Search

Background: There is insufficient evidence to guide ventilatory targets in acute brain injury (ABI). Recent studies have shown associations between mechanical power (MP) and mortality in critical care populations. We aimed to describe MP in ventilated patients with ABI, and evaluate associations between MP and clinical outcomes. Methods: In this preplanned, secondary analysis of a prospective, multi-center, observational cohort study (ENIO, NCT03400904), we included adult patients with ABI (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 12 before intubation) who required mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥ 24h. Using multivariable log binomial regressions, we separately assessed associations between MP on hospital day (HD)1, HD3, HD7 and clinical outcomes: hospital mortality, need for reintubation, tracheostomy placement, and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Results: We included 1217 patients (mean age 51.2years [SD 18.1], 66% male, mean body mass index [BMI] 26.3 [SD 5.18]) hospitalized at 62 intensive care units in 18 countries. Hospital mortality was 11% (n = 139), 44% (n = 536) were extubated by HD7 of which 20% (107/536) required reintubation, 28% (n = 340) underwent tracheostomy placement, and 9% (n = 114) developed ARDS. The median MP on HD1, HD3, and HD7 was 11.9J/min [IQR 9.2-15.1], 13J/min [IQR 10-17], and 14J/min [IQR 11-20], respectively. MP was overall higher in patients with ARDS, especially those with higher ARDS severity. After controlling for same-day pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio), BMI, and neurological severity, MP at HD1, HD3, and HD7 was independently associated with hospital mortality, reintubation and tracheostomy placement. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) was greater at higher MP, and strongest for: mortality on HD1 (compared to the HD1 median MP 11.9J/min, aRR at 17J/min was 1.22, 95% CI 1.14-1.30) and HD3 (1.38, 95% CI 1.23-1.53), reintubation on HD1 (1.64; 95% CI 1.57-1.72), and tracheostomy on HD7 (1.53; 95%CI 1.18-1.99). MP was associated with the development of moderate-severe ARDS on HD1 (2.07; 95% CI 1.56-2.78) and HD3 (1.76; 95% CI 1.41-2.22). Conclusions: Exposure to high MP during the first week of MV is associated with poor clinical outcomes in ABI, independent of P/F ratio and neurological severity. Potential benefits of optimizing ventilator settings to limit MP warrant further investigation.

Background: Diabetes is among the most prevalent diseases worldwide, of all the affected individuals a significant proportion of the population remains undiagnosed because of a lack of specific symptoms early in this disorder and inadequate diagnostics. Diabetes and its associated sequela, i.e., comorbidity are associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications. As diabetes is characterized by an altered metabolism of key metabolites and regulatory pathways. Metabolic phenotyping can provide us with a better understanding of the unique set of regulatory perturbations that predispose to diabetes and its associated comorbidities. Methodology: The present study utilizes the analytical platform NMR spectroscopy coupled with Random Forest statistical analysis to identify the discriminatory metabolites of diabetes (DB) and diabetes-related comorbidity (DC) along with the healthy control (HC) subjects. A combined and pairwise analysis was performed, between the serum samples of HC (n=50), and DB (n=38), and DC (n=35) individuals to identify the discriminatory metabolites responsible for class separation. The perturbed metabolites were further rigorously validated using t-test, AUROC analysis to examine the statistical significance of the identified metabolites. Results: The DB and DC patients were well discriminated from HC. However, 15 metabolites were found to be significantly perturbed in DC patients compared to DB, the identified panel of metabolites are TCA cycle (succinate, citrate), methylamine metabolism (trimethylamine, methylamine, betaine), -intermediates; energy metabolites (glucose, lactate, pyruvate); and amino acids (valine, arginine, glutamate, methionine, proline and threonine). The metabolites were further used to identify the perturbed metabolic pathway and correlation of metabolites in DC patients. Conclusion: The 1H NMR metabolomics may prove a promising technique to differentiate and predict diabetes and its comorbidities on their onset or progression by determining the altered levels of the metabolites in serum.

Background: An evaluation of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine without adjuvant and with adjuvant magnesium for lower abdominal surgeries.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study conducted among the patients aged 18 to 60 years planned for lower abdomen surgeries under spinal anaesthesia and ASA grade I or II. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups (30 in each): ropivacaine Group (R group): spinal anesthesia with 3ml of 0.6% hyperbaric ropivacaine (18mg )+ 0.5ml NS. hyperbaric ropivacaine + Magnesium Group (R+M group ): spinal anesthesia with 3ml of 0.6% hyperbaric ropivacaine (18mg) + 0.5ml magnesium sulphate (50 mg). All the patients scheduled for operation were given oral tablets ranitidine 150 mg and Alprazolam 0.25mg in the night before surgery.Results: There was no significant difference in the basic characteristics between the groups. The mean HR, MAP and SpO2 in both the groups decreased over the periods as compared to baseline. However, the trend of HR over the periods remains similar in both R and R+M groups. The bromage levels were significantly (p=0.0001) higher among the patients of Group R compared with R+M. The 2 segment sensory regression (min), Sensory regression S2 (hr), motor recovery (hrs) and long term mobilization after spinal anesthesia were significantly (p=0.0001) lower among the patients of Group R compared with R+M. The complications were lower in Group R+M than R.Conclusions: Magnesium may be more suitable drug in surgeries in which muscle relaxation has greater value in lower abdominal surgeries.

Background: The low-dose ropivacaine provides differential spinal block to reduce adverse hemodynamic effects in elderly patients. Addition of intrathecal fentanyl with ropivacaine may enhance analgesia and early postoperative mobility. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal ropivacaine alone and in combination with fentanyl in transurethral resection operation. Methods: Sixty male patients aged >50 years of ASA I-III scheduled for elective transurethral resection were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study and they were divided in two groups of 30 each. Group A (n = 30) received intrathecal injection of ropivacaine 2 ml (0.75%) and Group B (n = 30) ropivacaine 1.8 ml (0.75%) with fentanyl 10 μg. The characteristics of onset and regression of sensory and motor blockade, hemodynamic stability, and side effects were observed. Student's t test (for parametric data) and Mann-Whitney U test (for non-parametric data) were used for statistical analyses. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups for patient demographic data, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, side effects, and satisfaction to patients and surgeon. The highest level of sensory block was at T10 in group A and T9 in group B (P = 0.001). Duration of motor block was longer in group B being 210.51 ± 61.25 min than in group A being 286.25 ± 55.65 min (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The addition of fentanyl to ropivacaine may offer the advantage of shorter duration of complete motor block, hemodynamic stability, and without any increase in the frequency of major side effects.

Objective: To compare the effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine with placebo for post-operative pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material and Methods: All patients were pre-medicated with glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg, ondansetron 4 mg and ranitidine 150 mg intravenously half an hour prior to induction of anesthesia. All patients were given standard general anaesthesia with propofol (2-2.5 mg/kg), fentanyl 2 μg/kg, and succinylcholine (2 mg/kg) to facilitate tracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with 60% N2O in oxygen with 0.5% to 1% Halothane. Group A: Patients received 20 ml of 0.9% normal saline as placebo (n = 25). Group B: Patients received 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine (n = 25). Results: The age and sex distribution of both the groups was similar. The heart rate, systolic & diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure and mean trend of SpO2 in both groups remained similar over the periods. The mean VAS varied considerably within (between time) and between the groups (treatment) and was especially comparatively higher in Group A at initial hours 15 min to 30 min and at end hours 12-24 hrs as compared with Group B. On an average, the frequent dosing of rescue analgesia and mean No. of rescue analgesia doses were higher in Group A followed by Group B. In both groups, the treatment related adverse events were mostly emetic symptoms and shoulder pain with the highest being in Group A. Conclusion: We conclude that intraperitoneal instillation of local anaesthetic is an easy, cheap, and non-invasive method which provides good analgesia in the immediate postoperative period after laparoscopic surgery.

Objective: To compare the laryngoscopic view and the hemodynamic changes by using flexitip McCoy laryngoscope with Macintosh laryngoscope. Method: Study design-Prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 220 patients were included in the study. Patients were allocated on the basis of their airway anatomy in to two groups, one is predicted easy group and the other one was predicted difficult airway group. Among each group, half of the patient intubation was performed with Macintosh blade and the other half was intubated with the help of McCoy blade. The airway prediction was done on the basis of Mallampati grade, thyromental distance, inter incisor gap, jaw protrusion and weight of the patient. Larygoscopic view and hemodynamic changes were recorded. Results: The change in pulse rate was significantly (p = 0.01) higher among the patients of Group B (85.02 ± 10.13) as compared to Group A (79.20 ± 13.11) after induction in predicted easy patients. Similar observation was found for pulse rate after laryngoscopy among both predicted easy and difficult patients. The diastolic blood pressure was significantly (p = 0.0001) higher in Group B (86.34 ± 9.78) than Group A (77.12 ± 11.66) after induction among predicted easy patients. However, diastolic blood pressure was significantly (p = 0.0004) higher in Group A (82.00 ± 10.98) compared with Group B (75.00 ± 9.06) after induction among predicted difficult patients. The average time taken during laryngoscopy was in-significantly (p > 0.05) higher in Group B (13.90 ± 5.95) compared with Group A (12.42 ± 3.58) among predicted easy patients. However, the time taken was significantly (p = 0.0001) higher in Group A (20.83 ± 2.47) than Group B (12.66 ± 3.0) in predicted difficult patients. A majority of the patients of both the groups were in Grade I (Group A = 61.8%, Group B = 81.8%) followed by Grade II (Group A = 38.2%, Group B = 18.2%) among predicted easy patients. Conclusion: It was concluded that the McCoy blade may be an answer to Macintosh blade in difficult airway cases, but not the substitute of Macintosh blade in every case. The McCoy blade improved laryngeal view in patients with limited neck extension.

Background: Difficult intubation is always a nightmare for an Anaesthetist. This study was planned to study the alternative method of stylet use during difficult oro-tracheal intubation. Outcome measures assessed were ease of intubation, hemodynamic stability and reducing complications. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 60 patients of Mallampati class III patients was formed and patients were divided into two groups. In group 1 patients, conventional through tube method was used for inserting stylet, whereas, in group 2 patients, Murphy's eye was used for inserting malleable flexi tip stylet. Results: Hemodynamic stability in terms of mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate was observed in group 2. Intubating time, number of attempts of successful intubation and post operative pharyngo-laryngeal complications was also low in group 2 patients. Conclusion: The use of Murphy's eye to pass stylet during difficult airway manoeuvre is a safe alternative over conventional rail-road technique.

Whipple's operation can be carried out either under general anaesthesia or continuous epidural anaesthesia with sedation. We report three cases that were managed successfully and we found that the combination of lumbar epidural analgesia with sedation is safer and beneficial as compared to those who undergo Whipple's operation under general anaesthesia. For the last three decades epidural analgesia has been the part of anaesthesia practice. Epidural analgesia can be a useful method of pain management various situations. It facilitates early mobilization and also avoids perioperative pulmonary complications especially after major thoracic or upper abdominal surgeries. The combination of continuous epidural analgesia with sedation has many advantages in prolonged major upper abdominal surgeries. Keywords- Whipple's operation, general anaesthesia, continuous epidural anaesthesia, sedation, upper abdominal surgery. I. Case Report We present 3 cases where regional anaesthesia technique combined with sedation for whipple's operation was employed successfully. Three patients with obstructive jaundice secondary to periampullary carcinoma posted for whipple's surgery. The diagnosis was confirmed by blood biochemistry, CT scan, ERCP and biopsy. General physical and systemic examination and vital parameters was essentially the same in all the patients. On pre-anaesthetic examination, an informed consent was taken and patients were thoroughly explained about the procedure and technique of lumbar epidural anaesthesia. After taking the patients in operation theater, patient were monitored for HR, BP, ECG, SpO2 and temperature. Intra Venous access was secured with 18 G cannula on the dorsum of hand and preloading was done with ringer's lactate solution 10-15ml kg-1. under full aseptic precaution an epidural catheter was inserted in the epidural space at L1-L2 level. The tip of catheter was advanced to T4. A test dose of 3 ml of 2% xylocaine with adrenaline 5 µg ml-1 was given after insuring correct placement the bolus dose of local anaesthetics (10ml of 2% lignocaine and 10ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 50 micro g of fentanyl) was given followed by bolus dose of 6ml 0.5% bupivacaine hourly. Central venous cannulation was done and CVP maintained between 8-10 cm of normal saline. Opioids were not used. Urine output monitoring was done and maintained between 1.5-2 ml kg-1 hr-1. Blood loss was adequately replaced by PRBCs, FFP's and other IV fluids. Average blood loss in all 3 cases was 2-3 liters. The duration of surgery was approximately 8 hours. Propofol infusion 10ml hr-1 was used in all cases for sedation along with midazolam @ 2 ml/hour. Vital signs were monitered and maintained through out intraoperative period. All patients were fully conscious, oriented and with stable vitals. Postoperative x-ray Chest was normal in all cases. Postoperative pain relief was given with lumber epidural infusion. Bowel sounds were audible on 3rd postoperative day. Biochemistry, haematological and Blood Gas parameters was within normal limits. Patients remained comfortable, without pain and were discharged on 3-4th postoperative day from the ICU. epidural catheter was removed before discharge. All the 3 patients were ambulatory and with no complaint of pain.

Tracheal stenosis or tracheal injury is a distressing condition. The silicone tracheal T-tube presents a substitute for stent of this complicated disease. We have come across a case of tracheal perforation in which tracheoplasty was planned. After traceoplasty silicone tracheal T-tube was placed as a stent. We were not able to connect silicone tracheal T-tube with Bain circuit with ET TUBE No. 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7 connector and it was difficult to ventilate the patient now. We have tried other ET TUBE connector and finally we succeeded to connect ET TUBE No. 5.5 connector with Bain circuit and we were able to ventilate the patient.

Background: Hyperbaric ropivacaine produce more reliable sensory and motor block, with faster onset, better quality of muscles relaxation than isobaric ropivacaine. So, this study was designed to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric ropivacaine with isobaric ropivacaine in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled double blind study in two groups of patients. group A (n=35) received 3 ml of isobaric ropivacaine 6 mg/ml (18 mg). Group B (n=35) received 3 ml of hyperbaric ropivacaine 6 mg/ml (18 mg). The onset and duration of sensory block at dermatome level T10, maximum upper and lower spread of sensory block, intensity, and duration of motor block were recorded. Statistical Analysis: Block characteristics were compared using the two-tailed Mann - Whitney U-test. The proportion of side effects was compared using the Chi-square test. Results: The median time of onset of sensory block at the T10 dermatome was 4.4±1.3 min in group B and 6.0±1.03 min in group A. The median time to maximum block height was 16.7±3.7 min in group A and 12.03±1.96 min in group B. The median duration of complete motor recovery (B0) was significantly shorter in the heavy ropivacaine group (166.5±11.7 min) compared with the isobaric ropivacaine group (192.9±9.6 min). Conclusions: Intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine provides more rapid, adequate, and good quality of sensory and motor block with rapid post-operative recovery as compare to isobaric ropivacaine.