scholarly journals Improved Outcomes following the Establishment of a Neurocritical Care Unit in Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Soliman ◽  
Waleed Tharwat Aletreby ◽  
Fahad Faqihi ◽  
Nasir Nasim Mahmood ◽  
Omar E. Ramadan ◽  
...  

Background. Dedicated neurocritical care units have dramatically improved the management and outcome following brain injury worldwide. Aim. This is the first study in the Middle East to evaluate the clinical impact of a neurocritical care unit (NCCU) launched within the diverse clinical setting of a polyvalent intensive care unit (ICU). Design and Methods. A retrospective before and after cohort study comparing the outcomes of neurologically injured patients. Group one met criteria for NCCU admission but were admitted to the general ICU as the NCCU was not yet operational (group 1). Group two were subsequently admitted thereafter to the NCCU once it had opened (group 2). The primary outcome was all-cause ICU and hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay (LOS), predictors of ICU and hospital discharge, ICU discharge Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), frequency of tracheostomies, ICP monitoring, and operative interventions. Results. Admission to NCCU was a significant predictor of increased hospital discharge with an odds ratio of 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3–4.1; p=0.005). Group 2 (n = 208 patients) compared to Group 1 (n = 364 patients) had a significantly lower ICU LOS (15 versus 21.4 days). Group 2 also had lower ICU and hospital mortality rates (5.3% versus 10.2% and 9.1% versus 19.5%, respectively; all p<0.05). Group 2 patients had higher discharge GCS and underwent fewer tracheostomies but more interventional procedures (all p<0.05). Conclusion. Admission to NCCU, within a polyvalent Middle Eastern ICU, was associated with significantly decreased mortality and increased hospital discharge.

Author(s):  
Gamze Akkuş ◽  
Yeliz Sökmen ◽  
Mehmet Yılmaz ◽  
Özkan Bekler ◽  
Oğuz Akkuş

Background: We aimed prospectively investigate the laboratory and electrocardiographic parameters (hearth rate, QRS, QT, QTc, Tpe, Tpe/QTc, arrhythmia prevalance) in patients with graves disease before and after antithyroid therapy. Methods: 71 patients (48 female, 23 male), age between 18-50 (mean±SD: 36.48±12.20 ) with GD were included into the study. Patients treated with antithyroid therapy (thionamids and/or surgical therapy) to maintain euthyroid status. Patients were examined in terms of electrocardiographic parameters before and after the treatment. Results: Mean TSH, free thyroxin (fT4) and tri-iodothyrionine (fT3) levels of all patients were 0.005±0.21, 3.27± 1.81, 11.42±7.44, respectively. While 9 patients (group 2) underwent surgical therapy, had suspicious of malignant nodule or large goiter and unresponsiveness to medical treatment; the other patients (n=62, group 1) were treated with medical therapy. Patients with surgical therapy had more increased serum fT4 (p=0.045), anti-thyroglobulin value (p=0.018) and more severe graves orbitopathy (n=0.051) before treatment when compared to medical therapy group. Baseline Tpe duration and baseline Tpe/QTc ratio and frequency of supraventricular ectopic beats were found to be significantly higher in group 2 when compared to group 1 (p=0.00, p=0.005). Otherwise baseline mean heart rate, QRS duration, QTc values of both groups were similar. Although the patients became their euthyroid status, group 2 patients had still suffered from more sustained supraventricular ectopics beats than group 1. Conclusion: Distinct from medical treatment group, surgical treatment group with euthyroidism at least 3 months had still suffered from an arrhythmia (Tpe, Tpe/QTc, supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats).


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Giannotti Santoro ◽  
L Segreti ◽  
G Zucchelli ◽  
V Barletta ◽  
A Di Cori ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Managing elderly patients with infection or malfunction deriving from a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) may be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of mechanical transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in elderly patients. Methods Patients who had undergone TLE in single tertiary referral center were divided in two groups (Group 1: ≥80 years; group 2:&lt;80 years) and their acute and chronic outcomes were compared. All patients were treated with manual traction or mechanical dilatation. Results Our analysis included 1316 patients (group 1: 202, group 2: 1114 patients), with a total of 2513 leads extracted. Group 1 presented more comorbidities and more pacemakers, whereas the dwelling time of the oldest lead was similar, irrespectively of patient's age. In group 1 the radiological success rate for lead was higher (99.0% vs 95.9%; P&lt;0.001) and the fluoroscopy time lower (13.0 vs 15.0 minutes; P=0.04) than in group 2. Clinical success was reached in 1273 patients (96.7%), without significant differences between groups (group 1: 98.0% vs group 2: 96.4%; P=0.36). Major complications occurred in 10 patients (0.7%) without significative differences between patients with more or less than 80 years (group 1: 1.5% vs group 2: 0.6%; P=0.24). In the elderly group no in-hospital mortality occurred (0.0% vs 0.5%; P=0.42). Conclusions Mechanical TLE in elderly patients is a safe and effective procedure. In the over-80s, a comparable incidence of major complications with younger patients was observed, with at least a similar efficacy of the procedure and no procedural-related deaths. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


ABSTRACT:Objective:In many countries, neurosurgical care is concentrated in regional centres, which often necessitates the inter-hospital transfer of patients with head injury for optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of teleradiology in the management of head-injured patients when referred from a district general hospital to a tertiary neurosurgical centre.Methods:Prospective data were collected over a fifteen month period from March '95 to May '96. Head-injured patients referred without the facility of teleradiology (Group 1), were compared to similar patients referred with teleradiologie images (Group 2), with particular regard to therapeutic intervention before transfer and adverse events during transfer.Results:There were 28 patients in Group 1 and 35 in Group 2, of which 31 were transferred. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intracranial pathology. For patients transferred with teleradiology consultation (Group 2), therapeutic interventions were more (32.1% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.06), adverse events during transfer were significantly lower (6.4% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.01), and transfer time was reduced (72 vs. 80 minutes, p = 0.38). Four patients in Group 2 were treated by a mobile neurosurgical team at the referring hospital because of rapid clinical deterioration.Conclusion:Our findings indicate that teleradiology has an important role in improving inter-hospital management of head-injured patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (2) ◽  
pp. F192-F198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se Young Choi ◽  
Sangjun Yoo ◽  
Dalsan You ◽  
In Gab Jeong ◽  
Cheryn Song ◽  
...  

Partial nephrectomy aims to maintain renal function by nephron sparing; however, functional changes in the contralateral kidney remain unknown. We evaluate the functional change in the contralateral kidney using a diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) renal scan and determine factors predicting contralateral kidney function after partial nephrectomy. A total of 699 patients underwent partial nephrectomy, with a DTPA scan before and after surgery to assess the separate function of each kidney. Patients were divided into three groups according to initial contralateral glomerular filtration rate (GFR; group 1: <30 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2, group 2: 30–45 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2, and group 3: ≥45 ml·min−1·1.73 m−2). Multiple-regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with increased GFR of the contralateral kidney over a 4-yr postoperative period. Patients in group 1 had a higher mean age and hypertension history, worse American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and larger tumor size than in the other two groups. The ipsilateral GFR changes at 4 yr after partial nephrectomy were −18.9, −3.6, and 3.9% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, whereas the contralateral GFR changes were 10.8, 25.7, and 38.8%. Age [β: −0.105, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.213; −0.011, P < 0.05] and preoperative contralateral GFR (β: −0.256, 95% CI: −0.332; −0.050, P < 0.01) were significant predictive factors for increased GFR of the contralateral kidney after 4 yr. The contralateral kidney compensated for the functional loss of the ipsilateral kidney. The increase of GFR in contralateral kidney is more prominent in younger patients with decreased contralateral renal function.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakiru O Isa ◽  
Olajide Buhari ◽  
Hameem Changezi

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism increases the basal metabolic rate and affects most systems in the body. Patients with hyperthyroidism have been shown to have a higher incidence of ischemic stroke. There is a paucity of information regarding its effects on the short-term outcomes of patients admitted with ischemic stroke. Hypothesis: Hyperthyroidism is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes in patients admitted for ischemic stroke. Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample to identify adult patients(aged 18 and above) admitted for ischemic stroke between January 2011 and December 2014. We compared those with a history of hyperthyroidism (group 1) and thyrotoxicosis on admission (group 2) with the rest of the patients (group 3). The main outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included the length of hospital stay and cost of hospitalization. We used the logistic regression model and adjusted for baseline characteristics and co-morbidities. Results: There were 643,786 patients in the study, 0.44% had a history of hyperthyroidism, and 0.01% had thyrotoxicosis at the time of presentation. The odd of mortality in group 1 compared to group 3 was 0.89, 95% CI 0.75-1.05, p=0.16 while in group 2 compared to group 3, it was 2.42, 95% CI 1.29-4.52, p<0.006. The mean length of stay was also longer in group 2 with a mean difference of 8.06, 95% CI 4.74 - 11.39, p<0.0001. Conclusion: From the study, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between patients with previously diagnosed hyperthyroidism and those without diagnosed hyperthyroidism. Patients who had thyrotoxicosis on admission, on the other hand, had worse outcomes compared to patients without thyrotoxicosis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADEM KOSE

Abstract Background Irrational antibiotic use can adversely affect treatment outcomes or even lead to increased antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to determine antimicrobial prescribing habits and to evaluate the level of theoretical knowledge of rational antibiotic use and awareness about antimicrobial resistance among the senior students of medical faculty and the family physicians in Malatya province in Turkey. Methods This study was cross-sectional research and was carried out between dates of 01 February-30 April 2019, in Malatya province. Power analysis was calculated as minimum 240 participants when considering a proportion difference of 0.18 between the groups, a type I error of 0.05 and a type II error of 0.20. A total 225 senior students in Inonu University Medical Faculty (Group 1) and 230 actively-working family physicians in Malatya primary healthcare services who were found eligible (Group 2) were included in to this study. A questionnaire form was prepared including seven sections and thirty questions. All of the participants were interviewed face to face. Before the questions, the purpose of the study and the contents of the questions were explained to participants. Qualitative data were analyzed by Pearson chi-square test. A p<0.05 value was considered to be statistically significant. Results The group 1 had a tendency to apply to specialist physician when starting to themselves antibiotic treatment, they were more cautious when making antibiotic decision, and their theoretical knowledge level was better. They argued that penal sanctions could be more effective by developing strict use policies to raise awareness of resistance to antibiotics. The group 2 had higher self-confidence and it was also concluded that forgot their theoretical antibiotic knowledge over time and could not follow the novel information because of the intensity of working life. Both groups stated that post-graduation trainings could be used effectively for reducing the antibiotic resistance. Conclusion This study highlighted the need for immediate action of training and corrective actions and might create awareness to determine the difference in theoretical knowledge levels and behavior models of physicians before and after graduation and to reduce higher use rates to lower levels. Key words: Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic, awareness, rational use


Perfusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Tarola ◽  
Katie L. Losenno ◽  
Jill J. Gelinas ◽  
Philip M. Jones ◽  
Philip Fernandes ◽  
...  

Introduction: Aortic arch reconstruction under moderate hypothermia is commonly performed with antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) for brain protection; however, hypothermia alone is often solely relied upon for visceral and lower body protection. We investigated whether the addition of simultaneous lower body perfusion to ACP (whole body perfusion - WBP) may ameliorate the metabolic derangements of moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA). Methods: Between 2008 and 2014, 106 consecutive patients underwent elective or emergent aortic arch surgery with MHCA, with either ACP only (44 patients, 66±12 years, 30% female) or WBP (62 patients, 61±15 years, 31% female). Primary outcomes included 30-day/in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay (LOS) and specific parameters of metabolic recovery. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in 30-day/in-hospital mortality (ACP: 3 (6.8%), WBP: 2 (3.2%); p=0.65), stroke (ACP: 1 (2.3%), WBP: 1 (1.6%); p=1.0) or renal failure (ACP: 2 (4.5%), WBP: 1 (1.5%); p=0.57). In the WBP group, we identified a significant reduction in lactate level at ICU admission (ACP 5.5 vs. WBP 3.5 mmol/L; p=0.002), time to lactate normalization (p=0.014) and median ICU length-of-stay (ACP 3 vs. WBP 1 days; p=0.049). There was no difference in post-operative creatinine (ACP: 104, WBP: 107 μmol/L; p=0.66). After multivariable regression adjustment, perfusion strategy no longer remained an independent predictor of ICU discharge time (p=0.09), however, cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.02), age (p=0.012) and emergent surgery (p=0.02) were. Conclusions: A WBP strategy during aortic arch reconstruction with MHCA may be associated with more rapid normalization of metabolic parameters and reduced ICU length of stay compared to using ACP alone. Further evaluation with a randomized trial is warranted.


2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enkhtuvshin Gereltzul ◽  
Yoshiyuki Baba ◽  
Kimie Ohyama

Objective To investigate the eruption pattern of the cleft-side canine regarding its pre-eruption position relative to the cleft in bone-grafted (BG) and nongrafted (NonBG) patients with cleft lip and palate. Methods Fifty-three patients with cleft lip and palate (21 BG, 32 NonBG) were examined by panoramic radiography and posteroanterior cephalography taken before and after canine eruption. Subjects were categorized into BG, NonBG, and control groups. Canines at the pre-eruption stage were categorized as close to (group 1) or distant from (group 2) the cleft area. The canine angle and its change between the two stages were evaluated. Results No significant differences were noted between the initial canine angle of the BG and NonBG groups. Although canines in the BG group erupted without a significant change in angle, the canine angle increased significantly (p < .0001) in the NonBG and control groups. In group 1, a greater change in canine angle was noted in the NonBG (p < .05) and control (p < .01) groups than in the BG group. In group 2, no significant difference was noted among the three groups. Conclusions In BG patients, a canine located near the cleft appears to erupt at the same angle as it had before grafting. However, in NonBG patients, it erupts more vertically, guided by cortical bone. For canines distant from the cleft area, there is no significant difference in the change in angulation between NonBG and BG patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1108) ◽  
pp. 20190929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Sushentsev ◽  
Iztok Caglic ◽  
Evis Sala ◽  
Nadeem Shaida ◽  
Rhys A Slough ◽  
...  

Objective: To introduce capped biparametric (bp) MRI slots for follow-up imaging of prostate cancer patients enrolled in active surveillance (AS) and evaluate the effect on weekly variation in the number of AS cases and total MRI workload. Methods: Three 20 min bpMRI AS slots on two separate days were introduced at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. The weekly numbers of total prostate MRIs and AS cases recorded 15 months before and after the change (Groups 1 and 2, respectively). An intergroup variation in the weekly scan numbers was assessed using the coefficient of variance (CV) and mean absolute deviation; the Mann–Whitney U test was used for an intergroup comparison of the latter. Results: In AS patients, a shift from considerable to moderate variation in weekly scan numbers was observed between the two groups (CV, 51.7 and 26.8%, respectively); mean absolute deviation of AS scans also demonstrated a significant decrease in Group 2 (1.28 vs 2.58 in Group 1; p < 0.001). No significant changes in the variation in total prostate MRIs were observed, despite a 10% increased workload in Group 2. Conclusion: A significant reduction in weekly variation of AS cases was demonstrated following the introduction of capped bpMRI slots, which can be used for more accurate long-term planning of MRI workload. Advances in knowledge: The paper illustrates the potential of introducing capped AS MRI slots using a bp protocol to reduce weekly variation in demand and allow for optimising workflow, which will be increasingly important as the demands on radiology departments increase worldwide.


2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (2) ◽  
pp. R510-R519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanid Luksha ◽  
Henry Nisell ◽  
Natallia Luksha ◽  
Marius Kublickas ◽  
Kjell Hultenby ◽  
...  

We hypothesized that in preeclampsia (PE), contribution of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) and the mechanism/s of its action differ from that in normal pregnancy (NP). We aimed to assess endothelial function and morphology in arteries from NP and PE with particular focus on EDHF. Arteries (≈200 μm) were dissected from subcutaneous fat biopsies obtained from women undergoing cesarean section. With the use of wire myography, responses to the endothelium-dependent agonist bradykinin (BK) were determined before and after inhibition of pathways relevant to EDHF activity. The overall responses to BK in arteries from PE ( n = 13) and NP ( n = 17) were similar. However, in PE, EDHF-mediated relaxation was reduced ( P < 0.05). All women within the PE group were divided into two subgroups: with more ( group 1) or less ( group 2) than 50% reduction of EDHF-typed responses after 18-α-glycyrrhetinic acid (an inhibitor of myoendothelial gap junctions, MEGJs). The division showed that 1) MEGJs are principally involved when the EDHF contribution is reduced; and 2) when the EDHF contribution is similar to that in NP, the H2O2 and/or cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase products of arachidonic acid (AA), along with MEGJs, confer EDHF-mediated relaxation. In contrast, MEGJs were the main pathway for EDHF in NP. The abundant presence of MEGJs in arteries from NP but deficiency of them in PE was observed using transmission electron microscopy. We conclude that PE is associated with heterogeneous contribution of EDHF, and the mechanism behind EDHF-typed responses is mediated either by MEGJs alone or in combination with H2O2 or cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase metabolites of AA.


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