Predictive value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in combination with the sequential organ failure assessment score in sepsis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prognostic power of n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in sepsis is disputable and unstable among different models. We attempt to evaluate the prognostic potential of NT-proBNP in combination with the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, 100 consecutive sepsis patients were enrolled. Clinical data such as admission SOFA, the Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation score, shock prevalence, use of lung protective ventilation, vasopressors, and glucocorticoids were recorded. Additionally, serum creatinine (Scr1 and Scr3) and NT-proBNP (NT-proBNP1 and NT-proBNP3) were assayed and evaluated at admission and on day 3 respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DNT-proBNP (NT-proBNP3 minus NT-proBNP1) (P < 0.001, Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.245, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.137 - 1.362) and admission SOFA (P < 0.001, HR = 1.197, 95%CI, 1.106 - 1.295) were independently related to in-hospital mortality. Their combination was a more robust predictor for in-hospital mortality than either of them individually. Patients with high DNT-proBNP and SOFA had the poorest prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In our study, both DNT-proBNP and SOFA were independent predictors of septic patients' prognosis. Moreover, the combination of DNT-proBNP and admission SOFA provided a novel strategy that contained information regarding both the response to treatment and sepsis severity.</p>

Application of enhanced recovery program after surgery(ERAS) in patients undergoing radical resection for colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the enhanced recovery program after surgery (ERAS) with conventional perioperative management in patients undergoing radical resection for colorectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The ERAS protocol included a combination of evidence-based and consensus methodology. A total of 597 consecutive patients undergoing elective colorectal resection were randomized to either the ERAS(n=299) or the control group(n=298). Outcomes related to nutrition and metabolism index, stress index, and recovery index were measured and recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Demographics and operative parameters were similar between the two groups(P>0.05). The nutritional status of patients in the ERAS group was improved after surgery compared with that of the control group. On postoperative day (POD) 1, the HOMA-IR in the ERAS group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.01). The cortisol level in the control group was elevated on both POD 1(P<0.01) and POD 5(P<0.01) compared to the preoperative level. However, the cortisol level was not increased until POD 5(P<0.01) in the ERAS group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ were reduced in the ERAS group, indicating less postoperative stress responses compared with the control group. In addition, ERAS group was associated with accelerated recovery of gastrointestinal function. The postoperative length of stay [(5.7±1.6) d vs. (6.6±2.4) d, P<0.01] and expense[(15 998±2655) RMB vs. (17 763±3059) RMB, P<0.01] were reduced in the ERAS group. Twenty-eight patients(9.4%) in the control group and 29(9.7%) in the ERAS group developed complications, while the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ERAS protocol alleviates surgical stress response and accelerates postoperative recovery without compromising patient safety.</p>

Application of the protocol of enhanced recovery after surgery in colorectal surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) protocol in colorectal surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From september 2006 to February 2007, 74 patients with colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to ERAS group and control group. The stress index, nutrition and metabolism index, intraoperative index and postoperative index were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six patients were excluded, 3 in ERAS group (2 cases received hepatectomy concomitantly and 1 case received partial ileum resection), and 3 in control group (1 case received hepatectomy and 1 case received colorectomy concomitantly, another presented asthma paroxysm). So there were 34 cases in ERAS group and 34 cases in control, with no statistical differences in sex, age, BMI index and operation types. Deviation of HOMA-IR index of ERAS was lower than the control (P>0.05), the same as plasma cortisol at the 1st day after operation (P<0.05), but plasma glucagons in the operation of ERAS group was higher than that of control (P<0.05). Plasma glucose 1st day after operation of ERAS group was lower than control (P<0.05), while plasma triglyceride intraoperation, at 1st day, 2nd day after operation of ERAS was higher than control (P<0.05). Nitrogen negative balance of ERAS group was higher than control at 2nd day after surgery, but is lower intraoperation and at 6th day after operation (P<0.05). The time of exhaust gas and stool, time to eat fluidity and semi-fluidity, out-of-bed time and exercise time per-day, residual time and complication rate in ERAS group were better than those of control (P<0.05). Post-operative expenses of ERAS was lower than that of control (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ERAS can decrease surgical stress, increase functional recovery and reduce complication rate.</p>

Effect of glutamine and growth hormone on adaptation in short bowel syndrome / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effects of parenteral glutamine and growth hormone supplementation on gut adaptation for patients with short bowel syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients [male 15, female 11, aged (39 +/- 23) years] with short bowel syndrome received parenteral nutrition (PN) 3-52 months after surgical resection. The median length of remnant small intestine was 42.5(0-100)cm. All patients received growth hormone (0.10+/- 0.06) mg.kg(-1).d(-1) plus glutamine (0.30 +/- 0.17) mg.kg(-1).d(-1) for two or three weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 26 patients, PN was not required soon after treatment in 34.6% (n=9) of the patients, the frequency and volume of PN decreased from (6.0 +/- 1.0) d to (4.2 +/- 1.0) d, from (13.6 +/- 5.2) L per week to (8.2 +/- 3.3) L per week respectively in 30.8% (n=8) of the patients,while 34.6% (n=9) still required PN after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined administration of glutamine and growth hormone can promote remnant intestinal adaptation in short bowel patients.</p>