Relationship of End Expiratory Lung Volume, Compliance, and Plateau Pressure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

COVID-19 ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), caused by SARS-CoV-2, involves a decrease in the end expiratory lung volume (EELV), compliance, and hypoxemia. The authors retrospectively analysed the relationship between the EELV, Plateau pressure (Pplat), and compliance of the respiratory system in a group of 21 mechanically ventilated COVID ARDS patients with moderate to severe hypoxia who were subjected to a recruitment manoeuvre. Further, these parameters were studied after dividing them into two groups as Group 1 of clinically non-recruitable and Group 2 of clinically recruitable patients. There was relationship between EELV, compliance, and Pplat among those patients who were clinically recruited versus those who were not in a homogeneous group of COVID ARDS patients. In Group 1, the statistical value of EELV and compliance were r = 0.395, p>0.05, EELV and Pplat were r = 0.021, p>0.05, and compliance and Pplat were r = -0.848, p<0.001. In Group 2, the statistical values of EELV and compliance were (r = 0.605, p<0.001), EELV and Pplat were r = -0.391, p<0.05, compliance and Pplat were r = -0.848, p<0.001. The additional information gained after understanding this relationship can help to optimise ventilator settings. Key Words: COVID, ARDS, End expiratory lung volume, Plateau pressure, Compliance, Recruitment, Ventilation.

A retrospective review of a 2-year strong antimicrobial stewardship program in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Many institutes have implemented a strict antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program in the postantibiotic era. AIM: To investigate how the resistance pattern changes after implementation of a stringent AMS programme. METHODOLOGY: It employs a defined daily dose methodology (DDD). The formulae listed below are used to compute this for two periods: October 2015 to October 2017 (Period 1) and October 2017 to October 2019 (Period 2) (Period 2). DDD = Antibiotics used in total (g) per year The length of stay was determined using the data from the hospital's information system (HIS). The patterns of resistance to the limited antibiotics are vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and colistin. In both Periods 1 and 2, skin and soft-tissue infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and respiratory tract infections were studied in both periods. RESULTS: In the year from October 2015 to October 2017, 4569 patients received limited antibiotics out of a total of 14,544 admissions. The average length of stay was 7.48 days in Period 1, however, it was reduced to 3.96 days in Period 2 out of 15,199 patients. In vitro isolate sensitivities to vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and colistin were increased. CONCLUSION: Some of the most common antibiotics were used less frequently. This appears to be linked to a shorter stay in the hospital and increased antibiotic susceptibility.

Comparative Evaluation of Volatile Anaesthetic Agents for Attenuation of Venous Cannulation Pain: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: Topical application of volatile anaesthetic agents has been found to attenuate the response to a mechanical stimulus; however, this effect of volatile anaesthetic on perception of pain during venous cannulation is not known. AIM: To compare the efficacy of topically administered volatile anaesthetic agents for attenuating venous cannulation pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, placebo controlled and double blind study was conducted on 120 patients, aged 20-60years. They were of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I or II physical status, of either sex, planned for elective surgeries. These patients were randomized into 4 groups, of 30 each. Equipotent doses of halothane (1ml), isoflurane (1.5ml), sevoflurane (2.7ml) and sterile water (2.5ml; Control) were topically administered on the volar surface of forearm wrapped with cotton and aluminium foil; venous cannulation was performed with 18G intravenous cannula after 30 min. These patients were assessed for the incidence and severity of pain upon venous cannulation {visual analog scale (VAS), 0-100mm; 0 = no pain and 100 = worst imaginable pain}. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the incidence of venous cannulation pain was observed in the halothane (79%) group as compared to control (100%; p<0.05), isoflurane (100%; p<0.05) and sevoflurane (100%; p<0.05) groups. The severity of venous cannulation pain as assessed by median (interquartile range, Q1-Q3). VAS scores was reduced in the halothane {10 (10-20); p<0.001}, isoflurane {20 (10-30); p<0.001} and sevoflurane {20 (20-30); p<0.001} groups as compared to the control group {40 (30-40)}; VAS score in the halothane group was significantly less as compared to isoflurane (p<0.05) and sevoflurane (p<0.05) groups. CONCLUSION: Topical application of halothane is most effective in reducing incidence and severity of venous cannulation pain; however, topical application of isoflurane and sevoflurane decreases only the severity of venous cannulation pain.

Evaluation of the efficacy of solifenacin and darifenacin for prevention of catheter-related bladder discomfort: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Urinary catheterization during surgical interventions causes postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Antimuscarinic agents are the mainstay of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). As the symptoms of CRBD mimic to OAB, so we designed this study to assess the efficacy of solifenacin and darifenacin for prevention of CRBD. METHODS: Ninety patients of either sex undergoing elective spine surgery and requiring urinary catheterization were randomly assigned into three groups to receive oral solifenacin 5 mg (Group S), darifenacin 7.5 mg (Group D) and placebo (Group C) 1 hour prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia technique was identical in all the groups. Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) was evaluated in 4-point scale (1 = no discomfort, 2 = mild discomfort, 3 = moderate discomfort, 4 = severe discomfort), on arrival (0 hour) and at 1, 2, and 6 hours postoperatively. Patients were provided patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl for postoperative pain relief. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic profile and fentanyl requirements (P>0.05). The prevalence and severity of CRBD were significantly less in the group D and group S compared with the group C at all time intervals (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with oral solifenacin or darifenacin reduces catheter-related bladder discomfort with no clinically relevant significant side effects.