Half of all hip and knee arthroplasty patients may be potential day-case candidates: a nationwide register study of 166,730 procedures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The overall potential pool of day-case candidates on a national level in hip and knee arthroplasty is unknown. We aimed to estimate the proportion of hip and knee arthroplasty patients eligible for day-case surgery based on contemporary widely used criteria and determine whether there has been a change in the proportion of eligible patients over time and, secondarily, to investigate the proportion of eligible patients discharged on the day of surgery. METHODS: Based on data from the Danish National Patient Register, we identified all patients undergoing primary unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty from January 2010 to March 2020. Using a modification of day-case eligibility criteria proposed by a national multicenter collaboration, we sorted patients into either day-case eligible or ineligible. A day-case procedure was defined as discharge on the day of surgery. RESULTS: We included patients comprising a total of 166,730 primary total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). 48% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48-49) were eligible for day-case surgery, with a decline from 50% (CI 49-51) in 2010 to 46% (CI 46-47) eligible in 2019. More UKA patients were day-case eligible (55%, CI 54-56) than THA (47%, CI 47-48) and TKA patients (49%, CI 48-49). A maximum of 8.0% (CI 7.4-8.5) of eligible patients were discharged on the day of surgery in 2019. CONCLUSION: 48% of the Danish hip and knee arthroplasty patients were potential day-case candidates, with a small decline in eligibility from 50% in 2010 to 46% in 2019. Day of surgery discharge among day-case eligible patients peaked at 8% in 2019. Thus, the potential for more day-case surgery seems large.

Disparities in prehospital and emergency surgical care among patients with perforated ulcers and a history of mental illness: a nationwide cohort study.

PURPOSE: To compare patients with and without a history of mental illness on process and outcome measures in relation to prehospital and emergency surgical care for patients with perforated ulcer. METHODS: A nationwide registry-based cohort study of patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. We used data from the Danish Prehospital Database 2016-2017 and the Danish Emergency Surgery Registry 2004-2018 combined with data from other Danish databases. Patients were categorized according to severity of mental health history. RESULTS: We identified 4.767 patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. Among patients calling the EMS with no history of mental illness, 51% were identified with abdominal pain when calling the EMS compared to 31% and 25% among patients with a history of moderate and major mental illness, respectively. Median time from hospital arrival to surgery was 6.0 h (IQR: 3.6;10.7). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness underwent surgery 46 min (95% CI: 4;88) later compared to patients with no history of mental illness. Median number of days-alive-and-out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up was 67 days (IQR: 0;83). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness had 9 days (95% CI: 4;14) less alive and out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: One-third of the population had a history of mental illness or vulnerability. Patients with a history of major mental illness were less likely to be identified with abdominal pain if calling the EMS prior to arrival. They had longer delays from hospital arrival to surgery and higher mortality.

Time-course of heart rate variability after total hip arthroplasty.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the autonomic nervous system function and possibly related to postoperative outcome. Despite several HRV studies in different surgical settings, optimal indices and timepoints for measuring have not been adequately determined. Consequently, there is a need for detailed descriptive procedure-specific studies on the time-course of perioperative HRV within a modern fast-track surgical setting. We measured HRV continuously in 24 patients from 4 days before until 9 days after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Statistical methods included mainly ANOVA and t-tests or Kruskal-Wallis and pairwise Wilcoxon test. Patients completed the Orthostatic Discriminant and Severity Scale five times during the study describing autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Standard deviation between normal-to-normal beats and the total power of HRV were reduced for at least 9 days following THA, with a trend towards increased HRV leading up to the day of surgery. The balance between low- and high-frequency power of HRV was reduced in the postoperative evenings. There was increased orthostatic intolerance symptoms on the first postoperative day, with symptoms of pain, fatigue and weakness decreasing after the first postoperative day. Median hospital stay was 1 day. We provide the first detailed description of perioperative time-course of HRV and orthostatic symptoms in fast-track THA, showing reduced HRV after surgery for at least a week, and that HRV changes are sensitive to time of day and timing before and after surgery. These results are helpful in designing future HRV studies in perioperative risk assessment and outcome.

Spinal anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia (SAGA) on recovery after hip and knee arthroplasty: A study protocol for three randomized, single-blinded, multi-centre, clinical trials.

Mobilisation difficulties, due to muscle weakness, and urinary retention are common reasons for prolonged admission following hip and knee arthroplasty procedures. Whether spinal anaesthesia is detrimental to early mobilisation is controversial. Previous studies have reported differences in post-operative recovery between spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia; however, up-to-date comparisons in fast-track setups are needed. Our randomized, single-blinded, multi-centre, clinical trials aim to compare the post-operative recovery after total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) respectively when using either spinal anaesthesia (SA) or general anaesthesia (GA) in a fast-track setup. Included patients (74 THA, 74 TKA, and 74 UKA patients) are randomized (1:1) to receive either SA (2 mL 0.5% Bupivacaine) or GA (Induction: Propofol 1.0-2.0 mg/kg iv with Remifentanil 3-5 mcg/kg iv. Infusion: Propofol 3-5 mg/kg/h and Remifentanil 0.5 mcg/kg/min iv). Patients undergo standard primary unilateral hip and knee arthroplasty procedures in an optimized fast-track setup with intraoperative local infiltrative analgesia in TKA and UKA, post-operative multimodal opioid sparing analgesia, immediate mobilisation with full weightbearing, no drains and in-hospital only thromboprophylaxis. Data will be collected on the day of surgery and until patients are discharged. The primary outcome is the ability to be safely mobilised during a 5-m walking test within 6 h of surgery. Secondary outcomes include fulfilment of discharge criteria, post-operative pain, dizziness, and nausea as well as patient reported recovery and opioid related side effects. Data will also be gathered on all hospital contacts within 30-days of surgery. This study will offer insights into advantages and disadvantages of anaesthetic methods used in fast-track arthroplasty surgery.

No difference in short-term readmissions following day-case vs. one overnight stay in patients having hip and knee arthroplasty: a nationwide register study of 51,042 procedures from 2010-2020.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Day-case hip and knee arthroplasty has gained in popularity, but there are conflicting results regarding readmissions. We aimed to investigate differences in 30- and 90-day readmission rates between day-case patients and patients with a single overnight stay following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified day-case (DC) and overnight (ON) THA, TKA, and UKA patients, operated on between 2010 and 2020, from the Danish National Patient Register. Day-case surgery was defined as discharge on the day of surgery. Overnight readmissions within 30 or 90 days of surgery were considered readmissions. We compared readmission rates between DC and ON patients within arthroplasty types using logistic regression adjusted for patient characteristics and year of surgery. We included 29,486 THAs (1,353 DC and 28,133 ON), 15,116 TKAs (617 DC and 14,499 ON), and 6,440 UKAs (1,528 DC and 4,914 ON). RESULTS: The 30-day readmission rates were: DC-THA 4.4% vs. ON-THA 4.4% (adjusted odds-ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-1.6), DC-TKA 4.7% vs. ON-TKA 4.4% (aOR 1.1, CI 0.69-1.5), and DC-UKA 3.0% vs. ON-UKA 3.0% (aOR 1.1, CI 0.78-1.5). Similarly, no significant differences were present between DC and ON THA, TKA, and UKA regarding 90-day readmissions or time to readmission. CONCLUSION: We found no differences in readmission rates between day-case THA, TKA, and UKA patients and patients with a single overnight stay.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Consensus Guidelines for Emergency Laparotomy Part 3: Organizational Aspects and General Considerations for Management of the Emergency Laparotomy Patient.

BACKGROUND: This is Part 3 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy using an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses organizational aspects of care. METHODS: Experts in management of the high-risk and emergency general surgical patient were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and large cohort studies, and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. RESULTS: Components of organizational aspects of care were considered. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi process. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines are based on best current available evidence for organizational aspects of an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and include discussion of less common aspects of care for the surgical patient, including end-of-life issues. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies.

Consensus Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Emergency Laparotomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations Part 2-Emergency Laparotomy: Intra- and Postoperative Care.

BACKGROUND: This is Part 2 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL) using an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses intra- and postoperative aspects of care. METHODS: Experts in aspects of management of high-risk and emergency general surgical patients were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Medline database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies on each item were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large cohort studies and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. Some ERAS® components covered in other guideline papers are outlined only briefly, with the bulk of the text focusing on key areas pertaining specifically to EL. RESULTS: Twenty-three components of intraoperative and postoperative care were defined. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi Process. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines are based on best available evidence for an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing EL. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies.

"The peripheral perfusion index discriminates haemodynamic responses to induction of general anaesthesia".

Induction of general anaesthesia is often accompanied by hypotension. Standard haemodynamic monitoring during anaesthesia relies on intermittent blood pressure and heart rate. Continuous monitoring systemic blood pressure requires invasive or advanced modalities creating a barrier for obtaining important information of the circulation. The Peripheral Perfusion Index (PPI) is obtained non-invasively and continuously by standard photoplethysmography. We hypothesized that different patterns of changes in systemic haemodynamics during induction of general anaesthesia would be reflected in the PPI. Continuous values of PPI, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated in 107 patients by either minimally invasive or non-invasive means in a mixed population of surgical patients. 2 min after induction of general anaesthesia relative changes of SV, CO, and MAP was compared to the relative changes of PPI. After induction total cohort mean(± st.dev.) MAP, SV, and CO decreased to 65(± 16)%, 74(± 18)%, and 63(± 16)% of baseline values. In the 38 patients where PPI decreased MAP was 57(± 14)%, SV was 63(± 18)%, and CO was 55(± 18)% of baseline values 2 min after induction. In the 69 patients where PPI increased the corresponding values were MAP 70(± 15)%, SV 80(± 16)%, and CO 68(± 17)% (all differences: p < 0,001). During induction of general anaesthesia changes in PPI discriminated between the degrees of reduction in blood pressure and algorithm derived cardiac stroke volume and -output. As such, the PPI has potential to be a simple and non-invasive indicator of the degree of post-induction haemodynamic changes.

Continuous perioperative heart rate variability monitoring in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy-a pilot study.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of cardiac autonomic modulation and is potentially related to hypotension, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and orthostatic intolerance. However, there is a lack of knowledge on which specific time points and indices to measure. To improve future study design, there is a need for procedure-specific studies in an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy setting, and for continuous measurement of perioperative HRV. HRV was measured continuously from 2 days before until 9 days after VATS lobectomy in 28 patients. After VATS lobectomy, with median length of stay = 4 days, the standard deviation between normal-to-normal beats and the total power of HRV were reduced for 8 days during the night and day times, while low-to-high frequency variation and detrended fluctuation analysis were stable. This is the first detailed study to show that HRV measures of total variability were reduced following ERAS VATS lobectomy, while other measures were more stable. Further, preoperative HRV measures showed circadian variation. The patch was well tolerated among participants, but actions should be taken to ensure proper mounting of the measuring device. These results demonstrate a valid design platform for future HRV studies in relation to postoperative outcomes.

Early intensive mobilization after acute high-risk abdominal surgery: a nonrandomized prospective feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobilization after emergency abdominal surgery is considered essential to facilitate rehabilitation and reduce postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of early intensive mobilization after acute high-risk abdominal (AHA) surgery. METHODS: We conducted a nonrandomized, prospective feasibility trial of consecutive patients after AHA surgery at a university hospital in Denmark. The participants followed a predefined, interdisciplinary protocol for early intensive mobilization during the first 7 postoperative days (PODs) of their hospital admission. We evaluated feasibility in accordance with the percentage of patients who mobilized within 24 hours after surgery, mobilized at least 4 times per day and achieved daily goals of time out of bed and walking distance. RESULTS: We included 48 patients with a mean age of 61 (standard deviation 17) years (48% female). Within 24 hours after surgery, 92% of the patients were mobilized and 82% or more were mobilized at least 4 times per day over the first 7 PODs. On PODs 1-3, 70%-89% of the participants achieved the daily goals of mobilization; participants still in hospital after POD 3 were less able to achieve the daily goals. Patient reported that the primary factors limiting their level of mobilization were fatigue, pain and dizziness. Participants not mobilized independently on POD 3 (28%) had significantly (p ≤ 0.04) fewer hours out of bed (4 v. 8 h), were less able to achieve the goals of time out of bed (45% v. 95%) and walking distance (62% v. 94%) and had longer hospital stays (14 v. 6 d) than participants mobilized independently on POD 3. CONCLUSION: The early intensive mobilization protocol seems feasible for most patients after AHA surgery. For nonindependent patients, however, alternative mobilization strategies and goals should be investigated.

Interprofessional Collaboration Between Nurses and Physicians in the Perioperative Period.

PURPOSE: To explore nurses' and physicians' experiences of the six dimensions of interprofessional (IP) collaboration when using Goal-Directed Therapy (GDT), and to examine how existing protocols on GDT facilitate the six dimensions of IP collaboration. DESIGN: A qualitative design using individual semi-structured interviews and participant observations. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from participant observation and semi-structured interviews with nurses (n= 23) and physicians (n=12) in three departments of anesthesiology. Observations and interviews were carried out from December 2016 to June 2017. A deductive, qualitative content analysis using the Inter-Professional Activity Classification as a categorization matrix was used to explore interprofessional collaboration as a barrier to implementation. This analysis was supplemented by a text analysis of two protocols. FINDINGS: Four dimensions were identified to influence IP collaboration: commitment, roles and responsibilities, interdependence, and integration of work practices. Negative factors included hierarchical boundaries, traditional nurse-physician relationship, unclear responsibility, and lack of shared knowledge. Positive factors included physician involvement of nurses in decisions and bedside education. The text-analysis showed a lack of clear directions of specific action and responsibility. CONCLUSIONS: Commitment and roles and responsibilities were dominant aspects of interprofessional collaboration in this context, causing problems for enhanced collaboration. Lack of clear guidance in the protocols might detract nurses' feelings of responsibility.

10-year evolution of day-case hip and knee arthroplasty: a Danish nationwide register study of 166,833 procedures from 2010 to 2020.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: No previous studies have investigated the use of day-case arthroplasty in Denmark on a national scale. We investigated the frequency of day-case surgery in total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) from 2010 to 2020 in Denmark. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary unilateral THAs, TKAs, and UKAs performed for osteoarthritis were identified in the Danish National Patient Register using procedural and diagnosis codes. Day-case surgery was defined as discharge on the day of surgery. 90-day readmissions were defined as any overnight admissions following discharge. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2020 Danish surgical centers performed 86,070 THAs, 70,323 TKAs, and 10,440 UKAs. From 2010 to 2014, less than 0.5% of THAs and TKAs were day-case procedures. They increased to 5.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-5.8) of THAs and 2.8% (CI 2.4-3.2) of TKAs in 2019. From 2010 to 2014, 11% of UKAs were day-case procedures, but they increased to 20% (CI 18-22) in 2019. This increase was driven by a few surgical centers (3-7 centers). In 2010, readmission rates within 90 days of surgery were 10% after THAs and 11% after TKAs, and 9.4% for both THAs and TKAs in 2019. Readmission rates after UKA fluctuated between 4% and 7%. CONCLUSION: From 2010 to 2020 the use of day-case surgery in THA, TKA, and UKA increased in Denmark, driven by only a few centers. During the same period readmissions did not increase.

Perioperative changes in fluid distribution and haemodynamics in acute high-risk abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the pathophysiology of fluid distribution in acute high-risk abdominal (AHA) surgery is essential in optimizing fluid management. There is currently no data on the time course and haemodynamic implications of fluid distribution in the perioperative period and the differences between the surgical pathologies. METHODS: Seventy-three patients undergoing surgery for intestinal obstruction, perforated viscus, and anastomotic leakage within a well-defined perioperative regime, including intraoperative goal-directed therapy, were included in this prospective, observational study. From 0 to 120 h, we measured body fluid volumes and hydration status by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIA), fluid balance (input vs. output), preload dependency defined as a > 10% increase in stroke volume after preoperative fluid challenge, and post-operatively evaluated by passive leg raise. RESULTS: We observed a progressive increase in fluid balance and extracellular volume throughout the study, irrespective of surgical diagnosis. BIA measured variables indicated post-operative overhydration in 36% of the patients, increasing to 50% on the 5th post-operative day, coinciding with a progressive increase of preload dependency, from 12% immediately post-operatively to 58% on the 5th post-operative day and irrespective of surgical diagnosis. Patients with overhydration were less haemodynamically stable than those with normo- or dehydration. CONCLUSION: Despite increased fluid balance and extracellular volumes, preload dependency increased progressively during the post-operative period. Our observations indicate a post-operative physiological incoherence between changes in the extracellular volume compartment and inadequate physiological preload control in patients undergoing AHA surgery. Considering the increasing overhydration during the observational period, our findings show that an indiscriminate correction of preload dependency with intravenous fluid bolus could lead to overhydration. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov. (NCT03997721), Registered 23 May 2019, first participant enrolled 01 June 2019.

Triage and outcomes for a whole cohort of patients presenting for major emergency abdominal surgery including the No-LAP population: a prospective single-center observational study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize 252 consecutive patients with an indication for major emergency abdominal surgery including patients not proceeding to surgery (No-Lap). Patients who do not proceed to major emergency abdominal surgery and their clinical outcomes are not well characterized in the existing literature. Triage criteria may vary between centers, potentially impacting reported outcomes. METHODS: A single-center prospective observational study in a high-volume Danish surgical center including 252 patients presenting with an indication for major emergent abdominal surgery was conducted from the 15th of October 2020 to the 15th of August 2021. The primary outcome was to estimate the prevalence of No-Lap patients. RESULTS: Overall, 21 patients (8.3%) of our total study cohort did not proceed to surgery. These patients were significantly older, more comorbid with higher ASA scores, poorer performance status, and were more likely to have bowel ischemia. Poor functional performance and surgeons' consideration of futile intervention were the main reasons for deferring surgery in all 21 patients. Overall, 30-day mortality was 95% for the No-LAP cohort, 9% for the LAP cohort, and 16% for the whole cohort, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The No-LAP group selection process could be one of the main determinants of reported postoperative outcomes. Prospective international multi-center studies to characterize the entire cohort of patients eligible for emergency laparotomy including the No-LAP population are needed, as large variations in triage criteria and culture seem to exist. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

A semi-automated device rapidly determine circulating blood volume in healthy males and carbon monoxide uptake kinetics of arterial and venous blood.

We examined whether a semi-automated carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method accurately detect changes in blood volume (BV) and total hemoglobin mass (tHb). Furthermore, we investigated whether a supine position with legs raised reduced systemic CO dilution time, potentially allowing a shorter rebreathing period. Nineteen young healthy males participated. BV and tHb was quantified by a 10-min CO-rebreathing period in a supine position with legs raised before and immediately after a 900 ml phlebotomy and before and after a 900 ml autologous blood reinfusion on the same day in 16 subjects. During the first CO-rebreathing, arterial and venous blood samples were drawn every 2 min during the procedure to determine systemic CO equilibrium in all subjects. Phlebotomy decreased (P < 0.001) tHb and BV by 166 ± 24 g and 931 ± 247 ml, respectively, while reinfusion increased (P < 0.001) tHb and BV by 143 ± 21 g and 862 ± 250 ml compared to before reinfusion. After reinfusion BV did not differ from baseline levels while tHb was decreased (P < 0.001) by 36 ± 21 g. Complete CO mixing was achieved within 6 min in venous and arterial blood, respectively, when compared to the 10-min sample. On an individual level, the relative accuracy after donation for tHb and BV was 102-169% and 55-165%, respectively. The applied CO-rebreathing procedure precisely detect acute BV changes with a clinically insignificant margin of error. The 10-min CO-procedure may be reduced to 6 min with no clinical effects on BV and tHb calculation. Notwithstanding, individual differences may be of concern and should be investigated further.

Fluid-responsiveness, blood volume and perfusion in preoperative haemodynamic optimisation of hip fracture patients; a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative resuscitation strategies in patients with hip fracture (HF) are lacking. We aimed to investigate fluid-responsiveness, peripheral perfusion index (PPI) and blood volume (BV)-status in patients with HF undergoing resuscitation in the preoperative phase. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, we evaluated preoperative fluid-responsiveness, indices of perfusion and BV before and after lumbar epidural analgesia in 50 patients with HF shortly after admittance. RESULTS: Initially, 18 (36%) patients were fluid-responsive (≥10% increased SV in response to 250 ml fluid bolus) and 13 (26%) presented hypovolaemia (deviation of measured BV from estimated BV ≤ 0.9). According to fluid-responsiveness, no difference in absolute values of cardiac index (CI) (2.7 L [2.1-3.3] vs. 2.8 L [2.3-3.4], p = .5) was seen, but cardiac output (CO) rose significantly in the hypovolaemic patients: 9% [5-18] vs. 1% [-3-7], p = .004. After epidural analgesia, 26 (52%) patients were again fluid-responsive and 15 (30%) were hypovolaemic. CI was now significantly lower in fluid-responsive patients (2.2 L [1.7-2.7] vs. 2.9 L [2.3-3.5], p = .001). Prior to epidural analgesia, no significant trend towards hypovolaemic patients having lower indices of perfusion was seen. After epidural analgesia, more patients with hypovolaemia presented with PPI≤1.5 (8 (53%) vs. 3 (9%), p = .001) and absolute values of PPI were also significantly lower if IBV was low (1.4 [0.9-3.2] vs. 3.2 [2.4-4.8], p = .01). PPI correlated with hypovolaemia after epidural analgesia (rho 0.4 [0.1-0.7], p = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative fluid-responsivity in HF patients might be attributable to elements of hypovolaemia and sympathetic compensatory ability conjointly, confounding the use of SV-guided resuscitation. PPI could be associated with BV, which may support clinicians during perioperative haemodynamic optimisation.

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disturbances in Emergency High-Risk Abdominal Surgery, a Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery potentially suffer from both systemic dehydration and hypovolaemia. Data on the prevalence and clinical impact of electrolyte disturbances in this patient group, specifically the differences in patients with intestinal obstruction (IO) versus perforated viscus (PV) are lacking. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery in a standardized perioperative pathway were included in this retrospective single-center cohort study. Electrolytes and arterial blood gas analysis were measured during the early perioperative period. Prevalence and clinical impact of electrolyte disturbances were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 354 patients were included in the study. Preoperative alkalemia dominated preoperatively, significantly more prevalent in IO (45 vs. 32%, p < .001), while acidosis was most pronounced postoperatively in PV (49 vs. 28%, p < .0001). Preoperative hypochloraemia and hypokalemia were more frequent in the IO (34 vs. 20% and 37 vs. 25%, respectively). Hyponatremia was highly prevalent in both IO and PV. Pre- and postoperative hypochloremia were independently associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with IO (OR 2.87 (1.35, 6.23) p = 0.006, OR 6.86 (1.71, 32.2) p = 0.009, respectively). Hypochloremic patients presented with reduced long-term survival as compared with the normo- and hyperchloremic patients (p < 0.05). Neither plasma sodium nor potassium showed a significant association with outcome. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that acute high-risk abdominal patients have frequent preoperative alkalosis shifting to postoperative acidosis. Both pre- and postoperative hypochloremia were independently associated with both impaired short- and long-term outcome in patients with intestinal obstruction, with potential implications for the choice of resuscitations fluids.

AHA STEROID trial, dexamethasone in acute high-risk abdominal surgery, the protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Existing multimodal pathways for patients undergoing acute high-risk abdominal surgery for intestinal obstruction (IO) and perforated viscus (PV) have focused on rescue in the immediate perioperative period. However, there is little focus on the peri-operative pathophysiology of recovery in this patient group, as done to develop enhanced recovery pathways in elective care. Acute inflammation is the main driver of the perioperative pathophysiology leading to adverse outcomes. Pre-operative high-dose of glucocorticoids provides a reduction in the inflammatory response after surgery, effective pain relief in several major surgical procedures, as well as reduce fatigue and improving endothelial dysfunction. AIM: To evaluate the effect of high-dose glucocorticoid on the inflammatory response, fluid distribution and recovery after acute high-risk abdominal surgery in patients with IO and PV. METHODS: AHA STEROID trial is a sponsor-initiated single-center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial, assessing preoperative high-dose dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) versus placebo (normal saline) in patients undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery. We plan to enroll 120 patients. Primary outcome is the reduction in C-reactive protein on postoperative day 1 as a marker of successful attenuation of the acute stress response. Secondary outcomes include perioperative changes in endothelial and other inflammatory markers, fluid distribution, pulmonary function, pain, fatigue, and mobilization. The statistical plan is outlined in the protocol. DISCUSSION: The AHA STEROID trial will provide important evidence to guide the potential use of high-dose glucocorticoids in emergency high-risk abdominal surgery, with respect to different pathophysiologies.