Minerva anestesiologica
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Current approaches to monitoring in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) include a wide array of modalities, providing insight into pressure parameters, oxygenation, perfusion, electrophysiology and metabolism of the brain. The intent of "multimodality monitoring" is to obtain a better understanding of what is going on within the brain of an individual patient in order to target treatment more appropriately. In this review we highlight the current status of neuromonitoring for TBI with a specific focus on how advanced analysis and integration of these parameters may be used to implement more personalized treatment approaches. ⋯ Rather than persisting in a standardized "one size fits all" approach to therapy or continuing down the separate tracts of goal directed therapy, we suggest to think more in terms of "individualized therapeutic strategies" more focused on the specific requirements of each patient. Given the considerable data overload in multimodality monitoring and the complexity in interpretation of signals from multiple sources, specific attention needs to be directed to data processing and user-friendly displays. Intense collaboration and interaction between clinicians, basic researchers, IT-experts, nurses and industry will be required to further advance the fields towards more personalized approaches.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2012
ReviewCommunity acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia: an update for the emergency and intensive care physician.
Pneumonia caused by community-acquired (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among individuals without healthcare-associated (HA) risk factors was first recognized a decade ago. CA-MRSA has now been established as a pathogen responsible for rapidly progressive, frequently fatal disease manifesting as necrotizing pneumonia, severe sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis. The frequency of occurrence, risk factors, and optimal treatment of CA-MRSA pneumonia remain unclear and vary significantly across countries. ⋯ Prompt hospitalization and aggressive treatment with intravenous antibiotics is warranted to improve outcomes. Therapeutic approach for severe CA-MRSA infections and particularly pneumonia is generally the same as that for invasive HA-MRSA infections. New anti-MRSA agents and possible combinations are of great importance to be evaluated in the future.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2012
ReviewRight ventricular failure in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical entity involving not only alveolar lesions but also capillary lesions, both of which have deleterious effects on the pulmonary circulation, leading to constant pulmonary hypertension and to acute cor pulmonale (ACP) in 20-25% of patients ventilated with a limited plateau pressure (Pplat). Considering the poor prognosis of patients suffering from such acute right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, RV protection by appropriate ventilatory settings has become a crucial issue in ARDS management. The goal of this review is to emphasize the importance of analyzing RV function in ARDS, using echocardiography, in order to limit RV afterload. Any observed acute RV dysfunction should lead physicians to consider a strategy for RV protection, including strict limitation of Pplat, diminution of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and control of hypercapnia, all goals achieved by prone positioning.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acupoints reduces fentanyl requirement for postoperative pain relief after total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is regarded as an effective treatment for various types of pain. However, no randomized controlled trial has investigated TENS on acupoints for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients. This study aim to investigate whether TENS on acupoints has any favorable effect on complementary analgesia after total hip arthroplasty (THA) for elderly patients compared with a sham control treatment. ⋯ TENS on specific acupoints is an effective and complementary approach to reduce postoperative analgesic requirement in elderly patients after THA.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Aug 2012
Outcome prediction in cardiac surgery: the first logistic scoring model for cardiac surgical intensive care patients.
In the process of risk stratification, a logistic calculation of mortality risk in percentage is easier to interpret. Unfortunately, there is no reliable logistic model available for postoperative intensive care patients. The aim of this study was to present the first logistic model for postoperative mortality risk stratification in cardiac surgical intensive care units. This logistic version is based on our previously presented and established additive model (CASUS) that proved a very high reliability. ⋯ The logistic model shows statistical superiority. Because of the precise weighing the individual risk factors, it offers a reliable risk prediction. It is easier to interpret and to facilitate the integration of mortality risk stratification into the daily management more than the additive one.