Complications during repeated tracheal intubation in the Intensive Care Unit. A prospective, observational study comparing the first intubation and the reintubation.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF THE STUDY: The goal of the study was to compare the incidence of complications, technical difficulty of intubation and physiologic pre-intubation status between the first intubation and reintubation performed on the same patient in an ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the ethics committee of Galicia (Santiago-Lugo, code No. 2015-012). Due to the observational, noninterventional, and noninvasive design of this study, the need for written consent was waived by the ethics committee of Galicia. Patients requiring tracheal intubation and reintubation in the ICU were included in this prospective observational study. Main endpoint was to compare the incidence of complications, physiologic pre-intubation status, and the rate of technical difficulty of intubation between the first intubation and reintubation performed on the same patient in an ICU. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 504 patients were intubated in our ICU during the study period, and 82 (16%) required reintubation. There was no difference between the first intubation and reintubation regarding number of total complication (35% vs 33%; P = ,86), hypotension (24% vs 24%; P = 1), hypoxia (26% vs 26%; P = 1), esophageal intubation (1% vs 1%; P = 1), and bronchoaspiration (2% vs 1%; P = ,86). Physiologic pre-intubation status and technical difficulty of intubation did not differ between the first intubation and reintubation. CONCLUSIONS: In our ICU patients requiring tracheal reintubation, incidence of complications, physiologic pre-intubation status, and technical difficulty of intubation did not differ between the first intubation and reintubation.

Pacientes críticos COVID-19 atendidos por anestesiólogos en el Noroeste de España: estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, observacional / Critically ill COVID-19 patients attended by anesthesiologists in northwestern Spain: a multicenter prospective observational study

Antecedentes y objetivos: Existe poca información sobre la evolución, complicaciones y los tratamientos recibidos por los pacientes críticos con COVID-19 que requieren ingreso en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El objetivo de este estudio es describir la evolución clínica, los tratamientos utilizados, las complicaciones y resultados de pacientes críticos COVID-19 ingresados en siete UCI de Anestesiología en la Región de Galicia durante el pico de la pandemia en marzo-abril 2020. Métodos: Entre el 21 de marzo y el 19 de abril de 2020 evaluamos a todos los pacientes críticos COVID-19 ingresados en las UCI de Anestesiología de siete hospitales en Galicia, en el Noroeste de España. Los resultados, complicaciones y los tratamientos administrados se registraron hasta el 6 de mayo de 2020, fecha final del seguimiento. Resultados: Un total de 97 pacientes críticos COVID-19 fueron incluidos. Durante su estancia en UCI, 80 pacientes (82,5%) necesitaron ventilación mecánica, y 22 pacientes (22,7%) traqueotomía. El decúbito prono se usó frecuentemente en pacientes intubados (67,5%) y despiertos (27,8%). Las medicaciones usadas fueron antivirales (92,7%), corticoides (93,8%), tocilizumab (57,7%), y dosis intermedias y altas de anticoagulantes (83,5%). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron infecciones adquiridas en UCI (52,6%), eventos trombóticos (16,5%), y reintubaciones (9,3%). Tras un seguimiento medio de 42 (34-45) días, 15 pacientes fallecieron (15,5%), 73 pacientes (75,2%) habían sido dados de alta de UCI y nueve pacientes (9,3%) permanecían todavía en la unidad. Conclusiones: Un alto porcentaje de nuestros pacientes críticos COVID-19 requirieron ventilación mecánica, posición prona, medicaciones antivirales, corticoides y anticoagulantes. Las complicaciones en UCI fueron frecuentes, principalmente infecciones y eventos trombóticos. Tuvimos una mortalidad relativamente baja del 15,5%.(AU)

Background and objectives: There are limited information on outcome, complications and treatments of critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study is to describe the clinical ICU course, treatments used, complications and outcomes, of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted in seven ICU in Galicia region during the 2020 March-April pandemic peak. Methods: Between March 21 and April 19, 2020, we evaluated critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of Anesthesia of seven hospitals in Galicia, northwestern Spain. Outcome, complications, and treatments were monitored until May 6, 2020, the final date of follow-up. Results: A total of 97 critically ill COVID-19 patients were included. During ICU stay, mechanical ventilation became necessary in 80 (82.5%) patients, and tracheostomy in 22 (22.7%) patients. Prone position was used frequently in both intubated (67.5%) and awake (27.8%) patients. Medications consisted of antivirals agents (92.7%), corticosteroids (93.8%), tocilizumab (57.7%), and intermediate or high doses of anticoagulants (83.5%). The most frequent complications were ICU-acquired infection (52.6%), thrombosis events (16.5%), and reintubation (9.3%). After a median follow-up of 42 (34-45) days, 15 patients (15.5%) deceased, 73 patients (75.2%) had been discharged from ICU, and nine patients (9.3%) were still in the ICU. Conclusions: A high proportion of our critically ill COVID-19 patients required mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, antiviral medication, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants. ICU complications were frequent, mainly infections and thrombotic events. We had a relatively low mortality of 15,5%.(AU)

Critically ill COVID-19 patients attended by anesthesiologists in northwestern Spain: a multicenter prospective observational study. / Pacientes críticos COVID-19 atendidos por anestesiólogos en el Noroeste de España: estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo, observacional.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are limited information on outcome, complications and treatments of critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study is to describe the clinical ICU course, treatments used, complications and outcomes, of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted in seven ICU in Galicia region during the 2020 March-April pandemic peak. METHODS: Between March 21 and April 19, 2020, we evaluated critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of Anesthesia of seven hospitals in Galicia, northwestern Spain. Outcome, complications, and treatments were monitored until May 6, 2020, the final date of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 97 critically ill COVID-19 patients were included. During ICU stay, mechanical ventilation became necessary in 80 (82.5%) patients, and tracheostomy in 22 (22.7%) patients. Prone position was used frequently in both intubated (67.5%) and awake (27.8%) patients. Medications consisted of antivirals agents (92.7%), corticosteroids (93.8%), tocilizumab (57.7%), and intermediate or high doses of anticoagulants (83.5%). The most frequent complications were ICU-acquired infection (52.6%), thrombosis events (16.5%), and reintubation (9.3%). After a median follow-up of 42 (34-45) days, 15 patients (15.5%) deceased, 73 patients (75.2%) had been discharged from ICU, and nine patients (9.3%) were still in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of our critically ill COVID-19 patients required mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, antiviral medication, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants. ICU complications were frequent, mainly infections and thrombotic events. We had a relatively low mortality of 15,5%.

Inusual endocarditis infecciosa sobre válvula protésica por Pseudomonas monteilii y Acinetobacter nosocomialis con fatal desenlace / Unusual infective prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Pseudomonas monteilii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis with a fatal result

Presentamos el caso de una endocarditis por Pseudomonas monteilii y Acinetobacter nosocomialis con un fatal desenlace. El paciente tenía una historia reciente de reemplazo valvular aórtico. La ecografía transesofágica y la tomografía computarizada confirmaron la presencia de vegetación en la válvula protésica y un seudoaneurisma aórtico con un absceso en la raíz aórtica. El cultivo de la válvula demostró P.monteilii y A.nosocomialis. El paciente fue tratado con cirugía y antibióticos, pero sufrió un deterioro y murió 44días tras la cirugía. En nuestro conocimiento este es el primer caso de endocarditis producida por P.monteilii y A.nosocomialis publicado en la literatura. Estas bacterias han sido descritas como contaminantes ambientales; sin embargo, deben ser consideradas como potenciales patógenos, en especial en pacientes con válvulas protésicas

We report a case of Pseudomonas monteilii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis endocarditis with a fatal outcome in a patient with a recent history of prosthetic aortic valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography confirmed the presence of vegetation on the prosthetic valve and aortic pseudoaneurism with an aortic root abscess. Valve cultures yielded P.monteilii and A.nosocomialis. The patient underwent surgery and received antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated and he died 44days after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of P.monteilii and A.nosocomialis endocarditis reported in the literature. These organisms have been described as environmental contaminants; however, they must be considered potential pathogens, particularly in patients with prosthetic valves

Unusual infective prosthetic valve endocarditis due to Pseudomonas monteilii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis with a fatal result. / Inusual endocarditis infecciosa sobre válvula protésica por Pseudomonas monteilii y Acinetobacter nosocomialis con fatal desenlace.

We report a case of Pseudomonas monteilii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis endocarditis with a fatal outcome in a patient with a recent history of prosthetic aortic valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography confirmed the presence of vegetation on the prosthetic valve and aortic pseudoaneurism with an aortic root abscess. Valve cultures yielded P.monteilii and A.nosocomialis. The patient underwent surgery and received antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated and he died 44days after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of P.monteilii and A.nosocomialis endocarditis reported in the literature. These organisms have been described as environmental contaminants; however, they must be considered potential pathogens, particularly in patients with prosthetic valves.

Manejo de la vía aérea de pacientes con obstrucción severa de la luz glótica. Experiencia con el estilete óptico de Bonfils / Airway management of patients with severe obstruction of the glottic opening. Experience with the Bonfils optical stylet

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A comparison of dobutamine and levosimendan on hepatic blood flow in patients with a low cardiac output state after cardiac surgery: a randomised controlled study.

Liver dysfunction due to a low cardiac output state after cardiac surgery is associated with a poor prognosis, but whether one inotrope is superior to another in improving hepatic perfusion remains uncertain. This study compared the systemic and hepatic haemodynamic effects of levosimendan to dobutamine in patients with a low cardiac output state (cardiac index < 2.2 l/min/m2) after on-pump cardiac surgery. A total of 25 patients were randomised to receive either an intravenous bolus of levosimendan (12 µg/kg) over 15 minutes, followed by an infusion of 0.2 µg/kg/min for 24 hours, or an infusion of dobutamine 7.5 µg/kg/min for 24 hours and completed the study. The systemic and hepatic haemodynamics at 24 and 48 hours were all better after levosimendan than dobutamine (dobutamine group: cardiac index (l/min/m2)=2.51 [standard deviation ±0.29], 2.40±0.23; portal vein flow (ml/min): 614.0±124.7, 585.9±144.8; pulsatility index: 2.02±0,28, 2.98±0.27 versus the levosimendan group: cardiac index: 3.02± 0.27, 2.98± 0.30; portal vein flow: 723.0± 143.5, 702.9±117.8; pulsatility index: 1.71±0.26, 1.73±0.27). The improvement in portal vein blood flow at 48 hours was significantly better after levosimendan than dobutamine (41% vs. 11% increment from baseline, P<0.05). In addition, there was a significant reduction in hepatic artery resistance after levosimendan but not dobutamine (resistance index reduction 6.5% vs. 0%, P<0.05). In summary, levosimendan can be considered as a selective liver vasodilator and can improve hepatic blood flow through both the hepatic artery and portal venous system, whereas dobutamine can only improve the portal venous blood flow without vasodilating the hepatic artery.

Uso del levosimendán en el paciente quirúrgico crítico / Levosimendan use in critical surgical patient

El levosimendán es el único sensibilizante del calcio utilizado actualmente en la clínica. Su indicación fundamental es la descompensación de la insuficiencia cardiaca, y aunque su eficacia está demostrada en el paciente médico, su uso en el paciente quirúrgico ha sido mucho más restringido, a pesar de lo que ha ido apareciendo en publicaciones en situaciones de evidente riesgo para los enfermos, como son el shock séptico y el shock cardiogénico, y se han descrito algunos efectos, que en nuestra opinión merecen más atención como el efecto cardioprotector y antiaturdimiento miocárdico. A lo largo de esta revisión, pretendemos analizar las nuevas aportaciones aparecidas sobre este fármaco complejo sin duda, pero en nuestra opinión muy útil en algunas situaciones (AU)

Levosimendan is the only calcium sensitiser currently used at clinical level. Its primary indication is decompensated heart failure, and although its effectiveness has been demonstrated in the medical patient, use in the surgical patient has been more restricted. Nevertheless, new publications have appeared in high risk situations, such as septic shock and cardiogenic shock. Other drug effects has been reported, which we believe deserve more attention, as the cardioprotective effect and the anti-myocardial stunning effect. Throughout this review, we intend to analyse the new contributions of this undoubtedly complex drug but, in our opinion, very useful in some situations (AU)

[Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan following cardiac surgery]. / Efectos hemodinámicos del levosimendan en el postoperatorio de pacientes sometidos a cirugía cardiaca.

The hemodynamic effect of levosimendan was compared to that of dobutamine in a trial enrolling 30 adults undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to receive levosimendan in a single dose of 18 microg x kg(-1) followed in 15 to 20 minutes by start of infusion at a rate of 0.2 microg x kg(-1) min(-1) for 24 hours (levosimendan group). Another 15 randomized patients received dobutamine infused at a rate of 7.5 microg x kg(-1) min(-1). Hemodynamic parameters were measured before starting infusion of the drug and after 24 hours of treatment. Changes in the main hemodynamic parameters were as follows. In the levosimendan group heart rate (beats/min) was 87.15 (SD 10.22) at baseline and 87.91 (6.00) at 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.96 (10.57) at baseline and 86.41 (13.29) after 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.21 (0.23) at baseline and 2.53 (0.35) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec(-1)/cm(-5)) was 1436.74 (311.48) at baseline and 1378.35 (320.68) at 24 hours. In the dobutamine group heart rate (beats/min) was 84.28 (2.18) at baseline and 96.02 (9.10) after 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.59 (9.05) at baseline and 74.29 (6.33) at 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.16 (0.28) at baseline and) 3.02 (0.34) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec(-1)/cm(-5)) was 1578.93 (334.88) at baseline and 1136.68 (158.60) at 24 hours. We found that mean arterial pressure and both systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly in the levosimendan group (P < 0.05), but not in the dobutamine group. On the other hand, both heart rate and cardiac index increased in the levosimendan group only (P < 0.05). We conclude that levosimendan improves hemodynamic stability in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and that it is a good alternative for treating postoperative low cardiac output syndrome.

Efectos hemodinámicos del levosimendan en el postoperatorio de pacientes sometidos a cirugía cardiaca / Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan following cardiac surgery

Se compararon 30 pacientes adultos sometidos a cirugía cardiaca programada con circulación extracorpórea al objeto de estudiar el efecto de la dobutamina y levosimendan sobre la hemodinámica. Quince pacientes recibieron levosimendan en dosis bolus de 12 μg kg-1 en 15-20 min seguidos de una infusión de 0,2 μg kg-1 min-1 durante 24 horas (grupo levosimendan). Otros 15 enfermos recibieron una infusión de dobutamina en dosis de 7,5 μg kg-1 min-1. Los parámetros hemodinámicos fueron medidos antes de comenzar la infusión del fármaco y a las 24 horas de tratamiento. La evolución de los principales parámetros hemodinámicos es la siguiente: Grupo dobutamina: Frecuencia cardiaca (latidos /min) 87,15 ± 10,22 (basal) 87,91 ± 6,00 (24 horas); Presión arterial media (mmHg) 83,96 ± 10,57 (basal) 86,41 ± 13,29 (24 horas); Índice cardiaco (l/min/m2): 2,21 ± 0,23 (basal) 2,53 ± 0,35 (24 horas); resistencias vasculares periféricas (dyn seg-1cm-5): 1436,74 ± 311,48 (basal) 1378,35 ± 320,68 (24 horas). Grupo levosimendan: Frecuencia cardiaca (latidos/ min) 84,28 ± 12,18 (basal) 96,02 ± 9,10 (24 horas); Presión arterial media (mm Hg) 83,59 ± 9,05 (basal) 74,29 ± 6,33 (24 horas); Índice cardiaco (l/min/m2): 2,16 ± 0,28 (basal) 3,02 ± 0,34 (24 horas); resistencias vasculares periféricas (dyn seg-1cm-5): 1578,93 ± 334,88 (basal) 1136,68 ± 158,60 (24 horas). Encontramos que las resistencias vasculares y la presión arterial media disminuyen de forma significativa (p<0,05) en el grupo levosimendan, pero no en el grupo dobutamina y que la frecuencia cardiaca y el índice cardiaco aumentan en el grupo levosimendan pero no en el grupo dobutamina. Concluimos que el levosimendan mejora la situación hemodinámica de estos pacientes y es una alternativa en el tratamiento del síndrome de bajo gasto postoperatorio

The hemodynamic effect of levosimendan was compared to that of dobutamine in a trial enrolling 30 adults undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to receive levosimendan in a single dose of 18 µg.kg-1 followed in 15 to 20 minutes by start of infusion at a rate of 0.2 µg.kg-1min-1 for 24 hours (levosimendan group). Another 15 randomized patients received dobutamine infused at a rate of 7.5 µg.kg-1min-1. Hemodynamic parameters were measured before starting infusion of the drug and after 24 hours of treatment. Changes in the main hemodynamic parameters were as follows. In the levosimendan group heart rate (beats/min) was 87.15 (SD 10.22) at baseline and 87.91 (6.00) at 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.96 (10.57) at baseline and 86.41 (13.29) after 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.21 (0.23) at baseline and 2.53 (0.35) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec-1/cm-5) was 1436.74 (311.48) at baseline and 1378.35 (320.68) at 24 hours. In the dobutamine group heart rate (beats/min) was 84.28 (2.18) at baseline and 96.02 (9.10) after 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.59 (9.05) at baseline and 74.29 (6.33) at 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.16 (0.28) at baseline and) 3.02 (0.34) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec-1/cm-5) was 1578.93 (334.88) at baseline and 1136.68 (158.60) at 24 hours. We found that mean arterial pressure and both systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly in the levosimendan group (P<0.05), but not in the dobutamine group. On the other hand, both heart rate and cardiac index increased in the levosimendan group only (P<0.05). We conclude that levosimendan improves hemodynamic stability in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and that it is a good alternative for treating postoperative low cardiac output syndromeThe hemodynamic effect of levosimendan was compared to that of dobutamine in a trial enrolling 30 adults undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to receive levosimendan in a single dose of 18 μg.kg-1 followed in 15 to 20 minutes by start of infusion at a rate of 0.2 μg.kg-1min-1 for 24 hours (levosimendan group). Another 15 randomized patients received dobutamine infused at a rate of 7.5 μg.kg-1min-1. Hemodynamic parameters were measured before starting infusion of the drug and after 24 hours of treatment. Changes in the main hemodynamic parameters were as follows. In the levosimendan group heart rate (beats/min) was 87.15 (SD 10.22) at baseline and 87.91 (6.00) at 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.96 (10.57) at baseline and 86.41 (13.29) after 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.21 (0.23) at baseline and 2.53 (0.35) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec-1/cm-5) was 1436.74 (311.48) at baseline and 1378.35 (320.68) at 24 hours. In the dobutamine group heart rate (beats/min) was 84.28 (2.18) at baseline and 96.02 (9.10) after 24 hours; mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) was 83.59 (9.05) at baseline and 74.29 (6.33) at 24 hours; cardiac index (L/min/m2) was 2.16 (0.28) at baseline and) 3.02 (0.34) at 24 hours; systemic vascular resistance (dyn/sec-1/cm-5) was 1578.93 (334.88) at baseline and 1136.68 (158.60) at 24 hours. We found that mean arterial pressure and both systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly in the levosimendan group (P<0.05), but not in the dobutamine group. On the other hand, both heart rate and cardiac index increased in the levosimendan group only (P<0.05). We conclude that levosimendan improves hemodynamic stability in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and that it is a good alternative for treating postoperative low cardiac output syndrome