Microendoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Tracheostomy (MUGPT): A Case Series Describing a Novel Technique for Performing Percutaneous Tracheostomy.

A percutaneous tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure done in intensive care. Several different techniques have been described. Recently, the addition of bronchoscopy or ultrasound has been advocated to decrease the risks and complications associated with the procedure; however, both aids used alone, bronchoscopy or ultrasound, have some drawbacks and pitfalls.

Novel fondaparinux protocol for anticoagulation therapy in adults with renal failure and suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a retrospective review of institutional protocol.

Introduction: The literature recommends against the use of fondaparinux in patients with kidney failure and dialysis as it may, with repeated dosing, accumulate and put patients at risk of bleeding. The management of patients with thrombosis in the presence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia HIT requires the introduction of an alternative anticoagulant like bivalirudin or argatroban. When these drugs are not available, fondaparinux, remains the only alternative.

Comparison of the Oxygenation Factor and the Oxygenation Ratio in Subjects With ARDS.

Background: The oxygenation ratio (ie, [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]) remains the most commonly used index for assessing oxygenation and disease severity in patients with acute ARDS. However, the oxygenation ratio does not account for mechanical ventilation settings. We hypothesized that the oxygenation factor (ie, oxygenation ratio/mean airway pressure) is superior to the oxygenation ratio in reflecting oxygenation in patients with ARDS and results in a different classification of ARDS severity.

A New Index for Pre-Operative Cardiovascular Evaluation.

Background: Currently used indices for pre-operative cardiovascular evaluation are either powerful, but complex, or simple, but with weak discriminatory power.

Objectives: This study sought to prospectively derive and validate a simple powerful index that can stratify the cardiovascular risk of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Methods: The derivation cohort consisted of 3,284 prospectively enrolled adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.