[Dislocation of a catheter into the soft tissue/Suspected left pleural effusion].
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Catheters, Indwelling↗
Biomedical subjects
E Muhl
Publications and source records attributed to E Muhl.
[Delirium and intensive care unit syndrome].
Delirium and intensive care unit (ICU) syndrome are frequently seen postoperatively, especially in intensive care. Hospital mortality and complication rates are higher in patients with these disorders. Delirium is characterized by disturbance of consciousness and cognition and short development time. Drugs, drug withdrawal, and manifold metabolic syndromes may be causative. Knowledge of differential diagnosis and causality is essential for curative therapy. Drug therapy is recommended for the treatment of psychotic symptoms and vegetative disorders.
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium↗
Release of vancomycin and teicoplanin from a plasticized and resorbable gelatin sponge: in vitro investigation of a new antibiotic delivery system with glycopeptides.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sustained release of vancomycin and teicoplanin from a resorbable gelatin glycerol sponge, in order to establish a new delivery system for local anti-infective therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 plasticized glycerol gelatin sponges containing either 10 or 20% gelatin (w/v) were incubated in vancomycin or teicoplanin solution at 20 degrees C for either 1 or 24 h. In vitro release properties of the sponges were investigated over a period of 1 week by determining the levels of vancomycin and teicoplanin eluted in plasma using fluorescent polarization immunoassay. The rate constant and the half-life for the antibiotic release of each group were calculated by linear regression assuming first order kinetics. RESULTS: Presoaking for 24 h was associated with a significant increase in the total antibiotic release in all groups opposed to 1 h of incubation, except for the 10% sponges presoaked in teicoplanin. Doubling the gelatin content of the sponges from 10 to 20% significantly increased the total release of antibiotic load only in teicoplanin-containing sponges after 24 h incubation. In all corresponding groups investigated, release of vancomycin was more prolonged compared to teicoplanin, which allowed a gradual release beyond 5 days. The half-life (h +/- SEM) of both types of vancomycin-containing sponges was significantly prolonged by 24 h incubation in comparison to 1 h incubation (29.1 +/- 5.9 vs 5.9 +/- 1.0; p < 0.001, 30.0 +/- 2.1 vs 11.1 +/- 1.9; p < 0.001). However, neither doubling the gelatin content of the sponges nor a prolonged incubation was associated with a significantly prolonged delivery of teicoplanin. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a better diffusion-controlled release of vancomycin-impregnated glycerol gelatin sponges compared to those pretreated with teicoplanin. The plasticized glycerol gelatin sponge may be a promising carrier for the application of vancomycin to infected wounds for local anti-infective therapy.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy of intubated patients with life-threatening hemoptysis.
Bleeding in the tracheobronchial tree in intubated patients on an intensive care unit is a potentially life-threatening incident. The antecedent state of disease and frequent respiratory failure require immediate and effective therapeutic measures to avoid further respiratory and cardiocirculatory depression. We present our bronchoscopic management of endobronchial bleeding. Cardiorespiratory function must be maintained by modification of the mechanical ventilation and drug therapy owing to the patient's condition. Seven consecutive patients with acute endobronchial bleeding were treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy and instillation of cold epinephrine-saline solution (1:10,000-100,000) during the period of July 1997 to December 1997. Control of bleeding was achieved after 1 to 20 (mean +/- SEM: 5.86 +/- 0.93) bronchoscopic interventions during a period of 0.5 hours to 10 days. One control bronchoscopy was performed additionally in every patient. Cardiocirculatory instability was observed in five patients. Six patients survived; one patient died of uncontrolled bleeding caused by severe pulmonary aspergillosis. Fiberoptic endobronchial epinephrine instillation is an effective therapy for life-threatening hemoptysis in critically ill patients. Widespread use of flexible bronchoscopy makes this procedure immediately applicable in critical situations. Intubated and mechanically ventilated patients with life-threatening hemoptysis especially benefit from this rapidly feasible procedure.
Aged↗
Alternative shift models and the quality of patient care. An empirical study in surgical intensive care units.
UNLABELLED: On 1 January 1996, the German Arbeitszeitgesetz (working-time regulation) came into effect for hospital physicians. It states that working hours must not exceed 8 h per day, even for physician in hospitals. As a consequence, the prevalent two-shift model is legally inadmissible. The intention of this law is to protect the physician and to create better conditions for the patients. However, a systematic evaluation of the postulated benefits is still lacking. AIM: The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of the length of daily working hours on the quality of patient care by measuring the outcome of patients in intensive care units (ICUs), comparing the two-shift model (2-SM)--two 12-h shifts--with the three-shift model (3-SM)--three 8-h shifts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective multicenter study, we compared the outcome of patients in six ICUs (organized by surgeons) with different models of working hours. The health status of each patient and the course on ICU [described by hospital mortality, number of complications, readmission to the ICU, reinterventions, duration of the stay in an ICU and hospital, the course of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score] were uni- and multivariately analyzed. In addition, the technical and personnel resources of the ICUs and the hospitals were documented. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty seven patients (103 2-SM, 244 3-SM) were included. The epidemiological and the health status on admission to the ICU were comparable. Patients in the 3-SM stayed 1.6 days longer on ICU and 2.3 days longer in the hospital than the 2-SM patients. The frequency of complications, reinterventions, and readmissions to ICU was higher in the 3-SM. The median of the APACHE-II score decreased more for 2-SM than for 3-SM patients. This means a significantly quicker recovery of the patients in 2-SM (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis with individual outcome measures as dependent variables revealed a significant positive effect of the 2-SM on the physicians' assessment of postoperative course, on the relative frequency of therapeutic procedures, and to a lesser extent on the duration of stay in the ICU.
APACHE↗
Influence of continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration and continuous veno-venous haemofiltration on the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the elimination of fluconazole by continuous veno-venous haemodiafiltration (CVVHD) and continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) at different dosages. INTERVENTION: Patients received doses of 400 mg (n=3), 600 mg (n=1) or 800 mg (n=2) fluconazole as a short-time infusion once a day. Patients underwent CVVHD the first day and CVVH the second day. CVVHD and CVVH were performed using an acrylonitrile hollow-fibre filter at a constant blood flow of 90 ml/min and a substitution flow of 1000 ml/h (predilution). During CVVHD, the dialysate flow was 1000 ml/h. Ultrafiltration rates were 1158+/-90.5 ml/h during CVVHD and 1167+/-81.6 ml/h. Serum and ultrafiltrate/dialysate concentrations of fluconazole were determined on nine occasions over 24 h. PARTICIPANTS: Six critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF) and serious fungal infection. RESULTS: Extracorporeal clearance (CVVHD 30.5+/-6.0 ml/min, CVVH 17.5+/-4.0 ml/min) and total clearance of fluconazole (CVVHD 37.9+/-4.4 ml/min, CVVH 25.3+/-6.5 ml/min) were significantly higher during CVVHD (P < 0.05). During CVVHD, the sieving coefficient (S(CVVHD)) was 0.88 (range 0.54-1) and the elimination half-life (t1/2) was 14.8-35.1 h. During CVVH, the S(CVVH) was 0.96 (range 0.56-1.02) and t1/2 was 24.0-51.6 h. CONCLUSIONS: A daily dosage of 400-800 mg fluconazole is recommended in the treatment of life-threatening fungal infections in critically ill patients undergoing CVVHD since the clearance of CVVHD may considerably exceed the clearance in patients with normal renal function, which is about 20 ml/min. Drug monitoring is highly recommended for these patients.
Acute Kidney Injury↗
[Invasive aspergillosis on a surgical intensive care unit].
From 1-1-1995 until 1-3-2000 4777 patients were treated in a surgical intensive care unit. 12 patients (10 male/2 female, mean age 58 years) suffered from invasive aspergillosis. One patient had a purulent descending mediastinitis with evidence of Aspergillus fumigatus in the mediastinum and in both pleural cavities. One patient got a right upper lobectomie in cause of an aspergilloma. In 10 patients a broncho-alveolar aspergillosis was proved by at least two cultures from broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsies. All our patients had a mean of 12.8 risk factors for systemic mycoses. The patients suffered from following underlying diseases: 3 x carcinoma of the esophagus (chemotherapy + radiation), 2 x ulcerative colitis, 1 x rupture of the aorta with insufficiency of the liver, 1 x acute leucosis and 1 x purulent mediastinitis. The therapy was based on infusion with amphotericin B up to 1.5 mg/kg/day in combination with flucytosine or itraconazole. In 4 patients inhalation of amphotericin B aerosol was applied. After therapeutic failure of amphotericin B-therapy 3 patients got voriconazole according to a study protocol. 10 patients died, 7 of them from their underlying disease.
Adult↗
High incidence of active cytomegalovirus infection among septic patients.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of disease in immunocompromised patients. In a prospective longitudinal study of 34 septic patients, the incidence of active CMV infection was examined. Eleven of 34 patients (32.4%) had active CMV infection, diagnosed by immunocytochemical staining of CMV pp65 antigen in blood leukocytes and/or detection of CMV DNA by PCR. Positive results for CMV infection were obtained in a median of 4 days (by PCR) or 11 days (by staining of pp65 antigen) after onset of sepsis. Twenty patients for whom more than one sample was examined were selected for further analysis. Among the patients with active CMV infection (nine of 20) there was a trend toward higher median values of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in plasma, in comparison with the values for patients without CMV infection. Sepsis in patients with CMV infection may affect outcome of the disease.
Antibodies, Viral↗
[Kinetic therapy within the scope of treating septic surgical patients].
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Adult↗
[Blunt thoracic trauma--therapeutic relevance of results of roentgen image, ultrasound and computerized tomography].
In 60 patients with severe thoracic trauma the diagnostic procedures--X-ray of the chest, sonography and thoracic computed tomography (CT)--were reviewed for their incidence of finding all injuries. X-ray of the chest often failed to detect lung contusion and injuries in the mediastinal space. Four of five ruptures of the diaphragm were incidental findings on the occasion of laparotomy because of intraabdominal bleeding.
APACHE↗
[Women physicians in a surgical university clinic 1980 to 1996].
From 1980 to 1996 214 male and 51 female physicians were employed at the Department of Surgery of the University Hospital of Lübeck (Germany). The percentage of female surgeons increased from 13% in 1980 to 20% in 1996. Nowerdays female surgeons more often succeed in becoming a specialist, a ward physician or senior physician. Female physicians often quit their job in surgery because of reasons in their family background (child care, change of place of their husband's job).
Career Choice↗
[Electronic data processing of patient performance assessment and nursing care documentation on the surgical intensive care unit].
A software was created that picks up the attainments and procedures of a surgical intensive care unit on a computer to control and handle the processes and operations. After the data have been obtained, they are used for science and for the controlling department to establish what costs are incurred for a patient.
APACHE↗
Local application of vancomycin for prophylaxis of graft infection: release of vancomycin from antibiotic-bonded Dacron grafts, toxicity in endothelial cell culture, and efficacy against graft infection in an animal model.
Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis cause an increasing number of prosthetic infections. This prompted us to test the uptake of vancomycin in various graft materials in vitro, its influence on graft healing, and its efficacy against graft infection in pigs. Incubation of six different Dacron graft materials in a vancomycin solution (20 gm/L) was performed. Grafts were then placed in plasma, and samples were taken over 72 hours to determine vancomycin levels. Release of vancomycin ranged from 775 micrograms/cm2 to 3691 micrograms/cm2 after 1 hour of incubation. Gelatin-covered grafts increased release of vancomycin fourfold when incubation time was extended to 24 hours: uncovered grafts or the collagen-covered graft did not. Graft healing was not complicated when a vancomycin-bonded, gelatin-impregnated Dacron graft was implanted to replace the common femoral artery in pigs. Four weeks after implantation, histologic examination revealed normal development of neointima and perigraft scar tissue in the vancomycin-treated (n = 4) and untreated (n = 5) grafts. To test the efficacy of local vancomycin against graft infection, grafts were implanted in the groin of pigs and contaminated with 2 x 10(7) colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus. Four weeks after implantation, all grafts were infected in the untreated group (n = 6), with abscess, nonincorporated graft, and detection of S. aureus from the graft. In the treatment group (n = 6) vancomycin was added to the contaminated grafts. As a carrier for the vancomycin, we used a resorbable gelatin-glycerol foam. All grafts healed without infection. The difference between the treated and untreated groups is statistically significant (p < 0.05). We conclude that it may be effective to prevent graft infection with local application of vancomycin if an in situ replacement of infected graft (infected by gram-positive bacteria) is necessary or if there is a high risk of infection by methicillin-resistant- staphylococci.
Animals↗
[Costs and time savings by dilatation tracheotomy with bronchoscopic control].
Forty-seven patients underwent dilatational tracheostomy with bronchoscopic support. Bronchoscopic support during the procedure prevents perforation of the dorsal wall of the trachea and reveals any bleeding into the trachea. Complications intra- and postoperatively have not been seen as yet (follow-up up to 1 year). Duration of the procedure was 8 min versus 30 min for the conventional tracheostomy (mean values).
Bronchoscopy↗
[Acute renal failure in critically ill elderly patients--a reason to dispense with therapy?].
846 patients on a surgical intensive care unit (436 patients over 70 years old = group I, 410 patients up to 70 years old = group II) were included in a prospective study of incidence, mortality and reversibility of acute renal failure (ARV). APACHE II-Score showed no differences (17.5 in group I and 15 in group II), but a preexisting renal insufficiency was seen in 18.1% in group I and in 7% in group II (p < 0.05). Incidence of acute renal failure (group I 7.3%, group II 8.3%) and mortality of patients with ARV (group I 18.7%, group II 17.6%) was comparable in both groups.
APACHE↗
[Improved technique of dilatation tracheostomy and initial results].
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a simple bedside procedure and can be performed with a minimum of time and staff. Tears in the posterior wall of the trachea and paratracheal displacement of the tube are possible complications. These complications can be avoided by performing the procedure under bronchoscopic control. We report on 14 dilatational tracheostomies using this new technique. As a severe complication we noted bleeding from a vein with lethal blood aspiration in one case. Bleeding during dilatational tracheostomy procedure requires changing of technique and dissection of the anterior wall of the trachea.
Bronchoscopes↗
[Desobliteration of the external carotid artery within the scope of surgical reconstruction of internal carotid artery stenoses--open versus endoluminal TEA].
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Aged↗
[Acute arterial thrombosis: diagnosis and surgical therapy].
There is an increasing frequency of acute ischemic occlusion due to arterial thrombosis; the incidence has a range from 17% to 60%. In contrast to embolism we can observe a prolonged therapy less interval due to a lesser dramatic clinical course; in thrombotic occlusion only 10% can be treated within 6 h after onset of symptoms. In 11 to 93% of all cases extensive and comprehensive surgical techniques have to be performed for limb salvage. Nevertheless this aim only can be achieved in 60-84%.
Diagnosis, Differential↗