Minerva anestesiologica
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Thrombomodulin has a pivotal role in the protein C system that is important in the pathogenesis of sepsis. In sepsis, endothelial cell expression of thrombomodulin is strongly downregulated, causing an impaired activation of protein C that is central in the modulation of coagulation activation and inflammatory processes. ⋯ Several preclinical studies in experimental sepsis models have shown that administration of soluble thrombomodulin is capable of improving the derangement of coagulation, ameliorates inflammatory responses and may restore organ dysfunction. Initial clinical studies in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, of whom a significant proportion were patients with sepsis, demonstrate a beneficial effect of recombinant soluble thrombomodulin on restoration of coagulation and improvement of organ failure.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyValidation of predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction score compared with standard severity scores in predicting hospital outcome in septic shock patients.
The aim of this study was to validate and compare the performance of Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 Predisposition, Infection, Response and Organ failure (SAPS 3 PIRO) score with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, SAPS II and SAPS 3 scores in predicting hospital outcome in septic shock patients. ⋯ The SAPS 3 PIRO score provided better discrimination than the APACHE II, SAPS II and SAPS 3 but had poor calibration in our septic shock patients. SAPS 3 PIRO could be used regarding risk stratification in septic shock patients, however, this score needed to be adapted and modified with new parameters for improving the performance.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyCardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during simulator-based trainings: a comparative retrospective analysis of adherence to 2005 and 2010 guidelines.
New cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines have been published in 2010 emphasizing the importance of minimizing interruptions during chest compression. The aim of our study was to compare the simulator-based CPR training performance of physicians not specialized in anaesthesia and intensive care nurses before and after implementation of new resuscitation guidelines. ⋯ Non-anesthesiological physicians and intensive care nurses training demonstrated an improved CPR performance in a high-fidelity human patient simulator with respect to the median cardiac output and duration of no-flow-time when 2010 CPR guidelines were applied.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2013
The volume and pH of residual pharyngeal fluid aspirated from the TaperGuard Evac™ Endotracheal Tube following elective surgery: a prospective pilot study.
Oropharyngeal suctioning prior to extubation aims to minimize postextubation tracheal soiling from remaining fluid. We investigated the amount and nature of any fluid remaining after such suctioning and contributing factors. ⋯ ASA I - III patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation participated in this prospective observational pilot study. Following oropharyngeal suctioning immediately prior to extubation, a dedicated port of the endotracheal tube (TaperGuard Evac™ Endotracheal Tube) was aspirated. The amount and pH of residual fluid was recorded. Data collection included age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, ASA status, procedure type and duration. The Chi-Square, Wilcoxon Rank-Sum, t-tests, and univariate regression analysis were used as appropriate. Results: Ninety-eight patients completed the study. The mean aspirated volume in 38 (38.8%) patients was 0.9 ± 1.3 mL and sixty patients (61.2%) had no aspirate. A body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2 was associated with the presence of fluid (P=0.03), and a higher volume (P=0.03). The fluid pH was 7 ± 0.81 (mean ± SD). A duration of surgery ≥ 120 minutes predicted a lower pH. Conclusion: The prevalence and amount of residual fluid after oropharyngeal suctioning was low and likely clinically insignificant. A higher body mass index was associated with a higher incidence and volume of residual fluid. Longer procedure duration determined a slightly lower pH, with a mildly acidic pH range. The possibility of a lower fluid pH after prolonged surgery contributing to postoperative sore throat via mucosal irritation warrants investigation.