Sufentanil during anesthetic induction of remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial / Sufentanil durante a indução da anestesia intravenosa total à base de remifentanil: ensaio clínico randômico

Abstract Background Postoperative pain represents an important concern when remifentanil is used for total intravenous anesthesia because of its ultrashort half-life. Longer acting opioids, such as sufentanil, have been used during induction of remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia as a means to overcome this shortcoming. However, the effectiveness and safety of such strategy still lacks evidence from randomized clinical trials. Hence, we aimed to assess the postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety of a single dose of sufentanil administered during the induction of remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia. Methods Forty patients, scheduled for elective open abdominal surgery, were randomized to receive remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia with or without a single dose of sufentanil upon induction. We assessed the postoperative morphine consumption administered through a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Self-reported pain scores and the occurrence of nausea, vomiting, pruritus, agitation, somnolence and respiratory depression were also assessed up to 2 days after surgery. Results The mean difference between the sufentanil and control groups regarding morphine consumption in the post-anesthetic care unit and at 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery were -7.2 mg (95%CI: -12.5 to -2.1, p < 0.001), -3.9 mg (95%CI: -11.9 to 4.7, p = 0.26), -0.6 mg (95%CI: (-12.7 to 12.7, p = 0.80), and -1.8 mg (95%CI: (-11.6 to 15.6, p = 0.94), respectively. Neither self-reported pain nor the incidence of adverse events were significantly different between groups at any time point. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the administration of sufentanil during induction of remifentanil-based total intravenous anesthesia is associated with decreased early postoperative opioid consumption.

Resumo Justificativa A dor pós-operatória é uma grande preocupação quando o remifentanil é usado para anestesia intravenosa total devido à sua meia-vida ultracurta. Os opioides de ação mais longa, como o sufentanil, têm sido usados durante a indução de anestesia intravenosa total à base de remifentanil como um meio de superar essa deficiência. Porém, a eficácia e segurança de tal estratégia ainda precisam de evidências advindas de ensaios clínicos randômicos. Portanto, objetivamos avaliar a eficácia analgésica e a segurança pós-operatória de uma dose única de sufentanil administrada durante a indução de anestesia intravenosa total à base de remifentanil. Métodos Quarenta pacientes eletivamente agendados para cirurgia abdominal aberta foram randomizados para receber anestesia intravenosa total à base de remifentanil, com ou sem uma dose única de sufentanil, após a indução da anestesia. Avaliamos o consumo de morfina no pós-operatório, administrado através de uma bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente. Os escores de dor autorrelatados e a ocorrência de náusea, vômito, prurido, agitação, sonolência e depressão respiratória também foram avaliados até dois dias após a cirurgia. Resultados A diferença média entre os grupos sufentanil e controle em relação ao consumo de morfina em sala de recuperação pós-anestesia e após 12, 24 e 48 horas da cirurgia foi de -7,2 mg (IC 95%: -12,5 a -2,1, p < 0,001), -3,9 mg (IC 95%: -11,9 a 4,7, p = 0,26), -0,6 mg (IC 95%: (-12,7 a 12,7, p = 0,80) e -1,8 mg (IC 95%: -11,6 para 15,6, p = 0,94), respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa tanto nos escores de dor autorrelatados, quanto na incidência de eventos adversos entre os grupos. Conclusão Nossos achados sugerem que a administração de sufentanil durante a indução de anestesia intravenosa total à base de remifentanil está associada à redução do consumo de opioides no pós-operatório imediato.

Influenza among the elderly in the Americas: a consensus statement / La gripe en los ancianos de la Región de las Américas: una declaración de consenso

Influenza exacts a heavy burden on the elderly, a segment of the population that is estimated to experience rapid growth in the near future. In the past decade most developed and several developing countries have recommended influenza vaccination for those > 65 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal of 75% influenza vaccination coverage among the elderly by 2010, but it was not achieved. In 2011, the Technical Advisory Group at the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of WHO for the Americas, reiterated the influenza vaccine recommendation for older adults. Relatively little information has been compiled on the immunological aspect of aging or on reducing its impact, information particularly relevant for clinicians and gerontologist with firsthand experience confronting its effects. To fill this data gap, in 2012 the Americas Health Foundation (Washington, D.C., United States) and the nonprofit, Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (Miami, Florida, United States), convened a panel of Latin American clinicians and gerontologists with expertise in influenza to discuss key issues and develop a consensus statement. The major recommendations were to improve influenza surveillance throughout Latin America so that its impact can be quantified; and to conduct laboratory confirmation of influenza for all patients who have flu-like symptoms and are frail, immunosuppressed, have comorbidities, are respiratory compromised, or have been admitted to a hospital. The panel also noted that: since evidence for antivirals in the elderly is unclear, their use should be handled on a case-by-case basis; despite decreased immunological response, influenza vaccination in older adults is still crucial; indirect immunization strategies should be encouraged; and traditional infection control measures are essential in long-term care facilities.

La gripe representa una fuerte carga para los ancianos, un segmento de la población que, según los cálculos, experimentará un rápido crecimiento en un futuro próximo. En el último decenio, la mayor parte de los países desarrollados y varios países en desarrollo han recomendado la vacunación antigripal de las personas mayores de 65 años de edad. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) estableció la meta de una cobertura de vacunación antigripal de 75% de los ancianos para el año 2010, pero no se alcanzó. En el 2011, el Grupo Consultivo Técnico de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud, Oficina Regional de la OMS para la Región de las Américas, reiteró la recomendación de la vacunación antigripal de los adultos mayores. Se ha recabado relativamente poca información sobre los aspectos inmunológicos del envejecimiento o sobre cómo reducir su repercusión, información particularmente pertinente para médicos clínicos y gerontólogos que deben afrontar de primera mano sus efectos. Para salvar esta brecha en materia de datos, en el 2012, la Americas Health Foundation (Washington, D.C., Estados Unidos) y la Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (fundación sin ánimo de lucro para la lucha contra las enfermedades infecciosas en los países emergentes, con sede en Miami, Florida, Estados Unidos) convocaron un grupo de expertos, médicos clínicos y gerontólogos latinoamericanos con pericia en el tema de la gripe, con objeto de debatir aspectos clave y elaborar una declaración de consenso. Las principales recomendaciones fueron mejorar la vigilancia de la gripe en toda América Latina para que pudiera cuantificarse su repercusión; y llevar a cabo la confirmación de laboratorio en todos los pacientes con síntomas similares a los de la gripe debilitados, inmunodeprimidos, con comorbilidades, con compromiso respiratorio o que hubieran sido ingresados en un hospital. El grupo de expertos también señaló que, dado que no existen datos probatorios claros en relación con los antivíricos en los ancianos, su uso debe manejarse caso por caso; que, a pesar de la reducción de la respuesta inmunitaria, la vacunación antigripal en adultos mayores sigue siendo crucial; que se deben promover las estrategias de vacunación indirecta; y que, en los establecimientos de asistencia a largo plazo, las medidas tradicionales de control de las infecciones son esenciales.

Influenza among adults in Latin America, current status, and future directions: a consensus statement / La gripe en adultos en América Latina, situación actual y tendencias futuras: una declaración de consenso

In Latin America, adult influenza is a serious disease that exacts a heavy burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, and cost. Although much has been written about the disease itself, relatively little information has been compiled on what could be done to reduce its impact across the region, particularly from the perspective of clinicians with firsthand experience in confronting its effects. To fill this data gap, in 2011, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) and the U.S.-based nonprofit Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (FIDEC) organized a conference and convened a panel of Latin American scientistclinicians with experience and expertise in adult influenza in the region tol) discuss the major issues related to the disease and 2) develop and produce a consensus statement summarizing its impact as well as current efforts to diagnose, prevent, and treat it. The consensus panel concluded a more concerted and better-coordinated effort was needed to reduce the adverse impact of seasonal influenza and future pandemics, including more surveillance, more active involvement by both governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and a much greater effort to vaccinate more adults, especially those at high risk of contracting the disease. In addition, a new approach for diagnosing influenza was recommended.

En América Latina, la gripe en adultos es una enfermedad grave que impone una carga importante en cuanto a la morbilidad, la mortalidad y el costo. Aunque se ha escrito mucho acerca de la enfermedad en sí, se ha recopilado relativamente escasa información sobre lo que podría hacerse para reducir su repercusión en la región, en particular desde la perspectiva de los médicos con experiencia directa en afrontar sus efectos. Para compensar esta falta de información, en 2011 la Fundación Panamericana de la Salud y Educación (PAHEF) y la organización sin fines de lucro establecida en los Estados Unidos Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (FIDEC) organizaron una conferencia y convocaron a un panel de científicos y médicos latinoamericanos con experiencia y conocimientos especializados en la gripe en adultos en la región a fin de 1) analizar los temas principales relacionados con la enfermedad y 2) elaborar y emitir una declaración de consenso que resuma la repercusión, así como los logros actuales en el diagnóstico, la prevención y el tratamiento de la enfermedad. El panel de consenso llegó a la conclusión que se requieren esfuerzos más concertados y mejor coordinados para reducir la repercusión adversa de la gripe estacional y las pandemias futuras, que comprenden una mayor vigilancia, una participación más activa de las organizaciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales y un esfuerzo mucho mayor para vacunar a más adultos, en especial a las personas que presentan un riesgo elevado de contraer la enfermedad. Además, se recomendó un nuevo enfoque para diagnosticar la gripe.