Publications by authors named "Dragos Galusca"

Article Synopsis
  • Apneic oxygenation is a key technique used in airway management to keep patients oxygenated when they aren't breathing, yet detailed methods for its effective use are poorly understood.
  • Proper application includes important steps: choosing the right patient, ensuring they are well-oxygenated beforehand, keeping their airway clear, and selecting the right oxygen delivery method.
  • Currently, many resources lack clear step-by-step guidance, which leads to inconsistent use and could impact patient safety; therefore, better educational tools and protocols are needed for healthcare providers.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on identifying predictors of massive blood transfusion during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) to aid in better blood bank management.
  • Data was analyzed from 970 patients who underwent OLT between 2007 and 2017, highlighting that 12.3% experienced massive transfusions defined as receiving 10 or more units of packed red blood cells.
  • Key predictors of massive transfusion included factors like previous abdominal surgery, the patient’s hemoglobin level, MELD score, and the times related to cold and warm ischemia as well as overall operation duration.
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Article Synopsis
  • The guideline aims to create evidence-based recommendations for ICU clinicians treating adults with acute liver failure (ALF) or acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF).
  • A panel of 27 experts conducted systematic reviews and categorized their findings into Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes (PICO) questions to guide clinical practice.
  • The resulting 28 recommendations include five strong recommendations and 21 conditional ones, but many are based on low-quality evidence, highlighting areas that need further research.
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The authors report a case of a young healthy adult with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute fulminant liver failure with multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS), possibly from an enterovirus infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first-ever reported case of enterovirus-induced rhabdomyolysis and acute liver failure (ALF) in an immunocompetent adult. It is vital that the treating physician be aware of the association between viral infections, viral myositis, and severe rhabdomyolysis with acute liver failure, which can facilitate the optimal management of such patients.

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Background And Objectives: D-negative patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) might require a large number of red blood cell (RBC) units, which can impact the inventory of D-negative blood. The blood bank might need to supply these patients with D-positive RBCs because of inventory constraints. This study evaluates the prevalence of anti-D formation in D-negative OLT patients who received D-positive RBCs perioperatively, as this will assist in successful patient blood management.

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Background And Objectives: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been associated with high blood transfusion requirements. We evaluated the transfusion needs and frequency of alloimmunization to RBC antigens among OLT recipients pre- and post-transplantation.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent a first OLT between January 2007 and June 2017.

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Objective(s): Our hypothesis was that our devised transesophageal echocardiography probe cover with the capacity for pinpoint suction would improve image quality.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Single tertiary medical center.

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Objectives: To determine if patients with coronavirus disease 2019 had a greater number of unplanned extubations resulting in reintubations than in patients without coronavirus disease 2019.

Design: Retrospective cohort study comparing the frequency of unplanned extubations resulting in reintubations in a group of coronavirus disease 2019 patients to a historical (noncoronavirus disease 2019) control group.

Setting: This study was conducted at Henry Ford Hospital, an academic medical center in Detroit, MI.

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Background: Intracardiac thrombosis incidence during orthotopic liver transplantation is estimated at 0.36% to 6.2% with mortality up to 68%.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the factors influencing immediate extubation after liver transplantation and its effects on postoperative outcomes.
  • Out of 279 patients, 28.7% experienced immediate extubation, with factors like prolonged anhepatic time and high blood transfusion reducing the likelihood of this outcome.
  • Results indicate that immediate extubation leads to lower rates of pulmonary complications, shorter ICU stays, and reduced costs, making it a safe approach for suitable patients.
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Objectives: To develop evidence-based recommendations for clinicians caring for adults with acute or acute on chronic liver failure in the ICU.

Design: The guideline panel comprised 29 members with expertise in aspects of care of the critically ill patient with liver failure and/or methodology. The Society of Critical Care Medicine standard operating procedures manual and conflict-of-interest policy were followed throughout.

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The number of patients presenting for surgery with renal dysfunction requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is expected to increase as the population ages and improvements in therapy continue to be made. Every aspect of the perioperative period is affected by renal dysfunction, its associated comorbidities, and altered physiology secondary to RRT. Most alarming is the increased risk for perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality seen in this population.

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Purpose: Acute liver failure (ALF) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Extracorporeal liver support (ECLS) devices have been used as a bridge to liver transplant; however, the efficacy and safety of ECLS are unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the efficacy and safety of ECLS in liver failure.

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Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare hematologic syndrome during pregnancy with overlapping features of severe preeclampsia and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We present a case of postpartum TTP, associated with severe preeclampsia. Therapeutic approach for this case included corticosteroids, plasma exchange therapy, and immunomodulatory therapy.

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Background: Over the last 20 years, multiple interventions to better integrate palliative care and intensive care unit (ICU) care have been evaluated. This systematic review summarizes these studies and their outcomes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science; performed a search of articles published by opinion leaders in the field; and reviewed hand-search articles as of August 13, 2012.

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Patients with valvular heart disease represent a growing segment of the population and can present major challenges to clinical anesthesiologists. This review focuses on patients with advanced left-sided valvular disease undergoing noncardiac surgery. The pathophysiology and anesthetic implications of aortic stenosis and insufficiency and mitral stenosis and insufficiency are discussed, with a focus on optimizing perioperative management and decision making for patients with these conditions.

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