British journal of anaesthesia
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The ideal thromboprophylaxis in patients at risk of bleeding is uncertain. This retrospective cohort study assessed the risk factors for complications after using retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters for primary or secondary thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients after major trauma. ⋯ A delay in initiating pharmacological thromboprophylaxis or filter removal were associated with an increased risk of subsequent DVT, VTE, and mechanical complications of retrievable IVC filters in patients after major trauma.
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Observational Study
Rescuing the obese or burned airway: are conventional training manikins adequate? A simulation study.
Percutaneous tracheal access is required in more than 40% of major airway emergencies, and rates of failure are high among anaesthetists. Supraglottic airway management is more likely to fail in patients with obesity or neck pathology. Commercially available manikins may aid training. In this study, we modified a standard 'front of neck' manikin and evaluated anaesthetists' performance of percutaneous tracheal access. ⋯ Significantly greater technical difficulty was experienced with our 'morbidly obese' manikin compared with the unmodified manikin. Failure rates and times to completion were considerably more consistent with real-life reports. Modifying a standard manikin to simulate an obese patient is likely to better prepare anaesthetists for this challenging situation. Development of a commercial manikin with such properties would be of value.
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Observational Study
Stroke volume variation and indexed stroke volume measured using bioreactance predict fluid responsiveness in postoperative children†
Postoperative fluid management can be challenging in children after haemorrhagic surgery. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of dynamic cardiovascular variables measured using bioreactance (NICOM®, Cheetah Medical, Tel Aviv, Israel) to predict fluid responsiveness in postoperative children. ⋯ The results of this study show that SVi and SVV non-invasively measured by bioreactance are predictive of fluid responsiveness in sedated and mechanically ventilated children after surgery.
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The use of the steep Trendelenburg position and abdominal CO2-insufflation during surgery can lead to significant reduction in pulmonary compliance and upper airway oedema. The postoperative time course of these effects and their influence on postoperative lung function is unknown. Therefore, we assessed intra- and extrathoracic airway resistance and nasal air flow in patients with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during robotic-assisted prostatectomy. ⋯ Robotic-assisted prostatectomy in the steep Trendelenburg position led to an increase in upper airway resistance directly after surgery that normalized within 24 h. The development of chemosis can be indicative of increased upper airway resistance. In patients without COPD, VC and FEV1 were reduced after surgery and recovered within 5 days, while in patients with COPD, the alteration lasted beyond 5 days.
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Preoperative renal insufficiency is an important predictor of mortality after cardiac surgery. This retrospective cohort study was designed to identify the optimal cut-off for baseline serum creatinine (bSCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to predict survival. Furthermore, we investigated the potential confounding effect of other perioperative risk indicators on short- and long-term survival. ⋯ In our patients, increased bSCr was an independent predictor of mortality, which may critically influence risk evaluation and perioperative treatment guidance.