PCO2 gap, its ratio to arteriovenous oxygen content, ScvO2 and lactate in high-risk abdominal surgery patients: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The difference between arterial and central venous carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2 gap), a marker of oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) adequacy, has been evaluated as a promising prognostic tool in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We therefore sought to study the association between intraoperative PCO2 gap and postoperative complications (POC) in the perioperative setting of elective major abdominal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre prospective observational study. All adult patients who underwent major planned abdominal surgery were eligible. PCO2 gap was measured every 2 h during surgery, at ICU admission and repeated 12 h and 24 h later. Severe POC within 28 days after surgery were defined as complications graded 3 or more according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Following a univariate analysis, a multivariable analysis using a logistic regression model was performed. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included and divided into two groups according to the occurrence of POC. No significant difference was found between groups regarding baseline characteristics at inclusion. Thirty-nine (43%) patients developed postoperative complications. The median [IQR] intraoperative PCO2 gap was significantly higher in patients who had complications (6.5 [5.5-7.3] mmHg) compared to those who did not (5.0 [3.9-5.8] mmHg; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for occurrence of POC was 0.78 for the PCO2 gap. After multivariable analysis, PCO2 gap was found independently associated with POC (OR: 14.9, 95% CI [4.68-60.1], p < 0.001) with a threshold value of 6.2 mmHg. The duration of surgery (OR: 1.01, 95% CI [1.00; 1.01], p = 0.04) and the need for vasoactive support during surgery (OR: 5.76, 95% CI [1.72; 24.1], p = 0.006) were also independently associated with POC. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative PCO2 gap is a relevant predictive factor of severe postoperative complications in high-risk elective surgery patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03914976.

Does a two-minute mini-fluid challenge predict fluid responsiveness in pediatric patients under general anesthesia?

BACKGROUND: Very little evidence for predictive markers of fluid responsiveness has been reported in children as compared to adults. The impact of hypovolemia or hypervolemia on morbidity has driven interest in the fluid challenge titration strategy. AIM: The objective of this study was to explore the ability of a 3 mL kg-1 mini-fluid challenge over 2 minutes to predict fluid responsiveness in children under controlled ventilation. METHODS: Children scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia were included and received a fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 of crystalloid prior to incision administered over 10 minutes in two steps: 3 mL kg-1 over 2 minutes then 12 mL kg-1 over 8 minutes. Fluid responsiveness was defined as a change of ≥10% in cardiac output estimated by left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (VTI) as measured by transthoracic ultrasound before and after the fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 . RESULTS: Of the 55 patients included in the analysis, 43 were fluid responders. The increase in the VTI after the mini-fluid challenge (ΔVTIminiFC ) predicted fluid responsiveness with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77; 95% CI (0.63-0.87), P = .004. Considering the least significant change which was 7.9%; 95% CI (6-10), the threshold was 8% with a sensitivity of 53%; 95% CI (38-68); and a specificity of 77%; 95% CI (54-100). CONCLUSION: ΔVTIminiFC weakly predicted the effects of a fluid challenge of 15 mL kg-1 of crystalloid in anesthetized children under controlled mechanical ventilation.

Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure Attributed to Leptospirosis: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Although it may be limited to nonspecific fever, leptospirosis may also be responsible for neurological symptoms or fulminant diseases such as Weil's disease. Diagnosis is challenging due to the difficulty in isolating the organism and the delays required for performing the serological test. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases of leptospirosis are presented here. The clinical picture differed from a real Weil's disease in the first case and from a neuro-leptospirosis in the second. However, both patients underwent liver transplantation because of the severity of the associated acute liver failure. Unfortunately, one of the cases had a fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic treatment for leptospirosis should not be delayed by the lack of a positive serology test for this potentially lethal disease. In the context of a history of exposure to risk factors for leptospirosis, a negative serology must be repeated 7 days to 2 weeks following the first test. Although not always present, acute liver injury may, in rare cases, require liver transplantation.