Saeed Abbasi

The comparison between proton pump inhibitors and sucralfate in incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia in critically ill patients

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) are one of the most common nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU). The ICU patients are at risk of stress ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding for different reasons. In order to prevent this complication, anti acids are used for patients. This study compared pantoprazole with sucralfate in incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on ICU patients with mechanical ventilation in Alzahra university hospital in Isfahan from 2010 to 2011. One hundred forty eight ventilated patients were randomly allocated in two groups. The first group was treated with sucralfate and the second group was treated with pantoprazole for stress ulcer prophylaxis and followed up during hospitalization in ICU for nosocomial pneumonia. Data analyzed by SPSS software. Results: One hundred thirty seven patients were selected for study. During the study period, 34 cases (24.8%) acquired pneumonia, of which 10 were in the sucralfate group and 24 were in the pantoprazole group (14.1% vs. 36.4%). According to Chi-square test, rate of pneumonia was significantly lower in patients receiving sucralfate than the pantoprazole group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: On the basis of the results, there is a significant relationship between the kind of drug used for stress ulcer and ventilator associated pneumonia. According to this article, rate of pneumonia was significantly lower in patients receiving sucralfate than the pantoprazole group.

Effect of nebulized budesonide in preventing postextubation complications in critically patients: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Background: The efficacy of steroid administration in the prevention of postextubation complications in critical care remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether administration of nebulized budesonide in critically ill patients reduces the occurrence of postextubation airway complications. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.We prospectively followed up 70 adult patients in the intensive care unit who were intubated for more than 48 h. Patients received either nebulized budesonide (1 mg every 12 h; n = 35) or placebo (normal saline; n = 35) until 48 h after extubation. Then, the postextubation complications were assessed and recorded within 48 h of extubation. Results: The incidence of respiratory distress was lower in budesonide group (8.6% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.017). Reintubation with mechanical support was necessary in 8.6% (3.35) of patients in the budesonide group and 31.4% (11.35) of patients in the placebo group (P = 0.017). Conclusion: Nebulized budesonide after extubation is effective in reducing the incidence of reintubation and respiratory distress in adult patients.

Galactomannan antigen assay from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in intensive care units patients.

Background : Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is an important infection in critically ill patients including patients of intensive care units (ICU). Different diagnostic tools are available and since its mortality is high, it is vital to start the antifungal therapy as soon as possible. Knowing the epidemiology of this disease in each ICU and area will help to better and more rapid management of such patients. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of IPA based on the level of galactomannan in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in ICU of Al-Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods : This was a cross sectional study, which was conducted in Al-Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran, between 2010 to 2011. The study population was all the patients admitted to ICU and were suspected to have invasive Aspergillus spp pneumonia. The level of galactomannan in bronchoalveolar lavage was measured and demographic data were gathered by the questionnaire. Results : The frequency of IPA in this study was calculated as 2.43% while galactomannan level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of this patient (2.50) was significantly higher than others (0.03 ± 0.02). Conclusion : Larger studies are required to determine the exact frequency of IPA and the best antifungal therapy for it.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS FOR PREVENTION OF VENTILATOR?ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA BY NURSES IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common infection in the intensive care unit, and has many side effects such as increased mortality, increased length of hospital stay, and increased health costs. This study aimed to evaluate the compliance with the standards for prevention of VAP by nurses in the intensive care units. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 120 nurses in 11 intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to Isfahan university of Medical Sciences, Iran, were assessed for 4 months from July to October 2014. The implementation of all measures for the prevention of VAP was investigated through observation and using a checklist. Results: The mean compliance with the standards for the prevention of VAP in the intensive care unit by the nurses was 56.32%; analysis of variance test showed significant difference between the hospitals (P < 0.001). Disposable ventilator circuit was performed for all patients; however, reviewing the patient readiness for separation from the ventilator was not conducted on a daily basis. Conclusions: Compliance with the standards for the prevention of VAP in the intensive care units was relatively acceptable; however, it still requires serious attention by the officials with training and sensitization of nurses in implementing preventive measures, especially through the provision of clinical guidelines and related protocols.

Adherence to stress-related mucosal damage prophylaxis guideline in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Concern about adverse effects of the inconsistent use of stress-related mucosal damage prophylaxis in intensive care unit (ICU) is increasing. Hence, this study was designed to prospectively evaluate the rate of inappropriate stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) administration upon ICU admission, at ICU discharge and determine the adherence to American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guideline during ICU stay. Methods: In this study, 200 patients were randomly selected from all ICU admissions during 9 months. Risk factors of stress ulcer were recorded daily during ICU stay and appropriateness of SUP administration was assessed according to the ASHP criteria. Findings: Of all 160 (80%) patients who received SUP, 44.4% did not have indication; and among 95 patients with an indication for SUP administration, 6.3% did not receive it upon ICU admission. Consequently, 77 (38.5%) of 200 patients received inappropriate prophylaxis on ICU admission. In addition, 53.5% of patients had appropriate adherence to ASHP guideline during all days of ICU stay (44% and 2.5% of patients received SUP more than 120% and <80% of appropriate SUP duration, respectively). Moreover, 81.2% were continued on inappropriate prophylaxis upon transfer from the ICU. Conclusion: We concluded that although SUP administration included both overutilization and underutilization in this ICU, but high prevalence of SUP overutilization caused unnecessary hospital costs, personal monetary burden, and may increase adverse drug reactions. Therefore, educating physicians and cooperation of clinical pharmacists regarding implementing standard protocols could improve patterns of SUP administration.

The effect of oral tizanidine on postoperative pain relief after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Cholecystectomy is considered as the most important and relatively common postoperative pain control often begins in recovery room by using systemic narcotics that may have some side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of premedication with oral tizanidine on pain relief after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: In this double-blinded clinical trial, 70 adults of American Society of Anesthesiologist physiologic state 1 and 2 scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were studied and randomly divided in two study and control groups. Ninety minutes before the induction of anesthesia, patients received either 4 mg tizanidine (study group) orally in 50cc or the same volume of plain water as a placebo (control group). Then, the vital signs, pain intensity, duration of stay in recovery, and the analgesic consumption were measured and then compared in both groups during 24 h postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in patient characteristics, with respect to age, weight, gender, and duration of anesthesia and surgery between the groups (P > 0.05). The pain intensity, need for analgesic drugs (34.57 ± 8.88 mg vs. 101.86 ± 5.08 mg), and the duration of stay in recovery room (67.43 ± 1.59 min vs. 79.57 ± 5.48 min) were significantly lower in tizanidine group than that of the control group. Conclusion: Oral administration of 4 mg tizanidine before laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and consequence of the duration of stay in recovery room without any complication.

Comparison of the efficacy of nebulized budesonide and intravenous dexamethasone administration before extubation in prevention of post-extubation complications among patients admitted in intensive care unit

Background: Narrowing of the airway caused by tracheolaryngeal edema is one of the most common complications of endotracheal intubation particularly among patients requiring mechanical ventilation longer than 36 h that can cause other complications and increase mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nebulized budesonide in comparison with intravenous (IV) dexamethasone administration before extubation in prevention of post-extubation complications. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was carried out at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center (Alzahra Hospital in Isfahan). The study′s population was comprised of 90 patients who had been admitted in the ICU and required intubation at least for 48 h. All patients were between 18 and 65 years of age. Having randomly divided the patients into two equal groups, the first group received nebulized budesonide while the second group was treated by IV dexamethasone 1 h before extubation. The treatment continued up to 48 h after extubation. The collected data from both groups was then subjected to statistical analyses to come to results. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups; hence, both drugs were found to be effective in prophylaxis of the complications due to tracheal extubation. According to the findings of the current study, since nebulized budesonide has no systemic complications of IV corticosteroid, it can be used as the first choice in reducing the complications attributed to extubation. Conclusion: Considering the very low systemic absorption of nebulized budesonide; however, we recommend it for prevention of post-extubation complications instead of IV dexamethasone.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolated microorganisms from central venous catheters in ICU patients

Background: The abundance of infections associated with intensive care unit (ICU) is increasing due to the increased use of aggressive medical equipments like the central venous catheter (CVC). This study was designed and performed in 2010-2011 at Alzahra hospital, which is a referral center. This study aimed at determining the relative abundance and microbial sensitivity of organisms, which were creating contamination with CVCs in hospitalized patients in the ICUs of Alzahra hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on 71 patients who were hospitalized in the Alzahra hospital ICU and had CVCs during 2010-2011. The data obtained was analyzed by SPSS version 20 software and descriptive statistical approaches and chi-square and t-test trials. Results: In the sample culture obtained from the patients′ catheter in 19 cases (26/8%), no microorganism was grown and in 52 cases (73.3%) at least one type of microorganism including bacteria or fungus was grown. In this study, average hospitalization time in patients who got positive results from their catheter culture was significantly more compared with patients who did not grow any kinds of microorganism in their sample cultures. Conclusion: In this study, CVCs microbial contamination has a high prevalence, which is a major cause of prolonged patients staying in ICUs, and therefore, it is essential to take precaution and discharge the patient early for decreasing the catheter contamination and preventing the hospital infections incidence in the ICU patients.