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Background: The imbalance between supply and demand for organ donations remains a hot topic for international debate. Brain-dead organ donors (DBDs) constitute the majority of organ donations in Poland., Objectives: To identify the factors that guided intensivists in qualifying a brain-dead patient as a potential organ donor, and whether the factors that significantly influenced the decision to qualify constituted an actual contraindication., Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective study based on data from the Silesian ICU Registry from 2010-2020 and publicly available information from Poltransplant. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with brain death who were identified as eligible and ineligible organ donors., Results: Out of 25,465 patients enrolled in the Silesian ICU Registry, brain death was diagnosed in 385 (1.51%) study participants, and 61 of the records were excluded due to data incompleteness. In the remaining group (n = 324), there were 201 men and 123 women. Of them, only 180 study participants were reported as eligible donors (55.5%). Six patients had absolute contraindications to organ donation., Conclusions: A relatively small number of patients diagnosed with brain death were qualified by intensivists as eligible organ donors, with a limited number of medical factors influencing this decision. This means that other non-medical factors may affect the qualification of DBDs for organ procurement.

Background: This Intensive Care Medicine Rapid Practice Guideline (ICM-RPG) provides an evidence-based recommendation to address the question: in adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs), should we use small-volume or conventional blood collection tubes?, Methods: We included 23 panelists in 8 countries and assessed and managed financial and intellectual conflicts of interest. Methodological support was provided by the Guidelines in Intensive Care, Development, and Evaluation (GUIDE) group. We conducted a systematic review, including evidence from observational and randomized studies. Using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, we evaluated the certainty of evidence and developed recommendations using the Evidence-to-Decision framework., Results: We identified 8 studies (1 cluster and 2 patient-level randomized trials; 5 observational studies) comparing small-volume to conventional tubes. We had high certainty evidence that small-volume tubes reduce daily and cumulative blood sampling volume; and moderate certainty evidence that they reduce the risk of transfusion and mean number of red blood cell units transfused, but these estimates were limited by imprecision. We had high certainty that small-volume tubes have a similar rate of specimens with insufficient quantity. The panel considered that the desirable effects of small-volume tubes outweigh the undesirable effects, are less wasteful of resources, and are feasible, as demonstrated by successful implementation across multiple countries, although there are upfront implementation costs to validate small-volume tubes on laboratory instrumentation., Conclusion: This ICM-RPG panel made a strong recommendation for the use of small-volume sample collection tubes in adult ICUs based on overall moderate certainty evidence., (© 2024 The Author(s). Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest, Funding: Please see DISCLOSURES at the end of this article.

A thyroid storm is the most extreme and life-threatening presentation of thyrotoxicosis. Thyroidectomy can be used for definitive treatment. It should be performed after euthyroidism is accomplished. The use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a last resort option in cases where standard pharmacological therapy proves to be ineffective. Due to its rare prevalence, there are limited data evaluating the usefulness and efficacy of TPE as a bridging therapy to thyroidectomy. The absence of relevant literature prompted us to conduct a scoping review. The following bibliographic databases were searched for articles dated 30 November 2023: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The search identified 1047 records, of which 42 articles were accepted with a total of 234 patients. The dominant indications for TPE were side effects due to conventional treatment. The mean fT4 level decreased 51.9% of baseline after TPE, while the mean fT3 level decreased 66.6% of baseline. The main side effects observed with FFP were allergic reactions, while the use of an albumin solution was associated with perioperative bleeding. Based on the limited data available in the literature, we recognize plasmapheresis as an effective treatment option for reducing thyroid hormone levels prior to thyroidectomy in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Available data suggest that it might be reasonable to limit the number of sessions in favor of an earlier surgical intervention. To reduce the risk of bleeding, FFP may be a better option as a replacement fluid, especially in the session prior to thyroidectomy., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background/Objectives: In critically ill patients, achieving a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mmHg is a recommended resuscitation goal to ensure proper tissue oxygenation. Unfortunately, some patients do not benefit from providing such a value, suggesting that other indices are needed for better hemodynamic assessment. Capillary refill time (CRT) has emerged as an established marker for peripheral perfusion and a therapeutic target in critical illness, but its relationship with other exponents of hypoperfusion during vasopressor support after resuscitation period still warrants further research. This study aimed to investigate whether in critically ill patients after initial resuscitation, CRT would provide information independent of other, readily accessible hemodynamic variables. Methods: Critically ill patients who were mechanically ventilated after the resuscitation period and receiving vasopressors were prospectively studied between December 2022 and June 2023. Vasopressor support was measured using norepinephrine equivalent doses (NEDs). CRT, MAP and NED were assessed simultaneously and analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: A total of 92 patients were included and 210 combined MAP-CRT-NED-Lactate records were obtained. There was no correlation between CRT and MAP (R = -0.1, p = 0.14) or lactate (R = 0.11, p = 0.13), but there was a positive weak correlation between CRT and NED (R = 0.25, p = 0.0005). In patients with hypotension, in 83% of cases (15/18), CRT was within normal range, despite different doses of catecholamines. When assessing patients with high catecholamine doses, in 58% cases (11/19), CRT was normal and MAP was usually above 65 mmHg. Conclusions: Capillary refill time provides additional hemodynamic information that is not highly related with the values of mean arterial pressure, lactate level and vasopressor doses. It could be incorporated into routine physical examination in critically ill patients who are beyond initial resuscitation.

Objectives: Hypotension is associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill and perioperative patients. However, these assumptions are supported by observational studies. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aims to compare the impact of lower versus higher blood pressure targets on mortality., Data Sources: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Scholar from inception to February 10, 2024., Study Selection: Randomized trials comparing lower versus higher blood pressure targets in the management of critically ill and perioperative settings., Data Extraction: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at the longest follow-up available. This review was registered in the Prospective International Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42023452928., Data Synthesis: Of 2940 studies identified by the search string, 28 (12 in critically ill and 16 in perioperative settings) were included totaling 15,672 patients. Patients in the low blood pressure target group had lower mortality (23 studies included: 1019/7679 [13.3%] vs. 1103/7649 [14.4%]; relative risk 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.99; p = 0.03; I2 = 0%). This corresponded to a 97.4% probability of any increase in mortality with a Bayesian approach. These findings were mainly driven by studies performed in the ICU setting and with treatment lasting more than 24 hours; however, the magnitude and direction of the results were similar in the majority of sensitivity analyses including the analysis restricted to low risk of bias studies. We also observed a lower rate of atrial fibrillation and fewer patients requiring transfusion in low-pressure target groups. No differences were found in the other secondary outcomes., Conclusions: Based on pooled randomized trial evidence, a lower compared with a higher blood pressure target results in a reduction of mortality, atrial fibrillation, and transfusion requirements. Lower blood pressure targets may be beneficial but there is ongoing uncertainty. However, the present meta-analysis does not confirm previous findings and recommendations. These results might inform future guidelines and promote the study of the concept of protective hemodynamics., Competing Interests: Dr. Lee’s institution received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; he received funding from Fonds de Recherche Quebec—Sante. The remaining authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Objectives: We postulate that corticosteroid-related side effects in critically ill patients are similar across sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). By pooling data across all trials that have examined corticosteroids in these three acute conditions, we aim to examine the side effects of corticosteroid use in critical illness., Data Sources: We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention library of COVID research, CINAHL, and Cochrane center for trials., Study Selection: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared corticosteroids to no corticosteroids or placebo in patients with sepsis, ARDS, and CAP., Data Extraction: We summarized data addressing the most described side effects of corticosteroid use in critical care: gastrointestinal bleeding, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, superinfections/secondary infections, neuropsychiatric effects, and neuromuscular weakness., Data Synthesis: We included 47 RCTs ( n = 13,893 patients). Corticosteroids probably have no effect on gastrointestinal bleeding (relative risk [RR], 1.08; 95% CI, 0.87-1.34; absolute risk increase [ARI], 0.3%; moderate certainty) or secondary infections (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.89-1.05; absolute risk reduction, 0.5%; moderate certainty) and may have no effect on neuromuscular weakness (RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03-1.45; ARI, 1.4%; low certainty) or neuropsychiatric events (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.82-1.74; ARI, 0.5%; low certainty). Conversely, they increase the risk of hyperglycemia (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11-1.31; ARI, 5.4%; high certainty) and probably increase the risk of hypernatremia (RR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.29-1.96; ARI, 2.3%; moderate certainty)., Conclusions: In ARDS, sepsis, and CAP, corticosteroids are associated with hyperglycemia and probably with hypernatremia but likely have no effect on gastrointestinal bleeding or secondary infections. More data examining effects of corticosteroids, particularly on neuropsychiatric outcomes and neuromuscular weakness, would clarify the safety of this class of drugs in critical illness., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.)

Background: Clinically relevant acute postoperative pancreatitis (CR-PPAP) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complication that may lead to the development of local and systemic consequences. The study aimed to identify risk factors for CR-PPAP and assess the impact of CR-PPAP on the postoperative course after PD., Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed data from 428 consecutive patients who underwent PD at a single center between January 2013 and December 2022. The presence of increased amylase activity in plasma, above the upper limit of normal 48 h after surgery, was checked. CR-PPAP was diagnosed when accompanied by disturbing radiological features and/or symptoms requiring treatment. We investigated the relationship between the occurrence of CR-PPAP and the development of postoperative complications after PD, and possible predictors of CR-PPAP., Results: The postoperative follow-up period was 90 days. Of the 428 patients, 18.2% (n = 78) had CR-PPAP. It was associated with increased rates of CR-POPF, delayed gastric emptying, occurrence of intra-abdominal collections, postoperative hemorrhage, peritonitis, and septic shock. Patients who developed CR-PPAP were more often reoperated (37.17% vs. 6.9%, p < 0.0001)) and had increased postoperative mortality (14.1% vs. 5.74%, p < 0.0001). Soft pancreatic parenchyma, intraoperative blood loss, small diameter of the pancreatic duct, and diagnosis of adenocarcinoma papillae Vateri were independent risk factors for CR-PPAP and showed the best performance in predicting CR-PPAP., Conclusions: CR-PPAP is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications after PD, worse treatment outcomes, and an increased risk of reoperation and mortality. Pancreatic consistency, intraoperative blood loss, width of the duct of Wirsung, and histopathological diagnosis can be used to assess the risk of CR-PPAP. Amylase activity 48 h after surgery > 161 U/L is highly specific in the diagnosis of CR-PPAP.

Background: Little is known about the performance of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in older critically ill adults. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of physiological disturbances in the six organ systems included in the SOFA score., Methods: We analysed previously collected data from a prospective cohort study conducted between 2018 and 2019 in 22 countries. Consecutive patients ≥ 80 years old acutely admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) were eligible for inclusion. Patients were followed up for 30 days after admission to the ICU. We used logistic regression to study the association between increasing severity of organ dysfunction and mortality., Results: The median SOFA score among 3882 analysed patients was equal to 6 (IQR: 4-9). Mortality was equal to 26.1% (95% CI 24.7-27.5%) in the ICU and 38.7% (95% CI 37.1-40.2%) at day 30. Organ failure defined as a SOFA score ≥ 3 was associated with variable adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for ICU mortality dependant on the organ system affected: respiratory, 1.53 (95% CI 1.29-1.81); cardiovascular 1.69 (95% CI 1.43-2.01); hepatic, 1.74 (95% CI 0.97-3.15); renal, 1.87 (95% CI 1.48-2.35); central nervous system, 2.79 (95% CI 2.34-3.33); coagulation, 2.72 (95% CI 1.66-4.48). Modelling consecutive levels of organ dysfunction resulted in aORs equal to 0.57 (95% CI 0.33-1.00) when patients scored 2 points in the cardiovascular system and 1.01 (0.79-1.30) when the cardiovascular SOFA equalled 3., Conclusions: Different components of the SOFA score have different prognostic implications for older critically ill adults. The cardiovascular component of the SOFA score requires revision., (© 2023. La Société de Réanimation de Langue Francaise = The French Society of Intensive Care (SRLF).)

Cardiogenic shock causes hypoperfusion within the microcirculation, leading to impaired oxygen delivery, cell death, and progression of multiple organ failure. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is the last line of treatment for cardiac failure. The goal of MCS is to ensure end-organ perfusion by maintaining perfusion pressure and total blood flow. However, machine-blood interactions and the nonobvious translation of global macrohemodynamics into the microcirculation suggest that the use of MCS may not necessarily be associated with improved capillary flow. With the use of hand-held vital microscopes, it is possible to assess the microcirculation at the bedside. The paucity of literature on the use of microcirculatory assessment suggests the need for an in-depth look into microcirculatory assessment within the context of MCS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the possible interactions between MCS and microcirculation, as well as to describe the research conducted in this area. Regarding sublingual microcirculation, 3 types of MCS will be discussed: venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and microaxial flow pumps (Impella)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The initial hemodynamic goal during septic shock resuscitation is to achieve a mean arterial pressure (MAP) above 65 mm Hg, although this does not assure a normal tissue perfusion. Capillary refill time (CRT), a marker of skin blood flow, has been validated as a marker of the reperfusion process. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between MAP and CRT in patients in septic shock. Methods: We systematically reviewed studies which reported CRT and MAP in septic shock patients. Authors of eligible studies were asked to provide necessary data for performing a meta-correlation of Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Subgroup analyses were performed, including studies of good quality and studies with higher/lower norepinephrine doses. Results: We identified 10 studies, comprising 917 patients. There were 5 studies considered to be of good quality. A meta-correlation showed a statistically significant but poor negative correlation between MAP and CRT ( R  = -0.158, range -0.221 to -0.093, P  < .001, I2 = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis of best-quality studies gave similar results ( R  = -0.201, range -0.282 to -0.116, P  < .001, I2 = 0.0%). In subanalysis concerning norepinephrine doses, no significant correlations were found. Conclusions: In patients with septic shock, there is poor inverse correlation between MAP and CRT. MAP > 65 mm Hg does not guarantee normalization of CRT. Registration code: PROSPERO: CRD42022355996. Registered on 5 September 2022.

Despite efforts to improve treatment outcomes, mortality in septic shock remains high. In some patients, despite the use of several adrenergic drugs, features of refractory vasoplegic shock with progressive multiorgan failure are observed. We present a case report of the successful reversal of vasoplegic shock following the use of methylene blue, a selective inhibitor of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase, which prevents vasodilation in response to inflammatory cytokines. We also briefly review the literature.

Purpose: Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is associated with organ hypoperfusion. There are different underlying causes of IOH depending on the phase of surgery. Post-induction hypotension (PIH) and early-intraoperative hypotension tend to be frequently differentiated. We aimed to explore further different phases of IOH and verify whether they are differently associated with postoperative complications., Methods: Patients undergoing abdominal surgery between October 2018 and July 2019 in a university hospital were screened. Post-induction hypotension was defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg between the induction of anaesthesia and the onset of surgery. Hypotension during surgery (IOH) was defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg occurring between the onset of surgery and its completion. Acute kidney injury, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, delirium, and myocardial infarction were considered as the outcome., Results: We enrolled 508 patients (219 males, median age 62 years). 158 subjects (31.1%) met PIH, 171 (33.7%) met IOH criteria, and 67 (13.2%) patients experienced both. PIH time accounted for 22.8% of the total hypotension time and 29.7% of the IOH time. The IOH time accounted for 5.17% of the total intraoperative time, while PIH for 8.91% of the pre-incision time. Female sex, lower height, body mass and lower pre-induction BP (SBP and MAP) were found to be associated with the incidence of PIH. The negative outcome was observed in 38 (7.5%) patients. Intraoperative MAP ≤ 65 mmHg, longer duration of the procedure (≥ 230 min), chronic arterial hypertension and age were associated with the presence of the outcome (p < 0.01 each)., Conclusions: The presence of IOH defined as MAP ≤ 65 mmHg is relevant to post-operative organ complications, the presence of PIH does not appear to be of such significance. Because cumulative duration of PIH and IOH differs significantly, especially in long-lasting procedures, direct comparison of the influence of PIH and IOH on outcome separately may be biased and should be taken into account in data interpretation. Further research is needed to deeply investigate this phenomenon., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

BACKGROUND Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is a common phenomenon in high-risk surgery and is often linked to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), or Whipple's procedure, is a lengthy and complex surgical procedure to remove the head of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct, and the first part of the duodenum. This retrospective 5-year study from a single center in Poland included 303 patients who underwent PD and evaluated IOH as a factor associated with AKI. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed perioperative data to assess how various IOH thresholds can predict AKI (according to KDIGO criteria). Several IOH definitions were applied, including absolute and relative thresholds, based on the mean arterial pressure (MAP). Statistically significant IOH thresholds were inserted into multivariable logistic regression models with previously established independent variables. RESULTS We included 303 patients over a 5-year period (2016-2021). There were 58 (19.1%) cases of postoperative AKI. MAP <55 mmHg and a maximal% drop from preinduction MAP were the only IOH definitions associated with AKI. Multivariable analysis revealed that max% drop from preinduction MAP (per 10%, OR=1.65; AUROC=0.70) was the IOH definition best suited for AKI prediction in patients undergoing PD. CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing PD, it is important to prevent excessive blood pressure drops in regards to preinduction blood pressure values. In this cohort, relative IOH thresholds were better suited for prediction of AKI than the absolute IOH thresholds.

Introduction: Relatives of critically ill patients who either die or survive the intensive care unit (ICU) may develop substantial mental health problems that are collectively defined as post-intensive care syndrome in family (PICS-F)., Material and Methods: By using a systematised search strategy we included studies that focused on PICS-F in relatives of adult ICU patients and reported the risk factors associated with its development. The search was conducted within PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library on the 23 August 2022. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were implemented for appropriate reporting. The objective was to document all possible risk factors associated with the development of PICS-F., Results: We included 51 papers covering 9302 relatives. The frequency of PICS-F varied between 2.5 and 69%. We identified 51 different risk factors of PICS-F, among which we distinguished patient-related ( n = 16), relative-related ( n = 27), and medical staff-related ( n = 8) risk factors. Among 21 studies of the highest quality, we identified the 33 variables associated with the development of PICS-F, of which younger age of a patient, death of a patient, depression in relatives during the ICU stay, history of mental disorders in relatives, being a female relative, being a spouse, and having low satisfaction with communication and care in the ICU were the most commonly reported risk factors., Conclusions: PICS-F is a highly frequent phenomenon that can be exacerbated by several risk factors. Special attention should be paid to relatives of younger patients with worse prognosis and with the following relative-related risk factors: female sex, being a spouse, and history of mental health disorders. Finally, the medical staff play a role in preventing the PICS-F development, not only by maintenance of proper communication, but also by early identification of relatives prone to PICS-F.

Introduction: The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is the sum of 6 components, each representing one organ system with dysfunction classified on a 4-point scale. In research, usually by default, the total SOFA score is taken into account, but it may not reflect the severity of the condition of the individual organs. Often, these values are expected to predict mortality., Material and Methods: In this study, we reanalysed 2 cohorts of critically ill elderly patients to explore the distribution of SOFA subscores and to assess the between-group differences. Both cohorts were adjusted to maintain similarity in terms of age and the primary cause of admission (respiratory cause)., Results: In total, 910 (non-COVID-19 cohort) and 551 patients (COVID-19 cohort) were included in the analysis. Both cohorts were similar in terms of the total SOFA score (median 5 vs. 5 points); however, the groups differed significantly in 4/6 SOFA subscores (respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, and coagulation subscores). Moreover, the cohorts had different fractions of organ failures (defined as a SOFA subscore ≥ 3)., Conclusions: This analysis revealed significant differences in SOFA subscores between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 respiratory cohorts, highlighting the importance of considering individual organ dysfunction rather than relying solely on the total SOFA score when reporting organ dysfunction in clinical research.

Introduction: Patients with COVID‑19 may develop concomitant viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. Such patients are at a higher risk of death, especially from a critical illness. Although much attention has been recently given to fungal infections that may have devastating consequences, data on this issue are scarce., Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the impact and prevalence of fungal infections in critically ill patients with COVID 19., Methods: We systematically searched for studies that focused on critically ill adults diagnosed with COVID‑19 and a fungal coinfection. Mortality was our outcome of interest. The search was conducted within MEDLINE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane Library on January 8, 2022., Results: We reviewed 38 papers covering 17 695 patients, 1182 (6.7%) of whom had an acquired fungal infection. The overall mortality in the papers retrieved for a systematic review (n = 38) varied from 29% to 100% (median [IQR], 56% [40%-77%]). In a meta‑analysis (19 studies), the patients with a fungal infection were more likely to die than the controls (odds ratio [OR], 2.987; 95% CI, 2.369-3.767; P <0.001; I2 = 26.63%). Subgroup analyses showed that COVID‑19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) increased mortality by 3 times (OR, 3.279; 95% CI, 2.692-3.994; P <0.001; I2 = 0%), and that COVID‑19-associated candidiasis (CAC) increased mortality by 2 times (OR, 2.254; 95% CI, 1.322-3.843; I2 = 26.14%)., Conclusions: In critically ill patients with COVID‑ 19, CAPA is rather common and significantly increases mortality. The evidence regarding other fungal infections is weaker, with CAC occurring less frequently but also impacting mortality. Therefore, clinical awareness and screening are needed, followed by personalized antifungal therapy stewardship, which is strongly recommended in order to improve the patients' prognosis.

Background: Both intraoperative hypotension and hypertension have been reported to increase the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the impact of the intraoperative pulse pressure (PP) on the latter complications remains relatively unknown., Objectives: To explore whether high intraoperative PP values are associated with postoperative AKI., Material and Methods: The data for this study come from a prospective cohort study in which patients who underwent abdominal surgery between October 1, 2018 and July 15, 2019 in university hospital in Katowice, Poland were included in the analysis. Preand intraoperative data, including blood pressure measurements, were acquired from medical charts. Several PP thresholds were applied: >50, >55, >60, >65, >70, >75, >80, >85, and >90 mm Hg. Additionally, by analyzing the maximal PP during the procedures, the cutoff point for the occurrence of outcomes was estimated. Postoperative AKI was considered as the outcome of the study. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess PP relationship with AKI., Results: Four hundred and ninety-four patients were included in the analysis. The AKI was present in 32 (6.5%) cases. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis estimated a cutoff point of >84 mm Hg of maximal PP to be associated with the outcome. The PP values above 80 mm Hg and onward were successfully included in the multivariable statistical models. A model in which PP > 90 mm Hg (odds ratio (OR) = 4.03; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): [1.53; 10.62]) was included, had the best predicting value in predicting hypoperfusion injury (area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) = 0.88). Apart from PP, intraoperative hypotension, presence of chronic arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and procedure duration were independently associated with AKI., Conclusions: High intraoperative PP may be associated with the occurrence of postoperative AKI. However, the effect of high PP should be confirmed in other noncardiac populations to prove the generalizability of our results.

Hemodynamic stability during surgery seems to account for positive postoperative outcomes in patients. However, little is known about the impact of intraoperative blood pressure variability (IBPV) on the postoperative complications. The aim was to investigate whether IBPV is associated with the development of postoperative complications and what is the nature of this association. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Medical Subject Headings, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Library on the 8th of April, 2021. We included studies that only focused on adults who underwent primarily elective, non-cardiac surgery in which intraoperative blood pressure variation was measured and analyzed in regard to postoperative, non-surgical complications. We identified 11 papers. The studies varied in terms of applied definitions of blood pressure variation, of which standard deviation and average real variability were the most commonly applied definitions. Among the studies, the most consistent analyzed outcome was a 30-day mortality. The studies presented highly heterogeneous results, even after taking into account only the studies of best quality. Both higher and lower IBPV were reported to be associated for postoperative complications. Based on a limited number of studies, IBPV does not seem to be a reliable indicator in predicting postoperative complications. Existing premises suggest that either higher or lower IBPV could contribute to postoperative complications. Taking into account the heterogeneity and quality of the studies, the conclusions may not be definitive., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose . Intraoperative hypotension is associated with organ hypoperfusion, which is deleterious to vital organs. Little is known about the prevalence and consequences of intraoperative hypotension in subjects with arterial hypertension (AH). The primary goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of hypoperfusion-related clinical consequences of intraoperative hypotension, taking into account the role of AH, in a homogeneous cohort of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Materials and methods. We enrolled 508 patients (219 males, median age 62 years). Intraoperative hypotension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg for at least 10 min or mean arterial pressure (MAP) <65 mmHg for at least 10 min or a need for noradrenaline infusion of at least 0.05 μg/kg/min for ≥10 min or intraoperative MAP drop of at least 30% from the baseline value for at least 10 min, regardless of the time of surgery. Acute kidney injury, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, delirium, and myocardial infarction were considered as the outcome. Results. AH concerned 234 (46%) individuals. The prevalence of intraoperative hypotension varied from 19.9 to 59.4%. Patients with AH were more likely to experience MAP drop of >30% than non-hypertensive patients (OR = 1.53; 95%CI 1.07-2.19; p  = 0.02). The outcome was diagnosed in 38 (7.5%) patients. AH was a significant predictor of hypoperfusion-related events, regardless of the intraoperative hypotension definition applied (logOR 2.80 ÷ 3.22; p  < 0.05 for all). Only intraoperative hypotension defined as 'MAP < 65mmHg' was found to be a determinant of negative outcome (logOR = 2.85; 95%CI 1.35-5.98; p  < 0.01), with AUROC = 0.83 (95%CI 0.0-0.86); p  < 0.01. Conclusion . AH is a significant predictor of hypoperfusion-related events, regardless of the intraoperative hypotension definition applied. In hypertensive patients, hypoperfusion-related clinical consequences are more frequent in high-risk and long-lasting procedures. MAP < 65 mmHg lasting for >10 min during surgery was identified as most associated with the negative outcome.

The recent consensus by the Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) on intraoperative hypotension (IOH) stated that mean arterial pressure (MAP) below 60-70 mmHg is associated with myocardial infarction (MI), acute kidney injury (AKI), death and also that IOH is a function of not only severity but also of duration. However, most of the data come from large, heterogeneous cohorts of patients who underwent different surgical procedures and types of anaesthesia. We sought to assess how various definitions of IOH can predict clinically significant hypoperfusive outcomes in a homogenous cohort of generally anesthetised patients undergoing abdominal surgery, taking into account thresholds of MAP and their time durations. The data for this study come from a prospective cohort study in which patients who underwent abdominal surgery between 1 October 2018 and 15 July 2019 in the university hospital in Katowice were included in the analysis. We analysed perioperative data to assess how various IOH thresholds can predict hypoperfusive outcomes (defined as myocardial injury, acute kidney injury or stroke). 508 patients were included in the study. The total number of cases of clinically significant hypoperfusion was 38 (7.5%). We found that extending durations of low MAP, i.e., below 55 mmHg, 60 mmHg, 65 mmHg and 70 mmHg, were associated with the development of either AKI, MI or stroke. It was observed that for narrower and lower hypotension thresholds, the time required to induce complications is shorter. Patients who suffered from AKI/MI/Stroke experienced more episodes of any of the IOH definitions applied. Absolute IOH thresholds were superior to the relative definitions. For patients undergoing abdominal surgery, it is vital to prevent the extended durations of intraoperative mean arterial pressure below 70 mmHg. Finally, there appears to be no need to guide intraoperative haemodynamic therapy based on pre-induction values and, consequently, on relative drops of MAP.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free method of diagnostics imaging, allowing for a bedside, real-time dynamic assessment of lung function. It stands as an alternative for other imagining methods, such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound. Even though the technique is rather novel, it has a wide variety of possible applications. In the era of modern mechanical ventilation, a dynamic assessment of patient's respiratory condition appears to fulfil the idea of personalized treatment. Additionally, an increasing frequency of respiratory failure among intensive care populations raises demand for improved monitoring tools. This review aims to raise awareness and presents possible implications for the use of EIT in the intensive care setting., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, multiple promising treatment modalities have been tested, however, only several of them were proven to be effective. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been recently discussed as a possible supportive treatment for severe cases., Methods: To investigate a possible role of TPE in severe COVID-19 we used a structured systematic search strategy to retrieve all relevant publications in the field. We screened in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov for data published until the 4 June 2021., Results: We identified 18 papers, enrolling 384 patients, 220 of whom received TPE. The number of TPE sessions ranged from 1 to 9 and the type of replacement fluid varied markedly between studies (fresh frozen plasma or 5% albumin solution, or convalescent plasma). Biochemical improvement was observed in majority of studies as far as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer concentrations and lymphocyte count are concerned. The improvement at a laboratory level was associated with enhancement of respiratory function. Adverse effects were limited to five episodes of transient hypotension and one femoral artery puncture and thrombophlebitis., Conclusions: Although the effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on mortality remains unclarified, the procedure seems to improve various secondary end-points such as PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio or biomarkers of inflammation. Therapeutic plasma exchange appears to be a safe treatment modality in COVID-19 patients in terms of side effects.

The recent development in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has created new therapeutic opportunities for critically ill patients. An interest in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the pinnacle of ECLS techniques, has recently increased, as for the last decade, we have observed improvements in the survival of patients suffering from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) while on ECMO. Although there is a paucity of conclusive data from clinical research regarding extracorporeal oxygenation in COVID-19 patients, the pathophysiology of the disease makes veno-venous ECMO a promising option.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders remain a challenging obstacle in patients after cardiac surgery, as they significantly contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Identifying the modifiable risk factors and mechanisms for postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) and delirium (POD) would be an important step forward in preventing such adverse events and thus improving patients' outcome. Intraoperative hypotension is frequently discussed as a potential risk factor for neurocognitive decline, due to its significant impact on blood flow and tissue perfusion, however the studies exploring its association with POCD and POD are very heterogeneous and present divergent results. This review demonstrates 13 studies found after structured systematic search strategy and discusses the possible relationship between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative neuropsychiatric dysfunction.

Acute brain injuries pose a great threat to global health, having significant impact on mortality and disability. Patients with acute brain injury may develop distant organ failure, even if no systemic diseases or infection is present. The severity of non-neurologic organs' dysfunction depends on the extremity of the insult to the brain. In this comprehensive review we sought to describe the organ-related consequences of acute brain injuries. The clinician should always be aware of the interplay between central nervous system and non-neurological organs, that is constantly present. Cerebral injury is not only a brain disease, but also affects the body as whole, and thus requires holistic therapeutical approach., Competing Interests: acute brain injury; organ dysfunction; critical illness; systemic response

Delirium is a life-threatening condition, the causes of which are still not fully understood. It may develop in patients with pre-existing dementia. Delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) can go completely unnoticed with routine examination. It may happen in the perioperative period and in the critical care setting, especially in the ageing population. Difficulties in diagnosing and lack of specific pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment make DSD a seriously growing problem. Patient-oriented, multidirectional preventive measures should be applied to reduce the risk of DSD. For this reason, anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists should be aware of this interesting condition in their everyday clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive decline (deficit) (POCD) are related to a higher risk of postoperative complications and long-term disability. Pathophysiology of POD and POCD is complex, elusive and multifactorial. Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) constitutes a frequent and vital health hazard in the perioperative period. Unfortunately, there are no international recommendations in terms of diagnostics and treatment of neurocognitive complications which may arise from hypotension-related hypoperfusion. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature evaluating the association between IOH and POD/POCD in the non-cardiac setting. We have concluded that available data are quite inconsistent and there is a paucity of high-quality evidence convincing that IOH is a risk factor for POD/POCD development. Considerable heterogeneity between studies is the major limitation to set up reliable recommendations regarding intraoperative blood pressure management to protect the brain against hypotension-related hypoperfusion. Further well-designed and effectively-performed research is needed to elucidate true impact of intraoperative blood pressure variations on postoperative cognitive functioning., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Antimicrobial treatment during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) remains a complex issue. Recommendations based on a limited number of experimental studies should be implemented in clinical practice with caution. Effective management of infections due to plasma or albumin-related interactions, as well as impaired pharmacokinetics, in critical illness is difficult. Knowing the pharmacokinetics of the drugs concerned and the procedural aspects of plasmapheresis should be helpful in planning personalized treatment. In general, possessing a low distribution volume, a high protein-binding affinity, a low endogenous clearance rate, and long distribution and elimination half-lives make a drug more prone to elimination during TPE. A high frequency and longer duration of the procedure may also contribute to altering a drug's concentration. The safest choice would be to start and finish TPE before antimicrobial agent infusion. If this not feasible, a reasonable alternative is to avoid administering the drug just before TPE and to delay the procedure for the time of the administered drug's distributive phase. Ultimately, if plasma exchange must be performed urgently or the drug has a very narrow therapeutic index, monitoring its plasma concentration is advised., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The expanding number of chronic respiratory diseases and the new Covid-19 outbreak create an increasing demand for mechanical ventilation (MV). As MV is no longer limited to intensive care units (ICU) and operating rooms (OR), more clinicians should acquaint themselves with the principles of mechanical ventilation. To fully acknowledge contemporary concepts of MV, it is crucial to understand the elemental physiology and respiratory machine nuances. This paper addresses the latter issues and provides insight into ventilation modes and essential monitoring of MV.

Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) continues to be the most significant life support method. It is, however, coupled with many risks. Historically, concepts of MV did focus on improving the arterial blood gas results rather than preventing harmful side-effects of positive pressure ventilation. Since then, multiple studies exploring this matter emerged and led to the protective MV concept. The golden mean between assuring the best oxygenation and limiting the ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is still a matter of debate. These considerations are especially impactful while treating patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), where the limitation of MV's negative effect is specifically important. This paper explores the protective ventilation concept and clinical implications of the latter.