The recent release of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) raises the question of the management of intracranial hemorrhage occurring during treatment with these molecules. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban have different p...The recent release of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) raises the question of the management of intracranial hemorrhage occurring during treatment with these molecules. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban have different pharmacological characteristics that physicians need to know to adjust their prescription to each patient. Studies of efficacy and safety prior to the marketing of these molecules showed a decreased risk of intracranial hemorrhage compared with vitamin K antagonists. However, no reliable data are available regarding the prognosis of these hemorrhages occurring during NOAC treatment. In addition, there is no specific antidote and reversal protocol validated in humans. So, physicians are in a difficult situation when critical bleeding occurs. The timing of recovering normal hemostatic capacity is then a determinant factor of prognosis. Studies in animals or healthy volunteers showed a correction of the biological parameters using prothrombin complex concentrates activated or not, without reducing the volume of hematoma. On this basis, proposals have been issued by the french group of interest for perioperative hemostasis (GIHP) for the management of bleeding under NOAC treatment, which include management of intracranial hemorrhage.
The incidents related to the medical devices are common during anesthesia and in intensive care unit. These incidents are rarely the cause of complications because monitoring detects them early; alternative scenarios all...The incidents related to the medical devices are common during anesthesia and in intensive care unit. These incidents are rarely the cause of complications because monitoring detects them early; alternative scenarios allow bearing these problems. Although the incidence of these complications has much declined, these incidents are serious adverse events and at the origin of life-threatening complications. Improper use of medical devices is the main factor that promotes the onset of these complications. To maintain a high level of security, it is necessary to use and control procedures according to the manufacturer recommendations. This is part of a strategy involving users, biomedical engineers and manufacturers. Several actions are effective in preventing the occurrence of these incidents: the control before use, the continuation of the performance of the equipment, use based on the recommendations of the experts and manufacturers and appropriate training. This strategy is best applied by a clinical expert who has extensive technical knowledge. This expert is a key player for users learning and allows establishing and maintaining rules of use in collaboration with medical staff and biomedical engineers and manufacturers.
After surgery, hypoxemia and/or acute respiratory failure (ARF) mainly develop following abdominal and/or thoracic surgery. Anesthesia, postoperative pain and surgery will induce respiratory modifications: hypoxemia, pul...After surgery, hypoxemia and/or acute respiratory failure (ARF) mainly develop following abdominal and/or thoracic surgery. Anesthesia, postoperative pain and surgery will induce respiratory modifications: hypoxemia, pulmonary volumes decrease and atelectasis associated to a restrictif syndrome and a diaphragm dysfunction. Maintenance of adequate oxygenation in the postoperative period is of major importance, especially when pulmonary complications such as ARF occur. Although invasive endotracheal mechanical ventilation has remained the cornerstone of ventilatory strategy for many years for severe acute respiratory failure, several studies have shown that mortality associated with pulmonary disease is largely related to complications of postoperative reintubation and mechanical ventilation. Therefore, major objectives for anesthesiologists and surgeons are first to prevent the occurrence of postoperative complications and second if ARF occurs is to ensure oxygen administration and carbon dioxide CO2 removal while avoiding intubation. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) does not require endotracheal tube or tracheotomy and its use is well established to prevent ARF occurrence (prophylactic treatment) or to treat ARF to avoid reintubation (curative treatment). Studies shows that patient-related risk factors, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), age older than 60 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists ASA class of II or higher, obesity, functional dependence, and congestive heart failure, increase the risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. Rationale for postoperative NIV use is the same as the post-extubation NIV use plus the specificities due to the respiratory modifications induced by the surgery and anesthesia. Postoperative NIV improves gas exchange, decreases work of breathing and reduces atelectasis. The aims of this article are (1) to review the main respiratory modifications induced by surgery and anesthesia which justify postoperative NIV use (2) to offer some recommendations to apply safely postoperative NIV and (3) to present the main results obtained with preventive and curative NIV in a surgical context.
Abdominal surgery induces postoperative ventilatory dysfunction related to a combination of reflex diaphragmatic inhibition, respiratory muscle injury and pain. The role of pain is difficult to isolate from other compone...Abdominal surgery induces postoperative ventilatory dysfunction related to a combination of reflex diaphragmatic inhibition, respiratory muscle injury and pain. The role of pain is difficult to isolate from other components. Thoracic epidural analgesia using local anesthetics is able to partially reverse the diaphragmatic dysfunction. However, this effect seems not directly related to analgesia. Regardless of the mechanisms, epidural analgesia has been shown to improve the postoperative ventilation and to prevent the occurrence of pulmonary complications. Pain relief, either by parenteral administration of opiate, and/or parietal blockade has been shown to improve the diaphragm motion and the overall respiratory status. All analgesic strategies may facilitate the implementation of postoperative physiotherapy which has a significant interest in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications.
The preoperative respiratory evaluation aims at predicting the occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications (PORC), such as: atelectasis, pulmonary infection (bronchitis and pneumonia), acute ventilatory distres...The preoperative respiratory evaluation aims at predicting the occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications (PORC), such as: atelectasis, pulmonary infection (bronchitis and pneumonia), acute ventilatory distress, pleural effusion, prolonged mechanical ventilation, exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease and bronchospasm. The incidence of (PORC) all surgeries combined is 6.8%. Individual surgical and anesthetic factors are impacting on the occurrence of PORC. Simple scores, including anamnestic data, clinical examination and some biological parameters were validated to assess the risk of PORC depending on the type of surgery. Data from standard pulmonary function tests (PFT) is of little use to estimate the individual risk of PORC. Most of the time, PFT abnormal parameters only confirm the clinical assessment of the severity of the illness. PFT may however be useful to confirm an improvement in the clinical condition of the patient related to the preoperative preparation. Specialized EFR, including standardized testing efforts are sometimes required in the case of lung reduction surgery. These specialized explorations can predict lung function and post-interventional pulmonary oxygenation and ensure that these are viable.
Intubation is one of the most common procedures performed in operative rooms. It can be associated with life-threatening complications when difficult airway access occurs, in patients who cannot tolerate even a slight hy...Intubation is one of the most common procedures performed in operative rooms. It can be associated with life-threatening complications when difficult airway access occurs, in patients who cannot tolerate even a slight hypoxemia or when performed in patients at risk of oxygen desaturation during intubation, as obese, critically-ill and pregnant patients. To improve intubation safety, preoxygenation is a major technique, extending the duration of safe apnoea, defined as the time until a patient reaches an arterial saturation level of 88% to 90%, to allow for placement of a definitive airway. Preoxygenation consists in increasing the lung stores of oxygen, located in the functional residual capacity, and helps preventing hypoxia that may occur during intubation attempts. Obese, critically-ill and pregnant patients are especially at risk of reduced effectiveness of preoxygenation because of pathophysiological modifications (reduced functional residual capacity (FRC), increased risk of atelectasis, shunt). Three minutes tidal volume breathing or 3-8 vital capacities are recommended in general population, mostly allowing achieving a 90% end-tidal oxygen level. Recent studies have indicated that in order to maximize the value of preoxygenation (i.e, oxygenation stores) obese and critically-ill patients can benefit from the combination of breathing 100% oxygen and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) with end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) in the proclive position (Trendelenburg reverse). Recruitment manoeuvres may be of interest immediately after intubation to limit the risk of lung derecruitment. Further studies are needed in the field of preoxygenation in pregnant women.
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major contributor to the overall risk of surgery. PPCs affect the length of hospital stay and are associated with a higher in-hospital mortality. PPCs are even the leadi...Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major contributor to the overall risk of surgery. PPCs affect the length of hospital stay and are associated with a higher in-hospital mortality. PPCs are even the leading cause of death either in cardiothoracic surgery but also in non-cardiothoracic surgery. Thus, reliable PPCs risk stratification tools are the key issue of clinical decision making in the perioperative period. When the risk is clearly identified related to the patient according the ARISCAT score and/or the type of surgery (mainly thoracic and abdominal), low-cost preemptive interventions improve outcomes and new strategies can be developed to prevent this risk. The EuSOS, PERISCOPE and IMPROVE studies demonstrated this care optimization by risk identification first, then risk stratification and new care (multifaceted) strategies implementation allowing a decrease in PPCs mortality by optimizing the clinical path of the patient and the care resources.
We report the case of a 55-year-old man without significant medical history admitted to the ICU for a progressive paralysis mimicking life-threatening tetanus. Evolution with classical tetanus treatment was negative, wit...We report the case of a 55-year-old man without significant medical history admitted to the ICU for a progressive paralysis mimicking life-threatening tetanus. Evolution with classical tetanus treatment was negative, with the need for ventilator support and worsening condition being life threatening. Uncommon evolution revealed a rare glycin antibody-associated hyperekplexia (progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity syndrome). Patient dramatically improved with immunosuppressive therapy including plasmatic exchanges, cyclophasmid and high dose corticoid infusions. Intensivists should be aware of this very rare syndrome whose treatment is the opposite of tetanus while presentation is very close. Optimal and treatment could lead to prolonged survival.
One of the key challenges in perioperative care is to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. Patients who develop postoperative morbidity but survive to leave hospital have often reduced functional independence an...One of the key challenges in perioperative care is to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. Patients who develop postoperative morbidity but survive to leave hospital have often reduced functional independence and long-term survival. Mechanical ventilation provides a specific example that may help us to shift thinking from treatment to prevention of postoperative complications. Mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing surgery has long been considered only as a modality to ensure gas exchange while allowing maintenance of anesthesia with delivery of inhaled anesthetics. Evidence is accumulating, however, suggesting an association between intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategy and postoperative pulmonary function and clinical outcome in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Non-protective ventilator settings, especially high tidal volume (VT) (>10-12mL/kg) and the use of very low level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (PEEP<5cmH2O) or no PEEP, may cause alveolar overdistension and repetitive tidal recruitment leading to ventilator-associated lung injury in patients with healthy lungs. Stimulated by previous findings in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, the use of lower tidal volume ventilation is becoming increasingly more common in the operating room. However, lowering tidal volume, though important, is only part of the overall multifaceted approach of lung protective mechanical ventilation. In this review, we aimed at providing the most recent and relevant clinical evidence regarding the use of mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
OBJECTIVE: Identification and analysis of iatrogenic events leading to admission in intensive care units. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational monocentric study. PATIENTS: Critically ill patients hospitalized in adult...OBJECTIVE: Identification and analysis of iatrogenic events leading to admission in intensive care units. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational monocentric study. PATIENTS: Critically ill patients hospitalized in adult medical intensive care unit of a general hospital over a twelve-month period. METHODS: We recorded for each patient the following characteristics: origin, demographic datas, cause of admission, medical background, severity, diagnosis, ICU length of stay and provided treatments. Two medical investigators identified the iatrogenic character of events and determined their potential preventability. Univariate statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 603 patients were admitted and 71 (12%) due to iatrogenic events. In comparison to patients hospitalized for other causes, these patients were older (66 years vs. 60, P 0.009) and often previously treated in a hospital (82% vs. 54%, P<0.0001). They had increased need for transfusions (39% vs. 26%, P 0.02) but less frequent indications for mechanical ventilation (67% vs. 77%, P 0.07). They had similar ICU mortality (20% vs. 19%). Among them, 27 iatrogenic events were considered as preventable. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic event is a significant cause of ICU admission, involved in 12% of all the hospitalizations in our unit. It has an impact on the patient's profile (significantly older) and their ICU stay (increased need for transfusion). More than a third of events could be preventable and potentially accessible to corrective actions.
OBJECTIVES: Although heparin-induced thrombocytopemia (HIT) is uncommon, its thromboembolic complications are potentially life-threatening. The low-molecular weight heparins are less responsible of HIT than unfractionate...OBJECTIVES: Although heparin-induced thrombocytopemia (HIT) is uncommon, its thromboembolic complications are potentially life-threatening. The low-molecular weight heparins are less responsible of HIT than unfractionated heparin (UFH) but this latter is still indicated in some circumstances such as cardiac surgery. Argatroban, a selective thrombin inhibitor, recently available, has been indicated in HIT treatment. This review presents the main pharmacological characteristics, its indications and uses in the context of cardiac surgery and in intensive care medicine. METHODS: Review of the literature in Medline database over the past 15 years using the following keywords: argatroban, cardiac surgery, circulatory assistance, cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Despite its short-acting pharmacokinetic, argatroban cannot be recommended during cardiopulmonary bypass. On the contrary, argatroban is indicated in many circumstances in postoperative period of various cardiac surgeries (on-pump, off-pump, circulatory assistance). Nevertheless, after cardiac surgery, doses have to be adapted according to coagulation laboratory testing (ACT), particularly in patients presenting acute organ failure (kidney injury, heart failure, liver failure). This compound has no antagonist and is excluded during severe hepatic failure. The continuous intravenous administration is a drawback. CONCLUSION: Argatroban is a new direct competitive thrombin inhibitor well evaluated as treatment of HIT after cardiac surgery. In HIT management, argatroban is an interesting alternative to lepirudin that is not anymore available and danaparoid because of supply disturbances.
OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to achieve a medico-economic comparison between four disposable laryngeal masks (LM) (LMA-Unique™, Ambu AuraOnce™, I-Gel™ and LMA-Suprême™). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomi...OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this study was to achieve a medico-economic comparison between four disposable laryngeal masks (LM) (LMA-Unique™, Ambu AuraOnce™, I-Gel™ and LMA-Suprême™). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, monocentre study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a center, using routinely LMA-Unique masks, scheduled breast surgery patients were allocated into four groups according to the LM model. After the induction, the modalities of use were collected, as well as the intraoperative events that required additional anesthetic equipment. The real cost of each model was calculated (cost of the mask+extra cost related to complications). Using the LMA-Unique as a reference, we performed a cost-efficacy analysis. We realized a cost-efficiency analysis putting in parallel the impact on the cost and the incidence of the events. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were included. According to the cost-efficacy analysis, the dominant model was the Ambu AuraOnce™ (Δreal cost: -34.2%, Δevents: -30.6%). The LMA-Unique™ was dominated because of a high morbidity rate. The I-Gel™ and LMA-Suprême™ models were more efficient but more expensive (Δreal cost: +16% and +22.5% respectively). To compensate for additional costs, it would be necessary to apply a price reduction of at least 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their better efficiency and safety, the latest generation laryngeal masks are still expensive in spite of a low rate of complication. These results do not take into account very rare and severe complications not met in this study in the limited size; then the economic and medical impact can influence the choice beyond the simple analysis cost-efficiency.
Debaene B, Biais M, Carli P
… +9 more, Collange O, Dahyot-Fizelier C, Dupont H, Lukaszewicz AC, Nouette-Gaulain K, Mantz J, Molliex S, Ténière A, Velly L
Since several decades, anesthesia care and intensive care, as well, are engaged in the way of excellence in clinical care and research. This requirement is also applied for the selection of professor and academic workers...Since several decades, anesthesia care and intensive care, as well, are engaged in the way of excellence in clinical care and research. This requirement is also applied for the selection of professor and academic workers. The goals of this article are twice: first to diffuse this knowledge at the medical community and second to describe in details the long process leading to the final appointment.
Renal haematoma during severe preeclampsia is a rare uneventful event. It is usually associated with other organ injury such as cerebral or liver haematoma. Imaging (ultrasound or tomodensitometry examination) plays an i...Renal haematoma during severe preeclampsia is a rare uneventful event. It is usually associated with other organ injury such as cerebral or liver haematoma. Imaging (ultrasound or tomodensitometry examination) plays an important role in detecting this complication and following its evolution. In the current case report, we describe an isolated renal haematoma during a severe preeclampsia complicated by a HELLP syndrome. This patient was managed with a conservative treatment (control of arterial pressure and induction of delivery) and an imaging follow-up.