The effectiveness of cell salvage in extracorporeal circulation surgeries in relation to use of health resources after use: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusions are sought for resource management reasons and it is necessary to investigate the efficiency and efficacy on Cell Salvage use. The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of the Cell Salvage system in addressing factors related to healthcare service utilization that may lead to increased healthcare expenditure. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted through literature search in Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria were studies in English/Spanish, without year restriction and Randomized Controlled Trials design, conducted in adults. Results: Twenty-six studies were included in the systematic review, involving a total of 4781 patients (nexperimental group = 2365; ncontrol group = 2416). Significant differences favored the Cell Salvage system in units of transfused Red Blood Cells, in terms of units (p = 0.04; SMD = -0.42 95 % CI = -0.83 to -0.02) and individuals (p = 0.001; RR = 0.71, 95 % CI = 0.60 to 0.84) transfused. No significant differences were found in ICU (p = 0.93) and hospital stay duration (p = 0.21), number of reoperations (p = 0.68), and number of units and individuals transfused in terms of platelets (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Cell Salvage use holds high potential for reducing healthcare costs and indirectly contributing to improving blood and blood product reserves within blood banks. Results obtained thus far do not provide definitive evidence regarding the duration of hospital stay, ICU stay, need for reoperation, or the quantity of transfused platelets. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the number of studies to assess the impact on the economic models of the Cell Salvage system.

Effects of Acupressure on Maternal and Neonatal Obstetric Outcomes during Labor: Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: A Cochrane review found that there is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of acupressure for pain relief. One of the problems detected is the methodological variability reported. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the application of acupressure on obstetric and neonatal outcomes of labor, pain experience, and mother's satisfaction with the experience. METHOD: Design of a protocol to carry out a two-arm multicenter single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Intervention (pressure on LI4 of the left hand, B6 of the left leg, GB21 of the left shoulder, and then the same sequence on the right side) and placebo (application of the technique on points not identified by acupuncture as key points) will be performed by a single researcher. RESULTS: The recruitment began in April 2021 and, to date, there has been the participation of 40 women, divided into 17 included in the experimental group and 23 in the control. Communication of future results will be made in accordance with the CONSORT checklist. CONCLUSIONS: The designed protocol could methodologically improve some aspects of previous studies while maintaining adequate statistical power. The effectiveness of acupressure for one or more outcomes proposed (time and pain in labor) could support the inclusion of a new therapeutic tool in the clinical practice of midwives that would allow them to assist pregnant women, improving their experience both physically and psycho-emotionally.

MLuq Protocol: A Proposal for the Immobilization of the White Weapon, Preservation of DNA Traces, and Its Chain of Custody.

Unprecedentedly, this article presents a useful management protocol for the workers in emergency situations assisting victims of white weapon aggressions with a dual innovation. It could presage a possible advance in the healthcare management of these patients and support important repercussions in the legal field when this type of wound is inflicted due to an aggression. The MLuq protocol has been agreed by consensus in a multidisciplinary manner including experts belonging to the state security forces (judicial and scientific Police), to the healthcare area (surgical nursing, emergency medicine, general cardiothoracic and digestive surgery, and the legal and forensic medicine area), to the legal system (a jurist specialized in the area), and to the academic sphere. It is the first paper to propose purse string sutures as a weapon immobilization technique, as well as a set of actions designed to obtain biological traces of legal interest and to preserve the chain of custody. Therefore, it is a useful tool for the health and legal personnel, and especially for the victims.

Does immediate skin-to-skin contact at caesarean sections promote uterine contraction and recovery of the maternal blood haemoglobin levels? A randomized clinical trial.

AIM: We analysed whether immediate skin-to-skin contact between the healthy newborn and the mother after a caesarean section has a modulatory role on postpartum haemorrhage and uterine contraction. DESIGN: Unblinded, randomized clinical trial, simple random sampling, conducted in women undergoing caesarean sections. METHODS: Of the population identified, the caesarean section total (N = 359), 23.2% (N = 83) met the inclusion criteria: scheduled caesarean section, accepting skin-to-skin contact, good level of consciousness. They were randomly allocated to the intervention group, skin-to-skin contact (N = 40), and to the control group, usual procedure (N = 40). There were three losses. Clinical variables: plasma haemoglobin, uterine contraction, breastfeeding, postoperative pain, were measured, and subjective variables: maternal satisfaction, comfort, comparison with previous caesarean section and newborn crying. RESULTS: Women with skin-to-skin contact had greater uterine contraction after caesarean section. The maternal plasma haemoglobin levels at discharge were significantly higher. It was associated with higher breastfeeding rate, satisfaction, comfort levels and with less maternal pain and less crying in the newborn.

Bupivacaine infiltration for acute postoperative pain management after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite increased attention, acute and persistent post-operative pain are not treated efficiently and interventions against acute pain are therefore of clinical importance and should be welcomed. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of wound infiltration with 0.5% bupivacaine for pain management in the immediate post-operative period in patients that underwent cardiac surgery with sternotomy. DESIGN: The study was performed employing a single-centre nonrandomized experimental design to evaluate a prospective cohort of patients recruited from June to December of 2017. METHODS: A single-centre study with a non-randomized experimental design compared the pain perceived by 137 patients undergoing to cardiac surgery within which 68 patients who received infiltration of bupivacaine and 69 patients received infiltration with saline solution. Pain measures were made with the numeric rating scale (NRS) at 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were included too and descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the means of the NRS scores in favour of the intervention group. Cohen's d showed a significant effect size. NRS scores were grouped into NRS ≥4 or NRS <4 and similar results were found. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed the absence of confounding factors that could call results into question. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous infiltration of 0.5% bupivacaine in the surgical site of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery showed clinically and statistically significant pain relief compared with patients who received saline infiltration throughout the first 12 hours after surgery. This intervention provides promising preliminary results that, alone or in conjunction with other nursing interventions, could constitute an important therapeutic tool for this area of nursing clinical practice.

Bacteremia in the red blood cells obtained from the cell saver in patients submitted to heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the microbiological characteristics of the red blood cells obtained with the cell saver in heart surgery patients on an extra-body circuit. METHOD: a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted with 358 patients scheduled for heart surgery where the saver was used. Sociodemographic variables were collected, as well as from the saver and of the microbial identification in the re-infusion bag proceeding from the cell saver. Informed consent performed. RESULTS: of the 170 GRAM+ bacteria isolations, the most frequent species were Staphylococcus epidermidis in 69% (n=138) of the cases and Streptococcus sanguinis with a report of 10% (n=20). Significant differences were found in the Staphylococcus epidermidis strain in patients with a Body Mass Index ≥25 (p=0.002) submitted to valve surgery (p=0.001). Vancomycin was the antimicrobial which resisted the Staphylococcus epidermidis strain with a minimum inhibitory concentration of >16 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: the microbiological characteristics of the red blood cells obtained after processing autologic blood recovered with the cell saver during heart surgery are of GRAM+ bacterial origin, the most isolated species being Staphylococcus epidermidis. Consequently, in order to reduce the presence of these GRAM+ cocci, an antibiotic should be added to the cell saver reservoir, according to a previously established protocol.

Bacteremia in the red blood cells obtained from the cell saver in patients submitted to heart surgery / Bacteremia nos glóbulos vermelhos obtidos do "cell saver" em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca / Bacteriemia en los glóbulos rojos obtenidos del "cell saver" en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca

Objective: to determine the microbiological characteristics of the red blood cells obtained with the cell saver in heart surgery patients on an extra-body circuit. Method: a cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted with 358 patients scheduled for heart surgery where the saver was used. Sociodemographic variables were collected, as well as from the saver and of the microbial identification in the re-infusion bag proceeding from the cell saver. Informed consent performed. Results: of the 170 GRAM+ bacteria isolations, the most frequent species were Staphylococcus epidermidis in 69% (n=138) of the cases and Streptococcus sanguinis with a report of 10% (n=20). Significant differences were found in the Staphylococcus epidermidis strain in patients with a Body Mass Index ≥25 (p=0.002) submitted to valve surgery (p=0.001). Vancomycin was the antimicrobial which resisted the Staphylococcus epidermidis strain with a minimum inhibitory concentration of >16 µg/ml. Conclusion: the microbiological characteristics of the red blood cells obtained after processing autologic blood recovered with the cell saver during heart surgery are of GRAM+ bacterial origin, the most isolated species being Staphylococcus epidermidis. Consequently, in order to reduce the presence of these GRAM+ cocci, an antibiotic should be added to the cell saver reservoir, according to a previously established protocol.

Objetivo: determinar as características microbiológicas dos glóbulos vermelhos obtidos com o "cell saver" em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca em circuito extracorpóreo. Método: estudo descritivo transversal com 358 pacientes de cirurgia cardíaca em que o "cell saver" foi utilizado. Foram coletadas variáveis sociodemográficas e identificação microbiana da bolsa de reinfusão do "cell saver". Foi confirmado o Termo de Consentimento. Resultados: das 170 baterias isoladas GRAM+, as mais frequentes foram Staphylococcus epidermidis em 69% (n=138) dos casos e Streptococcus sanguinis com um registro de 10% (n=20). Diferenças significativas foram encontradas na cepa Staphylococcus epidermidis em pacientes com índice de massa corporal ≥25 (p=0,002) submetidos a cirurgia valvular (p=0,001). A vancomicina foi o antimicrobiano resistente à cepa Staphylococcus epidermidis com uma concentração inibitória mínima >16 µg/ml. Conclusão: as características microbiológicas dos glóbulos vermelhos obtidas após o processamento do sangue autólogo recuperado com o "cell saver" em cirurgia cardíaca são de origem bacteriana GRAM+, sendo a espécie mais isolada o Staphylococcus epidermidis. Portanto, para reduzir a presença desses cocos GRAM+, um antibiótico deve ser adicionado ao "cell saver", de acordo com um protocolo previamente estabelecido.

Objetivo: determinar las características microbiológicas de los glóbulos rojos obtenidos con el "cell saver" en el paciente de cirugía cardíaca bajo un circuito extracorpóreo. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal con 358 pacientes programados para cirugía cardíaca donde se utilizó el "cell saver". Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas e identificación microbiana de la bolsa de reinfusión procedente del "cell saver". Consentimiento informado realizado. Resultados: de 170 aislamientos de bacterias GRAM+, las especies más frecuentes fueron el Staphylococcus epidermidis en el 69% (n=138) de los casos y el Streptococcus sanguinis con un reporte del 10% (n=20). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la cepa Staphylococcus epidermidis en pacientes con índice de masa corporal ≥25 (p=0,002) sometidos a cirugía valvular (p=0,001). La vancomicina fue el antimicrobiano resistente a la cepa Staphylococcus epidermidis con una concentración mínima inhibitoria >16 ug/ml. Conclusión: las características microbiológicas de los glóbulos rojos obtenidos tras el procesamiento de sangre autóloga recuperada con el "cell saver" en cirugía cardíaca son de origen bacteriano GRAM+ siendo la especie más aislada el Staphylococcus epidermidis. Por ello, con el fin de reducir la presencia de estos cocos GRAM+ se debería añadir un antibiótico en el reservorio del "cell saver", según un protocolo previamente establecido.

El recuperador celular y necesidad transfusional en pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca / The cell saver and the transfusional need in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Resumen Objetivo Los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca presentan riesgo elevado de ser transfundidos con sangre durante el postoperatorio, debido al descenso de sus cifras de hemoglobina y hematocrito. Una de las alternativas a la transfusión sanguínea es el uso del recuperador celular intraquirúrgico. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar si el uso del recuperador celular intraquirúgico disminuye la tasa transfusional durante el postoperatorio inmediato. También se ven las complicaciones postquirúrgicas inmediatas en ambos grupos. Material y Métodos Estudio analítico, prospectivo con dos cohortes de pacientes distribuidos en grupo control (162) y grupo intervención (162). Se analizarón variables sociodemográficas, de sus diagnósticos y tratamientos quirúrgicos, tiempos de isquemia cardíaca, hemoglobina, hematocrito, transfusión sanguínea y hemorragias, así como variables propias del recuperador celular. Las complicaciones estudiadas fueron; hemoglobinuria, fiebre, náuseas y vómitos. Se obtuvo el consentimiento informado de todos los pacientes y se sometió los datos al paquete estadístico SPSS versión 22.0. Resultados Las cifras de hemoglobina y hematocrito de los pacientes después de ser intervenido quirúrgicamente, fueron diferentes entre los grupos respectivamente (GC, 8,3 g/dL, 22,8%. GI,10,4 g/dL, 31,1%). Coincidiendo que los mayores transfundidos fueron los del grupo control (18,2%) frente al grupo intervención (3,9%). El grupo que presentó mayor complicación fue el grupo intervención (13,6%) que eran los que utilizaron el recuperador celular. Siendo la hemoglobinuria (82%) la mayor complicación. Conclusiones Los pacientes que utilizaron el recuperador celular disminuyeron la necesidad transfusional, sin embargo, fueron los que mayor incidencia de hemoglobinuria padecieron.

Objetive Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at high risk of being transfused with blood during the postoperative period, due to the decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. One of the alternatives to blood transfusion is the use of the intraoperative cell saver. The objective of this study was to identify whether the use of the intra-uremic cell saver decreases the transfusional rate during the immediate postoperative period. The immediate postoperative complications were also demonstrated in both groups. Material and Methods Analytical, prospective study with two cohorts of patients distributed in control group (162) and intervention group (162). Sociodemographic variables, their diagnoses and surgical treatments, time of cardiac ischemia, haemoglobin, haematocrit, blood transfusion and haemorrhages, as well as variables specific to the cell saver were analyzed. The complications studied were; haemoglobinuria, fever, nausea and vomiting. The informed consent of all the patients was obtained and the data was submitted to the statistical package SPSS version 22.0. Results The haemoglobin and haematocrit values of patients after surgery were different between groups (GC, 8.3 g/dl, 22.8%, GI, 10.4 g/dl, 31.1 g %). Coinciding that the major transfused were those of the control group (18.2%) versus the intervention group (3.9%). The group that presented the greatest complication was the intervention group (13.6%) who were those who used the cell saver. Hemoglobinuria (82%) being the major complication. Conclusions Patients who used the cell saver decreased the need for transfusion, but were the ones with the highest incidence of hemoglobinuria.

Blood Infusion and the Risk of Haemorrhage in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Extracorporeal Circulation.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) frequently present haemorrhages as a complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. One of the factors that influences this risk is the volume of blood infused during surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal volume of autologous blood that can be processed during cardiac surgery with ECC. We also determined the number of salvaged red blood cells to be reinfused into the patient in order to minimize the risk of haemorrhage in the postoperative period. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective cross-sectional study performed in 162 ECC cardiac surgery patients. Data regarding the sociodemographic profiles of the patients, their pathologies and surgical treatments, and the blood volume recovered, processed, and reinfused after cell salvage were collected. We also evaluated the occurrence of postoperative haemorrhage. RESULTS: The volume of blood infused after cell salvage had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.01) on the risk of post-operative haemorrhage; the receiver operating characteristic sensitivity was 0.813 and the optimal blood volume cut-off was 1800 ml. The best clinical outcome (16.7% of patients presenting haemorrhages) was in patients that had received less than 1800 ml of recovered and processed autologous blood, which represented a volume of up to 580 ml reinfused red blood cells. CONCLUSION: The optimum thresholds for autologous processed blood and red blood cells reinfused into the patient were 1800 and 580 ml, respectively. Increasing these thresholds augmented the risk of haemorrhage as an immediate postoperative period complication.