PROCALCITONIN GUIDED ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP: A BALKAN EXPERT CONSENSUS STATEMENT.

Sepsis as a consequence of infection is a frequent cause of death among critically ill patients. The most common sites of infection are lover respiratory tract, abdominal, urinary tract and catheter-associated blood stream infections. Early empiric, broad-spectrum therapy in those with severe sepsis and/or shock with the aim of reducing mortality may lead to antibiotic overuse, resistance and increased costs. Among numerous serum biomarkers, procalcitonin (PCT) has proved to be one of the most reliable ones in the diagnosis of sepsis. An important means of limiting antibiotic resistance is the antibiotic stewardship program, especially in intensive care units with critically ill patients and prevalence of multiple drug-resistant pathogens. The PCT-guided antibiotic stewardship was first started in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific countries, as well as in the United States. Considering that this method has proven to be effective in reducing antibiotic consumption while improving clinical outcome, a group of experts from the Balkan region decided to make their own recommendations and PCT protocol. When creating this protocol for initiation and duration of antibiotic treatment, they especially reviewed the literature for lower respiratory tract infection and sepsis. In the protocol, they have included the severity of illness, clinical assessment, and PCT levels. Developing a consensus on the clinical algorithm by eminent experts/specialists in various fields of medicine should enable clinicians to use PCT for initiation of antibiotic therapy and monitoring PCT to stop antibiotics earlier. It is crucial that the PCT-guided algorithm becomes an integral part of institutional stewardship program.

The Influence of Smoking on the Variations in Carboxyhemoglobin and Methemoglobin During Urologic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is supposed to modulate the production of carbon monoxide by the reduction of heme oxygenase activity or transcriptional regulation of inducible heme oxygenase. On the other hand, the inhalation of tobacco smoke can substantially raise the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. Furthermore, methemoglobin is maintained at a constant level. However, excessive production of methemoglobin relative to total methemoglobin reductase activity results in methemoglobin increase. AIM: The aim of our study was to investigate the perioperative variations of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin during urologic surgeries, and at the same time to evaluate the changes in methemoglobin as a possible indicator of nitric oxide generation. Our second aim was to evaluate the effect of preoxygenation on the level of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin and the influence of blood transfusion on their changes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients scheduled for urologic surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia, aged 18-60 years without any history of respiratory disease, divided into two groups. The study group comprised patients who were smoking cigarettes or tobacco pipe, while the control group included non-smokers. In both groups carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) levels were determined preoperatively, after preoxygenation, and postoperatively. RESULTS: COHb levels were decreased postoperatively in both groups. The average values of COHb between the two groups were statistically significantly different (p=0.00). MetHb levels increased postoperatively in the group of smokers and decreased in the group of non-smokers. There were no statistically significant differences in the average postoperative MetHb levels between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Changes in carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin concentrations in arterial blood occur during urologic surgery, although these amplitudes are small when compared with carbon monoxide intoxication and methemoglobinemia. It is likely that organ perfusion and functions are affected by these monoxide gas mediators during urologic surgery.

Evaluation of the Hemodynamic Response to Endotracheal Intubation Comparing the Airtraq(®) with Macintosh Laryngoscopes in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac patients are more prone to develop hemodynamic instability on induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. The Airtraq(®) optical laryngoscope is a single-use rigid video laryngoscope that has been developed to facilitate tracheal intubation. There are limited studies comparing differences in the circulatory responses to Airtraq(®) and direct Macintosh larynngoscopy in cardiac patients. AIM: The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether there was clinically significant difference between the hemodynamic response to orotracheal intubation guided by either of the two devices (Airtraq(®) and Macintosh laryngoscopes) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical study we analyzed the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation performed with Airtraq(®) or Macintosh laryngoscopes in patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery under general anesthesia. RESULTS: We analyzed: blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean), heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation (all notified before induction in anesthesia, immediately after induction, at the time of intubation and thereafter one and five minutes after intubation). We also recorded the maximal values of blood pressure and heart rate, as well as calculated the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure. There were statistically significant differences in the hemodynamic response between the groups. At the time of intubation, there was significant inter-group difference in heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure. Endotracheal intubation with Macintosh laryngoscope was accompanied by significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate compared to Airtraq(®) group. CONCLUSION: The Airtraq(®) laryngoscope performed better than the Macintosh laryngoscope in terms of hemodynamic to the patient undergoing routine coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Continuous femoral nerve block versus fascia iliaca compartment block as postoperative analgesia in patients with hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic postoperative analgesia is inefficient in most patients with hip fracture, which is the reason for pain, especially during leg movement. Peripheral and plexus nerve blocks are an efficient option for postoperative pain relief. The aim of this study was to compare the effect and duration of continuous FNB versus a single FIC block as a postoperative analgesia in patients with hip fracture. METHODS: Sixty patients with hip fracture were included and were randomly assigned to two groups of 30 patients: FNB group - patients with continuous femoral nerve block; and FIC group -patients with a single fascia iliaca compartment block. In all patients, pain intensity was measured at rest and in passive leg movement by using VDS (0-4) at several intervals: 1, 2, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after intervention. The amount of supplemental analgesia was measured, together with the time when the patient needed it for the first time, as well as the side effects. RESULTS: The values of VDS were significantly lower in patients with FNB block versus patients with FIC block in rest and movement at the 24-hour intervals (46.67% vs 0% felt moderate pain), after 36 hours (43.33% vs 0% felt moderate pain) and 48 hours after intervention (46.67% vs 3.33% felt moderate to severe pain) for p < 0.05. Patients with FNB block received a significantly lower amount of supplemental analgesia, 23.3% of the FNB group vs 50% of the FIC group (p < 0.05). Registered side effects were were nausea, dizziness and sedation, and they were statistically significantly more frequent in the FIC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pain relief in the postoperative period was superior in the FNB group versus the FIC group at rest and in movement in patients with hip fracture.