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Biomedical subjects

K Taeger

Publications and source records attributed to K Taeger.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Tumor cells in blood shed from the surgical field.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze blood shed from the surgical field during oncologic surgery for tumor cells and to assess functional characteristics of these cells. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Series of 61 patients with cancer who underwent surgery for an abdominal, orthopedic, urological, gynecological, or head and neck malignant tumor, and blinded comparison with 15 patients with benign diseases undergoing surgery. SETTING: A 500-bed tumor center and a tertiary care hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor cells were isolated from intraoperatively salvaged and washed blood by density gradient centrifugation. They were identified in cytospin specimens by their content of cytokeratins and nucleolar organizer regions with a sensitivity of 10 cells in 500 mL of blood. Clonogenicity was tested in a cell colony assay; invasiveness, in Boyden chambers; and tumorigenicity, in nude mice. RESULTS: In 57 of 61 patients, tumor cells were detected in the blood shed during oncologic surgery. They demonstrated proliferation capacity, invasiveness, and tumorigenicity. The total number of tumor cells identified ranged from 1 x 10(1) to 7 x 10(6), with no close correlation to the amount of blood loss. Circulating tumor cells were demonstrated in only 26% of these patients and in small numbers. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant cells identified regularly in the blood shed during tumor surgery and different from circulating tumor cells are of concern, since at the surgical site they may cause local tumor recurrence, or in the salvaged blood they may cause hematogenic metastasis after retransfusion. Therefore, the contraindication of intraoperative autotransfusion in tumor surgery is strongly supported, and a review of surgical procedures and adjuvant therapy may be indicated, as the passage of the identified cells to the shed blood is yet unknown.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

[Comparison of APACHE-II AND APACHE-III for classification of disease severity of intensive care patients].

The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation model (APACHE II, APACHE III) is used to describe the severity of illness and predict the outcome in critically ill patients. APACHE III, introduced in 1991, has not yet been validated in Europe. We calculated APACHE II and APACHE III scores in patients after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and compared the prognostic value on hospital mortality. METHOD. One hundred fifty patients with stay of over 24 h were enrolled in the study and prospectively and consecutively investigated. APACHE II and III scores were calculated as described by the authors. The mean and median values of the survivors were compared with the non-surviving group (Mann-Whitney U test). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC analysis) and the areas under the ROC curves were plotted. RESULTS. Of the 150 patients, 34 died during their hospital stay (22.7%). The mean and median APACHE II and III scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the non-surviving group. The area under the ROC curve was higher for APACHE III (0.899) compared to APACHE II (0.847). CONCLUSIONS. APACHE II and APACHE III were both found to have good prognostic value in general ICU patients. Our results suggest that the APACHE III version includes a more precise prediction of hospital mortality than APACHE II. A new aspect of APACHE III is an expanded modification of the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess neurologic derangements.

APACHE↗

[Nitrous oxide exposure to personnel in a recovery room with modern climate control].

Epidemiologic studies have shown that trace concentrations of inhalation anaesthetics polluting the air of operating theatres could have deleterious effects on the personnel's health. Nitrous oxide (N2O) oxidises vitamin B12 and thus decreases DNA production by inactivation of methionine synthase. Therefore, the United States and most European health authorities recommend threshold values to protect against potential health risks. These values range from 25 to 100 ppm, expressed as time-weighted averages (TWA). There is a lack of data concerning measurements of trace concentrations under defined conditions. The aim of this study was to quantify levels of N2O in a recovery room (RR) with an air conditioning system. METHODS. Trace concentrations of N2O were determined in the main RR of the University Hospital of Regensburg (Germany). Measurements were taken for 5 days from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Trace concentrations of N2O were measured directly by means of a highly sensitive photoacoustic infrared spectrometry analyser. The lower detection limit was 0.03 ppm. Samples of room air were taken continuously from six different places in the recovery room, five of which had a distance of 50 cm to the patients' heads. One point represented the nurses' desk 5 m away from the patients. TWAs were calculated for each day and location. RESULTS. All values were below 5 ppm TWA at each location. Typical TWA (range) values recorded at day 2 were for point 1:3.5 ppm (0.4-8.9), point 2:3.2 (0.5-7.3), point 3:3.0 (0.5-5.4), point 4:3.7 (0.5-21.2), point 5:3.2 (0.6-6.6), and at the nurses' desk 3.3 (0.5-6.3). Peak concentrations of nearly 25 ppm were reached for at least 10 min. Significant differences between the days and locations could not be found (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSION. Exposure to N2O in a climatised RR is determined by several factors: (1) efficacy of air conditioning, with 10.7 changes per hour without recirculation; (2) recovery room size; (3) transport of the patients takes about 15 min, during which some quantities of N2O leave the patient; and (4) high numbers of patients staying 2 and more hours in the recovery room and exhaling smaller concentrations of N2O into the room air. Because of these factors, all measured values are significantly below the standard international threshold values. Under other conditions of room design, such as ventilation and size, measured values may be higher.

Air Conditioning↗

[Severe legionellosis after abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs--diagnostic and intensive care aspects based on a case report].

Legionella infections are getting increasingly important as causes of severe pneumonias or of acute respiratory insufficiency. Consumptive or immunosuppressive underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiac insufficiency, alcohol-induced liver damage, malignant tumours or drug-induced immunosuppression after organ transplantation, are among the risk factors. Diagnosis is based on direct identification of the pathogen from body secretions by means of direct immunofluorescence. The serological immunoresponse often takes place long after outbreak of the disease or fails entirely to appear and is therefore only suitable for retrospective confirmation. Therapy of choice is an intravenous administration of erythromycin. There are now increasing pointers to the efficiency of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin. We report on the course of a severe case of legionnaire's disease with multiple organ failure occurring in a patient after bone marrow depression induced by anti-inflammatory drugs. Treatment erythromycin resulted in a marked cholestasis, so that antibiotic treatment was changed to ciprofloxacin. This therapy as well as the supportive intensive-care treatment eventually led to the patient's complete recovery. Based on the case report, fundamental aspects of diagnostics, antibiotic treatment, intensive-care treatment and prognosis of severe cases of legionellosis are discussed.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Is the transfusion requirement predictable in critically ill patients after admission to the intensive care unit?

OBJECTIVE: In intensive care medicine the clinical decision to order and transfuse red blood cells (RBC) is usually based on hematocrit or hemoglobin levels. The intention of this study was to investigate whether clinical or laboratory variables, taken after the admission of patients to the intensive care unit (ICU), are able to predict the transfusion requirement of the following 72 h. DESIGN: The values of initially measured systolic blood pressure, hematocrit level, and the values of 2 scores of severity of disease (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE-II], Mortality Prediction Model [MPM]) were calculated after the admission of patients to the ICU. The decision for transfusion was based on specific criteria. The median values of the scores, those of the variables, and the median number of transfused RBC units of the surviving group were compared to the values of the group of patients who died during hospital stay. The quantity of RBC transfusions was compared to the variables and score values by linear regression analysis. Additionally, the values of the patients who did not receive blood transfusion were compared to those of patients who required RBC. Furthermore, the patient group with neurosurgical diseases was compared to the group without neurosurgical diseases. PATIENTS: 117 patients were prospectively and consecutively investigated in an 8-bed ICU of a university hospital. RESULTS: Nonsurvivors required significantly more units of RBC during the first 72 h (p < 0.05). Patients who did not require transfusion had a higher hematocrit and a lower APACHE-II value at admission (p < 0.001). In the MPM values no differences were found. Patients with neurosurgical diseases had a higher initial hematocrit value, and they required less units of RBC in comparison to patients without neurosurgical diseases. In the analysis of linear regression neither in the initially measured systolic blood pressure nor in the APACHE-II and MPM we found a strong linear correlation to the quantity of blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: A hematocrit value < or = 20% and a APACHE-II score > or = 20 at the time of admission to the ICU referred to a demand for blood transfusion. We believe that these parameters are useful as predictive instruments. The initially measured systolic blood pressure had no prognostic capacity. In the individual patient a number of factors should be taken into account to decide whether to transfuse or not.

APACHE↗

Right ventricular function and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels during fiberbronchoscopic alveolar lavage in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of fiberbronchoscopic alveolar lavage on hemodynamics, right ventricular function, and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN: Prospective investigation. SETTING: Eight-bed ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients with cardiovascular instability due to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome who were mechanically ventilated. INTERVENTIONS: Fiberbronchoscopic alveolar lavage after fluid replacement, deep sedation, and paralyzation. Intervention time: 10 min. After inspection of the endobronchial system, one lavage of 40 mL sterile saline solution was instilled in each lung and recovered. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The fiberbronchoscopic procedure induced a prompt increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure after 3 min (median[range]: 25 [13 to 39] to 30 [19 to 45] mm Hg, p < 0.05), which increased further after 6 min (34 [17 to 46] mm Hg, p < 0.01). Cardiac index increased simultaneously (4.25 [3.1 to 5.7] to 4.85 [4.3 to 6.9] L/min.m2 after 6 min, p < 0.01), whereas mean arterial pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. Central venous pressure rose from 12 (3 to 18) mm Hg before procedure to 14 (4 to 20) mm Hg after 6 min (p < 0.01). The right ventricular function was measured using a "fast response" ejection fraction thermodilution catheter: end-diastolic volume increased (238 [137 to 358] to 280 [150 to 4ll] mL after 9 min, p < 0.05), as well as stroke volume (88 [54 to 113] to 103 [67 to 153] mL after 9 min, p < 0.01). Right ventricular ejection fraction (37 [25 to 50] %) did not change significantly during the procedure, but the stroke work index was reinforced (8.2 [4.7 to 15.7] to 13.3 [2.4 to 41.3] gm.M/M2 after 6 min, p < 0.01). Plasma c-ANP concentration rose from 135 (24 to 350) to 196.5 (44 to 830 pg/ml after 20 min (p < 0.05). Systemic vascular resistance decreased from 533 (390 to 1,042) to 429 (281 to 684) dynes.s/cm5 after removal of the bronchoscope (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although acute pulmonary hypertension was observed during the fiberbronchoscopic procedure, the right ventricular performance did not deteriorate in hemodynamically unstable patients. To maintain a "hyperdynamic cardiovascular state," the right ventricular stroke work was reinforced, presumably by the "Frank-Starling mechanism." We assume that the acute distention of the right side of the heart resulted in elevated ANP concentrations. The marked decrease in systemic vascular resistance might be due to high ANP levels.

Adult↗

[Nitrous oxide exposure of operating room personnel in intubation anesthesia].

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies have shown that trace concentrations of inhalation anaesthetics polluting the air of operation theatre could have adverse effects on the personnel's health. Nitrous oxide (N2O) oxidizes vitamin B12 and thus decreases DNA production by inactivation of methionine synthase. Therefore, US and most European health authorities recommend threshold values to protect against potential health risks. These values range from 25 ppm to 100 ppm, expressed as time-weighted averages (TWA). There is a lack of data concerning measurements of trace concentrations under defined conditions. The aim of this study was to quantify levels of N2O in an operating theatre (OT) under modern working environment conditions. METHODS: Trace concentrations of N2O were determined in the OT at three personnel-related and three potential leakage related points and TWA's were calculated. Trace concentrations of N2O were measured directly by means of a highly sensitive photoacoustic infrared spectrometry analyser. The lower detection limit was 0.03 ppm. RESULTS: Values were below 100 ppm TWA at personnel-related locations. NIOSH 25 ppm threshold limit value was exceeded several times. Significant differences between location surgeon and anaesthetist and auxiliary nurse were detected (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSION: Exposure to N2O in a climatised OT is determined by several factors: 1. Efficacy of the air-conditioning with 20 changes per hour without recirculation, 2. OT size, 3. low leakage anaesthesia machine, and 4. avoidance of intermittent nitrous oxide supply during induction. Due to these factors, most measured values are below threshold values. In case of other concepts of room design such as ventilation and size, measured values may be higher.

Adult↗

[Acute pulmonary and cardiovascular effects of continuous axial rotation (kinetic therapy) in respiratory failure].

AIM: Continuous lateral rotational therapy (kinetic therapy) is advocated to improve pulmonary gas exchange in patients with severe respiratory failure, by promoting mobilization of secretions and reducing mismatch of ventilation and perfusion. We analyzed the acute pulmonary and hemodynamic changes before and after beginning kinetic therapy in critically ill patients with inotropic support. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Due to severe respiratory failure, 18 patients with "systemic inflammatory response syndrome" had been placed in a kinetic bed (Rotorest, KCI Mediscus). Retrospective analysis included several indices of arterial oxygenation, intrapulmonary "shunt fraction", cardiac index, arterial and pulmonary arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance and systemic oxygen consumption. RESULTS: After the start of kinetic therapy, we found a statistically significant improvement of pulmonary gas exchange and a reduction of shunt fraction 12 hours later. Cardiac index and arterial and pulmonary arterial pressure remained unchanged. Systemic oxygen consumption was increased. CONCLUSION: The continuous axial rotation of patients with severe respiratory failure results in a prompt improvement of arterial oxygenation. Even in hemodynamically unstable patients we did not observe harmful effects.

Adult↗

[Autologous blood transfusion in tumor operations].

OBJECTIVE: The potential and limits of autologous transfusion in tumor patients are discussed according to the literature. New aspects are derived from own recent studies. DATA SOURCES AND SELECTION CRITERIA: The critical review of the German and English literature is based on a Medline and DIMDI backsearch covering the last 20 years. Own data not yet published are presented. RESULTS: Predeposit autologous blood represents an important and practical alternative to homologous transfusion also for tumor patients. Predeposit programs are limited by tumor anemia, the urgent time schedule for surgery, and the variable need for transfusions. Intraoperative autotransfusion is contraindicated in these patients. Our own studies on the presence of tumor cells in the blood shed from the surgical field during oncologic surgery confirm the concerns about a systemic spread of tumor cells after retransfusion. Further efforts aim to an elimination of contaminating tumor cells. In contrast to the literature filters for white blood cell depletion were found to fail to completely remove tumor cells. A 3 log10 retention was measured. Proliferative activity of tumor cells was completely abolished by irradiation of the blood. CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation with 50 Gy allows safe retransfusion of blood salvaged during tumor surgery. This promising possibility is now to be tested in clinical studies.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

[Irradiation of wound blood from tumor surgery for retransfusion].

Intraoperative autotransfusion is contraindicated in tumor surgery because of the danger of tumor cell dissemination. We have tested the elimination of tumor cells in blood by irradiation for safe retransfusion. Tumor cells of various origin were mixed to washed red blood cells from volunteer blood donations. The blood was irradiated with 50 Gy. After isolation of the tumor cells by density gradient centrifugation they were tested for colony formation. While with different tumor cell lines (n = 12) 10 cells were sufficient to yield several colonies, as many as 10(10) cells did not result in any colony after irradiation of the blood. Similar results were obtained with cells cultured from blood salvaged during tumor surgery (n = 3), and with tumor cells prepared from various carcinomas (n = 10). Flow cytometric DNA analysis showed the irradiated cells in mitotic arrest. None of these cells had residual DNA metabolism expressed as incorporation of BrdUrd. We were able to demonstrate a rate of reduction in dividing cells of up to 10(9). With the typical irradiation sensitivity of tumor cells, with D0 values between 1 and 2 Gy, a dose of 50 Gy results in an effective log 12 reduction, sufficient for safe elimination of tumor cells found in shed blood. No adverse effects of the gamma-irradiation on the blood cells are to be expected, especially since the blood is retransfused without storage.

Blood↗

[Atrial septum aneurysm as the cause of a thromboembolic infarction of the brain stem and cerebellum?].

A 32-year-old woman with migraine for several years again had a migraine attack with headache, nausea, vomiting and eye-muscle disorder, 14 days after an uncomplicated delivery. Within 24 hours a left-dominant hemiparesis developed, followed 12 hours later by tonic-clonic seizure and deep unconsciousness (Glasgow score: 3); the patient could not be aroused. Cranial computed tomography revealed extensive infarction of the brainstem and cerebellum. Angiography demonstrated occlusion of the basilar artery but not other abnormalities of other vessels. There was no evidence for vascular anomalies and the clotting tests were normal. Transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated an atrial septal aneurysm. But any interatrial shunt (e.g. through a patent foramen ovale) was excluded by colour Doppler sonography, making it highly unlikely that a paradoxical embolus was the cause of the infarction. The brainstem infarction resulting from the basilar artery occlusion did not respond to treatment and the patient died 10 days after the initial seizure.

Adult↗

[Score systems in emergency medicine].

Trauma scores are used in emergency medicine to classify the severity of injuries. Score systems are applied in science and epidemiological investigations in emergency and intensive care. Moreover, trauma scores are intended to support the decisions in triage and predict the prognosis of mortality. Scores are based on anatomicmorphological or physiological parameters by which the intensity of injury is graded and valued. Commonly used scores are the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Revised Trauma Score (RTS). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a system that is used worldwide to classify neurologic deficiencies after injury of the brain. Trauma scores have a good prognostic potential by comparing large data bases of different patient groups. Individual prognosis of mortality by trauma scores in the routine of emergency medicine are rapid classification of the injury after trauma and early identification of critically ill patients. Score systems can support decisions and the training of emergency staff. Future studies should go into the grade of rehabilitation and the quality of life after trauma as a -possibly score-aided-prognostic parameter.

Emergencies↗

[Anesthesiologic problems and specifics in the management of severe pelvic injuries].

There is a close relationship between trauma of the pelvis, hemorrhagic shock, microcirculation disturbances and multiple organ failure. Of primary importance are the treatment of pain, early intubation, artificial ventilation, protection against heat loss and replacement of massive blood loss. Contrary to conventional volume replacement by electrolyte solutions, the author favors the administration of colloids, especially the new concept of "small volume resuscitation," i.e., the rapid infusion of a mixture of hypertonic saline solution and hyperoncotic dextran. Although there are limitations, the central venous and pulmonary arterial pressure reflect the volume balance of the circulation. The oxygen partial pressure of mixed venous blood, more or less reflecting the global oxygen supply state of the organism, can be measured only by means of a pulmonary artery catheter. The outcome depends greatly on optimization of the oxygen supply to a patient in shock whose oxygen needs are remarkably increased. Therapy should be aimed at keeping the arterial oxygen tension above 150 mmHg, increasing the cardiac index to 50% above normal, and stabilizing the hemoglobin concentration at an individually optimized value.

Critical Care↗

[The combination of general anesthesia and interscalene block in shoulder surgery].

Surgery on the shoulder often causes severe pain and, therefore, requires high doses of opiates. As postoperative pain is frequently treated inadequately, it is desirable to seek alternatives for providing effective analgesia. In a prospective study we examined the efficacy of balanced anesthesia consisting of general anesthesia combined with interscalene brachial plexus blockade for intra- and postoperative analgesia for operations on the shoulder. METHODS. Using the technique described by Winnie, interscalene block (ISB) was performed in 100 awake patients. After location of the brachial plexus by means of a peripheral nerve stimulator, we injected 40 ml bupivacaine 0.375%, after which general anesthesia (GA) was induced. At three predetermined points in time (recovery room, 8 h, and 24 h after the end of surgery), pain was evaluated by a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 to 10 and the extent of sensory blockade was tested by the pinprick method. The results of the pain scores and individual demands for analgesics were compared with a group of 22 patients who received only GA. Both groups were comparable in age, sex, and type of surgical procedure. RESULTS. We noted technical failure of the ISB in 8% of our patients. Side effects such as Horner's syndrome (18%), phrenic nerve paralysis (10%), and recurrent laryngeal nerve block (1%) were only temporarily observed during the action of the local anesthetics. During the surgical procedure, the group with ISB received a mean dose of 0.13 +/- 0.07 mg fentanyl versus 0.29 +/- 0.08 mg in the GA group (P less than 0.01) with equipotent doses of volatile anesthetics (1.0 to 1.5 MAC enflurane). Postoperative pain occurred for the first time in 39% of the patients given ISB later than 12 h after the end of surgery (average 8.7 +/- 5.9 h). In contrast, 95% of the patients with GA complained of pain in the recovery room. Pain measurement by the analogue scale clearly demonstrated the advantages of balanced anesthesia directly and 8 h after the operation (P less than 0.01). Even 24 h after the end of the surgical procedure the patients had better pain relief (P less than 0.05) in spite of the decreasing effect of the ISB. These significant differences led to the following results for postoperative treatment: 35% of the patients with ISB did not require additional analgesics during the first 24-h period after surgery, whereas 95% of those with GA requested analgesia. Only 32% of the ISB patients required opioids versus 86% with GA. The average duration of stay in the recovery room was reduced by 25% in the group with ISB (86 vs 134 min). In a final assessment, 84% of the patients were satisfied with the balanced anesthesia and only 5% were disappointed with the method. CONCLUSION. The combination of ISB and GA allows a reduction in intraoperative doses of opiates and facilitates postoperative pain management. Because of the low incidence of side effects, the lack of complications, and the high degree of patient acceptance, we recommend this type of balanced anesthesia for patients undergoing shoulder surgery.

Acromion↗

[Etomidate using a new solubilizer. Experimental clinical studies on venous tolerance and bioavailability].

Pain following intravenous injection as well as thrombophlebitis are substantial side effects of etomidate that have been reported from the first clinical study (1972-1973) onwards. Investigations of our own and by Gran et al. have pointed out that injectable etomidate with intralipid as a solvent removes side effects without impairing the good hypnotic action. The idea of using a lipid emulsion as a solvent was presented a few years later, inducing two further studies. METHOD. Both pharmacodynamic (continuous EEG registration) and pharmacokinetic [determination (HPLC) of plasma levels of the active substance] investigations were carried out on volunteers. At random 16 volunteers received etomidate in propylene glycol or etomidate in lipid emulsion for general anesthesia. A dose of 0.3 mg kg-1 was given over 60 s. In a clinical study 100 patients were divided into two independent groups of 50 each. They received either the commercially available etomidate in 35% propylene glycol (group I) or the new formulation containing 20 mg etomidate in 10 ml of a lipid-emulsion (Lipofundin MCT 20%) (group II). A dose of 0.3 mg kg-1 etomidate was given. RESULTS. There was a higher concentration of etomidate for 8 min after injection in lipid emulsion compared with etomidate in propylene glycol. The plasma concentration of etomidate (200 ng/ml) correlates with C2 corresponding to the light sleep stage after etomidate in propylene glycol, but with D0 according to the deep sleep stage after etomidate in lipid emulsion. At lower plasma concentrations, the hypnotic action of etomidate in propylene glycol is stronger than the effect of the lipid emulsion. This result means that it is possible that a part of the etomidate remains in the lipid particles. In the clinical study the anesthetic induction time was nearly identical in both groups; blood pressure and heart rate were stable. Following etomidate in propylene glycol, 36% of the patients complained of a painful injection. On the first postoperative day, 9 of 47 patients showed signs of phlebitis and three others thrombosis. On the 7th day a venous reaction was evident in 22% of these patients; 2 patients had developed phlebitis, 5 thrombosis and 4 thrombophlebitis. After etomidate in lipid emulsion, there were no signs of local irritation. The same results have been obtained in the study with volunteers. CONCLUSION. Two unpleasant side effects of etomidate, pain on injection and postoperative thrombophlebitis, were abolished by the solvent "lipid emulsion".

Adult↗