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Background: Patient blood management (PBM) is a multidisciplinary and patient-centered treatment approach, comprising the detection and treatment of anemia, the minimization of blood loss, and the rational use of allogeneic transfusions. Pregnancy, delivery, and the puerperium are associated with increased rates of iron deficiency and anemia, which correlates with worse maternal and fetal outcomes and places pregnant women at increased risk of obstetric hemorrhage. Summary: Early screening for iron deficiency before the onset of anemia, as well as the use of oral and intravenous iron to treat iron deficiency anemia, has been shown to be beneficial. Anemia in pregnancy and the puerperium should be treated according to a staged regimen, administering either iron alone or in combination with an off-label use of human recombinant erythropoietin in selected patients. This regimen should be tailored to the needs of each individual patient. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) accounts for up to one-third of maternal deaths in both developing and developed countries. Bleeding complications should be anticipated and blood loss reduced by interdisciplinary preventive measures and individually tailored care. It is recommended that facilities have a PPH algorithm, primarily focusing on prevention through use of uterotonics, but also incorporating early diagnosis of the cause of bleeding, optimization of hemostatic conditions, timely administration of tranexamic acid, and integration of point-of-care tests to support the guided substitution of coagulation factors, alongside standard laboratory tests. Additionally, cell salvage has proven beneficial and should be considered for various indications in obstetrics including hematologic disturbances, as well as various forms of placental disorders. Key Message: This article reviews PBM in pregnancy, delivery, and the puerperium. The concept comprises early screening and treatment of anemia and iron deficiency, a transfusion and coagulation algorithm during delivery, as well as cell salvage.

Purpose The impact of the type of anesthesia (regional vs. general anesthesia) on in-hospital complications in ankle fractures has not been thoroughly studied yet. Identifying factors that place patients at risk for complications following ankle fractures may help reduce their occurrence. The primary goal of this study was (1) to describe the cohort of patients and (2) to evaluate independent risk factors for complications during hospitalization. Methods We analyzed patients from 2005 to 2019 with an operatively treated isolated fracture of the medial or lateral malleolus using a prospective national quality measurement database. Patients were selected based on international classifications (ICD) and national procedural codes (CHOP). Uni- and multivariate analysis were applied. Results In total, we analyzed 5262 patients who suffered a fracture of the malleolus; 3003 patients (57%) had regional and 2259 (43%) general anesthesia. Patients with regional anesthesia were significantly older (51 vs. 46 years), but healthier (23 vs. 28% comorbidities) than patients who received general anesthesia. The in-hospital complication rate was not significantly lower in regional anesthesia (2.2% vs 3.0%). The type of anesthesia was not an independent predictor for complications while controlling for confounders. Conclusion Type of anesthesia was not an independent predictor of complications; however, higher ASA class, age over 70 years, fracture of the medial versus lateral malleolus, longer preoperative stay, and duration of surgery were significant predictors of complications. Patient and procedure characteristics, as well as changes in medical care and epidemiological changes along with patient requests, influenced the choice of the type of anesthesia.

Introduction Postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A-ECMO) is associated with significant mortality. Identification of patients at very high risk for death is elusive and the decision to initiate V-A-ECMO is based on clinical judgment. The prognostic impact of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level in these critically ill patients has been herein evaluated. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data meta-analysis. Results Overall, 1269 patients selected from 10 studies were included in this analysis. Arterial lactate level at V-A-ECMO initiation was increased in patients who died during the index hospitalization compared to those who survived (9.3 vs 6.6 mmol/L, p < 0.0001). Accordingly, in hospital mortality increased along quintiles of pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level (quintiles: 1, 54.9%; 2, 54.9%; 3, 67.3%; 4, 74.2%; 5, 82.2%, p < 0.0001). The best cut-off for arterial lactate was 6.8 mmol/L (in-hospital mortality, 76.7% vs. 55.7%, p < 0.0001). Multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model including arterial lactate level significantly increased the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.731, 95% CI 0.702–0.760 vs 0.679, 95% CI 0.648–0.711, DeLong test p < 0.0001). Classification and regression tree analysis showed the in-hospital mortality was 85.2% in patients aged more than 70 years with pre-V-A-ECMO arterial lactate level ≥6.8 mmol/L. Conclusions Among patients requiring postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO, hyperlactatemia was associated with a marked increase of in-hospital mortality. Arterial lactate may be useful in guiding the decision-making process and the timing of initiation of postcardiotomy V-A-ECMO.

Prehospital Pain Management: Overview and Potential Improvements

Pain is a frequent problem faced by emergency medical services (EMS) in pre-hospital settings. This large observational study aims to assess the prevalence of sufficiently provided analgesia and to analyze the efficacy of different analgesics. Moreover, we evaluated if quality of analgesia changed with an emergency physician on scene or depended on paramedics' gender.This is a retrospective analysis of all pre-hospital medical charts from adults and adolescents treated by the municipal EMS SchutzRettung Zürich over a period of 4 years from 2013 to 2016. Inclusion criteria were age ≥16 years, initial GCS 13, NACA score ≥I and ≤V, an initial numeric rating scale (NRS) ≥ I and a documented NRS at hospital admission. 20,978 out of 142,484 missions fulfilled the inclusion criteria and therefore underwent further investigation. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses were applied.Initial NRS on scene was on average 5.2 ± 3.0. Mean NRS reduction after treatment was 2.2 ± 2.5 leading to a NRS at hospital admission of 3.0 ± 1.9. This resulted in sufficient analgesia for 77% of included patients. Among analgesics, the highest odds ratio for sufficient analgesia was observed for ketamine (OR 4.7, 95%CI 2.2-10.4, p 0.001) followed by fentanyl (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.1-1.7, p = 0.004). Female paramedics provided better analgesia (OR 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.2; p 0.001). Patient's sex had no influence on analgesia. In patients with a NACA score 2, the presence of an emergency physician on scene improved the quality of analgesia significantly.Pre-hospital analgesia is mostly adequate, especially when done with ketamine or fentanyl. Female paramedics provided better analgesia and in selected patients, an emergency physician on scene improved quality of analgesia in critical patients.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) therapy is increasingly used for cardiac and respiratory support postcardiotomy, refractory cardiogenic shock and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This study aims to describe in-hospital mortality of patients requiring ECLS, identify independent predictors associated with mortality and analyze changes of mortality over time. METHODS: This retrospective study includes all adult ECLS cases at the University Hospital Zurich, a designated ECLS center in Switzerland, in the period 2007 to 2019. RESULTS: ECLS therapy was required in 679 patients (median age 60 years, 27.5% female). In-hospital mortality was 55.5%. Cubic spline interpolation did not detect evidence for a change in mortality over the whole period of 13 years. In-hospital mortality significantly varied between ECLS indications: 70.7% (152/215) for postcardiotomy, 67.9% (108/159) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 47.0% (110/234) for refractory cardiogenic shock, and 9.9% (7/71) for lung transplantation and expansive thoracic surgery (P

Background: It is unclear whether peripheral arterial cannulation is superior to central arterial cannulation for postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. Analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results: The investigators of 10 studies agreed to participate in the present IPD meta-analysis. Overall, 1269 patients were included in the analysis. Crude rates of in-hospital mortality after central versus peripheral arterial cannulation for VA-ECMO were 70.7% vs. 63.7%, respectively (adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08–1.75). Propensity score matching yielded 538 pairs of patients with balanced baseline characteristics and operative variables. Among these matched cohorts, central arterial cannulation VA-ECMO was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation VA-ECMO (64.5% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.027). These findings were confirmed by aggregate data meta-analysis, which showed that central arterial cannulation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04–1.76, I2 21%). Conclusions: Among patients requiring postcardiotomy VA-ECMO, central arterial cannulation was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to peripheral arterial cannulation. This increased risk is of limited magnitude, and further studies are needed to confirm the present findings and to identify the mechanisms underlying the potential beneficial effects of peripheral VA-ECMO.

Background Transfusion of allogenic blood products was shown to be associated with more adverse events and a higher mortality in severely burned patients. This study investigated the impact of a goal-directed and factor-based coagulation algorithm on blood product use and clinical outcomes in severely burned patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study included adult patients admitted to the burn center of the University Hospital Zurich with major burn injuries compromising 20–80% of total body surface area. We compared two 3-year periods, one before the introduction of a goal-directed coagulation and transfusion algorithm (period 1: 2009–2011) and one after (period 2: 2016–2018). We applied linear and logistic regression models adjusted for confounders. Results We analyzed 36 patients (27.8% female) versus 42 patients (14.3% female) in period 1 and 2, respectively. Comorbidities and burn types were comparable between both collectives. Treatment according to the coagulation algorithm resulted in an overall reduction of 33 units of red blood cells (95% CI −52.8 to −12.9, p = 0.002), 9 units fresh frozen plasma (95% CI −14.7 to −2.6, p = 0.006) and 1.4g fibrinogen (95% CI −2.2 to −0.5, p = 0.001) per patient. We observed less infections (61.8% vs. 41.5%, p = 0.11) and a reduced mortality (38.9% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.33) during the algorithm treated period, although not significant. Conclusion Treatment of severely burned patients with a goal-directed coagulation algorithm reduced blood product use and resulted in target-oriented administration of coagulation factors to improve outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Approximately every third surgical patient is anemic. The most common form, iron deficiency anemia, results from persisting iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) is a promising parameter for diagnosing IDE, hitherto requiring blood drawing and laboratory workup. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Noninvasive ZnPP (ZnPP-NI) measurements are compared to ZnPP reference determination of the ZnPP/heme ratio by high-performance liquid chromatography (ZnPP-HPLC) and the analytical performance in detecting IDE is evaluated against traditional iron status parameters (ferritin, transferrin saturation [TSAT], soluble transferrin receptor-ferritin index [sTfR-F], soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]), likewise measured in blood. The study was conducted at the University Hospitals of Frankfurt and Zurich. RESULTS: Limits of agreement between ZnPP-NI and ZnPP-HPLC measurements for 584 cardiac and noncardiac surgical patients equaled 19.7 μmol/mol heme (95% confidence interval, 18.0-21.3; acceptance criteria, 23.2 μmol/mol heme; absolute bias, 0 μmol/mol heme). Analytical performance for detecting IDE (inferred from area under the curve receiver operating characteristics) of parameters measured in blood was: ZnPP-HPLC (0.95), sTfR (0.92), sTfR-F (0.89), TSAT (0.87), and ferritin (0.67). Noninvasively measured ZnPP-NI yielded results of 0.90. CONCLUSION: ZnPP-NI appears well suited for an initial IDE screening, informing on the state of erythropoiesis at the point of care without blood drawing and laboratory analysis. Comparison with a multiparameter IDE test revealed that ZnPP-NI values of 40 μmol/mol heme or less allows exclusion of IDE, whereas for 65 μmol/mol heme or greater, IDE is very likely if other causes of increased values are excluded. In these cases (77% of our patients) ZnPP-NI may suffice for a diagnosis, while values in between require analyses of additional iron status parameters.

BACKGROUND This study investigates the impact of preoperative calculated rivaroxaban (RXA) plasma concentration on perioperative red blood cell (RBC) loss. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In this retrospective single-center study, we identified patients with RXA intake according to a preoperative determination of RXA levels within 96 hours before surgery. RXA plasma concentration at the beginning of surgery was then calculated from the last RXA intake using a single-compartment pharmacokinetic model with four categories of RXA concentration (≤20, 21-50, 51-100, and >100 μg/L). Patients were classified into surgery with high (≥500 mL) or low (

Editor’s PerspectiveWhat We Already Know about This TopicWhat This Article Tells Us That Is NewBackgroundCrystalloid solutions leave the circulation quickly, whereas colloids remain for hours, thus promoting hemodynamic stability. However, colloids are expensive and promote renal toxicity in critical care patients. This study tested the hypothesis that goal-directed colloid administration during elective abdominal surgery decreases 30-day major complications more than goal-directed crystalloid administration.MethodsIn this parallel-arm double-blinded multicenter randomized trial, adults having moderate- to high-risk open and laparoscopically assisted abdominal surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to Doppler-guided intraoperative volume replacement with 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (n = 523) or lactated Ringer’s solution (n = 534). The primary outcome was a composite of serious postoperative cardiac, pulmonary, infectious, gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation complications that were assessed with a generalized estimating equation multivariate model. The primary safety outcome was a change in serum creatinine concentration up to 6 months postoperatively, compared to baseline concentrations.ResultsA total of 1,057 patients were included in the analysis. Patients assigned to crystalloid received a median [quartile 1, quartile 3] amount of 3.2 l [2.3, 4.4] of crystalloid, and patients assigned to colloid received 1.0 l [0.5, 1.5] of colloid and 1.8 l [1.2, 2.4] of crystalloid. The estimated intention-to-treat common effect relative risk for the primary composite was 0.90 for colloids versus crystalloids (95% CI: 0.65 to 1.23, P = 0.51), and 18% (91 of 523) of colloid patients and 20% (103 of 534) of crystalloid patients incurred at least one component of the primary outcome composite. There was no evidence of renal toxicity at any time.ConclusionsDoppler-guided intraoperative hydroxyethyl starch administration did not significantly reduce a composite of serious complications. However, there was also no indication of renal or other toxicity.

Sağır, Özlem (Balikesir Author), Introduction More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. Methods and analysis EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. Ethics and dissemination EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369. ©

The Haemostasis Traffic Light is a cognitive aid with a user-centred design to enhance and simplify situation awareness and decision-making during peri-operative bleeding. Its structure helps to prioritise therapeutic interventions according to the pathophysiology and the severity of the bleeding. This investigator-initiated, randomised, prospective, international, dual-centre study aimed to validate the Haemostasis Traffic Light by adapting it to the local coagulation protocols of two university hospitals. Between 9 January and 12 May 2020, we recruited 84 participants at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Each centre included 21 resident and 21 staff anaesthetists. Participants were randomly allocated to either the text-based algorithm or the Haemostasis Traffic Light. All participants managed six bleeding scenarios using the same algorithm. In simulated bleeding scenarios, the design of the Haemostasis Traffic Light algorithm enabled more correctly solved cases, OR (95%CI) 7.23 (3.82-13.68), p < 0.001, and faster therapeutic decisions, HR (95%CI) 1.97 (1.18-3.29, p = 0.010). In addition, the tool improved therapeutic confidence, OR (95%CI) 4.31 (1.67-11.11, p = 0.003), and reduced perceived work-load coefficient (95%CI) -6.1 (-10.98 to -1.22), p = 0.020). This study provides empirical evidence for the importance of user-centred design in the development of haemostatic management protocols.

Visual Patient is an avatar-based alternative to standard patient monitor displays that significantly improves the perception of vital signs. Implementation of this technology in larger organizations would require it to be teachable by brief class instruction to large groups of professionals. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of such a large-scale introduction to Visual Patient.In this study, we aimed to compare 2 different educational methods, one-on-one instruction and class instruction, for training anesthesia providers in avatar-based patient monitoring.We presented 42 anesthesia providers with 30 minutes of class instruction on Visual Patient (class instruction group). We further selected a historical sample of 16 participants from a previous study who each received individual instruction (individual instruction group). After the instruction, the participants were shown monitors with either conventional displays or Visual Patient displays and were asked to interpret vital signs. In the class instruction group, the participants were shown scenarios for either 3 or 10 seconds, and the numbers of correct perceptions with each technology were compared. Then, the teaching efficacy of the class instruction was compared with that of the individual instruction in the historical sample by 2-way mixed analysis of variance and mixed regression.In the class instruction group, when participants were presented with the 3-second scenario, there was a statistically significant median increase in the number of perceived vital signs when the participants were shown the Visual Patient compared to when they were shown the conventional display (3 vital signs, P.001; effect size -0.55). No significant difference was found for the 10-second scenarios. There was a statistically significant interaction between the teaching intervention and display technology in the number of perceived vital signs (P=.04; partial ηAlthough individual instruction on Visual Patient is slightly more effective, class instruction is a viable teaching method; thus, large-scale introduction of health care providers to this novel technology is feasible.

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Background: Allogeneic blood transfusions are common in the treatment of severely burned patients as surgery may lead to major blood loss. However, transfusions are associated with a number of adverse events. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to investigate the impact of allogeneic blood transfusions[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 38. Jahrestagung der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Verbrennungsbehandlung (DAV 2020)

Background Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been well investigated in patients undergoing coronary angiography, but not in trauma patients. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and to investigate independent risk factors for the development of CIN. Methods Between 2008 and 2014, all pre-hospital intubated major trauma patients with documented serum creatinine levels (SCr) undergoing a contrast-enhanced whole-body CT at admission were retrospectively analyzed. CIN was defined as a relative increase in SCr > 25% over the baseline value or an absolute SCr increase of > 44 µmol/l within 72 h. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify significant risk factors. A p value of p value of 0.01–0.049 suggested evidence. Results Of 284 analyzed patients, 41 (14%) met the criteria for CIN. There is suggestive evidence that age and lactate level influenced the development of CIN. Six patients (15%) had hemodialysis in the CIN-group and eight (3.3%) in the group without CIN. Complication and mortality rate was higher in patients with CIN (71% vs. 56% and 32% vs. 23%, respectively). CIN was not an independent risk factor for complications or mortality while controlling for age, gender, injury severity score, and lactate level. The length of stay was not affected by CIN. Conclusion CIN occurs frequently in trauma patients, but is not an independent risk factor for complications or mortality. Therefore, contrast enhanced whole-body CT can safely be performed in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND Patient monitoring is indispensable in any operating room to follow the patient’s current health state based on measured physiological parameters. Reducing workload helps to free cognitive resources and thus influences human performance, which ultimately improves the quality of care. Among the many methods available to assess perceived workload, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) provides the most widely accepted tool. However, only few studies have investigated the validity of the NASA-TLX in the health care sector. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to validate a modified version of the raw NASA-TLX in patient monitoring tasks by investigating its correspondence with expected lower and higher workload situations and its robustness against nonworkload-related covariates. This defines criterion validity. METHODS In this pooled analysis, we evaluated raw NASA-TLX scores collected after performing patient monitoring tasks in four different investigator-initiated, computer-based, prospective, multicenter studies. All of them were conducted in three hospitals with a high standard of care in central Europe. In these already published studies, we compared conventional patient monitoring with two newly developed situation awareness–oriented monitoring technologies called Visual Patient and Visual Clot. The participants were resident and staff anesthesia and intensive care physicians, and nurse anesthetists with completed specialization qualification. We analyzed the raw NASA-TLX scores by fitting mixed linear regression models and univariate models with different covariates. RESULTS We assessed a total of 1160 raw NASA-TLX questionnaires after performing specific patient monitoring tasks. Good test performance and higher self-rated diagnostic confidence correlated significantly with lower raw NASA-TLX scores and the subscores (all PP=.001), whereas nurse anesthetists did not show any difference in the same comparison (P=.83). Standardized distraction resulted in higher rated total raw NASA-TLX scores (PP=.26). The new visualization technologies Visual Patient and Visual Clot resulted in significantly lower total raw NASA-TLX scores and all subscores, including high self-rated performance, when compared with conventional monitoring (all P CONCLUSIONS This study validated a modified raw NASA-TLX questionnaire for patient monitoring tasks. The scores obtained correctly represented the assumed influences of the examined covariates on the perceived workload. We reported high criterion validity. The NASA-TLX questionnaire appears to be a reliable tool for measuring subjective workload. Further research should focus on its applicability in a clinical setting.

In patients with pre-operative anaemia undergoing cardiac surgery, combination treatment with intravenous iron, subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, vitamin B12 and oral folic acid reduces allogeneic blood product transfusions. It is unclear if certain types of anaemia particularly benefit from this treatment. We performed a post-hoc analysis of anaemic patients from a randomised trial on the 'Effect of ultra-short-term treatment of patients with iron deficiency or anaemia undergoing cardiac surgery'. We used linear regression analyses to examine the efficacy of a combination anaemia treatment compared with placebo on the following deficiencies, each representing a part of the combination treatment: ferritin and transferrin saturation; endogenous erythropoietin; holotranscobalamine; and folic acid in erythrocytes. Efficacy was defined as change in reticulocyte count from baseline to the first, third and fifth postoperative days and represented erythropoietic activity in the immediate peri-operative recovery phase. In all 253 anaemic patients, iron deficiency was the most common cause of anaemia. Treatment significantly increased reticulocyte count in all regression analyses on postoperative days 1, 3 and 5 (all p

Visual Patient technology is a situation awareness–oriented visualization technology that translates numerical and waveform patient monitoring data into a new user-centered visual language. Vital sign values are converted into colors, shapes, and rhythmic movements—a language humans can easily perceive and interpret—on a patient avatar model in real time. In this review, we summarize the current state of the research on the Visual Patient, including the technology, its history, and its scientific context. We also provide a summary of our primary research and a brief overview of research work on similar user-centered visualizations in medicine. In several computer-based studies under various experimental conditions, Visual Patient transferred more information per unit time, increased perceived diagnostic certainty, and lowered perceived workload. Eye tracking showed the technology worked because of the way it synthesizes and transforms vital sign information into new and logical forms corresponding to the real phenomena. The technology could be particularly useful for improving situation awareness in settings with high cognitive demand or when users must make quick decisions. This comprehensive review of Visual Patient research is the foundation for an evaluation of the technology in clinical applications, starting with a high-fidelity simulation study in early 2020.

Heinrich and Loop (1) recently commented our study on the ultra-short term combination treatment of anemia and iron deficiency in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (2). They discussed whether such treatment might be an option in lung cancer surgery and came to the conclusion that the optimal approach in lung cancer surgery would be to treat preoperative anemia (without specifying by which means) and to administer intravenous iron in patients with a higher risk of severe postoperative anemia such as following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or pneumonectomy.

BACKGROUND Visual Patient is an avatar-based alternative to standard patient monitor displays that significantly improves the perception of vital signs. Implementation of this technology in larger organizations would require it to be teachable by brief class instruction to large groups of professionals. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of such a large-scale introduction to Visual Patient. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to compare 2 different educational methods, one-on-one instruction and class instruction, for training anesthesia providers in avatar-based patient monitoring. METHODS We presented 42 anesthesia providers with 30 minutes of class instruction on Visual Patient (class instruction group). We further selected a historical sample of 16 participants from a previous study who each received individual instruction (individual instruction group). After the instruction, the participants were shown monitors with either conventional displays or Visual Patient displays and were asked to interpret vital signs. In the class instruction group, the participants were shown scenarios for either 3 or 10 seconds, and the numbers of correct perceptions with each technology were compared. Then, the teaching efficacy of the class instruction was compared with that of the individual instruction in the historical sample by 2-way mixed analysis of variance and mixed regression. RESULTS In the class instruction group, when participants were presented with the 3-second scenario, there was a statistically significant median increase in the number of perceived vital signs when the participants were shown the Visual Patient compared to when they were shown the conventional display (3 vital signs, PP=.04; partial η2=.076). The mixed logistic regression model for correct vital sign perception yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 1.88 (95% CI 1.41-2.52; PP CONCLUSIONS Although individual instruction on Visual Patient is slightly more effective, class instruction is a viable teaching method; thus, large-scale introduction of health care providers to this novel technology is feasible.

Background Iron deficiency is frequent in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The relevance of iron deficiency, however, is ill defined. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the impact of iron deficiency (ferritin Methods In this prospective observational study, 730 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were assigned into four groups according to their iron status and anaemia. Mortality, serious adverse events (SAEs), major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), allogenic blood transfusion requirements, and length of hospital stay were assessed during a 90-day follow-up period. The effect of iron deficiency on these outcomes was first calculated in models adjusting for anaemia only, followed by two multivariate models adjusting for anaemia and either the EuroSCORE II or any possible confounders. Results The presence of iron deficiency (ferritin Conclusions Preoperative iron deficiency (ferritin Clinical trial registration NCT02031289.

BackgroundA significant proportion of patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) suffer from excessive coagulation activation and coagulopathy which is associated with an increased risk of venous and arterial thromboembolism and adverse outcome. Our study investigates coagulation markers and the incidence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients receiving recommended anticoagulation strategies.MethodsIn a retrospective single-center analysis at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, we investigated 31 adult COVID-19 patients between April 6thand May 13th, 2020 and with at least one laboratory assessment of the coagulation markers prothrombin time/Quick, thrombin time, fibrinogen and D-dimers. For antithrombotic prophylaxis low-molecular-weight-heparin or unfractionated heparin was administered and two patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia received argatroban.ResultsWe analyzed 31 patients (68% male, mean age 60± SD 15 years). 22 (71%) of these required intensive care unit treatment, 5 (16%) were hospitalized in a ward, and 4 (13%) were outpatients. Mean fibrinogen levels were markedly elevated to 6.4± SD 1.8g/l, with a peak in the third week of the disease and no significant decrease over time. D-dimers were elevated to a mean value of 5.1±4.4mg/l with peak levels of 6.8±5.3mg/l in the fourth week of disease, and a subsequent decrease. Platelet count (308±136G/l) and PT/Quick (85±22%) showed no significant changes over time. Sensitivity analyses for patients treated in the ICU showed that D-dimer levels were higher in this group. The results of other sensitivity analyses were comparable. Thromboembolic events were diagnosed in 4 (13%) patients and 5 (16%) patients died during the observation period.ConclusionWe find coagulation alterations in COVID-19 patients indicating significant hypercoagulability. These alterations are visible despite antithrombotic treatment, and peak around week 3–4 of the disease.

Objectives Teaching of surgical procedures is of paramount importance. However, it can affect patients outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate if teaching of hip fracture surgery is an independent predictor for negative in-hospital outcome. Design and Setting Retrospectively, we analyzed all hip fracture patients between 2008 and 2013 recorded in a national quality measurement database (AQC). Inclusion criteria were proximal femoral fracture (ICD-10 diagnostic codes S72.00-S72.11), surgical care of those fracture and a documented teaching status of the intervention. Variables were sought in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Teaching status was entered in multiple regression analysis models for in-hospital death, complications and length of stay while controlling for confounders. Participants In the 6-year study period, a total of 4397 patients at a mean age of 80 years met the inclusion criteria. Totally, 48% (n = 2107) of the procedures were conducted as teaching interventions. The rest of our examined cases (n = 2290) were conducted as nonteaching procedures. Results There was no association between teaching and mortality, but complications (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.04–1.5; p = 0.018) and prolonged hospitalization (standardized beta = 0.045, p = 0.002) were more likely to occur in the teaching group while controlling for confounders. Conclusions There appears to be no effect of the educational status on the in-hospital death in patients with a proximal femoral fracture. However, teaching was an independent predictor of complications and longer length of stay. Although the differences were significant, the clinical outcome was comparable in both groups, thus justifying the benefits of resident teaching.

Background A factor-based coagulation management following major trauma is recommended as standard of care by the European Trauma Treatment Guidelines. However, concerns about the thromboembolic risk of this approach are still prevalent. Our study therefore aims to assess if such a haemostatic management is associated with an increased risk for thromboembolic events. Methods In this retrospective observational study carried out at the University Hospital Zurich we compared two three-year periods before (period 1: 2005–2007) and after (period 2: 2012–2014) implementation of a factor-based coagulation algorithm. We included all adult patients following major trauma primarily admitted to the University Hospital Zurich. Thromboembolic events were defined as a new in-hospital appearance of any peripheral thrombosis, arterial embolism, pulmonary embolism, stroke or myocardial infarction. A logistic regression was performed to investigate the association of thromboembolic events with possible confounders such as age, sex, specific Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) subgroups, allogeneic blood products, and the coagulation management. Results Out of 1138 patients, 772 met the inclusion criteria: 344 patients in period 1 and 428 patients in period 2. Thromboembolic events were present in 25 patients (7.3%) of period 1 and in 42 patients (9.8%) of period 2 (raw OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.33, p = 0.21). Only AIS extremities (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.52, p = 0.015) and exposure to allogeneic blood products (adjusted OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.33 to 4.30, p = 0.004) were independently associated with thromboembolic events in the logistic regression, but the factor-based coagulation management was not (adjusted OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.90–2.86, p = 0.11). Conclusion There is no evidence that a goal-directed, factor-based coagulation management is associated with an increased risk for thromboembolic events following major trauma.

Zusammenfassung. Das Patient Blood Management ist ein multidisziplinäres Behandlungskonzept, das vorrangig die Behandlung von Anämie und Eisenmangel, die Minimierung von Blutverlusten und die Erhöhung der Anämietoleranz beinhaltet. Die Anwendung des Patient Blood Management Konzeptes ist nicht nur für die perioperative Phase, sondern für alle Bereiche der Medizin indiziert, die sich mit der Behandlung mit Blut und Blutprodukten auseinandersetzen. Eine Vielzahl von Studien mit bis zu 605’000 Patienten haben die Sicherheit und Effektivität dieses Konzepts geprüft. Dabei konnten Fremdbluttransfusionen reduziert, finanzielle Ressourcen geschont und klinische, patientenbezogene Outcomeparameter, inklusive Morbidität und Mortalität, verbessert werden. Patient Blood Management ist daher zu einem Standard der Patientenversorgung geworden.

Trauma promotes trauma-induced coagulopathy, which requires urgent treatment with fixed-ratio transfusions of red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates, or goal-directed administration of coagulation factors based on viscoelastic testing. This retrospective observational study compared two time periods before (2005-2007) and after (2012-2014) the implementation of changes in trauma management protocols which included: use of goal-directed coagulation management; admission of patients to designated trauma centres; whole-body computed tomography scanning on admission; damage control surgery; permissive hypotension; restrictive fluid resuscitation; and administration of tranexamic acid. The incidence of massive transfusion (≥ 10 units of red blood cells from emergency department arrival until intensive care unit admission) was compared with the predicted incidence according to the trauma associated severe haemorrhage score. All adult (≥ 16 years) trauma patients primarily admitted to the University Hospital Zürich with an injury severity score ≥ 16 were included. In 2005-2007, the observed and trauma associated severe haemorrhage score that predicted the incidence of massive transfusion were identical, whereas in 2012-2014 the observed incidence was less than half that predicted (3.7% vs. 7.5%). Compared to 2005-2007, the proportion of patients transfused with red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma was significantly lower in 2012-2014 in both the emergency department (43% vs. 17%; 31% vs. 6%, respectively), and after 24 h (53% vs. 27%; 37% vs. 16%, respectively). The use of tranexamic acid and coagulation factor XIII also increased significantly in the 2012-2014 time period. Implementation of a revised trauma management strategy, which included goal-directed coagulation management, was associated with a reduced incidence of massive transfusion and a reduction in the transfusion of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma.

Trauma remains one of the major causes of death and disability all over the world. Uncontrolled blood loss and trauma-induced coagulopathy represent preventable causes of trauma-related morbidity and mortality. Treatment may consist of allogeneic blood product transfusion at a fixed ratio or in an individualized goal-directed way based on point-of-care (POC) and routine laboratory measurements. Viscoelastic POC measurement of the developing clot in whole blood and POC platelet function testing allow rapid and tailored coagulation and transfusion treatment based on goal-directed, factor concentrate–based algorithms. The first studies have been published showing that this concept reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and improves outcome. This review highlights the concept of goal-directed POC coagulation management in trauma patients, introduces a selection of POC devices, and presents algorithms which allow a reduction in allogeneic blood product transfusion and an improvement of trauma patient outcome.

Introduction Chest decompression can be performed by different techniques, like needle thoracocentesis (NT), lateral thoracostomy (LT), or tube thoracostomy (TT). The aim of this study was to report the incidence of prehospital chest decompression and to analyse the effectiveness of these techniques. Material and methods In this retrospective case series study, all medical records of adult trauma patients undergoing prehospital chest decompression and admitted to the resuscitation area of a level-1 trauma center between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed and analysed. Only descriptive statistics were applied. Results In a 6-year period 24 of 2261 (1.1%) trauma patients had prehospital chest decompression. Seventeen patients had NT, six patients TT, one patient NT as well as TT, and no patients had LT. Prehospital successful release of a tension pneumothorax was reported by the paramedics in 83% (5/6) with TT, whereas NT was effective in 18% only (3/17). In five CT scans all thoracocentesis needles were either removed or extrapleural, one patient had a tension pneumothorax, and two patients had no pneumothorax. No NT or TT related complications were reported during hospitalization. Conclusion Prehospital NT or TT is infrequently attempted in trauma patients. Especially NT is associated with a high failure rate of more than 80%, potentially due to an inadequate ratio between chest wall thickness and catheter length as previously published as well as a possible different pathophysiological cause of respiratory distress. Therefore, TT may be considered already in the prehospital setting to retain sufficient pleural decompression upon admission.

A Patient Blood Management programme was established at the University Hospital of Zurich, along with a monitoring and feedback programme, at the beginning of 2014 with a first analysis reported in 2015. Our study aimed to investigate the further impact of this Patient Blood Management monitoring and feedback programme on transfusion requirements and related costs. We included adult patients discharged between 2012 and 2017. A total of 213,882 patients underwent analysis: 66,659 patients in the baseline period (2012-2013); 35,309 patients in the year after the introduction of the Patient Blood Management monitoring and feedback programme (2014) and 111,914 patients in the continued sustainability period (2015-2017). The introduction of the Patient Blood Management monitoring and feedback programme reduced allogeneic blood product transfusions by 35%, from 825 units per 1000 hospital discharges in 2012 to 536 units in 2017. The most sustained effect was an approximately 40% reduction in red blood cell transfusions, from 535 per 1000 discharges to 319 units. Fewer patients were transfused in the periods after the introduction of the Patient Blood Management monitoring and feedback programme (6251 (9.4%) vs. 2932 (8.3%) vs. 8196 (7.3%); p

This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of point-of-care (POC) devices most commonly used for coagulation analyses in the acute settings. Fast and reliable assessment of hemostasis is essential for the management of trauma and other bleeding patients. Routine coagulation assays are not designed to visualize the process of clot formation, and their results are obtained only after 30–90 m due to the requirements of sample preparation and the analytical process. POC devices such as viscoelastic coagulation tests, platelet function tests, blood gas analysis and other coagulometers provide new options for the assessment of hemostasis, and are important tools for an individualized, goal-directed, and factor-based substitution therapy. We give a detailed overview of the related tests, their characteristics and clinical implications. This review emphasizes the evident advantages of the speed and predictive power of POC clot measurement in the context of a goal-directed and algorithm-based therapy to improve the patient’s outcome. Interpretation of viscoelastic tests is facilitated by a new visualization technology.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation (ETI) can be challenging, especially in life-threatening situations such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Videolaryngoscopes aim to ease ETI, but effort is still widely discussed. This study intended to investigate 2 different airway devices regarding the success rate of ETI during ongoing chest compressions. METHODS: This randomized, cross-over, multi-center manikin trial included 85 experienced paramedics actively working in the emergency medicine service. After a standardized training session, all paramedics underwent 3 airway scenarios using both, direct laryngoscopy using a Macintosh blade and videolaryngoscope (the UEScope): normal airway without chest compressions, normal airway with uninterrupted chest compressions, and difficult airway with uninterrupted chest compressions. The primary outcome was successful ETI, defined as successful placement of the endotracheal tube within the manikin's trachea. Secondary outcomes were number of intubation attempts, time to successful ETI, time to best glottis view, best percent of glottic opening, best glottic view score (Cormack and Lehane), occurrence of dental trauma, ease of use, and willing to reuse in real-life situations. RESULTS: The UEScope provided a better glottis visualization, and higher first pass intubation success rate compared to direct laryngoscopy in all 3 scenarios. The overall intubation success was higher, and the intubation time was shorter with the UEScope in scenario B and scenario C, but was comparable in scenario A. Dental compression occurred less often using the UEScope and paramedics rated intubation using the UEScope easier compared to direct laryngoscopy in all 3 airway scenarios. CONCLUSION: In simulated CPR scenarios, intubation with the UEScope resulted in a better glottis visualization, a higher intubation success, and a shorter intubation time compared to Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC). Moreover, in situations where the airway is difficult for ETI especially by the paramedic, the UEScope would be a better choice than the MAC. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in real-life patients.

Anaemia and iron deficiency are frequent in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. This study assessed whether immediate preoperative treatment could result in reduced perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and improved outcome.In this single-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group controlled study, patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with anaemia (n=253; haemoglobin concentration (Hb)120 g/L in women and Hb130 g/L in men) or isolated iron deficiency (n=252; ferritin100 mcg/L, no anaemia) were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) with the use of a computer-generated range minimisation (allocation probability 0·8) to receive either placebo or combination treatment consisting of a slow infusion of 20 mg/kg ferric carboxymaltose, 40 000 U subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, 1 mg subcutaneous vitamin B12, and 5 mg oral folic acid or placebo on the day before surgery. Primary outcome was the number of RBC transfusions during the first 7 days. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02031289.Between Jan 9, 2014, and July 19, 2017, 1006 patients were enrolled; 505 with anaemia or isolated iron deficiency and 501 in the registry. The combination treatment significantly reduced RBC transfusions from a median of one unit in the placebo group (IQR 0-3) to zero units in the treatment group (0-2, during the first 7 days (odds ratio 0·70 [95% CI 0·50-0·98] for each threshold of number of RBC transfusions, p=0·036) and until postoperative day 90 (p=0·018). Despite fewer RBC units transfused, patients in the treatment group had a higher haemoglobin concentration, higher reticulocyte count, and a higher reticulocyte haemoglobin content during the first 7 days (p≤0·001). Combined allogeneic transfusions were less in the treatment group (0 [IQR 0-2]) versus the placebo group (1 [0-3]) during the first 7 days (p=0·038) and until postoperative day 90 (p=0·019). 73 (30%) serious adverse events were reported in the treatment group group versus 79 (33%) in the placebo group.An ultra-short-term combination treatment with intravenous iron, subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, vitamin B12, and oral folic acid reduced RBC and total allogeneic blood product transfusions in patients with preoperative anaemia or isolated iron deficiency undergoing elective cardiac surgery.Vifor Pharma and Swiss Foundation for Anaesthesia Research.

Introduction Rivaroxaban (RXA) is a direct oral factor Xa (Xa) antagonist with a short half-life and a fast onset and offset of effect. Before elective surgery, discontinuation is recommended with an interval of at least > 24 hours. In clinical practice, this is, however, not always sufficient to achieve a residual RXA plasma concentration deemed appropriate for surgery, defined as ≤ 50 mcg/L. Our study aimed at identifying factors associated with a higher-than-expected residual RXA plasma concentration in a large group of real-life patients. Materials and Methods This retrospective single-centre study included all patients taking RXA between 2012 and 2016 where RXA plasma concentration was determined by pharmacodynamic anti-Xa assay (518 measurements in 368 patients). Medical records were reviewed. Residual RXA plasma concentrations were then compared with expected values according to a pharmacokinetic model. Results Residual RXA plasma concentration was significantly higher-than-expected in patients with atrial fibrillation, impaired kidney function (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 50 mcg/L at 24 to 48 hours after the last RXA intake. Conclusion In our group of real-life patients, impaired kidney function (GFR