Can expected pCO2 be calculated by pCO2=HCO3+15 formula in central venous blood gas samples?

OBJECTIVE: In mixed acid-base disorders, it is essential to identify the dominant disorder, either metabolic or respiratory. The calculation of expected partial carbondioxide (pCO2) value obtained from arterial blood gas sample can give a clue to the physician about the main disorder. There are several formulas to calculate the expected pCO2 which are not practical to use and require an arterial blood gas sample. The aim of this study is to investigate whether expected pCO2 could be calculated with a simple formula by adding 15 to the bicarbonate (HCO3) value obtained from a central venous blood gas sample. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 (42.7%) female and 67 (57.3%) male patients aged 18 years and older, hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between January 2022 and June 2022, whose arterial and central venous blood gas samples were drawn at the same time, were included in this study. Expected pCO2 values were calculated with both Winter's (pCO2 = 1.5 × HCO3 + 8) and simple (pCO2 = HCO3 + 15) formulas from the data obtained from arterial and jugular central venous blood gas samples. RESULTS: A statistically significant strong positive correlation was identified between arterial and venous expected pCO2 values, which were calculated by using both Winter's and simple formulas [Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) = 1, p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: In ICU patients, (pCO2 = HCO3 + 15) formula can be used to calculate expected pCO2 in central venous blood gas samples to identify the primary disorder as metabolic or respiratory in mixed acid-base disorders.

Are neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and large unstained cells different in hospitalized COVID-19 PCR-positive patients with and without diabetes mellitus?

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 might present with multisystem involvement due to its entry into many cells with ACE2 receptors on their surfaces, such as heart, endothelial, and lung alveoli cells. Studies have indicated that COVID-19 infection causes a severe clinical presentation in diabetic patients due to dysregulation of the metabolic and immune systems. The hematological effects of COVID-19 and the relationship of lymphopenia with the severity of the disease have been reported previously. The parameter of percentage of large unstained cells (LUCs) reflects active lymphocytes and peroxidase-negative cells. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is another reliable marker of inflammation in cases of cardiac diseases, solid tumors, and sepsis. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the parameters of LUCs and NLR differed between diabetic and nondiabetic individuals with COVID-19. Associations with disease severity were also sought. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our retrospective study, the data of 1,053 patients [230 diabetic patients (21.83%) and 823 nondiabetic patients (78.15%)] were reviewed. The white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, neutrophil%, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte%, LUC count, %LUCs, NLR, platelet count, hemoglobin level, HbA1c, history of diabetes, surveillance during hospitalization, and pulmonary infiltration status within the first 24 hours after admission to the hospital were analyzed from the records. RESULTS: When diabetic patients were compared with nondiabetics, the age [65 (20-90) vs. 42 (18-94) years], WBC count [6.72 (2.6-24.04) vs.  5.91 (1.35-52.68)], neutrophil count [4.29 (1.28-65) vs. 3.68 (0.02-50.47)], neutrophil% [67.53±12.3 vs.  64.08±13.28], NLR [3.35 (0.83-38.11) vs. 2.48 (0.01-68.58)], and LUC count [0.11 (0.03-0.98) vs. 0.1 (0.02-3.06)] of the diabetic group were found to be higher and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We determined that LUC counts and NLR values in COVID-19-positive patients with diabetes were statistically significantly higher compared to nondiabetic patients.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome after verapamil intoxication: case report and literature review.

Verapamil intoxication is a life-threatening condition that often presents with severe hemodynamic instability and requires vasopressor support. There are also documented case reports of the development of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema after verapamil overdose. However, the exact mechanisms responsible for pulmonary oedema remain unclear. Here, we describe a 36-year-old woman who was admitted to the intensive care unit after ingesting high-dose verapamil and subsequently developed acute respiratory distress syndrome soon after hemodynamic stabilization. Possible mechanisms are presented after taking into account findings in the current literature. Acute respiratory distress syndrome should be considered early during the evaluation of patients with verapamil intoxication.

Comparison of the efficacy of different concentrations and volumes of levobupivacaine in axillary brachial plexus blockade.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the same dosage but different concentrations and volumes of levobupivacaine used for axillary block on the onset and intensity of the block. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were randomly allocated into three groups. The patients in Group 5, Group 7.5 and Group 3.75 were administered 45 mL of levobupivacaine (5 mg/mL), 30 mL of levobupivacaine (7.5 mg/mL) and 30 mL of levobupivacaine (7.5 mg/mL) mixed with 30 mL of 0.9% NaCl solution, respectively. The onset and intensity of sensory and motor blocks distributed through 4 nerves, duration of analgesia, and total analgesic consumption within 24 hr were recorded. RESULTS: Onset of sensory block on median and radial nerves in Group 3.75 was found to be significantly longer compared to Group 5 and Group 7.5 (P<0.05). Onset of motor block on radial nerves in cases in Group 3.75 was significantly longer compared to those in Group 7.5 (P<0.01). In Group 3.75 the intensity of sensorial blockade at the median ulnar and radial nerves and the intensity of motor blockade at the radial and musculocutaneous nerves were significantly lower than in the other two groups. The duration of analgesia in the patients of Group 5 was significantly shorter compared to those in Groups 7.5 and 3.75 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Decreasing the concentration and increasing the volume of levobupivacaine without changing its dosage prolongs the duration of analgesia, although it delays the onset and decreases the intensity of sensory and motor block in axillary block.

Oxidative DNA damage and total antioxidant status in rats during experimental gram-negative sepsis.

Sepsis and septic shock remains as leading cause of death in adult intensive care units. It is widely accepted that gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins cause sepsis and septic shock, predominantly. Enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species may be responsible for tissue injury in septic shock and endotoxemia. The aim of this study was to assess oxidative DNA damage and the total antioxidant status (TAS) in peripheral lymphocytes of rats during different intraperitoneal gram-negative sepsis stages. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups. Control group was intraperitoneally inoculated with 2 mL of pyrogene-free saline (Group I, n = 6), and the other rats received an intraperitoneal inoculum with 2 mL of saline containing 2 x 10(8) CFU of Escherichia coli. The animals were killed at time zero (Group I, n = 6), at 6th (Group II, n = 7), 12th (Group III, n = 7), and 24th (Group IV, n = 7) hour after the E. coli inoculation. Oxidative DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes of rats was evaluated by modified comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis). Formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and Endonuclease III (Endo III) were used to detect oxidized purines and pyrimidines, respectively. Total antioxidant quantification was carried out using ABTS+ (2,2'-Azino-di-[3 ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate]) radical formation kinetics (Randox kit) in serum samples. Significant elevations of basal levels of strand breaks (SB) in Group IV were observed as compared with Group I, II, and III. There was a significant increase in Fpg sites in Group III as compared with Group I and II. However, there was no significant difference in terms of Endo III sites in any of the groups. Although the TAS was decreased with the stages of sepsis, this moderate decrease was significant in only Group IV as compared with Group I. There was no statistically significant correlation between DNA damage and TAS for any of the groups.

Tramadol does not prolong the effect of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml for axillary brachial plexus block.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of tramadol to ropivacaine on the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, and duration of analgesia, for axillary brachial plexus block. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent had been obtained, 45 patients scheduled for forearm or hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus block were randomly allocated into two groups. The ropivacaine group received 40 ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml plus 2 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution, and the tramadol group received 40 ml of ropivacaine 7.5 mg/ml plus 2 ml (100 mg) of tramadol. The onset and duration of sensory and motor block in the distribution of the musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves, the duration of analgesia, the time to first pain medication, hemodynamics and side-effects were recorded. RESULTS: The addition of tramadol did not improve the speed of onset or increase the duration of sensory and motor block. The durations of analgesia were 631 +/- 33 min and 633 +/- 37 min (mean +/- standard deviation) in the ropivacaine and tramadol groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Hemodynamic parameters and side-effects did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of 100 mg of tramadol to 7.5 mg/ml of ropivacaine, for axillary brachial plexus block, does not prolong the duration of motor and sensory block and analgesia.

The role of antioxidant supplementation in occupational exposure to waste anaesthetic gases.

OBJECTIVES: Although the genotoxicity related to waste anaesthetic gases is controversial, a consistent number of observations have provided evidence for an increased level of DNA strand breaks. The goal of the research was to investigate this hypothesis and estimate the genoprotective role of antioxidant supplementation in technical anaesthesiology staff working in operating theatres. METHODS: Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from 17 exposed technical anaesthesiology staff (mean age 34.3 +/- 3.5 years) and non-exposed control group (mean age 32.2 +/- 3.4 years) and examined in the alkaline comet assay for DNA strand breakage. Vitamin E (300 mg/day) plus vitamin C (500 mg/day) were supplemented to the technical anaesthesiology staff for 12 weeks and blood samples were retaken and evaluated by comet assay. RESULTS: The DNA breakage observed in the lymphocytes of the technical anaesthesiology staff was 21.5 +/- 5.0, as calculated by total comet score (TCS). This score was significantly higher (P<0.001) than in the controls (8.6 +/- 4.7) before antioxidant treatment. Supplementation of vitamins E plus C significantly (P<0.01) reduced the mean TCS as 14.2 +/- 6.1. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases induces oxidative DNA damage. Supplementation of the diet for 12 weeks with vitamin C and vitamin E resulted in a significant decrease in the DNA damage.

Cardiac operations during pregnancy: review of factors influencing fetal outcome.

Women with underlying rheumatic heart disease, even if well compensated, can easily be affected by acute heart failure caused by out-of-the-ordinary cardiorespiratory requirements during pregnancy. In such cases, medical therapy is not always sufficient to drive a heart, and open heart operation might be necessary. Many factors associated with cardiac operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, such as hypothermia, can adversely affect both the mother and the fetus, but the morbidity and mortality rates are higher for the fetus than the mother. Because fetal heart tones were lost during cardiopulmonary bypass and were reheard in the intensive care unit in our case presentation, we have presumed that the loss of fetal heart tones should not always indicate fetal death and have discussed harmful factors in relation with the fetal morbidity and mortality in light of the literature.