Deksametazon- intratekalni reducens jednostavnih hematoloških biomarkera stresa

Proximal femoral fractures are the most common cause of emergency admission to hospital with high postoperative morbidity. The hypothesis was that a single shot of intrathecal dexamethasone and levobupivacaine in anaesthesia for surgical correction of proximal femoral fracture in elderly patients reduces surgical stress with better quality hospitalisation. The study included sixty elderly patients with proximal femoral fracture, ASA status 2 and 3, randomised into two groups. The study group of thirty patients received 8 mg of dexamethasone and 12,5 mg of levobupivacaine 0,5 % intrathecally, DLSA group, and the parallel group of thirty patients received 12,5 mg of levobupivacaine 0,5 % intrathecally, LSA group. Plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations were assessed before and after anaesthesia, pain intensity was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale score and hospitalisation was analysed. Results showed decreased cortisol concentrations, longer analgesia duration and shorter hospitalisation in the DLSA group. Glucose concentrations did not differ significantly between the patients in either group. Enlightening the study results collected, single shot of intrathecal administration of dexamethasone in spinal anaesthesia for surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures reduces the stress response by decreasing plasma cortisol concentrations prolonging analgesia with better rehabilitation possibilities, hence shortening hospitalisation which explains this pattern of anaesthesia.Proksimalni prijelomi bedrene kosti su najčešći uzrok prijma u bolnicu s visokim poslijeoperacijskim morbiditetom. Hipoteza je da jedna intratekalna doza deksametazona s levobupivakainom za kiruršku korekciju prijeloma proksimalnog dijela bedrene kosti smanjuje kirurški stres sa kvalitetnijim boravkom u bolnici. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno šezdeset pacijenata starije dobi s prijelomom proksimalnog dijela bedrene kosti, ASA status 2 i 3, te su bili randomizirani u dvije skupine. Trideset pacijenata je primilo 8 mg deksametazona i 12,5 mg 0,5 % levobupivakaina intratekalno, DLSA skupina, trideset pacijenata u usporednoj skupini je primilo 12,5 mg 0,5 % levobupivakaina intratekalno, LSA skupina; tijekom anestezije za kiruršku korekciju. Plazmatske koncentracije kortizola i glukoze mjerene su prije i poslije kirurškog zahvata, intenzitet boli je određivan zbrojem VAS, te je analizirano trajanje hospitalizacije. Rezultati istraživanja su prikazali smanjene koncentracije kortizola, dulje trajanje analgezije te kraće trajanje hospitalizacije u DLSA skupini u usporedbi sa LSA skupinom. Koncentracije serumske glukoze nisu se značajnije razlikovale između skupina. Rasvjetljavanjem skupljenih rezultata, jedna intratekalna injekcija deksametazona u spinalnoj anesteziji za kiruršku korekciju prijeloma proksimalnog dijela bedrene kosti snižava stresni odgovor smanjenjem plazmatske koncentracije kortizola s duljim analgetskim učinkom te boljim mogućnostima rehabilitacije, skraćujući time hospitalizaciju što opravdava ovaj anesteziološki obrazac kao metodu izbora

Could the choice of regional anaesthesia serve as a cost management indicator within a hospital?

Application of certain economic knowledge and skills in the medical field could help improve organization and functioning of certain hospital departments. By analyzing the use of certain anesthesia techniques, bearing in mind cost benefits of using regional anesthesia, along with benefits for the patient (lower postoperative pain and more effective postoperative pain relief) we will try to demonstrate the benefits of regional anesthesia in comparison to other anesthesia techniques. T he purpose of the data presented in this paper is to illustrate the importance of interdisciplinary approach for achieving optimal quality of medical service and patient satisfaction. The analysis of the reports from University hospital "Sveti Duh" Department of Anesthesiology, reanimatology and Intensive medicine indicates how the use of a particular anesthesia technique can contribute to the rationalization and identify key segments of a business process where there is room for improvement

Hemorrhagic shock as a complication of anticoagulant therapy following the mitral valve replacement

This report describes a case of the hemorrhagic shock in a patient on the anticoagulant therapy supplementing implanted mechanical prosthetic heart valve replacing the mitral valve. The association between hemorrhagic shock, mechanical prosthetic heart valve and anticoagulant therapy is briefly discussed

Extravascular lung water index as an indicator of lung injury in septic patients

Introduction. Transpulmonary thermodilution using PiCCO (Pulse-induced Contour Cardiac Output) is a standard minimally invasive method used for haemodynamic monitoring. Objectives. The goal of this paper is to examine the correlation and dynamics of the ExtraVascular Lung Water Index (EVLWI) as an indicator of acute lung injury in septic patients who underwent major abdominal surgery. Two groups of patients were selected: the ones with ALI (Acute Lung Injury): ALI patient group, and the ones without ALI: non-ALI patient group. A correlation between EVLWI and other haemodynamic and respiratory data in both groups were analyzed. Materials and methods. The study included 48 patients. Throughout the seven-day period EVLWI, GEDVI (Global End-Diastolic Volume Index), ITBVI (IntraThoracic Blood Volume Index), CI (Cardiac Index), SVRI (Systemic Vascular Resistance Index) were measured in both groups using PiCCO monitoring over 8-hour intervals as well as heart rate, mean arterial pressure, serum albumin concentration, PaCO2 (arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide), PaO2 (arterial partial pressure of oxygen), PaO2/FiO2 (arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen) ratio, lung compliance, lung resistance and ScvO2 (central venous oxygen saturation). All patients were analgosedated, intubated, mechanically ventilated, in sinus cardiac rhythm. Circulatory unstable patients had vasoactive support and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores calculated. Ventilator settings and dosage of vasoactive drugs were kept constant during the study. Results. EVLWI was significantly higher in ALI patients group compared to non-ALI patients group. In patients with ALI group 11/22 patients died (50%), in the non-ALI patients group 6/26 patients died (23%). EVLWI was significantly higher in patients that died compared to ones who survived. Conclusion. EVLWI is a good indicator of early acute lung injury in surgical patients with sepsis

Intermediate cervical plexus block for carotid endarterectomy in high risk patients

Background and Purpose: Regional anesthesia is the choice for patients undergoing preventive open carotid surgery. Recently intermediate cervical plexus block has been described as a reliable and safe anesthesia technique in comparison with superficial and deep cervical plexus block. The aim of our study was to assess the complications of intermediate cervical plexus block in high risk patients. Materials and Method: The study was performed in 29 ASA III and ASA IV patients with the intermediate cervical plexus block for carotid endarterectomy from January 2006 till November 2008 in the University Hospital Zagreb. The following data were collected: age, sex, ASA status and preoperative disease. Furthermore, intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with intermediate cervical plexus block and carotid endarterectomy were recorded. Results: Median age was 69 years (range, 46 – 82 years). One patient developed Horner’s syndrome, three patients developed transitory ischemic attack, one developed stroke intraoperatively and died, seven patients developed transitory hemodynamic instability, one was hypotensive in the postoperative period and required vasoactive support. Conclusion: Intermediate cervical plexus block is safe and effective for carotid endarterectomy in high risk patients

HES solutions in critical illness, trauma and perioperative period

In the last few years, many studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions increase the risk of acute renal failure and mortality in critically ill patients. Some studies suggest complete avoidance of HES solutions in patients of all categories. On the other hand, recent studies and analyses suggest that HES solutions may be used in hypovolemic critically ill patients and in the perioperative setting. The main problem in everyday clinical practice and in a rational fluid management approach is that treatment with alternatives to HES solutions is not always pathophysiologically justified (crystalloids) or confirmed in randomised controlled trials (gelatins, albumins)