Clinical phenotypes of patients with acute stroke: a secondary analysis

INTRODUCTION

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and a major cause of disability having a high burden on patients, society, and caregiving systems. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of clusters of in-hospital patients with acute stroke based on demographic and clinical data. Cluster analysis reveals patterns in patient characteristics without requiring knowledge of a predefined patient category or assumptions about likely groupings within the data.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of open-access anonymized data from patients with acute stroke admitted to a hospital between December 2019 to June 2021. In total, 216 patients (78; 36.1% men) were included in the analytical dataset with a mean (SD) age of 60.3 (14.4). Many demographic and clinical features were included in the analysis and the Barthel Index on discharge was used for comparing the functional recovery of the identified clusters.

RESULTS

Hierarchical clustering based on the principal components identified two clusters of 109 and 107 patients. The clusters were different in the Barthel Index scores on discharge with the mean (SD) of 39.3 (29.3) versus 62.6 (29.4); t (213.87) = -5.818, P <0.001, Cohen's d (95%CI) = -0.80 (-1.07, -0.52). A logistic model showed that age, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, D-dimer blood level, low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin, creatinine concentration, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale value, and the Barthel Index scores on admission were significant predictors of cluster profiles (all P ≤0.029).

CONCLUSION

There are two clusters in hospitalized patients with acute stroke with significantly different functional recovery. This allows prognostic grouping of hospitalized acute stroke patients for prioritization of care or resource allocation. The clusters can be recognized using easily measured demographic and clinical features.

The impact of rivastigmine on post-surgical delirium and cognitive impairment; a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Delirium is an acute and transient disorder of brain function that often occurs in post-surgical patients. Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor drug that has been proposed as an adjuvant drug in recent years, still, despite significant theoretical evidence, few clinical studies have been performed on its impact on delirium.

AIM

Due to the widespread use of cholinesterase inhibitors in pediatric and adult surgery, the present study aims to investigate the impact of Rivastigmine as a cholinesterase inhibitor on delirium after radical surgery.

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, a hundred recruited patients were randomly assigned to either Rivastigmine (n = 50) or placebo (n = 50) groups, and we measured post-operative impact on delirium, by Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) score, and cognitive impairment, by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Our univariate and multivariate logistical regression models assessed this hypothesized impact.

RESULTS

Treatment with Rivastigmine was significantly associated with reduced day one post-op delirium, as measured by CAM score (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.35, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.11 to 0.97, p = 0.05), and cognitive impairment, as measured by MMSE (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.59, p = 0.0022). These associations became stronger after controlling for age, blood loss, and post-op blood sodium levels: Delirium (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.92, p = 0.05), cognitive impairment (OR = 0.12, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42, p = 0.000178).

CONCLUSION

The significant result of our randomized clinical trial is that pre-op Rivastigmine treatment may be associated with a substantial drop in patients experiencing post-op delirium and post-op cognitive impairment.

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies.

Methods

In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality.

Findings

Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42·4% vs 44·2%; absolute difference –1·69 [–9·58 to 6·11] p=0·67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5–8] vs 6 [5–8] cm H₂O; p=0·0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30·5% vs 19·9%; p=0·0004; adjusted effect 16·41% [95% CI 9·52–23·52]; p<0·0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0·80 [95% CI 0·75–0·86]; p<0·0001).

Interpretation

Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status.

Funding

No funding.

Epidemiological Characteristics, Ventilator Management, and Clinical Outcome in Patients Receiving Invasive Ventilation in Intensive Care Units from 10 Asian Middle-Income Countries (PRoVENT-iMiC): An International, Multicenter, Prospective Study

Epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcome in patients receiving invasive ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs) in middle-income countries are largely unknown. PRactice of VENTilation in Middle-income Countries is an international multicenter 4-week observational study of invasively ventilated adult patients in 54 ICUs from 10 Asian countries conducted in 2017/18. Study outcomes included major ventilator settings (including tidal volume [V _T] and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]); the proportion of patients at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to the lung injury prediction score (LIPS), or with ARDS; the incidence of pulmonary complications; and ICU mortality. In 1,315 patients included, median V _T was similar in patients with LIPS < 4 and patients with LIPS ≥ 4, but lower in patients with ARDS (7.90 [6.8-8.9], 8.0 [6.8-9.2], and 7.0 [5.8-8.4] mL/kg Predicted body weight; P = 0.0001). Median PEEP was similar in patients with LIPS < 4 and LIPS ≥ 4, but higher in patients with ARDS (five [5-7], five [5-8], and 10 [5-12] cmH₂O; P < 0.0001). The proportions of patients with LIPS ≥ 4 or with ARDS were 68% (95% CI: 66-71) and 7% (95% CI: 6-8), respectively. Pulmonary complications increased stepwise from patients with LIPS < 4 to patients with LIPS ≥ 4 and patients with ARDS (19%, 21%, and 38% respectively; P = 0.0002), with a similar trend in ICU mortality (17%, 34%, and 45% respectively; P < 0.0001). The capacity of the LIPS to predict development of ARDS was poor (ROC AUC of 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.70). In Asian middle-income countries, where two-thirds of ventilated patients are at risk for ARDS according to the LIPS and pulmonary complications are frequent, setting of V _T is globally in line with current recommendations.

Attitudes of Anesthesiology Residents Toward a Small Group Blended Learning Class

BACKGROUND

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has been used to evaluate the residents' competency; however, the thriving of residents needs especial training methods and techniques. Small group learning has been used for this propose.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the attitudes of CA-1 to CA-3 anesthesiology residents toward level-specific small-group blended learning.

METHODS

Anesthesiology residents from Department of Anesthesiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran participated in this cross-sectional attitude assessment descriptive-analytical study throughout the 2nd academic semester (May-October 2019). They took part in a level-specific small-group blended learning program and filled out an attitude assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire included eight closed questions and was filled out anonymously.

RESULTS

The residents believed that this program made important contributions to their theory training and clinical skills of anesthesia; while created a greater sense of solidarity. In addition, nearly the majority of the respondents did not believe that participating in the classes made interference in their clinical duties or was a difficult task. Instead, the majority of residents believed that these classes were in favor of reducing their burnout. The reliability of the questionnaire based on Cronbach's Alpha was 0.885.

CONCLUSIONS

Anesthesiology residents are in favor of small-group learning, especially when considering their clinical setting and the degree of burnout they tolerate.

Performing Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy without using Fiberoptic Bronchoscope

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous tracheostomy is an elective method that is increasingly being taken up in the intensive care unit alongside the patient's bed. In many centers, bronchoscopy is used, but the necessity of using bronchoscopy in percutaneous tracheostomy has not yet been determined. Discontinuing use of bronchoscopy can potentially reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of percutaneous tracheostomy. Therefore, in this study, we performed a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy without using fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was performed as a descriptive epidemiological survey among 70 patients in Shahid Rajaei Hospital of Qazvin in 2015 and 2016. The results were assessed in the patients.

RESULTS

In this study, pneumothorax, trauma, major and minor bleeding, cuff leak and change to surgical procedures as well as accidental extubation were not seen. However, subcutaneous emphysema, mal-position and hypoxia each were seen in one patient (1.4%).

CONCLUSION

Totally the results demonstrated that percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy without fiberoptic bronchoscopic guidance is useful and safe.

A Comparison between the i-gel® and air-Q® Supraglottic Airway Devices Used for the Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia with Muscle Relaxation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to compare two supraglottic airway (SGA) devices (i.e., the i-gel® © Intersurgical Ltd and air-Q® (Reusable) Cookgas company) in terms of the insertion time, amount of leak during ventilation with maximum positive pressure, and postoperative complications in patients referring to Modarres Hospital in Tehran.

METHOD

The present double-blind clinical trial was performed on 60 patients undergoing elective surgeries that required general anesthesia with muscle relaxation. Patients were randomly assigned to either i-gel® (n = 30) or Air-Q® (n = 30) groups.

RESULTS

The mean age, body mass index, duration of surgery, duration of anesthesia, and gender ratio were not significantly different between the two groups. Mean ± SD values of the SGA devices' insertion time (in seconds) in the air-Q® and i-gel® groups were 4.87 ± 1.6 and 6.80 ± 1.2, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean OLP in the Air-Q® group was significantly higher than that of the i-gel® group (35.9 ± 9.6 versus 24.8 ± 3.7, p < 0.001). The frequency of complications occurred after the supraglottic airway insertion was higher in the i-gel® group. However, only in terms of sore throat, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant: 6 (20%) had sore throat (P = 0.024) in the i-gel groups, but in in the Air-Q® groups no one had this side effect after surgery.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the Air-Q® supraglottic airway was placed faster and easier with fewer complications than the i-gel in general anesthesia with muscle relaxation. The frequency of the occurrence of all three complications, cough, sore throat, and blood, on the cuff (6 (20%) was higher in the i-gel group than that in the air-Q® group (cough3 (10%), sore throat 0 (0%), and blood on the cuff 3 (10%) (P < 0.05).

The effect of fibrinogen concentrate on perioperative bleeding in transurethral resection of the prostate: a double-blind placebo-controlled and randomized study

Essentials Perioperative bleeding during prostate surgery is still a common morbidity. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications contribute to the risk of hemorrhage and prolonged hospital stay. Multiple pharmacological agents have been proposed, but none of them have been widely accepted. It is crucial to find a safe and effective modality to reduce hemorrhage.

SUMMARY

Background Hemorrhage during transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) has always been a concern. Several studies have shown preoperative administration of fibrinogen concentrate to have promising results in reducing hemorrhage in cardiac surgery. Objectives To investigate the hemostatic effect of fibrinogen concentrate administration on reducing the amount of bleeding during TUR-P in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Methods Sixty men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, who were chosen to undergo TUR-P, entered this prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: treatment (n = 31) and placebo (n = 29). They received an infusion of 2 g of fibrinogen concentrate (treatment group) or normal saline (placebo group) before surgery. Data regarding the amount of bleeding, the operation and complications were recorded and analyzed. Results No difference was observed in bleeding between the fibrinogen and placebo groups during (521 mL versus 557 mL, respectively) and after (291 mL versus 341 mL, respectively) surgery. This lack of difference was also seen in operation time (43 min versus 42 min), irrigating fluid volume used during (17 L versus 19 L) and after (29 L versus 28 L) surgery, and resected adenoma volume (19 g versus 19 g). The mean blood pressure was also similar in both groups as a confounding factor for the amount of bleeding. Conclusion Preoperative administration of fibrinogen concentrate had no significant influence on intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in TUR-P surgery.

The effect of mannitol administration to kidney donor on short-term outcomes of kidney transplantation

As the cases of kidney transplant are increasing, the need to apply the factors to increase the success of transplant seems necessary. Mannitol increases the osmotic pressure and urine volume as a protective agent on renal tubules. We aimed to evaluate the effect of mannitol on short-term outcome of kidney transplantation by comparing two groups based on prescribing mannitol to donors. In a randomized clinical trial, 60 kidney recipients were assigned in two groups (30 in each), except that in one group donors received mannitol. They were studied with respect to age, gender, weight, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and arterial blood gas (ABG) before and after surgery, and their pulse rate (PR) and blood pressure (BP) before, during and after surgery. Their urine volume was assessed in the operation room and the first 24 h after surgery. The short-term outcome, including BUN and Cr in the first 10 days after transplant, have been charted. Both the case (mannitol-positive donor patient) and the control (mannitol negative) groups were the same regarding the results gained for pre- and post-operative parameters. Follow-up assessments showed no significant differences in renal function. Based on this, we conclude that mannitol administration to donors does not have a beneficial effect on the prognosis and short-term outcome of transplantation on recipients; therefore, we feel that it should not be advised for kidney donors.

Priming with atracurium efficiently suppresses etomidate-induced myoclonus

INTRODUCTION

Etomidate is a hypnotic drug widely used as an intravenous anesthetic induction agent. The incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus has been reported as much as 50-80% after induction making it an undesirable drug for induction.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to use a priming dose of atracurium to suppress etomidate-induced myoclonus during induction of anesthesia.

METHODS

In a double-blinded clinical trial 80 patients were randomly given either atracurium (20% of ED95 × kg) or saline as a priming agent. Then, induction of anesthesia was performed using 0.4 mg/kg etomidate. Age, weight, body mass index, bispectral index (BIS) monitor, and duration and grade of myoclonus were recorded.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics, age, body mass index, BIS score, and weight were not significantly different between the atracurium (ATRA) priming group and control groups. The binomial regression model showed that BMI was an independent predictor variable for myoclonus (OR: 2.1, CI 95%: 1.7-7.5, p = 0.032). In this model, adjusted odds ratios (OR) of myoclonus (multivariate logistic regression analysis) in the control group was 6.6 (95% CI: 1.5-9.7, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Low-dose atracurium priming could effectively suppress etomidate-induced myoclonus.

The Impact of Reverse Trendelenburg Versus Head-up Position on Intraoperative Bleeding of Elective Rhinoplasty

BACKGROUND

In spite of several efforts for decreasing blood loss, our experience sometimes shows that some patients bleed more profusely during rhinoplasty. Patient position could have deep impact on bleeding amount during surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to compare reverse trendelenburg position and head-up position on intra-operative bleeding of elective rhinoplasty. This was to check the effects of reverse trendelenburg position and head up position on the intraoperative bleeding of elective rhinoplasty.

METHODS

In this study, 30 ASA I (American Society of Anesthesiology physical condition classification) patients between 18 and 40 years of age who were candidate to rhinoplasty operations for first time were included. Patients were randomly assigned to reverse trendelenburg or head-up position. Exclusion criteria was any history or lab indicating coagulation problems or using any drug. All gauzes used and the blood that accumulated in the aspirator throughout the operation were calculated.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the mean amount of blood loss in reverse trendelenburg was lower (77.00 ± 13.20 ml) than head-up position (83.33 ± 21.18 ml), although, there was no statistical difference between two groups. However, there was no significant differences among two groups in different aspects of hemodynamic determinants and bleeding amount during and after rhinoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that patient bleeding is not increased because of positioning per se. In conclusion, perhaps in the future reverse trendelenburg will be given more often during rhinoplasry.