Diagnostic quality assessment for low-dimensional ECG representations.

There have been several attempts to quantify the diagnostic distortion caused by algorithms that perform low-dimensional electrocardiogram (ECG) representation. However, there is no universally accepted quantitative measure that allows the diagnostic distortion arising from denoising, compression, and ECG beat representation algorithms to be determined. Hence, the main objective of this work was to develop a framework to enable biomedical engineers to efficiently and reliably assess diagnostic distortion resulting from ECG processing algorithms.

Radiofrequency denervation and cryoablation of the lumbar zygapophysial joints in the treatment of positive lumbar facet joint syndrome - a report of three cases.

Radiofrequency denervation of the zygapophysial (facet) joints is a frequently performed procedure for chronic low back pain. However, cryoablation represents a novel therapeutic approach for this condition. We observed and analyzed 3 cases with confirmed positive lumbar facet joint syndrome.

Incidence and characteristics of errors detected by a short team briefing in pediatric anesthesia.

Background: In our institution, a modified WHO surgical safety checklist was implemented more than ten years ago. In retrospect, we noticed that pediatric anesthesia was underrepresented in our surgical safety checklist modification. Therefore, we added a standardized team briefing (pedSOAP-M) immediately before induction of anesthesia and hypothesized that the use of this checklist was effective to detect relevant errors with potentially harmful consequences.

Can the Reduction of Cytokines Stop the Progression of Sepsis?

Objective In this study, we aimed to analyze the laboratory and clinical results of cytokine hemadsorption as an immunomodulation therapy in ICU patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock. Methods The levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), determined to be indicators of infection/sepsis, and the levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), deemed as indicators of the cytokine storm, were compared among 32 patients before and after the hemadsorption procedure. Results The hemadsorption significantly reduced the levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα, PCT, CRP, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) scores, mortality rate, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (p<0.

Clinical relevance of lung transplantation for COVID-19 ARDS: a nationwide study.

Background: Although the number of lung transplantations (LTx) performed worldwide for COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still low, there is general agreement that this treatment can save a subgroup of most severly ill patients with irreversible lung damage. However, the true proportion of patients eligible for LTx, the overall outcome and the impact of LTx to the pandemic are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using a nationwide registry of hospitalised patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-Cov-2) infection admitted between January 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021 in Austria.

Urine Biomarkers Combined With Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Obstruction in Pediatric Hydronephrosis.

To establish the efficacy of ultrasound (US) combined with urine biomarkers in differentiating patients who require surgical management from those who do not, avoiding invasive investigations. From February 2019 to February 2021, all pediatric patients who presented with hydronephrosis were selected for the study. All renal units (RU) were evaluated by US, and fresh frozen voided urine samples were collected at the time of inclusion.

Therapy With Local Anesthetics to Treat Vulvodynia. A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain) is a sexually debilitating disorder with a prevalence of ∼10%.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of therapy with local anesthetics (TLA) in women with severe vulvodynia, we conducted a prospective, non-controlled observational study.

Methods: 45 patients with severe chronic vulvodynia (primary and secondary vulvodynia, 0-10 numeric analogue scale (NAS) ≥6, median 7.

Propofol/Fentanyl/Rocuronium or Sevoflurane Inhalational Induction for Intubation?

Introduction Anesthesia induction and airway instrumentation are critical parts of anesthesia administration. Intravenous induction is time convenient but necessitates immediate commencement of ventilation. Inhalational sevoflurane induction takes longer but preserves spontaneous respiration.

Increased Intake of Fast-Acting Carbohydrates in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) regularly report an increased desire for food or beverages with high sugar content.

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis of an increased intake of fast-acting carbohydrates in PD patients.

Methods: This study investigated the consumption of high-sugar content food products in 221 PD patients compared with 184 healthy controls using a self-administered questionnaire.

Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab versus standard care/placebo in patients with COVID-19; a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aims: Tocilizumab has emerged as an important therapy in treating patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab versus standard care/placebo in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We searched a variety of sources from 1 January 2020 to 5 May 2021.

Anxiety and depression in the first 24 h in COVID-19 patients who underwent non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit.

Background And Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of anxiety and depression in the first 24 h of people who were taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 and had to use unfamiliar devices in an unfamiliar environment.

Material Method: Sixty-two patients over 18 years of age, conscious and cooperative, who were admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of COVID, were PCR (+), and needed non-invasive mechanical ventilation were included in the study. Age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, and Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) A (anxiety), and HAD D (depression) scores of the patients were recorded, and the prevalence of anxiety and depression and independent factors affecting them were investigated.

Early and Late Outcomes after Arterial Switch Operation: A 40-Year Journey in a Single Low Case Volume Center.

: The results of the arterial switch operation in large congenital heart centers are excellent, and the results in small and medium centers are improving. The objective of this article is to share our experience utilizing the international knowledge transfer program to improve early and late arterial switch operation outcomes in our center. : A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent the arterial switch operation in Vilnius University Santaros Clinics Cardiothoracic Surgery Center between 1977-2020 was performed.

Complicated course of biliary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor mimicking hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Background: The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare, idiopathic, usually benign, mass-forming disease with myofibroblastic proliferation and a varying amount of inflammatory cells. Although it can affect various organs, the biliary tract is a rare localization of primary IMT, clinically, endoscopically and radiologically imitating cholangiocarcinoma. The treatment options are based only on clinical practice experience.

Correlation of exhaled propofol with Narcotrend index and calculated propofol plasma levels in children undergoing surgery under total intravenous anesthesia - an observational study.

Background: Exhaled propofol concentrations correlate with propofol concentrations in adult human blood and the brain tissue of rats, as well as with electroencephalography (EEG) based indices of anesthetic depth. The pharmacokinetics of propofol are however different in children compared to adults. The value of exhaled propofol measurements in pediatric anesthesia has not yet been investigated.

Interventions after Arterial Switch: A Single Low Case-Volume Center Experience.

: With the growing population of arterial switch operation survivors, the rate of late complications associated with the operation is growing as well. The aim of this publication is to share our experience and encourage collaboration between congenital cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in treating late complications after arterial switch operation. : A retrospective analysis of Vilnius University Santaros Clinics Cardiothoracic Surgery Centre arterial switch operation survivors who underwent additional treatment for late neo-pulmonary artery stenosis and aortic arch obstruction between 1989 and 2019 was conducted.

Relevance of pathogenicity prediction tools in human RYR1 variants of unknown significance.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disorder of skeletal muscle metabolism characterized by generalized muscle rigidity, increased body temperature, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia and severe metabolic acidosis. The underlying mechanism of MH involves excessive Ca release from myotubes via the ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1) and the voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel (CACNA1S). As more than 300 variants of unknown significance have been detected to date, we examined whether freely available pathogenicity prediction tools are able to detect relevant MH causing variants.

COVID-19 patients in the operating room: a concise review of existing literature.

A novel Coronavirus was identified in late 2019 as the cause of COVID-19 disease which is highly contagious. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA, enveloped virus from the beta Coronavirus family. Intraoperative management of patients with COVID-19 is a high-risk procedure.

Is the Parkland formula still the best method for determining the fluid resuscitation volume in adults for the first 24 hours after injury? - A retrospective analysis of burn patients in Germany.

Background: R Rapid fluid resuscitation is a crucial therapy during the treatment of patients with extensive burns. In 1968, the Parkland Formula was introduced for the calculation of the estimated volume of the resuscitation fluid. Since then, different methods for the calculation of fluid resuscitation volume have been developed.