The Aquaporin 3 Polymorphism (rs17553719) Is Associated with Sepsis Survival and Correlated with IL-33 Secretion.

Sepsis is a common life-threatening disease caused by dysregulated immune response and metabolic acidosis which lead to organ failure. An abnormal expression of aquaporins plays an important role in organ failure. Additionally, genetic variants in aquaporins impact on the outcome in sepsis. Thus, we investigated the polymorphism (rs17553719) and expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and correlated these measurements with the survival of sepsis patients. Accordingly, we collected blood samples on several days (plus clinical data) from 265 sepsis patients who stayed in different ICUs in Germany. Serum plasma, DNA, and RNA were then separated to detect the promotor genotypes of AQP3 mRNA expression of AQP3 and several cytokines. The results showed that the homozygote CC genotype exhibited a significant decrease in 30-day survival (38.9%) compared to the CT (66.15%) and TT genotypes (76.3%) (p = 0.003). Moreover, AQP3 mRNA expression was significantly higher and nearly doubled in the CC compared to the CT (p = 0.0044) and TT genotypes (p = 0.018) on the day of study inclusion. This was accompanied by an increased IL-33 concentration in the CC genotype (day 0: p = 0.0026 and day 3: p = 0.008). In summary, the C allele of the AQP3 polymorphism (rs17553719) shows an association with increased AQP3 expression and IL-33 concentration accompanied by decreased survival in patients with sepsis.

AQP3 and AQP9-Contrary Players in Sepsis?

Sepsis involves an immunological systemic response to a microbial pathogenic insult, leading to a cascade of interconnected biochemical, cellular, and organ-organ interaction networks. Potential drug targets can depict aquaporins, as they are involved in immunological processes. In immune cells, AQP3 and AQP9 are of special interest. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these aquaporins are expressed in the blood cells of septic patients and impact sepsis survival. Clinical data, routine laboratory parameters, and blood samples from septic patients were analyzed on day 1 and day 8 after sepsis diagnosis. AQP expression and cytokine serum concentrations were measured. AQP3 mRNA expression increased over the duration of sepsis and was correlated with lymphocyte count. High AQP3 expression was associated with increased survival. In contrast, AQP9 expression was not altered during sepsis and was correlated with neutrophil count, and low levels of AQP9 were associated with increased survival. Furthermore, AQP9 expression was an independent risk factor for sepsis lethality. In conclusion, AQP3 and AQP9 may play contrary roles in the pathophysiology of sepsis, and these results suggest that AQP9 may be a novel drug target in sepsis and, concurrently, a valuable biomarker of the disease.

[Damage Control Resuscitation and Damage Control Surgery]. / Damage Control Resuscitation und Damage Control Surgery.

Trauma triggers complex physiological responses with primary and secondary effects vital to understanding and managing trauma impact. "Damage Control" (DC), a concept adapted from naval practices, refers to abbreviated initial surgical care focused on controlling bleeding and contamination, critical for the survival of severely compromised patients. This impacts anaesthesia procedures and intensive care. "Damage Control Resuscitation" (DCR) is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at reducing mortality in severely injured patients, despite potentially increasing morbidity and ICU duration. Current medical guidelines incorporate DC strategies.DC is most beneficial for patients with severe physiological injury, where surgical trauma ("second hit") poses greater risks than delayed treatment. Patient assessment for DC includes evaluating injury severity, physiological reserves, and anticipated surgical and treatment strain. Inadequate intervention can worsen trauma-induced complications like coagulopathy, acidosis, hypothermia, and hypocalcaemia.DCR focuses on rapidly restoring homeostasis with minimal additional burden. It includes rapid haemostasis, controlled permissive hypotension, early blood transfusion, haemostasis optimization, and temperature normalization, tailored to individual patient needs."Damage Control Surgery" (DCS) involves phases like rapid haemostasis, contamination control, temporary wound closure, intensive stabilization, planned reoperations, and final wound closure. Each phase is crucial for managing severely injured patients, balancing immediate life-saving procedures and preparing for subsequent surgeries.Intensive care post-DCS emphasizes stabilizing patients hemodynamically, metabolically, and coagulopathically while restoring normothermia. Decision-making in trauma care is complex, involving precise patient assessment, treatment prioritization, and team coordination. The potential of AI-based decision support systems is noted for their ability to analyse patient data in real-time, aiding in decision-making through evidence-based recommendations.

A case of recurring perioperative circulatory arrest: mind the autonomic nervous system.

We report the case of an elderly woman who developed recurring episodes of unexplained cardiocirculatory arrest. The index event appeared during surgery to fix a fracture of the ankle and consisted of bradypnea, hypotension and asystole, coherent with a Bezold-Jarisch-like cardioprotective reflex. Classical signs of acute myocardial infarction were absent. Yet, occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) was observed and successfully revascularized, whereupon circulatory arrests vanished. We discuss several differential diagnoses. Unexplainable circulatory failure, with sinus bradycardia and arterial hypotension, despite lack of ECG signs of ischemia or significant troponin levels, suggest the action of cardioprotective reflexes of the autonomic nervous system. Coronary artery disease is a common source. Attention to cardioprotective reflexes should be taken in the case of unexplained cardiac arrest without overt reasons. We recommend performing coronary angiography to exclude significant coronary stenosis.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-COVID induced sepsis survival.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on health care systems worldwide, which has led to increased mortality of different diseases like myocardial infarction. This is most likely due to three factors. First, an increased workload per nurse ratio, a factor associated with mortality. Second, patients presenting with COVID-19-like symptoms are isolated, which also decreases survival in cases of emergency. And third, patients hesitate to see a doctor or present themselves at a hospital. To assess if this is also true for sepsis patients, we asked whether non-COVID-19 sepsis patients had an increased 30-day mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the SepsisDataNet.NRW study, a multicentric, prospective study that includes septic patients fulfilling the SEPSIS-3 criteria. Within this study, we compared the 30-day mortality and disease severity of patients recruited pre-pandemic (recruited from March 2018 until February 2020) with non-COVID-19 septic patients recruited during the pandemic (recruited from March 2020 till December 2020). RESULTS: Comparing septic patients recruited before the pandemic to those recruited during the pandemic, we found an increased raw 30-day mortality in sepsis-patients recruited during the pandemic (33% vs. 52%, p = 0.004). We also found a significant difference in the severity of disease at recruitment (SOFA score pre-pandemic: 8 (5 - 11) vs. pandemic: 10 (8 - 13); p < 0.001). When adjusted for this, the 30-day mortality rates were not significantly different between the two groups (52% vs. 52% pre-pandemic and pandemic, p = 0.798). CONCLUSIONS: This led us to believe that the higher mortality of non-COVID19 sepsis patients during the pandemic might be attributed to a more severe septic disease at the time of recruitment. We note that patients may experience a delayed admission, as indicated by elevated SOFA scores. This could explain the higher mortality during the pandemic and we found no evidence for a diminished quality of care for critically ill sepsis patients in German intensive care units.

A New Approach in Airway Management for Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of the use of laryngeal mask airways (LMA) as an alternative form of airway management for surgical tracheal reconstruction. DESIGN: A prospective case series. SETTING: At a single German university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ten patients. INTERVENTIONS: The use of LMA for airway management in surgical reconstruction of the trachea. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ten patients with tracheal stenosis of 50% to 90% were enrolled prospectively during the study period. The airway management consisted of the insertion of an LMA. During resection and reconstruction, high-frequency jet ventilation was used. Several arterial blood gas analyses (ABG) were performed before, during, and after the tracheal resection and reconstruction. All values were presented as median and interquartile ranges or as absolute and relative values, and no emergency change to cross-field intubation was necessary. The lowest PaO2 was 93 mmHg in 1 patient after 20 minutes of jet ventilation, whereas PaO2 increased after the induction phase and remained stable in 9 patients. There were no intraoperative complications related to anesthetic management apart from transient hypercarbia during and after jet ventilation. Preoperative and postoperative ABG were comparable. One patient required immediate postoperative ventilatory support. Two patients developed postoperative pneumonia, leading to their admission to the intensive care unit. One patient was operated with a palliative approach due to massive dyspnea and died in the next postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: The use of LMA is an alternative option in airway management for tracheal reconstruction, even in patients with significant tracheal stenosis. Potential advantages compared to tracheal intubation are unimpaired access to the operative field and the lack of stress on the fresh anastomosis.

Dental Strain on Maxillary Incisors During Tracheal Intubation With Double-Lumen Tubes and Different Laryngoscopy Techniques - A Blinded Mannequin Study.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify dental forces during double-lumen tube intubations with different laryngoscopy techniques. DESIGN: Experimental biomechanical mannequin study. SETTING: Two German university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred four anesthesiologists with varying levels of experience. INTERVENTIONS: Participants performed a sequence of intubations on a mannequin equipped with hidden forces sensors in the maxillary incisors. Different laryngoscopy techniques were evaluated under normal and difficult airway conditions. Direct laryngoscopy was compared with different videolaryngoscopy techniques: the C-MAC with a Macintosh blade, the GlideScope, and the KingVision with hyperangulated blades. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 624 intubations were evaluated. In normal airway conditions, the median (interquartile range [range]) peak forces were significantly lower when the GlideScope (15.7 (11.3-22.0 [2.1-110.5]) N) was used compared with direct laryngoscopy (21.0 (14.1-28.5[4.7-168.6]) N) (p = 0.007). In difficult airways, resulting forces were reduced using hyperangulated videolaryngoscopes (GlideScope: -13.7 N [p < 0.001]; KingVision: -11.9 N [p < 0.001]) compared with direct laryngoscopy, respectively. The time to intubation was prolonged with the use of the KingVision (25.5 (17.1-41.9[9.2-275.0])s [p < 0.001]) in comparison to direct laryngoscopy (20.8 (15.9-27.4[8.7-198.6]) s). The C-MAC demonstrated the shortest time to intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Although hyperangulated videolaryngoscopes improve dental strain, clinicians also should consider the time to intubation, which is shortest with nonhyperangulated videoblades, when choosing a laryngoscopy technique on an individual patient basis.

Anesthesia for tracheal and carinal resection and reconstruction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of current anesthetic management of tracheal and carinal resection and reconstruction. RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to the traditional anesthetic approach using conventional tracheal intubation after induction of general anesthesia and cross-field intubation or jet-ventilation once the airway has been surgically opened, there is a trend toward less invasive anesthetic procedures. Regional anesthetic techniques and approaches focusing on the maintenance of spontaneous respiration have emerged. Especially for cervical tracheal stenosis, laryngeal mask airways appear to be an advantageous alternative to tracheal intubation.Extracorporeal support can ensure adequate gas exchange and/or perfusion during complex resections and reconstructions without interference of airway devices with the operative field. It also serves as an effective rescue technique in case other approaches fail. SUMMARY: The spectrum of available anesthetic techniques for major airway surgery is immense. To find the safest approach for the individual patient, comprehensive interdisciplinary planning is essential. The location and anatomic consistency of the stenosis, comorbidities, the functional status of respiratory system, as well as the planned reconstructive technique need to be considered. Until more data is available, however, a reliable evidence-based comparison of different approaches is not possible.

[Anaesthetic Management of Non-intubated Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery]. / Anästhesie bei nicht intubierter videoassistierter Thoraxchirurgie (NiVATS).

Non-intubated thoracic surgery is currently gaining popularity. In select patients and in experienced centres, non-intubated approaches may enable patients to safely undergo thoracic surgical procedures, who would otherwise be considered at high risk from general anaesthesia. While non-intubated techniques have been widely adopted for minor surgical procedures, its role in major thoracic surgery is a topic of controversial debate.This article discusses disadvantages of intubated anaesthetic approaches and advantages of non-intubated thoracic surgery as well as the anaesthetic management. This includes surgical and anaesthetic criteria for patient selection, suitable regional anaesthetic techniques, concepts for sedation and maintenance of airway patency as well as the management of perioperative complications.Non-intubated thoracic surgery has the potential to reduce postoperative morbidity and hospital length of stay. Successful non-intubated management depends on a standardised and well-trained interdisciplinary approach, especially regarding patient selection and perioperative complications.

Machine learning identifies ICU outcome predictors in a multicenter COVID-19 cohort.

BACKGROUND: Intensive Care Resources are heavily utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, risk stratification and prediction of SARS-CoV-2 patient clinical outcomes upon ICU admission remain inadequate. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model, based on retrospective & prospective clinical data, to stratify patient risk and predict ICU survival and outcomes. METHODS: A Germany-wide electronic registry was established to pseudonymously collect admission, therapeutic and discharge information of SARS-CoV-2 ICU patients retrospectively and prospectively. Machine learning approaches were evaluated for the accuracy and interpretability of predictions. The Explainable Boosting Machine approach was selected as the most suitable method. Individual, non-linear shape functions for predictive parameters and parameter interactions are reported. RESULTS: 1039 patients were included in the Explainable Boosting Machine model, 596 patients retrospectively collected, and 443 patients prospectively collected. The model for prediction of general ICU outcome was shown to be more reliable to predict "survival". Age, inflammatory and thrombotic activity, and severity of ARDS at ICU admission were shown to be predictive of ICU survival. Patients' age, pulmonary dysfunction and transfer from an external institution were predictors for ECMO therapy. The interaction of patient age with D-dimer levels on admission and creatinine levels with SOFA score without GCS were predictors for renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Using Explainable Boosting Machine analysis, we confirmed and weighed previously reported and identified novel predictors for outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Using this strategy, predictive modeling of COVID-19 ICU patient outcomes can be performed overcoming the limitations of linear regression models. Trial registration "ClinicalTrials" (clinicaltrials.gov) under NCT04455451.

Completeness of the operating room to intensive care unit handover: a matter of time?

BACKGROUND: Handovers of post-anesthesia patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) are often unstructured and performed under time pressure. Hence, they bear a high risk of poor communication, loss of information and potential patient harm. The aim of this study was to investigate the completeness of information transfer and the quantity of information loss during post anesthesia handovers of critical care patients. METHODS: Using a self-developed checklist, including 55 peri-operative items, patient handovers from the operation room or post anesthesia care unit to the ICU staff were observed and documented in real time. Observations were analyzed for the amount of correct and completely transferred patient data in relation to the written documentation within the anesthesia record and the patient's chart. RESULTS: During a ten-week study period, 97 handovers were included. The mean duration of a handover was 146 seconds, interruptions occurred in 34% of all cases. While some items were transferred frequently (basic patient characteristics [72%], surgical procedure [83%], intraoperative complications [93.8%]) others were commonly missed (underlying diseases [23%], long-term medication [6%]). The completeness of information transfer is associated with the handover's duration [B coefficient (95% CI): 0.118 (0.084-0.152), p<0.001] and increases significantly in handovers exceeding a duration of 2 minutes (24% ± 11.7 vs. 40% ± 18.04, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Handover completeness is affected by time pressure, interruptions, and inappropriate surroundings, which increase the risk of information loss. To improve completeness and ensure patient safety, an adequate time span for handover, and the implementation of communication tools are required.

Current practice of thoracic anaesthesia in Europe - a survey by the European Society of Anaesthesiology Part I - airway management and regional anaesthesia techniques.

BACKGROUND: The scientific working group for "Anaesthesia in thoracic surgery" of the German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI) has performed an online survey to assess the current standards of care and structural properties of anaesthesia workstations in thoracic surgery. METHODS: All members of the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) were invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: Thoracic anaesthesia was most commonly performed by specialists/board-certified anaesthetists and/or senior/attending physicians. Across Europe, the double lumen tube (DLT) was most commonly chosen as the primary device for lung separation (461/ 97.3%). Bronchial blockers were chosen less frequently (9/ 1.9%). Throughout Europe, bronchoscopy was not consistently used to confirm correct double lumen tube positioning. Respondents from Eastern Europe (32/ 57.1%) frequently stated that there were not enough bronchoscopes available for every intrathoracic operation. A specific algorithm for difficult airway management in thoracic anaesthesia was available to only 18.6% (n = 88) of the respondents. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is the most commonly used form of regional analgesia for thoracic surgery in Europe. Ultrasonography was widely available 93,8% (n = 412) throughout Europe and was predominantly used for central line placement and lung diagnostics. CONCLUSIONS: While certain "gold standards "are widely met, there are also aspects of care requiring substantial improvement in thoracic anaesthesia throughout Europe. Our data suggest that algorithms and standard operating procedures for difficult airway management in thoracic anaesthesia need to be established. A European recommendation for the basic requirements of an anaesthesia workstation for thoracic anaesthesia is expedient and desirable, to improve structural quality and patient safety.

Rapid and safe removal of foreign bodies in the upper esophagus in children using an optimized Miller size 3 video laryngoscope blade.

BACKGROUND: Foreign bodies lodged in the upper esophagus in children may result in life-threatening complications, especially with button batteries. Rapid removal is essential to prevent complications. Experts report that extraction with a suitable laryngoscope and a forceps is feasible under general anesthesia, but no further data had been available so far. AIMS: To study foreign body visualization and removal from the upper esophagus in children using a new optimized Miller size 3 blade video laryngoscope. METHODS: This prospective observational study was performed in three pediatric hospitals. The clinical observations were reported anonymously on an electronic spreadsheet after obtaining the informed consent from the parents or guardians. During the observational period from January 2019 to October 2020, all children with a foreign body lodged into the upper esophagus were eligible for participation and 22 cases were included. Main outcome measures were rates of successful removal and complications as well as duration of the procedure. Secondary outcome was subjective assessment regarding the quality of the visualization and the feasibility of the procedure. RESULTS: Success rate was 100% with no complications. Mean intervention and anesthesia times were 5 ± 4 minutes and 26 ± 25 minutes. Quality of visualization of the foreign body was judged as 'excellent' or 'good' in all cases and the feasibility of the procedure as 'without' or 'with little' effort in 95% of all cases. CONCLUSION: The new Miller size 3 video laryngoscope enables rapid, easy, and reliable extraction of foreign bodies when they are located in the upper part of the esophagus. As early removal of esophageal foreign bodies, especially with button batteries, prevents life-threatening complications, we suggest this technique as the first choice of treatment.

[Target Temperature Control in Patients with Burns]. / Zieltemperaturkontrolle beim Patienten mit Verbrennungen.

Severe burns lead to a persistent hypermetabolic response of the organism with significantly increased resting energy turnover, multi-organ dysfunction, muscle breakdown and increased risk of infection. Elevated core and skin temperatures are characteristic. A further increase in the metabolic rate can be triggered by heat losses, for which these patients are particularly predisposed due to high heat dissipation via evaporation of moisture and impairment of the thermoregulatory and insulating properties of the burnt skin. This is especially true in all treatment situations with exposure to large, uncovered skin surfaces, such as primary care, dressing changes in the intensive care unit and surgery with extensive sterile operating field. It has been shown that hypothermia is associated with numerous risks for the burn patient. Consistent heat management with measurement of the core body temperature and application of external and internal heat protection measures is recommended. Traditionally, an increase in room temperature is used here. However, this effective measure is limited by the resilience of the intensive care practitioners and the surgeons. To avoid perioperative hypothermia, strict surgical planning with limitation of the duration of surgery and close intraoperative communication about the risk of hypothermia are of particular importance.The differentiation between accepted temperature increase and infectious fever is often only possible by the inclusion of further examination findings. The criterion for sepsis is a temperature above 39 °C or below 36.5 °C.

[Uncertain Acute Hemodynamic Instability after Severe Burn Injury: an (Un-)Usual Complication]. / Unklare akute Kreislaufinstabilität nach Stromunfall: eine (un-)gewöhnliche Komplikation.

First aid and treatment of burn patients pose a challenge to responsible physicians. Primary assessment should include an evaluation of the degree and extent of the burn injuries as well as a physical examination for other trauma injuries and trauma caused by the inhalation of toxic agents. One should focus on removal of the burning source, preservation of body temperature, sterile coverage of the burnt areas, pain management and sufficient hemodynamic stabilization. Grade IIb and more severe burns are most likely subject to surgical intervention to assure sufficient healing. Our case report illustrates a burn patient's initial treatment and clinical course, which includes the development of an acute pulmonary embolism with severe hemodynamic instability. As other critically ill patients, burn patients are at particular risk for complications like infections or other causes for hemodynamic instability. Every cardiovascular event is possibly suspicious for acute pulmonary arterial embolism (PAE). A high or increasing gap between expiratory and arterial CO2 tension accompanied by typical symptoms like tachycardia and hypotension or respiratory distress may be caused by PAE. An echocardiogram can provide information about possible pathophysiological changes typical for PAE, nevertheless, CT-angiography is today's clinical gold standard for the diagnosis of PAE. As therapeutic measures, heparin should be administered, and thrombolysis should be considered in case of persisting hemodynamic instability, attentively taking possible contraindications into account.

[Anaesthesia in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities]. / Anästhesie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Behinderung.

Children and adolescents with disabilities have the right of full and effective participation and inclusion in society. Disability includes a wide range of long-term physical, mental, intellectual and sensory impairments for various reasons. In addition to the basic illness many children with disabilities have concomitant diseases. These diseases are decisive for the perioperative risk. Information from parents regarding their child's behavioural patterns and needs, signs of escalating anxiety and pain are important. Perioperative dialog with the parents is helpful and has positive effects also from parental point of view. Pharmacologic premedication is recommended. Induction of anaesthesia can be challenging and sometimes requires unconventional methods. Pain behaviour may be unusual. There are suitable scales that incorporate such behaviours.

Transglottic corticosteroid injection for treatment of soft post-intubation subglottic stenosis: a retrospective analysis of 26 children.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment is generally recommended for severe subglottic lesions following traumatic endotracheal intubation in children. An alternative approach is early transglottic corticosteroid administration to reduce scar formation and prevent the need for subsequent surgical intervention. This technique has been practiced successfully for several decades at the Children's Hospital of Cologne and the outcomes of 26 subsequent patients reviewed in this analysis. METHODS: All patients who underwent transglottic corticosteroid injection for treatment of post-intubation stridor and dyspnoea between 2012 and 2018 were identified and their records and endoscopy images analysed. Severity of the endoscopic findings was assessed using the Myer-Cotton classification (MCC) and an Expected Need for Surgical Intervention (ENSI) score (1 = inevitable; 2 = very likely necessary; 3 = probably avoidable and 4 = most likely not necessary) was recorded. Treatment was considered successful if the children had a complete resolution of clinical symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients with a median (range) age of 1.9 (0.02-7.2) years and weight of 9.8 (1.8-25) kg were identified and included into the analysis. Endoscopic images were available for 22 children. All children underwent transglottic corticosteroid injection prior to any potential surgical treatment. A total of 22 patients (85%) improved following transglottic corticosteroid injection including 4 of 5 patients with a MCC = 3 and ENSI = 1 avoiding surgical intervention. None of the patients experienced a deterioration of clinical symptoms or endoscopic findings. CONCLUSION: Transglottic corticosteroid injections as first-line treatment in children with severe post-endotracheal intubation trauma can successfully resolve symptoms and prevent invasive surgery.

[Coffee, Cigarettes, Chewing Gum - Myths and Facts About Preoperative Fasting]. / Kaffee, Kippe, Kaugummi ­ Mythen und Fakten zur präoperativen Nüchternheit.

Consumption of clear liquids (including coffee and orange juice without pulp) up to 2 hours before the start of anaesthesia is unproblematic. Contrary to the recommendations of the professional societies, the intake of beverages containing milk (up to 50% of the total volume) in small quantities seems to be harmless. Drinks containing alcohol can considerably delay emptying of the stomach. Immediate preoperative nicotine consumption has no influence on the risk of aspiration, but short-term nicotine abstinence in patients with CHD can reduce the risk of intraoperative myocardial ischaemia. Chewing gum has no effect on the pH of gastric juice, but the gastric fluid volume is slightly increased. Cancelling surgery because of preoperative chewing of gum by a patient is not justified despite increased gastric fluid volume.

[Role of Procalcitonin as a Sepsis Marker]. / Stellenwert des Procalcitonins als Sepsismarker.

Adequate diagnosis and therapy of sepsis is of major prognostic relevance. Besides the gold standard (blood culture diagnostics) biomarkers, e.g. serum procalcitonin (PCT), are clinically increasingly used in the diagnosis and for guiding anti-infective treatment. Recent guidelines recommend early determination of PCT. However, trauma, burns, surgical procedure, and intoxications may significantly impact PCT levels. As a rare cause, PCT producing tumors have been described and may be potentially misleading in the clinical setting. While several other constellations for increased PCT in the absence of sepsis (e.g., trauma, intoxications) have been described, it needs to be summarized that according to currently available data, sensitivity and specificity for PCT for the diagnosis of sepsis in critically ill patients is on average between 70 and 80%. Thus, PCT must be interpreted carefully in the context of medical history, physical examination, and microbiological assessment. However, the existing body of literature emphasizes the value of PCT to shorten the duration of an antibiotic treatment. So far, different cut-off values for PCT for certain infections have been identified. While different treatment algorithms have been studied, PCT-guided treatment not only enables to reduce use of antibiotics but as shown most recently may improve outcome of critically ill patients.