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The effect of psychopathology on swallowing ability tends to be an overlooked issue in the assessment of dysphagic patients, possibly overshadowed by the given prominence to organic pathologies and the difficulties on the management of these patients. In addition, it should also be kept in mind that a great number of psychotropic drugs can affect swallowing adding problematic clinical issues in this area. Despite this, assessment of dysphagia should be considered as an extremely important issue, due to its impact on basic symptomatology, course of illness and quality of life. This review aims to be an overview of relevant data on psychopathology associated with dysphagia and impairment of swallowing function. An extensive bibliographic search was carried out in different medical databases (PubMed and Psycharticles) to comprehensively identify the most relevant publications available on dysphagia in eating disorders published until December 2020, according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis) method. Research articles, either theoretical or empirical-based, published in peer-reviewed journals and in English language, were included. Case reports were also considered in the analysis when it was appropriate for completeness purposes. Titles and abstracts were reviewed according to the eligibility criteria. In total, 260 published studies were identified and 40 were finally selected after removal of duplicates and relevance. Primarily we investigated the correlation between dysphagia and eating disorders, analysing the complex relationship between the two conditions. Then we provided an overview of the assessment of dysphagic symptoms in other psychiatric syndromes. No exclusion criteria or statistical methods were applied nor was an assessment of study-level or outcome-level bias applicable for our purpose. The topic is vast and research bias could not be excluded; moreover, data available are heterogeneous and lacking systematic approach. With this review, the authors want to provide an overview of the most considerable and clinically useful information about the topic, focusing on some key points to disentangle psychiatric components from the complexity of patient with dysphagia. It should be a relevant concern for all clinicians and should be always thoroughly assessed, considered its frequency in clinical practice and its implications in every kind of patients’ morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Special attention should be paid to mentally ill patients, who might display complex and multiple comorbidities, as well as consequences of abnormal eating behaviours, occasionally exacerbated by psychotropic medications. More systematic studies are needed, while it seems clear that a multidisciplinary approach is pivotal in the assessment and management of dysphagic patients. Level I (evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews and meta-analyses; experimental studies).

Lung ultrasound (LU) has a multitude of features and capacities that make it a useful medical tool to assist physicians contending with the pandemic spread of novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) caused by coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thus, an LU approach to patients with suspected COVID-19 is being implemented worldwide. In noncritical COVID-19 patients, 2 new LU signs have been described and proposed, the “waterfall” and the “light beam” signs. Both signs have been hypothesized to increase the diagnostic accuracy of LU for COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia. In critically ill patients, a distinct pattern of LU changes seems to follow the disease's progression, and this information can be used to guide decisions about when a patient needs to be ventilated, as occurs in other disease states similar to COVID-19. Furthermore, a new algorithm has been published, which enables the automatic detection of B-lines as well as quantification of the percentage of the pleural line associated with lung disease. In COVID-19 patients, a direct involvement of cardiac function has been demonstrated, and ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction might be present due to the prolonged mechanical ventilation often involved, as reported for similar diseases. For this reason, cardiac and diaphragm ultrasound evaluation are highly important. Last but not least, due to the thrombotic tendency of COVID-19 patients, particular attention also should be paid to vascular ultrasound. This review is primarily devoted to the study of LU in COVID-19 patients. The authors explain the significance of its “light and shadows,” bearing in mind the context in which LU is being used—the emergency department and the intensive care setting. The use of cardiac, vascular, and diaphragm ultrasound is also discussed, as a comprehensive approach to patient care.

Objectives To assess the hypothesis that an adjunctive therapy with methylprednisolone and unfractionated heparin (UFH) or with methylprednisolone and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are more effective in reducing any-cause mortality in critically-ill ventilated patients with pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to LMWH alone. Trial design The study is designed as a multi-centre, interventional, parallel group, superiority, randomized, investigator sponsored, three arms study. Patients, who satisfy all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria, will be randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups in a ratio 1:1:1. Participants Inpatients will be recruited from 8 Italian Academic and non-Academic Intensive Care Units Inclusion Criteria (all required) 1. Positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic (on pharyngeal swab of deep airways material) 2. Positive pressure ventilation (either non-invasive or invasive) from > 24 hours 3. Invasive mechanical ventilation from < 96 hours 4. PaO2/FiO2 ratio lower than 150 mmHg 5. D-dimer level > 6 times the upper limit of normal reference range 6. C-reactive Protein > 6-fold upper the limit of normal reference range Exclusion Criteria 1. Age < 18 years 2. On-going treatment with anticoagulant drugs 3. Platelet count < 100.000/mm3 4. History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia 5. Allergy to sodium enoxaparin or other LMWH, UFH or methylprednisolone 6. Active bleeding or on-going clinical condition deemed at high risk of bleeding contraindicating anticoagulant treatment 7. Recent (in the last 1 month prior to randomization) brain, spinal or ophthalmic surgery 8. Chronic assumption or oral corticosteroids 9. Pregnancy or breastfeeding or positive pregnancy test. In childbearing age women, before inclusion, a pregnancy test will be performed if not available 10. Clinical decision to withhold life-sustaining treatment or “too sick to benefit” 11. Presence of other severe diseases impairing life expectancy (e.g. patients are not expected to survive 28 days given their pre-existing medical condition) 12. Lack or withdrawal of informed consent Intervention and comparator • LMWH group: patients in this group will be administered enoxaparin at standard prophylactic dosage. • LMWH + steroid group: patients in this group will receive enoxaparin at standard prophylactic dosage and methylprednisolone. • UFH + steroid group: patients in this group will receive UFH at therapeutic dosages and methylprednisolone. UFH will be administered intravenously in UFH + steroid group at therapeutic doses. The infusion will be started at an infusion rate of 18 UI/kg/hour and then modified to obtain aPTT Ratio in between the range of 1.5-2.0. aPTT will be periodically checked at intervals no longer than 12 hours. The treatment with UFH will be administered up to ICU discharge. After ICU discharge anticoagulant therapy may be interrupted or switched to prophylaxis with LMWH in the destination ward up to clinical judgement of the attending physician. Enoxaparin will be administered in both LMWH group and LMWH + steroid group at standard prophylactic dose (i.e., 4000 UI once day, increased to 6000 UI once day for patients weighting more than 90 kg). The treatment will be administered subcutaneously once a day up to ICU discharge. After ICU discharge it may be continued or interrupted in the destination ward up to clinical judgement of the attending physician. Methylprednisolone will be administered in both LMWH + steroid group and UHF + steroid group intravenously with an initial bolus of 0,5 mg/kg followed by administration of 0,5 mg/kg 4 times daily for 7 days, 0,5 mg/kg 3 times daily from day 8 to day 10, 0,5 mg/kg 2 times daily at days 11 and 12 and 0,5 mg/kg once daily at days 13 and 14. Main Outcomes Primary Efficacy Endpoint: All-cause mortality at day 28 Secondary Efficacy Endpoints: - Ventilation free days (VFDs) at day 28, defined as the total number of days that patient is alive and free of ventilation (either invasive or non-invasive) between randomization and day 28 (censored at hospital discharge). - Need of rescue administration of high-dose steroids or immune-modulatory drugs; - Occurrence of switch from non-invasive to invasive mechanical ventilation during ICU stay; - Delay from start of non-invasive ventilation to switch to invasive ventilation; - All-cause mortality at ICU discharge and hospital discharge; - ICU free days (IFDs) at day 28, defined as the total number of days between ICU discharge and day 28. - Occurrence of new infections from randomization to day 28; including infections by Candida, Aspergillus, Adenovirus, Herpes Virus e Cytomegalovirus - Occurrence of new organ dysfunction and grade of dysfunction during ICU stay. - Objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism, stroke or myocardial infarction; Safety endpoints: - Occurrence of major bleeding, defined as transfusion of 2 or more units of packed red blood cells in a day, bleeding that occurs in at least one of the following critical sites [intracranial, intra-spinal, intraocular (within the corpus of the eye; thus, a conjunctival bleed is not an intraocular bleed), pericardial, intra-articular, intramuscular with compartment syndrome, or retroperitoneal], bleeding that necessitates surgical intervention and bleeding that is fatal (defined as a bleeding event that was the primary cause of death or contributed directly to death); - Occurrence of clinically relevant non-major bleeding, defined ad acute clinically overt bleeding that does not meet the criteria for major and consists of any bleeding compromising hemodynamic; spontaneous hematoma larger than 25 cm2, intramuscular hematoma documented by ultrasonography, haematuria that was macroscopic and was spontaneous or lasted for more than 24 hours after invasive procedures; haemoptysis, hematemesis or spontaneous rectal bleeding requiring endoscopy or other medical intervention or any other bleeding requiring temporary cessation of a study drug. Randomization A block randomisation will be used with variable block sizes (block size 4-6-8), stratified by 3 factors: Centre, BMI ( Blinding (masking) Participants to the study will be blinded to group assignment. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) The target sample size is based on the hypothesis that the combined use of UHF and steroid versus the LMWH group will significantly reduce the risk of death at day 28. The overall sample size in this study is expected to be 210 with a randomization 1:1:1 and seventy patients in each group. Assuming an alpha of 2.5% (two tailed) and mortality rate in LMWH group of 50%, as indicated from initial studies of ICU patients, the study will have an 80% power to detect at least a 25 % absolute reduction in the risk of death between: a) LMHW + steroid group and LMWH group or b) UHF + steroid group and LMWH group. The study has not been sized to assess the difference between LMHW + steroid group and UHF + steroid group, therefore the results obtained from this comparison will need to be interpreted with caution and will need further adequately sized studies confirm the effect. On the basis of a conservative estimation, that 8 participating sites admit an average of 3 eligible patients per month per centre (24 patients/month). Assuming that 80 % of eligible patients are enrolled, recruitment of 210 participants will be completed in approximately 10 months. Trial Status Protocol version 1.1 of April 26th, 2020. Recruitment start (expected): September 1st, 2020 Recruitment finish (expected): June 30th, 2021 Trial registration EudraCT number 2020-001921-30, registered on April 15th, 2020 AIFA approval on May 4th, 2020 Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Background To produce statements based on the available evidence and an expert consensus (as members of the Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care, SIAARTI) on the use of lung ultrasound for the management of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods A modified Delphi method was applied by a panel of anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians expert in the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 intensive critically ill patients to reach a consensus on ten clinical questions concerning the role of lung ultrasound in the following: COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring (with and without invasive mechanical ventilation), positive end expiratory pressure titration, the use of prone position, the early diagnosis of pneumothorax- or ventilator-associated pneumonia, the process of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation, and the need for radiologic chest imaging. Results A total of 20 statements were produced by the panel. Agreement was reached on 18 out of 20 statements (scoring 7–9; “appropriate”) in the first round of voting, while 2 statements required a second round for agreement to be reached. At the end of the two Delphi rounds, the median score for the 20 statements was 8.5 [IQR 8.9], and the agreement percentage was 100%. Conclusion The Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care produced 20 consensus statements on the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. This expert consensus strongly suggests integrating lung ultrasound findings in the clinical management of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Adjunctive therapy with polyclonal intravenous immunoglobins (IVIg) is currently used for preventing or managing infections and sepsis, especially in immunocompromised patients. The pathobiology of COVID-19 and the mechanisms of action of Ig led to the consideration of this adjunctive therapy, including in patients with respiratory failure due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. This manuscript reports the rationale, the available data and the results of a structured consensus on intravenous Ig therapy in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: A panel of multidisciplinary experts defined the clinical phenotypes of COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure and, after literature review, voted for the agreement on the rationale and the potential role of IVIg therapy for each phenotype. Due to the scarce evidence available, a modified RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used. Results: Three different phenotypes of COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure were identified: patients with an abrupt and dysregulated hyperinflammatory response (early phase), patients with suspected immune paralysis (late phase) and patients with sepsis due to a hospital-acquired superinfection (sepsis by bacterial superinfection). The rationale for intravenous Ig therapy in the early phase was considered uncertain whereas the panelists considered its use in the late phase and patients with sepsis/septic shock by bacterial superinfection appropriate. Conclusion: As with other immunotherapies, IVIg adjunctive therapy may have a potential role in the management of COVID-19 patients. The ongoing trials will clarify the appropriate target population and the true effectiveness.

This was a single-center, observational, prospective study designed to compare the effectiveness of a real-time, ultrasound- with landmark-guided technique for subclavian vein cannulation. Two groups of 74 consecutive patients each underwent subclavian vein catheterization. One group included patients from intensive care unit, studied by using an ultrasound-guided technique. The other group included patients from surgery or emergency units, studied by using a landmark technique. The primary outcome for comparison between techniques was the success rate of catheterization. Secondary outcomes were the number of attempts, cannulation failure, and mechanical complications. Although there was no difference in total success rate between ultrasound-guided and landmark groups (71 vs. 68, p = 0.464), the ultrasound-guided technique was more frequently successful at first attempt (64 vs. 30, p

IntroductionIn patients with septic shock, low levels of circulating immunoglobulins are common and their kinetics appear to be related to clinical outcome. The pivotal role of immunoglobulins in the host immune response to infection suggests that additional therapy with polyclonal intravenous immunoglobulins may be a promising option in patients with septic shock. Immunoglobulin preparations enriched with the IgM component have largely been used in sepsis, mostly at standard dosages (250 mg/kg per day), regardless of clinical severity and without any dose adjustment based on immunoglobulin serum titres or other biomarkers. We hypothesised that a personalised dose of IgM enriched preparation based on patient IgM titres and aimed to achieve a specific threshold of IgM titre is more effective in decreasing mortality than a standard dose.Methods and analysisThe study is designed as a multicentre, interventional, randomised, single-blinded, prospective, investigator sponsored, two-armed study. Patients with septic shock and IgM titres Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the ethics committees of the coordinating centre (Comitato Etico dell’Area Vasta Emilia Nord) and collaborating centres. The results of the trial will be published within 12 months from the end of the study and the steering committee has the right to present them at public symposia and conferences.Trial registration detailsThe trial protocol and information documents have received a favourable opinion from the Area Vasta Emilia Nord Ethical Committee on 12 September 2019. The trial protocol has been registered on EudraCT (2018-001613-33) on 18 April 2018 and on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04182737) on 2 December 2019.

Introduction Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a well-established practice that shows a reduced risk of wound infection compared with surgical tracheostomy, thus facilitating mechanical ventilation, nursing procedures, reduction in sedation and early mobilization.Objective This is an observational case-control study that compares the results of PT in ICU patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prospectively enrolled to a similar group of subjects, retrospectively recruited, without COVID-19.Methods Ninety-eight consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU at Pisa Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana between March 11th and May 20th, 2020 were prospectively studied. Thirty of them underwent PT using different techniques. Another 30 non-COVID-19 ICU patients were used as a control-group. The main outcome was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of PT in COVID-19 patients. We measured the rate of complications.Results Percutaneous tracheostomy was performed with different techniques in 30 of the 98 COVID-19 ICU patients admitted to the ICU. Tracheostomy was performed on day 10 (mean 10 ± 3.3) from the time of intubation. Major tracheal complications occurred in 5 patients during the procedure. In the control group of 30 ICU patients, no differences were found with regards to the timing of the tracheostomy, whereas a statistically significant difference was observed regarding complications with only one tracheal ring rupture reported.Conclusion Percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients showed a higher rate of complications compared with controls even though the same precautions and the same expertise were applied. Larger studies are needed to understand whether the coronavirus disease itself carries an increased risk of tracheal damage.

According to the current literature, an increasing number of acute laryngotracheal complications such as mucosal lesions and tracheoesophageal fistulas have been reported in patients with COVID-19 subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation.[1][1]-[4][2] At the same time, papers regarding late

Contains fulltext : 238976.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) On January 2020, the WHO Director General declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The world has faced a worldwide spread crisis and is still dealing with it. The present paper represents a white paper concerning the tough lessons we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, an international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making. With the present paper, international and heterogenous multidisciplinary panel of very differentiated people would like to share global experiences and lessons with all interested and especially those responsible for future healthcare decision making.

Highlights • In the early stages of COVID-19 respiratory failure, a trial of non-invasive ventilation CPAP mode under close monitoring seems reasonably safe. • CPAP failure patients had a lower DTF, experienced more ICU days and longer in-hospital length of stay. • In the context of critically ill patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure admitted to ICU, DTF could be a predictor of CPAP failure. • The DTF best threshold value was 21% (AUC: 0.944, CI: 0.844-0.999; 94 % sensitivity and 78 % specificity)., Background In a variable number of Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, non-invasive breathing support strategies cannot provide adequate oxygenation, thus making invasive mechanical ventilation necessary. Factors predicting this unfavorable outcome are unknown, but we hypothesized that diaphragmatic weakness may contribute. Methods We prospectively analyzed the data of 27 consecutive patients admitted to the general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from March 19, 2020, to April 20, 2020 and submitted to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) before considering invasive ventilation. Diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) inferred by ultrasound was determined before applying CPAP. Results Eighteen patients recovered with CPAP, whereas nine required invasive mechanical ventilation with longer stay in ICU (p

Objective Meropenem is a β-lactam, carbapenem antibacterial agent with antimicrobial activity against gram-negative, gram-positive and anaerobic micro-organisms and is important in the empirical treatment of serious infections in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Multi-drug resistant gram-negative organisms, coupled with scarcity of new antibiotic classes, forced healthcare community to optimize the therapeutic potential of available antibiotics. Our aim is to investigate the effect of continuous infusion of meropenem against bolus administration, as indicated by a composite outcome of reducing death and emergence of extensive or pan drug-resistant pathogens in a population of ICU patients. Design Double blind, double dummy, multicenter randomized controlled trial (1:1 allocation ratio). Setting Tertiary and University hospitals. Interventions 600 ICU patients with sepsis or septic shock, needing by clinical judgment antibiotic therapy with meropenem, will be randomized to receive a continuous infusion of meropenem 3 g/24 h or an equal dose divided into three daily boluses (i.e. 1g q8h). Measurements The primary endpoint will be a composite outcome of reducing death and emergence of extensive or pan drug-resistant pathogens. Secondary endpoints will be death from any cause at day 90, antibiotic-free days at day 28, ICU-free days at day 28, cumulative SOFA-free (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score from randomization to day 28 and the two, separate, components of the primary endpoint. We expect a primary outcome reduction from 52 to 40% in the continuous infusion group. Conclusions The trial will provide evidence for choosing intermittent or continuous infusion of meropenem for critically ill patients with multi-drug resistant gram-negative infections.

Importance Full-thickness tracheal lesions and tracheoesophageal fistulas are severe complications of invasive mechanical ventilation. The incidence of tracheal complications in ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unknown. Objective To evaluate whether patients with COVID-19 have a higher incidence of full-thickness tracheal lesions and tracheoesophageal fistulas than matched controls and to investigate potential mechanisms. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a retrospective cohort study in patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a tertiary referral hospital. Among 98 consecutive patients with COVID-19 with severe respiratory failure, 30 underwent prolonged (≥14 days) invasive mechanical ventilation and were included in the COVID-19 group. The control group included 45 patients without COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 were selected from March 1 to May 31, 2020, while the control group was selected from March 1 to May 31, 2019. Exposures Patients with COVID-19 had severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection diagnosed by nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs and were treated according to local therapeutic procedures. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary study outcome was the incidence of full-thickness tracheal lesions or tracheoesophageal fistulas in patients with prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Results The mean (SD) age was 68.8 (9.0) years in the COVID-19 group and 68.5 (14.1) years in the control group (effect size, 0.3; 95% CI, −5.0 to 5.6). Eight (27%) and 15 (33%) women were enrolled in the COVID-19 group and the control group, respectively. Fourteen patients (47%) in the COVID-19 group had full-thickness tracheal lesions (n = 10, 33%) or tracheoesophageal fistulas (n = 4, 13%), while 1 patient (2.2%) in the control group had a full-thickness tracheal lesion (odds ratio, 38.4; 95% CI, 4.7 to 316.9). Clinical and radiological presentations of tracheal lesions were pneumomediastinum (n = 10, 71%), pneumothorax (n = 6, 43%), and/or subcutaneous emphysema (n = 13, 93%). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, almost half of patients with COVID-19 developed full-thickness tracheal lesions and/or tracheoesophageal fistulas after prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation. Attempts to prevent these lesions should be made and quickly recognized when they occur to avoid potentially life-threatening complications in ventilated patients with COVID-19.

The dual anticytokine and antiviral actions of baricitinib reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in organoids and morbidity in people., Using AI, we identified baricitinib as having antiviral and anticytokine efficacy. We now show a 71% (95% CI 0.15 to 0.58) mortality benefit in 83 patients with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with few drug-induced adverse events, including a large elderly cohort (median age, 81 years). An additional 48 cases with mild-moderate pneumonia recovered uneventfully. Using organotypic 3D cultures of primary human liver cells, we demonstrate that interferon-α2 increases ACE2 expression and SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in parenchymal cells by greater than fivefold. RNA-seq reveals gene response signatures associated with platelet activation, fully inhibited by baricitinib. Using viral load quantifications and superresolution microscopy, we found that baricitinib exerts activity rapidly through the inhibition of host proteins (numb-associated kinases), uniquely among antivirals. This reveals mechanistic actions of a Janus kinase-1/2 inhibitor targeting viral entry, replication, and the cytokine storm and is associated with beneficial outcomes including in severely ill elderly patients, data that incentivize further randomized controlled trials.

The intracranial compartment syndrome is a condition characterized by a set of clinical symptoms and signs due to a rise in intracranial pressure (ICP). Intracranial hypertension is a life-treating condition that requires quick diagnosis and treatment; otherwise, it may progress in herniation syndrome and death. Consequently, timely recognition and management of elevated ICP is the first goal in order to maintain good cerebral perfusion pressure and to prevent irreversible secondary cerebral insult. Several pathologies may cause raised ICP, and it is fundamental to treat the specific underlying disease. Therefore, neuromonitoring assumes paramount significance for the rapid detection of harmful events and for a quick evaluation of the efficacy of medical treatment. In this chapter, we aimed to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial compartment syndrome.

Even with encouraging recipient outcomes, transplantation using donation after circulatory death (DCD) is still limited. A major barrier to this type of transplantation is the consequences of warm ischemia on graft survival; however, preservation techniques may reduce the consequences of cardiac arrest and provide better organ conservation. Furthermore, DCD in trauma patients could further expand organ donation. We present five cases in which organs were retrieved and transplanted successfully using normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in trauma patients. Prompt critical care support and surgical treatment allowed us to overcome the acute phase. Unfortunately, owing to the severity of their injuries, all of the donors died. However, the advanced and continuous organ-specific supportive treatment allowed the maintenance of general clinical stability and organ preservation. Consequently, it was possible to retrieve and transplant the donors’ organs. Death was ascertained in accordance with cardio-circulatory criteria, which was followed by NRP. We consider that DCD in trauma patients may represent an important source of organs.

Vasopressors and inotropic agents are widely used in critical care. However, strong evidence supporting their use in critically ill patients is lacking in many clinical scenarios. Thus, the Italian Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SIAARTI) promoted a project aimed to provide indications for good clinical practice on the use of vasopressors and inotropes, and on the management of critically ill patients with shock. A panel of 16 experts in the field of intensive care medicine and hemodynamics has been established. Systematic review of the available literature was performed based on PICO questions. Basing on available evidence, the panel prepared a summary of evidences and then wrote the clinical questions. A modified semi-quantitative RAND/UCLA appropriateness method has been used to determine the appropriateness of specific clinical scenarios. The panel identified 29 clinical questions for the use of vasopressors and inotropes in patients with septic shock and cardiogenic shock. High level of agreement exists among the panel members about appropriateness of inotropes/vasopressors' use in patients with septic shock and cardiogenic shock.

The goal of this survey was to describe the use and diffusion of lung ultrasound (LUS), the level of training received before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the clinical impact LUS has had on COVID-19 cases in intensive care units (ICU) from February 2020 to May 2020. The Italian Lung Ultrasound Survey (ITALUS) was a nationwide online survey proposed to Italian anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians carried out after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It consisted of 27 questions, both quantitative and qualitative. 807 responded to the survey. The median previous LUS experience was 3 years (IQR 1.0-6.0). 473 (60.9 %) reported having attended at least one training course on LUS before the COVID-19 pandemic. 519 (73.9 %) reported knowing how to use the LUS score. 404 (52 %) reported being able to use LUS without any supervision. 479 (68.2 %) said that LUS influenced their clinical decision-making, mostly with respect to patient monitoring. During the pandemic, the median of patients daily evaluated with LUS increased 3-fold (p 0.001), daily use of general LUS increased from 10.4 % to 28.9 % (p 0.001), and the daily use of LUS score in particular increased from 1.6 % to 9.0 % (p 0.001). This survey showed that LUS was already extensively used during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic by anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians in Italy, and then its adoption increased further. Residency programs are already progressively implementing LUS teaching. However, 76.7 % of the sample did not undertake any LUS certification.ZIEL: Das Ziel dieser Umfrage war es, den Einsatz und die Verbreitung von Lungenultraschall (LUS), den Ausbildungstand vor und während der COVID-19-Pandemie sowie die klinische Bedeutung des LUS auf COVID-19-Fälle auf Intensivstationen (ICU) von Februar 2020 bis Mai 2020 zu beschreiben. Die „Italian Lung Ultrasound Survey“ (ITALUS) war eine landesweite Online-Umfrage, die italienischen Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern nach der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie unterbreitet wurde. Sie bestand aus 27 quantitativen und qualitativen Fragen. 807 Ärzte nahmen an der Umfrage teil. Die Vorerfahrung im LUS lag bei median 3 Jahren (IQR 1,0–6,0). 473 (60,9 %) gaben an, vor der COVID-19-Pandemie mindestens eine Schulung zu LUS besucht zu haben. 519 (73,9 %) gaben an, mit dem LUS-Score vertraut zu sein. 404 (52 %) gaben an, LUS ohne Aufsicht nutzen zu können. 479 (68,2 %) gaben an, dass LUS ihre klinische Entscheidungsfindung beeinflusst, vor allem in Bezug auf die Patientenüberwachung. Während der Pandemie stieg der Median der Patienten, die täglich mit LUS untersucht wurden, um das 3-Fache (p 0,001), der tägliche Einsatz des allgemeinen LUS erhöhte sich von 10,4 % auf 28,9 % (p 0,001), und insbesondere der tägliche Einsatz des LUS-Scores stieg von 1,6 % auf 9,0 % (p 0,001). Diese Umfrage zeigte, dass LUS bereits während der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie von Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern in Italien in großem Umfang eingesetzt wurde und dann weiter zugenommen hat. In der Facharztausbildung wird LUS bereits zunehmend eingeführt. Allerdings hatten in der Stichprobe 76,7 % keine LUS-Zertifizierung.

Contains fulltext : 245653.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Immunocompromised patients are a heterogeneous and diffuse category frequently presenting to the emergency department with acute surgical diseases. Diagnosis and treatment in immunocompromised patients are often complex and must be multidisciplinary. Misdiagnosis of an acute surgical disease may be followed by increased morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of surgical disease occur; these patients may seek medical assistance late because their symptoms are often ambiguous. Also, they develop unique surgical problems that do not affect the general population. Management of this population must be multidisciplinary.This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), Surgical Infection Society Europe (SIS-E), World Surgical Infection Society (WSIS), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), and Global Alliance for Infection in Surgery (GAIS) joined guidelines about the management of acute abdomen in immunocompromised patients.

Background In‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is a major public health problem with significant mortality. Rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation is extremely connected to patient outcome. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of a basic life support and defibrillation course in improving knowledge in IHCA management. Methods We performed a prospective observational study recruiting healthcare personnel working at Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy. Study consisted in the administration of two questionnaires before and after BLS-D course. The course was structured as an informative meeting and it was held according to European Resuscitation Council guidelines. Results 78 participants completed pre- and post-course questionnaires. Only 31.9% of the participants had taken part in a BLS-D before our study. After the course, we found a significative increase in the percentage of participants that evaluated their skills adequate in IHCA management (17.9% vs 42.3%; p p Conclusions The training course resulted in significant increase in the level of knowledge about the general management of IHCA in hospital staff. Therefore, a simple intervention such as an informative meetings improved significantly the knowledge about IHCA and, consequently, can lead to a reduction of morbidity and mortality.

Anticoagulants are widely used, especially in the elderly, for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications and in high-risk post myocardial infarction. Above all, Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are predominantly prescribed in the general population. Unfortunately, due to VKAs intrinsic pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties (high interindividual variability, food interaction, narrow therapeutic window), routine management of VKAs can be challenging both for the patients and for the clinicians, consequently, the number of patients taking non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (i.e., direct oral anticoagulants) is increased in the last years. In fact, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have progressively been used owing to their shorter half-lives, rapid onset, and predictable pharmacodynamics.

Acute cardiac injury incidence in COVID-19 is about 13 times higher in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/severely ill than in less critical patients. Patients with cardiovascular comorbidities seem to be more prone to develop higher acuity of the infection, and myocardial injury has been reported amongst them in up to 15% of those hospitalized and up to 30% of ICU-admitted ones. The symptoms of over ischemia/heart failure may be challenging to distinguish as dyspnea and chest discomfort overlap with those due to COVID-19. Therefore, beside close monitoring with electrocardiography, biomarkers and, in case of demonstrated cardiac involvement, echocardiography, strategies to improve myocardial oxygen delivery should be promptly applied. The cytokine release with complement and iNO dysregulation are established mechanisms potentially leading to sepsis-related cardiomyopathy, making sepsis per se one of the potential mechanism leading to acute cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the hyper-inflammation with endothelial dysfunction is likely be responsible of both pulmonary in-situ platelet aggregation and deep thrombosis potentially leading to severe pulmonary embolism and right ventricular failure. Besides the customary antithrombotic prophylaxis for critical patients, D-dimer levels and tighter coagulation monitoring are recommended and should guide the choice for anticoagulation treatment. We summarize the current knowledge regarding cardiovascular involvement in patient with COVID-19.

Novel coronavirus spread rapidly around the world infecting millions of people. It was thus declared a pandemic. This new virus damages the lungs. In the most severe cases, it leads to acute respiratory failure that requires intensive care treatment. However, many clinical reports have listed different neurological symptoms, leading to increased interest in the neurological involvement of COVID-19. Various pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed to explain these neurological aspects. Direct viral invasion of the nervous system, systemic cytokine storm and severe hypoxemia are key factors in the development of symptoms. Critically ill patients present several additional risk factors for nervous system damage. Reasons for these include deep sedation and extended muscular paralysis, bed rest for several days, and the inability to receive proper physical rehabilitation. After ICU treatment, COVID-19 patients generally require an extensive rehabilitation program. However, distancing restrictions mean that in many cases physiotherapists are unable to enter ICUs, delaying the process of rehabilitation. The role of telemedicine should be considered as an adjunctive tool in the rehabilitation of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether measurement of diaphragm thickness by ultrasonography may be a clinically useful noninvasive method for identifying patients at risk of adverse outcomes defined as need of invasive mechanical ventilation or death. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive of 77 patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 infection admitted to our intermediate care unit in Pisa between March 5 and March 30, 2020, with follow up until hospital discharge or death. Logistic regression was used identify variables potentially associated with adverse outcomes and those PResults: The main findings of this study are that 1) patients who developed adverse outcomes had thinner diaphragm than those who did not (2.0 vs 2.2 mm, p:0.001), 2) DT and lymphocyte count were independent significant predictors of adverse outcomes, with end-expiratory DT being the strongest (-708, OR: 0.492, p: 0.018).Conclusion: Diaphragmatic ultrasound may be a valid tool to evaluate the risk of respiratory failure. Evaluating the need of mechanical ventilation treatment should be based not only on PaO2/FiO2, but on a more comprehensive assessment including DT because if the lungs become less compliant a thinner diaphragm, albeit free of intrinsic abnormality, may become exhausted, thus contributing to severe respiratory failure.

Ten critically ill patients with either bacteremia or ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, or New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae received cefiderocol. All strains had minimum inhibitory concentration ≤2 μg/mL. Thirty-day clinical success and survival rates were 70% and 90%, respectively. Two patients had a microbiological failure. Future prospective studies are warranted.

Background Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is a common manifestation of many gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies and is an advanced stage that is often associated with disseminated disease. Considerable progress has been made to achieve safe elimination of macroscopic disease using cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and more recently in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the treatment of microscopic disease or disease with minimal volume. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of such procedures on the quality of life (QoL), the long-term benefit and the functional status of the treated patients. Patients and methods Data from patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC for peritoneal metastasis (PM) at our center from November 2016 to November 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The drugs administered were mitomycin and cisplatin. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Euroquol-5D-5L and National Comprehensive Cancer Network Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Symptom Index v2 questionnaires before CRS-HIPEC, and 1, 3 and 6 months after were administered. Results In our series, the survival efficacy of CRS plus HIPEC was confirmed in the treatment of primary and secondary peritoneal pathologies, particularly in ovarian cancer, although larger studies are needed to investigate its role in the pathology of gastric, colonic and rectal cancer. The QoL data were promising, with essentially stable values between the preoperative and the 1-month follow-up, but with incremental benefits from the second to the third month.

Background: Minimally-invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP) can be considered as the primary treatment of choice for single parathyroid adenoma. Often, this technique is performed in a day surgery setting and is associated with regional anaesthesia (RA). Many studies have already reported the feasibility and safety of MIVAP in day surgery. Here our focus has been on the patient’s personal experience with these procedures through an assessment of their recovery at home. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in the University Hospital of Pisa Day Surgery Unit. Forty-eight patients were enrolled and divided by personal choice of anaesthesia technique: a regional anaesthesia group (RAg) and general anaesthesia group (GAg). Data were extracted from the medical records and three questionnaires: the first was self-compiled at discharge (Q1), while the second (Q2) and the third (Q3) were administered as telephone surveys. Results: None of the patients in RAg reported pain longer than 1 day after discharge, whereas 15% of patients in GAg reported pain relief the third day after discharge (P=0.0065). Discharge in RAg was within 3 hours in 12.5% of patients, within 4 hours in 78.1%, and within 5 hours in 9.4%. Discharge in GAg was within 5 hours in 53.8% and in more than 5 hours in 46.1% (P=0.0027). Conclusions: Patients highly appreciated day-case parathyroidectomy. Furthermore, the association of RA with MIVAP leads to better results than those of general anaesthesia (GA) and MIVAP. Finally, we point out that it is fundamental that the physicians pay attention to what the patients consider important for them; that is, the personal meaning of the hospitalization.

The current COVID-19 pandemic underlines the importance of a mindful utilization of financial and human resources. Preserving resources and manpower is paramount in healthcare. It is important to ensure the ability of surgeons and specialized professionals to function through the pandemic. A conscious effort should be made to minimize infection in this sector. A high mortality rate within this group would be detrimental.This manuscript is the result of a collaboration between the major Italian surgical and anesthesiologic societies: ACOI, SIC, SICUT, SICO, SICG, SIFIPAC, SICE, and SIAARTI. We aim to describe recommended clinical pathways for COVID-19-positive patients requiring acute non-deferrable surgical care. All hospitals should organize dedicated protocols and workforce training as part of the effort to face the current pandemic.

Background Jehovah’s Witnesses represent a tremendous clinical challenge when indicated to liver transplantation because they refuse blood transfusion on religious grounds and the procedure is historically associated with potential massive peri-operative blood loss. We herein describe a peri-operative management pathway with strategies toward a transfusion-free environment with the aim not only of offering liver transplant to selected Jehovah’s Witnesses patients but also, ultimately, of translating this practice to all general surgical procedures. Methods This is a retrospective review of prospective medical records of JW patients who underwent LT at our Institution. The peri-operative multimodal strategy to liver transplantation in Jehovah’s Witnesses includes a pre-operative red cell mass optimization package and the intra-operative use of normovolemic haemodilution, veno-venous bypass and low central venous pressure. Results In a 9-year period, 13 Jehovah’s Witness patients received liver transplantation at our centre representing the largest liver transplant program from deceased donors in Jehovah’s Witnesses patients reported so far. No patient received blood bank products but 3 had fibrinogen concentrate and one tranexamic acid to correct ongoing hyper-fibrinolysis. There were 4 cases of acute kidney injury (one required extracorporeal renal replacement treatment) and one patient needed vasoactive medications to support blood pressure for the first 2 postoperative days. Two patients underwent re-laparotomy. Finally, of the 13 recipients, 12 were alive at the 1 year follow-up interview and 1 died due to septic complications. Conclusions Our experience confirms that liver transplantation in selected Jehovah’s Witnesses patients can be feasible and safe provided that it is carried out at a very experienced centre and according to a multidisciplinary approach.

Introduction: So far, only heparin-based anticoagulation has been proposed during polymyxin-B hemoperfusion. However, postsurgical septic patients can be at high risk of bleeding due to either surgical complications or septic coagulation derangement. Consequently, heparin should not represent in some cases the anticoagulation regimen of choice in this type of patients. Methods and results: We present a case series of four postsurgical septic patients treated with polymyxin-B hemoperfusion using regional citrate anticoagulation. All the treatments were performed without complications. During each treatment, there were no episodes of filter clotting, no bleeding, and no metabolic complications for any of the patients. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the second published report on the use of citrate anticoagulation during polymyxin-B hemoperfusion. Our case series continued to show that regional citrate anticoagulation regimen is feasible and safe during polymyxin-B hemoperfusion treatment in postsurgical septic patients.

Objectives To evaluate the effects of the reorganisation of an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on wellbeing perceived by nurses. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate wellbeing perceived by nurses who during the study were on duty in the COVID-19 intensive care unit. The “Covid-19-Nurse Well-being at Work (NWB) scale” questionnaire consisting of 72 items divided into 13 sections, was validated and used to collect data. Results The level of wellbeing perceived by the nurses was very good (4.77; SD 0.83). Differences in the of level of perceived wellbeing were found for “years of experience” and the various levels of competence. We found a positive correlation between “female gender” and “nurses’ togetherness and collaboration”, a negative correlation between “male gender” and “satisfactory practical organisation of work, and a negative correlation between “work experience” and the overall “level of wellbeing at work. Conclusions The reorganisation had positive effects in terms of wellbeing perceived by the nurses. The factors that contributed mostly to the perception of wellbeing were in the area of “support”, “communication, and “socializing with colleagues”. It is appropriate to consider “gender differences”, “work experience” and “levels of competence” when implementing this type of reorganisation to respond to a pandemic or a health emergency.

Pleural effusion (PLEFF), mostly caused by volume overload, congestive heart failure, and pleuropulmonary infection, is a common condition in critical care patients. Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) helps clinicians not only to visualize pleural effusion, but also to distinguish between the different types. Furthermore, TUS is essential during thoracentesis and chest tube drainage as it increases safety and decreases life-threatening complications. It is crucial not only during needle or tube drainage insertion, but also to monitor the volume of the drained PLEFF. Moreover, TUS can help diagnose co-existing lung diseases, often with a higher specificity and sensitivity than chest radiography and without the need for X-ray exposure. We review data regarding the diagnosis and management of pleural effusion, paying particular attention to the impact of ultrasound. Technical data concerning thoracentesis and chest tube drainage are also provided. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-017-1897-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy techniques allow a lesser volume resection (3 adjacent segments) for tumors involving the hepatic veins at the hepatocaval confluence, assuring adequate volume of the future liver remnant. We report the ability to perform parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy as planned from the preoperative imaging and the type of vascular intervention used to preserve hepatic outflow.We analyzed 60 consecutive parenchyma-sparing hepatectomies in 54 patients for 7 primary and 53 metastatic tumors (48 colorectal), located in segments I, VII, VIII, or IVa and involving the hepatocaval confluence. Patients had a median of 2 (range: 1-18) lesions with median diameter of 4 cm (range: 1.2-16.5), which were bilateral in 43%.A parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy was performed in all of the 60 cases, only one case required the resection of 3 adjacent segments. In 16 (27%) hepatic veins-resections, the outflow was assured by preservation of the inferior-right-hepatic veins in 3 (5%), of the communicating-veins in 4 (7%), of the middle-hepatic veins in 3 (4%; middle-hepatic veins patch-reconstruction in 2 cases), by polytetrafluoroethylene-grafts in 4 (7%), and by hepatic veins-anastomosis in 2 (3%). In 15 (25%) cases, the hepatic veins were resected tangentially and reconstructed by direct suture venorraphy. In 29 (48%) cases, the hepatic veins were skeletonized from the tumor. Grade IIIb to IV complications occurred in 7%, median hospital-stay was 9 days, and 90-day mortality occurred in one cirrhotic patient. Median overall and disease-free survivals were 72 and 16 months (median follow-up: 34 months).A lesser volume parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy rather than a formal major hepatectomy for tumors involving the hepatocaval confluence can be performed with a low rate of major complications (7%). Parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy should be considered in highly selected patients when evaluating liver resection for tumors involving the hepatocaval confluence based on appropriate and accurate preoperative imaging.

Background Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal is an increasingly used respiratory support technique. As is true of all extracorporeal techniques, extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal needs proper anticoagulation. We report a case of a patient at risk of bleeding complications who was treated with extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal and anticoagulated with a regional technique. Case presentation A 56-year-old Caucasian man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation required extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal for severe hypercapnia and acidosis despite mechanical ventilation. The extracorporeal circuit was anticoagulated using a regional heparin technique to limit the patient’s risk of bleeding due to a low platelet count. The patient underwent 96 h of effective extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal without any adverse events. He was successfully weaned from extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal. During the treatment, no bleeding complications or unexpected circuit clotting was observed. Conclusions The use of regional heparin anticoagulation technique seems to be feasible and safe during extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal.

Background Tracheostomy is a standard procedure in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation or airway protection for extended periods. The main cause of death is haemorrhage, most commonly owing to a trachea-to-innominate artery fistula, usually requiring surgical treatment. Case presentation Here we report the case of an 83-yr-old woman with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, who incurred a trachea-to-innominate artery transfixion following percutaneous tracheostomy, successfully and conservatively managed by interventional radiology. Conclusions The use of peri-procedural ultrasound examination of the neck can reduce the risk of complications related to vessel anatomical variants. When the tracheostomy is complicated by bleeding, the procedure should be stopped in order to diagnose the vascular iatrogenic injury and to evaluate the best therapeutic approach by a multidisciplinary team.

Background This pilot study was designed to develop a fully automatic and quantitative scoring system of B-lines (QLUSS: quantitative lung ultrasound score) involving the pleural line and to compare it with previously described semi-quantitative scores in the measurement of extravascular lung water as determined by standard thermo-dilution. Methods This was a prospective observational study of 12 patients admitted in the intensive care unit with acute respiratory distress and each provided with 12 lung ultrasound (LUS) frames. Data collected from each patient consisted in five different scores, four semi-quantitative (nLUSS, cLUSS, qLUSS, %LUSS) and quantitative scores (QLUSS). The association between LUS scores and extravascular lung water (EVLW) was determined by simple linear regression (SLR) and robust linear regression (RLR) methods. A correlation analysis between the LUS scores was performed by using the Spearman rank test. Inter-observer variability was tested by computing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in two-way models for agreement, basing on scores obtained by different raters blinded to patients’ conditions and clinical history. Results In the SLR, QLUSS showed a stronger association with EVLW (R2 = 0.57) than cLUSS (R2 = 0.45) and nLUSS (R2 = 0.000), while a lower association than qLUSS (R2 = 0.85) and %LUSS (R2 = 0.72) occurred. By applying RLR, QLUSS showed an association for EVLW (R2 = 0.86) comparable to qLUSS (R2 = 0.85) and stronger than %LUSS (R2 = 0.72). QLUSS was significantly correlated with qLUSS (r = 0.772; p = 0.003) and %LUSS (r = 0.757; p = 0.005), but not with cLUSS (r = 0.561; p = 0.058) and nLUSS (r = 0.105; p = 0.744). Moreover, QLUSS showed the highest ICC (0.998; 95%CI from 0.996 to 0.999) among the LUS scores. Conclusions This study demonstrates that computer-aided scoring of the pleural line percentage affected by B-lines has the potential to assess EVLW. QLUSS may have a significant impact, once validated with a larger dataset composed by multiple real-time frames. This approach has the potentials to be advantageous in terms of faster data analysis and applicability to large sets of data without increased costs. On the contrary, it is not useful in pleural effusion or consolidations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2569-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly infectious virus transmitted by inhalation of infected matter containing live virus or by exposure from contaminated surfaces. Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) create an increased risk of airborne transmission of infection. Tracheal extubation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a risky AGP procedure owing to the proximity of the staff members to the patients’ mouths and the exposure to airway secretions. We describe the use of a disposable openable mask (Janus Mask, Biomedical Srl, Florence, Italy) that might limit aerosol generation in the periextubation phase of COVID-19 cardiac surgical patients.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents a medical emergency. Unfortunately, diagnosis can be delay due to cardiogenic abnormalities often associated with SAH. Cardiac manifestations are heterogeneous and common in patients with SAH. This phenomenon has not to be underestimated taking into account the devastating consequences of misdiagnosis and delay in the correct diagnosis and in a specific treatment, with serious and life-threatening consequences. We present a case report of an out of hospital ST elevation in a patient with Glasgow coma score of 6. He was primarily managed as an acute coronary syndrome case. However, coronary angiography was normal. After performing a computed tomography scan, the diagnosis of SAH was made.

Purpose Septic shock involves a dysregulation of the immune response to an infection. This may lead to hemodynamic dysfunction and multiple-organ failure. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) on the hemodynamic profile in patients with septic shock. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed data from 21 adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of septic shock, comparing data between pre-CPFA and post-CPFA treatment. They received a maximum of 5 cycles of treatment. Results Coupled plasma filtration adsorption treatment was associated with a significant increase of mean arterial pressure ( P P = .007), and renal improvement. In patients with leukocytosis or leucopenia, the leukocyte count was restored to a reference range of values. Conclusion Treatment with CPFA improves hemodynamic parameters in septic shock patients, ameliorating organ failure.

The evidence suggests that antiplatelet agents (APA) slightly increase the risk of death and disease progression in patients with traumatic brain injury or spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). There is little evidence that APA reversal with platelet (PLT) transfusion may improve the outcome. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our goal was to evaluate the differences in mortality, severe disability, and hematoma expansion related to PLT transfusion. We retrieved randomized or cohort studies comparing adult patients on APA with traumatic brain injury or ICH who were treated with PLT or not. We calculated the standardized risk difference and 95% confidence interval. A random-effects model was applied to analyze the data. The heterogeneity of the retrieved trials was evaluated through the I2 statistic. Our review included 16 clinical trials. We observed a significant difference between the 2 groups only for hematoma expansion: risk difference was –0.10 (10%; 95% confidence interval, –0.14 to –0.05; P

Objective The negative effect of sepsis on the myocardium affects its electric functionality. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with septic shock, and the mortality rate of patients with AF versus patients that maintained sinus rhythm (SR). Methods This is a one-year observational prospective pilot study. It was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care of Pisa University. Patients with septic shock were enrolled in this study. They were divided in two groups based on the occurrence of AF while in the ICU. Data were collected at admission and after 72 hours, and the data consisted of anamnesis, vital parameters, blood results and severity score. Results Out of 27 patients, 9 developed AF during the first 72 hours. At admission and at 72 hours, SOFA was statistically higher in the patients with AF (p=0.012 and p=0.002, respectively). In the AF group, the overall mortality was 66.7%, whereas, it was 11.1% (p=0.006) in the patients with SR. Age, rhythm and noradrenaline dosage were univariate predictors of total mortality. Conclusion In patients with septic shock, AF has a high incidence, and it correlated with a worse outcome. Patients with higher SOFA score are at a greater risk of developing arrhythmia.

BACKGROUND General anesthesia may be a risk factor for post-operative cognitive impairment, which could be counteracted by neuroprotective compounds. The aims of this study were to determine cognitive functions impaired by general anesthesia and to test blueberry juice as a neuroprotective agent against neuropsychological dysfunctions induced by general anesthesia. METHODS Twenty-six patients undergoing elective major surgery were randomized into two groups, receiving either 500 mL/day of blueberry juice within 14 preoperative days (G1) or to a control group (G0). Neuropsychological tests were performed around 20 days before surgery (T0), as well as both three hours (T1) and 24 hours (T2) after surgery. All the scores were statistically analyzed to find significant differences between groups and within the three times. RESULTS The control (G0) group showed a significant decrease in the performance in the Prose Memory Test (P