Comparison of Two Techniques to Assess Muscle Mass Loss During ICU Stay: Muscle Ultrasound vs Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

Background And Aims: Muscle wasting is a prevalent issue among long-term critically ill patients and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Evaluating muscle mass in the ICU presents challenges due to the lack of a consistent methodology and the significant impact of fluid balance range in ICU patients. This prospective study aimed to compare the utility of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasound (US) for monitoring muscle wasting in critically ill patients over an initial seven-day period of critical illness.

Analysis of metabolic alterations as 30 days intensive care mortality predictors for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: Acute kidney injury patients on continuous renal replacement therapy are subjected to alterations in metabolism, which in turn are associated with worse clinical outcome and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine which metabolism indicators can be used as independent predictors of 30 days intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study on critical care patients on renal replacement therapy.

Impact of Prescription Opioid Detoxification on Quality of Life and Pain Levels.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of detoxification from prescription opioids on the quality of life (QoL) and pain levels among patients reliant on these medications for chronic pain management.

Objective: Long-term use of opioids for pain management may lead to a range of adverse effects, including tolerance, dependence, significant societal costs, and a decline in overall quality of life (QoL). Despite these challenges, there is a limited amount of research focusing on the effects of detoxification and its impact on the QoL for patients with chronic pain tolerant to prescription opioids.

Can Cardiac Surgery Lead to ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD? Findings of a 5-year Follow-up Study.

Cardiac surgery may lead to various neuropsychiatric conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) included a new complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) disorder in addition to PTSD. This study aimed to explore whether cardiac surgery could be associated with PTSD and CPTSD at a five-year follow-up after cardiac surgery.

Role of Fat-Free Mass Index on Amino Acid Loss during CRRT in Critically Ill Patients.

Amino acid (AA) loss is a prevalent unwanted effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critical care patients, determined both by the machine set-up and individual characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived fat-free mass index (FFMI) effect on amino acid loss. This was a prospective, observational, single sample study of critical care patients upon initiation of CRRT.

Kinetics of SuPAR hemoadsorption in critical COVID-19 patients on renal replacement therapy.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 viral infection is associated with a rapid and vigorous systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a novel biomarker, both indicative of inflammation and propagating it. Hemoadsorption has been proposed as a potential therapy in COVID-19 patients, therefore the aim of this study is to determine suPAR kinetics during hemoadsoprtion.

Determinants of Increased Effort of Breathing in Non-Intubated Critical COVID-19 Patients.

Background and objectives: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most common complication occurring in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Given the increased respiratory work of these patients, it is necessary to evaluate their actual breathing efforts. The aim of this study is to report the incidence and determinants of increased effort of breathing (EOB) in critical COVID-19 patients.

Outcomes and Risk Factors of Critically Ill Patients with Hematological Malignancy. Prospective Single-Centre Observational Study.

: Oncohematological patients have a high risk of mortality when they need treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of our study is to analyze the outcomes of oncohemathological patients admitted to the ICU and their risk factors. : A prospective single-center observational study was performed with 114 patients from July 2017 to December 2019.

Conceptual model of adding antibiotics to dialysate fluid during renal replacement therapy.

Studies have shown significant variability in antibiotic trough concentrations in critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). The purpose of this study was to assess whether adding beta-lactam antibiotics to dialysate solution can maintain stable antibiotic concentrations during RRT in experimental conditions. A single compartment model reflecting the patient was constructed and connected to the RRT machine.

Comparison of mortality risk evaluation tools efficacy in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is still increasing. The aim of our article is to estimate which of the conventional ICU mortality risk scores is the most accurate at predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients and to determine how these scores can be used in combination with the 4C Mortality Score.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of critically ill COVID-19 patients treated in tertiary reference COVID-19 hospitals during the year 2020.

Predictors of long-term HRQOL following cardiac surgery: a 5-year follow-up study.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the long-term change of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and to identify predictors of HRQOL 5 years after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients, undergoing elective cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. HRQOL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire before and 5-years after cardiac surgery.

Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Role of Glomerular Filtration Rate and Fat-Free Mass.

Summary Background: eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) formulas may be inaccurate in overweight cardiac surgery patients, overestimating the kidney reserve. The aim of this study was to modify the eGFR formulas and to determine whether the modified eGFR is a more accurate predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Materials And Methods: The patients were assigned into 4 BMI groups as follows: normal weight (18.

Sensory Perception in Lumbosacral Radiculopathy with Radicular Pain: Feasibility Study of Multimodal Bedside-Suitable Somatosensory Testing.

Background: Somatosensory testing could be useful in stratifying pain patients and improving pain treatment guidelines. Bedside-suitable techniques are searched for application in daily clinical practice. This study aimed to characterize chronic unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR) patients with radicular pain using multimodal bedside-suitable somatosensory testing.

Kidney transplantation from a SARS-CoV-2-positive donor for the recipients with immunity after COVID-19.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is evolving very quickly and has affected healthcare systems worldwide. Many uncertainties remain about transplantation from a SARS-CoV-2-positive donor as only a few cases have been reported. Here, we present the successful transplantation of 2 kidneys from a 52-year-old male donor with active (2 weeks of COVID-19-like symptoms and positive nasopharyngeal swab SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction on the day of organ recovery) SARS-CoV-2 disease.

Qualitative Sensory Testing in Outcome Prediction of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for Chronic Painful Unilateral Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is widely practiced for the treatment of radicular pain. As its effectiveness is still subject to debate, a better patient selection for TFESI is necessary. We aimed to evaluate the potential of bedside-suitable qualitative sensory testing (QualST) to determine the early effectiveness of TFESI for the treatment of chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR)-related pain.

Impact of Immunonutrition on T Cell Activation: A Randomized Control Study in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Background: Cardiac surgery provokes an intense inflammatory response that can cause an immunosuppressive state and adverse postoperative outcomes. We recently showed that postoperative immunonutrition with glutamine in "fragile" low-risk cardiac surgery patients was associated with a significantly increased level of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells. In order to clarify the biological relevance and clinical importance of these findings, we investigated whether an increase in the CD4+ T cell level was caused by changes in the systemic inflammatory response (caused by surgery or infection) and if it was associated with their activation status.

The efficacy of early postoperative enteral immunonutrition on T-lymphocyte count: A randomised control study in low-risk cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery have a pronounced immune response that leads to a reduction in cellular immunity. Immune-modulating nutritional supplements are considered to be beneficial for patients undergoing major surgery. However, due to the lack of studies in the cardiac surgery population, the effect of immunonutrition remains unclear in this patient group.

Immediate aspiration of the drug infused via central venous catheter through the distally positioned central venous dialysis catheter: An experimental study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to construct an experimental model replicating blood flow within human superior vena cava and to determine the degree of the immediate aspiration of the drug introduced via central venous catheter through the distally positioned dialysis catheter.

Methods: A model replicating superior vena cava was built, catheters were inserted into the model, placing the orifice of the central venous catheter in positions regarding the orifice of the arterial lumen in central venous dialysis catheter (from +2 to -8 cm). Methylene blue was used as a tracer, and the concentration was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

Long-term quality of life and posttraumatic stress following elective cardiac surgery: preliminary findings of a 5-year follow-up study.

Background: Heart surgery is a major stressful event that can have a significant negative effect on patients' quality of life (QoL) and may cause long-term posttraumatic stress reactions. The aim of this pilot study was to estimate the longitudinal change and predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) dynamics and identify factors associated with PTS at 5-year follow-up (T2) after elective cardiac surgery and associations with pre-surgery (T1) QoL.

Materials And Methods: Single-centre prospective study was conducted after Regional Bioethics Committee approval.

Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle-Predictor of Blood Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: To determine whether bioelectrical impedance-derived phase angle (PA) can be a predictor of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design: An observational retrospective study of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Single center, tertiary referral university hospital.

Is the Trendelenburg position the only way to better visualize internal jugular veins?

Background: A larger cross-sectional area (CSA) of the internal jugular vein (IJV) makes catheterization easier and the Trendelenburg position is used to achieve this. Unfortunately, it is not comfortable for conscious patients. The aim was to evaluate the impact of alternative manoeuvres on the enlargement of the CSA of the IJV and to compare these manoeuvres with the Trendelenburg position.

Concordance of the new ESPEN criteria with low phase angle in defining early stages of malnutrition in cardiac surgery.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of malnutrition (MN) in cardiac surgery patients by implementing the new ESPEN diagnostic criteria and to determine whether these criteria are concordant with the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provided phase angle (PA) in predicting early stages of malnutrition.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. The nutritional state of the cardiac surgery patients was evaluated one day prior to cardiac surgery using the malnutrition screening tools NRS-2002, MUST and SF-MNA, and bioelectrical impedance analysis.

A mini volume loading test (mVLT) using 2.5-mLkg boluses of crystalloid for indication of perioperative changes in hydration status.

Background And Objective: A mini volume loading test (mVLT) evaluating hemodilution during step-wise crystalloid infusion has established that the arterio-capillary plasma dilution difference is inversely correlated to the body hydration level of subjects. This observational study aimed to test whether this can be replicated in a perioperative setting using a 2.5-mLkg boluses.

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy for the Treatment of Spasticity in Lithuania.

Spasticity of cerebral or spinal origin severely impairs an individual's functional ability and quality of life. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy via an implantable pump is indicated for use in patients unresponsive to oral antispasmodics. ITB therapy improves the daily caring for and relief of painful spasms.

The European Board of Anaesthesiology recommendations for safe medication practice: First update.

These European Board of Anaesthesiology (EBA) recommendations for safe medication practice replace the first edition of the EBA recommendations published in 2011. They were updated because evidence from critical incident reporting systems continues to show that medication errors remain a major safety issue in anaesthesia, intensive care, emergency medicine and pain medicine, and there is an ongoing need for relevant up-to-date clinical guidance for practising anaesthesiologists. The recommendations are based on evidence wherever possible, with a focus on patient safety, and are primarily aimed at anaesthesiologists practising in Europe, although many will be applicable elsewhere.