Focused transoesophageal TOE (fTOE): A new accreditation pathway.

The concept of a focused ultrasound study to identify sources of haemodynamic instability has revolutionized patient care. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) using transthoracic scanning protocols, such as FUSIC Heart, has empowered non-cardiologists to rapidly identify and treat the major causes of haemodynamic instability. There are, however, circumstances when a transoesphageal, rather than transthoracic approach, may be preferrable. Due to the close anatomical proximity between the oesophagus, stomach and heart, a transoesphageal echocardiogram (TOE) can potentially overcome many of the limitations encountered in patients with poor transthoracic ultrasound windows. These are typically patients with severe obesity, chest wall injuries, inability to lie in the left lateral decubitus position and those receiving high levels of positive airway pressure. In 2022, to provide all acute care practitioners with the opportunity to acquire competency in focused TOE, the Intensive Care Society (ICS) and Association of Anaesthetists (AA) launched a new accreditation pathway, known as Focused Transoesophageal Echo (fTOE). The aim of fTOE is to provide the practitioner with the necessary information to identify the aetiology of haemodynamic instability. Focused TOE can be taught in a shorter period of time than comprehensive and teaching programmes are achievable with support from cardiothoracic anaesthetists, intensivists and cardiologists. Registration for fTOE accreditation requires registration via the ICS website. Learning material include theoretical modules, clinical cases and multiple-choice questions. Fifty fTOE examinations are required for the logbook, and these must cover a range of pathology, including ventricular dysfunction, pericardial effusion, tamponade, pleural effusion and low preload. The final practical assessment may be undertaken when the supervisors deem the candidate's knowledge and skills consistent with that required for independent practice. After the practitioner has been accredited in fTOE, they must maintain knowledge and competence through relevant continuing medical education. Accreditation in fTOE represents a joint venture between the ICS and AA and is endorsed by Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Critical care (ACTACC). The process is led by TOE experts, and represents a valuable expansion in the armamentarium of acute care practitioners to assess haemodynamically unstable patients.

Safety and feasibility of freehand transperineal prostate biopsy under local anesthesia: Our initial experience.

INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms causing urosepsis after transrectal biopsy of prostate, the need for an alternative approach has increased. We assessed the safety and feasibility of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided free-hand transperineal prostate biopsy under local anesthesia (LA) for suspected prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2020 in which patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination underwent magnetic resonance imaging-TRUS cognitive fusion transperineal prostate biopsy (target and systematic) using coaxial needle. Demographic, perioperative, and outcome data of 50 consecutive patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.6 ± 7.61 years, median PSA 13.55 ng/mL (4.17-672) and prostate size 45cc (16-520). Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) 2, 3, 4, and 5 lesions were found in 2, 12, 12, and 24 patients, respectively. Average procedure duration was 20 min (15-40 min) and number of cores ranged from 12 to 38 (median 20). Forty out of fifty (40/50) patients experienced only mild pain with visual analog scale ≤2. Histopathological examination showed adenocarcinoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and chronic prostatitis in 41, 5, and 4 patients respectively with 82% cancer detection rate (CDR). Over 95% of cases showed clinically significant cancer (International Society of Urological Pathology class ≥ 2) and 91.7% of patients with PIRADS score 4/5 and 66.7% with PIRADS score 3 had malignancy. Three patients developed complications (two hematuria, one urinary retention), both were managed conservatively and none had urosepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Free-hand transperineal prostate biopsy by coaxial needle technique under LA is safe and feasible with good tolerability, high CDR, and minimal complications particularly reduced urosepsis.

Clinical application of sepsis biomarkers.

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in the critically ill. Early diagnosis is important to avoid delay in instituting appropriate treatment. However, diagnosis can be delayed because of difficulty in interpreting clinical features. Sepsis biomarkers can aid early diagnosis. This article reviews the application of readily available biomarkers for diagnosis of sepsis, for predicting prognosis, and for antibiotic stewardship. 178 biomarkers are described in the literature--ranging from specimen cultures, which lack sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis of sepsis, to biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and genetic biomarkers, which have their own limitations. Future research will mainly focus on use of more than one biomarker, but the main problem in sepsis biomarker research seems to be a lack of a recommended biomarker.