Hülya Ulusoy

Time-dependent variations in ischemia-modified albumin levels in mesenteric ischemia.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the value of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in the diagnosis of mesenteric embolism. The authors investigated whether or not plasma IMA levels rose in the acute period in a rat model of mesenteric ischemia and the related time-dependent changes. METHODS In this randomized, controlled, nonblinded trial, 36 mature female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: three control (Groups I, III, and V) and three ischemia (Groups II, IV, and VI). In the control groups, blood was sampled at 30 minutes (Group I), 2 hours (Group III), and 6 hours (Group V) following a simple laparotomy. In the ischemia groups, following laparotomy, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was clamped using a bulldog clamp, and blood samples were taken at 30 minutes (Group II), 2 hours (Group IV), and 6 hours (Group VI). RESULTS Plasma IMA levels in the ischemia groups were significantly higher compared to those of the control groups (p < 0.004). In addition, levels were higher in the 6-hour blood samples of the ischemia group than in the 2-hour and 30-minute samples (p < 0.001). Serum IMA was also higher in the 2-hour blood samples of the ischemia group than in the 30-minute samples (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings suggest that serum IMA levels may represent a significant parameter in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia and that further studies are necessary.

Impact of a multidimensional infection control approach on central line-associated bloodstream infections rates in adult intensive care units of 8 cities of Turkey: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

BackgroundCentral line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABs) have long been associated with excess lengths of stay, increased hospital costs and mortality attributable to them. Different studies from developed countries have shown that practice bundles reduce the incidence of CLAB in intensive care units. However, the impact of the bundle strategy has not been systematically analyzed in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) setting in developing countries, such as Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control approach to reduce the rates of CLAB in 13 ICUs of 13 INICC member hospitals from 8 cities of Turkey.MethodsWe conducted active, prospective surveillance before-after study to determine CLAB rates in a cohort of 4,017 adults hospitalized in ICUs. We applied the definitions of the CDC/NHSN and INICC surveillance methods. The study was divided into baseline and intervention periods. During baseline, active outcome surveillance of CLAB rates was performed. During intervention, the INICC multidimensional approach for CLAB reduction was implemented and included the following measures: 1- bundle of infection control interventions, 2- education, 3- outcome surveillance, 4- process surveillance, 5- feedback of CLAB rates, and 6- performance feedback on infection control practices. CLAB rates obtained in baseline were compared with CLAB rates obtained during intervention.ResultsDuring baseline, 3,129 central line (CL) days were recorded, and during intervention, we recorded 23,463 CL-days. We used random effects Poisson regression to account for clustering of CLAB rates within hospital across time periods. The baseline CLAB rate was 22.7 per 1000 CL days, which was decreased during the intervention period to 12.0 CLABs per 1000 CL days (IRR 0.613; 95% CI 0.43 – 0.87; P 0.007). This amounted to a 39% reduction in the incidence rate of CLAB.ConclusionsThe implementation of multidimensional infection control approach was associated with a significant reduction in the CLAB rates in adult ICUs of Turkey, and thus should be widely implemented.

Comparison of the effect of propofol and N-acetyl cysteine in preventing ischaemia-reperfusion injury

Background and objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of propofol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on tourniquet-induced ischaemia–reperfusion injury by determining malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin, lactate, blood gas and haemodynamic levels in arthroscopic knee surgery. Methods Sixty ASA I or II patients were randomized into three groups. Intrathecal anaesthesia was administered using 0.5% heavy bupivacaine in all patients. In group P, propofol was administered in a 0.2 mg kg−1 bolus, followed by infusion at a rate of 2 mg kg−1 h−1; in group NAC, NAC was administered as an infusion at a rate of 5 mg kg−1 h−1, and, in group C (the control group), an equal volume of isotonic saline was administered to patients until 30 min after reperfusion. Blood samplings were obtained immediately before intrathecal anaesthesia (t1), 1 min before tourniquet release (t2), 5 min after tourniquet release (t3) and 30 min after tourniquet release (t4). Results Plasma malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin and lactate levels increased significantly in group C at t3 and t4 compared with the baseline values. Plasma concentrations of malonyldialdehyde, ischaemia-modified albumin and lactate in groups P and NAC were significantly lower than those in group C at t3 and t4. In blood gas analyses, pH, HCO3 and base excess were found to be significantly lower at t3 and t4 compared with t1 and t2 in group C. Comparisons between groups P and NAC revealed no significant differences. Conclusion Small-dose infusions of both propofol and NAC appear to provide similar protection against ischaemia–reperfusion injury in arthroscopic knee surgery.

Maternal outcome in HELLP syndrome requiring intensive care management in a Turkish hospital

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Despite the development of tertiary care facilities, intensive care and advanced blood banking techniques, pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders are the main cause of maternal mortality in most countries. Our purpose was to determine maternal outcome in pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count) that required intensive care management. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective study at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. METHODS 37 patients with HELLP syndrome admitted to the obstetric intensive care unit were analyzed retrospectively from 1992 to 2004. RESULTS All patients were hypertensive, with mean Glasgow coma score (GCS) of 11 +/- 3.96. Mean gestational age at delivery was 32 +/- 4.09 weeks. Delivery was vaginally in nine and by cesarean section in 27 patients. General anesthesia was used in 12 and spinal anesthesia in 25 patients. Maternal morbidity included acute renal failure (11%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (5%), acute lung edema (3%), severe ascites (11%), pleural effusion (3%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (11%), abruptio placenta (11%), cerebral edema (8%) and cerebral hemorrhage (40%). All patients required transfusions using blood products. There were 11 maternal deaths (30%). CONCLUSION Because of high maternal mortality and morbidity found among patients with HELLP syndrome, standard antenatal follow-up protocols should be applied, so as to obtain early diagnosis and improve the speed of transfer to obstetric departments with expertise in this field.

Amikacin-Induced Nephropathy: Is There Any Protective Way?

Amikacin is a commonly used antibacterial drug that can cause significant nephrotoxic effects in both humans and experimental animals. It has been reported that one mechanism of the toxic effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics are the result of oxidative reactions. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of N-acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, on renal function (serum creatinine) and morphology (renal tubular damage) in mice subjected to amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 32 mice were equally divided into four groups that were injected with either saline, amikacin (1.2g/kg intraperitoneally), N-acetylcysteine (150mg/kg intraperitoneally for three days) plus amikacin (1.2 g/kg intraperitoneally on the third day as a single dose), or N-acetylcysteine (150mg/kg intraperitoneally). Amikacin administration led to granulovacuolar tubular degeneration in light microscopic examination and myeloid bodies, mitochondrial electron-dense material deposition, and mitochondrial swelling in the proximal tubule epithelium in the electron microscopic evaluation. N-acetylcysteine administration before amikacin injection caused significant decreases in myeloid body and mitochondrial swelling and granulovacuolar tubular degeneration formation. Serum creatinine levels did not change as a result of any treatment. The results show that N-acetylcysteine has a protective effect on nephrotoxicity induced by amikacin. Higher doses of amikacin should be tried to observe biochemical effects.

Effects of immunonutrition on intestinal mucosal apoptosis, mucosal atrophy, and bacterial translocation in head injured rats

BACKGROUND Immunonutrition has been demonstrated to modulate gut function, reduce infectious complications, hospital stay, and ventilator days in the critical patients. AIM OF THE STUDY We assessed the effect of immunonutrition for the prevention of intestinal mucosal atrophy, apoptosis, and bacterial translocation in head injured rats. METHODS Thirty five rats were randomised into 5 groups. Following moderate closed head injury, in Group 1; Standard Enteral Nutrition, Group 2; Immunonutrition, Group 3; TPN, Group 4; pe. saline were applied. Group 5 was control group (chow-fed). The rats were sacrificed and segments of the ileum were removed for histologic examination, and samples of tissues taken for microbiologic evaluation. RESULTS Both intestinal apoptosis and mucosal atrophy were significantly lower in Group 2 and Group 5 (p<0.008). Bacterial translocation was significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1 (p<0.008). CONCLUSION The enteral immunonutrition prevents intestinal barrier function in brain injured rats.

Effects of Early Versus Delayed Nutrition on Intestinal Mucosal Apoptosis and Atrophy After Traumatic Brain Injury

PurposeTo determine the optimal time to start nutritional support after traumatic brain injury (TBI).MethodsRats were divided into six groups of seven. All but one of these groups were subjected to moderate closed head trauma under general anesthesia. Groups Ia and Ib were commenced on immunonutrition and standard enteral nutrition, respectively, 8 h later; groups IIa and IIb were commenced on immunonutrition and standard enteral nutrition, respectively, 72 h later; and group III was commenced on a parenteral saline infusion 8 h later. Group IV was a control group fed a laboratory diet and not subjected to trauma. The rats were killed 7 days later, and ileal segments were examined using light and electron microscopy. We used the deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique to detect intestinal mucosal apoptosis.ResultsGroup III had a lower body weight than the other groups (P < 0.005). The mean villous height was highest in groups Ia and IV and lowest in group III. The villi count was lower in groups Ib, IIa, IIb, and III than in group IV (P < 0.005). The apoptotic index counts were higher in groups IIa, IIb, and III than in group IV (P < 0.005).ConclusionsThe addition of enriching immunonutrients to early enteral feeding helps preserve an almost normal gut mucosa.

Surgical site infection rates in 16 cities in Turkey: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

BACKGROUND Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a threat to patient safety; however, there were no available data on SSI rates stratified by surgical procedure (SP) in Turkey. METHODS Between January 2005 and December 2011, a cohort prospective surveillance study on SSIs was conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) in 20 hospitals in 16 Turkish cities. Data from hospitalized patients were registered using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) methods and definitions for SSIs. Surgical procedures (SPs) were classified into 22 types according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision criteria. RESULTS We recorded 1879 SSIs, associated with 41,563 SPs (4.3%; 95% confidence interval, 4.3-4.7). Among the results, the SSI rate per type of SP compared with rates reported by the INICC and CDC NHSN were 11.9% for ventricular shunt (vs 12.9% vs 5.6%); 5.3% for craniotomy (vs 4.4% vs 2.6%); 4.9% for coronary bypass with chest and donor incision (vs 4.5 vs 2.9); 3.5% for hip prosthesis (vs 2.6% vs 1.3%), and 3.0% for cesarean section (vs 0.7% vs 1.8%). CONCLUSIONS In most of the 22 types of SP analyzed, our SSI rates were higher than the CDC NHSN rates and similar to the INICC rates. This study advances the knowledge of SSI epidemiology in Turkey, allowing the implementation of targeted interventions.

Effects of Levobupivacaine on Wound Healing

BACKGROUND:Local anesthetic infiltration along the incision may be used to provide surgical anesthesia or postoperative analgesia. However, the effect of local anesthetics on wound healing remains controversial. In this investigation, we evaluated the effects of levobupivacaine on wound healing. METHODS:Sixty Wistar albino female rats weighing 230 ± 20 g were included, with 10 rats in each group: group early c (early control): 3 mL isotonic saline; group early l1.25 (early levobupivacaine 1.25): 1.25 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; group early l2.5 (early levobupivacaine 2.5): 2.5 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; group late c (late control): 3 mL isotonic saline; group late l1.25 (late levobupivacaine 1.25): 1.25 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine; and group late l2.5 (late levobupivacaine 2.5): 2.5 mg/kg per 3 mL levobupivacaine. Rats in groups early c to early l2.5 were euthanized on the 8th day. Rats in groups late c to late l2.5 were euthanized on the 21st day. Wound tension strength, tissue hydroxyproline, and fibrotic index levels of the tissue samples from the early c and early l2.5 and late c and late l2.5 groups, respectively, on the 8th and 21st days were examined. RESULTS:Levobupivacaine decreased wound tension strength on the 8th day, especially a 2.5 mg/kg dose (P < 0.001), and increased it on the 21st day (P < 0.001). It also increased the inflammatory response (P < 0.001) and collagen synthesis (8th day, P = 0.109; 21st day, P = 0.103) on both the 8th and 21st days. CONCLUSIONS:While levobupivacaine had a positive effect on wound healing during the early period, negative effects were observed thereafter. Additional studies at the molecular level are necessary to determine the cause of these apparently opposite effects.

Delayed respiratory depression after risperidone overdose.

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Both positive and negative symptoms are prominent with its use. Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver, where risperidone is changed by CUP2D6 to an active metabolite, 9-hydroxyrisperidone. The half-lives of risperidone and its metabolite are 3 and 7 h, respectively. Genetic polymorphism is seen in the 6%-8% of white patients who are considered poor metabolizers. In poor metabolizers, the half-life extends to 20-30 h. We present an unusual case of unanticipated delayed respiratory depression after risperidone overdose.