Impact of perioperative hemodynamic optimization therapies in surgical patients: economic study and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that hemodynamic optimization therapies can reduce complications, the length of hospital stay and costs. However, Brazilian data are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this analysis was to evaluate whether the improvement demonstrated by hemodynamic optimization therapy in surgical patients could result in lower costs from the perspective of the Brazilian public unified health system. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed comparing surgical patients who underwent hemodynamic optimization therapy (intervention) with patients who underwent standard therapy (control) in terms of complications and hospital costs. The cost-effectiveness analysis evaluated the clinical and financial benefits of hemodynamic optimization protocols for surgical patients. The analysis considered the clinical outcomes of randomized studies published in the last 20 years that involved surgeries and hemodynamic optimization therapy. Indirect costs (equipment depreciation, estate and management activities) were not included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 21 clinical trials with a total of 4872 surgical patients were selected. Comparison of the intervention and control groups showed lower rates of infectious (RR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.58-0.74), renal (RR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.54-0.87), and cardiovascular (RR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.76-0.99) complications and a nonstatistically significant lower rate of respiratory complications (RR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.67-1.02). There was no difference in mortality (RR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.80-1.3) between groups. In the analysis of total costs, the intervention group showed a cost reduction of R$396,024.83-BRL ($90,161.38-USD) for every 1000 patients treated compared to the control group. The patients in the intervention group showed greater effectiveness, with 1.0 fewer days in the intensive care unit and hospital. In addition, there were 333 fewer patients with complications, with a consequent reduction of R$1,630,341.47-BRL ($371,173.27-USD) for every 1000 patients treated. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic optimization therapy is cost-effective and would increase the efficiency of and decrease the burden of the Brazilian public health system.

Bleeding and damage control surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bleeding is still a major cause of death in trauma patients. Damage control surgery is a strategy that aims to control bleeding and avoid secondary contamination of the cavity. This article checks the principles and indications of damage control surgery, bleeding management, and the role of the anesthesiologist in trauma context. The efficient treatment of severe trauma and exsanguinated patients includes a surgical approach to the patient performed as quickly as possible. Volemic resuscitation, hemostatic transfusion, prevention and/or treatment of coagulopathy, hypothermia, and acidosis are strategies that reduce bleeding, as well as permissive hypotension. RECENT FINDINGS: Specialized literature shows us that the adoption of all of these principles along with reduced surgical time has led to a broader concept called damage control resuscitation. SUMMARY: Damage control resuscitation is a treatment strategy in which the recovery of physiological variables is initially prioritized over anatomical variables and can be required in severe trauma patients.

The lack of knowledge on acute stroke in Brazil: A cross-sectional study with children, adolescents, and adults from public schools.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke is an important cause of disability and death in adults worldwide. However, it is preventable in most cases and treatable as long as patients recognize it and reach capable medical facilities in time. This community-based study investigated students' stroke knowledge, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) activation, associated risk factors, warning signs and symptoms, and prior experience from different educational levels in the KIDS SAVE LIVES BRAZIL project. METHODS: The authors conducted the survey with a structured questionnaire in 2019‒2020. RESULTS: Students from the elementary-school (n = 1187, ∼13 y.o., prior experience: 14%, 51% women), high-school (n = 806, ∼17 y.o., prior experience: 13%, 47% women) and University (n = 1961, ∼22 y.o., prior experience: 9%, 66% women) completed the survey. Among the students, the awareness of stroke general knowledge, associated risk factors, and warning signs and symptoms varied between 42%‒66%. When stimulated, less than 52% of the students associated stroke with hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension. When stimulated, 62%‒65% of students recognized arm weakness, facial drooping, and speech difficulty; only fewer identified acute headache (43%). Interestingly, 67% knew the EMS number; 81% wanted to have stroke education at school, and ∼75% wanted it mandatory. Women, higher education, and prior experience were associated with higher scores of knowing risk factors (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10‒1.48; OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.87‒2.40; OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.16‒1.83; respectively), and warning signs- symptoms (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.89‒2.60; OR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.81‒3.87; OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.58‒2.63; respectively). CONCLUSION: Having higher education, prior experience, and being a woman increases stroke-associated risk factors, and warning signs and symptoms identification. Schoolchildren and adolescents should be the main target population for stroke awareness.

CPR Quality Assessment in Schoolchildren Training.

Whilst CPR training is widely recommended, quality of performance is infrequently explored. We evaluated whether a checklist can be an adequate tool for chest compression quality assessment in schoolchildren, compared with a real-time software. This observational study (March 2019-2020) included 104 schoolchildren with no previous CPR training (11-17 years old, 66 girls, 84 primary schoolchildren, 20 high schoolchildren). Simultaneous evaluations of CPR quality were performed using an observational checklist and real-time software. High-quality CPR was determined as a combination of 70% correct maneuvers in compression rate (100-120/min), depth (5-6 cm), and complete release, using a real-time software and three positive performance in skills using a checklist. We adjusted a multivariate logistic regression model for age, sex, and BMI. We found moderate to high agreement percentages in quality of CPR performance (rate: 68.3%, depth: 79.8%, and complete release: 91.3%) between a checklist and real-time software. Only 38.5% of schoolchildren (~14 years-old, ~54.4 kg, and ~22.1 kg/m2) showed high-quality CPR. High-quality CPR was more often performed by older schoolchildren (OR = 1.43, 95%IC:1.09-1.86), and sex was not an independent factor (OR = 1.26, 95%IC:0.52-3.07). For high-quality CPR in schoolchildren, a checklist showed moderate to high agreement with real-time software. Better performance was associated with age regardless of sex and BMI.

Development and validation of an HPLC/MS/MS method for the determination of sufentanil and morphine in human plasma.

A sensitive and fast HPLC/MS/MS method for measurement of sufentanil and morphine in plasma was developed and validated. A single liquid-liquid extraction in alkaline medium was used for the cleanup of plasma, and fentanyl was added as an internal standard (IS). The analyses were carried out using a C18 column and the mobile phase acetonitrile-5 mM ammonium acetate + 0.25% formic acid (70 + 30, v/v). The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray source in positive mode was set up in the selective reaction monitoring mode to detect precursor --> product ion transition 387.0 > 238.0, 285.7 > 165.1, and 337.0 > 188.0 for sufentanil, morphine, and IS, respectively. The method was linear in the 0.05 (LOQ) - 500 ng/mL range for sufentanil and 10 (LOQ) - 1000 ng/mL range for morphine. Good selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness were obtained for the HPLC/MS/MS method. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of sufentanil and morphine in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Periodontopathogenic bacteria in subglottic samples from patients undergoing elective intubation for general anesthesia: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Translocation of periodontal pathogens into the respiratory tract could either cause pneumonia or disrupt local defense mechanisms, predisposing the host to infection by respiratory pathogens. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the levels of periodontopathogenic bacteria in subglottic samples of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients and the impact of oral decontamination with chlorhexidine (CHX) on subglottic levels of these microorganisms. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation for at least 3 hours were included. Following full-mouth periodontal examination, patients were randomly assigned to groups that rinsed preoperatively with 0.12% CHX or 0.9% saline (control). After 3 hours of orotracheal intubation, subglottic contents were collected. Quantification of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and Tannerella forsythia (T. forsythia) in subglottic samples was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by Fisher Exact Probability, unpaired Student's t and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients included, 43 completed study participation. There were no differences between control and CHX groups in subglottic detection rates and abundance levels of P. gingivalis (P = 0.59), T. forsythia (P = 0.83) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.07). Moreover, our data indicate that periodontal health has no impact on subglottic levels of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal pathogens were detected in subglottic samples of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Moreover, a single CHX rinse prior to endotracheal intubation may have no effect on subglottic contamination by P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Incidence and risk factors of postoperative visual function impairment in elderly patients undergoing nonocular surgery: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients may present with visual function impairment after surgery, which may increase the incidence of postoperative delirium and falls and decrease their quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess visual function in elderly patients after long-duration nonocular surgery to determine the incidence and risk factors for visual function impairment after surgery. METHODS: This prospective and observational study included patients aged between 60 and 80 years who had been scheduled for elective nonocular surgery expected to last longer than 120 minutes under general anesthesia. Ocular examinations were performed before surgery, on postoperative day 3 and on postoperative day 21 and consisted of a LogMAR-Snellen chart test, a Jager chart test, biomicroscopy, optical tonometry, ocular motility assessment and fundoscopy. Baseline characteristics of all patients as well as intraoperative and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were included in the final analysis. Visual function impairment was diagnosed in 21 patients (19.6%) at POD 3. Of those, 7 patients (6.5%) still presented with visual changes at POD 21. On POD 3, compared with that at baseline, visual acuity assessed by the Snellen chart test had decreased in these patients. Significant differences regarding refraction tests and intraocular pressure measures were also found. Multivariable analysis identified diabetes mellitus, duration of surgery, hypotension during anesthesia induction, lower peripheral oxygen saturation at the end of the procedure and body mass index as independent risk factors for postoperative visual impairment. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients undergoing long-duration nonocular procedures under general anesthesia, the incidence of visual function impairment was considerably high. Most patients recovered to baseline visual function, but clinically significant visual changes may still be present 3 weeks after surgery. Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and the duration of surgical and anesthetic techniques appear to increase the risk of visual impairment after surgery.

Referral to immediate postoperative care in an intensive care unit from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians: a cross-sectional questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Due to the high cost and insufficient offer, the request for Intensive Care (ICU) beds for postoperative recovery needs adequate criteria. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of patients referred to postoperative care at an ICU from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire on referrals to postoperative intensive care was applied to physicians at congresses in Brazil. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians who agreed to fill out the questionnaire were included. The questionnaire consisted of hypothetical clinical scenarios and cases for participants to choose which would be the priority for referral to the ICU. RESULTS: 360 physicians participated in the study, with median time of 10 (5-18) years after graduation. Of the interviewees, 36.4% were anesthesiologists, 30.0% surgeons, and 33.6% intensive care physicians. We found that anesthesiologists were more conservative, and surgeons less conservative in ICU referrals. As to patients with risk of bleeding, 75.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 52.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 43.5% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to elderly persons with limited reserve, 62.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 47.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 22.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to patients with risk of respiratory complications, 64.5% of the surgeons would recommend the ICU, versus 43.0% of the intensive care physicians, and 32.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). Intensive care physicians classified priorities better in indicating ICU, and the main risk indicator was the ASA physical status in all specialties (p < 0.001). There was no agreement among the specialties and surgeries on prioritizing post-operative intensive care. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians presented different perspectives on postoperative referral to the ICU.

Effectiveness of the 40-Minute Handmade Manikin Program to Teach Hands-on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation at School Communities.

Bystander training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial to improve the victims' survival and quality of life after sudden cardiac arrest. This observational study aimed to determine the success rate of 2 different programs of CPR training for children, adolescents, and adults in school communities. We assessed the development and acquisition of the following CPR skills: checking local safety, assessing victim's responsiveness, calling for help, assessing victim's breathing, and performing chest compression (hands and straight arms placement on the chest, compression velocity, depth, and chest release) using a 40-minute program with handmade manikins or the 120-minute program using intermediate-fidelity manikins. There were 1,630 learners (mean age 16 years, 38% male) in the 40-minute program, and 347 learners (mean age 27 years, 32% male) in the 120-minute program. The lowest successful pass rate of learners that developed CPR skills was 89.4% in the 40-minute program and 84.5% in the 120-minute program. The chances of success increased with age in the same program (compression rate and depth). The success rate also increased with the more extended and intermediate-cost program at the same age (assessing victim's responsiveness, calling for help, and assessing the victim's respiration). In conclusion, a 40-minute and cheaper (low-cost handmade manikin) CPR program was adequate to develop and acquire the overall CPR skills for ≥89% at school communities, independently of gender. However, some individual CPR skills can be further improved with increasing age and using the longer and intermediate-cost program.

Restrictive versus Liberal Fluid Therapy for Post-Cesarean Acute Kidney Injury in Severe Preeclampsia: a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether a restrictive compared to a liberal fluid therapy will increase postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: A total of 46 patients (mean age, 32 years; standard deviation, 6.8 years) with severe preeclampsia were randomized to liberal (1500 ml of lactated Ringer's, n=23) or restrictive (250 ml of lactated Ringer's, n=23) intravenous fluid regimen during cesarean section. The primary outcome was the development of a postoperative renal dysfunction defined by AKI Network stage ≥1. Serum cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were evaluated at postoperative days 1 and 2. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02214186. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative AKI was 43.5% in the liberal fluid group and 43.5% in the restrictive fluid group (p=1.0). Intraoperative urine output was higher in the liberal (116 ml/h, IQR 69-191) than in the restrictive fluid group (80 ml/h, IQR 37-110, p<0.05). In both groups, serum cystatin C did not change from postoperative day 1 compared to the preoperative period and significantly decreased on postoperative day 2 compared to postoperative day 1 (p<0.05). In the restrictive fluid group, NGAL levels increased on postoperative day 1 compared to the preoperative period (p<0.05) and decreased on postoperative day 2 compared to postoperative day 1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Among patients with severe preeclampsia, a restrictive fluid regimen during cesarean section was not associated with increased postoperative AKI.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU in a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil - study protocol.

OBJECTIVES: We designed a cohort study to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the largest public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as Latin America becomes the epicenter of the pandemic. METHODS: This is the protocol for a study being conducted at an academic hospital in Brazil with 300 adult ICU beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We will include adult patients admitted to the ICU with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 during the study period. The main outcome is ICU survival at 28 days. Data will be collected prospectively and retrospectively by trained investigators from the hospital's electronic medical records, using an electronic data capture tool. We will collect data on demographics, comorbidities, severity of disease, and laboratorial test results at admission. Information on the need for advanced life support and ventilator parameters will be collected during ICU stay. Patients will be followed up for 28 days in the ICU and 60 days in the hospital. We will plot Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate ICU and hospital survival and perform survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model to identify the main risk factors for mortality. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04378582. RESULTS: We expect to include a large sample of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and to be able to provide data on admission characteristics, use of advanced life support, ICU survival at 28 days, and hospital survival at 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide epidemiological data about critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, which could inform health policy and resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries.

Application of a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics approach to the free propofol plasma levels during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to apply a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics approach to investigate the free propofol plasma levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting under hypothermic conditions compared with the off-pump procedure. METHODS: Nineteen patients scheduled for on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting under hypothermic conditions (n=10) or the equivalent off-pump surgery (n=9) were anesthetized with sufentanil and propofol target-controlled infusion (2 µg/mL) during surgery. The propofol concentration was then reduced to 1 µg/mL, and a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics analysis using the maximum-effect-sigmoid model obtained by plotting the bispectral index values against the free propofol plasma levels was performed. RESULTS: Significant increases (two- to five-fold) in the free propofol plasma levels were observed in the patients subjected to coronary artery bypass grafting under hypothermic conditions. The pharmacokinetics of propofol varied according to the free drug levels in the hypothermic on-pump group versus the off-pump group. After hypothermic coronary artery bypass was initiated, the distribution volume increased, and the distribution half-life was prolonged. Propofol target-controlled infusion was discontinued when orotracheal extubation was indicated, and the time to patient extubation was significantly higher in the hypothermic on-pump group than in the off-pump group (459 versus 273 min, p=0.0048). CONCLUSIONS: The orotracheal intubation time was significantly longer in the hypothermic on-pump group than in the off-pump group. Additionally, residual hypnosis was identified through the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics approach based on decreases in drug plasma protein binding in the hypothermic on-pump group, which could explain the increased hypnosis observed with this drug in this group of patients.

Specific questionnaire detects a high incidence of intra-operative hypersensitivity reactions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of intra-operative immediate hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Anesthesiology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil, from January to December 2010. We developed a specific questionnaire to be completed by anesthesiologists. This tool included questions about hypersensitivity reactions during anesthesia and provided treatments. We included patients with clinical signs compatible with immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Hhypersensitivity reactions were categorized according to severity (grades I-V). American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA 1-6) was analyzed and associated with the severity of hypersensitivity reactions. RESULTS: In 2010, 21,464 surgeries were performed under general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists answered questionnaires on 5,414 procedures (25.2%). Sixty cases of intra-operative hypersensitivity reactions were reported. The majority patients (45, 75%) had hypersensitivity reactions grade I reactions (incidence of 27.9:10,000). Fifteen patients (25%) had grade II, III or IV reactions (intra-operative anaphylaxis) (incidence of 7:10,000). No patients had grade V reactions. Thirty patients (50%) were classified as ASA 1. The frequency of cardiovascular shock was higher in patients classified as ASA 3 than in patients classified as ASA 1 or ASA 2. Epinephrine was administered in 20% of patients with grade III hypersensitivity reactions and in 50% of patients with grade II hypersensitivity reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients had hypersensitivity reactions grade I reactions; however, the incidence of intra-operative anaphylaxis was higher than that previously reported in the literature. Patients with ASA 3 had more severe anaphylaxis; however, the use of epinephrine was not prescribed in all of these cases. Allergists and anesthesiologists should implement preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of anaphylaxis.

[Surgery is unlikely to be enough for a patient to stop smoking 24h prior to hospital admission]. / É improvável que a cirurgia seja suficiente para que o paciente pare de fumar 24 horas antes da internação hospitalar.

INTRODUCTION: The need for surgery can be a decisive factor for long-term smoking cessation. On the other hand, situations that precipitate stress could precipitate smoking relapse. The authors decided to study the impact of a surgery on the patient's effort to cease smoking for, at least, 24h before hospital admission and possible relapse on the last 24h before hospital admission for ex-smokers. METHODS: Smoker, ex-smokers and non-smokers adults, either from pre-anesthetic clinic or recently hospital admitted for scheduled elective surgeries that were, at most, 6h inside the hospital buildings were included in the study. The patients answered a questionnaire at the ward or at the entrance of the operating room (Admitted group) or at the beginning of the first pre-anesthetic consultation (Clinic group) and performed CO measurements. RESULTS: 241 patients were included, being 52 ex-smokers and 109 never smokers and 80 non-smokers. Smokers had higher levels of expired carbon monoxide than non-smokers and ex-smokers (9.97±6.50 vs. 2.26±1.65 vs. 2.98±2.69; p=0.02). Among the smokers, the Clinic group had CO levels not statistically different of those on the Admitted group (10.93±7.5 vs. 8.65±4.56; p=0.21). The ex-smokers presented with no significant differences for the carbon monoxide levels between the Clinic and Admitted groups (2.9±2.3 vs. 2.82±2.15; p=0.45). CONCLUSION: A medical condition, such as a surgery, without proper assistance is unlikely to be enough for a patient to stop smoking for, at least, 24h prior to admission. The proximity of a surgery was not associated with smoking relapse 24h before the procedure.

Goal-directed therapy in patients with early acute kidney injury: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury is associated with many conditions, and no interventions to improve the outcomes of established acute kidney injury have been developed. We performed this study to determine whether goal-directed therapy conducted during the early stages of acute kidney injury could change the course of the disease. METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective randomized controlled study. Patients with early acute kidney injury in the critical care unit were randomly allocated to a standard care (control) group or a goal-directed therapy group with 8h of intensive treatment to maximize oxygen delivery, and all patients were evaluated during a period of 72h. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02414906. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were eligible for the study, and 99 patients were randomized. Central venous oxygen saturation was significantly increased and the serum lactate level significantly was decreased from baseline levels in the goal-directed therapy group (p=0.001) compared to the control group (p=0.572). No significant differences in the change in serum creatinine level (p=0.96), persistence of acute kidney injury beyond 72h (p=0.064) or the need for renal replacement therapy (p=0.82) were observed between the two groups. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the goal-directed therapy group than in the control group (33% vs. 51%; RR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37-1.00, p=0.048, number needed to treat=5). CONCLUSIONS: Goal-directed therapy for patients in the early stages of acute kidney injury did not change the disease course.

Propranolol plasma monitoring in children submitted to surgery of tetralogy of Fallot by a micromethod using high performance liquid chromatography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analytical micromethod using liquid chromatography for the quantification of propranolol in children submitted to surgery of tetralogy of Fallot (TLF). METHODS: Only 0.2 mL of plasma is required for the assay. Peaks eluted at 8.4 (Propranolol) and 17.5 min (verapamil, internal standard) from a C18 column, with a mobile phase 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 5.0, and acetonitrile (60:40, v/v) at flow rate 0.7 mL/min, detected at 290 nm (excitation) and 358 nm (emission). Surgery was started 776 min of drug administration (8.7 mg, mean); seven blood samples were collected from six patients (4M/2F; 2.1 yrs;11.5 kg; 0.80 m; 18.9 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: Confidence limits of the method showed high selectivity and recovery, sensitivity of 0.02ng/mL, good linearity (0.05-1000 ng/mL), precision of 8.6% and accuracy of 3.1%. The mean duration of surgery was 283.2 min, with the patients remaining under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for 114 min. A declining curve of propranolol plasma concentration was obtained after the last dose in the night that preceded the day of surgery. Plasma concentration also was normalized with hematocrit due to the hemodilution caused by the CPB procedure. On the other hand a decrease on drug plasma concentration was obtained between periods, the beginning of surgery to the postoperative day 2 (7.09 ng/mL and 0.05 ng/mL, p<0.05 respectively) and from the end of CPB to the postoperative day 2 (2.79 ng/mL e 0.05 ng/mL, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Propranolol monitoring of plasma concentrations of children (TLF) normalized after the last preoperative dose revealed a decline from the beginning of surgery to the second postoperative day, suggesting that, once redistribution was restored, propranolol washout was complete.

Independent early predictors of mortality in polytrauma patients: a prospective, observational, longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES:: Trauma is an important public health issue and associated with substantial socioeconomic impacts and major adverse clinical outcomes. No single study has previously investigated the predictors of mortality across all stages of care (pre-hospital, emergency room, surgical center and intensive care unit) in a general trauma population. This study was designed to identify early predictors of mortality in severely injured polytrauma patients across all stages of care to provide a better understanding of the physiologic changes and mechanisms by which to improve care in this population. METHODS:: A longitudinal, prospective, observational study was conducted between 2010 and 2013 in São Paulo, Brazil. Patients submitted to high-energy trauma were included. Exclusion criteria were as follows: injury severity score <16, <18 years old or insufficient data. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at four time points: pre-hospital, emergency room, and 3 and 24 hours after hospital admission. The primary outcome assessed was mortality within 30 days. Data were analyzed using tests of association as appropriate, nonparametric analysis of variance and generalized estimating equation analysis (p<0.05). ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01669577. RESULTS:: Two hundred patients were included. Independent early predictors of mortality were as follows: arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001), lactate level (p<0.001), Glasgow Coma Scale score (p<0.001), infused crystalloid volume (p<0.015) and presence of traumatic brain injury (p<0.001). CONCLUSION:: Our results suggest that arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation, diastolic blood pressure, lactate level, Glasgow Coma Scale, infused crystalloid volume and presence of traumatic brain injury are independent early mortality predictors.