Anaesthesia
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Defining sepsis on the wards: results of a multi-centre point-prevalence study comparing two sepsis definitions.
Our aim was to prospectively determine the predictive capabilities of SEPSIS-1 and SEPSIS-3 definitions in the emergency departments and general wards. Patients with National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of 3 or above and suspected or proven infection were enrolled over a 24-h period in 13 Welsh hospitals. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 30 days. ⋯ The SEPSIS-3 definition identified patients with the highest risk. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and NEWS were better predictors of poor outcome. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score appeared to be the best tool for identifying patients with high risk of death and sepsis-induced organ dysfunction.
-
Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Continuous infusion vs. intermittent bolus injection of furosemide in acute decompensated heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Loop diuretics remain a fundamental pharmacological therapy to remove excess fluid and improve symptom control in acute decompensated heart failure. Several recent randomised controlled trials have examined the clinical benefit of continuous vs. bolus furosemide in acute decompensated heart failure, but have reported conflicting findings. The aim of this review was to compare the effects of continuous and bolus furosemide with regard to mortality, length of hospital stay and its efficacy profile in acute decompensated heart failure. ⋯ Continuous infusion of intravenous furosemide was associated with increased weight reduction (five studies; n = 516; I2 = 0%; mean difference 0.70; 95%CI 0.12-1.28 kg; p = 0.02); increased total urine output in 24 h (four studies; n = 390; I2 = 33%; mean difference 461.5; 95%CI 133.7-789.4 ml; p < 0.01); and reduced brain natriuretic peptide (two studies; n = 390; I2 = 0%; mean difference 399.5; 95%CI 152.7-646.3 ng.l-1 ; p < 0.01), compared with the bolus group. There was no difference in the incidence of raised creatinine and hypokalaemia between the two groups. In summary, there was no difference between continuous infusion and bolus of furosemide for all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay and electrolyte disturbance, but continuous infusion was superior to bolus administration with regard to diuretic effect and reduction in brain natriuretic peptide.
-
The measurement of injection pressure during the performance of peripheral nerve blocks can be pivotal to detect intraneural placement of the needle tip and thus avoid intrafascicular injection. However, injection pressure can only be measured along the injection line (tubing), which is influenced by several factors. The primary aim of this feasibility study was to describe and validate the principle of a novel nerve-block needle conceived for real-time continuous monitoring of injection pressures at the needle tip. ⋯ The mean (95%CI) difference between pressures at the needle tip and the injection line varied substantially from 14.33 (12.58-16.08) kPa at 0.5 ml injected volume to 41.56 (39.66-43.45) kPa at the end of the injection. This study demonstrates that the described system allows for real-time continuous monitoring of injection pressure at the needle tip. Moreover, this study shows that injection pressure values measured in the injection line cannot be assumed to be a reliable indicator of the injection pressure at the needle tip.
-
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure is high risk and resource intensive. In England, five centres provide this service and patients who are referred have four possible outcomes: declined transfer due to perceived futility; accepted in principle but remain at the referring centre with ongoing surveillance; retrieved using conventional ventilation; or retrieved on extracorporeal support. The decision-making process leading to these outcomes has not previously been examined. ⋯ Survival in the accepted group exceeds that reported previously. However, a proportion of those declined do survive and some remotely managed patients die. This suggests the approach does not account for some important survival-determining factors.
-
Review
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sublingual sufentanil for postoperative pain management.
Achieving successful treatment of postoperative pain remains a challenge. Recently, a sufentanil sublingual tablet system has been developed for treatment of moderate-to-severe postoperative pain. The phenylpiperidine sufentanil is a potent analgesic that rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier and selectively activates central μ-opioid receptors. ⋯ We conclude that sufentanil is suited for the transmucosal route due to its pharmacokinetic profile, including rapid onset, absence of active metabolites and low tissue accumulation. The efficacy and safety of the sufentanil sublingual tablet system has been shown in over 600 patients in a limited set of studies; further independent studies are required to determine the position of the system among other forms of postoperative pain treatment. We conclude that the sublingual sufentanil tablet system allows effective pain relief, and allows patients to control their own pain relief and early postoperative mobility.