A Non-Inferiority Study of the Speed and Success of Nasotracheal Intubation in Maxillofacial Surgeries Using Macintosh Direct Laryngoscope versus Sanyar® Video Laryngoscope

Background: The recently developed blade design of the Sanyar® video laryngoscope yields an exceptionally precise visualization of the larynx, thereby easing the process of tracheal intubation. Objectives: A non-inferiority clinical investigation, to assess the efficacy of the Sanyar® as compared to the Macintosh® direct laryngoscope for nasotracheal intubation in the context of maxillofacial surgeries. Methods: 78 patients for maxillofacial surgery were divided randomly into two groups and intubated through the nose using either the Sanyar® or Macintosh® laryngoscope after anesthesia was induced. The study measured intubation time and secondary objectives included success rate, attempts, and hemodynamic changes in two groups. Results: 40 eligible patients in the Sanyar® and 38 in the Macintosh® group were involved. Of all, 42(53.8%) were men and 36(46.2%) were women. The average age of patients in the Sanyar® and Mackintosh groups was (31.62±13.41) and (30.81±10.89), respectively. 39(98%) of the Sanyar® group and 33(86%) of the Macintosh® group had successful laryngoscopy and intubation, with a P-value<0.034. Sanyar® group had a significantly shorter intubation time than Macintosh® (P-value<0.001). Hemodynamic changes before and after laryngoscopy and intubation had no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The Sanyar® video laryngoscope reduced the time of nasal tracheal intubation in maxillofacial surgery compared to direct laryngoscopy and improved the success rate of the first intubation attempt

Comparative Analysis of Patient Satisfaction and Sedation Outcomes in Bronchoscopy: Fentanyl/Chlorpheniramine vs. Ketamine/Chlorpheniramine

This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess and compare patient satisfaction and sedation outcomes in bronchoscopy procedures using two distinct sedation protocols: fentanyl/chlorpheniramine (FC) and ketamine/chlorpheniramine (KC). Ninety patients undergoing simple bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage were randomly assigned to receive either FC (1 µg/kg fentanyl and 10 mg chlorpheniramine) or KC (0.5 mg/kg ketamine and 10 mg chlorpheniramine). Lidocaine was also administered during bronchoscopy. Primary outcomes included patient satisfaction scores, while secondary outcomes encompassed sedation levels, bronchoscopist satisfaction, cough rates, lidocaine usage, and physiological parameters. Patients in the FC group exhibited significantly higher satisfaction levels compared to the KC group (P=0.002). Bronchoscopist satisfaction was also superior in the FC group (P=0.001). Although cough rates did not differ significantly, severe persistent coughs were more prevalent in the KC group. Physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation were comparable, but the KC group demonstrated higher increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate. The use of fentanyl/chlorpheniramine resulted in higher patient and bronchoscopist satisfaction during simple bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage compared to ketamine/chlorpheniramine. This study suggests that the combination of fentanyl and chlorpheniramine may be a preferable sedation choice for bronchoscopy procedures

Association of serum PCSK9 levels with antibiotic resistance and severity of disease in patients with bacterial infections admitted to intensive care units

Background: The results of several studies have suggested that infections and sepsis, either bacterial or viral, might be associated with elevated plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels. Since there are no data on PCSK9 levels and antibiotic resistance or the severity of disease in patients with bacterial infections in intensive care units, the aim of this study was to investigate whether any such associations exist. ----- Methods: 100 patients (46 males, mean age 67.12 ± 1.34 years) with bacterial infections who were staying in an intensive care unit (ICU) longer than 48 h but less than 7 days and who were not receiving corticosteroids were analyzed. Their serum levels of albumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, prothrombin (international normalized ratio), total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, PCSK9, and procalcitonin were measured. The severity of the patients' condition was assessed by using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scales. ----- Results: Using a hierarchical regression modeling approach, no significant association was found between PCSK9 levels and either the severity of disease (APACHE II, SOFA, and GCS) indices or resistance to antibiotics. ----- Conclusion: The results suggest that there is no association between PCSK9 levels and resistance to antibiotics or the condition of patients hospitalized in intensive care units