Radmilo Jankovic

The influence of different sub-bandage pressure values on venous leg ulcers healing when treated with compression therapy

BACKGROUND Venous leg ulcers (VLU) have a huge social and economic impact. An estimated 1.5% of European adults will suffer a venous ulcer at some point in their lives. Despite the widespread use of bandaging with high pressure in the treatment of this condition, recurrence rates range between 25% to 70%. Numerous studies have suggested that the compression system should provide sub-bandage pressure values in the range from 35 mm Hg to 45 mm Hg in order to achieve the best possible healing results. METHODS An open, randomized, prospective, single-center study was performed in order to determine the healing rates of VLU when treated with different compression systems and different sub-bandage pressure values. One hundred thirty-one patients (72 women, 59 men; mean age, 59-years-old) with VLU (ulcer surface >3 cm(2); duration >3 months) were randomized into three groups: group A - 42 patients who were treated using an open-toed, elastic, class III compression device knitted in tubular form (Tubulcus, Laboratoires Innothera, Arcueil, France); group B - 46 patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and one elastic bandage (15 cm wide and 5 cm long with 200% stretch, Niva, Novi Sad, Serbia); and group C - forty-three patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and two elastic bandages. Pressure measurements were taken with the Kikuhime device (TT MediTrade, Soro, Denmark) at the B1 measuring point in the supine, sitting, and standing positions under the three different compression systems. RESULTS The median resting values in the supine and standing positions in examined study groups were as follows: group A - 36.2 mm Hg and 43.9 mm Hg; group B - 53.9 mm Hg and 68.2 mm Hg; group C - 74.0 mm Hg and 87.4 mm Hg. The healing rate during the 26-week treatment period was 25% (13/42) in group A, 67.4% (31/46) in group B, and 74.4% (32/43) in group C. The success of compression treatment in group A was strongly associated with the small ulcer surface (<5 cm(2)) and smaller calf circumference (CC; <38 cm). On the other hand, compliance in group A was good. In groups B and C, compliance was poor in patients with small CC, but the healing rate was high, especially in patients with large ulcers and a large CC (>43 cm). CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study indicate that better healing results are achieved with two or multi-component compression systems than with single-component compression systems and that a compression system should be individually determined for each patient according to individual characteristics of the leg and CC. Target sub-bandage pressure value (B1 measuring point in the sitting position) of the compression system needed for the ulcer healing could be determined according to a simple formula, CC + CC/2.

N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptides Prognostic Utility Is Overestimated in Meta-analyses Using Study-specific Optimal Diagnostic Thresholds

Background:N-terminal fragment B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) prognostic utility is commonly determined post hoc by identifying a single optimal discrimination threshold tailored to the individual study population. The authors aimed to determine how using these study-specific post hoc thresholds impacts meta-analysis results. Methods:The authors conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the ability of preoperative NT-proBNP measurements to predict the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction at 30 days after noncardiac surgery. Individual patient-level data NT-proBNP thresholds were determined using two different methodologies. First, a single combined NT-proBNP threshold was determined for the entire cohort of patients, and a meta-analysis conducted using this single threshold. Second, study-specific thresholds were determined for each individual study, with meta-analysis being conducted using these study-specific thresholds. Results:The authors obtained individual patient data from 14 studies (n = 2,196). Using a single NT-proBNP cohort threshold, the odds ratio (OR) associated with an increased NT-proBNP measurement was 3.43 (95% CI, 2.08 to 5.64). Using individual study-specific thresholds, the OR associated with an increased NT-proBNP measurement was 6.45 (95% CI, 3.98 to 10.46). In smaller studies (<100 patients) a single cohort threshold was associated with an OR of 5.4 (95% CI, 2.27 to 12.84) as compared with an OR of 14.38 (95% CI, 6.08 to 34.01) for study-specific thresholds. Conclusions:Post hoc identification of study-specific prognostic biomarker thresholds artificially maximizes biomarker predictive power, resulting in an amplification or overestimation during meta-analysis of these results. This effect is accentuated in small studies.

The current place of nitrous oxide in clinical practice An expert opinion-based task force consensus statement of the European Society of Anaesthesiology

Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been used for years as an essential part of general anaesthesia. During the past few decades, however, its use in general anaesthesia has steadily declined. Parallel to this evolution, we witness a growing interest in the use of N2O by nonanaesthesiologists, mainly as a sedative and adjuvant for pain therapy during procedural interventions.1–4 In line with this paradigm shift, heated debates, frequently blurred by strong emotional viewpoints, are questioning the current place of N2O during anaesthesia and during procedural sedation.5 In an attempt to search for up-to-date answers to these issues, the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) convened a number of clinical experts to debate specifically on the following questions. 1. What is the place of N2O in todays perioperative anaesthesia management? 2. What is the place of N2O in procedural analgesia and sedation? 3. Is administration of N2O associated with a health risk for patients and/or providers? Members of the task force consisted of the chairs of the ESA Scientific Committee and Research Committee, and the chairs of the scientific subcommittees on Pharmacology, Paediatrics, and Monitoring, Ultrasound and Equipment. In addition, Western and Eastern European key opinion leaders on the use and place of N2O in adult and paediatric anaesthesia were asked to join the task force. The present consensus statement is the result of an intensive debate based on the available literature and the expert opinion of the task force members.

Beyond the Limits: Clinical Utility of Novel Cardiac Biomarkers

Preoperative assessment of cardiovascular risk is essential when it comes to extensive noncardiac surgery procedures. Therefore, accurate and timely diagnosis of myocyte damage is vital. In modern medical practice it is believed that the so-called “multimarker” approach is the most appropriate and most accurate, but new research points out that there are novel biomarkers which could be used independently. Studies that evaluate miRNA, H-FABP, and MR-PAMP give encouraging results. When it comes to miRNA clinical studies show high statistical significance, especially in the case of acute myocardial infarction (P = 0.001). Statistical significance of P = 0.007 was found in acute coronary syndrome, when H-FABP was measured. Biochemical marker MR-PAMP showed statistical significance of P < 0.0001 in most clinical studies.

Diagnostic Importance of Pulse Oximetry in the Determination of the Stage of Chronic Arterial Insufficiency of Lower Extremities

INTRODUCTION Chronic arterial insufficiency (CAI) of lower extremities is important socio-economical and healthcare problem, due to its high incidence of morbidity, disability and mortality. OBJECTIVE The aim of our work was to determine the diagnostic importance of pulse oximetry in the early detection of stage of lower extremities CAI based on peripheral arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO2). METHODS Prospectively, we analyzed a group of 50 patients, admitted at the Vascular Department of Surgical Clinic in Nis during the period from September 2006 to October 2007, with evident symptoms and signs of different stages of lower extremities CAI verified by ultrasonography. In patients with lower extremity disorder of tissue arterial capillaries, SpO2 was determined by pulse oximetry. RESULTS Using pulse oximetry, depending on the of stage of lower extremities CAI, we revealed a considerable difference in the stages of functional ischemia SpO2: Fontaine I - 95.33 +/- 1.41%, Fontaine IIa - 92.14 +/- 2.27% and Fontaine IIb - 79.67 +/- 2.73%; in stage critical ischemia SpO2: Fontaine III - 62.54 +/- 4.39% and Fontaine IV - 47.67 +/- 6.16%. In 3 patients with gangrenous foot and fingers SpO2 was immeasurable and progressive decrease in SpO2 of arterial capillaries (p < 0.01 between stages). CONCLUSION Due to the reliability and simplicity of pulse oximetry it can be a routinely used diagnostic device for patients with early determined stage of lower extremities CAI.

Addition of biomarker panel improves prediction performance of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) calculator for cardiac risk assessment of elderly patients preparing for major non-cardiac surgery: a pilot study

BackgroundNumber of elderly patients subjected to extensive surgical procedures in the presence of cardiovascular morbidities is increasing every year. Therefore, there is a need to make preoperative diagnostics more accurate.AimsTo evaluate the usefulness of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) calculator as a predictive tool in preoperative assessment of cardiovascular risk in elderly patients.MethodsThis prospective pilot study included 78 patients who were being prepared for extensive non-cardiac surgeries under general anaesthesia. Their data have been processed on the interactive ACS NSQIP calculator. Blood sampling has been performed 7 days prior to surgery, and serum has been separated. Clinical, novel, and experimental biomarkers [hsCRP, H-FABP, and Survivin (BIRC5)] have been measured in specialized laboratories.ResultsMean age of included patients was 71.35 ± 6.89 years. In the case of heart complications and mortality prediction, hsCRP and ACS NSQIP showed the highest specificity and sensitivity with AUC, respectively, 0.869 and 0.813 for heart complications and 0.883 and 0.813 for mortality. When combined with individual biomarkers AUC of ACS NSQIP raised, but if we combined all three biomarkers with ACS NSQIP, AUC reached as much as 0.920 for heart complications and 0.939 for mortality.DiscussionACS NSQIP proved to reduce inaccuracy in preoperative assessment, but it cannot be used independently, which has already been proved by other authors.ConclusionsOur results indicate that ACS NSQIP represents an accurate tool for preoperative assessment of elderly patients, especially if combined with cardiac biomarkers.

Risk factors associated with carotid artery puncture following landmark-guided internal jugular vein cannulation attempts.

Objective: The relationship between certain risk factors and carotid artery puncture (CAP) as an early mechanical complication following internal jugular vein cannulation attempts (IJVCAs) was evaluated. Methods: In a retrospective 1-year observational single-center study, 86 IJVCAs conducted in the operating room by 4 competent anesthesiologists were evaluated. Age, gender, puncture side, number of cannulation attempts, circumstances of the procedure and incidence of CAP were obtained from medical records. Results: Of the 86 IJVCAs performed in patients aged 18–75 years, CAP occurred in 8 (9.3%): 5 (5.8%) in patients >65 years and 3 (3.5%) in patients <65 years of age. CAP was not associated with patient’s age (p = 0.11) and gender (p = 0.76). Multiple cannulation attempts (OR = 26.25; 95% CI = 4.52–152.51; p < 0.001) and placement of CVC under emergency conditions (OR = 14.84; 95% CI = 1.73–127.22; p = 0.014) increased the risk for CAP significantly. Also, the risk for CAP was higher when IJVCAs were performed before induction of general anesthesia (OR = 15.75; 95% CI = 1.83–135.1; p = 0.019). CAP was more likely to happen during left-sided than right-sided IJVCA (OR = 5.98; 95% CI = 1.29–27.59; p = 0.022). In addition, left-sided attempts considerably increased the risk for multiple cannulation attempts (OR = 2.782; 95% CI = 1.342–3.965; p < 0.01). Also, manifold cannulation attempts were more frequent if the IJVCA was performed before induction of anesthesia (OR = 4.219; CI = 1.579–11.271; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our results strongly suggest that left-sided, multiple IJVCAs, performed under emergency conditions in conscious patients in the operating room, represent considerable risks for possible CAP.

Preoperative Midregional Pro-Adrenomedullin and High-Sensitivity Troponin T Predict Perioperative Cardiovascular Events in Noncardiac Surgery

Objective: We evaluated the utility of preoperative midregional (MR) pro-adrenomedullin (proADM) and cardiac troponin T (TnT) for improved detection of patients at high risk for perioperative cardiac events and mortality after major noncardiac surgery. Subjects and Methods: This prospective, single-center, observational study enrolled 79 patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery. After initial clinical assessment (clinical history, physical examination, echocardiogram, blood tests, and chest X-ray), MR-proADM and high-sensitivity TnT (hsTnT) were measured within 48 h prior to surgery by immunoluminometric and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Patients were followed by the consulting physician until discharge or up to 14 days in the hospital after surgery. Perioperative cardiac events included myocardial infarction and development or aggravation of congestive heart failure. Data were compared between patients who developed target events and event-free patients. Results: Within 14 days of monitoring, 14 patients (17.72%) developed target events: 9 (11.39%) died and 5 (6.33%) developed cardiovascular events. The average age of the patients was 71.29 ± 6.62 years (range: 55–87). Sex, age, and hsTnT did not significantly differ between groups. MR- proADM concentration was higher in deceased patients (p = 0.01). The upper quartile of MR-proADM was associated with a fatal outcome (66.7 vs. 20.0%, p < 0.01) and with cardiovascular events (64.3 vs. 16.9%, p < 0.01). MR-proADM above the cutoff value (≥0.85) was associated with a fatal outcome (88.9 vs. 20.0%, p < 0.01) and cardiovascular events (71.4 vs. 28.6%, p < 0.01); this association was not observed for hsTnT. Conclusion: Preoperative measurement of MR-proADM provides useful information for perioperative cardiac events in high-risk patients scheduled for noncardiac surgery.

Mutations in Sodium Channel Gene SCN9A and the Pain Perception Disorders

Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) play a crucial role in development and propagation of action potentials in neurons and muscle cells. NaV1.7 channels take a special place in modern science since it is believed that they contribute to nerve hyperexcitability. Mutations of the gene SCN9A, which codes the α subunit of NaV1.7 channels, are associated with pain perception disorders (primary erythermalgia, congenital analgesia, and paroxysmal pain disorder). It is considered that the SCN9A gene mutations may cause variations in sensitivity to pain, from complete insensitivity to extreme sensitivity. Further research of the SCN9A gene polymorphism influence on pain sensitivity is essential for the understanding of the pathophysiology of pain and the development of the appropriate targeted pain treatment.

Somatostatine analogue in nonoperative treatment of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocyst in a child: a case report

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a complication of pancreatic trauma. We describe improved nonoperative treatment of patient with posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocyst with somatostatin analogue. A 9-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital after blunt abdominal trauma with handlebar. Three weeks after abdominal trauma, pancreatic pseudocyst developed. Nonoperative treatment of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocyst (the largest dimensions 70 × 55 × 65 mm) with somatostatin analogue, octreotide acetate, was applied for the next 52 days. The patient was followed up for 24 months after the discontinuation of octreotide and there were no recurrence of pancreatic pseudocyst. Somatostatin analogue could be usefull in the nonoperative treatment of posttraumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children.