Hakan Korkut Atalan

Apnea-hypopnea index use among intensive care patients: a case series

IntroductionApneaLink™ (RESMED-Munich, Germany) is a simple and inexpensive device that determines the apnea-hypopnea index. The sensitivity and specificity of the apnea-hypopnea index are 100 and 87.5%, respectively. Our hypothesis can be used to create a treatment plan using the apnea-hypopnea index for intensive care unit patients.Case presentationThis treatment plan has been created by determining the apnea-hypopnea index of eight Caucasian patients with a variety of diagnoses. Case 1 is that of a 70-year-old man diagnosed with rectum cancer and scheduled for elective surgery. Case 2 is that of a 65-year-old man diagnosed with rectum cancer and scheduled for elective surgery. Case 3 is that of a 78-year-old woman diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-pneumonia. Case 4 is that of a 26-year-old man diagnosed with head trauma. Case 5 is that of an 80-year-old man diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease. Case 6 is that of a 79-year-old man diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease. Case 7 is that of an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with ventricular septal defect-epidural hemorragia. Case 8 is that of a 42-year-old man diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrage.ConclusionsThe apnea-hypopnea index can be informative regarding prognosis and outcomes, and helps to take precautions and develop new treatment strategies among critical patients in intensive care. The integration of developments in sleep medicine to intensive care unit practices means that we can be more informed about critical patients.

C-Reactive Protein and Hemogram Parameters for the Non-Sepsis Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis: What Do They Mean?

Objectives Sepsis is one of the most common reasons of increased mortality and morbidity in the intensive care unit. The changes in CRP levels and hemogram parameters and their combinations may help to distinguish sepsis from non-sepsis SIRS. The aim of this study is to investigate the CRP and hemogram parameters as an indicator of sepsis. Methods A total of 2777 patients admitted to the ICU of two centers between 2006–2013 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were diagnosed as SIRS (-), non-sepsis SIRS and sepsis. The patients who were under 18 years old, re-admitted, diagnosed with hematological disease, on corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy, SIRS (-), culture negative, undocumented laboratory values and outcomes were excluded. 1257 patients were divided into 2 groups as non-sepsis SIRS and sepsis. The patients’ demographic data, CRP levels, hemogram parameters, length of ICU stay and mortality were recorded. Results 1257 patients were categorized as non-sepsis SIRS (816, 64.9%) and sepsis (441, 35.1%). In the multivariate analysis, the likelihood of sepsis was increased 3.2 (2.2–4.6), 1.7 (1.2–2.4), 1.6 (1.2–2.1), 2.3 (1.4–3.8), 1.5 (1.1–2.1) times by the APACHE II≥13, SOFA score≥4, CRP≥4.0, LymC<0.45 and PLTC<150 respectively (p<0.001 p = 0.007 p = 0.004 p<0.001 p = 0.027). The likelihood of sepsis was increased 18.1 (8.4–38.7) times by the combination of CRP≥4.0, lymC<0.45 and PLTC<150 (P<0.001). Conclusions While WBCC, NeuC, Neu%, NLCR and EoC are far from being the indicators to distinguish sepsis from non-sepsis SIRS, the combinations of CRP, LymC and PLTC can be used to determine the likelihood of sepsis.

Postoperative acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation recipients

Purpose: There are many risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in liver transplantation. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury in living donor liver transplantation recipients. Methods: 220 living donor liver transplantation recipients were retrospectively evaluated in the study. According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Guidelines, acute kidney injury in postoperative day 7 was investigated for all patients. The patient’s demographic data, preoperative and intraoperative parameters, and outcomes were recorded. Results: Acute kidney injury was found in 27 (12.3%) recipients. In recipients with acute kidney injury, female population, model for end-stage liver disease score, norepinephrine requirement, duration of mean arterial pressure less than 60 mmHg, the usage of gelatin and erythrocyte suspension and blood loss were significantly higher than recipients with nonacute kidney injury (for all p<0.05). In multivariate analyses, the likelihood of acute kidney injury on postoperative day 7 were increased 2.8-fold (1.1-7.0), 2.7-fold (1.02-7.3), 3.4-fold (1.2-9.9) and 5.1-fold (1.7-15.0) by postoperative day 7, serum tacrolimus level ≥10.2 ng dL−1, intraoperative blood loss ≥14.5 mL kg−1, the usage of gelatin >5 mL kg−1 and duration of MAP less than 60 mmHg ≥5.5 minutes respectively (for all p<0.05). Conclusions: In living donor liver transplantation recipients, serum tacrolimus levels, intraoperative blood loss, hypotension period and the usage of gelatin may be risk factors for acute kidney injury in the early postoperative period.

Serum Vitamin D Level at ICU Admission and Mortality

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a major role in the regulation of bone and calcium metabolism and has effects on the immune and cardiovascular systems. Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in the general population as well as in critically ill patients and is reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Our aim was to determine the relationship between vitamin D level at ICU admission and mortality. METHODS A total of 491 patients admitted to the ICU between January 2014 and January 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients who were under 18 years old, had elective surgery, or whose serum vitamin D levels and outcomes were unknown were excluded. The patients age, gender, APACHE II score, number of organ dysfunction, serum vitamin D level at ICU admission and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS Vitamin D level was low (<25 ng dL-1) in 166 (77.1%) of the patients. In non-survivor patients, APACHE II score and the number of organ dysfunction were significantly higher than the survivor patients (p<0.001 and p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between vitamin D level and APACHE II score (r2=0.04, p=0.006). In multivariate analyses, the likelihood of mortality was increased 9.8-fold (range 4.2-17.6) and 8.9-fold (range 3.9-14.1) with an APACHE II score ≥24 and the number of organ dysfunction ≥2, respectively (p<0.001 and p<0.001). CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in intensive care patients. Although it is not an independently decisive factor for mortality, it might be related with poor clinical status at ICU admission. The APACHE II score and number of organ dysfunction are still important parameters for increased mortality.

Effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate administration on postoperative tramadol requirement in liver transplant patients

Magnesium is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blocker and its known to have analgesic effect([1, 2]). Hypomagnesaemia is often seen in major surgery and it is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, organ dysfunction, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and pulmonary hypertension([2, 4]). Its shown that intra-operative use of magnesium sulfate reduced per-operative analgesic requirement([5]).

The effects of undiagnosed nocturnal hypoxia on the intensive care unit admission scores

Objective: Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) which is characterized with nocturnal hypoxia (NH) is commonly seen in population. Furthermore, it is associated with postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay and nocturnal death. Hence, in this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of undiagnosed NH on the ICU admission scores. Material and Methods: This study was designed as a prospective observational study. Sleep apnea test (SAT) was performed on 64 patients with the diagnosis of pneumonia at the 6th month after hospital discharge. Demographic data, ICU admission scores, length of hospital stay, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), minimum SpO2 (min-SpO2), percentage of NH (NH%), minimum and maximum heart rates were recorded. Results: For all patients, the median values of APACHE II score, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), AHI, minSpO2, NH%, max-HR and length of hospital stay were 18, 5, 21.5, 78%, 33.2%, 121 min-1, and 11 days. NH% was positively correlated with APACHE II score, CCI and length of hospital stay. In patients with NH%≥18%, while CCI, APACHE II, AHI, max-HR, length of ICU and hospital stay were significantly higher; min-SpO2 was significantly lower than patients with NH%<18%. In multivariate analysis, length of hospital stay increased by each unit increase in CCI, APACHE II score and NH%. Conclusion: Most of the patients admitted to the ICU can have undiagnosed NH. Increase in NH% may be a reason for increased ICU admission scores and prolonged hospital stay.

Elective Tracheotomy Practices in Turkey

Objectives Elective tracheotomy (ET) procedures in intensive care units (ICU) might be different in accordance with countries and ICUs’ features. The aim of the present study was to search the epidemiology of ET procedures in Turkey. Methods A questionnaire which consists of 43 questions was sent by e-mail to 238 ICUs which were officially recognized by The Turkish Ministry of Health. All answers were obtained between August 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015. Results Two hundred and three ICUs (85.3%) participated in this study. 177 (87.2%) and 169 (83.4%) of ICU’s were level III and mixed ICUs respectively. Anesthesiologists were the director of 189 (93.0%) ICUs. Estimated total count of admitted, mechanically ventilated and tracheotomized patients in 2014 were 126282, 80569 (63.8%) and 8989 (7.1%) respectively. Most common indication for ET was prolonged mechanical ventilation (76.9%). The first choice for ET procedure was percutaneous in 162 (79.8%) ICUs. Griggs guide wire dilatational forceps (GWDF) technique was used as the first choice for elective percutaneous tracheotomy (EPT) by 143 (70.4%) ICUs. Most common early EPT complication was bleeding (68.0%) and late EPT complication was stenosis (35.0%). While facilitation of weaning was most important advantage (26.1%), bleeding and tracheal complications were most important disadvantages for EPT (29.1%). Conclusions Most common indications for ET are prolonged MV and coma in Turkish ICUs. EPT is the preferred procedure for ET and GWDF is the most common technique. Bronchoscopy and USG are rarely used as a guide.

Nocturnal hypoxia and the success rate of standard atrial fibrillation treatment: a case report

IntroductionSleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) is one of the extracardiac reasons of atrial fibrillation (AF), and the prevalence of AF is high in SAHS-diagnosed patients. Nocturnal hypoxemia is associated with AF, pulmonary hypertension, and nocturnal death. The rate of AF recurrence is high in untreated SAHS-diagnosed patients after cardioversion (CV). In this study, we present a patient whose SAHS was diagnosed with an apnea test performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and who did not develop recurrent AF after the administration of standard AF treatment and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP).Case presentationA 57-year-old male hypertensive Caucasian patient who was on medical treatment for 1.5 months for non-organic AF was admitted to the ICU because of high-ventricular response AF (170 per minute), and sinus rhythm was maintained during the CV that was performed two times every second day. The results of the apnea test performed in the ICU on the same night after the second CV were as follows: apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 71 per hour, minimum peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 67%, and desaturation period (SpO2 of less than 90%) of 28 minutes. The patient was discharged with medical treatment and nocturnal BiPAP treatment. The results of the apnea test performed under BiPAP on the sixth month were as follows: AHI of 1 per hour, desaturation period of 1 minute, and minimum SpO2 of 87%. No recurrent AF developed in the patient, and his medical treatment was reduced within 6 months. After gastric bypass surgery on the 12th month, nocturnal hypoxia and AF did not re-occur. Thus, BiPAP and medical treatments were ended.ConclusionsSAHS can be diagnosed by performing an apnea test in the ICU. SAHS should be investigated in patients developing recurrent AF after CV. Recovery of nocturnal hypoxia may increase the success rate of standard AF treatment.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION AND MORTALITY IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that play a major role in the regulation of bone metabolism, and has effects on immun, cardiac and vascular systems [1]. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general population as well as the critically ill patients and was reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity [2, 3].

The effects of high lumbar epidural analgesia on postoperative pulmonary function tests in liver transplant donor patients.

Epidural analgesia has positive effects on pulmonary function tests (PFT). ([1]) Besides, it decreases anesthesia requirement, myocardium oxygen consumption, relapsing time of bowel movements, thrombosis risk and blood loss.([2, 5])