Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Sep 2022
Utilization and outcomes of tracheostomies in the intensive care unit in Iceland in 2007-2020: a descriptive study.
Tracheostomies are commonly utilized in ICU patients due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, or surgery in the face/neck region. However, practices regarding the timing of placement and utilization vary. This study provides a nationwide overview of tracheostomy utilization and outcomes in the ICU over a 14-year period. ⋯ We describe a whole-nation practice of tracheostomies. A notable finding is the relatively low rate of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy insertion. Future work should focus on standardization of assessing the need for tracheostomy and the role of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy placement.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Sep 2022
Longitudinal changes in inflammatory biomarkers among patients with COVID-19: a nationwide study in Iceland.
All SARS-CoV-2-positive persons in Iceland were prospectively monitored and those who required outpatient evaluation or were admitted to hospital underwent protocolized evaluation that included a standardized panel of biomarkers. The aim was to describe longitudinal changes in inflammatory biomarkers throughout the infection period of patients with COVID-19 requiring different levels of care. ⋯ Lymphocyte count and plasma CRP and ferritin levels might be suitable parameters to assess disease severity early during COVID-19 and may serve as predictors of worse outcome.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Sep 2022
Observational StudyOrthostatic intolerance after fast-track knee arthroplasty: Incidence and hemodynamic pathophysiology.
Early postoperative mobilization can be hindered by orthostatic intolerance (OI) due to failed orthostatic cardiovascular regulation. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and specific data after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are lacking. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence of OI and the cardiovascular response to mobilization in fast-track TKA. ⋯ Early postoperative OI is common following fast-track TKA. Pathophysiologic mechanisms include impaired orthostatic cardiovascular responses. The progression to severe OI symptoms appears to be primarily due to inadequate heart rate response.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Sep 2022
A novel technique of ultrasound-guided lateral cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve block: a cadaveric study.
The lateral cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve (LCBIN) block combined with the lateral femoral cutaneous, superior cluneal and subcostal nerve blocks has been shown to provide complete anaesthetic coverage for the incisions used for hip arthroplasty. Successful ultrasound-guided selective nerve blocks have been described for these nerves, except for the LCBIN. The objective of this cadaveric study was to determine the position of the LCBIN in order to provide the anatomical basis for an ultrasound-guided nerve block approach. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the spread of injected dye after using the ultrasound-guided nerve block approach. ⋯ The present study showed that the LCBIN has a constant location and is sonographically easy visualized in a well-defined anatomical space. Thus, the ultrasound guided LCBIN block may be an alternative to the blind injection technique.