Quantitative Electroencephalography Analysis for Improved Assessment of Consciousness Levels in Deep Coma Patients Using a Proposed Stimulus Stage.

"Coma" is defined as an inability to obey commands, to speak, or to open the eyes. So, a coma is a state of unarousable unconsciousness. In a clinical setting, the ability to respond to a command is often used to infer consciousness.

Cytokine Levels and Severity of Illness Scoring Systems to Predict Mortality in COVID-19 Infection.

Various scoring systems and cytokines have been cited as predicting disease severity in COVID-19 infection. This study analyzed the link between mortality rate, levels of cytokines, and scoring systems such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Charlson Comorbidity Index in patients infected with COVID-19. Adult patients infected with COVID-19 were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) and analyzed prospectively.

The Clinical and Laboratory Efficacy of HA 330 Treatment Combined with Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Septic Shock Patients: A Case Series.

Introduction: Blood purification therapy is a method used to enable cytokine removal and to improve disturbed immune homeostasis in patients with sepsis or septic shock. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HA 330 treatment on biochemical and hemodynamic parameters and cytokine levels in adult patients with septic shock.

Methods: Critically ill patients with septic shock who received continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration and HA 330 treatment were included in this prospective observational study.

Gastric ultrasound, citrulline, and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein as markers of gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients: A pilot prospective cohort study.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in the intensive care unit (ICU), although there is no consensus on biomarkers of GI dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate ultrasound-based gastric antrum measurements and serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP) and citrulline levels in relation to GI dysfunction in critically ill patients.

Methods: Adult critically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition and stayed for in the ICU for ≥48 h was included.

Classification of Depth of Coma Using Complexity Measures and Nonlinear Features of Electroencephalogram Signals.

In recent years, some electrophysiological analysis methods of consciousness have been proposed. Most of these studies are based on visual interpretation or statistical analysis, and there is hardly any work classifying the level of consciousness in a deep coma. In this study, we perform an analysis of electroencephalography complexity measures by quantifying features efficiency in differentiating patients in different consciousness levels.

Analysis of Consciousness Level Using Galvanic Skin Response during Therapeutic Effect.

The neurological status of patients in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) is determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Patients in coma are thought to be unaware of what is happening around them. However, many studies show that the family plays an important role in the recovery of the patient and is a great emotional resource.

Effects of Dexmedetomidine Infusion During Sevoflurane Anesthesia on Otoacoustic Emissions.

Background And Objectives: Knowing the ototoxic potential of the agents used in medical treatments is important for the protection of hearing. Although we have knowledge regarding some effects of dexmedetomidine, which is an anesthetic-sparing drug, its influence over the hearing system has never been studied and is obscure yet. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine application during sevoflurane anesthesia on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs).

Sedation for paediatric transcatheter atrial septal defect closure: comparison of two sedation protocols.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine-propofol and ketamine-propofol sedation on haemodynamic stability, immobility, and recovery time in children who underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects.

Methods: In all, 46 children scheduled for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (n = 46) were included. The dexmedetomidine-propofol group (n = 23) received dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) and propofol (1 mg/kg) for induction, followed by dexmedetomidine (0.

The effects of dexmedetomidine added to spinal levobupivacaine for transurethral endoscopic surgery.

Background: Intrathecal α2 agonists prolong the duration of action of local anesthetics and reduce the required dose. Dexmedetomidine is an α2 receptor agonist and its α2/α1 selectivity is 8 times higher than that of clonidine.

Aims: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to intrathecal levobupivacaine on the onset time and duration of motor and sensory blocks.

Characteristics of acute adult poisonings in a university hospital emergency department in central Turkey: a three-year analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the etiologic and demographic characteristics of acute adult poisoning cases and to obtain up-to-date information on acute poisonings.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate 1254 adults who presented with acute poisoning to the Emergency Department of our tertiary care university hospital in central Turkey from January 2007 to December 2009. The data extracted from each chart related to age, gender, marital status, agent involved in the poisoning, season of event, route of poisoning, time between ingestion or exposure and arrival at the casualty ward, mechanism of toxic exposure (unintentional or intentional), level of consciousness, length of stay in the ward, and outcome.

Is the addition of dexmedetomidine to a ketamine-propofol combination in pediatric cardiac catheterization sedation useful?

Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization usually need deep sedation. In this study, 60 children were randomly allocated to receive sedation with either a ketamine-propofol combination (KP group, n = 30) or a ketamine-propofol-dexmedetomidine combination (KPD group, n = 30). Both groups received 1 mg/kg of ketamine and 1 mg/kg of propofol for induction of sedation, and the KPD group received an additional 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine infusion during 5 min for induction of sedation and a maintenance infusion of 0.

Dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for premedication of pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia.

Background: Dexmedetomidine, an α(2)-receptor agonist, provides sedation, analgesia, and anxiolytic effects, and these properties make it a potentially useful anesthetic premedication. In this study, we compared the effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam on mask induction and preoperative sedation in pediatric patients.

Methods: Ninety children classified as ASA physical status I, aged between 2 and 9, who were scheduled to undergo an elective adenotonsillectomy, were enrolled for a prospective, randomized, and double-blind controlled trial.

Changing pattern of antibiotic susceptibility in intensive care units: ten years experience of a university hospital.

The study was performed to assess microorganisms and antibiotic susceptibility patterns during ten years in intensive care units of a University Hospital. Infection Control Committee has active, prospective surveillance in ICUs for thirteen years. Ten years data of ICUs was evaluated retrospectively from surveillance forms.

The comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine and midazolam sedation on electroencephalography in pediatric patients with febrile convulsion.

Background: When electroencephalogram (EEG) activity is recorded for diagnostic purposes, the effects of sedative drugs on EEG activity should be minimal. This study compares the sedative efficacy and EEG effects of dexmedetomidine and midazolam.

Subjects And Methods: EEG recordings of 60 pediatric subjects with a history of simple febrile convulsions were performed during physiologic sleep.

Dexmedetomidine added to levobupivacaine prolongs axillary brachial plexus block.

Background And Objectives: We evaluated the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus blockade. The primary endpoints were the onset and duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective forearm and hand surgery were divided into 2 equal groups in a randomized, double-blind fashion.

The effects of caudal or intravenous clonidine on postoperative analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine in children.

Background: Clonidine is used increasingly in pediatric anesthesia practice to prolong the duration of action of caudal block with a local anesthetic agent. Which route of administration of clonidine is the most beneficial remains unknown. We compared the effects of caudal and intravenous clonidine on postoperative analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine.

Comparison of the effects of dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl on airway reflexes and hemodynamic responses to tracheal extubation during rhinoplasty: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study.

Background: Stimulation of various sites, from the nasal mucosa to the diaphragm, can evoke laryngospasm. To reduce airway reflexes, tracheal extubation should be performed while the patient is deeply anesthetized or with drugs that do not depress ventilation. However, tracheal extubation during rhinoplasty may be difficult because of the aspiration of blood and the possibility of laryngospasm.

Comparison between dexmedetomidine and midazolam for sedation of eclampsia patients in the intensive care unit.

Purpose: This study compares the effectiveness of midazolam and dexmedetomidine for the sedation of eclampsia patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU).

Patients And Methods: Forty women with eclampsia requiring termination of pregnancy by caesarean delivery were randomized in to 2 groups of 20 to receive either midazolam or dexmedetomidine. The midazolam group received a loading dose of 0.

Comparison of 0.5% levobupivacaine, 0.5% bupivacaine, and 2% lidocaine for retrobulbar anesthesia in vitreoretinal surgery.

Purpose: The authors compared the efficacy of local anesthetics levobupivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine for retrobulbar anesthesia in vitreoretinal surgery.

Methods: A total of 135 patients presenting for vitreoretinal surgery under local anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups.

Propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl for sedation during pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl in pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double blinded comparison of propofol-ketamine with propofol-fentanyl for sedation in patients undergoing elective UGIE. Ninety ASA I-II, aged 1 to 16-year-old patients were included in the study.

[Comparison of phantom limb pain or phantom extremity sensation of upper and lower extremity amputations].

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the upper and the lower extremity amputations with regard to phantom pain, phantom sensation and stump pain. A questionnaire consisting of 23 questions was send to the patients who underwent upper or lower extremity amputation surgery between 1996- 2005. The patients were questioned for the presence of phantom pain and sensations and if they existed for the frequency, intensity, cause of amputation, pre-amputation pain, stump pain, usage of artificial limb.

Comparison of the effects of fentanyl and remifentanil on splanchnic tissue perfusion during cardiac surgery.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of fentanyl and remifentanil on splanchnic perfusion during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Fifty patients were randomized to receive either fentanyl (10 microgxkg(-1) at induction and 5 microgxkg(-1)xh(-1) infusion for maintenance) or remifentanil (3 microgxkg(-1) at induction and 1 microgxkg(-1)xmin(-1) infusion for maintenance). Patients in both groups were comparable with regard to demographics.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a single dose of tropisetron for the prevention of vomiting after strabismus surgery in children.

Purpose: This study evaluates the effect of different doses of tropisetron to prevent postoperative vomiting, which frequently occurs in children following strabismus surgery.

Methods: One hundred twenty-five American Society of Anesthesiologists' classification (ASA) I-II group patients 2-12 years of age were randomized to this prospective, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Patients were placed in groups of 5 and did not receive any premedication.

Dexmedetomidine-ketamine and propofol-ketamine combinations for anesthesia in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine-ketamine and propofol-ketamine combinations on hemodynamics, sedation level, and the recovery period in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Design: Prospective, randomized trial.

Setting: University hospital.

Addition of cisatracurium to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia.

Study Objective: To determine the onset and regression time of motor and sensory block, and the quality of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia by the addition of cisatracurium to local anesthetic solution in small doses in intravenous regional anesthesia.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

Setting: University hospital.