Luigi Beretta

Traumatic brain injury in an aging population.

The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is changing in several Western countries, with an increasing proportion of elderly TBI patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We describe a series of 1366 adult patients admitted to three neuro-ICUs in which 44% of cases were 50 years of age or older. The health status before trauma (rated using the APACHE score) was worse in older patients. In all 604 patients had emergency removal of intracranial masses, with extradural hematomas more frequent in young cases and subdural hematomas more frequent in older patients. Outcomes were classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 6 months post-trauma, as favorable (GOS score 4-5), or unfavorable (GOS score 1-3). Favorable outcomes were achieved by 50% of patients, but the proportions of unfavorable outcomes rose with age. Mortality was the main cause of unfavorable outcomes 6 months after injury in older patients. Logistic regression analysis indicates that several parameters independently contributed to outcome, including the motor component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), pupils, CT findings, and early hypotension. Additionally, the odds ratios were very high for age and health status before TBI. Patients admitted to the ICU are increasingly older, have co-morbidities, and have specific types of intracranial lesions. Early rescue, surgical treatment, and intensive care of these patients may produce excellent results up to the age of 59 years, with favorable outcomes still possible for 39% of cases aged 60-69 years, without an excessive burden of severely disabled patients.

Proteome Study of Human Cerebrospinal Fluid following Traumatic Brain Injury Indicates Fibrin(ogen) Degradation Products as Trauma-Associated Markers

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), like other central nervous system pathologies, causes changes in the composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Consequently analysis of the CSF components is important to better understand the pathological processes involved in such diseases. The aim of this work was to identify specific markers of severe TBI. Proteomic analysis including two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry analysis was used to compare the CSF protein profile of severe TBI patients and controls. Proteins (alpha 1 antitrypsin, haptoglobin 1 alpha1, alpha2, and beta) belonging to the acute phase response showed an increased expression in severe TBI patients. Two other proteins, identified as proteolytic degradation products of the carboxyl-terminal portion of the fibrinogen beta, were present only in TBI patients. The presence of these markers could correlate with a post-traumatic local increase in fibrinolysis as well as to an inflammatory event following CNS tissue injury.

The natural history of ulcerative proctitis: a multicenter, retrospective study

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and the long term evolution of patients with a well defined initial diagnosis of ulcerative proctitis. METHODS: Patients with an original diagnosis of ulcerative proctitis who had been seen at any of 13 institutions from 1989 to 1994 were identified. Data on disease onset and subsequent evolution were recorded. In addition, 575 patients with more extensive disease, treated in the same centers, were used as controls. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The percentage of smokers in these patients was slightly lower than in controls; no differences were found in the other clinical/demographic variables evaluated. A total of 273 patients entered long term follow-up (mean, 52 months). Proximal extension of the disease occurred in 74 of them (27.1%). The cumulative rate of proximal extension and of extension beyond the splenic flexure was 20% and 4% at 5 yr and 54% and 10% at 10 yr, respectively. The risk of proximal extension was higher in nonsmokers, in patients with >3 relapses/yr, and in patients needing systemic steroid or immunosuppressive treatment. Refractory disease was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal extension of ulcerative proctitis is frequent and may occur even late after the original diagnosis. However, the risk of extension beyond the splenic flexure appears to be quite low. Smoking seems to be a protective factor against proximal extension, whereas refractoriness is a risk factor for proximal extension of the disease.

Noninvasive ventilation and survival in acute care settings: a comprehensive systematic review and metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective:Noninvasive ventilation is increasingly applied to prevent or treat acute respiratory failure, but its benefit on survival is still controversial for many indications. We performed a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials focused on the effect of noninvasive ventilation on mortality. Data Sources:BioMedCentral, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of clinical trials (updated December 31, 2013) were searched. Study Selection:We included all the randomized controlled trials published in the last 20 years performed in adults, reporting mortality, comparing noninvasive ventilation to any other treatment for prevention or treatment of acute respiratory failure or as a tool allowing an earlier extubation. Studies with unclear methodology, comparing two noninvasive ventilation modalities, or in palliative settings were excluded. Data Extraction:We extracted data on mortality, study design, population, clinical setting, comparator, and follow-up duration. Data Synthesis:Seventy-eight studies were analyzed. Noninvasive ventilation was associated with a reduction in mortality (12.6% in the noninvasive ventilation group vs 17.8% in the control arm; risk ratio = 0.73 [0.66–0.81]; p < 0.001; number needed to treat = 19 with 7,365 patients included) at the longest available follow-up. Mortality was reduced when noninvasive ventilation was used to treat (14.2% vs 20.6%; risk ratio = 0.72; p < 0.001; number needed to treat = 16, with survival improved in pulmonary edema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, acute respiratory failure of mixed etiologies, and postoperative acute respiratory failure) or to prevent acute respiratory failure (5.3% vs 8.3%; risk ratio = 0.64 [0.46–0.90]; number needed to treat = 34, with survival improved in postextubation ICU patients), but not when used to facilitate an earlier extubation. Overall results were confirmed for hospital mortality. Patients randomized to noninvasive ventilation maintained the survival benefit even in studies allowing crossover of controls to noninvasive ventilation as rescue treatment. Conclusions:This comprehensive metaanalysis suggests that noninvasive ventilation improves survival in acute care settings. The benefit could be lost in some subgroups of patients if noninvasive ventilation is applied late as a rescue treatment. Whenever noninvasive ventilation is indicated, an early adoption should be promoted.

Oral versus combination mesalazine therapy in active ulcerative colitis: a double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomized multicentre study

Oral and topical mesalazine formulations are effective in active ulcerative colitis, but little is known on the efficacy of combined treatment.

Pregnancy before and after the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases: Retrospective case–control study

Background and Aim:  Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) commonly affect women during the reproductive years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive histories of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohns disease (CD) considering pregnancies occurring before and after the diagnosis.

Effect of sarcopenia and visceral obesity on mortality and pancreatic fistula following pancreatic cancer surgery

Analytical morphometric assessment has recently been proposed to improve preoperative risk stratification. However, the relationship between body composition and outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of body composition on outcomes in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer.

Cerebral ischemia after venous air embolism in the absence of intracardiac defects.

Cerebral air embolism occurred in a patient undergoing posterior fossa surgery performed in the sitting position for acoustic neuroma removal. The patient experienced two episodes of venous air embolism, as evidenced by precordial Doppler, end-tidal carbon dioxide reduction, and oxygen desaturation. In both cases, air was aspirated from the central venous catheter; during the second episode there was arterial hypotension and electrocardiogram changes, and air bubbles were visualized in the cerebellar arteries. The patient did not regain consciousness after surgery and developed early tonic-clonic convulsions and electroencephalogram status epilepticus, which was treated with barbiturate coma. Intracardiac septal defects were not detected by transesophageal echocardiography, and computerized tomography of the brain demonstrated multifocal discrete ischemic areas in the cerebral hemispheres. The patient died 6 days after surgery without having regained consciousness. This case appears to represent the occurrence of transpulmonary passage of venous air embolism.

Sedation and monitoring for gastrointestinal endoscopy: A nationwide web survey in Italy

BACKGROUND Best strategy of sedation/analgesia in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is still debated. AIMS OF THE STUDY To evaluate sedation and monitoring practice among Italian gastroenterologists and to assess their opinion about non-anaesthesiologist propofol administration. METHODS A 19-item survey was mailed to all 1192 members of the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED). For each respondent were recorded demographic data, medical specialty, years of practise and practise setting. RESULTS A total of 494 SIED members returned questionnaires, representing a response rate of 41.4%. The most employed sedation pattern was benzodiazepines for oesophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDS) in 50.8% of procedures, benzodiazepines plus opioids for colonoscopy and enteroscopy in 39.5% and 35.3% of procedures, respectively, propofol for endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in 42.3% and 35.6% of procedures, respectively. With regard to propofol use, 66% respondents stated that propofol was exclusively administered by anaesthesiologists. However, 76.9% respondents would consider non-anaesthesiologist propofol administration after appropriate training. Pulse oximetry is the most employed system for procedural monitoring. Supplemental O(2) is routinely administered by 39.3% respondents. CONCLUSIONS Use of sedation has become a standard practise during GI endoscopy in Italy. Pattern varies for each type of procedure. Pulse oximetry is the most employed system of monitoring. Administration of propofol is still directed by anaesthesiologists.

Prone versus knee-chest position for microdiscectomy: a prospective randomized study of intra-abdominal pressure and intraoperative bleeding.

Study Design. Prospective randomized study. Objectives. To compare two support systems for positioning patients during microdiscectomy (i.e., prone on a modified Relton-Hall spine support vs. knee-chest position on an Andrews-type table) regarding their effects on intra-abdominal pressure and surgical bleeding. Summary of Background Data. Intra-abdominal pressure is an indicator of epidural venous pressure, which affects bleeding during microdiscectomy. The ideal patient’s position during surgery reduces bleeding by minimizing abdominal compression and vertebral venous engorgement. The results of previous studies on the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure and blood loss during spinal surgery are not consistent, and hardly comparable because they used different measurement systems and support frames. Methods. A total of 30 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II undergoing elective, single-space lumbar microdiscectomy had their intra-abdominal pressure measured through a urinary bladder catheter, together with airway pressure: (1) supine after anesthesia induction; (2) in prone position (group P) or knee-chest position (group K), according to randomization; or (3) at the end of surgery before repositioning the patient supine. Results. Baseline intra-abdominal pressure did not differ between groups, and intra-abdominal pressure did not vary significantly from baseline in both groups throughout the study. Baseline airway pressure did not differ between groups. Airway pressure was significantly increased from baseline at the recording before incision in group K and at the end of surgery in both groups. Recordings before incision and at the end of surgery differed significantly from one another in both groups. Such airway pressure variations did not differ between groups. Bleeding was significantly more prominent in group K (P = 0.007). No correlation between bleeding and intra-abdominal pressure or airway pressure was found. Conclusions. Intra-abdominal pressure did not differ between prone position on a modified Relton-Hall frame and knee-chest position on an Andrew-type table. Bothpositions provide good conditions for lumbar microdiscectomy.