Comparison of Hemodynamic Variables Associated with Cardiac Output in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: Dynamic parameters, including end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), peak velocity variation in the common carotid artery (pvvCCA), distensibility index of the internal jugular vein (dIJV), and distensibility index of the inferior vena cava (dIVC) have been used to predict fluid responsiveness in fully sedated patients under positive mechanical ventilation. We aimed to compare the cardiac output (CO) with all these dynamic parameters upon changing positions. METHODS: This prospective cohort study compared the changes in all parameters that alter CO after changing positions, including upper body at 60°and 30°, supine position, and lower body at 30°and 60°, as measured using ultrasonography, between June 2015 and September 2016. RESULTS: CO was correlated with parameters, including dIJV, pvvCCA, and ETCO₂, in positively ventilated patients with nonspontaneous breathing (p=0.001, p=0.014, and p=0.006, respectively). Among these parameters, ETCO₂ showed to have the best correlation with CO change after position change (coefficient 0.412). Correlations of CO with central venous pressure, blood pressure, and dIVC were not statistically significant. The mean value of CO in elevated lower body positions was slightly lower than the mean value of CO in supine position (5.231 vs. 5.752 L/min, p=0.516). CONCLUSION: Measuring the changes of ETCO₂ in patients with positive mechanical ventilation might allow the most accurate prediction of CO changes. The position change from elevated upper body to supine position could better induce CO changes than that performed similarly with passive leg raising.

Efficacy of Percutaneous Treatment of CBD Stones Which Could Not be Removed by Per-oral Endoscopic Method / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Common bile duct (CBD) stones can be removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in most cases. In addition, surgery or stenting as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) with lithotripsy can be used to remove CBD stones also. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous removal of CBD stones which could not be removed by per-oral endoscopic method. METHODS: From Jan. 1998 to Sep. 2001, ERCP were tried to remove CBD stones in 395 patients. We reviewed causes of treatment failure through the peroral method and PTCS-results by the medical records and cholangiograms in 15 patients. RESULTS: We successfully removed stones with PTCS in all 15 patients. The reasons for percutaneous approach were previous operation history in 8 (53.3%) and old age in 10 (66.7%). Mean number and size of stone were 4.4 and 17.4 x 13.1 mm, respectively. Complete fragmentation and removal of stones were achieved in a single session in 40%. Mean time to complete removal was 19 days. In 1 patient, bile peritonitis was developed but cured by conservative management alone. CONCLUSIONS: PTCS with or without lithoptripsy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of CBD stones which can not be removed by peroral endoscopic approach.

Effectiveness of Walking-exercise on Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This prospective study was conducted to assess the effect of walking-exercise on the bowel cleansing before colonoscopy and to define subgroup of patients to whom walking-exercise was beneficial. METHODS: Before taking 2.5 L of polyethylene glycol, 393 out-patients were randomized into two groups (G1; walking-exercise, G2; non-exercise) and the amount of walking-exercise was estimated by the step counter. A single colonoscopist performed the procedure with a single-blinded manner and estimated the bowel cleansing. RESULTS: A total of 366 patients were included by per protocol analysis. The number of step count was significantly different between two groups (p<0.000). However, the groups were similar in other data collected. The degree of bowel cleansing between two groups was significantly different (p<0.01). Age, history of abdominal surgery, constipation, obesity and walking- exercise were related to the degree of bowel cleansing. Interestingly, walking-exercise was especially beneficial to patients with age less than 65 years, without history of abdominal surgery, and non-obesity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that absence of constipation (OR=4.74), walking- exercise (OR=2.04), and younger age (OR=1.97) were independent factors associated with better bowel cleansing. Most of walking patients (97.4%) answered that walking-exercise is more comfortable than taking the solution. CONCLUSIONS: The walking-exercise was of an additional benefit to improve colonoscopic bowel cleansing without significant patients discomfort.