Does the alcohol use disorders identification test-consumption identify the same patient population as the full 10-item alcohol use disorders identification test?

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a computer-based 3-item version (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C]) of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) identifies alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the same patients as the full 10-item version in 809 women and 747 men in an anesthesiology preoperative assessment clinic. According to cutoffs used (

Audit: 5-8 points, AUDIT-C: 4-6 points), rate of disagreement (AUDIT-positive and AUDIT-C-negative or vice versa) ranged between 4% and 31% (men) and between 4% and 19% (women). In male patients, 15% were positive for both the AUDIT (≥8 points) and the AUDIT-C (≥6 points), 7% were positive for AUDIT-C only, and 4% were positive for AUDIT only.

Seizures after open heart surgery: comparison of ε-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid.

Objective: Although the lysine analogs tranexamic acid (TXA) and aminocaproic acid (EACA) are used widely for antifibrinolytic therapy in cardiac surgery, relatively little research has been performed on their safety profiles, especially in the setting of cardiac surgery. Two antifibrinolytic protocols using either TXA or aminocaproic acid were compared according to postoperative outcome.

Design: A retrospective analysis.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study comparing remifentanil with fentanyl in mechanically ventilated patients.

Purpose: To compare the quality of analgesia provided by a remifentanil-based analgesia regime with that provided by a fentanyl-based regime in critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a registered, prospective, two-center, randomized, triple-blind study involving adult medical and surgical patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 24 h. Patients were randomized to either remifentanil infusion or a fentanyl infusion for a maximum of 30 days.

Changes in hepatic blood flow during whole body hyperthermia.

Purpose: Changes in blood flow distribution are important for heat dispersion and for supportive therapeutic strategies such as simultaneous whole body hyperthermia (WBH) and administration of chemotherapy. The aim of this clinical study was to determine changes in hepatic blood flow during WBH for the treatment of metastatic cancer.

Materials And Methods: This observational clinical study was part of a phase I/II feasibility study of WBH.

Duration of fluid fasting and choice of analgesic are modifiable factors for early postoperative delirium.

Background And Objective: Most therapeutic options for postoperative delirium are only symptom oriented; therefore, the best approach remains prevention. The aim of this study was to identify predisposing and precipitating factors for early postoperative delirium.

Methods: A total of 1002 patients were screened for delirium in an observational, cohort study.

Alcohol use disorder and perioperative immune dysfunction.

The anesthesiological sequelae of long-term alcohol abuse include a three to fivefold increased risk of postoperative infection, prolonged intensive care unit stays and longer hospital stays. The cause of the higher infection rates is an altered immune response in long-term alcoholic patients. Preoperatively, the T helper cells 1 to T helper cells 2 ratio is depressed in long-term alcoholic patients and remains suppressed after surgery.

Hypercapnia in late-phase ALI/ARDS: providing spontaneous breathing using pumpless extracorporeal lung assist.

Objective: The fibroproliferative phase of late ALI/ARDS as described by Hudson and Hough (Clin Chest Med 27:671-677, 2006) is associated with pronounced reductions in pulmonary compliance and an accompanying hypercapnia complicating low tidal volume mechanical ventilation. We report the effects of extracorporeal CO(2) removal by means of a novel pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (p-ECLA) on tidal volumes, airway pressures, breathing patterns and sedation management in pneumonia patients during late-phase ARDS.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Isolated tumour cells in pathological node-negative lymph nodes adversely affect prognosis in cancer of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of isolated tumour cells (ITC) in lymph nodes of patients with pathological node-negative (pN0) tumours and to assess their impact on disease-free and overall survival.

Methods: Paraffin embedded lymph nodes from oesophagogastrectomy specimens were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibody (MNF118). Clinical and pathological features were summarised and overall and relapse-free survival were estimated.

[Implementation of standard operating procedures for the initial empirical antimicrobial therapy for adults--a new computer program at the University Hospital Charité].

Nowadays 40-50 % of the patients receive inappropriate antibiotic treatment. Evidence based recommendations are not considered and there is an increasing burden of resistant pathogens. Therefore, standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be implemented considering guidelines and resistant species in the specific ICU.