[Disinfection of injection ports - a systematic overview of optimal scrub-time]. / Desinfektion av injektionsportar ­ 15 sekunders skrubbning rimligt - En systematisk översikt kring optimal tidsåtgång.

Central venous catheter bloodstream infections are an important cause of hospital-acquired infection with increased morbidity, mortality and cost. The incidence varies between countries and even hospitals. Needleless connector hubs are used on virtually all intravascular devices and colonization of these is considered the cause of much of the postinsertion catheter-related infections through breaks in aseptic technique and failure to disinfect properly. This systematic review evaluated 165 search hits on hub disinfection practices with particular emphasis on the time of scrubbing the connector for 15 sec but also the impact of measures of education and compliance. We found no randomized controlled trials (RCT) that addressed the question of scrubbing time but four in vitro studies and two clinical studies (one Swedish and one American) supported the instruction to scrub the hub for 15 sec.  Where studied, compliance with disinfection protocols was found to be surprisingly low. Though the optimal technique or disinfection time has not formally been identified through RCTs, nevertheless scrubbing with chlorhexidine-alcohol for 15 sec is seen as a reasonable recommendation and consistent with conclusions of three big reviews during the past three years (two from the UK, and one from Australia/USA).

Effect of Sedation Regimen on Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit patients undergoing mechanical ventilation have traditionally been sedated to make them comfortable and to avoid pain and anxiety. However, this may lead to prolonged mechanical ventilation and a longer length of stay. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to explore whether different sedation regimens influence the course and duration of the weaning process. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intubated adult patients (n = 152) from 15 general intensive care units in Sweden were mechanically ventilated for ≥ 24 h. Patients were divided into three groups according to the sedative(s) received during the weaning period (i.e. from being assessed as 'fit for weaning' until extubation): dexmedetomidine alone (DEX group, n = 32); standard of care with midazolam and/or propofol (SOC group, n = 67); or SOC plus dexmedetomidine (SOCDEX group, n = 53). RESULTS: Patients receiving dexmedetomidine alone were weaned more rapidly than those in the other groups despite spending longer time on mechanical ventilation prior to weaning. Anxiety during weaning was present in 0, 9 and 24% patients in the DEX, SOC and SOCDEX groups, respectively. Anxiety after extubation was present in 41, 20 and 34% in the DEX, SOC and SOCDEX groups, respectively. Delirium during weaning was present in 1, 2 and 1 patient in the DEX, SOC and SOCDEX groups, respectively. Delirium at ICU discharge was present in 1, 0 and 3 patients in the DEX, SOC and SOCDEX groups, respectively. Few patients fulfilled criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine, used as a single sedative, may have contributed to a shorter weaning period than SOC or SOCDEX. Patients who received dexmedetomidine-only sedation tended to report better health-related quality of life than those receiving other forms of sedation.

Effects of Esmolol on the Esophagogastric Junction: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Study on 14 Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Passive regurgitation may occur throughout the perioperative period, increasing the risk for pulmonary aspiration and postoperative pulmonary complications. Hypnotics and opioids, especially remifentanil, that are used during anesthesia have been shown to decrease the pressure in the esophagogastric junction (EGJ), that otherwise acts as a barrier against passive regurgitation of gastric contents. Esmolol, usually used to counteract tachycardia and hypertension, has been shown to possess properties useful during general anesthesia. Like remifentanil, the ß-1-adrenoreceptor antagonist may be used to attenuate the stress reaction to tracheal intubation and to modify perioperative anesthetic requirements. It may also reduce the need for opioids in the postoperative period. Its action on the EGJ is however unknown.The aim of this trial was to compare the effects of esmolol and remifentanil on EGJ pressures in healthy volunteers, when administrated as single drugs. METHODS: Measurements of EGJ pressures were made in 14 healthy volunteers using high-resolution solid-state manometry. Interventions were administered in a randomized sequence and consisted of esmolol that was given IV as a bolus dose of 1 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 10 µg·kg·minute over 15 minutes, and remifentanil with target-controlled infusion of 4 ng/mL over 15 minutes. Interventions were separated by a 20-minute washout period. Analyses of EGJ pressures were performed at baseline, and during drug administration at 2 (T2) and 15 minutes (T15). The primary outcome was the inspiratory EGJ augmentation, while the inspiratory and expiratory EGJ pressures were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: There was no effect on inspiratory EGJ augmentation when comparing remifentanil and esmolol (mean difference -4.0 mm Hg [-9.7 to 1.7]; P= .15). In contrast, remifentanil significantly decreased both inspiratory and expiratory pressures compared to esmolol (-12.2 [-18.6 to -5.7]; P= .003 and -8.0 [-13.3 to -2.8]; P= .006). CONCLUSIONS: Esmolol, compared with remifentanil, does not affect EGJ function. This may be an advantage regarding passive regurgitation and esmolol may thus have a role to play in anesthesia where maintenance of EGJ barrier function is of outmost importance.

Time-to-intubation in obese patients. A randomized study comparing direct laryngoscopy and videolaryngoscopy in experienced anesthetists.

BACKGROUND: Airway management may be difficult in obese patients. Moreover, during prolonged intubation, oxygen desaturation develops rapidly. Videolaryngoscopy improves the view of the larynx, and the Storz® C-MAC™ has been shown to be superior to other videolaryngoscopes in terms of intubation time in obese patients. However, no effort has been made to compare the Storz® C-MAC™ with direct laryngoscopy. The aim of the study was to evaluate if the use of Storz® C-MAC™ may reduce intubation time when compared to direct laryngoscopy (classic Macintosh® blade). METHODS: Eighty patients with Body Mass Index >35 kg/m2 were randomized to orotracheal intubation using either Macintosh® laryngoscope, or the Storz® C-MAC™ with the standard Macintosh blade. Patients had no previous history of a difficult airway. Time-to-intubation (TTI) was defined as the time from the moment anesthetist took the laryngoscope until end-tidal carbon dioxide was detected. RESULTS: No significant difference in TTI could be demonstrated between the two devices tested (mean difference -1.7 s (95% CI:-6.9 to 3.5 s). All patients in the videolaryngoscopy group were successfully intubated with the allocated device, whereas five patients in the direct laryngoscopy group required an alternative device for successful intubation. No significant difference regarding the subjective difficulty of intubation and postoperative sore throat between groups was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients the airway may be secured equally fast using direct laryngoscopy (Macintosh®) and with videolaryngoscopy using the Stortz® C-MAC™. The risk for failed intubation, however, appears to be greater with direct laryngoscopy, especially in male obese patients.

Routines for reducing the occurrence of emergence agitation during awakening in children, a national survey.

Emergence agitation following anesthesia in children is not uncommon. It is, although generally self-limiting, associated with both patient and parents distress. We conducted a national survey around the management of behavioral and neurocognitive disturbances after surgery/anesthesia including a case scenario about a child at risk for emergence reaction. Premedication with clonidine or midazolam would have been used 58 and 37% of responders respectively. A propofol based anesthesia was the most common anesthetic technique, however sevoflurane or desflurane was an option for 45 and 8% of responders. Before awakening 65% would have administered an opioid, 48% a low-dose of propofol and 25% clonidine. Sign or symptoms of behavioral disturbance was not assessed by standardize assessment tools. A majority of Swedish anesthesia personnel would undertake some preventive action when handling a child at risk for an emergence reaction, the preventive measure differed and it seems as there is an obvious room for further improvements.

AAI-guided anaesthesia is associated with lower incidence of 24-h MMSE < 25 and may impact the IL-6 response.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma stress and neuro-inflammation caused by surgery/anaesthesia releases cytokines. This study analysed impact of Auditory Evoked Potential Index (AAI) depth-of-anaesthesia titration on the early plasma IL-6 release after eye surgery under general anaesthesia. METHOD: This is a subgroup analysis of a prospective randomized study on the effect of auditory evoked potential guided anaesthesia for eye surgery. Plasma IL-6 levels taken before, 5 and 24 h after end of surgery from 450 patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery under desflurane anaesthesia were analysed. Minimal mental state examination (MMSE) was also tested at 24-h. RESULTS: IL- 6 increased significantly at both 5 and further at 24 h after surgery (3.2, 4.5 and 5.1 base-line, 5 and 24-h respectively), the IL-6 increase showed different patterns between the 2 groups; IL-6 was significantly increased in the control group of patients between preoperative baseline and 24 h after surgery (p = 0.008) also between 5 h and 24 h, (p = 0.006) after surgery while the AAI-group had only minor non-significant changes. The 18 patients that showed a 24-h MMSE score less than 25 had a significant higher 24-h IL-6 compared to the 390 patients with a MMSE score > 24 (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The IL-6 increase after surgery was less pronounced in patients where anaesthesia was titrated by AAI compared to anaesthesia adjusted on clinical signs only. IL-6 were also found to be higher in patients with a MMSE < 25 at 24-h. Further studies are warranted evaluating the role of depth of anaesthesia monitoring on the risk for early cognitive impairment and neuro-inflammation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NA/study were conducted between January 2005-April 2008.

Perioperative management in order to minimise postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction: Results from a Swedish web-based survey.

UNLABELLED: Cognitive side-effects such as emergence agitation (EA), postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are not infrequently complicating the postoperative care especially in elderly and fragile patients. The aim of the present survey was to gain insight regarding concern and interest in prevention and treatment strategies for postoperative delirium and dysfunction, and the use of EEG-based depth-of-anaesthesia monitoring possibly reducing the risk for cognitive side effects among anaesthesia personnel. METHODS: A web-based validated questionnaire was sent to all Swedish anaesthesiologists and nurse anaesthetists during summer 2013. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections, subjective preferences, routines and practices related to the perioperative handling of EA, POD, POCD. RESULTS: The response rate was 52%. Cardiovascular/pulmonary risks where assessed as importance by 98, 97% of responders while 69% considered the risk of neurocognitive side-effects important. When asked explicitly around cognitive side-effects 89%, 37% and 44% assessed awareness, POC and POD respectively of importance. EEG-based depth-of-anaesthesia monitors were used in 50% of hospitals. The responders were not convinced about the benefits of such monitors even in at-risk patients. Structured protocols for the management of postoperative cognitive side-effects were available only in few hospitals. CONCLUSION: Swedish anaesthesia personnel are concerned about the risk of postoperative cognitive side-effects but are more concerned about cardiovascular/pulmonary risks, pain, PONV and the rare event of awareness. Most respondents were not convinced about the use of depth-of-anaesthesia monitors. There is a need to improve knowledge around risk factors, prevention and management of postoperative cognitive side effects.

Effect of auditory evoked potential-guided anaesthesia on consumption of anaesthetics and early postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after non-cardiac surgery is a well known problem in some categories of patients. This study aims to evaluate the influence of auditory evoked potential (AEP)-guided anaesthesia on the requirement for anaesthetic drugs and their influence on POCD. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty patients aged between 18 and 92 years scheduled for ophthalmic surgery under general anaesthesia were assigned randomly to one of two groups. In group A (AEP group), the depth of anaesthesia (DoA) was aimed at an AEP index (AAI) between 15 and 25. In group C (control group), DoA was guided by clinical signs. Hypotension was treated with fluids and vasopressors using a standardised algorithm. A mini-mental test and the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire were used to evaluate cognitive function. RESULTS: Anaesthetic drug requirements were significantly lower in group A than in group C: propofol 92.5 ± 26.5 vs. 103.8 ± 39.5 mg (P = <0.001) and desflurane end-tidal concentration 2.5 ± 0.58 vs. 3.3 ± 0.79% (P < 0.001). In group A, 36 patients (16%) received additional fluids and vasopressors compared to 65 patients (29%) in group C (P < 0.01). AAI values differed significantly between the groups: 18 (11-21) in group A vs. 12 (10-19) in group C (P < 0.001). The number of patients with POCD was 16 in group C compared to two in group A (P < 0.001) at day 1 post-operation. CONCLUSION: AEP monitoring allows dose reduction of anaesthetic agents, leading to better cardiovascular stability and decreased requirements for intra-operative fluids and vasopressors. Cognitive decline seen following minor ophthalmic surgery, even when anaesthesia is assessed clinically, is short-lived with no long-term sequelae.

ICU patients' recall of emotional reactions in the trajectory from falling critically ill to hospital discharge: follow-ups after 3 and 12 months.

UNLABELLED: Patients' memories of frightening ICU experiences may be a threat to later psychological recovery. The purpose of the study is to describe ICU patients' recall of their emotional reactions, from falling critically ill to hospital discharge; this at 3 and 12 months following discharge from the ICU. The study is qualitative and concerns eight ICU patients ventilated for more than 72h. The participants were interviewed twice and the data were subjected to qualitative content analysis. It emerged that the memories of emotions during the trajectory of critical illness were extensive, detailed and strong, and that unpleasant emotions were clearly stable over time. At 12 months as compared with 3 months, the unpleasant emotions were less intense and had less prominent; furthermore the ICU care was more greatly associated with a sense of security, and there was greater recall of caring doctors and nurses (though not of their names) as well as next of kin. CONCLUSIONS: The study generated knowledge not previously described about how ICU patients' recollection of their emotions during the trajectory of critical illness changes over time. This has implications regarding future study of patients' ICU memories and regarding patients' need for support in coping with such memories.

Intrathecal catheters with subcutaneous port systems in patients with severe cancer-related pain managed out of hospital: the risk of infection.

Intrathecal catheters have been used for many years to treat severe pain resistant to conventional treatment modalities. Previous studies have found a rate of serious infection of 2%-3% using these catheters in home situations. However, many authors used prophylactic antibiotics routinely in this group of patients, which are both costly and associated with a risk of developing antibiotic resistance. We were interested in studying whether improved hygiene during insertion and care of these catheters in the hospice or home environment would reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections. The results show that prophylactic antibiotic is not necessary, but a careful handling of the system with aseptic technique is important. The infections we registered appeared more than 2 weeks after insertion of the catheters. We now use this method routinely when inserting an intrathecal catheter with a subcutaneous port.

Severely ill ICU patients recall of factual events and unreal experiences of hospital admission and ICU stay--3 and 12 months after discharge.

UNLABELLED: There is a lack of knowledge regarding how critically ill patients recall of the ICU and their life-threatening condition changes over time. The purpose of this study is to describe critically ill and ventilator-treated patients' recollections of both factual events and unreal experiences at 3 and 12 months following discharge from the ICU. The study is qualitative and encompasses nine critically ill ICU patients, ventilator-treated for more than 72 h. The participants were interviewed twice, at 3 and 12 months after their discharge from the ICU. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The patients in this study reported unreal experiences, memory confusion and/or disturbances before admittance to the ICU and before their respirator treatment. Their "unreal experiences" were far clearer than their memories of factual occurrences. Patients' fragmentary memories of factual events and their recall of unreal experiences were practically unchanged after 12 month. Their unreal experiences could still be recalled and related after 12 months, but not with the same expression and feeling as earlier (3 months). The unreal experiences were not - after 12 months - their initial recollections, as they had been after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' recollections of both factual events and unreal experiences show very little variation between 3 and 12 months. The stability of long-term memory after 12 months shows that the recollection of their experiences had been both traumatic and emotionally charged. This study shows that critically ill patients were affected by cognitive disturbances and/or disturbed memory before their arrival at the ICU. This result indicates the need of ICU follow-up clinics.

Plasma exchange as rescue therapy in multiple organ failure including acute renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of using a rescue therapy including plasma exchange given to patients with a progressive acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University and county hospital. PATIENTS: Included were 76 consecutive patients (41 men and 35 women) treated with plasma exchange as rescue therapy besides optimal conventional therapy during a progressive course of disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, including acute renal failure. Of the 76 patients, 66% needed dialysis. The distribution was hemodialysis in 76%, continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in 36%, continuous venovenous hemodialysis in 12%, and peritoneal dialysis in 24%. The median organ-failure score was 5 (range, 1-6). Seventy-two percent required mechanical ventilation; septic shock was present in 88%. The median septic shock score was 4 (range, 2-4). Nine patients had another reason than sepsis for the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. INTERVENTION: Plasma exchange (centrifugation technique) was performed until disseminated intravascular coagulation was reversed (median, two times; range, 1-14). Besides antibiotics and fluid administration, most patients received heparin or low molecular weight heparin (77%), steroids (87%), and inotropes (88%). More than one vasoactive drug was used in 57% of the patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of the patients survived and could leave the hospital. The previously observed survival rates by others for this category of patients would be <20%, and thus, the outcome in this study is significantly better. CONCLUSION: Plasma exchange using plasma as replacement may, in addition to conventional intensive care, help to reverse severe progressive disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and improve survival.

Salvage of an acutely ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm during CPR.

PURPOSE: To report the successful endovascular treatment of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old woman with a type B aortic dissection treated conservatively for 8 years was referred for rupture of a 16-cm aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. During transfer to the operating room, the patient suffered cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated. A few minutes later during CPR, the surgical procedure began with a cutdown of the right femoral artery and insertion of a guidewire and an aortic occlusion balloon, which was inflated at the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSA). Blood pressure was immediately measurable. By only partially deflating the occluding balloon, a thoracic stent-graft was advanced above it and deployed at the origin of the LSA while rapidly deflating and retracting the occluding balloon. Three stent-grafts were required to cover 27 cm of the descending aorta. The patient was partly ventilator dependent for 3 months due to a massive pleural hematoma that was not evacuated. At the 10-month follow-up, the patient is fully recovered without any sign of respiratory dysfunction or any other sequela. CT scans reveal that the massive hematoma is almost completely resolved. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that optimal collaboration between anesthesiologists, interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons with appropriate resources can significantly expand the possibilities of emergent treatment in the face of aortic rupture.

Organization of acute pain services: a low-cost model.

It is being increasingly recognized that the solution to the problem of inadequate postoperative pain relief lies not so much in development of new techniques but in development of a formal organization for better use of existing techniques. Acute Pain Services (APS) are being increasingly established to provide good quality postoperative analgesia. In the United States such 24-h services usually consist of anesthesiologists, residents, specially trained nurses and pharmacists. However, less than 30% of US surgical population has access to APS. Furthermore, only patients selected by surgeons receive the benefits of these services. Additionally, the economic costs of such services are high (> or = $200/patient). Less expensive alternatives have to be developed if the aim is to improve the quality of postoperative analgesia for every patient after any type of surgery. Sophisticated analgesia techniques such as epidural and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) are neither necessary nor realistic for the majority of patients. Our nurse-based anesthesiologist-supervised model is based on the concept that postoperative pain relief can be greatly improved by provision of in-service training for surgical nursing staff, optimal use of systemic opioids and use of regional analgesia techniques and PCA in selected patients. Regular recording of each patient's pain intensity by VAS every 3 h and recording of treatment efficacy on a bedside vital-sign chart are the cornerstones of this model. A VAS greater than 3 is promptly treated. Surgeon and ward nurse participation are crucial in this organization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)