Publications by authors named "Simone Said"
Background And Aims: Prone positioning is commonly applied to improve gas exchange in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whilst prone positioning is effective, specific complications may arise. We aimed to assess the prevalence of specific complications related to prone positioning in patients mechanically ventilated for COVID-19-related ARDS.
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- Neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) are used during prone positioning to improve breathing in patients with COVID-19 related ARDS, but their effects on oxygen levels are unclear.
- A study of 220 adult patients found that those using NMBs experienced significantly higher oxygenation levels (measured by P/F ratios) during prone positioning and even after returning to a supine position compared to those not using NMBs.
- The results indicate that NMBs may enhance oxygenation in COVID-19 ARDS patients during prone positioning, which could influence treatment decisions.
Article Synopsis
- Prone positioning may enhance oxygen levels in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, especially those with COVID-19, but its optimal timing and duration for peak effectiveness are unclear.
- A study of 220 patients found that the peak improvement in the PaO2:FiO2 ratio during the first prone positioning episode occurred after about 9 hours.
- While subsequent prone episodes also improved oxygenation, their effectiveness was reduced, suggesting that guidelines for frequency and duration could be informed by these findings.
There is significant interest in the potential for nebulised unfractionated heparin (UFH), as a novel therapy for patients with COVID-19 induced acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure requiring invasive ventilation. The scientific and biological rationale for nebulised heparin stems from the evidence for extensive activation of coagulation resulting in pulmonary microvascular thrombosis in COVID-19 pneumonia. Nebulised delivery of heparin to the lung may limit alveolar fibrin deposition and thereby limit progression of lung injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: Peripheral nerve blockade is associated with excellent patient outcomes after surgery; however, neurologic and other complications can be devastating for the patient. This article reports the development and preliminary results of a multicenter audit describing the quality and safety of peripheral nerve blockade.
Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, patients who received peripheral nerve blockade had data relating to efficacy and complications entered into databases.
Background: Continuous femoral nerve blockade (CFNB) is often used for postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). CFNB can be instituted using a variety of techniques. Stimulating catheters (SC) have the advantage of confirming placement of the catheter close to the nerve during advancement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To compare high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) with spontaneous ventilation (SV) in general anesthesia for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 91 consecutive patients undergoing either HFJV with a Ben Jet airway or SV with a laryngeal mask airway, comparing the total number of shocks for stone ablation and the time in the post-anesthetic care unit between groups. Stone ablation rates on postoperative x-rays were compared.