The effectiveness of plasmapheresis treatment in the patients with HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia in the intensive care unit

Objective: In our study we aimed to state the effectiveness of plasmapheresis treatment in the patients with HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia in the intensive care unit. Methods: Patients who are with the diagnosis of HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia in our intensive care unit between the years of 2005-2010 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients’ characteristics, before and post-plasmapheresis biochemical and hematological values, urine outputs, APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation System), GCS, (Glasgow Coma Scoring), SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and MODS Scoring (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score) are recorded. The effectiveness of plasmapheresis is evaluated. Results: 8 were HELLP Syndrome and 6 were eclampsia of 16 patients. The mean age was 29,5(±5,9). 2 of 6 eclampsia patients and, 1of 8 HELLP Syndrome patient were died. Age, APACHE II, MODS, GCS and the urine output are the significant clinical factors that determines the mortality (p<0.03). After the plasmapheresis therapy a significant improvement was seen in platelet and total protein numbers, MODS score, AST, GGT, LDH, lactate and creatinine levels. (p<0.03) Conclusion: Plasmapheresis treatment in the patients with HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia is a safe method and provides a significant development in biochemical values and patients’ clinics

Post-anaesthesia pulmonary complications after use of muscle relaxants (POPULAR): a multicentre, prospective observational study

Background Results from retrospective studies suggest that use of neuromuscular blocking agents during general anaesthesia might be linked to postoperative pulmonary complications. We therefore aimed to assess whether the use of neuromuscular blocking agents is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods We did a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study. Patients were recruited from 211 hospitals in 28 European countries. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) who received general anaesthesia for any in-hospital procedure except cardiac surgery. Patient characteristics, surgical and anaesthetic details, and chart review at discharge were prospectively collected over 2 weeks. Additionally, each patient underwent postoperative physical examination within 3 days of surgery to check for adverse pulmonary events. The study outcome was the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications from the end of surgery up to postoperative day 28. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for surgical factors and patients’ preoperative physical status, providing adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and adjusted absolute risk reduction (ARRadj). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01865513. Findings Between June 16, 2014, and April 29, 2015, data from 22803 patients were collected. The use of neuromuscular blocking agents was associated with an increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients who had undergone general anaesthesia (1658 [7·6%] of 21694); ORadj 1·86, 95% CI 1·53–2·26; ARRadj –4·4%, 95% CI –5·5 to –3·2). Only 2·3% of high-risk surgical patients and those with adverse respiratory profiles were anaesthetised without neuromuscular blocking agents. The use of neuromuscular monitoring (ORadj 1·31, 95% CI 1·15–1·49; ARRadj –2·6%, 95% CI –3·9 to –1·4) and the administration of reversal agents (1·23, 1·07–1·41; –1·9%, –3·2 to –0·7) were not associated with a decreased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Neither the choice of sugammadex instead of neostigmine for reversal (ORadj 1·03, 95% CI 0·85–1·25; ARRadj –0·3%, 95% CI –2·4 to 1·5) nor extubation at a train-of-four ratio of 0·9 or more (1·03, 0·82–1·31; –0·4%, –3·5 to 2·2) was associated with better pulmonary outcomes. Interpretation We showed that the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs in general anaesthesia is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Anaesthetists must balance the potential benefits of neuromuscular blockade against the increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications