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Abstract The practice of routine gastric residual aspiration in preterm infants remains controversial, with conflicting evidence regarding its impact on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). As front-line caregivers, nurses play a vital role in gastric aspiration procedures and must be informed by evidence. This quasi-experimental nursing study aimed to assess whether gastric aspiration is clinically relevant in reducing the risk of NEC in preterm infants. A total of 250 preterm infants from two NICUs in Egypt were allocated to the gastric aspiration (n = 125) and non-aspiration (n = 125) groups. Feeding practices, gastric residuals, and incidence/severity of NEC were compared between groups according to modified Bell’s criteria. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate regression. There were no significant baseline differences between the groups. The gastric residual attributes and feeding outcomes did not differ substantially from aspiration. The overall incidence of NEC was 14–15%, with no significant differences in the odds of onset or progression of NEC by stage between the groups. Lower gestational age and birth weight emerged as stronger predictors of NEC. Routine gastric aspiration does not appear to directly prevent or reduce the severity of NEC in this population. Although gastric residuals retain clinical importance, study findings question assumptions that aspiration protects against NEC and informs nursing practice. Evidence-based feeding protocols must continually evolve through ongoing research on modifiable risk factors for this devastating intestinal disease in preterm infants.

Objective Enteral feeding tubes are used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to assess feeding tolerance by utilizing preprandial gastric residual aspiration. This study evaluates the effect of gastric residual aspiration on the preterm infant fecal microbiome and gastrointestinal inflammation. Study Design Fifty-one very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (≤32 weeks' gestational age and ≤1,250 g) enrolled in a larger single-center randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of routine and nonroutine gastric residual aspiration were selected for further analysis. Of those infants, 30 had microbiome analysis performed on stools collected at 6 weeks by sequencing the bacterial V1 to V3 variable regions of the genes encoding for 16S rRNA. In an additional 21 infants, stool samples collected at 3 and 6 weeks were analyzed for intestinal inflammation using a cytokine multiplex panel. Results Microbial communities between groups were not distinct from each other and there was no difference in intestinal inflammation between groups. Analyses using gene expression packages DESeq2 and edgeR produced statistically significant differences in several taxa, possibly indicating a more commensal intestinal microbiome in infants not undergoing gastric residual aspiration. Conclusion Omission of routine gastric residual aspiration was not associated with intestinal dysbiosis or inflammation, providing additional evidence that monitors preprandial gastric residuals is unnecessary. Key Points Omission of routine gastric residual aspiration was not associated with intestinal dysbiosis or inflammation. Existing literature indicates preprandial gastric aspiration does not reliably correlate with development of necrotizing enterocolitis but does correlate with delayed enteral nutrition. Further study is required but this data that suggest monitoring preprandial gastric residuals are unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthognathic surgery is a treatment modality indicated to correct dentofacial deformities. Postoperative vomiting can be associated with multifactorial origin mainly correlated to patient-related symptoms, anaesthetic and surgical factors. Swallowed blood has been related to one of those multifactorial vomiting causes. This present study was to compare the efficacy of gastric aspiration after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. A double blind randomised clinical trial was carried out and patients were divided in two groups (n = 44/39 respectively). There was statistically significant difference between the control and study groups in the overall incidence of vomiting (p = 0.031) A stratified analysis by sex between both groups was performed demonstrating a four-fold eduction in the odds for vomiting events independent of patient gender (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.72). Gastric aspiration after orthognathic surgery can reduce the effects of postoperative vomiting decreasing inpatient period and, consequently, hospitalisation costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: AspireAssist® allows aspiration of ~30% of an ingested meal through a percutaneous gastrostomy tube, reducing caloric uptake. We evaluated the acute effects of gastric aspiration on postprandial glucose tolerance, responses of gluco-regulatory and appetite-regulating hormones, appetite sensations, and food intake. Methods: Seven AspireAssist®-treated individuals underwent two separate experimental days each involving a mixed meal test (MMT) with double-blinded aspiration and sham aspiration, respectively. Seven age and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls underwent one MMT. MMTs were followed by an ad libitum meal. Results: Postprandial glucose tolerance was improved during aspiration vs. sham visits (median [interquartile range] baseline-subtracted area under the curve (bsAUC) 170 [88.4;356] vs. 388 [239;456] mmol/L × min, p = 0.025). Reduced responses (bsAUCs) of C-peptide (113 [28.4;224] vs. 302 [215;433] nmol/L × min, p = 0.014), cholecystokinin (223 [59.4;402] vs. 467 [416;546] pmol/L × min, p = 0.005), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (4.63 [1.49;9.04] vs. 15.4 [9.59;18.9] nmol/L × min, p = 0.025), and glucagon-like peptide 1 (532.8 [274.5;1,278] vs. 1,296 [746.2;1,618] pmol/L × min, p = 0.032) were observed during aspiration vs. sham visits. Responses of glucagon, gastrin, ghrelin and peptide YY, appetite sensations, and ad libitum food intake were unaffected by aspiration. Responses of plasma glucose, gut hormones, appetite sensations, and food intake were similar during sham and control visits. Conclusion: Gastric aspiration improved postprandial glucose tolerance without causing compensatory increases in appetite or food intake, pointing to acute beneficial metabolic effects of aspiration therapy together with previously reported body weight-lowering effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have explored the airway and/or gastric suctioning impact, but its influence on cardiac autonomic control (CAC) has not yet been investigated. Purpose: To investigate the influence of upper airway and/or gastric suctioning after delivery on CAC of neonates stratified according to weight for gestational age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 healthy full-term newborns with up to 72 hours of life. The obstetric records were accessed to obtain maternal, delivery and newborn data, and neonates were stratified as small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), or large for gestational age (LGA). Neonates were also grouped according to the suctioning procedure performed after delivery (i.e., suctioned and not suctioned). Time-domain parameters were obtained from successive RR intervals and compared between suctioned and not suctioned neonates of each group (SGA, AGA, and LGA). Results: SGA neonates who were suctioned exhibited significantly higher TRI RR and TINN values in the first 72 hours after delivery. Conclusions: The suctioning procedure seem to impact on the CAC only in SGA neonates, with better CAC in the first 72 hours of extrauterine life among suctioned SGA neonates.

Background: By causing inflammation and tissue damage, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) constitute an underlying mechanism of aspiration-induced lung injury, a major factor of the low utilization of donor lungs in lung transplantation (LTx)., Methods: To determine whether NET removal during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can restore lung function and morphology in aspiration-damaged lungs, gastric aspiration lung injury was induced in 12 pigs. After confirmation of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the lungs were explanted and assigned to NET removal connected to EVLP (treated) (n = 6) or EVLP only (nontreated) (n = 6). Hemodynamic measurements were taken, and blood and tissue samples were collected to assess lung function, morphology, levels of cell-free DNA, extracellular histones, and nucleosomes as markers of NETs, as well as cytokine levels., Results: After EVLP and NET removal in porcine lungs, PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios increased significantly compared to those undergoing EVLP alone (p = 0.0411). Treated lungs had lower cell-free DNA (p = 0.0260) and lower levels of extracellular histones in EVLP perfusate (p= 0.0260) than nontreated lungs. According to histopathology, treated lungs showed less immune cell infiltration and less edema compared with nontreated lungs, which was reflected in decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in EVLP perfusate and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid., Conclusions: To conclude, removing NETs during EVLP improved lung function and morphology in aspiration-damaged donor lungs. The ability to remove NETs during EVLP could represent a new therapeutic approach for LTx and potentially expand the donor pool for transplantation., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Gastric aspiration, which can cause acute, diffuse, inflammatory lung injury, is of particular concern in critically ill patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of immediate prone positioning on the degree of lung injury and inflammatory response induced by gastric aspiration. Following induction of gastric aspiration by injection of gastric fluid, 16 healthy pigs were randomized to one of two groups: supine position (SP) or prone position (PP). After ventilation and monitoring for 6 hr, all pigs were euthanized. The ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) and the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were recorded during the 6-hr study period. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 were measured every 2 hr, and the mean optical density (MOD) of IL-6 in lung tissues and lung-injury scores were measured at the end of the experiment. The PP group showed a significantly higher PaO2/FIO2 ratio, lower serum IL-6 concentration (p =.015), lower lung-injury scores (p =.012), and lower IL-6 concentration and MOD of IL-6 in lung tissue, especially in dorsal (p =.001, p =.021, respectively) and nondependent regions (p =.005, p =.035, respectively) than the SP group. There were no statistically significant differences in PaCO2 between the groups. Lung-injury severity was positively correlated with the IL-6 concentration and MOD of IL-6 in lung tissues (p <.05). These results suggest that immediate prone positioning alleviated the degree of aspiration-induced lung injury, possibly through mitigating IL-6-mediated lung inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cricoid pressure (CP) is applied to occlude the esophagus during endotracheal intubation in patients at an increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents. Evidence shows marked deficiencies in knowledge and skills for CP application among personnel responsible for this task. This study evaluated the effectiveness of CP training in improving knowledge and skills regarding CP application among anesthesiology technicians and critical care nurses and assessed the retention of skills after 2 months., Methods: Five workshops were conducted on effective application of CP. Indications, relevant anatomy, physiology, and correct technique were taught using interactive sessions and videos and hands-on practice on a weighing scale, 50-mL syringe, and trainer model. Pre- and postworkshop tests were conducted for knowledge and skill. An assessment was repeated after 2 months to assess skill retention., Results: Five workshops were conducted for 102 participants. Statistically significant improvements were seen in mean scores for knowledge in postworkshop assessments (12.32 ± 2.12 versus 7.12 ± 2.32; P < .01). Similarly, posttraining mean scores for skill assessment were significantly higher than pretraining scores (6.31 ± 0.96 versus 2.72 ± 2.00; P < .0005), indicating an overall 131% improvement. Seventy-four participants appeared for assessment of the retention of skills. A 20% decrement was observed compared with posttraining scores (5.15 ± 1.71 versus 6.45 ± 0.86; P < .0005)., Conclusions: A significant improvement was observed in both knowledge and skills immediately following training. However, this does not ensure long-term retention of clinical skills, as a 20% decrement was observed 2 months after the workshops. Formal training and regular practice are recommended to enable clinicians to perform CP effectively., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (© 2023 Society for Education in Anesthesia.)

Various endoscopic tools and techniques have been developed to treat obesity and its associated weight-related medical conditions. However, many of these endoscopic treatments may be little known or utilized. This article examines the many endoscopic options that have been developed to treat obesity including gastric aspiration devices, incisionless magnetic anastomotic systems, endoluminal bypass barrier sleeves, primary obesity surgery endoluminal, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and duodenal mucosal resurfacing. We review their development, application, efficacy, and the reported literature on their use and results., Competing Interests: Disclosure J.S. Winder receives consulting fees from Boston Scientific Corp. J.H. Rodriguez has no conflict of interest relevant to this publication. Outside of the scope of this publication, he has received research funding from Pacira Pharmaceuticals and Intuitive Surgical., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aspiration pneumonitis is a neutrophil mediated inflammatory pneumonitis following the aspiration of regurgitated gastric contents. This syndrome occurs most commonly in patients with depressed levels of consciousness such as drug overdose, seizures, and during anesthesia. Aspiration pneumonitis is the most common cause of anesthesia-related deaths. Aspiration pneumonitis may be clinically silent or present as severe acute lung injury (ARDS) progressing to death. The treatment of acid aspiration pneumonitis is largely supportive. We present two cases of severe life threatening ARDS due to acid aspiration who were treated with the combination of hydrocortisone, ascorbic acid, and thiamine (HAT) and made a dramatic recovery. This treatment strategy should be considered in the management of patients with aspiration pneumonitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm neonates often have feed intolerance that needs to be differentiated from necrotizing enterocolitis. Gastric residual volumes (GRV) are used to assess feed tolerance but with little scientific basis.Purpose: To compare prefeed aspiration for GRV and prefeed measurement of abdominal girth (AG) in the time taken to reach full feeds in preterm infants.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Infants with a gestational age of 27 to 37 weeks and birth weight of 750 to 2000 g, who required gavage feeds for at least 48 hours, were included. Infants were randomized into 2 groups: infants in the AG group had only prefeed AG measured. Those in the GRV group had prefeed gastric aspiration obtained for the assessment of GRV. The primary outcome was time to reach full enteral feeds at 150 mL/kg/d, tolerated for at least 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were duration of hospital stay, need for parenteral nutrition, episodes of feed intolerance, number of feeds withheld, and sepsis.Results: Infants in the AG group reached full feeds earlier than infants in the GRV group (6 vs 9.5 days; P = .04). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to secondary outcomes.Implications For Practice: Our research suggests that measurement of AG without assessment of GRV enables preterm neonates to reach full feeds faster than checking for GRV.Implications For Research: Abdominal girth measurement as a marker for feed tolerance needs to be studied in infants less than 750 g and less than 26 weeks of gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric aspiration lung injury is one of the most common clinical events. This study investigated the effects of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells ( BMSCs) on combined acid plus small non-acidified particle ( CASP)-induced aspiration lung injury. Enhanced green fluorescent protein ( EGFP+) or EGFP− BMSCs or 15d- PGJ2 were injected via the tail vein into rats immediately after CASP-induced aspiration lung injury. Pathological changes in lung tissues, blood gas analysis, the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of the lung, levels of total proteins and number of total cells and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were determined. The cytokine levels were measured using ELISA. Protein expression was determined by Western blot. Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment significantly reduced alveolar oedema, exudation and lung inflammation; increased the arterial partial pressure of oxygen; and decreased the W/D of the lung, the levels of total proteins and the number of total cells and neutrophils in BALF in the rats with CASP-induced lung injury. Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment decreased the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1 and the expression of p-p65 and increased the levels of interleukin-10 and 15d- PGJ2 and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ in the lung tissue in CASP-induced rats. Tumour necrosis factor-α stimulated BMSCs to secrete 15d- PGJ2. A tracking experiment showed that EGFP+ BMSCs were able to migrate to local lung tissues. Treatment with 15d- PGJ2 also significantly inhibited CASP-induced lung inflammation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results show that BMSCs can protect lung tissues from gastric aspiration injury and inhibit lung inflammation in rats. A beneficial effect might be achieved through BMSC-derived 15d- PGJ2 activation of the PPAR-γ receptor, reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Gastric aspiration is a significant cause of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Environmental risk factors, such as a diet high in proinflammatory advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), may render some patients more susceptible to lung injury after aspiration. We hypothesized that high dietary AGEs increase its pulmonary receptor, RAGE, producing an amplified pulmonary inflammatory response in the presence of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a RAGE ligand and an endogenous signal of epithelial cell injury after aspiration. Materials and methods CD-1 mice were fed either a low AGE or high AGE diet for 4 wk. After aspiration injury with acidified small gastric particles, bronchoalveolar lavage and whole-lung tissue samples were collected at 5 min, 1 h, 5 h, and 24 h after injury. RAGE, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), HMGB1, cytokine and chemokine concentrations, albumin levels, neutrophil influx, and lung myeloperoxidase activity were measured. Results We observed that high AGE-fed mice exhibited greater pulmonary RAGE levels before aspiration and increased bronchoalveolar lavage sRAGE levels after aspiration compared with low AGE-fed mice. Lavage HMGB1 levels rose immediately after aspiration, peaking at 1 h, and strongly correlated with sRAGE levels in both dietary groups. High AGE-fed mice demonstrated higher cytokine and chemokine levels with increased pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity over 24 h versus low AGE-fed mice. Conclusions This study indicates that high dietary AGEs can increase pulmonary RAGE, augmenting the inflammatory response to aspiration in the presence of endogenous damage signals such as HMGB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aspiration is a feared complication of anesthesia and is accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality. Rapid sequence induction (RSI) describes the preferred procedure to perform endotracheal placement of the tubus in emergency cases of patients with an increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents. For more than 50 years RSI has consisted of the application of suxamethonium for neuromuscular blockade because of its fast onset and ultra short duration. Due to the serious side effects of suxamethonium attempts were made to find better alternative neuromuscular blocking drugs, e.g. rocuronium, to perform RSI. Materials and methods: In this small clinical series RSI was performed for general anesthesia of ten pregnant women for Caesarean sections using 1.0 mg/kgBW rocuronium for induction and maintaining deep relaxation until the end of surgery. For rapid reversal of the neuromuscular blockade to a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of 0.9, the µ-cyclodextrin sugammadex was administered at the end of surgery. Major and minor side effects, such as cardiac dysrhythmia, anaphylactic reactions, hoarseness and postoperative nausea and vomiting were documented. Conclusions: The combination of rocuronium and sugammadex for RSI combines rapid onset and rapid reversal of neuromuscular blockades with avoidance of serious side effects and very comfortable conditions for intubation in all cases. Minor side effects such as hoarseness, throat discomfort (in up to 30%) and myalgia (10%) for up to 48 h were documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: Gastric aspiration is still applied in many centres during delivery room management of the newborn without any supporting evidence. We aimed to determine whether gastric aspiration affects vital signs, oxygenation, nutrition and short-term prognosis of the newborn. Method: A total of 310 eligible healthy term newborns, identified from a total of 1300 live births, were randomly allocated to receive either gastric aspiration or standard care. During the first 20min, SpO2, heart rate, cyanosis and retraction scores were recorded once in a min; and blood pressure, respiration rate and neuroadaptive capacity were recorded once in every 5min. Information about nutrition and vomiting behaviours of the babies were taken from the mothers of the neonates on the postnatal 1st day at bedside and by a telephone call on the 7th day. Results: No difference was determined between the groups in terms of 1st to 5thmin Apgar scores, attainment duration of SpO2 to 85%, 92% and 95%, mean heart rate and respiration rate. Retraction frequency and mean systolic blood pressure of the 5th-min values were found to be significantly higher in the gastric aspiration group. There was no difference between the groups regarding breastfeeding starting time and vomiting frequency. Conclusion: No positive effect of gastric aspiration in delivery room management of the newborn was observed. Conversely, the negative effects of gastric aspiration in neonates were observed with respect to physiological parameters. Our data suggest that gastric aspiration is not useful and may even be harmful in delivery room management of the healthy term newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eating and drinking in labor is a controversial subject with practice varying widely by practitioners, within facilities, and around the world. The risk of aspiration pneumonitis and anesthesia-related deaths at cesarean section has resulted in adherence to historical practices of starving women in labor. Studies have shown that the risk of this anesthetic-related complication is low. It is the fear of the birth-attendant to bear full responsibility if a patient inhales gastric contents when giving in to demands for liberal fluid and food regimes during labor that governs practice. While the bulk of evidence supports fluid intake in labor, there are insufficient published studies to draw conclusions about the relationship between fasting times and the risk of pulmonary aspiration during labor. Whether or not allowing food and fluid throughout labor is beneficial or harmful can only be determined by further research. A computerized search was done of MEDLINE, PUBMED, SCOPUS and CINAHL, as well of historical articles, texts, articles from indexed journals, and references cited in published works. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Lung contusion (LC) from blunt thoracic trauma is a clinically-prevalent condition that can progress to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Patients with LC are at risk for gastric aspiration at the time of trauma, but the combined insults have not been well-studied in animal models. This study tests the hypothesis that concurrent gastric aspiration (combined acid and small gastric particles, CASP) at the time of trauma significantly increases permeability injury and inflammation compared with LC alone, and also modifies the inflammatory response to include distinct features compared with the aspiration component of injury. Materials and Methods: Four groups of adult male Long-Evans rats were studied (LC, CASP, LC+CASP, uninjured controls). LC was induced in anesthetized rats at a fixed impact energy of 2.0 J, and CASP (1.2 mL/kg body weight, 40 mg particles/mL, pH=1.25) was instilled through an endotracheal tube. Lung injury and inflammation were assessed by arterial blood gases and levels of albumin, cells, and cytokines/chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at 5 and 24 h. Results: Rats with LC+CASP had lower mean PaO2/FiO2 ratios compared with LC alone at 24 h, and higher BAL albumin concentrations compared with either LC or CASP alone. Rats with LC+CASP versus LC had more severe inflammation based on higher levels of PMN in BAL at 5 h, increased whole lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity at 5 and 24 h, and increased levels of inflammatory mediators in BAL (TNFα, IL-1β, and MCP-1 at 5 and 24 h; IL-10, MIP-2, and CINC-1 at 5 h). Rats with LC+CASP also had distinct aspects of inflammation compared with CASP alone, i.e., significantly higher levels of IL-10 (5 and 24 h), IL-1β (24 h), CINC-1 (24 h), and MCP-1 (24 h), and significantly lower levels of MPO (5 h), MIP-2 (5 h), and CINC-1 (5 h). Conclusions: Concurrent gastric aspiration can exacerbate permeability lung injury and inflammation associated with LC, and also generates a modified inflammatory response compared with aspiration alone. Unwitnessed gastric aspiration has the potential to contribute to more severe forms of LC injury associated with progression to ALI/ARDS and pneumonia in patients with thoracic trauma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A fraction of SIDS cases have death delayed by successful CPR, yet they have not been compared to SIDS cases which were found dead or not successfully resuscitated. Our aims were to: (1) determine the percent of SIDS cases in the San Diego SIDS Research Project database for whom death was delayed by CPR and subsequent life support; (2) compare demographics, circumstances of death and autopsy findings of delayed death SIDS cases (delayed SIDS) with those whose deaths were not delayed (non-delayed SIDS); (3) examine the evolution of pathologic changes in delayed SIDS as a function of survival interval. A retrospective 15-year population-based study of 454 infant deaths attributed to SIDS revealed 29 delayed SIDS cases (Group I) and 425 non-delayed SIDS cases (Group II). Group I cases were significantly older than Group II cases (mean age 132 days vs. 102 days and p <0.0001). Eighty-nine percent of the Group I cases were discovered between 08.00 and 19.59h; none were found between 00.00 and 07.59h, compared to 38% of the Group II cases. Group I infants were found significantly more often away from home (at daycare, or at the home of a relative, friend, or baby sitter) than Group II infants (45% vs. 25%, p <0.05). There were no differences between groups with regard to gender, gestational age, type of delivery, bed sharing, URI within 48h of death, ALTEs, a history of referral to child protective services, body position when placed or found, or face position when found. Pathologic changes were semiquantitatively evaluated; findings were characteristic of anoxic–ischemic injury that generally became more severe with increasing survival intervals. Anoxic–ischemic brain injury was the immediate cause of death in all delayed SIDS cases. Aspiration of gastric contents was identified in Group I cases surviving less than 48h and was the likely etiology of acute bronchopneumonia occurring in 83% of the Group I cases. We did not identify factors that would reliably predict which SIDS cases might be discovered soon enough to allow earlier and more effective CPR and survival without permanent brain injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents abstracts on pediatrics which include a pharmacokinetic assessment of blood levels and elimination of ethyl mercury after vaccination of infants with thimerosal-containing vaccines, research on the experiences of fathers of very ill neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and research on the association between pepsin in tracheal aspirate samples and the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.

This study examines surfactant dysfunction in rats with inflammatory lung injury from intratracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid (ACID, pH 1.25), small nonacidified gastric particles (SNAP), or combined acid and small gastric particles (CASP). Rats given CASP had the most severe lung injury at 6, 24, and 48 h based on decreases in arterial oxygenation and increases in erythrocytes, total leukocytes, neutrophils, total protein, and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The content of large surfactant aggregates in BAL was reduced in all forms of aspiration injury, but decreases were greatest in rats given CASP. Large aggregates from aspiration-injured rats also had decreased levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and increased levels of lyso-PC and total protein compared with saline controls (abnormalities for CASP were greater than for SNAP or ACID alone). The surface tension-lowering ability of large surfactant aggregates on a bubble surfactometer was impaired in rats with aspiration injury at 6, 24, and 48 h, with the largest activity reductions found in animals given CASP. There were strong statistical correlations between surfactant dysfunction (increased minimum surface tension and reduced large aggregate content) and the severity of lung injury based on arterial oxygenation and levels of albumin, protein, and erythrocytes in BAL (P < 0.0001). Surfactant dysfunction also correlated strongly with reduced lung volumes during inflation and deflation (P = 0.0004-0.005). These results indicate that surfactant abnormalities are functionally important in gastric aspiration lung injury and contribute significantly to the increased severity of injury found in CASP compared with ACID or SNAP alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on two cases of abnormal systemic absorption of Food Drug and Cosmetic Blue No. 1 dye (FD&C Blue No. 1) in critically ill patients who subsequently died of refractory shock and metabolic acidosis. Risk factors and mechanisms of FD&C Blue No. 1 toxicity; Alternate approaches to gastric aspiration detection in critically ill patients.

Although obesity rates are growing across the world, endoscopic modalities to treat obesity and its metabolic consequences are advancing rapidly. Multiple devices and techniques dedicated to weight management are being developed and have either been approved for use or are undergoing clinical trial. This article reviews many of these endoscopic interventions in bariatric surgery, including gastric aspiration devices, incisionless magnetic anastomotic systems, endoluminal bypass barrier sleeves, primary surgery obesity endoluminal, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, and duodenal mucosal resurfacing. These effective techniques may serve either as a primary therapy or as a bridge to bariatric surgery., Competing Interests: Disclosure J.S. Winder has nothing to disclose. J.H. Rodriguez has no conflict of interest relevant to this publication. Outside of the scope of this publication, he has received research funding from Pacira Pharmaceuticals and Intuitive Surgical., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Concern has been expressed that the recommendation of supine sleeping position for infants would result in an increase in deaths due to gastric aspiration. A review of 196 cases of infant and early childhood death in children under 3 years of age, occurring over a 9-year period (September 1989 to August 1998) was undertaken to ascertain how many cases of significant gastric aspiration had occurred. Extensive and widespread filling of the airways/alveoli with gastric contents was found in three infants/young children aged 5, 6 and 30 months, respectively. In each instance the body had been found lying face down (prone), with the face in a pool of vomitus in at least one case. No cases of significant gastric aspiration were found in infants who had been found lying on their sides or backs (supine). In addition, no significant increase in numbers of infant and early childhood deaths in South Australia due to gastric aspiration over this time could be demonstrated. Concerns that the supine rather than the prone position is more likely to result in significant gastric aspiration are not supported by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence of aspiration remains a major reason for declining donor lungs contributing to current organ shortage. The aim of the present ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) study was to compare lungs injured by gastric juice (GJ) with normal lungs. Methods: Pigs (32.3 ± 11.2 kg) were divided into two groups. Study group [GJ; n = 6] was intratracheally instilled with GJ, while sham bronchoscopy was performed in control group [C; n = 6]. Graft function was assessed during EVLP for 2 h. Oxygenation, aerodynamic, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded every 30 min. Wet to dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. Tissue samples were collected. Results: Pulmonary vascular resistance was higher and pulmonary flow was lower in [GJ] versus [C] at T120; (P < 0.05). Mean airway pressure was higher in (P < 0.05) and compliance was lower (P < 0.001) in [GJ]. No differences in oxygenation were seen between groups. W/D of left lung in [GJ] after EVLP was slightly (P < 0.05) higher compared with the nonperfused right lung. More neutrophils were present in [GJ] before (P < 0.01) and after EVLP (P < 0.05). Histologic alterations were more prominent in [GJ], but did not worsen after EVLP. Conclusion: EVLP of injured lungs is possible for 2 h despite increased edema. This model could help to investigate ways to repair caustic lung injury during EVLP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Donor lungs are susceptible to aspiration in the period before and after brain death. We hypothesized that preemptive anti-inflammatory treatment may result in better graft performance as evaluated during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). Methods: Pigs (27.4 ± 8.3kg) were divided into four groups (n = 6). Group [S] was treated with steroids (methylprednisolone 10 mg/kg), group [M] with macrolides (clarithromycin 250 mg), and group [P] with placebo (saline). In all groups, treatment was given i.v. 25, 18, and 1 h before instillation of 4 mL/kg gastric juice (GJ). Group [C] without GJ instillation served as a control group. Two hours after the onset of acute lung injury, lungs were flushed, explanted, and stored cold for 75 min. Graft performance was then assessed during EVLP for 2 h. Aerodynamic and hemodynamic parameters and oxygenation capacity (∆PO2) were recorded every 30 min (T30-T120). BAL samples were collected and analyzed for total and differential cells, IL-6, IL-1β, 8- isoprostane, and CRP levels. Wet-to-dry weight ratio [W/D] was measured and tissue samples were collected for histology. Results: ΔPO2 in [S] was comparable to [C] and was higher versus [M] (P < 0.05) and [P] (P < 0.01). No differences were observed in pulmonary vascular resistance, lung compliance, and mean airway pressure. No additional edema was noticed after 2 h of EVLP. Cellular and biomolecular changes in BAL fluid and histologic alterations were comparable among the three study groups. Conclusion: Preemptive treatment of donors with steroids but not macrolides improves gas exchange in a porcine lung injury model independently from its anti-inflammatory activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: About 15% of donor lungs are declined because of aspiration contributing to current organ shortage. The aim was to develop a porcine lung injury model by gastric juice (GJ) instillation to study different pretransplant treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: Pigs (n = 6/group) were anesthetized and monitored. At T0 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed followed by instillation of 4 mL/kg GJ or saline solution (SAL). Hemodynamics, aerodynamics and oxygenation were recorded for two hours. Serum samples were collected. At T120 a second BAL was performed. CT scans of explanted, inflated lungs were taken, tissue samples were collected and wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Pepsin and bile acids were measured in BAL. IL-8, CRP and MMP-9 were measured in serum and in BAL. Result: Oxygenation and lung compliance was lower in [GJ] versus [SAL] (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). More consolidation areas were noticed on CT in GJ versus SAL (P < 0.01). Hemorrhage, edema and neutrophil inflammation were seen on histology in [GJ] (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). BAL neutrophils, pepsin, bile acids, and IL-8 (P < 0.05) increased in [GJ]. W/D was higher in [GJ] versus SAL (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Instillation of GJ in pig lungs caused acute lung injury with impaired oxygenation and increased inflammation in BAL, on histology, and on imaging. This model holds promise to assess the efficacy of a broad range of treatment strategies including ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study uses statistical predictive modeling and hierarchical cluster analyses to examine inflammatory mediators and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as putative biomarkers in rats with blunt trauma lung contusion (LC), gastric aspiration (combined acid and small gastric food particles, CASP), or a combination of the two., Methods: Specific parameters assessed in the innate pulmonary inflammatory response were leukocytes, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in BAL; whole lung myeloperoxidase activity; and a series of cytokines or chemokines present in BAL at 5 or 24 hours after injury: tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, interferon-gamma, IL-10, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1., Results: Rats with LC, CASP, LC + CASP all had severe lung injury compared with uninjured controls based on decreased arterial oxygenation or increased BAL albumin at 5 or 24 hours postinsult. However, the injury groups had distinct overall patterns of inflammation that allowed them to be discriminated accurately by hierarchical cluster analysis (29 of 30 and 35 of 37 rats were correctly classified in hierarchical clusters at 5 and 24 hours, respectively). Moreover, predictive analyses based on an extension of standard receiver-operator characteristic methodology discriminated individual animals and groups with similar high accuracy based on a maximum of two inflammatory parameters per group (29 of 30 and 36 of 37 rats were correctly classified at 5 hours and 24 hours, respectively)., Conclusions: These results support the possibility that inflammatory biomarker profiles could be developed in the future to improve the diagnosis and management of trauma patients with unwitnessed (occult) gastric aspiration who have an increased risk of clinical acute lung injury or the acute respiratory distress syndrome.