Piotr Harbut

Stereotactic CT-Guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Liver Tumors With the Use of High-Frequency Jet Ventilation: An Accuracy and Procedural Safety Study

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy and safety of antenna placement performed with the use of a CT-guided stereotactic navigation system for percutaneous ablation of liver tumors and to assess the safety of high-frequency jet ventilation for target motion control. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty consecutive patients with malignant liver lesions for which surgical resection was contraindicated or that were not readily visible on ultrasound or not accessible by ultrasound guidance were included in the study. Patients were treated with percutaneous microwave ablation performed using a CT-guided stereotactic navigation system. High-frequency jet ventilation was used to reduce liver motion during all interventions. The accuracy of antenna placement, the number of needle readjustments required, overall safety, and the radiation doses were assessed. RESULTS Microwave ablation was completed for 20 patients (28 lesions). Performance data could be evaluated for 17 patients with 25 lesions (mean [± SD] lesion diameter, 14.9 ± 5.9 mm; mean lesion location depth, 87.5 ± 27.3 mm). The antennae were placed with a mean lateral error of 4.0 ± 2.5 mm, a depth error of 3.4 ± 3.2 mm, and a total error of 5.8 ± 3.2 mm in relation to the intended target. The median number of antenna readjustments required was zero (range, 0-1 adjustment). No major complications were related to either the procedure or the use of high-frequency jet ventilation. The mean total patient radiation dose was 957.5 ± 556.5 mGy × cm, but medical personnel were not exposed to irradiation. CONCLUSION Percutaneous microwave ablation performed with CT-guided stereotactic navigation provides sufficient accuracy and requires almost no repositioning of the needle. Therefore, it is technically feasible and applicable for safe treatments.

Whole blood transfusion in the treatment of an acute organophosphorus poisoning – a case report

Summary Background Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are a group of substances used in agriculture as pesticides and are also used as military poisoning agents (MPA). Intoxication by these agents may cause severe systemic disturbances related to both the exposure time and lethal agent concentration. Toxic effects result from an excess of the endogenous neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), because decomposition of Ach by cholinesterases is blocked by OP. Case Report The authors describe a case in which an acute OP poisoning was managed both conventionally and with cholinesterase substitution by blood transfusion. Conclusions Whole blood transfusion could be beneficial in the treatment of these life-threatening medical conditions.

Prolonged exposure to inhaled nitric oxide transiently modifies tubular function in healthy piglets and promotes tubular apoptosis

Aim:  Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. We hypothesized that those piglets exposed to prolonged iNO react with a modified renal function.

Organ Dysfunction among Piglets Treated with Inhaled Nitric Oxide and Intravenous Hydrocortisone during Prolonged Endotoxin Infusion

Objective It has previously been shown that a combination of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and intravenous (IV) steroid attenuates endotoxin-induced organ damage in a 6-hour porcine endotoxemia model. We aimed to further explore these effects in a 30-hour model with attention to clinically important variables. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting University animal laboratory. Subjects Domestic piglets (n = 30). Interventions Animals were randomized into 5 groups (n = 6 each): 1) Controls, 2) LPS-only (endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion), 3) LPS + iNO, 4) LPS + IV steroid, 5) LPS + iNO + IV steroid. Measurements and Main Results Exposure to LPS temporarily increased pulmonary artery mean pressure and impeded renal function with elevated serum creatinine and acidosis compared to a control group over the 30-hour study period. Double treatment with both iNO and IV steroid tended to blunt the deterioration in renal function, although the only significant effect was on Base Excess (p = 0.045). None of the LPS + iNO + IV steroid treated animals died during the study period, whereas one animal died in each of the other LPS-infused groups. Conclusions This study suggests that combined early therapy with iNO and IV steroid is associated with partial protection of kidney function after 30 hours of experimental LPS infusion.

High frequency jet ventilation for motion management during ablation procedures, a narrative review

High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is a method of ventilation that has gained renewed interest over the recent years as it can reduce organ movement to near static conditions, thus enhancing surgical precision in minimal invasive procedures, for example, ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation and solid organ tumours. The aim of this review was to create a summary of the current evidence concerning the clinical use of HFJV for ablative procedures.

Navigated Percutaneous Lung Ablation under High-Frequency Jet Ventilation of a Metastasis from a Wilms’ Tumour: A Paediatric Case Report

This is a case report of microwave energy being used to ablate an inoperable metastasis of a Wilms’ tumour in a 6-year-old boy using state-of-the-art navigated computed tomography targeting and high-frequency jet ventilation to reduce organ displacement and the potential risk of procedure-related pneumothorax. After the ablation, the young boy had high-dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplantation with rapid reduction of three recurrent right-sided lung metastases.

The use of high-frequency ventilation during general anaesthesia: an update

Various forms of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) have been described. HFV is broadly defined as artificial ventilation of the lungs with sub-deadspace tidal volumes delivered using supra-physiological frequencies. HFV has been used in anaesthesia and intensive care for special procedures and conditions since the 1960s. Clinical interest in the use and the technical evolution of HFV has developed over time. There is a renewed interest in HFV for avoiding parenchymal movement during stereotactic tumour ablation. The present paper aims to give an overview of the fundamental physiology, technical aspects, and clinical challenges of HFV in ablation procedures during general anaesthesia, where HFV is used to minimise the movements of the ablation target.

Beneficial effects of inhaled nitric oxide with intravenous steroid in an ischemia–reperfusion model involving aortic clamping

This study evaluated the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy combined with intravenous (IV) corticosteroids on hemodynamics, selected cytokines, and kidney messenger RNA toll-like receptor 4 (mRNA TLR4) expression in ischemia–reperfusion injury animal model. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of circulatory, respiratory, and renal function over time. We also investigated the profile of selected cytokines and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, as well as renal mRNA TLR4 activation determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Pigs (n = 19) under sevoflurane AnaConDa anesthesia/sedation were randomized and subjected to abdominal laparotomy and alternatively suprarenal aortic cross-clamping (SRACC) for 90 min or sham surgery: Group 1 (n = 8) iNO (80 ppm) + IV corticosteroids (25 mg ×3) started 30 min before SRACC and continued 2 h after SRACC release, followed with decreased iNO (30 ppm) until the end of observation, Group 2 (n = 8) 90 min SRACC, Group 3 (n = 3)—sham surgery. Renal biopsies were sampled 1 hr before SRACC and at 3 and 20 h after SRACC release. Aortic clamping increased TLR4 mRNA expression in ischemic kidneys, but significant changes were recorded only in the control group (P = 0.016). Treatment with iNO and hydrocortisone reduced TLR4 mRNA expression to pre-ischemic conditions, and the difference observed in mRNA expression was significant between control and treatment group after 3 h (P = 0.042). Moreover, animals subjected to treatment with iNO and hydrocortisone displayed an attenuated systemic inflammatory response and lowered pulmonary vascular resistance plus increased oxygen delivery. The results indicated that iNO therapy combined with IV corticosteroids improved central and systemic hemodynamics, oxygen delivery, and diminished the systemic inflammatory response and renal mRNA TLR4 expression.

Clinical application of high frequency jet ventilation in stereotactic liver ablations – a methodological study

Background: Computer-assisted navigation during thermal ablation of liver tumours, may help to correct needle placement and improve ablation efficacy in percutaneous, laparoscopic and open interventions. The potential advantage of using high frequency jet-ventilation technique (HFJV) during the procedure is by minimising the amplitude of respiration-related upper-abdominal organs movements. The aim of this clinical methodological trial was to establish whether HFJV would give less ventilatory induced liver movements than conventional ventilation, during stereotactic navigated ablation of liver metastases under open surgery. Methods: Five consecutive patients scheduled for elective, open liver ablation under general propofol and remifentanil anaesthesia were included in the study protocol. During the stereotactic targeting of the tumours, HFJV was chosen for intraoperative lung ventilation. For tracking of liver movement, a rigid marker shield was placed on the liver surface and tracked with an optical position measurement system. A 4D position of the marker shield was measured for HFJV and conventional tidal volume lung ventilation (TV). At each time point the magnitude of liver displacement was calculated as an Euclidean distance between translational component of the marker shields 3D position and previously estimated centroid of the translational motion. Results: The mean Euclidean liver displacement was 0.80 (0.10) mm for HFJV and 2,90 (1.03) mm for TV with maximum displacement going as far as 12 mm on standard ventilation (p=0.0001). Conclusion: HFJV is a valuable lung ventilation method for patients undergoing stereotactic surgical procedures in general anaesthesia when reduction of organ displacement is crucial.

Suspected Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury Improving following Administration of Tranexamic Acid: A Case Report

A 16-year-old woman with craniofacial injury developed severe acute respiratory failure under the primary reconstructive surgical procedure requiring several units of blood and plasma. A transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) was suspected and supportive treatment was initiated. Because of the severity of symptoms, acute extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was planned. During preparation for ECMO, a single intravenous dose, 1 g of tranexamic acid, was administered and a remarkable improvement was observed shortly thereafter. The patient was placed on ECMO for 16 hours. The further course was uncomplicated and the patient was discharged from ICU on the 6th day after admission fully and she recovered. A clinical improvement was observed in a timely fashion following the administration of tranexamic acid. The handling of a suspected TRALI and potential benefit from administration of tranexamic acid are discussed in this case report.