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K Karkouti

Publications and source records attributed to K Karkouti.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

A multivariable model for predicting the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing first-time elective coronary bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of blood transfusion in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains high. Preoperative identification of those at high risk for requiring blood will allow for the cost-effective use of some blood conservation modalities. Multivariable analysis techniques were used in this study to develop a prediction rule for such a purpose. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were prospectively collected for all patients undergoing elective first-time CABG surgery from January 1997 to September 1998 at a tertiary-care teaching hospital (n = 1007). The prediction rule was developed on the first two-thirds of the sample by using logistic regression methods to examine the relationship of patient demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative Hb with perioperative blood transfusion. The remaining one-third of the sample was used to validate the rule. RESULTS: The transfusion rate was 29.4 percent. The prediction rule included preoperative Hb (g/dL, OR 0.928, p<0.0001), weight (kg, OR 0.938, p<0.0001), age (years, OR 1.037, p<0.01), and sex (male/female, OR 0.493, p<0.01); receiver operating characteristic = 0.86. When externally validated, the rule had a sensitivity of 82.1 percent and a specificity of 63.6 percent (at a selected probability cutoff). CONCLUSION: A simple and valid prediction rule is developed for predicting the risk of blood transfusion in patients undergoing first-time elective CABG surgery.

Aged↗

Predicting difficult intubation: a multivariable analysis.

PURPOSE: To develop a clinically useful and valid model for predicting difficult laryngoscopic tracheal intubation in patients with seemingly normal airways by adhering to the principles of multivariable model development. METHODS: This was an observational study performed at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Preoperatively, 444 randomly selected patients requiring tracheal intubation for elective surgery were assessed. In addition, 27 patients in whom tracheal intubation was difficult, but were not assessed preoperatively, were assessed postoperatively. One assessor, blinded to the intubation information, collected the predictor variables. A reliable definition for difficult intubation was used and all attempts were made to eliminate sources of bias. Multivariable modeling was performed using logistic regression and the model was validated using the bootstrapping technique. RESULTS: Of the 461 patients included in the analysis, 38 were classified as difficult to intubate. Multivariable analysis identified three airway tests that were highly significant for predicting difficult tracheal intubation. These were: 1) "mouth opening", 2) "chin protrusion", and 3) "atlanto-occipital extension". Using these tests, a validated, highly reliable and predictive model is produced to determine the probability of difficult intubation for patients. At a selected probability cut-off value, the model is 86.8% sensitive and 96.0% specific. CONCLUSION: A simple and accurate multivariable model, consisting of three airway tests, is produced for predicting difficult laryngoscopic tracheal intubation. Additional studies will be required to determine the accuracy and feasibility of this model when applied to a large sample of new patients by multiple anesthesiologists.

Adult↗

Inter-observer reliability of ten tests used for predicting difficult tracheal intubation.

PURPOSE: To determine inter-observer reliability of ten preoperative airway assessment tests used for predicting difficult tracheal intubation. METHOD: We prospectively assessed 59 patients undergoing elective surgery requiring tracheal intubation at a large metropolitan teaching hospital. Two experienced observers independently conducted the airway assessment tests on the same group of patients. Inter-observer reliability was examined using Kappa (K) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Two tests--mouth opening (ICC = 0.93) and chin protrusion (ICC = 0.89)--had excellent inter-observer reliability. Seven tests--thyromental distance (ICC - 0.74), subluxation (K = 0.66), atlanto-occipital extension distance (ICC = 0.67) and angle (K = 0.66), profile classification (K = 0.58), ramus length (ICC = 0.53), oropharyngeal best view (K = 0.49)--were moderately reliable. One test--Mallampati technique of assessing oropharyngeal view (K = 0.31)--had poor reliability. CONCLUSION: Many of the preoperative airway tests have only moderate inter-observer reliability. This may provide some insight into why previous research has failed to show that the tests accurately predict difficult tracheal intubation.

Atlanto-Occipital Joint↗