Design and performance evaluation of the "iTIVA" algorithm for manual infusion of intravenous anesthetics based on effect-site target

Introduction: Remifentanil and propofol infusion using TCI pumps has proven to be beneficial for the practice of anesthesia but the availability of these systems is limited. Objective: Designing a pharmacokinetic model-based algorithm for calculating manual infusion regimens to achieve plasma and effect-site concentrations that may be used in volume infusion pumps, and to compare the difference between the desired and the forecasted concentrations via pharmacokinetic simulation. Methods: Using the Minto & Schnider models for remifentanil and propofol respectively, the algorithm was implemented on an iTIVA application (interactive TIVA) for iOS and Android operating systems. The performance of the algorithm was evaluated estimating the infusion regimens for achieving different effect-site concentrations for induction and maintenance in 34 theoretical patients for 240. minutes. Results: The infusion regimens obtained for remifentanil and propofol resulted in less than 5% average systemic deviation versus the target effect-site concentrations during induction and maintenance. Only one induction infusion was required for remifentanil and propofol. Just one infusion rate was required for remifentanil during maintenance, and between 2 to 5 infusion rate changes for propofol to maintain a stable concentration. The iTIVA-based algorithm estimates concentrations similar to the TivaTrainer® software. Conclusions: The performance of the algorithm to achieve effect-site concentrations during induction and maintenance for remifentanil and propofol was excellent, with a low systemic deviation versus the desired target concentrations

Completeness of reporting of case reports in high-impact medical journals

Introduction: Case reports represent a relevant, timely and important study design in advancing medical scientific knowledge. They allow integration between clinical practice and clinical epidemiology. We aimed to assess the completeness of reporting (COR) of case reports published in high-impact journals. We assessed the COR of case reports using the CARE guidelines. Materials and methods: We selected three high-impact journals and one journal specialized in publishing case reports, in which we included all published case reports from July to December 2017. Median COR score was calculated per study, and CORs were compared between journals with and without endorsement of CARE guidelines. Results: One hundred and fourteen case reports were included. Overall median COR was 81%, IQR [63%-96%]. Sections with the highest COR (84%-100%) were patient information, clinical findings, therapeutic intervention, follow-up and outcomes, discussion and informed consent. Sections with the lowest COR were title, keywords, timeline and patient perspective (2%-34%). COR was higher in journals endorsing in comparison to those not endorsing CARE guidelines (77% vs 65%), respectively, median difference = −12% 95% CI [−16% to −7%]. Discussion: Overall completeness of case reports in included journals is high especially for CARE endorsing and dedicated journals but reporting of some items could be improved. Ongoing and future evaluations of endorsement status of reporting guidelines in medical journals should be assessed to improve completeness and reduce waste of clinical research, including case reports

Fatores prognósticos da infeção respiratória aguda baixa grave em crianças menores de 5 años na Colômbia

Introduction: Acute lower respiratory infection (alri: community acquired and/or bronchiolitis) is one of the main public health issues for children under five years of age. The main purpose of this research was to describe the epidemiological profile, associated factors, and prognosis of alri in two hospitals in Popayan, Colombia. Materials and Methods: This was a cohort study. We included children from 2 months to 5 years of age with diagnoses of severe alri. Sociodemographic profiles, clinical features, and prognostic factors were collected. The main outcomes under study were mortality, admission to icu, and length of stay. Multivariable analyses were performed to establish the independent contributions of prognostic factors. Results: 121 patients were included. Incidence of alri was 4% ci95% [3,3-4,7] during 6 months of follow-up. Mortality during follow-up was 0,8% (ci95% 0,l-4,4) (one patient). Thirty three percent of children required admission to icu. Median length of stay was 5 days and length of stay in icu was 4 days. Preterm birth was independently associated with icu admission (or=5,1 ci95% [l,3-20] p=0,0l9). Discussion: The incidence of severe alri was 4%. Mortality was low and length of stay was short. Factors related to the diagnosis of alri in this cohort are consistent with those reported in the national and international literature, and the only independent prognostic factor for admission to icu was preterm birth

Pressure applied by the healthcare staff on a cricoids cartilage simulator during Sellick's maneuver in rapid sequence intubation

Background: Sellick's maneuver or cricoid pressure is a strategy used to prevent bronchoaspiration during the rapid intubation sequence. Several studies have described that the force required for an adequate maneuver is of 2.5-3.5 kg. The purpose of this paper was to determine the force applied (in kilograms) on a cricoid cartilage simulator by the healthcare professionals. Methodology: Observational cross-section trial. The participants were the healthcare professionals at the San José University Hospital in Popayán and participants at the National Congress of Anesthesiology - S.C.A.R.E. 2011, who were conveniently selected. Every participant made three attempts to apply the maneuver on the simulator. Results: Data from 156 participants were collected. The mean global pressures applied in the first, second and third attempts were 2.70, 2.71 and 2.73 kg, respectively. Following a multivariate adjustment, males exhibited a higher force at the first attempt to do the maneuver. No association was found to other variables, such as labor experience or the training level. Conclusions: The pressure applied by the participants in the trial during the first attempt was 2.7 kg. Most of the subjects in the trial did Sellick's maneuver applying an inadequate pressure in their f

A systematic review and trial sequential analysis of intravenous vs. oral peri-operative paracetamol

Postoperative pain might be different after intravenous vs. oral paracetamol. We systematically reviewed randomised controlled trials in patients >15 years that compared intravenous with oral paracetamol for postoperative pain. We identified 14 trials with 1695 participants. There was inconclusive evidence for an effect of route of paracetamol administration on postoperative pain at 0-2 h (734 participants), 2-6 h (766 participants), 6-24 h (1115 participants) and >24 h (248 participants), with differences in standardised mean (95%CI) pain scores for intravenous vs. oral of -0.17 (-0.45 to 0.10), -0.09 (-0.24 to 0.06), 0.06 (-0.12 to 0.23) and 0.03 (-0.22 to 0.28), respectively. Trial sequential analyses suggested that a total of 3948 participants would be needed to demonstrate a meaningful difference in pain or its absence at 0-2 h. There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Intravenous paracetamol is more expensive than oral paracetamol. Substitution of oral paracetamol in half the patients given intravenous paracetamol in our hospital would save around £ 38,711 (€ 43,960 or US$ 47,498) per annum

Unmet device reprogramming needs at the end of life among patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators is increasingly common. As patients approach the end of life, it is appropriate to deactivate the shock function. Aim: To assess the prevalence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator reprogramming to deactivate the shock function at the end of life and the prevalence of advance directives among this population. Design: Following a previously established protocol available in PROSPERO, we performed a narrative synthesis of our findings and used the logit transforma

Acute renal failure in children. Multicenter prospective cohort study in medium-complexity intensive care units from the Colombian southeast

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is frequent in critically ill children; however, it varies in causality and epidemiology according to the level of patient care complexity. A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in four medium-complexity pediatric intensive care units from the Colombian southeast aimed to estimate the clinical prognosis of patients with diagnosis of acute kidney injury. METHODS: We included children >28 days and <18 years of age, who were admitted with diagnosis of acute kidney injury classified by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), during the period from January to December 2017. Severe acute kidney injury was defined as stage 2 and stage 3 classifications. Maximum KDIGO was evaluated during the hospital stay and follow up. Length of hospital stay, use of mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs, use of renal replacement therapy, and mortality were assessed until discharge. RESULTS: Prevalence at admission of acute kidney injury was 5.2% (95%CI 4.3% to 6.2%). It was found that 71% of the patients had their maximum KDIGO on day one; an increment in the maximum stage of acute kidney injury increased the pediatric intensive care unit stay. Patients with maximum KDIGO 3 were associated with greater use of mechanical ventilation (47%), compared with maximum KDIGO 2 (37%) and maximum KDIGO 1 (16%). Eight patients with maximum KDIGO 2 and 14 with maximum KDIGO 3 required renal replacement therapy. Mortality was at 11.8% (95%CI 6.4% to 19.4%). CONCLUSION: Acute kidney injury, established and classified according to KDIGO as severe and its maximum stage, was associated with worse clinical outcomes; early therapeutic efforts should focus on preventing the progression to severe stages