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Background Cardiac surgery–associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is common in infants and is associated with negative outcomes. Nadir indexed oxygen delivery (DO2i) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with the occurrence of postoperative CS-AKI, with critical thresholds for DO2i reported to be 262 to 300 mL/min/m2 in adults. However, given that infants have a higher metabolic rate and oxygen demand, the critical DO2i in infants is not comparable with existing adult standards. This study aimed to explore the critical DO2i threshold during pediatric CPB. Methods Between March 2019 and April 2020, 106 consecutive infants undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were admitted to this prospective observational cohort study. The DO2i levels of each patient were monitored during CPB. Pre- and intraoperative factors were tested for independent association with CS-AKI. The postoperative outcomes of patients with or without CS-AKI were compared. Results In our patient population (n = 83), we identified 25 patients (38.5%) with postoperative CS-AKI. Multivariate analysis revealed 2 independent risk factors for onset of CS-AKI: CPB duration and nadir DO2i. The lowest suitable DO2i during CPB in the present population was 353 mL/min/m2 (sensitivity, 65.6%; specificity, 74.5%). CS-AKI during pediatric CPB remained significantly associated with an increased morbidity, related mainly to a postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, but not to mortality. Conclusions The lowest suitable DO2i during CPB in the infant population undergoing cardiac surgery was 353 mL/min/m2. Below this threshold, there was a high probability of inducing CS-AKI.

Suspensions of oxygen‐filled bubbles are under active investigation as potential means of relieving tissue hypoxia. Intravenous administration of large quantities of bubbles is, however, undesirable. Previous work by the authors has demonstrated that tumor oxygen levels can be increased following oral administration of phospholipid stabilized oxygen nanobubbles. The aim of this study was to determine whether this would enhance the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which is known to be inhibited in hypoxic tissue. Experiments were conducted in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. Animals were treated with SDT (intratumoural injection of 1 mM Rose Bengal followed by exposure to 1 MHz ultrasound, 0.1 kHz pulse repetition frequency, 30% duty cycle, 3.5 W cm−2 for 3.5 minutes) either with or without a prior gavage of oxygen bubbles. A statistically significant reduction in the rate of tumor growth was observed in the groups receiving oxygen nanobubbles either 5 or 20 minutes before SDT. Separate measurements of tumor oxygen using a fiber optic probe and expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)1α following tumor excision, confirmed the change in tumor oxygen levels. These findings offer a potentially promising new approach to relieving tissue hypoxia in order to facilitate cancer therapy.

Summary Despite the fact that door-to-balloon times have been greatly reduced, the rates of death and the incidence of heart failure in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) have plateaued. There is still an unmet need to further reduce MI size in the reperfusion era. Most adjunctive therapies to enhance myocardial salvage have failed, but some have shown promise. Currently, the only adjunctive therapy in a pivotal trial that has demonstrated reductions in infarct size is localized delivery of supersaturated oxygen (SSO2) therapy. This review provides background on prior infarct size reduction efforts. The authors describe the preclinical data that shows the effectiveness of SSO2 in reducing MI size, improving regional myocardial blood flow and cardiac function, and reducing adverse left ventricular remodeling—presumably by reducing patchy areas of residual ischemia within the reperfused risk zone. Potential mechanisms by which SSO2 is beneficial are described, including the delivery of high levels of dissolved oxygen through plasma to ischemic, but viable, vascular and myocardial cells, thus allowing their survival and function. The authors then describe the SSO2 clinical trials, demonstrating that in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation MI, SSO2 therapy safely and effectively reduces infarct size, improves cardiac function, and reduces adverse left ventricular remodeling.

BACKGROUND The interatrial communication, one of the most frequent congenital heart defects, represents an important intracardiac shunt between systemic and pulmonary circulations. Direction and magnitude of the interatrial shunting depends upon several features, including defect size, shape and location, pressure difference between right and left atrium, and difference in right and left ventricular compliance. METHODS In this review article, the presence or absence of interatrial communication, and its role, have been analyzed, as they can have a critical impact on the cardiovascular physiopathology, and the interatrial communication can prove to be either clinically harmful, useful or indispensable. Accordingly, the utility and role of the interatrial communication in modern congenital, pediatric and adult, disease has evolved, with modification of the indications to close, maintain patency, or create an interatrial communication. RESULTS The interatrial communication and shunting can be manipulated to maximize the oxygen delivery to the tissues, accordingly with the underlying congenital heart defect. While not always relevant to patients with bi-ventricular circulations, this becomes extremely important in children and adults with complex congenital heart defects. CONCLUSIONS With improving long-term survival for the vast majority of congenital heart patients, an advanced understanding of the role and utility of the interatrial communication, and of all the possibilities of its manipulation, is essential to improve the patient outcomes.

This article analyses the cardiovascular changes typically present in a patient with a gastric dilation volvulus. This pathogenesis results in the reduction of oxygen delivery to tissues ...

Shock is the clinical syndrome that arises from inadequate cellular oxygen metabolism which can occur when there is either insufficient oxygen delivery or impaired oxygen utilization. As a clinical syndrome, shock is associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly if there is a delay in recognition or initiation of treatment. There are multiple mechanisms that can result in a shocked state; often clinical examination is insufficient to differentiate between such mechanisms. Clinicians must instead rely on haemodynamic monitoring devices for both diagnosis and the targeting of therapies. In this article we review the basic principles of haemodynamics, the different aetiologies of shock and explore the various haemodynamic monitoring devices available to clinicians.

Myocardial infarction (MI), triggered by blockage of a coronary artery, remains the most common cause of death worldwide. After MI, the capability of providing sufficient blood and oxygen significantly decreases in the heart. This event leads to depletion of oxygen from cardiac tissue and consequently leads to massive cardiac cell death due to hypoxemia. Over the past few decades, many studies have been carried out to discover acceptable approaches to treat MI. However, very few have addressed the crucial role of efficient oxygen delivery to the injured heart. Thus, various strategies were developed to increase the delivery of oxygen to cardiac tissue and improve its function. Here, we have given an overall discussion of the oxygen delivery mechanisms and how the current technologies are employed to treat patients suffering from MI, including a comprehensive view on three major technical approaches such as oxygen therapy, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs), and oxygen-releasing biomaterials (ORBs). Although oxygen therapy and HBOCs have shown promising results in several animal and clinical studies, they still have a few drawbacks which limit their effectiveness. More recent studies have investigated the efficacy of ORBs which may play a key role in the future of oxygenation of cardiac tissue. In addition, a summary of conducted studies under each approach and the remaining challenges of these methods are discussed.

Objective Operating room (OR) fires are considered "never events," but approximately 650 events occur annually in the United States. Our aim was to detail fires occurring during orthopedic procedures via a questionnaire because of the limited information present on this topic. Methods A 25-question survey on witnessing surgical fires, hospital policies on surgical fires, and surgeons' perspective on OR fires was sent to 617 orthopedic surgeons in 18 institutions whose residency program is a member of the Collaborative Orthopaedic Educational Research Group. The response rate was 28%, with 172 surgeons having completed the survey. Results Twelve of the 172 orthopedic surgeons surveyed reported witnessing at least 1 surgical fire in an OR setting. Electrocautery was the leading ignition source, causing fires in 7 events. A saw, laser, and light source were reported to have caused 1 fire each. Regarding fuel source for the fires, bone cement was a common culprit (n = 4), followed by gauze (n = 3). Oxygen delivery to patients was via a closed system in most cases (n = 9). No patient harm was reported in any of these cases.Just under half of the respondents (47.7%) reported not receiving any formal OR fire prevention or response training. The most common answer for frequency of concern about a surgical fire was "never" (42.4%). Conclusions Fires pose a risk in surgery, even in an orthopedics setting. Room oxygen can supply enough oxidizing power for a fire to occur, especially with the ubiquitous nature of ignition sources and fuels in the OR. Prevention is key with these events. Operating room personnel education must be sought, and surgeons should be mindful of the fire components in the OR.

When hemoglobin (Hb) is fully saturated with oxygen, the additional gain in oxygen delivery (DO2) achieved by increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is often considered clinically insignificant. In this study, we evaluated the change in DO2, interrogated by mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), in response to a change in FiO2 of 0.5 during cardiac surgery. When patients were hemodynamically stable, FiO2 was alternated between 0.5 and 1.0 in on-pump cardiac surgery patients (pilot study), and between 0.3 and 0.8 in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients (substudy of the CARROT trial). After the patient had stabilized, a blood gas analysis was performed to measure SvO2. The observed change in SvO2 (ΔSvO2) was compared to the expected ΔSvO2 calculated using Fick’s equation. A total 106 changes in FiO2 (two changes per patient; total 53 patients; on-pump, n = 36; off-pump, n = 17) were finally analyzed. While Hb saturation remained near 100% (on-pump, 100%; off-pump, mean [SD] = 98.1% [1.5] when FiO2 was 0.3 and 99.9% [0.2] when FiO2 was 0.8), SvO2 changed significantly as FiO2 was changed (the first and second changes in on-pump, 7.7%p [3.8] and 7.6%p [3.5], respectively; off-pump, 7.9%p [4.9] and 6.2%p [3.9]; all P 2 after the FiO2 change of 0.5 was ≥ 5%p in 82 (77.4%) changes and ≥ 10%p in 31 (29.2%) changes (mean [SD], 7.5%p [3.9]). Hb concentration was not correlated with the observed ΔSvO2 (the first changes, r = − 0.06, P = 0.677; the second changes, r = − 0.21, P = 0.138). The mean (SD) residual ΔSvO2 (observed − expected ΔSvO2) was 0%p (4). Residual ΔSvO2 was more than 5%p in 14 (13.2%) changes and exceeded 10%p in 2 (1.9%) changes. Residual ΔSvO2 was greater in patients with chronic kidney disease than in those without (median [IQR], 5%p [0 to 7] vs. 0%p [− 3 to 2]; P = 0.049). DO2, interrogated by SvO2, may increase to a clinically significant degree as FiO2 is increased during cardiac surgery, and the increase of SvO2 is not related to Hb concentration. SvO2 increases more than expected in patients with chronic kidney disease. Increasing FiO2 can be used to increase DO2 during cardiac surgery.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication after cardiac surgery and significantly affects postoperative mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between target pump flow to achieve adequate oxygen delivery (DO2) and postoperative renal function after aortic valve replacement.Methods: From January 2017 to May 2020, 281 patients (male:female, 160:121; mean age, 68±11 years) who underwent aortic valve replacement were retrospectively reviewed. Target pump flow was calculated based on DO2 level of 280 mL/min/m2. The primary endpoint was postoperative renal dysfunction, defined as the ratio of postoperative peak creatinine level to preoperative value. The ratio of the lowest actual pump flow to the ideal target pump flow, other hemodynamic variables related with cardiopulmonary bypass, intraoperative transfusion, and preoperative characteristics were analyzed to identify factors associated with the primary endpoint using a multivariable linear regression model.Results: Preoperative and peak postoperative creatinine levels were 0.94±0.33 mg/dl and 1.15±0.56 mg/dl, respectively (ratio, 1.22±0.33). The ideal target pump flow was 4.70±0.59 L/min, whereas the lowest actual pump flow was 3.77±0.47 L/min (ratio, 0.81±0.13). The multivariable model showed that the ratio of the lowest pump flow to target pump flow (β±standard error, –0.405±0.162, P=0.013), as well as sex, stroke history, emergency operation, and transfusion of red blood cells were associated with the primary endpoint.Conclusions: Low actual nadir pump flow compared to the ideal target pump flow based on DO2 is associated with the risk of AKI after aortic valve replacement.

Background Oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is closely related to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). The value of critical indexed oxygen delivery (DO2i) is a key indicator to reflect oxygen supply in cardiovascular surgery. However, the target DO2i value for neonates undergoing hypothermic CPB remains unclear. Methods One hundred and twenty-six consecutive newborns (≤28 days) undergoing arterial switch operations were retrospectively divided into two groups according to AKI occurrence. Baseline characteristics, intraoperative variables, and clinical outcomes were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver-operating characteristic curve were performed to investigate the association between DO2i and AKI. Results Neonates in the no-AKI group (n = 67) had significantly higher nadir bypass flow and DO2i during the hypothermic phase compared with the AKI group (n = 59). AKI group had remarkably higher incidences of hepatic dysfunction and peritoneal dialysis requirement compared with newborns without AKI. Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) was comparable between the two groups. Base excess (BE)(P = 0.011) value during the hypothermic phase of the AKI group was higher than the no-AKI group. Multivariate analysis showed that hypothermic DO2i was negatively associated with AKI. The cut-off value of hypothermic DO2i was 269 mL min-1 m-2. Conclusions The importance of hypothermic DO2i should be highlighted, even when SvO2 was satisfactory. A lower threshold of DO2i > 269 mL min-1 m-2 may help protect neonates from the risk of postoperative AKI. Impact The key message of our article is that the lower threshold of DO2i > 269 mL min-1 m-2 may help protect neonates from the risk of AKI after on-pump hypothermic cardiovascular surgery. The critical DO2i value for neonates undergoing hypothermic CPB remains unclear, and our study may add new evidence for this matter based on the 6-year experience of our center. In this study, the lowest critical value of DO2i in neonatal hypothermic CPB is determined for the first time, which provides a reference for intra-CPB management strategy to improve the postoperative outcomes of newborns.

A hemorragia obstétrica continua a ser a principal causa de morbimortalidade materna, sendo que a abordagem de grávidas que recusam alotransfusão, como é o caso das Testemunhas de Jeová, coloca importantes questões médicas, éticas e legais. Reporta-se um caso de uma doente Testemunha de Jeová, submetida a cesariana com fatores de risco para hemorragia major, incluindo existência de um mioma gigante, em que se evitou a transfusão e foi utilizado ácido tranexâmico profilático. A abordagem de Testemunhas de Jeová em contexto de cirurgia obstétrica com risco hemorrágico major implica a definição de estratégias anestésico-cirúrgicas para a minimização de perdas hemorrágicas, a otimização da entrega e consumo de oxigénio, o aumento da síntese de hemoglobina, a correção de defeitos de coagulação e melhoria da hemostase. Revemos a importância do planeamento multidisciplinar, o recurso ao tromboelastrograma e a administração precoce de fibrinogénio e ácido tranexâmico, de acordo com o consentimento informado das doentes.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue procedure used for cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction. Patients on ECMO often require blood transfusions to maintain oxygen delivery and recover from bleeding complications. Goals of the current study were to determine transfusion requirements while on ECMO, and incidence and transfusion requirements for bleeding complications. Methods: Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and bleeding complications were identified by retrospective chart review of patients on ECMO from 2010 to 2018 at our institution. Patients were categorized into those who did not bleed (group A) and those who bled (group B). Incidence, sites of bleed, and transfusion requirement for each bleeding were analyzed. Results: Among 217 patients including veno-arterial (VA) ( n = 148) and veno-venous (VV) ( n = 69) ECMO, we identified 62 patients without bleeding complications (group A) and 155 patients with bleeding complications (group B). In group A, transfusion requirement was 0.6 PRBC/day for VA-ECMO ( n = 42) and 0.2 PRBC/day for VV-ECMO ( n = 20) (p = 0.0015). In group B, number of PRBC given per event per day for bleeding complications during ECMO was mediastinal/thoracic bleed (83 events, 4.7 PRBC/event/day), gastrointestinal bleed (59 events, 4.8 PRBC/event/day), cannulation site bleed (88 events, 3.6 PRBC/event/day), and nasopharyngeal bleed (103 events, 2.8 PRBC/event/day). Thirty-day hospital mortality rate was co-related to transfusion requirement (area under ROC curve: 0.70). Conclusion: Patients without clinical bleeding still required transfusion, with higher rates observed with VA- than VV-ECMO. Transfusion requirements dramatically increased when patients developed various bleeding complications and had a significant impact on 30-day mortality rate.

In this review, we describe the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology and its clinical use in high-risk neonates in critical care settings. We searched databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost) to find studies describing the use of NIRS on critically ill and high-risk neonates. Near-infrared spectroscopy provides continuous noninvasive monitoring of venous oxygen saturation. It uses technology similar to pulse oximetry to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in a tissue bed to describe the relative delivery and extraction of oxygen. Near-infrared spectroscopy can be a valuable bedside tool to provide clinicians indirect evidence of perfusion. It may prompt early interventions that promote oxygen delivery, which can improve high-risk neonatal outcomes.

Summary The complex cellular interactions that underlie pathologies related to reduced oxygen delivery after surgery are poorly defined and difficult to measure. Heywood and colleagues explored the patterns of protein expression in skin biopsies taken from a subgroup of patients enrolled in a randomised trial designed to evaluate perioperative goal-directed therapy. One of their key findings was that a failure of participants to maintain preoperative systemic oxygen delivery was associated with an upregulation of intracellular proteins involved in counteracting oxidative stress. Their study highlights the importance of oxidative stress in the perioperative setting and suggests that maintenance of baseline oxygen delivery might be an important regulator of redox balance.

Background: The primary outcome was to evaluate whether goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) protocol, established on stroke volume variation (SVV) and oxygen delivery index (DO2I) using electrical c...

Background Few studies have rigorously assessed the impact of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on oxygen delivery. Several large trials demonstrated no clinical outcome differences between transfusion of shorter-storage vs prolonged-storage RBCs. These trials did not directly assess functional measures of oxygen delivery. Therefore, it is not clear if 42-day stored RBCs deliver oxygen as effectively as 7-day stored RBCs. Study design and methods Leukocyte-reduced RBCs were collected by apheresis in AS-3. Thirty subjects were randomized (1:1:1) to receive 2 units of autologous RBCs at either 7, 28, or 42 days following donation. VO2 max testing, using a standardized protocol to exhaustion, was performed 2 days before (Monday) and 2 days after (Friday) the transfusion visit (Wednesday). The primary endpoint was the percent increase in VO2 max between Monday and Friday. The secondary endpoint was the percent change in duration of exercise for the same time points. Results Hemoglobin levels decreased by 2.8 ± 1.4 g/dL after donation and increased by 2.1 ± 0.6 g/dL after transfusion. This change in hemoglobin was associated with expected decreases (then increases after transfusion) in VO2 max and exercise duration. No differences were observed between 7-day and 42-day RBC transfusion for percent increase in median [IQR] VO2 max (10.5 [0.2-17.3] vs 10.9 [5.7-16.8], P = .41) or for percent increase in exercise duration (5.4 [4.1-6.9] vs 4.9 [2.0-7.2], P = .91), respectively. Results were similar for 28-day RBCs and were consistent across the ITT and per-protocol analysis populations. Conclusion These data indicate that 42-day, 28-day, and 7-day RBCs have similar ability to deliver oxygen.

Early acclimatization to high altitude is characterized by various respiratory, hematological, and cardiovascular adaptations that serve to restore oxygen delivery to tissue. However, less is understood about renal function and the role of renal oxygen delivery (RDO2) during high altitude acclimatization. We hypothesized that 1) RDO2 would be reduced after 12 h of high altitude exposure (high altitude day 1) but restored to sea level values after 1 wk (high altitude day 7) and 2) RDO2 would be associated with renal reactivity, an index of acid-base compensation at high altitude. Twenty-four healthy lowlander participants were tested at sea level (344 m, Kelowna, BC, Canada) and on day 1 and day 7 at high altitude (4,330 m, Cerro de Pasco, Peru). Cardiac output, renal blood flow, and arterial and venous blood sampling for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hormones and NH2-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides were collected at each time point. Renal reactivity was calculated as follows: (Δarterial bicarbonate)/(Δarterial Pco2) between sea level and high altitude day 1 and sea level and high altitude day 7. The main findings were that 1) RDO2 was initially decreased at high altitude compared with sea level (ΔRDO2: −22 ± 17%, P < 0.001) but was restored to sea level values on high altitude day 7 (ΔRDO2: −6 ± 14%, P = 0.36). The observed improvements in RDO2 resulted from both changes in renal blood flow (Δ from high altitude day 1: +12 ± 11%, P = 0.008) and arterial oxygen content (Δ from high altitude day 1: +44.8 ± 17.7%, P = 0.006) and 2) renal reactivity was positively correlated with RDO2 on high altitude day 7 ( r = 0.70, P < 0.001) but not high altitude day 1 ( r = 0.26, P = 0.29). These findings characterize the temporal responses of renal function during early high altitude acclimatization and the influence of RDO2 in the regulation of acid-base balance.

Red blood cell transfusions are a frequent intervention in critically ill patients, including in those who are receiving mechanical ventilation. Both these interventions can impact negatively on lung function with risks of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and other forms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The interactions between transfusion, mechanical ventilation, TRALI and ARDS are complex and other patient-related (e.g. presence of sepsis or shock, disease severity, and hypervolemia) or blood product-related (e.g. presence of antibodies or biologically active mediators) factors also play a role. We propose several strategies targeted at these factors that may help limit the risks of associated lung injury in critically ill patients being considered for transfusion., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background Although photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamics therapy (PDT) have both made excellent progress in tumor therapy, the effectiveness of using PTT or PDT alone is dissatisfactory due to the limitations of the penetration depth in PTT and the hypoxic microenvironment of tumors for PDT. Combination phototherapy has currently become a burgeoning cancer treatment. Methods and materials In this work, a mitochondria-targeting liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC)-based oxygen delivery system was developed for the synergistic PDT/photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer through image guiding. Results Importantly, these nanoparticles (NPs) can effectively and accurately accumulate in the target tumor via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Conclusion This approach offers a novel technique to achieve outstanding antitumor efficacy by an unprecedented design with tumor mitochondria targeting, oxygen delivery, and synergistic PDT/PTT with dual-imaging guidance.

To outline our current neonatal resuscitation practices and discuss changes that have occurred in the field since the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines were published in 2015. There have been interesting developments in delayed cord clamping, heart rate assessments, and oxygen delivery. New developments continue to emerge in the field of neonatal resuscitation, some of which have been adopted into mainstream practice, while others still require more research to establish efficacy and safety.

Background The FIRST-ABC trial comprises of two pragmatic, multicentre, parallel groups, non-inferiority randomised clinical trials designed to evaluate the clinical non-inferiority of first-line use of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in critically ill children who require non-invasive respiratory support (NRS). Objectives To describe the pre-specified statistical and health economic analysis for the FIRST-ABC trial before completion of patient recruitment and data collection. Methods The statistical analysis plan was designed by the chief investigators and statisticians. We define the primary and secondary outcomes, summarise methods for data collection and safety monitoring, and present a detailed description of the planned statistical and health economic analysis. Results The primary clinical outcome is time to liberation from respiratory support. The primary effect estimate will be the adjusted hazard ratio, reported with a 95% confidence interval. As a sensitivity analysis, the primary analysis will be repeated using time to start weaning of NRS. Subgroup analyses will be performed to test for interactions between the effect of allocated treatment group and pre-specified baseline covariates. The health economic analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle and report the mean (95% confidence interval) incremental costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost-effectiveness up to 6 months. All analyses will be performed separately for each of the two trials, and any results will not be combined. Conclusion The FIRST-ABC trial will assess the non-inferiority of HFNC compared to CPAP in two parallel trials with shared infrastructure (step-up RCT and step-down RCT). We have developed a pre-specified statistical and health economics analysis plan for the FIRST-ABC study before trial completion to minimise analytical bias. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN60048867. Registered on 19 June 2019.

Background Thailand, with an annual incidence rate of 12% ranks high in incidence of preterm birth. Preterm infants require specialized care which can be lengthy and costly both in terms of psychological and emotional stress and healthcare services. The rapid rise of cost of healthcare services is a major concern for Thai government and public. Purpose To assess and compare the growth patterns and cost of delivery of healthcare services of 50 preterm infants who were randomly assigned to either the control arm or the Maternal Participation Program (MPP) arm of the study. Methods 25 infants in the control arm and 25 infants in the MPP arm were followed up from the day of transfer to the neonatal ward until they were discharged from the hospital. Data on clinical parameters and cost of healthcare delivery were collected by reviewing medical charts and from institutional financial databases. The principle of intention-to-treat analysis was used to analyze the data using the SPSS package (Version 23). Results The average hospital stay (53 days vs. 60, P = .427) and days of oxygen delivery (21 days vs. 45, P = .047) for infants in the MPP arm were shorter than the control. At discharge from hospital, growth velocity of infants in the control arm had caught up with the MPP arm. Overall costs of healthcare delivery services for the preterm infants in control arm were 1.75 times higher than those in the MPP arm, with the procedural services as the costliest. Costs of drugs and the other ancillary services for the control arm was about 3-fold higher than for the MPP arm. Conclusion There were similar growth patterns and weight gain between the preterm infants in the control arm and the intervention arm. However, health care cost in preterm infants in the control arm was no statistically significant higher than those of the MPP arm. The difference of health care cost may arise from healthcare services and clinical interventions. Innovative and simple alternative strategy such as MPP can be an effective approach to curb the escalating cost of healthcare services.

Purpose: We sought to assess the relationship of intraoperative perfusion parameters while on cardiopulmonary bypass, including oxygen delivery (DO2), to the need for ECMO following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Methods: We included all adult (>18 years old) OHTs performed at our institution since implementation of an electronic perfusion record (March 2019-February 2020). Multi-organ transplants were excluded. The primary outcome was the need for immediate venoarterial ECMO in the OR following OHT. Univariable statistics were computed across demographic, clinical, operative, and perfusion variables, including oxygen delivery (DO2) measured each minute. Results: Fifty-three OHT were included with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range, 45-61). The primary outcome occurred in eight patients (15.1%). A significantly greater proportion of patients requiring ECMO had ischemic cardiomyopathy (50.0% (4/8) vs. 15.6% (7/45), p = 0.02) and had preoperative ventricular assist devices (37.5% (3/8) vs. 8.9% (4/45), p = 0.03). Median bypass times were longer in the ECMO group (217 vs. 147 minutes, p = 0.001). Phenylephrine doses were nonsignificantly higher in ECMO patients (4.1 vs. 1.9 mg, p = 0.10). No significant differences were observed in single-point median DO2 (275 vs. 294 mL O2/min/m2 BSA, p = 0.17) and nadir DO2 (226 vs. 222, p = 0.94), but increasing time and depth of DO2 below a threshold of 300 mL O2/min/m2 BSA (i.e. area over the DO2 curve (AOC) but below threshold) was significantly associated with the need for postoperative ECMO (p = 0.04). Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the relationship of perfusion parameters, including oxygen delivery, to outcomes following heart transplantation. We note that DO2 2 differences in patients who require post-OHT ECMO reflect vasoplegia, or a more causative relationship which might be leveraged to improve outcomes.

Introduction When children require supplemental oxygen due to acute hypoxemic respiratory distress (AHRD), manual control of the oxygen flow is often difficult and time-consuming, and carries the risk of unrecognized hypoxia and hyperoxia. To date, no automatic oxygen titration system has been developed and evaluated in spontaneously breathing children. Methods Children between 1 month and 15 years of age receiving supplemental oxygen due to AHRD were recruited within 24 hours following the onset of the O2 administration in a French University Department of Paediatrics. Patients were randomized to receive either automated oxygen administration using the FreeO2 device, or conventional manual oxygen administration over a maximum period of 6 hours. Stratification was performed to classify the patients into two age groups: 1 month to 2 years of age and 2 to 15 years of age. The primary outcome was % time spent within the SpO2 target range (92%-98%). Results 60 patients (30 infants, 30 children) were randomized and 55 could be analyzed for the primary outcome (28 automated, 27 manual). The automated O2 delivery using the FreeO2 device significantly increased the time spent within the predefined SpO2 range (94.6% ± 6% vs 76.3% ± 22%, difference [95% confidence interval {CI}] 18.4 [10.1; 26.7]) with less time spent with hypoxemia (1% ± 1.1% vs 15.1% ± 21.8%, difference [95% CI] -14.4 [-22.2; -6.7]). This difference was greater among (2-15 years of age) children, compared to (1 month-2 years of age) infants. Conclusions The present randomized controlled pilot study indicates that the tested automated closed-loop O2 titration technology was safe and yielded improved oxygen parameters among spontaneously breathing children. Based on our pilot data, a full randomized controlled trial will be required to verify the potential clinical benefits.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically implemented modality to tackle intractable diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, its efficacy is largely compromised by some resistance factors from t...

Use of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involves continual introduction of molecular oxygen to a wound, activating the local immune system and inducing the development of hypochlorous acid, with beneficial antimicrobial effects. NOVOX is an ROS device that uses olive oil, over-oxidised through an ozone (O3), to create an oleic matrix, with film-forming and protective functions. By avoiding accumulation of exudate, it decreases bacterial proliferation. It is administered to the wound bed through a prefilled plastic syringe, without antimicrobials or chemical additives, for safe and easy self-treatment and painless dressing change. The oil's consistency allows for a homogenous spread, reaching all tunnelling tracts and promoting contact between wound bed and dressing. A case series was carried out of 34 patients with deep and narrow wounds, most in the leg or sternum and resulting from dehiscence (80%). ROS therapy was used in combination with a secondary dressing, such as negative pressure wound therapy or polyurethane foam. At baseline, average wound/fistula depth was 1.6cm, Wound Bed Score (WBS) was 11.8 and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain was 3.6. Average wound/fistula depth decreased by 43% at 2 weeks and 77% at 4 weeks. WBS increased by 11% at 2 weeks and by 27% at 4 weeks. NRS decreased by 60% at 2 weeks. Most wounds took 2–4 weeks to heal, and there were no episodes of intolerance or recurrence.

Introduction: Cardiac output (CO) measurement is vital in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient population to evaluate oxygen delivery and to early identify right heart failure. Standard clinical methods like pulmonary artery thermodilution and transpulmonary thermodilution are known to be inaccurate in the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation setting, especially at high levels of recirculation. Objective: The aim of the study was to develop a simple noninvasive method to measure CO in patients during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Methods: A mathematical model was developed where CO was analyzed as a combination of two flows: oxygenated blood from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and less oxygenated mixed venous blood. The system of two mass balance equations for oxygen saturations was introduced to calculate CO. The procedure included measurement of recirculation (ELSA Monitor Transonic Systems Inc. Ithaca, USA) and arterial saturation at two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flows after temporary pump flow decrease. Mathematic modeling that utilized a crude Monte Carlo method was used to analyze theoretical errors in CO calculations from unknown behavior of venous saturation. The developed concept was retrospectively applied to clinical data archive of 17 adult patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation that included 52 measurement sessions. Results: Mathematical modeling suggests that proportion of results with error ⩽10% was between 86% and 100% if pre-oxygenated saturation was available and it was between 78% and 86% if pre-oxygenated saturation was not available. Application of two mass balance equation concept to clinical data suggests that as the decrease of the arterial saturation reaches 6% due to flow decrease, then CO calculations becomes highly reliable as 96% (2 standard deviations) of the results has a reproducibility within 6.4%. Conclusion: The mathematical model and clinical retrospective analysis demonstrates that the new methodology has the potential to accurately measure CO in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. The next step is validation in animal and clinical settings.

Beetroot juice (BRJ) has become increasingly popular amongst athletes aiming to improve sport performances. BRJ contains high concentrations of nitrate, which can be converted into nitric oxide (NO) after consumption. NO has various functions in the human body, including a vasodilatory effect, which reduces blood pressure and increases oxygen- and nutrient delivery to various organs. These effects indicate that BRJ may have relevant applications in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the consumption of BRJ also has an impact on oxygen delivery to skeletal muscles, muscle efficiency, tolerance and endurance and may thus have a positive impact on sports performances. Aside from the beneficial aspects of BRJ consumption, there may also be potential health risks. Drinking BRJ may easily increase nitrate intake above the acceptable daily intake, which is known to stimulate the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOC's), a class of compounds that is known to be carcinogenic and that may also induce several other adverse effects. Compared to studies on the beneficial effects, the amount of data and literature on the negative effects of BRJ is rather limited, and should be increased in order to perform a balanced risk assessment.

Objective Metabolism management plays an essential role during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There are different metabolic management devices integrated to heart–lung machines; the most commonly used and accepted metabolic target is indexed oxygen delivery (DO2i) (280 mL/min/m2) and cardiac index (CI) (2.4 L/min/m2), which can be managed independently or according to other metabolic parameters. Our objective was to compare lactate production during CPB procedures using different metabolic management: DO2i in relation to indexed oxygen extraction ratio (O2ERi) and CI in relation to mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). Methods Data on 500 CPB procedures were retrospectively collected in a specialized regional tertiary cardiac surgery center in Italy between September and 2012 and November 2019. In group A, the DO2i with 280 mL/min/m2 target in relation to O2ERi 25% was used; in group B, CI with 2.4 L/min/m2 target in relation to SvO2 75% was used. During CPB, serial arterial blood gas analyses with blood lactate and glucose determinations were obtained. Hyperlactatemia (HL) was defined as a peak arterial blood lactate concentration >3 mmol/L. The postoperative outcome of patients with or without HL was compared. Results Eight pre- and intraoperative factors were found to be significantly associated with peak blood lactate level during CPB at univariate analysis. HL (>3 mmol/L) was detected in 15 (6%) patients of group A and in 42 (16.8%) patients of group B (P = .022); hyperglycemia (>160 mg/dL) was found in 23 (9.2%) patients of group A and in 53 (21.2%) patients of group B (P = .038). Patients with HL during CPB had a significant increase in serum creatinine value, higher rate of prolonged mechanical ventilation time and intensive care unit stay. A cutoff of DO2i 35% in group A and a cutoff of CI 290 mL/min/m2 in relation to O2ERi 24% in group A and a cutoff of CI >2.4 L/min/m2 in relation to SvO2 >75% in group B were found to have a negative predictive value of 78% and 62% for HL, respectively. Conclusions This retrospective observational analysis showed that management of DO2i in relation to O2ERi was 16% more specific in terms of negative predictive value for HL during CPB compared with the use of CI in relation to SvO2. Group A reported a significant reduction in the incidence of intraoperative lactate peak, correlated with postoperative reduction of serum creatinine value, mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit stay, compared with group B., Graphical abstract

Consecutive fluid challenges (FCs) are frequently administered to maximize the stroke volume (SV) as part of a goal-directed therapy (GDT) strategy. However, fluid administration may also cause acute hemodilution that might lead to an actual paradoxical decrease in oxygen delivery (DO2). The aim of this study was to examine whether continuous noninvasive hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring can be used to detect the development of acute hemodilution after graded fluid administration.In 40 patients who underwent major vascular or gastrointestinal surgery, an FC, consisting of 250 mL colloid solution, was administered. When the SV increased by ≥10%, the FC was repeated up to a maximum of 3 times. Laboratory-measured hemoglobin concentrations (BHb), SpHb, SV, cardiac output (CO), and DO2 values were recorded after each FC.All 40 patients received the first FC, 32 patients received the second FC, and 20 patients received the third FC (total of 750 mL). Out of the 92 administered FCs, only 55 (60%) caused an increase in SV ≥10% ("responders"). The first and the second FCs were associated with a significant increase in the mean CO and DO2, while the mean SpHb and BHb decreased significantly. However, the third and last FC was associated with no statistical difference in CO and SV, a further significant decrease in mean SpHb and BHb, and a significant decrease in DO2 in these patients. Compared to their baseline values (T0), BHb and SpHb decreased by a mean of 5.3% ± 4.9% and 4.4% ± 5.2%, respectively, after the first FC (T1; n = 40), by 9.7% ± 8.4% and 7.9% ± 6.9% after the second FC (T2; n = 32), and by 14.5% ± 6.2% and 14.6% ± 5.7% after the third FC (T3; n = 20). Concordance rates between the changes in SpHb and in BHb after the administration of 250, 500, and 750 mL colloids were 83%, 90%, and 100%, respectively.Fluid loading aimed at increasing the SV and the DO2 as part of GDT strategy is associated with acute significant decreases in both BHb and SpHb concentrations. When the administration of an FC is not followed by a significant increase (≥10%) in the SV, the DO2 decreases significantly due to the development of acute hemodilution. Continuous noninvasive monitoring of SpHb does not reflect accurately absolute BHb values, but may be reliably used to detect the development of acute hemodilution especially after the administration of at least 500 mL of colloids.

Relevance. Traditional treatment of septic wounds of soft tissues often leads to the development of complications, causing more than 30% of deaths after surgery. The oxidative and bacterial components have a key role in the pathogenesis of septic processes. The aim of the study was to develop a method of treatment of septic wounds, based on a combination of jet technologies, oxygenation and sorption therapy, and also to study the effectiveness of its use. Materials and methods. Studies were conducted on 120 white Wistar rats with septic wounds of soft tissue. There were 4 groups: 3 control and 1 experimental. There was no treatment in the 1st control group. Bandages and treatment of the wound with oxygen flow were performed in the 2nd control group. In the 3rd control group, bandages were performed, and the sorbent was applied to the wound surface. In the experimental group, in addition to dressings, jet oxygen-sorption treatment of the wound surface was carried out. The study of the effectiveness of the method was carried out using objective, histological, histochemical, bacteriological and statistical methods. Result. During the jet oxygen-sorption treatment of the wound surface, the disappearance of hyperemia was noted by 23.1%, the end of necrolysis - by 25.7%, the appearance of granulation - by 24.3%, wound epithelization - by 17.0% faster, compared with the data of the 1st control group. Conclusion. Use of the method the jet oxygen-sorption treatment for the treatment of septic wounds of soft tissues reduced the wound area by 1 day by 4.8%, 3 day by 6.7%, to 7-days 19.1% and to 10-day 43.9% compared to the 3rd control group.

Heart failure is a consequence of progression hypoxia‐dependent tissue damages. Therapeutic approaches to restore and/or protect the healthy cardiac tissue have largely failed and remain a major challenge of regenerative medicine. The myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP) is a modifier of haemoglobin which enters the red blood cells and modifies the haemoglobin properties, allowing for easier and better delivery of oxygen by the blood. Here, we show that this treatment approach in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction (MI) results in an efficient protection from heart failure, and we demonstrate the recovery effect on post‐MI left ventricular remodelling in the rat model. Cultured cardiomyocytes used to study the molecular mechanism of action of ITPP in vitro displayed the fast stimulation of HIF‐1 upon hypoxic conditions. HIF‐1 overexpression was prevented by ITPP when incorporated into red blood cells applied in a model of blood‐perfused cardiomyocytes coupling the dynamic shear stress effect to the enhanced O2 supply by modification of haemoglobin ability to release O2 in hypoxia. ITPP treatment appears a breakthrough strategy for the efficient and safe treatment of hypoxia‐ or ischaemia‐induced injury of cardiac tissue.

Purpose of review To fully exploit the concept of hemodynamic coherence in resuscitating critically ill one should preferably take into account information about the state of parenchymal cells. Monitoring of mitochondrial oxygen tension (mitoPO2) has emerged as a clinical means to assess information of oxygen delivery and oxygen utilization at the mitochondrial level. This review will outline the basics of the technique, summarize its development and describe the rationale of measuring oxygen at the mitochondrial level. Recent findings Mitochondrial oxygen tension can be measured by means of the protoporphyrin IX-Triplet State Lifetime Technique (PpIX-TSLT). After validation and use in preclinical animal models, the technique has recently become commercially available in the form of a clinical measuring system. This system has now been used in a number of healthy volunteer studies and is currently being evaluated in studies in perioperative and intensive care patients in several European university hospitals. Summary PpIX-TSLT is a noninvasive and well tolerated method to assess aspects of mitochondrial function at the bedside. It allows doctors to look beyond the macrocirculation and microcirculation and to take the oxygen balance at the cellular level into account in treatment strategies.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has become a matter of concern all over the world. This virus caused acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) in almost 67% of patients, with 71% of total patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Oxygen therapy is prudent for patients suffering fromSARS-CoV-2 at different stages of the disease. The choice of different oxygen delivery devices depends on the patient's status and its availability. In this review we will discuss the pros and cons of several oxygen delivery devices, as well as the safety precautions and personal protective equipments.

Nonpharmacological approaches can be useful to control infectious diseases. Historically infection has been successfully managed with oxidation therapy methods that support the body's own innate defenses. Several modalities include ozone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation (UBI), intravenous hydrogen peroxide, and ascorbate therapies. Oxidation therapies are virtually 100% safe, and repeatedly reported as highly and quickly effective in quelling infection (bacterial and viral) either as stand-alone therapies or adjunctive with drugs. They are directly and indirectly germicidal, and modulate the immune system via pro-oxidant signaling molecules. Oxidation therapies especially enhance oxygen delivery and metabolism, critical for all infection defenses. Ozone has remitted Ebola, COVID-19, and bacterial infections. UBI defeated most preantibiotic era infections in hospitals. Not being drug therapy, the effects of oxidation defenses, used by planetary animal life for millions of years, are not diminished by antibiotic-resistant organisms. Oxidation, depending on delivery method, can be very inexpensive and third world adaptable. This chapter summarizes the use of these key modalities, by exploring known published literature.

Multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS) is a hallmark of sepsis. The continued dysfunction of microvascular perfusion has been implicated as the inciting factor for this. Multiple etiopathological factors are involved in producing this disequilibrium in the demand, supply, and extraction of oxygen as a result of derecruitment of microcirculation. This is further complicated by mitochondrial dysfunction in the form of the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain of enzymes, leading to difficulty in extraction of the oxygen at the cellular level. Eventually, although hemodynamic stability of systemic/macrovascular circulation may have been achieved, the process of deficient and defective delivery of oxygen to the tissues goes on relentlessly. The indicators and monitoring of this process of impairment of oxygen delivery (DO2) have been discussed in this review. In addition, the review also encompasses various therapeutic modalities and their efficacy, based on the evidence. The latest guidelines regarding optimizing the DO2 in sepsis are also included here.

Objective: to assess the relationship between oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass and the incidende of acute kidney injury in the immediate postoperative period of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, as well as to identify possible risk factors. Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery scheduled between May 2016 and February 2018 was carried out in which the M-M4 System was used for online blood gases. Patients with preoperative diagnosis of chronic renal failure were excluded. For the oxigen delivery, the average of all M4 records was made. Results: 133 patients (35.3% women) with a mean age of 64.9 ± 10.9 years were studied. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 18.8% (AKI I: 12%; AKI II: 3%; AKI III: 3.8%). There was no correlation between acute kidney injury and O2 delivery (251 ± 43 vs 247 ± 52, ns), if there was a difference when patients needed renal replacement therapy (251 ± 43 vs 198 ± 18, p = 0.04). There was a significant increase risk in diabetes; HTA; pulmonary arterial hypertension; chronic atrial fibrilation; red blood cell concentrate and blood products administration in the operating room; redo for bleeding; high lactic acid and glycemia post cardiopulmonary bypass; prolonged pump and ischemia times; and combined surgery. Conclusions: There was no direct relationship between O2 delivery and acute kidney injury, although there was a significantly lower O2 delivery in patients who needed postoperative renal replacement therapy.

The role of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) in the rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is controversial, and it is unclear whether it increases or decreases the risk of rupture. This research aims to find a clear answer to this question. Previous computer modelling suggests that an ILT lowers oxygen dissemination to the AAA wall, contributing to wall thinning. The methodology used in this study determines the amount of oxygen reaching the aneurysm wall after passing through the ILT by using the porous nature of the ILT to recreate the condition as closely as feasible. Using computed tomographic images, patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) AAA geometries were recreated. Modelling blood and oxygen flow in AAA was obtained using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Our findings indicated that the oxygen volume percentage had completely reached the aneurysm wall. Only at the inlet and outflow did the greatest wall shear stress (WSS) occur, with a significant drop in the central region of the aneurysm wall. CFD was used to calculate the velocity, pressure, and WSS of aortic blood flow. ILT had no effect on oxygen flow to the aneurysm wall, disproving the theory that it produces local hypoxia.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who need intensive medical care often require oxygen ventilation, but the number of ventilation machines is limited, and in some parts of the world, they are not available at all. In addition to patients for whom there is no access to ventilation machines there is also a considerable population of patients for whom ventilation is not sufficient for them to survive a critical state. Methods: Here, we propose and test an alternative oxygen supply through accelerated transdermal oxygen delivery. Covering the entire body with liquid fluorocarbons, which can dissolve 20 times more oxygen than water, we hypothesized to increase the contribution of transcutaneous respiration by a sustained amount. Results: Experiments applying pure medical grade perfluorodecalin on nude mice did not change their oxygenation in the blood under induced hypoxic conditions compared to control mice. However, increases in blood oxygenation below 2% could not be detected with the applied method. Conclusions: We could not establish a proof-of-principle for a substantial increase in oxygen supply by transdermal oxygen delivery in mammals.

Purpose The purpose was to test the hypothesis that sex and fatigue effect of the early phase of skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation (StO2, %) desaturation rate as well as that strength matched adults may exhibit similar responses. Methods Twenty-four adults visited the laboratory twice to quantify this early phase of desaturation during vascular occlusion tests (VOT) while in a rested state. The second visit included a sustained handgrip task at 25% of maximal muscular strength until task failure. At failure, a post-task VOT was initiated. Muscle desaturation was defined as StO2 and collected by a near-infrared spectroscopy device. The muscle size and adipose thickness were determined via ultrasonography. Linear regression was used to quantify the rates of desaturation during the VOTs as well as during the fatiguing handgrip. Results There were sex differences in the rate of desaturation pre- and post-handgrip, such that independent of fatigue, the men (p

Infants have an intense need to suck since birth and often cry because of various reasons including cry, anger, frustration etc, the situation become more challenging when kids are admitted in hospitals. Some babies may cry more often than others, even when there is nothing wrong. They are not mature neurologically and are often calmed by sucking. Some of the suggested methods to soothe infants include holding up, rocking in baby carriers, talk a walk in a stroller, breast feeding, get support from family, or trying a baby pacifier. Pacifiers are referred to any object which helps children adjust to new situation or calm them or relieve their stress. 75-85% of kids use pacifiers in western countries and hospital nurseries commonly give them to newly born babies. Although breastfeeding is the most effective way to calm infants, and often kids have reflex to place their hands or thumbs in their mouths, pacifiers can be very helpful for discontented or cranky babies who cannot or will not suck their thumbs or fingers.