Circadian leptin concentration changes in critically ill heart failure patients.

Physiologically, leptin concentration is controlled by circadian rhythm. However, in critically ill patients, circadian rhythm is disrupted. Thus we hypothesized that circadian leptin concentration changes are not preserved in critically ill patients. Ten consecutive critically ill heart failure patients with the clinical indication for mechanical ventilation and sedation were included into our study. Plasma leptin concentration was measured every 4 h during the first day (0-24 h) and during the third day (48-72 h) after admission. During the first day, there were significant leptin concentration changes (ANOVA, p<0.05), characterized by an increase in concentration by 44 % (16-58 %); p=0.02 around noon (10 am-2 pm) and then a decrease in concentration by 7 % (1-27 %); p=0.04 in the morning (2 am-6 am). In contrast, there was no significant change in leptin concentration during the third day after admission (ANOVA, p=0.79). Based on our preliminary results, we concluded that in critically ill heart failure patients, the circadian rhythm of plasma leptin concentration seems to be preserved during the first but not during the third day after admission.

Impaired bioavailability and antiplatelet effect of high-dose clopidogrel in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

PURPOSE: Bioavailability of clopidogrel in the form of crushed tablets administered via nasogastric tube (NGT) has not been established in patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, we performed a study comparing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic response to high loading dose of clopidogrel in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography with stent implantation. METHODS: In the NGT group (nine patients, after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanically ventilated, therapeutic hypothermia), clopidogrel was administered in the form of crushed tablets via NGT. Ten patients undergoing elective coronary artery stenting took clopidogrel per os (po) in the form of intact tablets. Pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before and at 0.5, 1, 6, 12, 24 h after administration of a loading dose of 600 mg. In five patients in each group, antiplatelet effect was measured with thrombelastography (TEG; Platelet Mapping) before and 24 h after administration. RESULTS: The carboxylic acid metabolite of clopidogrel was detected in all patients in the po group. In eight patients, the maximum concentration was measured in the range of 0.5-1 h after the initial dose. In four patients in the of NGT group, the carboxylic acid metabolite of clopidogrel was undetectable and in the remaining patients was significantly delayed (peak values at 12 h). All patients in the po group reached clinically relevant (>50 %) inhibition of thrombocyte adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor after 24 h compared with only two in the NGT group (p = 0.012). There was a close correlation between peak of inactive clopidogrel metabolite plasmatic concentration and inhibition of the ADP receptor (r = 0.79; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The bioavailability of clopidogrel in critically ill patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation is significantly impaired compared with stable patients. Therefore, other drugs, preferentially administered intravenously, should be considered.

Porcine model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: To validate a porcine model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Ten experimental and five sham-operated pigs were studied. Instrumentation for cardiac output (CO) measurement, regional blood flow (renal-REN and portal-PORT) and blood sampling (inferior vena cava (IVC), renal and portal vein) was done. Microcirculation was visualised sublingually and in ileostoma. PROTOCOL: simulation of rAAA with bleeding (mean arterial pressure (MAP) 45 mmHg) and increased abdominal pressure (25 mmHg) for 4 h; 2 h of infrarenal clamp with shed blood retransfusion; 11 h of post-surgery care. RESULTS: Six experimental pigs completed the protocol and are presented. Bleeding decreased CO to 95%, PORT to 80% and REN to 10% of baseline. From clamping on CO and PORT increased above baseline whereas REN (47%) with creatinine clearance remained compromised till the end. Microcirculation was affected more in ileum than sublingually. Approximately threefold increase in cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10) and oxidative stress markers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) was observed. Only mild increase in IL-6 and TBARs was observed in sham-operated animals. Organ histology did not reveal differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This near-lethal model of rAAA induced expected severe deterioration of haemodynamics and metabolism accompanied with a moderate inflammatory and oxidative stress response.

Therapeutic hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with the target temperature 34-35 degrees C.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of mild hypothermia (34-35 degrees C) on the final neurological outcome in patients after resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: Forty three patients, admitted at University Hospital Brno after the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, were included in the cohort study. The inclusion criteria were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resulting from ventricular fibrillation or non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia as well as recovery of spontaneous circulation within 60 minutes after first symptoms. Blanketrol II (Cinncinnatti Sub Zero, USA) water mattresses were used for cooling the patients. The temperature was maintained at 34-35 degrees C for 24 hours. Favorable neurological outcome was defined as a Pittsburgh cerebral-performance category 1 (good recovery) or 2 (moderate disability) on five-category scale. RESULTS: The required temperature was reached in all patients; the cooling rate was 0.8 +/- 0.3 degrees C/hour. The time between the restoration of circulation and reaching the temperature of 35 degrees C was 119 +/- 32 minutes. The time induce the hypothermia (with the core body temperature below 35 degrees C) was 26 +/- 2 hours. Good outcome at hospital discharge was achieved in 21 out of 43 (49%) patients. Ten patients died in the hospital and two patients died after the discharge from the hospital, with the overall 6 months mortality being 28%. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed feasibility, safety and possible efficacy of the mild hypothermia (34-35 degrees C) patients after the cardiac arrest. To evaluate whether the target temperature 34-35 degrees C is as beneficial as 32-34 degrees C; a randomised controlled trial design should be used (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 17). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Risk factors for critical illness polyneuromyopathy.

Although numerous clinical, laboratory, and pharmacological variables have been reported as significant risk factors for critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPM), there is still no consensus on the aetiology of this condition. Objectives of the study were to assess the clinical and electrophysiological incidence and risk factors for CIPM.A cohort of critically ill patients was observed prospectively for a one-month period and the association between neuromuscular involvement and various potential risk factors was evaluated. Sixty one critically ill patients completed the follow-up (30 women, 31 men, median age 59 years).CIPM development was detected clinically in 17 patients (27.9 %) and electrophysiologically in 35 patients (57.4 %). CIPM was significantly associated with the presence and duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the severity of multiple, respiratory, central nervous, and cardiovascular organ failures. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly longer in patients with CIPM than in those without (16 vs 3 days, p<0.001). Independent predictors of CIPM obtainable within the 1(st) week of critical illness were the admission sequential organ failure assessment score (odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.36), the 1(st) week total sequential organ failure assessment scores (OR, 1.14; 95 % CI, 1.06-1.46) and the 1(st) week duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15). They were able to correctly predict the development of CIPM at the end of the 1(st) week in about 80% of critically ill cases.In conclusion, the presence and duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and the severity of multiple and several organ failures are associated with increased risk of the development of CIPM.

Pain management in children with burn injuries.

Thermic injury is always associated with pain. The objective of authors was to create algorithm of analgesia for children with burn injuries during pre-hospitalization and hospitalization.

Anaesthesia management of major hepatic resections without application of allogeneic blood.

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study we used acute normovolemic haemodilution (ANH) together with low CVP anaesthesia in order to avoid allogeneic blood transfusion during major liver surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With institutional approval, 20 patients, ASA classification I-III, undergoing hepatic lobe resection consecutively (18 for metastatic cancer, 2 for hepatocellular cancer) in 2002, were enrolled into the prospective study. A epidural catheter was inserted before surgery in the thoracic region. General anaesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane and fentanyl. Invasive haemodynamic monitoring was instituted. Blood was removed for ANH and circulation volume was replaced by infusion of colloids and crystalloid. The CVP was maintained less than 5 mm Hg during hepatic parenchymal transection. After procedure the ventilated patients were transported to ICU. RESULTS: The preoperative haematocrit value (Hct) allowed performance of ANH with a blood removal (1025 +/- 357 g) in all patients. The estimated blood loss was 825 +/- 515 ml. None of the subject received allogeneic blood during surgery. One patient had transfusion of 2 units of allogeneic blood the fifth day after the right hepatectomy during a second look for perihepatic hematoma. The CVP was 3.8 +/- 0.4 mmHg during liver resection. Postoperative Hct was 0.31 +/- 0.02 and haemoglobin 108 +/- 11 g/L. All patients were extubated the first day after surgery. There was no hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the routine use of new surgical techniques and low CVP anaesthesia in combination with ANH enabled avoidance of allogeneic blood transfusion in all patients during surgery. (Tab. 3, Ref. 22).

Intraoperative mild hypothermia therapy in patients scheduled for neurosurgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Deliberate mild hypothermia has been proposed as a means of providing cerebral protection during neurosurgicals procedures complicated by cerebral ischaemia. Our prospective study was designed to examine the safety of deliberate mild hypothermia and to evaluate our techniques for cooling and rewarming. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With institutional approval, 20 patients scheduled for elective neurosurgery were enrolled into our prospective study. After the induction of anaesthesia, the core temperature was measured by urinary catheters with probes (Kendall). The patients were cooled (temperature of blankets set at 15 degrees C) and rewarmed (temperature set at 40 degrees C) by two circulating water blankets (Blanketrol III, Cincinnati Sub-Zero, Cincinnati). The variables are expressed as a mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: The time of anaesthesia was 316+/-53 min. The core temperature was 36.5+/-0.4 degrees C at the start of anaesthesia. The minimal temperature reached 34.4+/-0.4 degrees C. The patients were cooled at a rate of 1.1+/-0.3 degrees C/h and rewarmed at a rate of 0.9+/-0.4 degrees C/h. The temperature was 35.8+/-0.5 degrees C after the neurosurgical procedure. Deliberate mild hypothermia with rewarming did not cause delays in emerging from anaesthesia. On the control CT scan, no ischaemic changes were observed after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that patients can be cooled and rewarmed by two circulating water blankets, and core temperatures about 34 degrees C were easily achieved. The deliberate mild hypothermia is together with careful anaesthesia management a safe technique of cerebral protection from ischaemic insult during elective neurosurgical procedures. (Tab. 1, Ref. 11.).

Acute normovolemic haemodilution for management of 4200 ml blood loss during radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: We refer a case report of patient with 4200 ml large blood during urological surgery, in which was used acute normovolemic haemodilution as a solely method for avoiding of allogeneic blood transfusions. METHODS: A 65 years old patient was scheduled for radical prostatectomy. After starting general anaesthesia was removed 2360 g (target haematocrit 0.30 in patients with calculated total body blood volume 5460 ml) of whole blood from patient and circulation volume was replaced by 1500 ml of colloids and 2000 ml of crystalloid solution. Retransfusion was started after 1800 ml blood loss (transfusion trigger--Hct 0.20). RESULTS: The total blood loss was 4200 ml during 4 hour and 40 minutes of surgery. The patient was the whole operation time haemodynamic stable, with minimal systolic blood pressure 100 mmHg and haematocrit value was 0.32 after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the risk of anaemia and also the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion is the one of the basic part of the anaesthesia management of large urological procedures. This case demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of acute normovolemic haemodilution as a method for avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion in a patient with 77% loss of total body blood volume.

Quality of prehospital management of patients with burn injuries--a retrospective study.

The authors evaluate the quality of burn patient management prior to admission to a specialized department. The most frequent mistake was found to be inadequate airway management (no intubation) and a lack of an i.v. line and volume resuscitation. These problems could be seen especially in the patients admitted to the specialized department as secondary transfers, following initial treatment in another healthcare facility. Prehospital care of the patients admitted as primary transfers was found to be satisfactory in the majority of cases. The authors conclude that some mistakes in diagnosis may be caused by the development of the burn over time as well as by the fact that certain clinical experience is necessary for determining the correct diagnosis. The predominant cause of inadequate management in patients with severe thermal injuries is underestimating the severity of the injury and ignorance of the possible consequences of inadequate management of the patients for transfer.

The most frequent problems in the initial stage of burn management.

On the basis of three case reports discussed in the article, the authors demonstrate the most frequent serious drawbacks occurring in the initial stage of care of severely burned patients. The first case report highlights the importance of correct determination of the extent of the burn trauma, which should be correctly assessed by every first contact physician. The second case report demonstrates the need for adequate management of patients with severe burn trauma (especially airway management and i.v. establishment). In the third case (a little baby) again the need for correct patient assessment, timely airway management and beginning of resuscitation and especially of appropriate and immediate transfer of the burned patient to the specialized burn facility are highlighted.

[Use of erythropoietin in radical prostatectomy]. / Pouzití erytropoetinu u radikální prostatektomie (RAPE).

All patients in the first group tolerated sampling of four transfusion units of autologous blood in the course of two weeks with subsequent erythropoietin administration very well. Erythropoietin was well tolerated, no local nor systemic undesirable side-effects or complications were observed. The mean transferrin and serum iron values remained during sampling of autotransfusions and erythropoietin administration within the range of normal values reported by our laboratory. The ferritin levels were above the norm. On the other hand in patients of the control group it was not possible--due to the decline of haemogram values--to sample in 45% the required amount of autologous blood before operation. For the same reason it was not possible to implement haemodilution as required. In similar blood losses administration of allogenic blood was necessary in 35% patients of the control group whereby in the group of patients with erythropoietin allogenic blood was administered in two cases (10%). Erythropoietin administration can effectively facilitate preoperative sampling of autotransfusion within a relatively short period. By its administration we can prevent a marked decline of red blood cells as a result of sampling of several preserves of autologous blood at a rapid rate. A satisfactory value of the haematocrit before the operation proper moreover makes it possible to collect a larger amount of blood in case of acute isovolaemic haemodilution. This enhances the patient's safety in relation to risks ensuing from administration of allogenic blood.

[Indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy]. / Indikace k chirurgické laparoskopické adrenalektomii.

Endocrinological indication for surgical adrenalectomy is relatively rare. There is relatively little information on possibilities how to perform adrenalectomy by a minimally invasive procedure. Minimal invasive surgery made it possible to implement some operations sparing the patient. Adrenalectomy is one of these procedures. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, which is extremely rare in other countries, as practiced in the Czech Republic, is the subject of the submitted paper.

[Double serious complication of the surgical treatment of a female patient with scoliosis (case report).]. / Dvojitá závazná komplikace pri operacním osetrení nemocné se skoliózou.

The authors present the case-history of a female patient who developed during operation of a thoracolumbal scoliotic curve haemorrhagic shock with circulatory arrest due to massive haemorrhage from the spongiosa. After more than six weeks after admission to hospital she developed tense hameothorax from the injured diaphragm caused by the edge of the osteomotized rib of the concavity. The condition was treated by leftesided posterolateral thoracotomy. The authors draw attention to some special features associated with treatment of deformities of the spine. Key words: cardiac arrest, late haemothorax.

[Thoracoscopy in upper thoracic sympathectomy]. / Torakoskopická horní hrundní sympatektomie.

The authors describe their experience with the endoscopic technique of upper thoracic sympathectomy. They evaluate it as an easily performed and safe method which gives great comfort to the patient as well as excellent functional and cosmetic results and involves a minimal burden and ensures rapid convalescence. It enables the surgeon to obtain a perfect orientation in the surgical field as well as safe and perfect preparation of the thoracic portion of the sympathetic nerve. The low cost is also important.

[Hemodynamic changes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Hemodynamické zmeny behem laparoskopických cholecystektomií.

The authors investigated in 24 patients with ASA I or II who were subjected to elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy haemodynamic parameters (CI, SI, HR, MAP, SVRI, EF and LCWI), assessed by transthoracic electric bioimpendance. They used a BoMED NCCOM3 apparatus and evaluated data from the period before induction of anaesthesia (considered as control data), after induction of anaesthesia, immediately after insufflation of CO2 into the peritoneum, 30 minutes after insufflation and after desufflation. Insufflation of CO2 into the peritoneum caused a statistically significant drop of CI (p < 0.05), reduction of HR (p < 0.05), a drop of EF (p < 0.05), reduction of LCWI (p < 0.05) and a statistically significant rise of SVRI (p < 0.001). Thirty minutes after insufflation another significant drop of CI occurred and also for the first time of SI (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 resp.); the mean values of HR and MAP did not differ significantly from control values, SVRI remained elevated (p < 0.05) and EF was permanently reduced (p < 0.05). After desufflation all haemodynamic values with the exception of EF did not differ significantly from control values. The reduced EF (p < 0.05), however, reached as to its absolute value the lower borderline of the physiological range. Based on these results, the authors assume that in patients with a compromised cardiovascular apparatus circulatory complications could develop. In these patients laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be indicated after due consideration.

[New parameters of oxygen metabolism in clinical practice]. / Nové parametry metabolismu kyslíku v praxi.

The authors discuss parameters characterizing the oxygen metabolism and their clinical impact: Partial oxygen pressure in arterial and mixed venous blood, lactate and new parameters derived from direct assessment of haemoglobin saturation with oxygen in arterial blood. Oxygen extraction tension (px): partial oxygen pressure in mixed venous blood at which 2.3 mmol oxygen are released from one litre of blood. Extractable oxygen (cx): the amount of oxygen released from on litre of blood when the partial oxygen pressure drops to 5.0 kPa. Oxygen compensation factor (Qx): it is the factor that cardiac output should increase to maintain a normal mixed venous p O2 of 5.0 kPa. Effective haemoglobin: haemoglobin participating in oxygen transmission which determines the oxygen capacity of blood for oxygen. Half the haemoglobin saturation (p50): characterizing the haemoglobin affinity for oxygen and corresponding to the shape and position of the haemoglobin saturation curve. Pulmonary shunts. Advantages, pitfalls and limitations of the mentioned parameters are given.

[Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in controlled hypotension during spinal surgery]. / Inhibitory angiotenzin konvertujícího enzymu v rízené hypotenzi behem spondylochirurgických výkonu.

BACKGROUND: Controlled hypotension is an advantage during spondylosurgical operations: the objective is to achieve a mean arteriae pressure of 8 kPa (60 mm Hg). The most frequently used 0.01% solution of sodium nitroprusside must be increased in some patients to amounts which involve the risk of intoxication. This applies to patients with an increased sympathoadrenal activity and ready mobilization of the renin-angiotensin system. The objective of the present investigation was to test the inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme in hypotension controlled by nitroprusside. METHODS AND RESULTS: To twenty patients before a spondylosurgical operation as premedication angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE)--captopril--was administered, 25 mg by the oral route. The control group was formed by 20 patients with spondylosurgery under controlled hypotension with nitroprusside administration. The effect of captopril was manifested by a reduced amount of nitroprusside needed to maintain the median pressure of 8 kPa; in the captopril group 1.073 +/- 0.52 microgram.kg-1.min-1 was used, as compared with 1.786 +/- 1.04 micrograms.min-1 in the control group (p < 0.01). Concurrently monitored values of plasma renin activity were higher in the patients given captopril: 7.352 +/- 5.75 nmol.l-1, as compared with 5.583 +/- 3.73 nmol.l-1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Premedication with ACE inhibitor (captopril), even when administered in small doses via p. o., reduced the sodium nitroprusside consumption by as much as 60%. The elevated plasma renin values were objective evidence of the effect of captopril.

[Impossibility of artificial ventilation in a prone position in a patient with deformity of the spine (case-history).]. / Znemoznení umelé plicní ventilace pronacní polohou u nemocné s deformitou pátere.

The authors present the case of a 15-year-old female patient (Jehova's Witness) who was operated at the age of two on account of a Wilms' tumour of the kidney and irradiated with subsequent postirra-diation scoliosis. In 1990-1993 she was six times subjected to anaesthesia for distraction with a Harrington rod and repeated redistractions. All anaesthesias were of the general type, with artificial pulmonary ventilation in the prone position and without complications. Anaesthesiological methods and procedures were used which made it possible to avoid administration of blood or blood derivatives. In March 1993 the patient was prepared with erythropoietin for the final treatment of the deformed spine. During general anaesthesia suddenly artificial pulmonary ventilation in a prone position became impossible due to complete collapse of the trachea closely behind the end of the armed tracheal tube. After postponing the procedure, bronchoscopic and CT examination in a supine position during spontaneous respiration confirmed stenosis of the distal portion of the trachea to one third of the lumen. The authors assume that the cause are altered anatomical relations of the mediastinum caused by distraction and repeated redistractions in a field affected by irradiation. Key words: deformity of the spine, stenosis of the trachea, Jehova's Witnesses.

[Initial experience with peroperative autotransfusion in spinal surgery]. / První zkusenosti s peroperacní autotransfúzí ve spondylochirurgii.

The authors describe combinations of anaesthesiological methods which enabled them during extensive spondylosurgical operations in 66 patients to reduce the consumption of homologous blood during operation to 90 ml, on the first day after operation to 300 ml and on the second day after operation to 120 ml. In six patients they used preoperative collection of the patient's own blood, in 45 patients acute normovolaemic haemodilution, in all patients controlled hypotension with sodium nitroprusside to a mean arterial pressure of 8-9 kPa and peroperative collection of blood by means of an autotransfusion apparatus Dideco Stat with a standard programme and yield higher than 50%. During and after peroperative collection they did not record any complications. Lower haemoglobin and haematocrit values and a reduced number of erythrocytes, lower than the lower normal range, during and after operation did not threaten the postoperative course in these patients. The authors draw, however, attention to the rise of the number of leucocytes immediately after operation to 19.7 x 10(9). 1(-1) which is due to their shift into the final product. Solution of this phenomenon which can produce ARDS is according to the authors the use of a programme different from the standard one.