Infectious Disease Risk Associated with Contaminated Propofol Anesthesia, 1989–2014

Administration of propofol, the most frequently used intravenous anesthetic worldwide, has been associated with several iatrogenic infections despite its relative safety. Little is known regarding the global epidemiology of propofol-related outbreaks and the effectiveness of existing preventive strategies. In this overview of the evidence of propofol as a source of infection and appraisal of preventive strategies, we identified 58 studies through a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Lilacs for propofol-related infections during 1989–2014. Twenty propofol-related outbreaks have been reported, affecting 144 patients and resulting in 10 deaths. Related factors included reuse of syringes for multiple patients and prolonged exposure to the environment when vials were left open. The addition of antimicrobial drugs to the emulsion has been instituted in some countries, but outbreaks have still occurred. There remains a lack of comprehensive information on the effectiveness of measures to prevent future outbreaks

Comparación de los perfiles farmacodinámicos de tres moléculas de remifentanilo en cuanto a su respuesta hemodinámica a las maniobras de laringoscopia e intubación traqueal

ResumenIntroducciónEn Colombia se comercializan diferentes moléculas de remifentanilo que nunca han sido comparadas en un entorno clínico.ObjetivoEl objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el perfil farmacodinámico de la molécula innovadora de remifentanilo (grupo O: Glaxo SmithKline Manufacturing S.P.A.) y 2 moléculas genéricas (grupo A: Laboratorios Chalver de Colombia S.A. y grupo B: Instituto Biológico Contemporáneo, Argentina) registradas en Colombia.MétodosSe llevó a cabo un experimento clínico doble ciego, aleatorizado, controlado. Se comparó la molécula original de remifentanilo (grupo O, n=29) frente a las 2 moléculas genéricas (grupo A, n=29; grupo B, n=32) durante la inducción anestésica e intubación orotraqueal de pacientes adultos ASAI sin predictores de vía aérea difícil. Se evaluaron las dosis 6, 8 y 10ng/ml (TCI, Target Controlled Infusion) con el modelo de Minto. La inducción se complementó con propofol 5μg/ml (TCI) con modelo de Schneider y rocuronio 0,6mg/kg. El desenlace primario se evaluó como las diferencias en la presión arterial media y en la frecuencia cardiaca preintubación (momento en que se alcanza la concentración objetivo en sitio efecto) y postintubación (máximo valor alcanzado en 5min).ResultadosSe observó similitud en el perfil farmacodinámico de las moléculas de remifentanilo estudiadas. Las diferencias en el cambio de frecuencia cardiaca fue de 1,27 (IC95%: –3,11;5,67) con la molécula A y 1,40 (IC95%: –2,65;5,46) con la molécula B frente a la molécula O (latidos/min). Las diferencias en el cambio de presión arterial media fueron de 1 (IC95%: –4,81;6,81) para la molécula A y de 1,82 (IC95%: –4,08;7,74) para la molécula B frente a la molécula O (mmHg). Hubo un caso de hipotensión arterial en cada grupo.ConclusiónLos resultados sugieren que desde un punto de vista farmacodinámico las moléculas innovadora y genéricas de remifentanilo son similares para la laringoscopia/intubación con dosis TCI de 6, 8 y 10ng/ml.AbstractIntroductionSeveral remifentanil products are commercialized in Colombia while these have never been compared in a clinical setting.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacodynamic profile of the branded molecule of remifentanil (group O: Glaxo SmithKline Manufacturing S.P.A.) and two unbranded molecules (group A: Laboratorios Chalver de Colombia S.A. and group B: Instituto Biológico Contemporaneo, Argentina) registered in Colombia.MethodsWe carried out a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. The branded molecule of remifentanil (group O, n=29) was compared with the two unbranded molecules (group A, n=29; group B, n=32) during anesthetic induction and tracheal intubation in adult patients ASAI without predictors for difficult airway. The target controlled infusion (TCI) doses evaluated were 6, 8 and 10ng/ml with the Minto model. Induction was complemented with propofol 5mcg/ml (TCI) with the Schneider model and rocuronium 0.6mg/kg. The primary outcome was defined as the difference in mean arterial pressure and heart rate pre-intubation (TCI equilibrium) and post-intubation (maximum measurement within 5minutes).ResultsA similar pharmacodinamic profile was observed between the studied remifentanil molecules. The differences in the change in heart rate were 1.27 (95% CI: –3.11;5.67) with molecule A and 1.40 (95%CI: –2.65;5.46) with molecule B against molecule O (beats/minute). The differences in the change in mean arterial pressure were 1 (95%CI: –4.81;6.81) for molecule A and 1.82 (95%CI: –4.08;7.74) for molecule B against molecule O (mmHg). There was a case of arterial hypotension in each group.ConclusionThe results suggest that from a pharmacodynamic point of view branded and unbranded remifentanil molecules are similar for laryngoscopy/intubation with TCI doses 6, 8 and 10ng/ml

Comparison of the pharmacokinetic profiles of three molecules of remifentanil in terms of hemodynamic response in laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation maneuvers

Introducción En Colombia se comercializan diferentes moléculas de remifentanilo que nunca han sido comparadas en un entorno clínico. Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar el perfil farmacodinámico de la molécula innovadora de remifentanilo (grupo O: Glaxo SmithKline Manufacturing S.P.A.) y 2 moléculas genéricas (grupo A: Laboratorios Chalver de Colombia S.A. y grupo B: Instituto Biológico Contemporáneo, Argentina) registradas en Colombia. Métodos Se llevó a cabo un experimento clínico doble ciego, aleatorizado, controlado. Se comparó la molécula original de remifentanilo (grupo O, n=29) frente a las 2 moléculas genéricas (grupo A, n=29; grupo B, n=32) durante la inducción anestésica e intubación orotraqueal de pacientes adultos ASAI sin predictores de vía aérea difícil. Se evaluaron las dosis 6, 8 y 10ng/ml (TCI, Target Controlled Infusion) con el modelo de Minto. La inducción se complementó con propofol 5μg/ml (TCI) con modelo de Schneider y rocuronio 0,6mg/kg. El desenlace primario se evaluó como las diferencias en la presión arterial media y en la frecuencia cardiaca preintubación (momento en que se alcanza la concentración objetivo en sitio efecto) y postintubación (máximo valor alcanzado en 5min). Resultados Se observó similitud en el perfil farmacodinámico de las moléculas de remifentanilo estudiadas. Las diferencias en el cambio de frecuencia cardiaca fue de 1,27 (IC95%: –3,11;5,67) con la molécula A y 1,40 (IC95%: –2,65;5,46) con la molécula B frente a la molécula O (latidos/min). Las diferencias en el cambio de presión arterial media fueron de 1 (IC95%: –4,81;6,81) para la molécula A y de 1,82 (IC95%: –4,08;7,74) para la molécula B frente a la molécula O (mmHg). Hubo un caso de hipotensión arterial en cada grupo. Conclusión Los resultados sugieren que desde un punto de vista farmacodinámico las moléculas innovadora y genéricas de remifentanilo son similares para la laringoscopia/intubación con dosis TCI de 6, 8 y 10ng/ml.Introduction Several remifentanil products are commercialized in Colombia while these have never been compared in a clinical setting. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacodynamic profile of the branded molecule of remifentanil (group O: Glaxo SmithKline Manufacturing S.P.A.) and two unbranded molecules (group A: Laboratorios Chalver de Colombia S.A. and group B: Instituto Biológico Contemporaneo, Argentina) registered in Colombia. Methods We carried out a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. The branded molecule of remifentanil (group O, n=29) was compared with the two unbranded molecules (group A, n=29; group B, n=32) during anesthetic induction and tracheal intubation in adult patients ASAI without predictors for difficult airway. The target controlled infusion (TCI) doses evaluated were 6, 8 and 10ng/ml with the Minto model. Induction was complemented with propofol 5mcg/ml (TCI) with the Schneider model and rocuronium 0.6mg/kg. The primary outcome was defined as the difference in mean arterial pressure and heart rate pre-intubation (TCI equilibrium) and post-intubation (maximum measurement within 5minutes). Results A similar pharmacodinamic profile was observed between the studied remifentanil molecules. The differences in the change in heart rate were 1.27 (95% CI: –3.11;5.67) with molecule A and 1.40 (95%CI: –2.65;5.46) with molecule B against molecule O (beats/minute). The differences in the change in mean arterial pressure were 1 (95%CI: –4.81;6.81) for molecule A and 1.82 (95%CI: –4.08;7.74) for molecule B against molecule O (mmHg). There was a case of arterial hypotension in each group. Conclusion The results suggest that from a pharmacodynamic point of view branded and unbranded remifentanil molecules are similar for laryngoscopy/intubation with TCI doses 6, 8 and 10ng/ml

Needle gauge and tip designs for preventing post-dural puncture headache (PDPH)

Background: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is one of the most common complications of diagnostic and therapeutic lumbar punctures. PDPH is defined as any headache occurring after a lumbar puncture that worsens within 15 minutes of sitting or standing and is relieved within 15 minutes of the patient lying down. Researchers have suggested many types of interventions to help prevent PDPH. It has been suggested that aspects such as needle tip and gauge can be modified to decrease the incidence of PDPH. Objectives: To assess the effects of needle tip design (traumatic versus atraumatic) and diameter (gauge) on the prevention of PDPH in participants who have undergone dural puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic causes. Search methods: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and LILACS, as well as trial registries via the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) search portal in September 2016. We adopted the MEDLINE strategy for searching the other databases. The search terms we used were a combination of thesaurus-based and free-text terms for both interventions (lumbar puncture in neurological, anaesthesia or myelography settings) and headache. Selection criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in any clinical/research setting where dural puncture had been used in participants of all ages and both genders, which compared different tip designs or diameters for prevention of PDPH Data collection and analysis: We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Main results: We included 70 studies in the review; 66 studies with 17,067 participants were included in the quantitative analysis. An additional 18 studies are awaiting classification and 12 are ongoing. Fifteen of the 18 studies awaiting classification mainly correspond to congress summaries published before 2010, in which the available information does not allow the complete evaluation of all their risks of bias and characteristics. Our main outcome was prevention of PDPH, but we also assessed the onset of severe PDPH, headache in general and adverse events. The quality of evidence was moderate for most of the outcomes mainly due to risk of bias issues. For the analysis, we undertook three main comparisons: 1) traumatic needles versus atraumatic needles; 2) larger gauge traumatic needles versus smaller gauge traumatic needles; and 3) larger gauge atraumatic needles versus smaller gauge atraumatic needles. For each main comparison, if data were available, we performed a subgroup analysis evaluating lumbar puncture indication, age and posture. For the first comparison, the use of traumatic needles showed a higher risk of onset of PDPH compared to atraumatic needles (36 studies, 9378 participants, risk ratio (RR) 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72 to 2.67, I2 = 9%). In the second comparison of traumatic needles, studies comparing various sizes of large and small gauges showed no significant difference in effects in terms of risk of PDPH, with the exception of one study comparing 26 and 27 gauge needles (one study, 658 participants, RR 6.47, 95% CI 2.55 to 16.43). In the third comparison of atraumatic needles, studies comparing various sizes of large and small gauges showed no significant difference in effects in terms of risk of PDPH. We observed no significant difference in the risk of paraesthesia, backache, severe PDPH and any headache between traumatic and atraumatic needles. Sensitivity analyses of PDPH results between traumatic and atraumatic needles omitting high risk of bias studies showed similar results regarding the benefit of atraumatic needles in the prevention of PDPH (three studies, RR 2.78, 95% CI 1.26 to 6.15; I2 = 51%). Authors' conclusions: There is moderate-quality evidence that atraumatic needles reduce the risk of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) without increasing adverse events such as paraesthesia or backache. The studies did not report very clearly on aspects related to randomization, such as random sequence generation and allocation concealment, making it difficult to interpret the risk of bias in the included studies. The moderate quality of the evidence for traumatic versus atraumatic needles suggests that further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect.Fil: Arevalo-Rodriguez, Ingrid. Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud; Colombia. Universidad Tecnologica Equinoccial; EcuadorFil: Muñoz, Luis. Hospital de San Jose; ColombiaFil: Godoy-Casasbuenas, Natalia. Hospital de San Jose; ColombiaFil: Ciapponi, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Arevalo, Jimmy J.. VU University Medical Center; Países BajosFil: Boogaard, Sabine. VU University Medical Center; Países BajosFil: Roquéi Figuls, Marta. Iberamerican Cochrane Centre; Españ

Infectious Disease Risk Associated with Contaminated Propofol Anesthesia, 1989–2014

Administration of propofol, the most frequently used intravenous anesthetic worldwide, has been associated with several iatrogenic infections despite its relative safety. Little is known regarding the global epidemiology of propofol-related outbreaks and the effectiveness of existing preventive strategies. In this overview of the evidence of propofol as a source of infection and appraisal of preventive strategies, we identified 58 studies through a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Lilacs for propofol-related infections during 1989–2014. Twenty propofol-related outbreaks have been reported, affecting 144 patients and resulting in 10 deaths. Related factors included reuse of syringes for multiple patients and prolonged exposure to the environment when vials were left open. The addition of antimicrobial drugs to the emulsion has been instituted in some countries, but outbreaks have still occurred. There remains a lack of comprehensive information on the effectiveness of measures to prevent future outbreaks

Palliative sedation: reliability and validity of sedation scales

Context. Observer-based sedation scales have been used to provide a measurable estimate of the comfort of nonalert patients in palliative sedation. However, their usefulness and appropriateness in this setting has not been demonstrated. Objectives. To study the reliability and validity of observer-based sedation scales in palliative sedation. Methods. A prospective evaluation of 54 patients under intermittent or continuous sedation with four sedation scales was performed by 52 nurses. Included scales were the Minnesota Sedation Assessment Tool (MSAT), Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), Vancouver Interaction and Calmness Scale (VICS), and a sedation score proposed in the Guideline for Palliative Sedation of the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG). Inter-rater reliability was tested with the intraclass correlation coefficient Results. Overall moderate to high inter-rater reliability was found for the VICS interaction subscale (ICC = 0.85), RASS (ICC = 0.73), and KNMG (ICC = 0.71). The largest correlation between scales was found for the RASS and KNMG (rho = 0.836). All scales showed discriminative and evaluative validity, except for the MSAT motor subscale and VICS calmness subscale. Finally, the RASS was less time consuming, clearer, and easier to use than the MSAT and VICS. Conclusion. The RASS and KNMG scales stand as the most reliable and valid among the evaluated scales. In addition, the RASS was less time consuming, clearer, and easier to use than the MSAT and VICS. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of the scales on better symptom control and patient comfort. J Pain Symptom Manage 2012; 44: 704-714. (C) 2012 U. S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Use of antithrombotics at the end of life

Background: Antithrombotics are frequently prescribed for patients with a limited life expectancy. In the last phase of life, when treatment is primarily focused on optimizing patients’ quality of life, the use of antithrombotics shoul

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research