Is perioperative low molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch infusion a risk factor for delayed graft function in renal transplant recipients?

BACKGROUND: Crystalloid or colloid fluids may be utilized during kidney transplantation. Histopathological and clinical data indicate that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) may have nephrotoxic potential. METHODS: This retrospective single-centre cohort study screened 192 and included 113 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 2003 and 2007 at University of Leipzig Medical Faculty, Germany. The primary outcome parameter was delayed graft function (DGF). Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group CRYS (N = 73) received crystalloid solution (acetated Ringer's or normal saline) only. Patients in the group HES (N = 40) received a minimum of 500 mL 6% HES 130/0.4 and additional crystalloid solution by discretion of the transplant team. RESULTS: Patients in both groups did not differ with respect to demographic data and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System scores, except for the donor age, which was significantly lower in the group HES. The rate of DGF was not found to be different in group CRYS (31.5%) when compared to group HES (32.5%) (P = 1.00, n.s.). CONCLUSION: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, infusion of low molecular weight 6% HES 130/0.4 during and after renal transplantation was found to have no significant negative effect upon the rate of DGF.

Blood lactate and pyruvate levels in the perioperative period of liver resection with Pringle maneuver.

INTRODUCTION: Bleeding during liver surgery is often routinely controlled by the Pringle maneuver consisting in the temporary clamping of hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct. This study aimed at investigating a possible influence of the Pringle maneuver on tissue hypoxia during liver resection. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing elective liver resection were prospectively randomized either to be treated with the Pringle maneuver (Pringle group, n = 14) or without clamping (Controls, n = 11). Blood lactate levels, pyruvate levels, and hepatic vein oxygen saturation were monitored perioperatively. RESULTS: Patients were comparable with respect to resection time, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of surgery. The Pringle maneuver induced a significant increase in arterial lactate levels during liver resection when compared to Controls (2.6 +/- 0.3 vs 1.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/l; p < 0.05). Further, the Pringle maneuver significantly increased hepatic venous lactate (3.3 +/- 0.3 vs 1.6 +/- 0.3 mmol/l; p < 0.05) and lactate/pyruvate ratio in hepatic venous blood (43 +/- 8 vs 21 +/- 5; p < 0.05) during surgery. This was paralleled by a temporal decrease in hepatic venous oxygen saturation in the Pringle group (61 +/- 4 vs 73 +/- 4%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that liver metabolism and tissue oxygenation were markedly affected by occlusion of the liver hilus. Restricting the use of the Pringle maneuver to cases with severe bleeding might therefore be beneficial in patients undergoing liver resection.

[Anesthesia and bodybuilding]. / Anästhesie und Bodybuilding - Risiken des Medikamentenmissbrauchs.

A strong tendency toward body enhancement and body forming in western industrial societies makes it more likely for each anesthesiologist to get involved in the care of bodybuilders. These patients quite frequently consume androgenic anabolic steroids, human growth hormone and other drugs or substances which are believed to accelerate muscle gain. Cardiovascular, hepatic, psychiatric, hormonal and infectious side effects or complications are common and rarely monitored by health care professionals. The anesthesia risk is not exactly known but seems to be determined mainly by cardiovascular events like myocardial ischemia and dysrhythmias.

[Initial management of polytraumatized patients in the emergency department]. / Schockraummanagement nach dem ATLS-Algorithmus.

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provides a structured and efficient approach to the treatment of patients with multiple trauma in the emergency department. The performance of a well functioning interdisciplinary trauma team coordinated by an experienced trauma leader plays a pivotal role during the initial phase of patient care. The team's primary task is to establish and maintain stable vital signs by ensuring adequate oxygenation and fluid resuscitation while diagnostic or immediate life saving interventions and procedures are initiated. The following article describes the management of patients with multiple injuries in the emergency department based on the ATLS algorithm.

Social support during intensive care unit stay might improve mental impairment and consequently health-related quality of life in survivors of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in long-term survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We wished to evaluate the influence of PTSD on HRQoL and to investigate the influence of perceived social support during intensive care unit (ICU) treatment on both PTSD symptoms and HRQoL. METHODS: In ARDS patients we prospectively measured HRQoL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form; SF-36), symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome 10-Questions Inventory; PTSS-10), perceived social support (Questionnaire for Social Support; F-Sozu) and symptoms of psychopathology (Symptom Checklist-90-R); and collected sociodemographic data including current employment status. Sixty-five (50.4%) out of 129 enrolled survivors responded, on average 57 +/- 32 months after discharge from ICU. Measuring symptoms of PTSD the PTSS-10 was used to divide the ARDS patients into two subgroups ('high-scoring patients', indicating patients with an increased risk for developing PTSD, and 'low-scoring patients'). RESULTS: HRQoL was significantly reduced in all dimensions in comparison with age- and gender-adjusted healthy controls. Eighteen patients (29%) were identified as being at increased risk for PTSD. PTSD risk was significantly linked with anxiety during their ICU stay. In this group of patients there was a trend towards permanent or temporary disability, independent of the period between discharge from ICU and study entry. Perceived social support was associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms (Pearson correlation; p < 0.05). Post-hoc test revealed a significant difference between 'high-scoring patients' and 'low-scoring patients' with respect to mental health, although they did not differ in physical dimensions. CONCLUSION: HRQoL was reduced in long-term survivors, and was linked with an increased risk of chronic PTSD with ensuing psychological morbidity. This was independent of physical condition and was associated with traumatic memories of anxiety during their ICU stay. Social support might improve mental health and consequently long-term outcome including employment status.