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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and a direct mechanism of cardiac arrest in infected patients was hypothesized. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods PubMed and EMBASE were searched up to April 05, 2021. We included studies comparing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection versus noninfected patients. The primary outcome was survival at hospital discharge or at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation, cardiac arrest witnessed and occurring at home, bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation, proportion of nonshockable rhythm and resuscitation attempted, and ambulance arrival time. Results In the ten included studies, 18% (1341/7545) of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurred in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and SARS-CoV-2 infection had reduced rates of survival (16/856 [1.9%] vs. 153/2344 [6.5%]; odds ratio (OR) = 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17–0.65; P = 0.001; I2 = 28%) and return of spontaneous circulation (188/861 [22%] vs. 640/2403 [27%]; OR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.65–0.86; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) when compared to noninfected patients. Ambulance arrived later (15 ± 10 vs. 13 ± 7.5 min; mean difference = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.41–2.88; P = 0.009; I2 = 61%) and nonshockable rhythms (744/803 [93%] vs. 1828/2217 [82%]; OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 2.08–3.73; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) occurred more frequently. SARS-CoV-2 positive patients suffered a cardiac arrest at home more frequently (1186/1263 [94%] vs. 3598/4055 [89%]; OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.45–2.40; P

Despite improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, cardiac surgery still is burdened by relatively high mortality and frequent major postoperative complications, including myocardial dysfunction, pulmonary complications, neurologic injury, and acute kidney injury. Although the surgeon's skills and volume and patient- and procedure-related risk factors play a major role in the success of cardiac surgery, there is growing evidence that also optimizing perioperative care may improve outcomes significantly. The present review focuses on the aspects of perioperative care that are strictly related to the anesthesia regimen, with special reference to volatile anesthetics and neuraxial anesthesia, whose effect on outcome in adult cardiac surgery has been investigated extensively.

In a retrospective study, we evaluated factors associated with the early development of septic shock in patients with severe COVID-19.We collected medical records of the intensive care unit patients submitted by the local COVID-19 hospitals across Russia to the Federal Center for the Critical Care at the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University). Septic shock in crticially ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation was defined as a need in vasopressors to maintain blood pressure.We studied 1078 patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to the intensive care units for respiratory support. There were 611 males and 467 females. The mean age was 61.013.7 years. Five hundred twenty five medical records (48.7%) were received from the Moscow hospitals, 159 (14.7%) from the Moscow region, and 394 (36.5%) from the hospitals located in 58 regions of the Russian Federation. In 613 (56.9%) patients, diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by PCR, and in the other cases it was established on the basis of the clinical picture and the results of the chest CT scan. Septic shock developed in 214 (19.9%) of 1078 patients. In the logistic regression model, the risk of septic shock in patients older than 50 years was higher than in patients of a younger age (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.533.67; p0.0001). In patients with more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, there was an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes and malignant tumors. The risk of septic shock in patients with three or more concomitant diseases was higher than in patients without any concomitant chronic diseases (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.762.70).The risk of septic shock in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by SARS-CoV-2 is higher in patients older than 50 years with concomitant diseases, although a severe course of the disease is also possible in younger patients without any concomitant disorders.Цель. Анализ факторов, ассоциированных с ранним развитием септического шока у больных с тяжелым течением COVID-19. Материалы и методы. В исследование включены данные всех пациентов, проконсультированных до 1 мая 2020 г. на базе Федерального дистанционного консультативного центра анестезиологии и реаниматологии на базе ФГАОУ ВО Первый МГМУ им. И.М. Сеченова (Сеченовский Университет). Критерием септического шока считали снижение артериального давления, требовавшее введения вазопрессорных средств. Результаты. В исследование включены 1078 пациентов, 611 (56,7%) мужчин и 467 (43,3%) женщин. Средний возраст составил 61,013,7 года; 525 (48,7%) заявок на консультацию получены из стационаров Москвы, 159 (14,7%) Московской области, 394 (36,5%) лечебных учреждений в 58 регионах Российской Федерации. У 613 (56,9%) больных диагноз SARS-CoV-2-инфекции подтвержден с помощью полимеразной цепной реакции, а в остальных случаях установлен на основании клинической картины и результатов компьютерной томографии органов грудной клетки. Развитие септического шока отмечено у 214 (19,9%) из 1078 больных. В логистической регрессионной модели риск его развития у пациентов старше 50 лет выше, чем у больных более молодого возраста (отношение шансов 2,34; 95% доверительный интервал 1,533,67; р0,0001). У пациентов с более тяжелым течением SARS-CoV-2 отмечалось увеличение частоты сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний в целом, ишемической болезни сердца, фибрилляции предсердий, сахарного диабета 2-го типа, частота злокачественных опухолей выше. Риск развития септического шока у пациентов с тремя и более сопутствующими заболеваниями оказался выше, чем у пациентов без сопутствующих болезней (отношение шансов 1,76; 95% доверительный интервал 1,762,70). Заключение. Риск развития септического шока у пациентов с острым респираторным дистресс-синдромом, вызванным SARS-CoV-2, выше у пациентов старше 50 лет, страдающих несколькими сопутствующими заболеваниями, хотя тяжелое течение заболевания возможно и у более молодых людей без какой-либо сопутствующей патологии.

Working in intensive care units (ICUs) is stressful and potentially leads to various psycho-emotional disorders. Today, this issue represents a serious concern to the healthcare sector and affects the quality of healthcare provided. This study aimed to assess and compare the psycho-emotional state in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 hospitals’ ICU healthcare workers (HCWs). From January to July 2021, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional web survey of ICU physicians and nurses (N = 1259) of various hospitals in a metropolis with a population of over 10 million people. The statistical distributions of non-COVID-19 ICU HCWs showed the following results: emotional exhaustion levels (low 14.6%, average 30.8%, and high 54.6%); depersonalization levels (low 11.6%, average 16.5%, and high 71.9%); and reduced personal accomplishment levels (low 23.5%, average 40.3%, and high 36.2%). The statistical distributions of COVID-19 ICU HCWs showed the following results: emotional exhaustion levels (low 16.5%, average 31.5%, and high 52%); depersonalization levels (low 7.4%, average 9.4%, and high 83.1%); and reduced personal accomplishment levels (low 25.4%, average 45.4%, and high 29.1%). This study found a strong correlation between emotional exhaustion, aggression, and depersonalization in non-COVID-19 ICU HCWs and also found a correlation between their age, aggression, emotional exhaustion, and occupational stress.

The number of surgeries performed for the elderly and senile persons with concomitant cardiovascular pathology is increasing every year. It is in this category of patients that the likelihood of developing perioperative cardiac complications is highest, which requires the use of cardioprotective measures to reduce the risk of their occurrence. One of the options for cardioprotection may be the use of drugs aimed at improving metabolism and maintaining adequate energy supply to the myocardium. Such metabolic agent is exogenous phosphocreatine. This article provides an overview of studies on the use of exogenous phosphocreatine as a cardioprotector in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The publications were searched for in PubMed / Medline, Embase, e-library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANGFANG DATA. It has been shown that the use of phosphocreatine (PhC) in abdominal surgery, oncosurgery, during operations in traumatology, thoracic surgery, transplantation, as well as in intensive care units for sepsis and septic shock is associated with a decrease in the risk of cardiac complications and a reduction in mortality. Considering the above data on the positive cardioprotective effect of exogenous phosphocreatine in various surgeries, this protective agent can be recommended for wider application in clinical practice, especially in patients with high cardiac risk.

The medical scientific community is constantly looking for possible ways to successfully treat the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. With the accumulation of experience and knowledge on this issue, the Russian Federation of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists regularly updates recommendations on anesthesia and intensive care for patients with COVID-19. The current, 4th edition, like the previous ones, has undergone significant changes and clarifications. Important updates have been made in the sections on respiratory therapy, drug therapy, thromboprophylaxis, and the managing patients with concomitant diseases. Optimization vectors for the next edition of the recommendations on anesthesia and intensive care for patients with COVID-19 have been formulated and substantiated.

Aim To evaluate mortality and risk factors for death in patients with COVID-19 who required admission to intensive care units (ICU) for respiratory support in Russia Material and methods In a retrospective study, we collected medical records of the consecutive ICU patients submitted by the local COVID-19 hospitals across Russia to the Federal Center at the Sechenov University (Moscow) betweenMarch 16 to May 3, 2020 All patients have completed their hospital stay (death or recovery) Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was established both by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and CT In patients with inconclusive or negative results of PCR, the SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was defined as severe acute respiratory infection with typical CT findings and no other obvious aetiology We used Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for age, sex and other risk factors to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) Results We studied 1522 ICU patients with SARS-CoV-2 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including 864 males and 658 females at the median age of 62 years Nine hundred twenty two records (60 1%) were submitted from Moscow and Moscow province, and 600 records (39 4%) were received from the hospitals located in 70 regions of Russia SARS-CoV-2 was verified by PCR in 995 (65 4%) patients Among 1522 patients enrolled in the study,995 patients (65 4%) died, and 527 (34 6%) patients recovered The most common causes of death were ARDS (93 2%), cardiovascular events (3 7%) and pulmonary embolism (1 0%) The mortality rate was low in patients with less severe pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy (10 1%) However, it increased significantly in patients who were placed on noninvasive or invasive ventilation (36 8% and 76 5%, respectively) Risk of death increased with age, and in males older than 50 years it was significantly higher than in females of similar age In a unvariate analysis, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, obesity and malignancies were associated with an increased risk of death However, only CAD (HR1 257, 95% CI 1 064-1 485, p=0 007), type 2 diabetes (HR1 300, 95% CI 1 131-1 494, p

Purpose Perioperative myocardial dysfunction occurs frequently in cardiac surgery, and is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Levosimendan has been suggested to reduce mortality of patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction. However, long-term outcome data on its efficacy in cardiac surgery are lacking. Materials and methods Cardiac surgery patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction were randomized to levosimendan or placebo, in addition to standard inotropic care. One-year mortality data were collected. Results We randomized 506 patients (248 to levosimendan 258 to placebo). At 1-year follow-up, 41 patients (16.5%) died in the levosimendan group, while 47 (18.3%) died in the placebo group (absolute risk difference −1.8; 95% CI −8.4 to 4.9; P = .60). Female sex, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous myocardial infarction, serum creatinine, hematocrit, mean arterial pressure, and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were independently associated with 1-year mortality. Conclusions Levosimendan administration does not improve 1-year survival in cardiac surgery patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction. One-year mortality in these patients is 17%. Six predictive factors for long-term mortality were identified. Study registration number NCT00994825 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).

ObjectivesThe tolerable ischemic time for many cardioplegia solutions has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a single-dose of cardioplegia solution Normacor (solution No. 1) and to establish the tolerable ischemic time in a normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass mini-pig model on the background of intraoperative anemia.MethodsFive female mini-pigs (34±3 kg, 6-month-old) were subjected to 180 min or 210 min of cardiac arrest by single-dose 400 ml Normacor cardioplegia (solution No. 1). A needle biopsy was taken from the left ventricle before the aortic cross-clamping and every 30 minutes after it. The restoration of left ventricle contractility was assessed by the clinical indicators, catecholamine support, morphological and immunohistochemical examination.ResultsThe morphological signs of cardiomyocytes ischemia were found after 120 minutes of aortic cross-clamping. According to the content of succinate dehydrogenase and hypoxia-inducible factor, the signs of the cardiomyocytes ischemic injury onset were detected at the same time point. During the entire period of aortic cross-clamping atrial activity was observed in all cases. The proposed single-dose ischemic time for re-dosing of cardioplegia is 120 minutes or ventricular activity onset.ConclusionsSafe and effective cardioprotection can be achieved with warm blood cardioplegia Normacor (solution No. 1) within 120 minutes for a single-dose infusion.Graphical Abstract

The interest in percutaneous high-tech cardiac procedures has increased in recent years together with its safety and efficacy. In fragile patients, procedural sedation and analgesia are used to perform most of the procedures. General anesthesia remains the technique of choice during the team learning curve and might be required in selected patients or in emergent situations. Despite the high costs of percutaneous high-tech cardiac procedures, the decrease in length of hospital stays, rate of intensive care admission and complications, balance the increase in devices costs. In fragile patients who undergo percutaneous high tech cardiac procedures, the primary role of the anesthesiologist is to prevent the need for postprocedural intensive care unit and complications rate. Starting from the experience of a large university third level hospital we identified the eight most commonly performed contemporary percutaneous high tech cardiac procedures (ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation ablation, protected percutaneous coronary intervention, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, MitraClip® (Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Park, IL, USA), percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure, left atrial appendage closure, and dysfunctional lead extraction), discuss the role of procedural sedation and analgesia in this setting, and explore future perspectives.

Background: Data on the lung respiratory mechanics and gas exchange in the time course of COVID-19-associated respiratory failure is limited. This study aimed to explore respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, the lung recruitability and risk of overdistension during the time course of mechanical ventilation. Methods: This was a prospective observational study in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients (n=116) with COVID-19 admitted into Intensive Care Units of Sechenov University. The primary endpoints were: «optimum» positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level balanced between the lowest driving pressure and the highest SpO2 and number of patients with recruitable lung on Days 1 and 7 of mechanical ventilation. We measured driving pressure at different levels of PEEP (14, 12, 10 and 8 cmH2O) with preset tidal volume, and with the increase of tidal volume by 100 ml and 200 ml at preset PEEP level, and calculated static respiratory system compliance (CRS), PaO2/FiO2, alveolar dead space and ventilatory ratio on Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21.Results: The «optimum» PEEP levels on Day 1 were 11.0 (10.0-12.8) cmH2O and 10.0 (9.0-12.0) cmH2O on Day 7. Positive response to recruitment was observed on Day 1 in 27.6% and on Day 7 in 9.2% of patients. PEEP increase from 10 to 14 cmH2O and VT increase by 100 and 200 ml led to a significant decrease in CRS from Day 1 to Day 14 (p2/FiO2 was 105.5 (76.2-141.7) mmHg in non-survivors on Day 1 and 136.6 (106.7-160.8) in survivors (p=0.002). In survivors, PaO2/FiO2 rose on Day 3 (p=0.008) and then between Days 7 and 10 (p=0.046). Conclusion: Lung recruitability was low in COVID-19 and decreased during the course of the disease, but lung overdistension occurred at «intermediate» PEEP and VT levels. In survivors gas exchange improvements after Day 7 mismatched CRS.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04445961. Registered 24 June 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04445961?cond=COVID-19&cntry=RU&city=Moscow&draw=3&rank=23

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

Introduction: Severe COVID-19 cases have a detrimental hyper-inflammatory host response and different cytokine-blocking biologic agents were explored to improve outcomes. Anakinra blocks the activity of both IL-1α and IL‑1β and is approved for different autoinflammatory disorders, but it is used off-label for conditions characterized by an excess of cytokine production. Several studies on anakinra in COVID-19 patients reported positive effects. We performed a meta-analysis of all published evidence on the use of anakinra in COVID19 to investigate its effect on survival and need for mechanical ventilation. Methods: We searched for any study performed on adult patients with acute hypoxemic failure related to 2019-nCoV infection, receiving anakinra versus any comparator. Primary endpoint was mortality at the longest available follow-up. Adverse effects, need for mechanical ventilation and discharge at home with no limitations were also analysed. Results: Four observational studies involving 184 patients were included. Overall mortality of patients treated with anakinra was significantly lower than mortality in the control group (95% CI 0.14-0.48, p

Background The epidemiology, clinical course, and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in the Russian population are unknown. Information on the differences between laboratory-confirmed and clinically-diagnosed COVID-19 in real-life settings is lacking. Methods We extracted data from the medical records of adult patients who were consecutively admitted for suspected COVID-19 infection in Moscow, between April 8 and May 28, 2020. Results Of the 4261 patients hospitalised for suspected COVID-19, outcomes were available for 3480 patients (median age 56 years (interquartile range 45-66). The commonest comorbidities were hypertension, obesity, chronic cardiac disease and diabetes. Half of the patients (n=1728) had a positive RT-PCR while 1748 were negative on RT-PCR but had clinical symptoms and characteristic CT signs suggestive of COVID-19 infection.No significant differences in frequency of symptoms, laboratory test results and risk factors for in-hospital mortality were found between those exclusively clinically diagnosed or with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR.In a multivariable logistic regression model the following were associated with in-hospital mortality; older age (per 1 year increase) odds ratio [OR] 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 - 1.06); male sex (OR 1.71, 1.24 - 2.37); chronic kidney disease (OR 2.99, 1.89 – 4.64); diabetes (OR 2.1, 1.46 - 2.99); chronic cardiac disease (OR 1.78, 1.24 - 2.57) and dementia (OR 2.73, 1.34 – 5.47). Conclusions Age, male sex, and chronic comorbidities were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. The combination of clinical features were sufficient to diagnoseCOVID-19 infection indicating that laboratory testing is not critical in real-life clinical practice.

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of preconditioning based on changes in inspiratory oxygen fraction on endothelial function in the model of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the myocardium in the condition of cardiopulmonary bypass. The prospective randomized study included 32 rabbits divided into four groups: hypoxic preconditioning, hyperoxic preconditioning, hypoxic-hyperoxic preconditioning, and control group. All animals were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. We provided preconditioning, then started cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by induced acute myocardial infarction (ischemia 45 min, reperfusion 120 min). We investigated endothelin-1, nitric oxide metabolites, asymmetric dimethylarginine during cardiopulmonary bypass: before ischemia, after ischemia, and after reperfusion. We performed light microscopy of myocardium, kidney, lungs, and gut mucosa. The endothelin-1 level was much higher in the control group than in all preconditioning groups after ischemia. The endothelin-1 even further increased after reperfusion. The total concentration of nitric oxide metabolites was significantly higher after all types of preconditioning compared with the control group. The light microscopy of the myocardium and other organs revealed a diminished damage extent in the hypoxic-hyperoxic preconditioning group as compared to the control group. Hypoxic-hyperoxic preconditioning helps to maintain the balance of nitric oxide metabolites, reduces endothelin-1 hyperproduction, and enforces organ protection.

Objective Conflicting data exist on the effect of dexmedetomidine on delirium. For the present study, a randomized trial was performed to investigate the effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine on the rate of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery. Design A randomized controlled trial. Setting University hospital. Participants Patients (n = 169) undergoing elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, valve surgery, or combined surgery) with cardiopulmonary bypass. Interventions Patients received a sevoflurane-based general anesthesia and were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive a dexmedetomidine infusion that started in the operating room (0.7 μg/kg/h) and continued into the intensive care unit (0.4 μg/kg/h) or an equivolume infusion of placebo. Measurements and Main Results A decrease in the rate of delirium in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the placebo group was demonstrated (6 of 84 [7.1%] v 16 of 85 [18.8%]; p = 0.02; odds ratio [OR] 0.33 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.12-0.90]). Reduced intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay also were observed (18 [18-22] hours v 22 [18-39] hours; p = 0.002 and 17 [7-20] days v 19 [8-21] days; p = 0.04, respectively). Mortality at 30 days was 2 (2.4%) in both groups. On multivariate analysis, only dexmedetomidine administration (OR 0.24 [95% CI 0.08-0.74]) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR 1.02 [95% CI 1.01-1.03] for increases of 1 min) were independent predictors of delirium development. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine administered during and after general anesthesia for cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass decreased the rate of postoperative delirium and intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay.

Objectives To investigate the effect of the application of therapeutic hypothermia (32-35°C) on survival and major clinical endpoints in critically ill patients. Data sources We searched online database and clinical trial registries dated up to April 30, 2019, and references of relevant studies. Study selection Low risk of bias randomized trials which compared hypothermia applied for at least 24 hours and conventional therapy in critically ill patients were included. We excluded trials investigating therapeutic hypothermia in indications already supported by international guidelines (adult cardiac arrest and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of newborns) or intraoperative hypothermia. Data extraction Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two authors. If the articles seemed eligible, full-text articles were reviewed, and data were abstracted using a structured template. Data synthesis Our search retained 14 low risk of bias randomized trials (2,670 patients) performed in three different settings: traumatic brain injury, serious infections, and stroke. Therapeutic hypothermia was associated with an increase in mortality at longest follow-up available (432/1,375 [31%] vs 330/1,295 [25%]; risk ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.39; p = 0.0004; I = 0%). Pooled results showed no difference of good neurologic outcome among survivors between the two treatment arms (493/1,142 [43%] vs 486/1,067 [46%]; risk ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.97-1.12; p = 0.27; I = 1%). Arrhythmias were significantly increased among patients undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. We found no difference between groups in pneumonia, serious infections, any infection, hemorrhage, renal failure, deep vein thrombosis, and uncontrollable intracranial hypertension. Conclusions High-quality randomized evidence indicates that therapeutic hypothermia is associated with higher mortality and no difference in good neurologic outcome compared with normothermia in critically ill patients. Although there still might be a possibility that therapeutic hypothermia is beneficial in a specific setting, routine application of therapeutic hypothermia would better be avoided outside the settings indicated by international guidelines (adult cardiac arrest and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of newborns).

Introduction There are high incidence of pulmonary complications and acute respiratory failure (3,2—28,6%)¹ after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various tactics of respiratory support during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study in parallel groups. The study was approved by a local ethics committee. Informed consent was obligatory for all participants. Sixty patients were divided into two groups. In group 1 we provided a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of +5 cm H2O during CPB. In group 2 patients underwent mechanical ventilation with reduced volume (volume control (VC) mode, tidal volume 3 ml / kg of ideal body weight) and respiratory rate of 6 breathes per minute with positive end-expiratory pressure + 5 cm H2O. The primary end-point of the study was the value of the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to oxygen fraction in inhaled gas mixture ratio (paO2/FiO2) at different stages of perioperative management: T1 (after the beginning of mechanical ventilation, T2 (before the CPB), T3 (after CPB), T4 (at the end of the surgery), T5 (upon admission to the ICU), T6 and T7 (6 and 12 hours after surgery, respectively). Secondary end-points were the common lung complications rate (pneumonia, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax), the frequency of recruitment maneuvers during the mechanical ventilation, the need for non-invasive ventilation after extubation, the frequency of re-intubation of the trachea. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS for Mac v19 (IBM, Inc, USA). Data were presented as mean (±standard deviation) or number (percent). A comparison of the quantitative characteristics was performed using the Mann Whitney U-test. Fisher's exact test was used for the incidence of complications between groups. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The results are presented in Tables 1 and 2. The paO2/FiO2 in the VC group was higher than in the CPAP group at stages T3 and T5. The frequency of recruiting maneuvers in the VC group was lower than in the CPAP group. There was a lower incidence of atelectasis in the VC group than in the CPAP group (Table 2). The low-volume lung ventilation during the CPB is beneficial for oxygenating function of the lungs in comparison with CPAP respiratory support. Discussion The low-volume lung ventilation during the CPB is beneficial for oxygenating function of the lungs in comparison with CPAP respiratory support.

© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.

Introduction Among all cardiovascular complications, new onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most common complications, occurring in 30% to 50% of patients after cardiac surgery. (1) One of the possible mechanisms for the development of AF may be myocardial reperfusion after aortic unclamping (reperfusion arrhythmia). In this regard, the use of agents reducing the severity of reperfusion syndrome may reduce the frequency of POAF. One such remedy is exogenous phosphocreatine The aim of our investigation evaluation efficacy of exogenous phosphocreatine for prevention of new-onset POAF in cardiac patients. Methods After Institutional Ethics Committee approval, 56 patients posted for elective GABG surgery were randomly divided into two groups (n = 28 each). In study group (Pcr) patients received 2 g of exogenous phosphocreatine iv before aortic unclamping followed by continuous infusion at a dose of 1g per hour during 3 hours after aortic unclamping; In control group (C) patients received placebo The baseline and intraoperative characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. Continuous ECG monitoring for arrhythmias was performed at 48 hours in all patients after CABG. The diagnostic hallmarks of AF on ECG included the loss of P-waves and the presence of irregular ventricular beats. The primary point was to determine the frequency of AF within 48 hours after surgery. Secondary points were frequency of cardioversion use the frequency (paroxysms of AF lasting 5-10 minutes with adverse effects),. Chi-square/Fisher's exact/Mid P exact test and Student's t-tests were applied for categorical and continuous data. Results Incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in group Pcr was 26% vs. 37% in group C;(p = 0.47), a difference that was not signficant. The frequency of episodes of of ventricular tachyarrhythmias requiring cardioversion in group Pcr was significantly lesser than in the control group (n-5/17,8% and n-10/35%, respectively) In the group C 11 (38%) patients developed adverse effects, mostly hypotension, compared with only 4 patient (12,3%) in group Pcr (p = 0.04). The length of ainotropic support in early postoperative period was significantly lower in group Pcr compared with control group (175±37 vs 290±89 minutes). Discussion Prophylactic perioperative infusion exogenous phosphocreatine in patients undergoing CABG surgery reduces the incidence of cardioversion, adverse effects and the length postoperative of inotropic support

SEPARATION from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) after cardiac surgery is a progressive transition from full mechanical circulatory and respiratory support to spontaneous mechanical activity of the lungs and heart. During the separation phase, measurements of cardiac performance with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provide the rationale behind the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process. In many cases, it is possible to predict a complex separation from CPB, such as when there is known preoperative left or right ventricular dysfunction, bleeding, hypovolemia, vasoplegia, pulmonary hypertension, or owing to technical complications related to the surgery. Prompt diagnosis and therapeutic decisions regarding mechanical or pharmacologic support have to be made within a few minutes. In fact, a complex separation from CPB if not adequately treated leads to a poor outcome in the vast majority of cases. Unfortunately, no specific criteria defining complex separation from CPB and no management guidelines for these patients currently exist. Taking into account the above considerations, the aim of the present review is to describe the most common scenarios associated with a complex CPB separation and to suggest strategies, pharmacologic agents, and para-corporeal mechanical devices that can be adopted to manage patients with complex separation from CPB. The routine management strategies of complex CPB separation of 17 large cardiac centers from 14 countries in 5 continents will also be described.

Objective: Reducing mortality is a key target in critical care and perioperative medicine. The authors aimed to identify all nonsurgical interventions (drugs, techniques, strategies) shown by randomized trials to increase mortality in these clinical settings. Design: A systematic review of the literature followed by a consensus-based voting process. Setting: A web-based international consensus conference. Participants: Two hundred fifty-one physicians from 46 countries. Interventions: The authors performed a systematic literature search and identified all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing a significant increase in unadjusted landmark mortality among surgical or critically ill patients. The authors reviewed such studies during a meeting by a core group of experts. Studies selected after such review advanced to web-based voting by clinicians in relation to agreement, clinical practice, and willingness to include each intervention in international guidelines. Measurements and main results: The authors selected 12 RCTs dealing with 12 interventions increasing mortality: diaspirin-crosslinked hemoglobin (92% of agreement among web voters), overfeeding, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in septic shock, human growth hormone, thyroxin in acute kidney injury, intravenous salbutamol in acute respiratory distress syndrome, plasma- derived protein C concentrate, aprotinin in high-risk cardiac surgery, cysteine prodrug, hypothermia in meningitis, methylprednisolone in traumatic brain injury, and albumin in traumatic brain injury (72% of agreement). Overall, a high consistency (ranging from 80% to 90%) between agreement and clinical practice was observed. Conclusion: The authors identified 12 clinical interventions showing increased mortality supported by randomized controlled trials with nonconflicting evidence, and wide agreement upon clinicians on a global scale.

The authors aimed to identify interventions documented by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reduce mortality in adult critically ill and perioperative patients, followed by a survey of clinicians' opinions and routine practices to understand the clinicians' response to such evidence. The authors performed a comprehensive literature review to identify all topics reported to reduce mortality in perioperative and critical care settings according to at least 2 RCTs or to a multicenter RCT or to a single-center RCT plus guidelines. The authors generated position statements that were voted on online by physicians worldwide for agreement, use, and willingness to include in international guidelines. From 262 RCT manuscripts reporting mortality differences in the perioperative and critically ill settings, the authors selected 27 drugs, techniques, and strategies (66 RCTs, most frequently published by the New England Journal of Medicine [13 papers], Lancet [7], and Journal of the American Medical Association [5]) with an agreement ≥67% from over 250 physicians (46 countries). Noninvasive ventilation was the intervention supported by the largest number of RCTs (n = 13). The concordance between agreement and use (a positive answer both to "do you agree" and "do you use") showed differences between Western and other countries and between anesthesiologists and intensive care unit physicians. The authors identified 27 clinical interventions with randomized evidence of survival benefit and strong clinician support in support of their potential life-saving properties in perioperative and critically ill patients with noninvasive ventilation having the highest level of support. However, clinician views appear affected by specialty and geographical location.

Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of viral infections that can be attributed to the underlying immunological abnormalities, comorbidities and immunosuppressive therapy. Moreover, immunocompromised patients with influenza had more severe disease, longer viral shedding and more antiviral resistance while demonstrating less clinical symptoms and signs.1 COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, particularly treated with immunosuppressive agents, is also likely to follow the deleterious course previously reported in the other respiratory viral infections.2 Surprisingly, little is known about the association of COVID-19 and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, although the number of patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has already exceeded two millions and continues to rise in many countries, including Russia. In a recent article, Monti et al suggested that patients with chronic arthritis treated with biological and targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) do not seem to be at increased risk of respiratory or life-threatening complications from COVID-19 compared with the general population.3 However, more data about the prevalence, severity and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic disease are urgently needed to identify patients at …

Introduction The problem of postoperative cognitive dysfunction today remains extremely relevant. One way to protect the brain is to use drugs that increase tolerance to intraoperative ischemia. The aim of this study is compare protective effects on brain during endarterectomy in terms of intravenous (propofol) and inhalation (desflurane) anesthesia. Methods The study included patients over 65 with carotid atherosclerosis(Stenosis>70%) All patient were divided in two groups. Both groups underwent standard anesthesia induction with fentanyl (10 mcg/kg), propofol (2,0 mg/kg), and pancuronium bromide (0.1 mg/kg) In group D anesthesia was maintained on O2/air/ desflurane at concentrations up to 1.3 MAC and in group P by continuous infusion of propofol. Serum level of baseline protein S100B (the possibility of using S100b, as a marker and prognostic index for brain tissue damage during ischemic stroke has been proven [1,2] before surgery (T1), immediately after surgery (T2), and day after surgery(T3) was evaluated in all patients. All patients were continuously monitored for Heart rate, invasive blood pressure, SpO2, urine output, BIS index, capnography, brain dopplerography, nasopharyngeal temperature, and arterial blood gases. During the clamping of the carotid vessels, sympathomimetic support with norepinephrine was used to achieve MBP in the region of 100 mm Hg if required. Results The concentration of 100b in both groups did not differ at T1. The serum level of s100B at the T2 and T3 was significantly higher in group P (mediana 0,12 ng/l for group D vs 0,30 ng/l for group P in T2 (p = 0,002)); (mediana 0,15 ng/l for group D vs 0,44 ng/l for group P in T3 (p = 0,001)) Discussion The serum level of the S100b marker in the postoperative period was significantly higher when TIVA was performed. Probably desflurane has pharmacological protective properties on the brain, but it requires additional analysis.