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Recent recommendations describe a set of core anatomical structures to identify on ultrasound for the performance of basic blocks in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA). This project aimed to generate consensus recommendations for core structures to identify during the performance of intermediate and advanced blocks. An initial longlist of structures was refined by an international panel of key opinion leaders in UGRA over a three-round Delphi process. All rounds were conducted virtually and anonymously. Blocks were considered twice in each round: for “orientation scanning” (the dynamic process of acquiring the final view) and for “block view” (which visualizes the block site and is maintained for needle insertion/injection). A “strong recommendation” was made if ≥75% of participants rated any structure as “definitely include” in any round. A “weak recommendation” was made if >50% of participants rated it as “definitely include” or “probably include” for all rounds, but the criterion for strong recommendation was never met. Structures which did not meet either criterion were excluded. Forty-one participants were invited and 40 accepted; 38 completed all three rounds. Participants considered the ultrasound scanning for 19 peripheral nerve blocks across all three rounds. Two hundred and seventy-four structures were reviewed for both orientation scanning and block view; a “strong recommendation” was made for 60 structures on orientation scanning and 44 on the block view. A “weak recommendation” was made for 107 and 62 structures, respectively. These recommendations are intended to help standardize teaching and research in UGRA and support widespread and consistent practice.

Bleeding is a potential complication after neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks. The risk is increased in patients on antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. This joint guideline from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the European Society of Regional Anaesthesia aims to provide an evidence-based set of recommendations and suggestions on how to reduce the risk of antithrombotic drug-induced haematoma formation related to the practice of regional anaesthesia and analgesia.A systematic literature search was performed, examining seven drug comparators and 10 types of clinical intervention with the outcome being peripheral and neuraxial haematoma. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used for assessing the methodological quality of the included studies and for formulating recommendations. A Delphi process was used to prepare a clinical practice guideline.Clinical studies were limited in number and quality and the certainty of evidence was assessed to be GRADE C throughout. Forty clinical practice statements were formulated. Using the Delphi-process, strong consensus (90% agreement) was achieved in 57.5% of recommendations and consensus (75 to 90% agreement) in 42.5%.Specific time intervals should be observed concerning the adminstration of antithrombotic drugs both prior to, and after, neuraxial procedures or those peripheral nerve blocks with higher bleeding risk (deep, noncompressible). These time intervals vary according to the type and dose of anticoagulant drugs, renal function and whether a traumatic puncture has occured. Drug measurements may be used to guide certain time intervals, whilst specific reversal for vitamin K antagonists and dabigatran may also influence these. Ultrasound guidance, drug combinations and bleeding risk scores do not modify the time intervals. In peripheral nerve blocks with low bleeding risk (superficial, compressible), these time intervals do not apply.In patients taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications, practitioners must consider the bleeding risk both before and after nerve blockade and during insertion or removal of a catheter. Healthcare teams managing such patients must be aware of the risk and be competent in detecting and managing any possible haematomas.

The aim of our prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the effect of laser acupuncture on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section.99 women (mean age 32 ± 5 years) scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at Saarland University Hospital Medical Center, Homburg (Germany) were enrolled in this trial after giving written consent. Patients were randomized in two groups receiving a course of 3 treatments over 3 days with either active or placebo laser. Each acupuncture session treated Di-4 and Shen-men of both hands and ears. Primary outcome was defined as the pain severity at rest measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on the first postoperative day. Secondary outcome measures included analgesic consumption, time to mobilization, and length of stay. Treatment occurred on the operation day and on the following 2 days. Data were collected by a standardized questionnaire.From 95 included patients, 80 were analyzed. No statistical difference between both groups were observed for pain severity at rest on the first postoperative day after cesarean section (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.850, verum group [mean ± standard deviation]: 3.3 ± 2.1 vs. placebo group: 3.2 ± 1.9). Secondary outcome measures regarding analgesic consumption showed no difference in NSAID or opioid between treatment and placebo group. Laser acupuncture showed no effect on time to mobilization and length of stay.Our study could not demonstrate significant effects by the application of laser acupuncture on postoperative pain in women undergoing cesarean section.Zielsetzung: Das Ziel unserer prospektiven, randomi­sierten, placebokontrollierten Studie ist es, den Effekt von Laserakupunktur auf die Schmerztherapie von Frauen nach Kaiserschnitt unter Spinalanästhesie zu untersuchen. Methoden: 99 Frauen (Alter 32 ± 5 Jahre), die eine Sectio Cesarea in Spinalanästhesie am Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (Homburg, Deutschland) bekommen haben, wurden nach schriftlicher und mündlicher Aufklärung und Einwilligung für unsere Studie rekrutiert. Die Patientinnen wurden in zwei Gruppen randomisiert und wurden täglich für drei Tage entweder mit einem aktiven oder einem Placebo Laser behandelt. Jede Anwen­dung umfasste die Stimulation von Di-4 sowie Shen-men an beiden Händen und Ohren. Als primärer Outcome wurde die Schmerzintensität in Ruhe am ersten postoperativen Tag definiert. Diese wurde mittels der Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ermittelt. Als sekundäre Outcomeparameter wurden der Analgetikaverbrauch, die Mobilisation und die Krankenhausverweildauer analysiert. Die Behandlungen erfolgten am Tag der OP und an den ersten zwei postoperativen Tagen. Die Daten wurden mittels Fragebögen erhoben. Ergebnisse: 95 Patientinnen wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen, davon wurden 80 sta­tistisch analysiert. Es zeigte sich kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den beiden Gruppen in der Schmerzintensität in Ruhe am ersten postoperativer Tag nach dem Kaiserschnitt (Mann-Whitney U-Test, p = 0,850, Verum-Gruppe [Mittelwert ± Standardabweichung]: 3,3 ± 2,1 vs. Placebo-Gruppe: 3,2 ± 1,9). Auch die sekundären Outcomeparameter zeigten keinen signifikanten Unterschied. Fazit: Unsere Studie zeigte keinen signifikanten Effekt von aktiver Laserakupunktur für die Schmerztherapie von Patientinnen nach Kaiserschnitt.

Sauerstoff (O2) ist ein Arzneimittel mit spezifischen Eigenschaften, einem definierten Dosis-Wirkungs-Bereich und O2 hat unerwunschte Wirkungen. Im Jahr 2015 wurden 14 % einer Stichprobe von britischen Krankenhauspatienten mit Sauerstoff behandelt, davon hatten nur 42 % eine Verordnung. Gesundheitspersonal ist haufig unsicher uber die Relevanz einer Hypoxamie und es besteht ein eingeschranktes Bewusstsein fur die Risiken einer Hyperoxamie. In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien zur Sauerstofftherapie veroffentlicht. Im Rahmen des Leitlinienprogramms der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V. (AWMF) wurde unter Beteiligung von 10 Fachgesellschaften diese S3-Leitlinie auf Basis einer Literaturrecherche bis zum 01.02.2021 entwickelt. Zur Literaturbewertung wurde das System des Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM; „The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence“) verwendet. Die Bewertung der Evidenzqualitat erfolgte anhand des Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) und die Leitlinienempfehlungen wurden formal konsentiert. Die Leitlinie enthalt 34 evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zu Indikation, Verordnung, Uberwachung und Abbruch der Sauerstofftherapie in der Akutversorgung. Die Indikation fur Sauerstoff ist hauptsachlich die Hypoxamie. Hypoxamie und Hyperoxamie sollten aufgrund der Assoziation mit einer erhohten Sterblichkeit vermieden werden. Die Leitlinie empfiehlt Zielbereiche der Sauerstoffsattigung fur die Sauerstoff-Akuttherapie ohne Differenzierung zwischen verschiedenen Diagnosen. Zielbereiche sind abhangig vom Hyperkapnierisiko und Beatmungsstatus. Die Leitlinie bietet einen Uberblick uber verfugbare Sauerstoffzufuhrsysteme und enthalt Empfehlungen fur deren Auswahl basierend auf Patientensicherheit und -komfort. Dies ist die erste nationale Leitlinie zum Einsatz von Sauerstoff in der Akutmedizin. Sie richtet sich an medizinisches Fachpersonal, das Sauerstoff auserklinisch und stationar anwendet, und ist bis zum 30.06.2024 gultig.

Volatile anesthetics are increasingly used for sedation in intensive care units. The most common administration system is AnaConDa-100 mL (ACD-100; Sedana Medical, Uppsala, Sweden), which reflects volatile anesthetics in open ventilation circuits. AnaConDa-50 mL (ACD-50) is a new device with half the volumetric dead space. Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be retained with both devices. We therefore compared the CO2 elimination and isoflurane reflection efficiency of both devices.A test lung constantly insufflated with CO2 was ventilated with a tidal volume of 500 mL at 10 breaths/min. End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) partial pressure was measured using 3 different devices: a heat-and-moisture exchanger (HME, 35 mL), ACD-100, and ACD-50 under 4 different experimental conditions: ambient temperature pressure (ATP), body temperature pressure saturated (BTPS) conditions, BTPS with 0.4 Vol% isoflurane (ISO-0.4), and BTPS with 1.2 Vol% isoflurane. Fifty breaths were recorded at 3 time points (n = 150) for each device and each condition. To determine device dead space, we adjusted the tidal volume to maintain normocapnia (n = 3), for each device. Thereafter, we determined reflection efficiency by measuring isoflurane concentrations at infusion rates varying from 0.5 to 20 mL/h (n = 3), for each device.EtCO2 was consistently greater with ACD-100 than with ACD-50 and HME (ISO-0.4, mean ± standard deviations: ACD-100, 52.4 ± 0.8; ACD-50, 44.4 ± 0.8; HME, 40.1 ± 0.4 mm Hg; differences of means of EtCO2 [respective 95% confidence intervals]: ACD-100 - ACD-50, 8.0 [7.9-8.1] mm Hg, P.001; ACD-100 - HME, 12.3 [12.2-12.4] mm Hg, P.001; ACD-50 - HME, 4.3 [4.2-4.3] mm Hg, P.001). It was greatest under ATP, less under BTPS, and least with ISO-0.4 and BTPS with 1.2 Vol% isoflurane. In addition to the 100 or 50 mL "volumetric dead space" of each AnaConDa, "reflective dead space" was 40 mL with ACD-100 and 25 mL with ACD-50 when using isoflurane. Isoflurane reflection was highest under ATP. Under BTPS with CO2 insufflation and isoflurane concentrations around 0.4 Vol%, reflection efficiency was 93% with ACD-100 and 80% with ACD-50.Isoflurane reflection remained sufficient with the ACD-50 at clinical anesthetic concentrations, while CO2 elimination was improved. The ACD-50 should be practical for tidal volumes as low as 200 mL, allowing lung-protective ventilation even in small patients.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Sauerstoff (O2) ist ein Arzneimittel mit spezifischen biochemischen und physiologischen Eigenschaften, einem definierten Dosis-Wirkungsbereich und mit unerwünschten Wirkungen. Im Jahr 2015 wurden 14 % von über 55 000 Krankenhauspatienten in Großbritannien mit O2 behandelt. Nur 42 % der Patienten hatten dabei eine O2-Verordnung. Gesundheitspersonal ist oft unsicher über die Relevanz einer Hypoxämie, und es besteht ein eingeschränktes Bewusstsein für die Risiken einer Hyperoxämie. In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche randomisierte kontrollierte Studien zu Zielen der Sauerstofftherapie veröffentlicht. Eine nationale Leitlinie ist deswegen dringend erforderlich. Methoden Im Rahmen des Leitlinienprogramms der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften e. V. (AWMF) wurde unter Beteiligung von 10 Fachgesellschaften eine S3-Leitlinie entwickelt und im Juni 2021 veröffentlicht. Bis zum 1. 2. 2021 wurde eine Literaturrecherche durchgeführt, um 10 Schlüsselfragen zu beantworten. Zur Klassifizierung von Studientypen hinsichtlich ihrer Validität wurde das Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) System („The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence“) verwendet. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) wurde verwendet und zur Bewertung der Evidenzqualität und zur Einstufung von Leitlinienempfehlungen wurde ein formaler Konsensbildungsprozess durchgeführt. Ergebnisse Die Leitlinie enthält 34 evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zu Indikation, Verordnung, Überwachung und Abbruch der Sauerstofftherapie in der Akutversorgung. Die Hauptindikation für die O2-Therapie ist Hypoxämie. In der Akutmedizin sollten sowohl Hypoxämie als auch Hyperoxämie vermieden werden. Hyperoxämie scheint mit einer erhöhten Sterblichkeit verbunden zu sein, insbesondere bei Patienten mit Hyperkapnie. Die Leitlinie empfiehlt Zielsauerstoffsättigung für die Akuttherapie mit O2 ohne Differenzierung zwischen Diagnosen. Zielbereiche sind abhängig vom Hyperkapnierisko und Beatmungsstatus. Die Leitlinie bietet einen Überblick über verfügbare Sauerstoffzufuhrsysteme und enthält Empfehlungen für deren Auswahl basierend auf Patientensicherheit und -komfort. Fazit Dies ist die erste nationale Leitlinie zum Einsatz von Sauerstoff in der Akutmedizin. Sie richtet sich an medizinisches Fachpersonal, das Sauerstoff außerklinisch und stationär anwendet. Sie ist bis zum 30. 06. 2024 gültig.

Background and objectivesWhile there are several published recommendations and guidelines for trainees undertaking subspecialty Fellowships in regional anesthesia, a similar document describing a core regional anesthesia curriculum for non-fellowship trainees is less well defined. We aimed to produce an international consensus for the training and teaching of regional anesthesia that is applicable for the majority of worldwide anesthesiologists.MethodsThis anonymous, electronic Delphi study was conducted over two rounds and distributed to current and immediate past (within 5 years) directors of regional anesthesia training worldwide. The steering committee formulated an initial list of items covering nerve block techniques, learning objectives and skills assessment and volume of practice, relevant to a non-fellowship regional anesthesia curriculum. Participants scored these items in order of importance using a 10-point Likert scale, with free-text feedback. Strong consensus items were defined as highest importance (score ≥8) by ≥70% of all participants.Results469 participants/586 invitations (80.0% response) scored in round 1, and 402/469 participants (85.7% response) scored in round 2. Participants represented 66 countries. Strong consensus was reached for 8 core peripheral and neuraxial blocks and 17 items describing learning objectives and skills assessment. Volume of practice for peripheral blocks was uniformly 16–20 blocks per anatomical region, while ≥50 neuraxial blocks were considered minimum.ConclusionsThis international consensus study provides specific information for designing a non-fellowship regional anesthesia curriculum. Implementation of a standardized curriculum has benefits for patient care through improving quality of training and quality of nerve blocks.

Background COVID-19 comprises several severity stages ranging from oligosymptomatic disease to multi-organ failure and fatal outcomes. The mechanisms why COVID-19 is a mild disease in some patients and progresses to a severe multi-organ and often fatal disease with respiratory failure are not known. Biomarkers that predict the course of disease are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large spectrum of established laboratory measurements. Patients and Methods Patients from the prospective PULMPOHOM and CORSAAR studies were recruited and comprised 35 patients with COVID-19, 23 with conventional pneumonia, and 28 control patients undergoing elective non-pulmonary surgery. Venous blood was used to measure the serum concentrations of 79 proteins by Luminex multiplex immunoassay technology. Distribution of biomarkers between groups and association with disease severity and outcomes were analyzed. Results The biomarker profiles between the three groups differed significantly with elevation of specific proteins specific for the respective conditions. Several biomarkers correlated significantly with disease severity and death. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) analysis revealed a significant separation of the three disease groups and separated between survivors and deceased patients. Different models were developed to predict mortality based on the baseline measurements of several protein markers. A score combining IL-1ra, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, SCF and CA-9 was associated with significantly higher mortality (AUC 0.929). Discussion Several newly identified blood markers were significantly increased in patients with severe COVID-19 (AAT, EN-RAGE, myoglobin, SAP, TIMP-1, vWF, decorin) or in patients that died (IL-1ra, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, SCF, CA-9). The use of established assay technologies allows for rapid translation into clinical practice., Graphical Abstract

Low-dose isoflurane stimulates spontaneous breathing. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that isoflurane compared to propofol sedation for at least 48 h is associated with increased respiratory drive in intensive care patients after sedation stop. All patients in our intensive care unit receiving at least 48 h of isoflurane or propofol sedation in 2019 were included. The primary outcome was increased respiratory drive over 72 h after sedation stop, defined as an arterial carbon dioxide pressure below 35 mmHg and a base excess more than −2 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes were acid–base balance and ventilatory parameters. We analyzed 64 patients, 23 patients sedated with isoflurane and 41 patients sedated with propofol. Patients sedated with isoflurane were about three times as likely to show increased respiratory drive after sedation stop than those sedated with propofol: adjusted risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.9 [1.3, 6.5], p = 0.010. After sedation stop, tidal volumes were significantly greater and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressures were significantly lower, while respiratory rates did not differ in isoflurane versus propofol-sedated patients. In conclusion, prolonged isoflurane use in intensive care patients is associated with increased respiratory drive after sedation stop. Beneficial effects of isoflurane sedation on respiratory drive may, thus, extend beyond the actual period of sedation.

Low-dose isoflurane stimulates spontaneous breathing. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that isoflurane compared to propofol sedation for at least 48 h is associated with increased respiratory drive in intensive care patients after sedation stop. All patients in our intensive care unit receiving at least 48 h of isoflurane or propofol sedation in 2019 were included. The primary outcome was increased respiratory drive over 72 h after sedation stop, defined as an arterial carbon dioxide pressure below 35 mmHg and a base excess more than -2 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes were acid-base balance and ventilatory parameters. We analyzed 64 patients, 23 patients sedated with isoflurane and 41 patients sedated with propofol. Patients sedated with isoflurane were about three times as likely to show increased respiratory drive after sedation stop than those sedated with propofol: adjusted risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.9 [1.3, 6.5]

Background Mechanical ventilation injures lungs, but there are currently no reliable methods for detecting early injury. We therefore evaluated whether exhaled pentanal, a lipid peroxidation product, might be a useful breath biomarker for stretch-induced lung injury in rats. Methods A total of 150 male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated in 2 substudies. The first randomly assigned 75 rats to 7 hours of mechanical ventilation at tidal volumes of 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 mL·kg-1. The second included 75 rats. A reference group was ventilated at a tidal volume of 6 mL·kg-1 for 10 hours 4 interventional groups were ventilated at a tidal volume of 6 mL·kg-1 for 1 hour, and then for 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 hours at a tidal volume of 16 mL.kg-1 before returning to a tidal volume of 6 mL·kg-1 for additional 6 hours. Exhaled pentanal was monitored by multicapillary column-ion mobility spectrometry. The first substudy included cytokine and leukocyte measurements in blood and bronchoalveolar fluid, histological assessment of the proportion of alveolar space, and measurements of myeloperoxidase activity in lung tissue. The second substudy included measurements of pentanal in arterial blood plasma, cytokine and leukocyte concentrations in bronchoalveolar fluid, and cleaved caspase 3 in lung tissue. Results Exhaled pentanal concentrations increased by only 0.5 ppb·h-1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.6) when rats were ventilated at 6 mL·kg-1. In contrast, exhaled pentanal concentrations increased substantially and roughly linearly at higher tidal volumes, up to 3.1 ppb·h-1 (95% CI, 2.3-3.8) at tidal volumes of 20 mL·kg-1. Exhaled pentanal increased at average rates between 1.0 ppb·h-1 (95% CI, 0.3-1.7) and 2.5 ppb·h-1 (95% CI, 1.4-3.6) after the onset of 16 mL·kg-1 tidal volumes and decreased rapidly by a median of 2 ppb (interquartile range [IQR], 0.9-3.2), corresponding to a 38% (IQR, 31-43) reduction when tidal volume returned to 6 mL·kg-1. Tidal volume, inspiratory pressure, and mechanical power were positively associated with pentanal exhalation. Exhaled and plasma pentanal were uncorrelated. Alveolar space decreased and inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in animals ventilated at high tidal volumes. Short, intermittent ventilation at high tidal volumes for up to 3 hours increased neither inflammatory markers in bronchoalveolar fluid nor the proportion of cleaved caspase 3 in lung tissue. Conclusions Exhaled pentanal is a potential biomarker for early detection of ventilator-induced lung injury in rats.

Devices used to deliver inhaled sedation increase dead space ventilation. We therefore compared ventilatory effects among isoflurane sedation via the Sedaconda ACD-S (internal volume: 50 mL), isoflurane sedation via the Sedaconda ACD-L (100 mL), and propofol sedation with standard mechanical ventilation with heat and moisture exchangers (HME). This is a substudy of a randomized trial that compared inhaled isoflurane sedation via the ACD-S or ACD-L to intravenous propofol sedation in 301 intensive care patients. Data from the first 24 h after study inclusion were analyzed using linear mixed models. Primary outcome was minute ventilation. Secondary outcomes were tidal volume, respiratory rate, arterial carbon dioxide pressure, and isoflurane consumption. In total, 151 patients were randomized to propofol and 150 to isoflurane sedation; 64 patients received isoflurane via the ACD-S and 86 patients via the ACD-L. While use of the ACD-L was associated with higher minute ventilation (average difference (95% confidence interval): 1.3 (0.7, 1.8) L/min, p < 0.001), higher tidal volumes (44 (16, 72) mL, p = 0.002), higher respiratory rates (1.2 (0.1, 2.2) breaths/min, p = 0.025), and higher arterial carbon dioxide pressures (3.4 (1.2, 5.6) mmHg, p = 0.002), use of the ACD-S did not significantly affect ventilation compared to standard mechanical ventilation and sedation. Isoflurane consumption was slightly less with the ACD-L compared to the ACD-S (−0.7 (−1.3, 0.1) mL/h, p = 0.022). The Sedaconda ACD-S compared to the ACD-L is associated with reduced minute ventilation and does not significantly affect ventilation compared to a standard mechanical ventilation and sedation setting. The smaller ACD-S is therefore the device of choice to minimize impact on ventilation, especially in patients with a limited ability to compensate (e.g., COPD patients). Volatile anesthetic consumption is slightly higher with the ACD-S compared to the ACD-L.

BackgroundThere is heterogeneity in the names and anatomical descriptions of regional anesthetic techniques. This may have adverse consequences on education, research, and implementation into clinical practice. We aimed to produce standardized nomenclature for abdominal wall, paraspinal, and chest wall regional anesthetic techniques.MethodsWe conducted an international consensus study involving experts using a three-round Delphi method to produce a list of names and corresponding descriptions of anatomical targets. After long-list formulation by a Steering Committee, the first and second rounds involved anonymous electronic voting and commenting, with the third round involving a virtual round table discussion aiming to achieve consensus on items that had yet to achieve it. Novel names were presented where required for anatomical clarity and harmonization. Strong consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement and weak consensus as 50% to 74% agreement.ResultsSixty expert Collaborators participated in this study. After three rounds and clarification, harmonization, and introduction of novel nomenclature, strong consensus was achieved for the names of 16 block names and weak consensus for four names. For anatomical descriptions, strong consensus was achieved for 19 blocks and weak consensus was achieved for one approach. Several areas requiring further research were identified.ConclusionsHarmonization and standardization of nomenclature may improve education, research, and ultimately patient care. We present the first international consensus on nomenclature and anatomical descriptions of blocks of the abdominal wall, chest wall, and paraspinal blocks. We recommend using the consensus results in academic and clinical practice.

Background and objectives: documentation is important for quality improvement, education, and research. There is currently a lack of recommendations regarding key aspects of documentation in regional anesthesia. The aim of this study was to establish recommendations for documentation in regional anesthesia. Methods: following the formation of the executive committee and a directed literature review, a long list of potential documentation components was created. A modified Delphi process was then employed to achieve consensus amongst a group of international experts in regional anesthesia. This consisted of 2 rounds of anonymous electronic voting and a final virtual round table discussion with live polling on items not yet excluded or accepted from previous rounds. Progression or exclusion of potential components through the rounds was based on the achievement of strong consensus. Strong consensus was defined as >= 75% agreement and weak consensus as 50%-74% agreement. Results: seventy-seven collaborators participated in both rounds 1 and 2, while 50 collaborators took part in round 3. In total, experts voted on 83 items and achieved a strong consensus on 51 items, weak consensus on 3 and rejected 29. Conclusion: by means of a modified Delphi process, we have established expert consensus on documentation in regional anesthesia., European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy (ESRA); ASRA Pain Medicine

Background: Adequate sedation is important for the treatment of ICU patients. AnaConDa (Anesthetic-Conserving-Device; ACD; Sedana Medical, Sweden), connected between ventilator and the patient, ret...

Fosfomycin is an antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against many multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. It is mainly excreted unchanged by the kidneys, and its half-life therefore depends on kidney function which varies considerably among individuals, and within individuals over time. Proper fosfomycin dosing thus depends on assaying blood concentration of the drug. We developed and validated a simple, sensitive and specific chromatography assay, which was coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for determination of fosfomycin. Separation of fosfomycin was based on the method of the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography; specifically, plasma and dialysate samples were acidified and the protein precipitated with acetonitrile. The calibration curves showed excellent coefficients of determination (R2 > 0.999) over the relevant concentration range of 25–700 μg/mL. Intraday precision was 1.1–1.2% and accuracy was −5.9% to 0.9% for quality control samples. Interday precision was 2.9–3.4% and accuracy was −3.7% to 5.5%. Extraction recovery was ≥87% and matrix effects ranged from 2.2% to 4.3%. After laboratory validation, the method was successfully applied to clinical samples.

ZusammenfassungEine 29-jährige Zeugin Jehovas erlitt nach intrauterinem Fruchttod in der 25. Schwangerschaftswoche ein akutes Nierenversagen und eine schwere Anämie, bedingt durch Blutverlust und Hämolyse, erlitt. Wegen ihrer religiösen Überzeugung lehnte die Patientin Bluttransfusionen kategorisch ab. Trotz Umsetzung aller Empfehlungen des Patient Blood Management fiel der Hämoglobin(Hb)-Wert kontinuierlich. Am Tag 10 wurde sie bei Hb 1,9 g/dl plötzlich bewusstlos und musste intubiert und beatmet werden. Wegen organprotektiver Effekte und der guten Steuerbarkeit wurde sie inhalativ mit Isofluran sediert. Isofluran ermöglichte jeweils eine rasche neurologische Beurteilbarkeit in Sedierungsfenstern sowie eine regelmäßige, ruhige Spontanatmung bei tiefer Sedierung mit reduziertem Sauerstoffverbrauch. Als Ausdruck einer posthypoxischen Enzephalopathie zeigte sie in den Sedierungsfenstern Krampfanfälle, die im EEG bestätigt und antikonvulsiv behandelt wurden. Bei Hb 1,8 g/dl erhielt sie 2 Infusionsbeutel mit polymerisiertem bovinem Hämoglobin (Hemopure®, Fa. Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC, Souderton, PA, USA), wegen der kurzen Halbwertszeit mehrmals wiederholt an den Folgetagen. Eine beachtliche Methämoglobinämie wurde festgestellt. Auch nach Abzug des Met-Hb zeigten sich Hb-Anstiege um 0,4–0,8 g/dl nach den Gaben. Die Sauerstoffbindungskapazität des Blutes konnte damit initial um 33 % gesteigert werden. Es kam zu einer vollständigen neurologischen Erholung, und die Patientin wurde schließlich vom Respirator entwöhnt, jedoch weiterhin dialysepflichtig nach 38 Tagen in eine andere Klink verlegt.Wenn die Gabe von Fremdblut keine Option darstellt, kann durch Gabe von polymerisiertem bovinem Hämoglobin als Ultima-Ratio-Therapie die Sauerstofftransportkapazität vorübergehend erhöht werden. Eine inhalative Sedierung mit Isofluran zur Senkung des Sauerstoffverbrauchs erscheint gleichermaßen vorteilhaft.

BACKGROUND Contemporary anesthetic circle systems, when used at low fresh gas flows (FGF) to allow rebreathing of anesthetic, lack the ability for rapid dose titration. The small-scale anesthetic reflection device Anaesthetic Conserving Device (50mL Version; AnaConDa-S) permits administration of volatile anesthetics with high-flow ventilators. We compared washin, washout, and sevoflurane consumption using AnaConDa-S versus a circle system with low and minimal FGF. METHODS Forty patients undergoing breast surgery were randomized to receive 0.5 minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane with AnaConDa-S (21 patients, reflection group) or with a circle system (low flow: FGF = 0.2 minute ventilation [V'E], 9 patients; or minimal flow: 0.1 V'E, 10 patients). In the reflection group, syringe pump boluses were given for priming and washin; to simulate an open system, the FGF of the anesthesia ventilator was set to 18 L·min-1 with the soda lime removed. In the other groups, the FGF was increased for washin (1 V'E for 8 minutes) and washout (3 V'E). For all patients, tidal volume was 7 mL·kg-1 and the respiratory rate adjusted to ensure normoventilation. Analgesia was attained with remifentanil 0.3 µg·kg-1·min-1. Sevoflurane consumption was compared between the reflection group and the low- and minimal-flow groups, respectively, using a post hoc test (Fisher Least Significant Difference). To compare washin and washout (half-life), the low- and minimal-flow groups were combined. RESULTS Sevoflurane consumption was reduced in the reflection group (9.4 ± 2.0 vs 15.0 ± 3.5 [low flow, P < .001] vs 11.6 ± 2.3 mL·MAC h-1 [minimal flow, P = .02]); washin (33 ± 15 vs 49 ± 12 seconds, P = .001) and washout (28 ± 15 vs 55 ± 19 seconds, P < .001) times were also significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS In this clinical setting with short procedures, low anesthetic requirements, and low tidal volumes, AnaConDa-S decreased anesthetic consumption, washin, and washout times compared to a circle system.

ZusammenfassungDie wahre Inzidenz von Infektionskomplikationen im Zusammenhang mit Regionalanästhesie und -analgesie ist unbekannt, aber wie bei allen invasiven Verfahren besteht die Gefahr schwerer Folgeschäden. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zu Hygienemaßnahmen basierend auf der S1-Leitlinie „Hygieneempfehlungen für die Regionalanästhesie“, aktuellen Empfehlungen des Robert Koch-Instituts und aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen. Grundlegende hygienische Standards (Ablegen von Schmuck, gründliche Händedesinfektion, saubere Umgebung) sind anzuwenden. Ein Mund-Nasen-Schutz, eine Kopfhaube und sterile Handschuhe sind ein essenzieller Bestandteil jeder Regionalanästhesie. Für Katheterverfahren soll zusätzlich ein steriler langärmliger Kittel getragen werden, außerdem ist ein steriler Überzug für die Ultraschallsonde zu verwenden (beim Legen eines Katheters auch eine sterile Ummantelung des Zuleitungskabels). Hautdesinfektionsmittel sollten alkoholbasiert sein und eine Substanz mit Remanenzwirkung enthalten (z. B. Chlorhexidin oder Octenidin). Bei thorakalen Epiduralanästhesien eignet sich das Tunneln zur Infektionsprophylaxe. Unter Berücksichtigung von patientenbezogenen Faktoren (Diabetes, Adipositas, Immunsuppression) und je nach Verfahren (geplante Katheternutzung > 4 Tage, Einstichstelle des Katheters) kann eine Antibiotika-Prophylaxe in Erwägung gezogen werden.

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, departments of anesthesiology worldwide have encountered new and unique challenges. In this short communication, we present and assess our recommendations for orotracheal intubation, a frequent high-risk procedure. We will point out that interdisciplinary cooperation with “non-patient care” departments like the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene tremendously helped us in creating this and other new, clear standards for anesthesiological procedures. Moreover, to reliably implement our newly created measures, we distributed incisive posters and organized comprehensive training sessions. Eventually, we summarize and analyze the occurring problems of our suggestions for intubation during their realization.

BACKGROUND Volatile anesthetics potentially trigger malignant hyperthermia crises in susceptible patients. We therefore aimed to identify preparation procedures for the Draeger Primus that minimize residual concentrations of desflurane and sevoflurane with and without activated charcoal filtration. METHODS A Draeger Primus test workstation was primed with 7% desflurane or 2.5% sevoflurane for 2 hours. Residual anesthetic concentrations were evaluated with five preparation procedures, three fresh gas flow rates, and three distinct applications of activated charcoal filters. Finally, non-exchangeable and autoclaved parts of the workstation were tested for residual emission of volatile anesthetics. Concentrations were measured by multicapillary column-ion mobility spectrometry with limits of detection/quantification being

Background Propofol can be measured in exhaled gas. Exhaled and plasma propofol concentrations correlate well, but the relationship with tissue concentrations remains unknown. We thus evaluated the relationship between exhaled, plasma, and various tissue propofol concentrations. Because the drug acts in the brain, we focused on the relationship between exhaled and brain tissue propofol concentrations. Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with propofol, ketamine, and rocuronium for 6 hours. Animals were randomly assigned to propofol infusions at 20, 40, or 60 mg·kg·h (n = 12 per group). Exhaled propofol concentrations were measured at 15-minute intervals by multicapillary column-ion mobility spectrometry. Arterial blood samples, 110 µL each, were collected 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the propofol infusion started. Propofol concentrations were measured in brain, lung, liver, kidney, muscle, and fat tissue after 6 hours. The last exhaled and plasma concentrations were used for linear regression analyses with tissue concentrations. Results The correlation of exhaled versus plasma concentrations (R = 0.71) was comparable to the correlation of exhaled versus brain tissue concentrations (R = 0.75) at the end of the study. In contrast, correlations between plasma and lung and between lung and exhaled propofol concentrations were poor. Less than a part-per-thousand of propofol was exhaled over 6 hours. Conclusions Exhaled propofol concentrations correlate reasonably well with brain tissue and plasma concentrations in rats, and may thus be useful to estimate anesthetic drug effect. The equilibration between plasma propofol and exhaled gas is apparently independent of lung tissue concentration. Only a tiny fraction of administered propofol is eliminated via the lungs, and exhaled quantities thus have negligible influence on plasma concentrations.

Die fruhzeitige optimale Versorgung postoperativer Schmerzen anhand eines multimodalen Behandlungskonzepts ist wichtig, unter anderem um eine spatere Chronifizierung zu vermeiden. Es soll untersucht werden, ob progressive Muskelrelaxation einen Einfluss auf das Schmerzempfinden und den Schmerzmittelbedarf nach orthopadischen Eingriffen hat. In einer nichtrandomisierten Pilotstudie wurden 104 Patienten der Klinik fur Orthopadie des Universitatsklinikums des Saarlandes untersucht. Die Patienten unterzogen sich einer Huft-TEP, Knie-TEP (Totalendoprothese) oder einer Wirbelsaulenoperation (Laminektomie). Sie konnten wahlen, ob sie die progressive Muskelrelaxation zusatzlich nutzen wollten oder nicht. Am ersten, vierten und neunten postoperativen Tag fullten alle Patienten einen Fragebogen aus. Maximale und minimale Schmerzintensitat, Dauer starker Schmerzen, Liegedauer und Verbrauch von Schmerzmedikation wurden erhoben und anhand von t‑Tests fur beide Gruppen (mit und ohne progressive Muskelrelaxation) verglichen. Es zeigt sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den beiden Gruppen bezuglich Schmerzempfinden und Dosierung der Schmerzmedikation. Tendenziell ist die Liegedauer der Patienten mit progressiver Muskelrelaxation etwas kurzer. Die positive Wirksamkeit von progressiver Muskelrelaxation auf die Schmerzintensitat, den Schmerzmittelverbrauch und die Liegedauer von Patienten mit postoperativen Schmerzen kann in dieser Studie nicht bestatigt werden. Um eine Schlussfolgerung fur die Effektivitat der Anwendung in der Praxis abzuleiten, bedarf es weiterer Forschung.

Spontaneous breathing is desirable in most ventilated patients. We therefore studied the influence of isoflurane versus propofol sedation on early spontaneous breathing in ventilated surgical intensive care patients and evaluated potential mediation by opioids and arterial carbon dioxide during the first 20 h of study sedation.We included a single-center subgroup of 66 patients, who participated in a large multi-center trial assessing efficacy and safety of isoflurane sedation, with 33 patients each randomized to isoflurane or propofol sedation. Both sedatives were titrated to a sedation depth of -4 to -1 on the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale. The primary outcome was the fraction of time during which patients breathed spontaneously.Baseline characteristics of isoflurane and propofol-sedated patients were well balanced. There were no substantive differences in management or treatment aside from sedation, and isoflurane and propofol provided nearly identical sedation depths. The mean fraction of time spent spontaneously breathing was 82% [95% CI: 69, 90] in patients sedated with isoflurane compared to 35% [95% CI: 22, 51] in those assigned to propofol: median difference: 61% [95% CI: 14, 89], p .001. After adjustments for sufentanil dose and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure, patients sedated with isoflurane were twice as likely to breathe spontaneously than those sedated with propofol: adjusted risk ratio: 2.2 [95%CI: 1.4, 3.3], p .001.Isoflurane compared to propofol sedation promotes early spontaneous breathing in deeply sedated ventilated intensive care patients. The benefit appears to be a direct effect isoflurane rather than being mediated by opioids or arterial carbon dioxide.