Prophylaxis of complications in operations for cancer of middle and lower thirds of the esophagus

Objective. Improvement of the surgical treatment results in esophageal cancer. Маterials and methods. Results of surgical treatment of 43 patients, having cancer of middle and lower thirds of the esophagus, were analyzed. Lewis operation was performed in 38 patients, and Garlock operation – in 5. Circular suture stapler with second row of a П-like manual sutures was applied in 28 patients. In 15 patients anastomosis was formatted, using hand-sewn two-row suture. The method of anastomosing choice had depended upon local and general factors: the tumor localization, the esophageal wall changes in anastomotic site, degree of the water-electrolyte disorders, the protein balance, concurrent pathology. Prophylaxis of postoperative morbidity consisted of preoperative correction of laboratory indices, treatment of concurrent pathology, choice of the anastomosis formation method, postoperative intensive therapy. Results. Postoperative complications had occurred in 1 (2.3%) patient. Mostly frequent postoperative complication after resection for esophageal cancer constitute insufficiency of esophago-gastric anastomosis, which occurs under impact of general and local factors. General factors: disorders of the blood circulation, caused by cardiac insufficiency, hypoxia due to pulmonary insufficiency, coagulopathy, disorders of the protein and water-electrolyte metabolism. Reduction of influence of general factors on the postoperative morbidity occurrence was achieved using the intensive preoperative preparation conduction. Conclusion. The postoperative morbidity prevention turns effective while its accomplishment on all stages of treatment: during preoperative preparation, intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Clinical pharmacist assessment of drug-related problems among intensive care unit patients in a Turkish university hospital

Background Critically ill patients treated in the intensive care units (ICUs) often suffer from side effects and drug-related problems (DRPs) that can be life-threatening. A way to prevent DRPs and improve drug safety and efficacy is to include clinical pharmacists in the clinical team. This study aims to evaluate the classification of drug-related problems and the implementation of clinical pharmacy services by a clinical pharmacist in the ICU of a university hospital in Turkey. Methods This study was carried out prospectively between December 2020 and July 2021 in Gazi University Medical Faculty Hospital Internal Diseases ICU. All patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit for more than 24 h were included in the study. During the study, the clinical pharmacist's interventions and other clinical services for patients were recorded. DRPs were classed according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe V.8.02. Results A total of 151 patients were included during the study period corresponding to 2264 patient-days. Patients with DRPs had a longer hospital stay and a higher mortality rate (p < 0.05). 108 patients had at least one DRP and the total number of DRPs was 206. There was an average of 1.36 DRPs per patient, 71.5% of patients experienced DRP and 89.22 DRPs per 1000 patient-days. A total of 35 ADEs were observed in 32 patients. ADE incidence was per 1000 patient-days 15.45. ADEs were caused by nephrotoxicity (48.57%), electrolyte disorders (17.14%), drug-induced thrombocytopenia (17.14%), liver enzyme increase (8.57%) and other causes (8.57%). Drug selection (40.29%) and dose selection (54.36%) constituted most of the causes of DRPs. Dose change was the highest percentage of planned interventions with a rate of 56.79%. Intervention was accepted at a rate of 90.8% and it was fully implemented. Conclusion In this study, the importance of the clinical pharmacist in the determination and analysis of DRPs was emphasized. Clinical pharmacy services like the one described should be implemented widely to increase patient safety.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN ELECTROLYTE PARAMETERS IN WOMEN DURING IN VITRO FERTILIZATION PROGRAM

Aim of the research. To determine the concentration of basic plasma electrolytes in women in in vitro fertilization program who received more individualized medication correction on the basis of determination the clinical and pathogenetic role of disorders of the neuroendocrine regulation of water-salt metabolism, as well as to study data of the modern methods of prevention and correction of electrolyte disorders. Research materials. 110 patients in vitro fertilization program were examined. Conclusions. Thus, when using standard protocols for ovulation stimulation in in vitro fertilization program patients are more prone to have potassium and sodium imbalance. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was detected only in patients of the main group with the standard ovulation induction protocols. This syndrome was not observed in patients receiving the combination therapy.

Clinical and subclinical characteristics of brain-dead donors for liver transplantation in Viet Duc University Hospital

Since 2010, 49 cases of liver transplants from brain-dead donors were performed at Viet Duc University Hospital. This study is a descriptive cross-section cohort study with a combined analysis of retrospective and prospective occurrences of a series of cases of liver procurement from brain-dead donors in Viet Duc University Hospital from March 2010 to March 2020. The results of this study showed several features: the average age of the brain-dead donors was 29.8±10.9 (18-69), donors were mostly male (7.17/1, 87.8%), and the main cause of brain death was head trauma. Clinically, 40.8 and 63.3% of the subjects were hypothermic and diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, however, the subjects were all well resuscitated before procurement. Therefore, haemodynamic indices and temperatures were maintained at stable levels and there was no statistically significant difference. In subclinical aspects, haemoglobin and platelet levels decreased significantly but remained within the target criteria during resuscitation while blood sodium levels increased significantly during resuscitation when compared with levels at the time of admission (p<0.001) thus corresponding to diabetes insipidus. In general, 44.90% of donors were within the ideal standard, and in the extended standard group, the highest rate was electrolyte disorders (32.65%). In conclusion, there are many variations in clinical and paraclinical body signs as well as homeostasis in the brain-dead donors. Of these signs, the most prominent were changes in haemodynamics, temperature, urine output, complete blood count, blood clotting, and blood sodium levels. These are all factors that are included in the criteria to consider the selection of a liver donor.

Kidney Tubular Damage Secondary to Deferasirox: Systematic Literature Review

Deferasirox is a first-line therapy for iron overload that can sometimes cause kidney damage. To better define the pattern of tubular damage, a systematic literature review was conducted on the United States National Library of Medicine, Excerpta Medica, and Web of Science databases. Twenty-three reports describing 57 individual cases could be included. The majority (n = 35) of the 57 patients were ≤18 years of age and affected by thalassemia (n = 46). Abnormal urinary findings were noted in 54, electrolyte or acid–base abnormalities in 46, and acute kidney injury in 9 patients. Latent tubular damage was diagnosed in 11 (19%), overt kidney tubular damage in 37 (65%), and an acute kidney injury in the remaining nine (16%) patients. Out of the 117 acid–base and electrolyte disorders reported in 48 patients, normal-gap metabolic acidosis and hypophosphatemia were the most frequent. Further abnormalities were, in decreasing order of frequency, hypokalemia, hypouricemia, hypocalcemia, and hyponatremia. Out of the 81 abnormal urinary findings, renal glucosuria was the most frequent, followed by tubular proteinuria, total proteinuria, and aminoaciduria. In conclusion, a proximal tubulopathy pattern may be observed on treatment with deferasirox. Since deferasirox-associated kidney damage is dose-dependent, physicians should prescribe the lowest efficacious dose.

Viral Encephalitis In Adults: A Narrative Review

: Viral infections of the central nervous system cause frequent hospitalization. The pathogenesis of viral encephalitis involves both the direct action of invading pathogens and the damage generated by the inflammatory reaction they trigger. The type of signs and symptoms presented by the patient depends on the severity and location of the ongoing inflammatory process. Most of the viral encephalitides are characterized by an acute development, fever, variable alterations in consciousness (confusion, lethargy, even coma), seizures (focal and generalized) and focal neurologic signs. The specific diagnosis of encephalitis is usually based on lumbar puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid examination should be performed in all patients unless absolutely contraindicated. Also, electroencephalogram and neuroimaging play a prominent role in diagnosis. Airway protection, ventilatory support, the management of raised intracranial pressure and correction of electrolyte disorders must be immediately considered in a patient with altered mental status. The only therapy strictly recommended is acyclovir in HSV encephalitis. The use of adjunctive glucocorticoids has poor-quality evidence in HSV, EBV, or VZV encephalitis. The role of antiviral therapy in other types of viral encephalitis is not well defined.

Concurrent central diabetes insipidus and cerebral salt wasting disease in a post-operative case of craniopharyngioma: a case report

Background Water and electrolyte disorders commonly encountered in children post-surgery involving hypothalamus and posterior pituitary, are central diabetes insipidus, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone and cerebral salt wasting disease. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate management of such cases may lead to worsened neurological outcomes with a high mortality rate. Case presentation Here we report the case of a 7-year-old girl who underwent surgical resection of a craniopharyngioma, following which she initially developed central diabetes insipidus. However, later on in the course of her illness she developed symptomatic hyponatremia with natriuresis which was diagnosed to be due to cerebral salt wasting disease. This combination of central diabetes insipidus and cerebral salt wasting syndrome is a rare occurrence and poses a diagnostic challenge. Diagnosis and management can be even more difficult when these conditions precede or coexist with each other. Conclusion In such cases development of hyponatremia should always prompt consideration of unusual causes like cerebral salt wasting disease in addition to the classically described syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone. Hence, a thorough knowledge of these disorders along with intensive monitoring of fluid and sodium status is critical for timely diagnosis and management of these patients.

Electrolyte Disturbances and Acid-Base Imbalance

Electrolyte disorders are among the most common clinical problems encountered in critically ill patients. Disorders such as severe burns, trauma, sepsis, acute brain injury, and heart failure lead to disturbances in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis through complex mechanisms involving deregulation or activation of hormonal systems and ischemic or nephrotoxic kidney injury. Inappropriate fluid management should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of electrolyte disturbances in patients in intensive care units. Electrolyte imbalances produce both central and peripheral neurologic dysfunction because electrochemical membrane potentials in brain, nerve, and muscle tissues are particularly sensitive to chemical, ionic, and osmolar shifts.