Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialL-arginine cardioplegia reduces oxidative stress and preserves diastolic function in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery surgery.
PL-arginine cardioplegia decreases biochemical markers of myocardial damage and oxidative stress in patients with normal left ventricular function. We investigated the effects of L-arginine supplemented cardioplegic arrest in patients with reduced ejection fraction. Fifty-three adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <35% undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery were randomised to receive blood cardioplegia with or without L-arginine. ⋯ There was no difference in left ventricular systolic function. The mitral annular tissue Doppler inflow (e') velocity during early diastole improved in the L-arginine group following cardiopulmonary bypass (control 4.2 ± 1.9 cm.s(-1) to 3.6 ± 1.2 cm.s(-1) vs L-arginine 3.8 ±1.2 cm.s(-1) to 4.6 ± 1.4 cm.s(-1)) (P=0.018). In patients with reduced ejection fraction, L-arginine supplemented cardioplegic arrest did not affect postoperative cardiac troponin-I levels, but attenuated cardiac cellular peroxidation and improved early left ventricular diastolic function.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2012
Comparative StudyA useful new coma scale in acute stroke patients: FOUR score.
Assessment of the severity of unconsciousness in patients with impaired consciousness, prediction of mortality and prognosis are currently the most studied subjects in intensive care. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score in intensive care unit patients with stroke and the associations of FOUR score with the clinical outcome and with other coma scales (Glasgow [GCS] and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II). One hundred acute stroke patients (44 male, 56 female), who were followed in a neurology intensive care unit, were included in this prospective study. ⋯ FOUR scores on the day of admission and the first, third and 10th days of patients who died within 15 days were lower when compared to scores of patients who survived (P=0.005, P=0.000, P=0.000 and P=0.000 respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed significant trending with both FOUR score and GCS for prognosis; the area under curve ranged from 0.675 (95% confidence interval 0.565 to 0.786) when measurements had been made on day 3 to 0.922 (95% confidence interval 0.867 to 0.977) and 0.981 (95% confidence interval 0.947 to 1.015) for day 10. We suggest that FOUR score is a useful scale for evaluation of acute stroke patients in the intensive care unit as a homogeneous group, with respect to the outcome estimation.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2012
Incidence of difficult intubation in intensive care patients: analysis of contributing factors.
Difficulties in endotracheal intubation increase morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients. We studied the problem in surgical intensive care patients with the aim of risk reduction. Patients intubated in the intensive care unit were evaluated. ⋯ Every intubation in the ICU setting should be considered potentially difficult. The existing algorithm should be modified to incorporate the American Society of Anesthesiologists difficult airway algorithm adapted to the needs of the intensive care unit. A training program for alternative methods of airway management for difficult intubations should be established.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2012
Plasma free cortisol and B-type natriuretic peptide in septic shock.
Previous studies of patients with septic shock have independently demonstrated alterations in plasma concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide and plasma free cortisol. Previous data suggest that a reciprocal relationship might exist. However, the relationship between these hormones in patients with septic shock is unclear. ⋯ A model incorporating both variables explained 68% of variation in plasma free cortisol (R-square=0.682). This study of patients with septic shock demonstrates a previously unappreciated positive correlation between plasma free cortisol and b-type natriuretic peptide concentration. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score and noradrenaline dose were independent predictors of plasma free cortisol.