Elastic Bougie, and Group ILMA (n=44) intubation with Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway. The number of intubation attempts, success of intubation, duration of complete visualization of the larynx, duration of intubation, user's performance score, hemodynamic changes and the observed complications were recorded. RESULTS: Success of intubation in the first attempt was highest in Group GEB while it was lowest in Group ILMA. Regarding the intubation success, rates of successful intubation were 95.6%, 84.4% and 65.9% in Groups GEB, NI, and ILMA, respectively. Durations of visualization of larynx and intubation were shorter in Groups NI and GEB than in Group ILMA. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) while there was no significant difference between Groups NI and GEB. The number of patients with "good" intubation performance was significantly higher in Group GEB while the number of patients with "poor" intubation performance was significantly higher in Group ILMA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that GEB, which is cheap and easily accessible, should be an advantageous choice in cervical trauma patients for both the easeness of intubation and patient morbidity and mortality.

Knowledge Levels and Attitudes of People Living in the City Centre of Nevsehir on Organ Donation and Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the knowledge levels and attitudes of people living in Nevsehir on organ donation (OD) and transplantation. METHODS: Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to 414 people residing in Nevsehir between February and May 2016. The primary and secondary endpoints of the present study were to determine the attitudes and knowledge levels of participants on OD and transplantation, respectively. RESULTS: Four hundred and fourteen people between the ages 20 and 65 years participated. In total, 8.9% of the participants correctly answered the question 'What is necessary for donating an organ?' and 31.4% of them correctly answered the question 'What is brain death?' Moreover, 53.1% of the participants stated that they wanted to receive reliable information on OD from OD centres. There was a close relationship between high education level and the willingness to donate organs (p<0.05). Further, 94.7% of the participants stated that they did not want to donate organs: 22.9% of them explained that their decision was because of their religious beliefs and 19.6% stated that their families did not allow it. It was observed that people who accepted organs from others were more willing to donate organs to their relatives (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: People living in Nevsehir do not have sufficient knowledge on OD; they had various concerns on the issue and wanted to receive information from OD centres. Exemplification and internalisation methods can be used in educational schedules to increase the OD.

Postoperative analgesic efficacy of intravenous dexketoprofen in lumbar disc surgery.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the postoperative analgesic efficacy and effect on total tramadol consumption of intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol, a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in patients that had undergone lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients were included in this placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study. General anesthesia was applied to both groups. Group D (n=30) received dexketoprofen (50 mg) intravenously 30 minutes before the end of surgery and at the postoperative 12th hour, whereas group C (n=30) received 2 mL of 0.9% NaCL intravenously at the same time points. All patients received a patient controlled analgesia device with a tramadol, 25 mg bolus, 15 minutes lockout protocol, and were followed with visual analog scale, verbal rating scale, modified Aldrete recovery scoring system, and Ramsay sedation scale in the postoperative period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups for demographic data, duration of surgery, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. The time to first postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly longer in group D (151.33±81.98 min) than group C (19±5.78 min) (P<0.001). Total tramadol consumption was significantly lower in group D (117.50±48.31 mg) than group C (311.67±59.35 mg) (P<0.05). Visual analog scale and verbal rating scale values in group D were significantly lower than group C at all follow-up periods (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the groups for the modified Aldrete recovery scoring system (P<0.05) but not for Ramsay sedation scale. The instances of nausea and vomiting among the side effects were significantly lower in group D (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that dexketoprofen was an effective analgesic for postdiscectomy pain when used alone or in addition to opioids. It is easy to administer and decreases tramadol consumption and opioid-related side effects.

Greater occipital nevre block in migraine headache: preliminary results of 10 patients.

Despite a favorable clinical experience, there are little evidence existing about the effects of greater occipital nerve (GON) block in migraine treatment. In an open, preliminary trial we evaluated the use of GON block with 0,5 % bupivacaine, in prevention of migraine attacks. Ten women suffering from migraine diagnosed according to International Headache Society criteria were evaluated in a six-month study period. During the treatment and entire follow-up period, the patients avoided prophylactic therapy. Patients were given 3 times GON blocks with 0.5 % bupivacaine one week intervally. Afterwards blocks were repeated for a maximum 5 sessions depending on the clinical response. Clinical evaluation was assessed using a monthly Total Pain Index (TPI), and recording of the number of migraine attacks and analgesic consumption per month. At the end of the first month, TPI reduced from 308.3+/-55.2 to 114,1+/-4.7 (p=0,005). When compared to the values before treatment, it was seen that during the first month mean number of migraine attacks reduced from 12.6+/-4.8 to 4.9+/-1.8, mean analgesic consumption reduced from 11.0+/-3.4 to 4.9+/-1.1, and these reductions lasted up to six months. During the treatment no severe advers effect was seen in all cases. Although preliminary and obtained on a limited number of patients, our results show that the GON block with 1.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine does not have any severe advers effect and is effective in the prevention of migraine attacks.