Acta clinica Croatica
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2016
TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE RESISTANCE AND FOSFOMYCIN SUSCEPTIBILITY RATES IN UNCOMPLICATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS: TIME TO CHANGE THE ANTIMICROBIAL PREFERENCES.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in adult population. They are prevalent in all age groups both in women and men. Also, UTIs are the most frequent indication for empirical antibiotic treatment in emergency department. ⋯ The E. coli species detected in our study group were least resistant to FT (2.4%). The resistance rates, especially to CEF, AC and CIP, were significantly higher in patients over 50 years of age. In conclusion, in the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs, TMP-SMX should be excluded from empirical treatment, while fosfomycin could be a viable option in all age groups.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2016
Review Comparative StudyFIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY VERSUS VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPY IN PEDIATRIC AIRWAY MANAGEMENT.
The primary goal of pediatric airway management is to ensure oxygenation and ventilation. Routine airway management in healthy pediatric patients is normally easy in experienced hands. Really difficult pediatric airway is rare and usually is associated with anatomically and physiologically important findings such as congenital abnormalities and syndromes, trauma, infection, swelling and burns. ⋯ Do we really need video laryngoscopy? If we look at numbers, we might estimate that conventional laryngoscopy is successful and effective in around 98.5% of cases. Do we need to replace Macintosh laryngoscope with video laryngoscope completely in our routine practice? Should video laryngoscope be available to replace fiberoptic intubation in pediatric airway management? According to the algorithm, fiberoptic-assisted tracheal intubation combined with extraglottic airway devices is the standard of care. Establishment of protocols for equipping and maintaining airway trolleys and regular training in their use must be provided to avoid tissue hypoxia in children with compromised airway.
-
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the most important cause of adult disability worldwide and in Croatia. In the past, stroke was almost exclusively considered to be a disease of the elderly; however, today the age limit has considerably lowered towards younger age. The aim of this study was to determine age and gender impact on stroke patients in a Croatian urban area during one-year survey. ⋯ Stroke risk factor analysis showed that women were more prone to hypertension, chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation, whereas men had carotid disease more frequently, were more often smokers and had higher alcohol intake. Additionally, age analysis showed that heart conditions and smoking were more prevalent among older stroke patients. In conclusion, considerable differences were established between age and gender stroke patient groups, confirming the need of permanent national stroke registry and subsequent targeted action in secondary care, and prevention with education on risk factors, preferably personally tailored.
-
The author provides an overview of the history of optical instruments for airway management in anesthesiology. It systematically demonstrates the development of laryngoscope down to the present time when video laryngoscope has been introduced in clinical practice.
-
Acta clinica Croatica · Mar 2016
EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIFFICULT AIRWAY IN OBESITY A SINGLE CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.
The primary aim of this single center retrospective study was to evaluate difficult mask ventilation (DMV) and difficult laryngoscopy (DL) in a unique group of obese patients. A total of 427 adult patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 and surgically treated for endometrial cancer from 2011 to 2014 were assessed. Additional increase in BMI, comorbidities, bedside screening tests for risk factors, and the tools used to manage the patients were noted and their effects on DMV and/or DL investigated. ⋯ Among bedside tests, limited neck movement (LNM), short neck (SN) and absence of teeth were significant for DMV (p < 0.05), LNM, SN and obstructive sleep apnea for DL (p < 0.05), and LNM and SN for DMV+DL (p < 0.05). However, a 10-point increase of BMI was not an independent risk factor when patients with BMI > 25% were considered. In conclusion, LNM and SN are independent risk factors for developing DMV and/or DL in obese endometrial cancer patients, while BMI increase over 30 was not additionally affecting difficult airway.