Elective Intervention Research Articles

High-Dose Atorvastatin Raises Threshold of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a significant complication of angiographic procedures resulting from injection of iodinated contrast media (CM). Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at the highest risk of CIN. Statins have recently been proposed for protection against CIN due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim of Work. To investigate the potential benefit of acute pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin (80 mg) in reduction of the incidence of CIN in diabetic patients indicated for elective coronary intervention. Patients and Methods. 200 diabetic patients with indication for coronary intervention were enrolled in the study. 100 patients will be randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin (80 mg) just before coronary intervention (statin group) and 100 patients received placebo (control group). CIN was defined as a rise of serum creatinine of more than 25% or ≥0.5 mg/dl (44 μmol/l) from baseline within 48 hours of the angiography. After the procedure, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow of the culprit vessel was reported, as well as the volume of used contrast media and time of X-ray exposure. Results. Our study reported a CIN incidence of 12, 18, and 6% among the whole study, placebo, and statin groups, respectively, P value of 0.001. Among the placebo group, CIN is likely to develop after a 13.5-minute X-ray exposure time with a specificity of 73.2% and sensitivity of 77.8%, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.879 (CI: 0.798–0.960), and P value of 0.001, while in the statin group, CIN is likely to develop after 14.5-minute X-ray exposure time with a specificity of 74.5% and sensitivity of 83.3%, AUC of 0.818 (CI: 0.727–0.910), and P value of 0.009. In the placebo group, CIN is likely to develop after injection of 145 ml of contrast media with a specificity of 75.6% and sensitivity of 77.8%, AUC of 0.855 (CI: 0.757–0.952), and P value of 0.001, while in the statin group, CIN is likely to develop after injection of 165 ml of contrast media with a specificity of 84% and sensitivity of 83.3%, AUC of 0.878 (CI: 0.811–0.944), and P value of 0.002. Conclusions. Acute pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin can effectively protect against CIN and was associated with a marked decrease in the prevalence of CIN in diabetic patients undergoing coronary interventions. Moreover, pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin raises the threshold of X-ray exposure time and the amount of contrast media beyond which CIN is likely to develop. The trial is registered with NCT04375787.

Thoughts on Future Trends in Cardiology

Thoughts on Future Trends in Cardiology

When to Operate, Hesitate and Reintegrate: Society of Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2020;158:236–243) The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our abilities to provide timely surgical care for patients, including women with gynecologic cancer. In March 2020, the American College of Surgeons, The US Surgeon General, and many medical and surgical academic societies recommended postponing elective surgical interventions.

Frequency of early postoperative adverse events (AEs) in adult patients undergoing elective neurosurgical intervention at tertiary care center in Pakistan

Objective:The postoperative period is critical in neurosurgical patients, where the incidence of postoperative AEs is significantly high. Most of events occurs during recovery phase and has got relation to anaesthetic management. The objective of study was to determine frequency of early AEs in elective neurosurgical patients.Methods:This cross sectional study was conducted at our tertiary care center. The duration of study was one year, from August 2017-July 2018. The data was collected using predesigned proforma. The assessment was done on arrival in recovery room (T1) and then at forty five minutes (T2), twenty-fourth hour (T3) and forty-eighth hour (T4) postoperatively.Results:Total ninety-five patients were included. Overall, five hundred and forty AEs were recorded at T1, T2, T3 and T4. Anaesthesia related events like pain, postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, shivering and hypothermia were the commonest (73%). There was a gradual decline in incidence of these events over period of 48 hours. There was no effect of age, sex, BMI and blood loss on incidence of AEs.Conclusions:Postoperative pain, PONV and shivering were frequently reported AEs. We did not identify the impact of age, sex, BMI, comorbid or type of surgery in terms of having these events.

Endovascular and hybrid treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections

The article deals with immediate and medium-term results of hybrid and endovascular treatment of 74 patients with various pathologies of the thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta (31 with aneurysms, 43 with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic dissections). Elective and emergency interventions were performed in 49 and 25 patients, respectively. Endoprosthetic repair of the arch, descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta was performed in 25 patients, hybrid operations in 47 subjects (open switch of brachiocephalic, visceral and renal arteries followed by aortic endoprosthetic repair - 37, endovascular methods of making a landing zone - 12). The duration of the follow-up period after discharge from hospital amounted to 24.9±16.3 months. The technical success level was 98.6%. The overall hospital mortality rate was 11% (n=8), elective - 4% (n=2), emergency - 24% (n=6). Eight patients underwent repeat interventions on the thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was 82.3%, with freedom from repeat interventions amounting to 51.3%. Hybrid operations on the arch and descending thoracic aorta are considered to be a relatively safe and effective method of treatment. Follow-up and timely treatment of remote complications after hybrid or endovascular operations are obligatory for improving the results.

Malnutrition is Associated with Poor Postoperative Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.

Background:Malnutrition continues to be pervasive among the general population, with rates as high as 50% of patients undergoing surgical procedures. Data is limited about women undergoing surgery for non-malignant gynecologic indications (generally elective laparoscopic hysterectomies, after failed conservative measures). With the significant increase in benign gynecologic surgery, it is of the upmost importance that surgeons optimize modifiable risk factors for patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of malnutrition on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing data that was collected through the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database. All patients that underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications were identified. Patients with malnutrition were identified by either low albumin (≤ 3.5 g/dL), low body mass index (≤ 18.5), or 10% weight loss within 6 months. The frequency of postoperative complications was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses where appropriate.Results:Following adjustment, multivariate analysis illustrated pre-operative malnutrition to be a risk factor for the following complications: any complication, death, bleeding requiring transfusion, wound, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, thromboembolic, sepsis complications, extended length of stay, and reoperation (p ≤ 0.05 for all).Conclusion:Malnourished patients were at significantly higher risk of developing postoperative complications during the acute postoperative period. With elective laparoscopic hysterectomies, pre-operative evaluation and intervention for malnutrition should be considered to improve nutritional status.

Синоназальная фибромиксома у ребенка

Sinonasal fibromyxoma is a rather rare neoplasm and occurs in less than 1% of tumors. In the literature, there is a description of only 8 cases of this pathology in children. The article describes a clinical case of sinonasal fibromyxoma in a 14-year-old child with complaints of persistent severe difficulty in breathing through the left half of the nasal cavity, periodic tear stagnation on the left for 14 months, and dysphonia. The results of endoscopic diagnosis of ENT organs, computed tomography of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the stages of the performed elective surgical intervention (polypectomy, left-side endoscopic sinusitis with sinus sanitation, turbinoplasty of the left middle nasal concha) are presented in detail, as well as the conclusions of the histological examination of the lesion removed from the patient. The authors analyzed domestic and foreign literature data on this problem, based on which they presented in the article a differential series of myxoma.

Potential benefit in information providing and influence on patient anxiety and satisfaction by means of preoperative explanatory videos in total extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty: study protocol of a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised parallel-group controlled trial

IntroductionThe use of electronic media in informed consent giving has become increasingly important in recent years. Due to the easy access to information via electronical media, patients are primed in...

Emergency and Trauma Surgery.

According to the UEMS (Union Europeene des Medicins Specialises) Section of surgery Board of Surgery, "Emergency Surgery" can be defined "as surgery that is required to deal with an acute threat to life, organ, limb or tissue caused by external trauma, acute disease process, acute exacerbation of a chronic disease process, or complication of a surgical or other interventional procedure". Performance of emergency surgery require complex and varied skills and abilities to achieve procedures from different fields of surgery: abdominal, urologic, thoracic, vascular, soft tissue, skeletal) within an interval of 24 hours (1). In U.S., since 2008, Acute Care Surgery concept was introduced, and nowadays is an evolving specialty with three essential components- trauma, critical care and emergency surgery (2). In UK there is an increasing subspecialisation within general surgery over the last ten years. More recently, there has been an increase in focus on emergency general surgery (3,4). This may not come as a surprise given the fact that trafic crashes kill 1.2 million people annually around the world (3242 people/day) and 90% are in middle and low income countries. In US trauma is the leading cause of death in persons up to 40 years. Optimal care for emergency surgical patients is one of the major challenges for every healthcare system worldwide. An emergency surgery mai intervene during the daily schedule of elective interventions and create pressure on both the organisation and costs (5). Since it's birth, in 2007, the Romanian Society for Emergency Surgery and Trauma was involved in supporting the development of practice in emergency surgery in Romania by many actions: each year, during biannual National Congres and National Conference of the Romanian Society of Surgery 2 sessions were dedicated to emergency surgery, with invited foreign speakers; oragnisation of European Congres of Emergency and Trauma Surgery in 2017 in Bucharest, 1 tematic issue of Chirurgia Journal dedicated to surgery of the cirrhotic patients. This tematic isssue includes varia subjects from emergency surgery in valuable articles. The management of open abdomen management are depicted by Anastasiu et al, in a review summarizing definition, classification, indications, methods of temporary abdominal closure and fascial closure, and enterocutanous fistula. Turculet et al, perfomed a review of the litterature to describe the main advantages and disadvantages of the trauma systems in Europe and to present the last concepts regarding the management of the polytrauma patients and the newest sets of measures to prevent car crashes in European Union. A rare case of small bowel hemangioma with hemoperitoneum mimicking trauma is described by Iordache et al, with a review of the litterature. The series of reviews ends with an interesting article for daily practice in emergency hospitals about the diagnostic and therapeutic peculiarities in abdominal trauma associated with spinal cord injurie by Grigorean et al. Abdominal trauma is addressed in 7 original papers. The definitive surgery for liver trauma in tertiary HPB center, the nonoperative treatment of abdominal trauma involving liver and spleen, the timing of splenic interventional radiology, the management of colon trauma at a level II trauma, challenges raised by the retroperitoneal hematoma in abdominal trauma, predicition of evolution of patients with abdominal trauma using the usual biological parameters, and clinico-pathological correlations in the acute surgical abdomen in the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic period are presented, analysed and discussed in papers coming from specialized surgical units from Fundeni Clinical Institute, Emergency Clinical Hospital Bucharest, Emergency University Hospital of Bucharest, "Bagdasar-Arseni" Clinical Emergency Hospital, "St. Pantelimon" Clinical Emergency Hospital, Clinical County Emergency Hospitals of Craiova and Tg-Mures. The surgical technique of intraomental splenic implant and an attempt of reassessement is presented in a paper by Beuran et al. We hope that this tematic issue will be an interesting and very useful lecture for our readers and bring useful informations for those involved in emergency surgery.

Influence of frailty in the outcome of surgical patients over 70 years old with admission criteria in ICU

IntroductionFrailty degree can influence more than age or severity in the outcome of patients older than 70 years undergoing surgery of the digestive system that require immediate postoperative control in the ICU. MethodsA prospective and observational study of patients over 70 years of age who were admitted to the surgical ICU of a third level hospital immediately after an elective or emergent surgical intervention on the digestive system from June 1, 2018 until June 1, 2019. The variables age, frailty Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and modified Frailty Index (mFI), severity (APACHE II), type of surgery, surgical pathology were recorded upon admission. A bivariate analysis was performed to assess the influence of frailty and severity on hospital morbidity and mortality and baseline situation of the patient (in terms of dependence) at 6 months. ResultsA total of 90 patients were recruited, 54.4% of whom were reoperated; 74.4% were initially discharged from the ICU, with 28.4% of readmission and directly associated to frailty (CFS and mFI: P<0.01). The overall mortality at 6 months was 44.5% being CFS (OR=64.3; P<0.05, 95% CI: 12.3–333.9) and APACHE II (OR=1.17; P<0.05; 95% CI: 1.04–1.32) the covariates that best related. ConclusionsThe estimation of frailty by CSF and mFI is directly associated to the surgical morbidity and readmission of elderly and severe patients admitted to the ICU. In addition, CFS and mFI has been efficient as a predictive of mortality at 6 months.

Cardiac arrhythmias in patients with SARS-CoV‑2 infection and effects of the lockdown on invasive rhythmological therapy.

BackgroundSince the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various strategies have been taken worldwide to reduce the risk of infection. As part of the amendment to the Infection Protection Act, elective medical interventions were restricted, leading to a change in patient care. However, the consequences of the lockdown on the treatment of rhythmological patients in Germany remains unclear.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyze the reduction in rhythmological interventions and the patient care situation using a nationwide survey during the first lockdown period.MethodsA survey was sent to all electrophysiological centers certified by the German Society of Cardiology. Here, the treatment volume of tachycardia and bradycardia and their invasive therapy were surveyed before and during the lockdown period. Furthermore, the number of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) treated at these centers and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias was also recorded.ResultsParticipating centers performed a total of 24,648 ablation procedures/year and represent approximately 34% (24,648/72,548) of the estimated German ablation treatments. The majority of these centers (33/40; 82.5%) were so-called primary COVID-19 hospitals (level-1). Overall, the number of ablations and pacemaker implantations were reduced by 41% and 18% respectively. Due to postponed ablation procedures and pacemaker implantations, 22/40 (55%) centers reported a worsening of clinical symptoms or early re-hospitalization of their patients.ConclusionThese results demonstrate a significant decline in elective rhythmological procedures during the lockdown, as required by the German Federal Government. At the same time, however, more than half of the participating centers reported an increase in patient re-hospitalizations due to postponed procedures.

The Effect of Organ System Surgery on Intensive Care Unit Mortality in a Cohort of Critically Ill Surgical Patients.

The critical illness burden in the United States is growing with an aging population obtaining surgical intervention despite age-related comorbidities. The effect of organ system surgical intervention on intensive care units (ICUs) mortality is unknown. We performed an 8-year retrospective analysis of surgical ICU patients. Poisson regression analysis was performed assessing the relative risk of in-hospital mortality based on surgical intervention. Of 468000 ICU patients included, 97968 (20.9%) were surgical admissions and 97859 (99.9%) had complete outcomes data. Nonsurvivors were older (68.8 ± 15.4 vs. 62.7 ± 15.8years, P < .001) with higher Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III Scores (81.4 ± 33.6 vs. 46.7 ± 20.1, P < .001. Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) (n = 1,558, 7.8%), musculoskeletal (n = 277, 5.5%), and neurological (n = 884, 4.6%) system operations had the highest mortality. Upon Poisson regression model, patients undergoing emergent operative interventions on the neurologic system (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.67-2.07, P < .001) had increased relative risk of mortality when compared to emergent operative interventions on the cardiovascular system after controlling for pertinent covariates. Elective operative interventions on the respiratory (RR 2.39, 95% CI 2.03-2.80, P < .001), GI (RR 2.34, 95% CI 2.10-2.61, P < .001), and skin and soft tissue (RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.77-2.89, P < .001) systems had increased risk of mortality when compared to elective cardiovascular system surgery after controlling for pertinent covariates. We found significant differences in the risk of mortality based on organ system of operative intervention. The prognostication of critically ill patients undergoing surgical intervention is currently not accounted for in prognostic scoring systems.

Roadmap: one anesthesiology department's strategic approach to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven transformation in every aspect of the healthcare delivery system. The unpredictable onset and magnitude of COVID-19 infections resulted in wide gaps in preparedness for healthcare systems. The development of protocols to address both scarcity of resources and staff protection continues to be essential for risk mitigation. The northeast region of the United States had a rapid early surge of COVID-19 infections leading to the exhaustion of critical care capacity. In addition, northeastern hospitals experienced decrease in elective surgical interventions, including organ transplantation. Limited availability of COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment further fueled the pandemic. This commentary highlights a comprehensive innovative approach to addressing the operating room and hospital demands, as well as the shortages in resources and staffing during the pandemic. The VCU Department of Anesthesiology operated at 40% of its regular operating room volume throughout the COVID-19 pandemic because of the increased demand from emergency cases. The delay in the peak surge allowed Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Anesthesiology to develop a comprehensive infrastructure resulting in resulting is maximal workforce risk mitigation.

Re-organization of the Vascular Surgery Department During the Acute Phase of the COVID19 Outbreak: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives

IntroductionSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection represents a serious threat to public health because it leads to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The region Lombardia (Italy) has suffered from severe problems during the acute phase of the outbreak in Italy (March–April 2020). The aim of our analysis is to report the experience of the Department of Vascular Surgery of Pavia, including the learned lessons and future perspectives, considering that the COVID-19 outbreak is in its acute phase in other continents.Material and methodsSingle-center, retrospective, observational study based on extracted data from the medical records of all consecutive COVID-19 patients observed in our Vascular Department between March 1st and April 30th, 2020. We reviewed the records for demographic information, comorbidities, laboratory tests, and anticoagulation treatment at the time of hospital admission.ResultsWe observed an important reduction in elective and urgent interventions compared to the same period of the previous year; in parallel, we observed an increase in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients, especially with severe infection. In our department, four infections were reported among health workers.ConclusionsThe impact of the COVID19 pandemic on health-care delivery has been massive. A wave of vascular-related complications is expected. Regular SARS-CoV-2 screening, adequate protection, and quick reorganization of health-care resources are still needed.

Effect of COVID-19 on acute treatment of ST-segment elevation and Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in northwestern Switzerland.

BackgroundTo investigate the effect of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the acute treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) and Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected ACS. We evaluated the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for STEMI, NSTE-ACS, and elective PCI cases. In STEMI patients, we assessed the time from chest pain onset (cpo) to ED presentation, post-infarction left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and time from ED presentation to PCI. We directly compared cases from two time intervals: January/February 2020 versus March/April 2020 (defined as 2 months before and after the COVID-19 outbreak). In a secondary analysis, we directly compared cases from March/April 2020 with patients from the same time interval in 2019.ResultsFrom January to April 2020, 765 patients presented with acute chest pain to the ED. A dramatic reduction of ED presentations after compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak (31% relative reduction) was observed. Overall, 398 PCIs were performed, 220/398 PCIs (55.3%) before versus 178/398 PCIs (44.7%) after the outbreak. While numbers for NSTE-ACS and elective interventions declined by 21% and 31%, respectively, the number of STEMI cases remained stable. Time from cpo to ED presentation, post-infarction LVEF, and median door-to-balloon time remained unchanged.ConclusionsIn contrast to previous reports, our findings do not confirm the dramatic drop in STEMI cases and interventions in northwestern Switzerland as observed in other regions and hospitals around the world.

GÜNÜBİRLİK LAPARASKOPİK KOLESİSTEKTOMİDE BAKIM

Günübirlik cerrahi, günübirlik cerrahi kriterlerine uyan hastaların, elektif olarak cerrahi girişime alınmasını ve girişim sonrası aynı gün hastaneden çıkışlarının gerçekleştirildiği girişimler olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Günübirlik olarak gerçekleştirilen ameliyatlardan birisi olan laparoskopik kolesistektomi, günümüzde anestezi yöntemlerinin, cerrahi tekniklerin ve bakım sistemlerinin gelişimi sonucu yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Günübirlik laparoskopik kolesistektomi minimal insizyon ve buna bağlı daha az ağrı, düşük stres tepkisi, komplikasyon oranlarının yatış yapılarak yürütülen laparoskopik kolesistektomiden farklı olmaması, yatış süresinin kısa olması ve bu sayede hasta memnuniyetini arttırması gibi nedenlerle tüm dünyada tercih edilmektedir. Hastalar ameliyat sonrası aynı gün taburcu edildikleri için ameliyat sonrası sık karşılaşılan ağrı, bulantı-kusma, kanama gibi semptomların dikkatlice izlenmesi, bu semptomların farmakolojik ve non farmakolojik yönetimi önemli hemşirelik girişimleridir. Günübirlik laparoskopik kolesistektomi işlemi öncesi hastaların gereksinimlerine ve gelişebilecek komplikasyonlara yönelik kapsamlı eğitim verilmesi, iyileşme sürecinin kısalmasına, etkili bir semptom yönetimi sağlanmasına ve yeniden hastane yatışlarının önlenmesine olanak sağlar. Bu makalede günübirlik laparoskopik kolesistektomi ilgili hemşirelik bakımını sunmak hedeflenmiştir.

Abstract 14920: Predictors of Adverse Outcomes Following Elective Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Introduction: Elective surgical intervention for ascending aortic aneurysm (AA) is performed when the risk of a future aortic catastrophe outweighs the risk of surgery; however, the data of complication rates following elective repair are limited. Methods: We analyzed adults &gt;18 years of age hospitalized for elective ascending AA surgical intervention in the 2016 and 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Databases. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were acute ischemic stroke (AIS), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-elective 30-day readmission. Bayesian lasso probit regression models were used to identify independent predictors of primary and secondary outcomes. Results: Among 4,073 patients hospitalized for elective surgical repair, 28.9% were female. Mean age was 63.0 ± 12.4 years. Concomitant aortic valve surgery was performed in 67%. Overall, 72 (1.8%) died during the initial hospitalization (Figure A). Predictors of in-hospital mortality are shown in Figure B. Of patients alive at discharge, 482 (11.8%) were readmitted within 30 days, with a mortality rate of 2.3% during readmission. Predictors of non-elective 30-day readmission included non-urban localization (Change in probability: 32.5%, 21.7 - 45.7%), chronic liver disease (18.1%, 11.4 - 27.0%), and chronic neurological disorder (15.9%, 12.1 - 20.1%). Main causes of readmissions were arrythmias (20.3%), procedural complications (14.5%), and peri-, endo-, or myocarditis (9.3%). While procedural volume varied between one and 68 procedures / institution, it was not associated with in-hospital mortality, AIS, AMI, or 30-day readmission (p&gt;0.05 for all). Conclusions: One in 25 patients will have a significant complication or die following elective ascending aortic repair and 1 in 8 will be readmitted within 30 days. The risk of surgery compared to the risk of a future aortic catastrophe should be thoroughly assessed prior to recommendation of an ascending AA repair.

Choice of Drug for Intravenous Fluid Therapy in the Early Postoperative Period in Children

The choice of drug for initial fluid therapy in the early postoperative period is important in terms of clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the combination treatment.The aim of the study was to compare the effects of a succinate-containing solution and 0.9% NaCl solution when used as a drug of initial intravenous fluid therapy in early postoperative period in children.Materials and methods. A prospective randomized trial was conducted with participation of 43 patients having ASA II—III score after elective surgical interventions with a duration of 1-3 hours. In Group I («N») (n=23) the patients received continuous infusion of 0.9% NaCl solution in the early postoperative period (within 3 hours after the operation), in Group 2 («R») (n=20) continuous infusion of a succinate-containing solution was administered in 2.3 (1.6; 2.8) mode. The inter- and intragroup differences during the study were estimated by the changes of water-electrolyte and acid-base balance, basal metabolism, and phase angle (estimated integral index of cellular membranes condition) values. The data were recorded during the 5 stages of the study: 1 — immediately upon ICU admission (baseline), 2 — 60 minutes, 3 — 90 minutes, 4 — 120 minutes, 5 — 180 minutes after the ICU admission.Results. Significant differences in plasma potassium level between the groups 60 minutes (P=0.01) and 180 minutes (P=0.04) after the initiation of drugs infusion were found. In group N, at the 2nd stage, a 7% decrease in the potassium level was observed, while in group R, it increased by 2.1% as compared with the baseline. By the end of the study, potassium level decreased by 6.9% in group N and by 6.5% in group R. The intragroup differences were significant in Group N at the 2nd (P=0.02) and 5th (P=0.01) stages. In group R, no significant differences vs the baseline were found at any stage. In all cases, the values were within the reference values. In group N, at the 2nd stage the sodium concentration increased compared with the 1st stage by 2.1% (P=0.01). In group R, at the 5th stage, a significant decrease of Cl- concentration by 2.7% (P=0.01) was observed. The acid-base status showed a trend towards mixed acidosis at the 2nd stage in both groups, with the similarly significant pH reduction by 1.3% vs the baseline, whereas at 5th stage the decrease of pH was more significant in Group N (by 1.2% vs the baseline) than in Group R (by 0.9%) (P=0.01). In group N, the phase angle value was found to decrease by 8.6% at the 2nd stage and by 6% at the 5th stage (P=0.01). In group R no significant differences in the phase angle values were found.Conclusion. The succinate-containing solution has more favorable effect on the water-electrolyte and blood acid-base balance, as well as the state of cell membranes compared with the 0.9% NaCl solution.

Preservation of Radial Vasomotor Functions Through the Anatomic Snuffbox: A Prospective Comparison with other Radial Accesses during Coronary Angiography.

To compare radial vasomotor functions at three different access sites namely right, left main radial artery, and left distal radial (LDR) artery. Observational study. Department of Cardiology, EGE University, Turkey, from September 2017 to February 2018. Forty-one patients scheduled for transradial elective coronary angiography and intervention were consecutively enrolled. Access site decision was left free to operators being blind of the study. Main radial vasomotor function measured through flow mediated vasodilation test was compared between other radial access sites on admission, 1 day and 2 months post-catheterisation. Five patients were intervened through the left main radial, whereas the LDR and the right main radial access were used in 17 and 19 patients respectively. In contrast to other radial access sites, LDR approach showed significantly less influenced vasomotor functions the day after the procedure. This feature continued to be preserved for two months of follow-up. Conclusion: Left distal radial branch in the anatomic snuffbox is a reliable access in terms of vasomotor function preservation compared to conventional left and right radial artery accesses. Key Words: Transradial access, Flow mediated vasodilatation, Endothelial function.6re6445.

The Berlin Acute Trauma Care Instrument Set (BATMIN) - A Selected Combination of Surgical Instruments for Damage Control and Hemostasis Surgery in Severe Acute Trauma.

A lack of sterile surgical instrument sets for damage control surgeries of severely injured patients became evident in a series of in-hospital mass casualty trainings in the German capital of Berlin. Moreover, the existing instrument trays contained mostly specialized instruments for elective interventions and were not well composed for the treatment of poly-traumatized patients. After a literature search on the most common injury patterns in Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs), an expert group of surgeons from different disciplines designed an optimized instrument set. A set of 194 instruments was assembled and distributed into two containers. These 2 sets were subjected to a 6-month trial phase in our hospital, and the evaluation of usability was subsequently analyzed through feedback forms administered to the staff. After analysis of the feedback sheets, only minor alterations had to be incorporated. The Berlin Acute Trauma Care Instrument Set (BATMIN) was then made available by the state of Berlin to Berlin Hospitals providing acute trauma care. Out of the need to be prepared for mass casualties, we created an instrument set suitable for the damage control surgery of severely injured patients in individual care and MCIs.