Minerva anestesiologica
-
In the last thirty years, the rapid evolution of surgical techniques, together with the use of innovative immunosuppressive strategies and optimal chemoprofilaxis, has dramatically extended the applicability of solid organs transplantation. However, despite the increase of post-transplantation survival rate, respiratory complications remain the main cause of morbidity and one of the main causes of mortality. Accordingly, the use of aggressive treatments has also increased the survival rates in patients with hematologic malignancies, but at price of an increased susceptibility to infections. ⋯ In this situation, the early application of positive pressure ventilation is aimed at restoring the decreased lung volume, increasing oxygenation, and reducing both the work of breathing and the respiratory drive; moreover to re-establish patient's equilibrium allows to buy time for an effective etiologic treatment. According to the results of several prospective randomized and non-randomized trials, the application of NIV seems able both to decrease the rate of nosocomial infectious complications, and to improve gas exchange with optimal patients tolerance. The aim of this review will be to shortly analyze the fields of application and the clinical results obtained with NIV in patients with immunosuppression of various origin.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2011
ReviewBlood transfusion in trauma patients: unresolved questions.
Massive transfusion is an essential part of resuscitation efforts in acute trauma patients. The goal is to quickly correct trauma-induced coagulopathy and replace red blood cell (RBC) mass with the minimal number as well as the appropriate choice of blood components to minimize the possible adverse effects of transfusions. Early trauma induced coagulopathy (ETIC) is present in about 20% of patients upon hospital admission and predicts for decreased survival. ⋯ When creating an MTP, product wastage due to inappropriate activation and improper product storage should be considered and closely monitored. Another area of discussion regarding transfusion in trauma includes the potential association of prolonged storage of RBCs and adverse outcomes, which has yet to be confirmed. Significant progress has been made in the transfusion management of trauma patients, but further studies are required to optimize patient care and outcomes.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2011
Non-invasive ventilation outside of the Intensive Care Unit: an Italian survey.
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly utilized for patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). The shortage of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, a growing confidence with the technique, and the opportunity to treat ARF in a more responsive phase lead to the application of NIV outside of the ICU. The Study Group on Emergency of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI) promoted a national survey to collect data on NIV use outside of the ICU. ⋯ In Italy, NIV is extensively applied in non-intensive wards, and its use is not free from criticalities and contradictions. Further prospective studies and possibly guidelines are needed.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialStress doses of hydrocortisone reduce systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing cardiac surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Systemic inflammatory response occurs after cardiac surgery (CS) and leads to a worse outcome in many cases. Stress doses of hydrocortisone have been successfully used to reduce SIRS and to improve outcome of patients after CS with cardiopulmonary bypass grafting (on-pump CABG), but the effect of hydrocortisone on patients undergoing CS without cardiopulmonary bypass grafting (off-pump CABG) is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of stress doses of hydrocortisone in this group of patients. ⋯ We conclude that intravenous stress doses of hydrocortisone lead to a reduction of systemic inflammation and to a potential improvement in the early outcome of patients undergoing off-pump CABG.