Utilization of Prognostic Biomarker Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor in the Emergency Department: A Tool for Safe and More Efficient Decision-making

Introduction:

Risk stratification in the emergency departments (EDs) is in critical need for new applications due to ED overcrowding and hospitalization of older people. We aimed to evaluate the expediency, efficiency and safety of a prognostic biomarker, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), as a tool for the risk assessment of patients arriving at the ED.

Methods:

We performed a comparative cross-sectional study in 2 emergency departments (EDs), suPAR measurements being incorporated into routine blood sampling in the intervention ED. The primary outcome was the number of discharges from the ED. The importance of the outcomes was examined by appropriate multi- or bivariate analysis.

Results:

The absolute and relative number of discharges were similar between the intervention and control groups [121 (55.3%) vs 62 (55.9%)]. No significant differences between the groups were seen in the length of stays in the ED. Patients with low suPAR values were more likely discharged and patients with high suPAR values more likely admitted to hospital. Two admitted patients with low suPAR values could have been discharged safely.

Conclusion:

The utilization of suPAR did not increase the risk for neither positive nor negative outcomes. Low suPAR values could be potential in discharging more patients safely. Instead of unselected patient populations, the benefits of suPAR measurements in the ED could emerge in the assessment of a more precisely determined and selected group of patients.

Screening of community-dwelling older patients by the emergency medical services: An observational retrospective registry study

BACKGROUND

Inadequate nutrition, falls, and cognitive impairment are common problems among acutely ill older people and are associated with complicated and prolonged health problems and mortality.

OBJECTIVES

To assess if the emergency medical services can identify patients with nutritional risk, falls risk, and cognitive impairment by using simple screening tools and to assess the prevalence of risks and rate they are reported to the emergency department.

SETTING

The study was carried out in Espoo, Finland to patients over the age of 70 requiring non-urgent ambulance transfer to the emergency department.

OUTCOME MEASURES

A set of validated electronic screening tools was used to identify patients at nutritional risk, risk of falling and having cognitive impairment.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 488 (8%) out of 5792 patients were screened. Of the patients 60%, (n = 292) had at least one risk: 17% (n = 81) had nutritional risk, 43% (n = 209) falls risk, and 28% (n = 137) cognitive impairment. Twenty-two (5%) were screened positive in all three categories. The observed risk was reported to the emergency department staff in 59% (n = 173) of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The emergency medical services can be used in preventive health care to identify patients having nutritional risk, falls risk, or cognitive impairment.

Gastric air tonometry during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a comparison of two PaCO2 levels

PURPOSE

Pneumoperitoneum can cause disturbances in acid-base balance and splanchnic perfusion. We studied the effect of ventilation on acid-base balance and gastric mucosal tonometric values in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients (ASA I-II) were randomly allocated into two groups. In the fixed ventilation group, ventilation was constant allowing free increase in PCO2, while in the constant CO2 group end-tidal PCO2 was fixed with ventilatory adjustment. Intraabdominal pressure was limited to 12 mmHg. Arterial acid-base balance, automated air tonometric variables and gastric mucosal to arterial PCO2 gap were determined frequently from anesthesia induction until three hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

During pneumoperitoneum, in the fixed ventilation group arterial PCO2 changed from 5.0 +/- 0.2 to 6.6 +/- 0.4 kPa and pH from 7.43 +/- 0.03 to 7.33 +/- 0.04, tonometric PCO2 from 5.1 +/- 0.5 to 6.9 +/- 0.4 and pH from 7.44 +/- 0.04 to 7.33 +/- 0.04. In the constant CO2 group these variables remained at control levels (P < 0.01 between groups). The PCO2 gap remained unchanged without any differences between the groups. In the recovery room all measured variables were within normal range in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Despite inter-group differences in arterial and tonometric PCO2 and pH values during CO2 pneumoperitoneum, the patients did not develop splanchnic hypoperfusion detectable by air tonometric method, as indicated by normal PCO2 gap in both groups throughout the study.

Convalescence in the first week after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results from a detailed questionnaire on morbidity and recovery of daily activities

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative morbidity and return to daily activities after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients were asked to keep daily detailed structured diaries for 1 week.

RESULTS

Half of the patients were discharged from hospital on the 1st postoperative day (POD1); another third were released on POD2. Distressing pain subsided on POD2, but disturbing pain occurred in 10% of the patients on POD5-7. On POD7, mild pain at rest appeared in 30% of the patients and when moving in 60% of them. Although pain was the most common complaint, the mean consumption of analgesics was low. Even though one-fifth of the patients felt nauseated on POD2-3, and one-seventh again as late as POD7, drinking and eating did not pose problems. At the end of the week, one-third of the subjects experienced slight disorders in night rest and vigilance. Moving and walking were disturbed in one-third of the patients, and bending over and lifting objects were relatively difficult for 60% of the patients on POD7. Thirty percent of the 21 patients who were employed reported that they were capable of returning to work on POD7.

CONCLUSION

To account for the variability in the rate of convalescence, the length of sick leave after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be individualized.

Comparison of rocuronium and suxamethonium for use during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia

This study was designed to compare the tracheal intubating conditions during a rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia using rocuronium 0.6 (n = 61) or 1.0 mg.kg-1 (n = 130) or suxamethonium 1.0 mg.kg-1 (n = 127) as the neuromuscular blocking drugs. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl 1-2 micrograms.kg-1 and thiopentone 5 mg.kg-1 (median dose) and intubating conditions were assessed 60s after the administration of the neuromuscular blocking drug by an observer unaware of which drug had been given. Intubating conditions were graded on a three-point scale as excellent, good or poor, the first two being considered clinically acceptable. The study was carried out in two parts. At the end of the first part a comparison between the two doses of rocuronium was carried out when at least 50 patients had been enrolled in each group. The results showed the intubating conditions to be significantly superior with the 1.0 mg.kg-1 dose of rocuronium (p < 0.01). Final comparison between the 1.0 mg.kg-1 doses of rocuronium and suxamethonium showed no significant difference in the incidence of acceptable intubations (96 and 97%, respectively). The incidence of excellent grade of intubations was, however, significantly higher with suxamethonium (80% vs. 65%; p = 0.02). It is concluded that rocuronium 1.0 mg.kg-1 can be used as an alternative to suxamethonium 1.0 mg.kg-1 as part of a rapid sequence induction provided there is no anticipated difficulty in intubation. The clinical duration of this dose of rocuronium is, however, 50-60 min.

Respiratory compliance during laparoscopic hiatal and inguinal hernia repair

PURPOSE

Side stream spirometry with dynamic compliance displayed as pressure-volume loops, has enabled early detection of CO2 pneumothorax during pneumoperitoneum. We compared dynamic compliance profiles of two laparoscopic procedures with different patient positions.

METHODS

In 26 patients, scheduled either for laparoscopic fundoplication in a head-up tilt or inguinal herniorrhaphy in a head-down tilt, dynamic compliance was measured with continuous spirometry from anaesthesia induction until skin closure. Control pressure-volume loops were saved in the horizontal position before surgery and compared with succeeding loops in the head-up/head-down tilt before pneumoperitoneum, during pneumoperitoneum in the horizontal and the tilt position, after evacuation of pneumoperitoneum in the tilt and finally in the horizontal position.

RESULTS

Pneumoperitoneum reduced compliance in both groups by 35% (P < 0.01). Head-down tilt decreased compliance by 12% before and during pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.01). Head-up tilt increased compliance by 4% before pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05), but during pneumoperitoneum it had no effect. After evacuation of pneumoperitoneum compliance returned immediately to control in head-up tilt, but remained reduced in head-down tilt and was not at control after adopting horizontal position (P < 0.05). Difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.01) in the head-up/head-down tilt before, during and immediately after pneumoperitoneum.

CONCLUSION

Both pneumoperitoneum and head-up and head-down positions had characteristic effects on dynamic compliance. Simultaneous display of sequential pressure-volume loops enabled immediate detection of changes in respiratory mechanics.

Comparison of body temperature changes during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Prevention of hypothermia during abdominal surgery by insulating or heat-transferring methods has been the subject of numerous investigations. This study approaches the problem from a less discussed point of view, i.e. the effect of different surgical techniques on body temperature changes.

METHODS

Body temperature was measured at 3 core and 6 skin points in 40 patients scheduled for cholecystectomy through open laparotomy or laparoscopy with pneumoperitoneum created and maintained with unwarmed carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation. End-tidal CO2 was kept constant by adjustments of respiratory frequency. Anaesthesia, intravenous infusions, and draping of the patients were standardized.

RESULTS

During the first 1 h of anaesthesia core temperatures decreased approximately by 0.7 degrees C and distal skin temperatures increased by 7 degrees C in both groups. At the end of surgery heat balance was similar in both groups. An increase of 2.5 1.min-1 in respiratory minute volume was needed to control end-tidal CO2 levels in the laparoscopy group during pneumoperitoneum which was maintained with a CO2 flow of 1.2 1.min-1 through the abdominal cavity.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic technique with unwarmed carbon dioxide insufflation does not offer any advantage in terms of body temperature changes when compared to open surgery.

The effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on respiratory compliance as determined by continuous spirometry

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of pneumoperitoneum on dynamic compliance during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with continuous spirometry.

DESIGN

Prospective, open clinical study with the patients serving as their own controls.

SETTING

Operating room at a university hospital.

PATIENTS

11 ASA status I and II patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Pneumoperitoneum up to an intraabdominal pressure of 12 mmHg was created with carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation. Thereafter, the patients were placed in a position combining a head-up tilt with a left side down lateral tilt, for dissection of the gallbladder. Steady levels of anesthesia and neuromuscular block, as well as a constant tidal volume of ventilation, were maintained throughout the procedure.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Airway pressures and respiratory volumes were continuously measured. Compliance was calculated by dividing expiratory tidal volume by end inspiratory pressure, and was displayed as a pressure-volume loop. After the creation of pneumoperitoneum, end-inspiratory airway pressure increased by 40%, and compliance decreased by 30%. These levels remained unchanged during surgery with the patient in a head-up and left side down lateral tilt position. After release of intraabdominal pressure, inspiratory airway pressure and compliance returned to control levels. The pressure-volume loop sloped to the right and its horizontal diameter was elongated during pneumoperitoneum. The new configuration was maintained until the loop returned to the control shape after evacuation of the pneumoperitoneum.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased intraabdominal pressure during laparoscopic cholecystectomy causes a significant, but fully reversible, decrease in dynamic compliance. On-line spirometry with a graphic display of the pressure-volume loop facilitates the immediate discovery of these alterations.

Early detection of CO2 pneumothorax with continuous spirometry during laparoscopic fundoplication

In two patients, operated on because of gastroesophageal reflux, carbon dioxide pneumothorax developed during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. In both instances, decrease of lung compliance and a change of pressure-volume loop configuration, computed and illustrated with on-line spirometry, led quickly to diagnosis of this complication. We conclude that continuous spirometry is valuable as an early indicator of intraoperative pneumothorax.