Nipple aspirate fluid and its use for the early detection of breast cancer.

Nipple aspirate fluid is the physiological biofluid lining ductal epithelial cells. Historically, cytology of nipple fluid has been the gold standard diagnostic method for assessment of ductal fluid in patients with symptomatic nipple discharge. The role of biomarker discovery in nipple aspirate fluid for assessment of asymptomatic and high-risk patients is highly attractive but evaluation to date is limited by poor diagnostic accuracy. However, the emergence of new technologies capable of identifying metabolites that have been previously thought unidentifiable within such small volumes of fluid, has enabled testing of nipple biofluid to be re-examined. This review evaluates the use of new technologies to evaluate the components of nipple fluid and their potential to serve as biomarkers in screening.

Traumatic brain injured patients: primum non nocere.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an unfortunately common disease with potentially devastating consequences for patients and their families. However, it is important to remember that it is a spectrum of disease and thus, a one 'treatment fits all' approach is not appropriate to achieve optimal outcomes. This review aims to inform readers about recent updates in prehospital and neurocritical care management of patients with TBI. RECENT FINDINGS: Prehospital care teams which include a physician may reduce mortality. The commonly held value of SBP more than 90 in TBI is now being challenged. There is increasing evidence that patients do better if managed in specialized neurocritical care or trauma ICU. Repeating computed tomography brain 12 h after initial scan may be of benefit. Elderly patients with TBI appear not to want an operation if it might leave them cognitively impaired. SUMMARY: Prehospital and neuro ICU management of TBI patients can significantly improve patient outcome. However, it is important to also consider whether these patients would actually want to be treated particularly in the elderly population.

BIS monitoring versus clinical assessment for sedation in mechanically ventilated adults in the intensive care unit and its impact on clinical outcomes and resource utilization.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to intensive care and on mechanical ventilation, are administered sedative and analgesic drugs to improve both their comfort and interaction with the ventilator. Optimizing sedation practice may reduce mortality, improve patient comfort and reduce cost. Current practice is to use scales or scores to assess depth of sedation based on clinical criteria such as consciousness, understanding and response to commands. However these are perceived as subjective assessment tools. Bispectral index (BIS) monitors, which are based on the processing of electroencephalographic signals, may overcome the restraints of the sedation scales and provide a more reliable and consistent guidance for the titration of sedation depth.The benefits of BIS monitoring of patients under general anaesthesia for surgical procedures have already been confirmed by another Cochrane review. By undertaking a well-conducted systematic review our aim was to find out if BIS monitoring improves outcomes in mechanically ventilated adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of BIS monitoring compared with clinical sedation assessment on ICU length of stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation, any cause mortality, risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), risk of adverse events (e.g. self-extubation, unplanned disconnection of indwelling catheters), hospital LOS, amount of sedative agents used, cost, longer-term functional outcomes and quality of life as reported by authors for mechanically ventilated adults in the ICU. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest, OpenGrey and SciSearch up to May 2017 and checked references citation searching and contacted study authors to identify additional studies. We searched trial registries, which included clinicaltrials.gov and controlled-trials.com. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomized controlled trials comparing BIS versus clinical assessment (CA) for the management of sedation in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used Cochrane's standard methodological procedures. We undertook analysis using Revman 5.3 software. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 4245 possible studies from the initial search. Of those studies, four studies (256 participants) met the inclusion criteria. One more study is awaiting classification. Studies were, conducted in single-centre surgical and mixed medical-surgical ICUs. BIS monitor was used to assess the level of sedation in the intervention arm in all the studies. In the control arm, the sedation assessment tools for CA included the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS), Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) or subjective CA utilizing traditional clinical signs (heart rate, blood pressure, conscious level and pupillary size). Only one study was classified as low risk of bias, the other three studies were classified as high risk.There was no evidence of a difference in one study (N = 50) that measured ICU LOS (Median (Interquartile Range IQR) 8 (4 to 14) in the CA group; 12 (6 to 18) in the BIS group; low-quality evidence).There was little or no effect on the duration of mechanical ventilation (MD -0.02 days (95% CI -0.13 to 0.09; 2 studies; N = 155; I2 = 0%; low-quality evidence)). Adverse events were reported in one study (N = 105) and the effects on restlessness after suction, endotracheal tube resistance, pain tolerance during sedation or delirium after extubation were uncertain due to very low-quality evidence. Clinically relevant adverse events such as self-extubation were not reported in any study. Three studies reported the amount of sedative agents used. We could not measure combined difference in the amount of sedative agents used because of different sedation protocols and sedative agents used in the studies. GRADE quality of evidence was very low. No study reported other secondary outcomes of interest for the review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found insufficient evidence about the effects of BIS monitoring for sedation in critically ill mechanically ventilated adults on clinical outcomes or resource utilization. The findings are uncertain due to the low- and very low-quality evidence derived from a limited number of studies.

Anaesthesia for neuroradiology: thrombectomy: 'one small step for man, one giant leap for anaesthesia'.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Endovascular management of acute thrombotic strokes is a new management technique. Anaesthesia will play a key role in the management of these patients. To date there is no established method of managing these patients from an anaesthetic perspective. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2015, five landmark studies popularized intra-arterial clot retrieval for ischaemic strokes. Since then there have been a number of small studies investigating the best anaesthetic technique, taking into account patient, technical, and clinical factors. This review summarizes these studies and discusses the different anaesthetic options, with their relative merits and pitfalls. SUMMARY: There is a paucity of robust evidence for the best anaesthetic practice in this cohort of patients. Airway protection seems to be an issue in 2.5% of cases. Timing of the procedure is vital, and any delay may be detrimental to neurological outcome. In a survey of neurointerventionalists, the main concern they expressed was the potential delay to revascularization posed by anaesthesia. Patients complain of pain during mechanical clot retrieval if awake. The overall consensus seems to be favouring conscious sedation over general anaesthesia in the acute setting.

Clinical 'Pearls' of maternal critical care: part I.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review outlines the challenges in looking after pregnant women with thromboembolism and sepsis who either become or are at risk of becoming critically ill during pregnancy. RECENT FINDINGS: The Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance systems in both the USA and UK record the most common causes of maternal death as thromboembolism and sepsis. Both of these conditions have improved outcomes with timely maternal critical care provided by a multidisciplinary team. SUMMARY: In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of thromboembolism and sepsis, two very important conditions with high mortality requiring admission to intensive care.

Traumatic brain injury: physiological targets for clinical practice in the prehospital setting and on the Neuro-ICU.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over many years, understanding of the pathophysiology in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has resulted in the development of core physiological targets and therapies to preserve cerebral oxygenation, and in doing so prevent secondary insult. The present review revisits the evidence for these targets and therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Achieving oxygen, carbon dioxide, blood pressure, temperature and glucose targets remain a key goal of therapy in TBI, as does the role of effective prehospital care. Physician led air ambulance teams reduce mortality. Normobaric hyperoxia is dangerous to the injured brain; as are both high and low carbon dioxide levels. Hypotension is life threatening and higher targets have now been suggested in TBI. Both therapeutic normothermia and hypothermia have a role in specific groups of patients with TBI. Although consensus has not been reached on the optimal intravenous fluid for resuscitation in TBI, vigilant goal-directed fluid administration may improve outcome. Osmotherapeutic agents such as hypertonic sodium lactate solutions may also have a role alongside conventional agents. SUMMARY: Maintaining physiological targets in several areas remains part of protocol led care in the acute phase of TBI management. As evidence accumulates however, the target values and therefore therapies may be set to change.

Systemic complications of traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increased understanding of the pathophysiology in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has resulted in the development of core physiological targets and therapies to preserve cerebral oxygenation, and in doing so prevent secondary insult. This review addresses the many systemic complications of TBI that make achieving these targets challenging and can influence outcome. RECENT FINDINGS: There are a wide range of systemic complications following TBI. Complications involve the cardiovascular, respiratory, immunological, haematological and endocrinological systems amongst others, and can influence early management and long-term outcomes. SUMMARY: Effective management of TBI should go beyond formulaic-based pursuit of physiological targets and requires a detailed understanding of the multisystem response of the body.

Maternal critical care: 'one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind'.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study is to outline the challenges of looking after women who either become or are at a risk of becoming critically ill during pregnancy. RECENT FINDINGS: In recent years, there has been an increased demand in the need for maternal critical care. This is partly due to women with complex medical conditions surviving to child-bearing age, coupled with improvements in foetal medicine resulting in more high-risk pregnancies reaching term. SUMMARY: In this review, we identify the need for maternal critical care, explore different models of its provision and outline possible benefits and barriers to its future implementation.

The Monitoring and Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the United Kingdom: Is there a Consensus?: A National Survey.

BACKGROUND: To survey the current practice of monitoring and management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the critical care units across the United Kingdom. METHODS: A structured telephone interview was conducted with senior medical or nursing staff of all the adult neurocritical care units. Thirty-one neurocritical care units that managed adult patients with severe TBI were identified from the Risk Adjustment in Neurocritical Care (RAIN) study and the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. RESULTS: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was used in all the 31 institutions. Cerebral perfusion pressure was used in 30 of the 31 units and a Cerebral perfusion pressure target of 60 to 70 mm Hg was the most widely used target (25 of 31 units). Transcranial Doppler was used in 12 units (39%); brain tissue oxygen (PbtO(2)) was used in 8 (26%); cerebral microdialysis was used in 4 (13%); jugular bulb oximetry in 1 unit; and near-infrared spectrometry was not used in any unit. Continuous capnometry was used in 28 (91%) units for mechanically ventilated patients. Mannitol was the most commonly used agent for osmotherapy to treat intracranial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that there was no clear consensus and considerable variation in practice in the management of TBI patients in UK neurocritical care units. A protocol-based management has been shown to improve outcome in sepsis patients. Given the magnitude of the problem, we conclude that there is an urgent need for international consensus guidelines for management of TBI patients in critical care units.

What's new in the management of traumatic brain injury on neuro ICU?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, we have begun to better understand how to monitor the injured brain, look for less common complications and importantly, reduce unnecessary and potentially harmful intervention. However, the lack of consensus regarding triggers for intervention, best neuromonitoring techniques and standardization of therapeutic approach is in need of more careful study. This review covers the most recent evidence within this exciting and dynamic field. RECENT FINDINGS: The role of intracranial pressure monitoring has been challenged; however, it still remains a cornerstone in the management of the severely brain-injured patient and should be used to compliment other techniques, such as clinical examination and serial imaging.The use of multimodal monitoring continues to be refined and it may be possible to use them to guide novel brain resuscitation techniques, such as the use of exogenous lactate supplementation in the future. SUMMARY: Neurocritical care management of traumatic brain injury continues to evolve. However, it is important not to use a 'one-treatment-fits-all' approach, and perhaps look to use targeted therapies to individualize treatment.

Does the use of a bougie reduce the force of laryngoscopy in a difficult airway with manual in-line stabilisation?: a randomised crossover simulation study.

CONTEXT: Manual in-line stabilisation is usually used during tracheal intubation of trauma patients to minimise movement of the cervical spine and prevent any further neurological injury. Use of a bougie in combination with laryngoscopy may reduce the forces exerted on the cervical spine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference in force applied to the head and neck during tracheal intubation with a Macintosh laryngoscope with or without simultaneous use of a bougie. DESIGN: Randomised, crossover simulation study. SETTING: Simulation laboratory, Anaesthetic Department, Queen's Hospital, Romford between March and April 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty anaesthetists, all with a minimum of 1 year of anaesthetic experience. INTERVENTIONS: Participants used either a Macintosh laryngoscope alone, or in combination with a bougie in a Laerdal SimMan manikin with a simulated difficult airway and manual in-line stabilisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The force exerted during laryngoscopy. Success rate and time taken to tracheal intubation were also measured. RESULTS: Significantly less force was exerted utilising a Macintosh laryngoscope in combination with a bougie compared with the laryngoscope alone (24.9 versus 44.5 N; P < 0.001). The trachea was successfully intubated on all occasions within 120 s. The use of a bougie was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in the time to tracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: To minimise the force of laryngoscopy and movement of a potentially unstable cervical spine injury, consideration should be given to the early use of a bougie.

Updates in the management of intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Traumatic brain injury remains a common and often debilitating event across the world, producing significant burdens upon health and social care. Effective neurocritical care coupled with timely and appropriate neurosurgical intervention can produce significant improvements in patient outcome. There remains controversy about how best to manage intracranial pressure on the ICU; we review the recent literature addressing a number of key variables. RECENT FINDINGS: Treatment of elevations in intracranial pressure can begin at the roadside and end on the ICU unit via a number of routes. Prehospital physician-led care may produce significant benefits in outcome which extend beyond airway management. Routine use of cooling worsens the respiratory outcomes without large improvement in neurological endpoints. The use of brain tissue oxygen monitoring is extending and increasingly used to guide management. Decompressive craniectomy in refractory intracranial hypertension has been associated with poor functional outcomes; a large multicentre trial is currently comparing it against barbiturate coma. SUMMARY: The role of the neurointensivist in outcome for patients who suffer severe traumatic brain injury is key. Targeted therapies are allowing early detection and manipulation of brain ischaemia leading to more individualized treatment.

Practice patterns related to block selection, nerve localization and risk disclosure: a survey of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify current clinical practice patterns among members of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) members that relate to complications of regional anesthesia (RA). METHODS: Invitations were posted to the 3,732 ASRA members, to participate in our survey. Members were asked to report the types and numbers of blocks performed annually, preferred nerve localization techniques, and routine risk disclosure practices prior to common neuraxial (NAB) and peripheral nerve (PNB) block techniques. RESULTS: The number of respondents was 801 (response rate: 21.7%). Approximately half of the respondents perform >100 spinal and epidural blocks but <50 of each listed PNB annually. With the exception of axillary block, nerve stimulation is the overwhelmingly preferred nerve localization technique for PNB. Five hundred twenty-nine respondents (66.2%) disclose of RA primarily to allow patients to make an informed choice, while 227 (28.4%) disclose for medicolegal reasons. For NAB, the most commonly disclosed risks are headache and local pain/discomfort. Neurological complications following NAB such as permanent neuropathy and paralysis are inconsistently disclosed. For PNB, the most commonly disclosed risks are local pain/discomfort and transient neuropathy. The least commonly disclosed risks for both NAB and PNB include seizures, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and death. With the exception of headache following spinal anesthesia (1:100) and Horner's syndrome following interscalene block (1:10), there is little consensus regarding the perceived incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a 22% response rate, our survey suggests that the risks of RA most commonly disclosed to patients by ASRA members are benign while severe complications of RA are far less commonly disclosed. There is little agreement among ASRA members regarding their perceived incidence of complications following RA.