Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jun 2014
ReviewProtective lung ventilation in operating room: Systematic Review.
Postoperative pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications adversely affect clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization, so that prevention has become a measure of the quality of perioperative care. Mechanical ventilation is an essential support therapy to maintain adequate gas exchange during general anesthesia for surgery. Mechanical ventilation using high tidal volume (VT) (between 10 and 15 mL/kg) has been historically encouraged to prevent hypoxemia and atelectasis formation in anesthetized patients undergoing abdominal and thoracic surgery. ⋯ There is, however, little evidence regarding a potential beneficial effect of lung protective ventilation during surgery, especially in patients with healthy lungs. Although surgical patients are frequently exposed to much shorter periods of mechanical ventilation, this is an important gap in knowledge given the number of patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the operating room. This review developed the benefits of lung protective ventilation during surgery and general anesthesia and offers some recommendations for mechanical ventilation in the surgical context.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jun 2014
ReviewInconsistent Size Nomenclature in Extraglottic Airway Devices.
Extraglottic airway devices (EADs) are frequently used airway devices, yet often they seal poorly, resulting in a functionally unacceptable leak. Optimal size selection of the EAD is therefore critical to the safe and effective use of an EAD. This review is designed to delineate the sizing recommendations of EADs and indicate the differences in order to make the optimal choice for device effectiveness and patient safety. ⋯ Selecting the appropriate size of an EAD is critical to optimal use, although applying the correct size of an EAD has been subject of controversy, as recommendations on sizing differ substantially and are far from a coherent and universal sizing system. Successful use of an EAD depends in part on appropriate size selection, in addition to clinical judgment, as well as patient anatomy and physiology. Standardization in the use of EAD sizes and a consensus about a consistent size systematic of EADs would benefit to promote a safer clinical practice in airway management.
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Acute respiratory failure (ARF) in cancer patients remains a frequent and severe complication, despite the general improved outcome over the last decade. The survival of cancer patients requiring ventilatory support in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has dramatically improved over the last years. The diagnostic approach, including an invasive strategy using fiber optic bronchoscopy or a non-invasive strategy, must be effective to identify a diagnostic, as it is a crucial prognostic factor. ⋯ The number of organ failure at admission and over the first 7 ICU days governs outcomes. Ventilatory support can thus be included in different management contexts: full code management with unlimited use of life sustaining therapies, full code management for a limited period, no-intubation decision, or the use of palliative NIV. The objectives of this review article are to summarize the modified ARF diagnostic and therapeutic management, induced by improvements in both intensive care and onco-hematologic management and recent literature data.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jun 2014
ReviewUpdate on haemodynamic monitoring and management in septic patients.
Severe sepsis and septic shock are associated with significant mortality. Effective management of this clinical syndrome includes early resuscitation with fluids and vasoactive drugs to maintain vital organ perfusion and oxygen delivery. Understanding the different approach to the management of sepsis during the resuscitation and ongoing management phases is essential to initiate context- and time-specific interventions. ⋯ Minimally invasive and completely non-invasive cardiac output monitors have been developed, but require validation in this specific cohort of patients. The trend in hemodynamic parameters is particularly important when any intervention to augment cardiac output is carried out (functional hemodynamic monitoring). Cardiac output monitors and surrogates of tissue oxygenation are only able to guide management, as patient outcome is determined by acquisition and interpretation of accurate data, and suitable management decisions.