A survey and analysis of peri-operative quality indicators promoted by National Societies of Anaesthesiologists in Europe: The EQUIP project.

Background: To capture preventable peri-operative patient harm and guide improvement initiatives, many quality indicators (QIs) have been developed. Several National Anaesthesiologists Societies (NAS) in Europe have implemented quality indicators. To date, the definitions, validity and dissemination of such quality indicators, and their comparability with validated published indicators are unknown.

Factor XIII Measurement and Substitution in Trauma Patients after Admission to an Intensive Care Unit.

Trauma patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) may potentially experience a deficiency of coagulation factor thirteen (FXIII). In this retrospective cohort study conducted at a specialized trauma center, ICU patients were studied to determine the dependency of FXIII activity levels on clinical course and substitution with blood and coagulation products. A total of 189 patients with a median injury severity score (ISS) of 25 (16−36, IQR) were included.

Comparison of fresh frozen plasma vs. coagulation factor concentrates for reconstitution of blood: An in vitro study.

Background: Many trauma centres have adopted the administration of fixed ratios of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), platelet concentrates and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for bleeding patients. However, the haemostatic efficacy of this concept is not well proven.

Objective: Our objective was to characterise the haemostatic profile of different ratios (2 : 1 : 1, 1 : 1 : 1 and 1 : 1 : 2) of PRBCs, platelet concentrates and FFP in comparison with coagulation factor concentrates (fibrinogen and/or prothrombin complex concentrate).

Effect of Coagulation Factor Concentrates on Markers of Endothelial Cell Damage in Experimental Hemorrhagic Shock.

Background: Plasma-based resuscitation showed protective effects on the endothelial glycocalyx compared with crystalloid resuscitation. There is paucity of data regarding the effect of coagulation factor concentrates (CFC) on the glycocalyx in hemorrhagic shock (HS). We hypothesized that colloid-based resuscitation supplemented with CFCs offers a therapeutic value to treat endothelial damage following HS.

The impact of direct oral anticoagulants in traumatic brain injury patients greater than 60-years-old.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death among trauma patients. Patients under antithrombotic therapy (ATT) carry an increased risk for intracranial haematoma (ICH) formation. There is a paucity of data about the role of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among TBI patients.

Experimental Models of Endotheliopathy: Impact of Shock Severity.

Background: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) followed by resuscitation is often associated with sympathoadrenal activation (SAA) and endothelial damage (ED).

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of HS alone on the magnitude of SAA and consecutive ED, and to characterize potential targets for a standardized and reproducible model of HS-induced endotheliopathy in rats.

Methods: Rats were subjected either to a volume-controlled HS (40% of total blood volume: v-HS group) or to a laboratory-guided HS (l-HS) targeting base deficit (BD) more than 5.

Concentrated lyophilized plasma used for reconstitution of whole blood leads to higher coagulation factor activity but unchanged thrombin potential compared with fresh-frozen plasma.

Background: During massive hemorrhage, it is recommended to transfuse red blood cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh-frozen plasma in a ratio close to 1:1:1. To avoid the thawing process of fresh frozen plasma, lyophilized plasma (LP) is increasingly used. Evidence is limited on the activity of coagulation factors in reconstituted blood using LP and concentrated LP versions.

Potential role of platelet-leukocyte aggregation in trauma-induced coagulopathy: Ex vivo findings.

Background: Platelet dysfunction has been identified as an important contributor of trauma-induced coagulopathy, but the underlying mechanism still remains to be elucidated. Trauma-associated proinflammatory stimuli strongly activate leukocytes, which in turn bind activated platelets. Therefore, we investigated the role of platelet-leukocyte aggregation (PLA) as a potential feature of trauma-induced platelet dysfunction.

Platelet function in baboons and humans - A comparative study of whole blood using impedance platelet aggregometry (Multiplate®).

Background: Platelets play a pivotal role in coagulation, inflammation and wound healing. Suitable animal models that have the potential to mimic human platelet function are limited. The objective of the current study was to compare platelet aggregation response in the whole blood of baboons and humans using impedance aggregometry.

Fibrinogen levels in trauma patients during the first seven days after fibrinogen concentrate therapy: a retrospective study.

Background: Fibrinogen concentrate (FC) is increasingly used as first line therapy in bleeding trauma patients. It remains unproven whether FC application increases post-traumatic plasma fibrinogen concentration (FIB) in injured patients, possibly constituting a prothrombotic risk. Thus, we investigated the evolution of FIB following trauma in patients with or without FC therapy.

Effect of coagulation factor concentrate administration on ROTEM® parameters in major trauma.

Background: Purified coagulation factor concentrates, such as fibrinogen concentrate (FC) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) are increasingly used as haemostatic therapy for trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). The impact of FC and PCC administration on ROTEM parameters among patients with TIC has not been adequately investigated.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, changes to ROTEM parameters, induced by three different therapeutic interventions, were investigated: patients receiving FC only (FC-group); patients treated with FC and PCC (FC + PCC-group) and patients treated with PCC only (PCC-group).

Platelet function in reconstituted whole blood variants: An observational study over 5 days of storage time.

Background: Platelet concentrates (PCs) are usually stored at room temperature under constant gentle agitation. Risk of bacterial contamination limits maximum storage time to 5 days. The objective of the study was to investigate platelet function with regard to storage time in different reconstituted whole blood (RWB) variants.

Blood biochemical changes in pigs after infusion with acetate-buffered or lactate-buffered crystalloid solutions.

Perioperative fluid therapy is an important component of many medical procedures with animals. Buffered crystalloid solutions avoid inducing metabolic acidosis, but lactated solutions can elevate blood lactate concentrations and acetated solutions have not been thoroughly investigated using large animals. Here, the authors compare blood biochemical parameters in 20 juvenile pigs after perioperative fluid administration of an acetate-buffered solution (Elo-Mel isoton, EMI) or a lactate-buffered solution (lactated Ringer's solution, LRS).

Rapid measurement of fibrinogen concentration in whole blood using a steel ball coagulometer.

Background: Fibrinogen plays a key role in hemostasis and is the first coagulation factor to reach critical levels in bleeding patients. Current European guidelines on the management of traumatic or perioperative bleeding recommend fibrinogen supplementation at specific threshold levels. Whole blood viscoelastic tests provide fast evaluation of fibrin deficits.

Reducing mortality in acute kidney injury patients: systematic review and international web-based survey.

Objective: To identify all interventions that increase or reduce mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and to establish the agreement between stated beliefs and actual practice in this setting.

Design And Setting: Systematic literature review and international web-based survey.

Participants: More than 300 physicians from 62 countries.

Estimation of plasma fibrinogen levels based on hemoglobin, base excess and Injury Severity Score upon emergency room admission.

Introduction: Fibrinogen plays a key role in hemostasis and is the first coagulation factor to reach critical levels in massively bleeding trauma patients. Consequently, rapid estimation of plasma fibrinogen (FIB) is essential upon emergency room (ER) admission, but is not part of routine coagulation monitoring in many centers. We investigated the predictive ability of the laboratory parameters hemoglobin (Hb) and base excess (BE) upon admission, as well as the Injury Severity Score (ISS), to estimate FIB in major trauma patients.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials of effect of milrinone on mortality in cardiac surgery: an update.

Objective: The long-term use of milrinone is associated with increased mortality in chronic heart failure. A recent meta-analysis suggested that it might increase mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The authors conducted an updated meta-analysis of randomized trials in patients undergoing cardiac surgery to determine if milrinone impacted survival.

Randomized evidence for reduction of perioperative mortality.

Objective: With more than 220 million major surgical procedures performed annually, perioperative interventions leading to even minor mortality reductions would save thousands of lives per year. This international consensus conference aimed to identify all nonsurgical interventions that increase or reduce perioperative mortality as suggested by randomized evidence.

Design And Setting: A web-based international consensus conference.

Milrinone and mortality in adult cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The authors conducted a review of randomized studies to show whether there are any increases or decreases in survival when using milrinone in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design: A meta-analysis.

Setting: Hospitals.

Recombinant activated factor VII increases stroke in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is used in various surgical procedures to reduce the incidence of major blood loss and the need for re-exploration. Few clinical trials have investigated rFVIIa in cardiac surgery. The authors performed a meta-analysis focusing on the rate of stroke and surgical re-exploration.

Postoperative analgesia with remifentanil in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Remifentanil, a short-acting opioid, is commonly used in cardiac anesthesia. In this study we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of pain treatment and to determine the remifentanil dose necessary for adequate analgesia in tracheally extubated patients after cardiac surgery. Thirty patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included in this study.