Francesco Bruno

The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol recommends limiting tidal volume and plateau pressure; it also recommends increasing respiratory rate to prevent hypercapnia. We tested a strategy that combines the low tidal volume with lower respiratory rates and minimally invasive CO2 removal. Ten lung-damaged pigs (instilled hydrochloride). Two conditions randomly applied in a crossover fashion: the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol plus lower respiratory rate plus minimally invasive Co2 removal. A similar arterial Co2 partial pressure was targeted in the two conditions. Physiological parameters, computed tomography scans, plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage concentrations of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, interleukin-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α. During the lower respiratory rate condition, respiratory rate was reduced from 30.5 ± 3.8 to 14.2 ± 3.5 (p < 0.01) breaths/min and minute ventilation from 10.4 ± 1.6 to 4.9 ± 1.7 L/min (p < 0.01). The extracorporeal device removed 38.9% ± 6.1% (79.9 ± 18.4 mL/min) of CO2 production. During the lower respiratory rate condition, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were significantly lower in plasma; interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were lower in bronchoalveolar lavage, whereas the concentrations of the other cytokines remained unchanged. The strategy of lower respiratory rate plus minimally invasive extracorporeal CO2 removal was feasible and safe and, as compared with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol, reduced the concentrations of some, but not all, of the tested cytokines without affecting respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and hemodynamics.

Purpose The aims of this study are to evaluate the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) in Southern Italy and the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of isolates. Methods A surveillance program was implemented in 18 ICUs. IFI cases were recorded using a standardized form. Results A total of 105 episodes of IFIs occurred in 5,561 patients during the 18-month study. The main infections were caused by yeasts, more than filamentous fungi (overall incidence of 16.5 cases per 1,000 admissions and 2.3 cases per 1,000 admissions, respectively). The overall crude mortality rate was high (42.8 %), particularly for mold infections (61.5 %). All yeast infections were Candida bloodstream infections. Over half (59.8 %) were caused by Candida non-albicans, with C. parapsilosis being the most common (61.8 %). In the multivariate model, trauma admission diagnosis, prolonged stay in the ICU, and parenteral nutrition were independently associated with candidemia due to C. parapsilosis [odds ratio (OR) 3.5, (1.8–5.2); OR 3.5, (1.02–3.5); OR 3.6, (1.28–6.99), respectively]. Among mold infections, 12 patients suffered from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, with Aspergillus fumigatus as the predominant pathogen (41.7 %). One case of brain scedosporiosis was identified. Overall, azoles and echinocandins resistance was uncommon. Conclusions Candida non-albicans species are the most frequent cause of candidemia in ICU patients. Mold infections are associated with a high mortality rate. This study confirms the importance of the epidemiological surveillance on IFIs in the ICU setting for documenting species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to guide therapeutic choices.

Ziconotide is a nonopioid intrathecal analgesic drug used to manage moderate to severe chronic pain. The aim of this work is to assess the safety and efficacy of intrathecal (IT) combination of ziconotide and morphine in malignant pain refractory to high doses of oral opioids. Patients with malignant pain refractory to high oral opioids doses with a mean visual analogue scale of pain intensity (VASPI) score of ≥ 70 mm were enrolled. An IT combination therapy was administered: Ziconotide was started at a dose of 2.4 μg/day, followed by increases of 1.2 μg/day at intervals of at least 7 days, and an initial IT daily dose of morphine was calculated based on its oral daily dose. Percentage change in VASPI scores from baseline was calculated at 2 days, at 7 days, and weekly until the first 28 days. The mean percentage change of VASPI score from baseline was used for efficacy assessment. Safety was monitored based on adverse events and routine laboratory values. Twenty patients were enrolled, with a mean daily VASPI score at rest of 90±7. All had a disseminated cancer with bone metastases involving the spine. The percentage changes in VASPI mean scores from baseline to 2 days, 7 days, and 28 days were 39±13% (95% confidence interval [CI]=13.61-64.49, P<.001), 51±12% (95% CI=27.56-74.56, P<.001), and 62±13% (95% CI=36.03-87.89%, P<.001), respectively. Four patients experienced mild adverse events related to the study drugs. In conclusion, an IT combination of low doses of ziconotide and morphine allows safe and rapid control of oral opioid-refractory malignant pain.

Ethical issues regarding patient care have recently been raised in Italy by the case of Eluana Englaro, a 36-year-old woman who remained in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) for 17 years. There are no specific laws on the books in Italy regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In November 2008, a controversial decision by the Italian Supreme Court granted the woman’s father his wish to discontinue nutrition and hydration provided to her. Because of this historic decision, the authors carried out a survey of Italian physicians’ beliefs regarding end-of-life practices.

Rhino-cerebral zygomycosis (RCZ) is an acute rapidly progressive fungal infection usually occurring in patients with diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis. Patients typically complain of pain located in the facial, nasal or orbital regions, followed by sudden blindness and cranial nerve palsy. Early diagnosis, correction of risk factors, prompt surgical removal and aggressive antifungal therapy are warranted as life-saving treatments. The following report describes a case of a lethal RCZ which occurred in an apparently healthy woman with latent non-decompensated diabetes mellitus and a fetal-type posterior (FTP) circle of Willis.

Fenoldopam mesylate is a selective dopamine-1 agonist, with no effect on dopamine-2 and alpha1 receptors, producing a selective renal vasodilation. This may favor the kidney oxygen supply/demand ratio and prevent acute renal failure. The aim of the study was to investigate if fenoldopam can provide greater benefit than low-dose dopamine in early renal dysfunction of critically ill patients. Prospective, multiple-center, randomized, controlled trial. University and city hospital intensive care units. One hundred adult critically ill patients with early renal dysfunction (intensive care unit stayor=1.5 mg/dL and10% of the baseline value at the end of infusion, compared with only 46% in dopamine group (chi-square=4.06, p=.04). Total urinary output during drug infusion was not significantly different between groups. After 1 day, urinary output was lower in group F compared with group D (p<.05). In critically ill patients, a continuous infusion of fenoldopam at 0.1 microg/kg/min does not cause any clinically significant hemodynamic impairment and improves renal function compared with renal dose dopamine. In the setting of acute early renal dysfunction, before severe renal failure has occurred, the attempt to reverse renal hypoperfusion with fenoldopam is more effective than with low-dose dopamine.

In patients with severe brain injury and acute lung injury the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is limited by conflicting results on its effect on intracranial pressure. We hypothesised that the occurrence of alveolar hyperinflation during the application of PEEP would lead to an increase in PaCO₂ responsible for a rise in intracranial pressure. Prospective interventional study. Intensive Care Unit of University Hospitals. Twelve severely brain-injured patients with acute lung injury and intracranial pressure higher than applied PEEP. 5 and 10 cmH₂O of PEEP was randomly applied. In all patients intracranial pressure, flow velocity by transcranial Doppler of middle cerebral artery, and jugular oxygen saturation were recorded. Static volume-pressure curves of the respiratory system were obtained, recruited volume and elastance calculated to classify patients as recruiters and non-recruiters. In recruiters (= 6 patients), elastance decreased (P2 increased (P2 significantly increased (PPr ² = 0.8 P2 and intracranial pressure (P r ² = 0.4) and elastance (P r ² = 0.4), respectively. When PEEP induced alveolar hyperinflation leading to a significant increase in PaCO₂, intracranial pressure significantly increased, whereas when PEEP caused alveolar recruitment intracranial pressure did not change.

Subjects in spinal anaesthesia have been reported to show a decrease in the level of alertness, even when they have not received any sedative drugs. of this study is to verify, in caesarean delivery if the bupivacaine subarachnoid anaesthesia, with or without intrathecal fentanyl dose, produces a sedative effect, to define the entity and to identify the mechanism that most likely causes it. The clinical investigation is divided into Part I (non-randomized trial) and Part II (randomized trial) and is set in the University hospital's delivery-unit. Part I: 45 pregnant women were recruited and enrolled in 3 groups: women having natural delivery (n=15), women receiving caesarean delivery with subarachnoid anaesthesia (n=15) and with general anaesthesia (n=15). Self-rating depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), state anxiety inventory (SAI) and trait anxiety inventory (TAI) psychometric tests were patient-completed for pre-delivery anxiety evaluation. Part II: 23 pregnant women undergoing caesarean delivery were single-blind randomized to receive subarachnoid anaesthesia with single 12.75 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (n=10) or with 12.75 microg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 15 mg fentanyl (n=13). Bispectral index (BIS), observer's assessment of alertness/sedation (OAA/S) scale, self-sedation visual analogic scale (VAS) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were perioperatively monitored. Part I: it was found, using SAI, a higher level of state anxiety in the pregnant women undergoing caesarean delivery than those having natural delivery (p<0.05). Part II: pregnant women receiving subarachnoid anaesthesia for caesarean delivery had a decrease of the level of alertness from 10 to 70 min after the execution of lumbar puncture (p<0.05), with a sedative peak from 35 to 45 min (p<0.01), as measured by OAA/S scale and self-sedation VAS but not by BIS. Women who received bupivacaine-fentanyl spinal anaesthesia had a more consistent sedative effect from 35 to 70 min (p<0.05). Pregnant women undergoing caesarean delivery had a more elevated level of state anxiety, assessed by SAI, as seen in Part I. Subarachnoid anaesthesia in caesarean delivery is associated with a reduction of alertness level. A double mechanism might cause a clinically valuable sedative effect, observed by OAA/S scale and self-sedation VAS: decrease of the afferent spinal inputs and an anxiolytic psychophysiologic effect, induced by good outcome of the birth and mother-baby contact. Intrathecal bupivacaine-fentanyl dose produces a larger alertness decrease than single bupivacaine, because the anaesthetic block density increases. BIS was not a sensitive measure to detect the light sedation occurring in Part II of this study.

Objective: a) to describe a non-barotraumatic ventilatory setting for independent lung ventilation (ILV); b) to determine the utility of single lung end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂) monitoring to evaluate the ventilation to perfusion (V/Q) matching in each lung during ILV and for ILV weaning. Design: prospective study. Setting: general intensive care unit in a university teaching hospital. Patients: twelve patients with unilateral thoracic trauma needing ILV. Interventions and results: ILV was started with each lung ventilated with the same tidal volume (Vt): plateau airway pressure (Pplat) was 34.2±3.2 cmH2O in diseased lungs (DL) and 18.1±1.9 cmH2O in normal lungs (NL) (P2O in DL and 19.3±1.7 ml/cmH₂O in NL (PP2/FiO₂ was at 151±20. PEEP was applied on the DL and each lung was ventilated with a Vt that developed Pplat ≤26 cmH2O. With this setting, Vt given to the NL was unchanged, whereas it was reduced in the DL (238±30 ml vs 350±31 ml; PP2/FiO₂ ratio remained unchanged. Vt was then progressively increased in the DL as Pplat decreased, but remained unchanged in the NL. ILV was discontinued when Vt, Cst and EtCO₂ were the same in each lung. PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio had then increased to 295±18. Conclusions: a) during ILV, adequate oxygenation and a reduction in V/Q mismatch can be obtained by setting Vt and PEEP to keep Pplat below a safe threshold for barotrauma; b) measurement of single lung EtCO2 can be useful to evaluate progressive V/Q matching.