Makale Arama

Aim: To compare patients applied with tracheotomy because of prolonged intubation before the COVID-19
pandemic and during the pandemic.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective examination was made of the records of 179 patients with a tracheotomy
opened following prolonged intubation in the Intensive Care Unit of Karaman Training and Research Hospital
between September 2018 and August 2021. The patients were separated into two groups as group 1 (n:80)
of patients with tracheotomy in the 18-month period before the COVID-19 pandemic (September 2018 –
February 2020) and group 2 (n:99) of patients with tracheotomy during the COVID-19 pandemic (March
2020-August 2021). The two groups were compared in respect of demographic characteristics, duration of
intubation, early and late complications associated with tracheotomy, and patient outcomes (exitus, discharge
to home, transfer to palliative and other wards).
Results: Group 1 comprised 45% females and 55% males and group 2 comprised 51% females and 49%
males, with no statistically significant difference determined between the groups in respect of gender. A
statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of age and the duration
of intubation (p<0.05). Tracheotomy-related complications were not determined to be significantly different
between the groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The patients in this study with a tracheotomy opened during the COVID-19 pandemic were
observed to be younger than patients with tracheotomy applied before the pandemic. In addition, the duration
of intubation was determined to be longer during the pandemic t han in the pre-pandemic period.

Aim: In this study, it was aimed whether biochemical parameters, vital signs and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio
(NLR) values could be used in determining the indication for intensive care hospitalization in COVID-19
patients.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the emergency department
of a university hospital. Patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test who applied to our hospital on 1-31 July
2020 were included in the study. Laboratory results, demographic findings and clinical results of the patients
were collected electronically. The patients were divided into 3 groups as discharged, admitted to the service
or intensive care unit. The incidence and severity of symptoms, comorbidities, laboratory values, and NLR
values were compared between the groups.
Results: A total of 489 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the included patients was 48.69
+ 17.25 years, of which 260 (53.16%) were female. While 248 (50.9%) of these patients were discharged,
207 (42.3%) were taken to the service and 33 (6.7%) to the intensive care units. Age, heart rate, urea,
creatinine, CRP, D-dimer and NLR values of the patients admitted to the intensive care unit were higher
than the other groups, while oxygen saturation was statistically significantly lower in this group. Concomitant
systemic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Essential Hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease were more common in those hospitalized in the intensive care unit. In multivariable analysis, oxygen
saturation (OR:0.803) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (OR:1.09) were found to be independent predictors of
the indication for hospitalization in the intensive care unit.
Conclusion: As a result of our study, we think that especially low oxygen saturation and high neutrophillymphocyte
ratio can be used in determining the indication for intensive care hospitalization in patients who
apply to the emergency department due to COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Sternal dehiscence is one of the most troublesome complications following cardiac surgery. Although it can be corrected by simple methods if detected earlier, treatment failure or delay in sternal dehiscence may result in mediastinitis, which is highly lethal.  In this study, we aimed to investigate alternative sternal closure systems, mainly sternal talon (STalon) and titanium sternal plates (SPlate). Patients and Methods: In between April 2015 and January 2018, patients with sternal dehiscence after any kind of open cardiac surgery were included in this study. These patients were retrospectively evaluated according to the their demographic data, risk factors for sternal dehiscence, type of operations, techniques used for fixation of the sternum, mainly focusing on the STalon and titanium SPlate fixation. Results: A total of 45 patients were taken into surgical correction because of sternal dehiscence.  Thirty-four (75.6%) of the patients male, whereas 11 (24.4%) were female. Mean time interval after the first operation to sternal dehiscence was 68.5 days (1-780 days). Mean body-mass-index (BMI) was 31.52 kg/m² (22.03-43.69 kg/m²). Before the sternal fixation, mean CRP value was 68.34, whereas it was 75.55 before discharge. Confounding risk factors were internal mammarian artery (IMA) harvesting for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic pulmonary artery disease and advanced age. Mean post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS) was 5.02 days (1-29 days), whereas hospital LOS was 17.18 days (2-74 days). Early mortality was observed in 3 patients (6.67%). The first choice of operation was simple closure and/or Robicsek closure. Apart from simple and Robicsek closure techniques, sternal talon and/or titanium plates were used in 24 patients (53.3%). DM was found to be related to extanded total hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and postoperative time to discharge. DM also increased the risk of both superficial and deep sternal infection rates (p<0.05).  Conclusion: Ideal sternal closure should stabilize the sternum, be cost-effective and provide shortest hospital LOS with minimal post-operative complications. In patients with intact intercostal spaces, sternal talon may eliminate serious complications, such as cardiac rupture mainly caused by dense adhesions. Sternal plates are mainly effective in fragmented fractures without stable intercostal spaces. All patients should be individualized according to type of lesions and sternal fractures.

Today health related quality of life with its ever increasing importance has become an inherent part of treatment and follow up in all departments of medicine including diagnosis and treatment. In neuro-intensive care unit, the severest patients with the most intensive diagnosis and treatment period are followed up. Neurologic disorders with neurointensive care requirement include so many parameters potentially affecting the quality of life in acute and severe stages besides in chronic term. Apart from the effects of these diseases on life quality, there are many other important parameters related to quality of life. It is possible to list chief parameters as malnutrition in intensive care unit, agitation, pain, disruption of skin integrity, musculoskeletal system involvement, cardiovascular and autonomous involvement, side effect of drugs and multidrug interactions. In this review, the relationship between nutrition and health related quality of life in neurointensive care unit will be reviewed.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine pressure ulcer prevention knowledge and attitudes among nurses who cared for surgical patients that were exposed to pressure ulcer risk factors such as immobilization and nutritional problems.

Materials and Method: This descriptive study was carried out with 150 nurses who were working in the surgical clinics and surgical intensive care units of a medical faculty hospital in XXXX and who had at least one year’s professional experience. Necessary permissions were obtained from the ethics committee and the institution prior to the research. Data were collected with a patient information form, the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Knowledge Assessment Instrument (PUPKAI) and the Attitude towards Pressure ulcer Prevention instrument (APuP) between October 1, 2018 and February 1, 2019.  Data were analyzed with the independent-samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the correlation analysis and the multiple regression analysis.

Results: The mean age of the nurses was 29.91±6.48 years, 65.3% were female and half of them had undergraduate degrees. According to the PUPKAI total mean score (<60%), the pressure ulcer prevention knowledge of the nurses was inadequate and only 24% had a knowledge score ≥60%. Regression analysis results showed that, nurses' professional experience duration, working style, number of patients per shift and the experiences of giving care to patients with pressure ulcers were found to have a significant effect on the PUPKAI total mean score (p<0.05). According to the APuP total mean score (≥75%), the nurses had positive attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention. It was also determined that the descriptive characteristics of the nurses did not significantly affect the APuP total mean score (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship between the total mean scores of the PUPKAI and APuP (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study revealed that the surgical nurses had positive attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention but they had inadequate knowledge about it. These findings highlight the need for institutional arrangements to ensure that nurses have access to evidence-based knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to discuss our experience and results of non-operating room anesthesia.

Materials and Methods: Anesthesia records of patients older than 18 years who underwent sedo-analgesia outside the operating room for diagnosis and treatment between May 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively screened. The records were examined in terms of demographic data, applied procedure, duration of the procedure, sedation grade, medications used, developing minor and major complications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease story and intensive care need. Relationships between complications with demographic data and categorical variables were analyzed.

Results: Totally 2562 patients underwent sedo-analgesia. 1428 (55.7%) of these cases were female and 1134 (44.3%) of them were male. The average age of patients was 53.08±16.55. 268 (10.5%) of the cases were ASA I, 1683 (65.7%) were ASA II, 598 (23.3%) were ASA III and 13 (0.5%) were ASA IV. 519 (20.3%) patients were minimally sedated, 1541 (60.1%) were moderate sedated and 502 (19.6%) deep sedated. The longest procedure time in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 28.7 ± 16.3 min, and the shortest procedure time in endoscopy was 10.3 ± 3.1 min. The most commonly performed procedure was colonoscopy with 31%. The most commonly used drug combination was midazolam + propofol + fentanyl applied to 1231 patients (48%). 148 (5.76%) patients had minor complication, and 10 (0.37%) patients had major complication. A total of 15 (0.58%) patients underwent intensive care after the procedure. Desaturation was statistically significantly higher in patients with ASA III and above, in procedures take longer than 15 minutes, in patients older than 65 years, and in the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The intensive care need after the procedure was also significantly higher in these patient groups.

Conclusion: The incidence of non-operating room anesthesia is increasing steadily. The risks associated with these practices are similar to the anesthesia in the operating room. In order to increase patient safety and reduce complications, it is important to carry out a thorough evaluation before the procedure, to provide proper monitored anesthesia care in appropriate physical conditions, and to establish healthy communication between the teams.

Aim: Hypoxemia is a vital criterion used to determine prognosis in coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
cases. This study thus examined the effectiveness of capillary refill time (CRT) in defining hypoxiadependent
disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted with COVID-19 patients and an agematched
healthy group. The optimum test ambiance was provided, and a stable smartphone platform
was used to record the measurements (in ms) to standardize our method. The captured videos were then
evaluated using a video processing program.
Results: In total, 39 patients with COVID-19 and 40 control groups participated in this study. The patients
were further divided into the moderate (n = 25) or severe group (n = 14) according to disease severity.
The mean oxygen saturation of both moderate/severe groups was above 94%. Per disease severity, the
CRT measurements were higher in the severe group than in the moderate group (p = 0.009). In patients
without lymphopenia (n = 18), CRT values were found to be increased in the severe group (p = 0.008).
The use of CRT in patients with Covid-19 was practicable (AUC: 0.91; 95% CI 0.848-0.978; P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Our results show that CRT prolongation can occur in patients with COVID-19. In patients
without lymphopenia and with normal O2 levels, detecting CRT prolongation may be a criterion for early
admission to ICU.

Objective: Brain death is defined as the complete and irreversible loss of all brain functions including the brain stem. Three major findings used for the diagnosis of brain death are coma, absence of the brain stem reflexes and apnea. The diagnosis of brain death has become more important with the increasing number of patients waiting for transplantation. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of computed tomography angiography in confirming brain death.

Material & Methods: Clinical brain death was reported in total 21 patients hospitalized in critical care unit of our hospital between October 2015 and June 2018. One of these patients was excluded since he underwent magnetic resonance angiography. CTA findings of the remaining patients were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were aged between 25 and 75 years with a mean age of 45 ± 1 years. CTA evaluations were performed using a 64 detector device. 100 mL contrast agent was delivered with a double head automated pump at a rate of 3.5 – 4 cc/sec as 350-375 mg/mL. When the region of interest reached to 90-100 HU cut off value, the images were acquired at 15-20 sec intervals on the axial plan. CTA findings were interpreted using 10- point scale.

Results: Causes of death were reported as intracranial hemorrhage in eight patients, ischemic cerebrovascular events in four patients, hemorrhage after craniotomy in three patients, cardiac arrest in two patients, post-traumatic contusio cerebri in one patient, and metabolic reasons in two patients.

Contrast filling was “0” in the ACA, PCA, MCA distal, and ICA supraclinoid branches of all 20 patients. Suspected contrast filling was found in MCA proximal in eight patients and unilateral ACA proximal in two patients. Each loss of opacification in the intracranial brancges was scored as 1 point. Accordingly, all patients were scored as 10 points.

Conclusion: According to our results, CTA is an effective and sensitive method for the diagnosis of brain death which is obligated by regulations.

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, kritik bakım hastalarında yoğun bakım ünitesi (YBÜ) yatışında ölçülen kan üre
azotu (BUN)/albümin oranının hastane içi mortaliteyi tahmin etme açısından prognostik değerinin
değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı.
Hastalar ve Yöntem: Bu retrospektif gözlemsel çalışma, bir üniversite hastanesinin acil servisinde (AS)
gerçekleştirildi. Altı ay (1 Temmuz 2019 - 31 Aralık 2019) boyunca acil AS-YBÜ’ye yatırılan hastalar
çalışmaya dahil edildi. BUN/albümin oranının hesaplanmasında YBÜ’ye kabul öncesi ölçülmüş olan BUN
ve albümin değerleri esas alındı. Çalışmanın birincil sonucu ha stane içi mortaliteydi.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya toplam 572 hasta dahil edildi. Dahil edilen hastaların ortanca yaşı 66 (54–77) yıldı
ve bunların 362'si (%63,3) erkekti. Genel hastane içi mortalite oranı 29.0% (166 hasta) idi. Vefat edenlerin
ortanca BUN seviyesi hayatta kalanlardan daha yüksekti (38,2 (21,4-59,7) ve 21,9 (14,9-36,9) mg/dL,
p<0,001). Vefat edenlerin ortanca albümin seviyesi hayatta kalanlardan daha düşüktü (2,9 (2,3-3,5) ve 3,7
(3,2-4,0) g/dL, p<0,001). Vefat edenlerin ortanca BUN/albümin oranı hayatta kalanlardan daha yüksekti
(13.33 (6.69–22.99) ve 6.21 (3.83–11.21), p<0.001). Eğri altında kalan alanların sıralaması albümin
(0,742), BUN/albümin oranı (0,720) ve BUN (0,678) idi. Hastane içi mortaliteyi tahmin etme açısından
hesaplanan kesim değerleri, albümin için 3,2 g/dL, BUN/albümin oranı için 10 ve BUN için 32 mg/dL idi.
Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, YBÜ’ye yatış sırasında saptanan hipoalbüminemi, kritik hastalarda hastane içi
mortalite ile ilişkilidir. Yüksek BUN ve BUN/albümin oranı da bu hastalarda hastane içi mortalitenin
öngörücüleridir; ancak BUN ve BUN/albümin oranı hipoalbüminemid en daha üstün değildir .

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the seriousness of the clinical condition of the patients in intensive care unit (ICU) and acute stress symptoms of family members.

Patients and Methods: After local ethic committe approval and written informed consent was obtained, we carried out a prospective, descriptive study at a universty hospital in patients’ relatives. Clinical characteristics (APACHE II score) of patients was recorded. First degree relatives  of 60 ICU patients provided demographic data and completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form  (STAI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) within 24 h of ICU admission and 21 days later.

Results: There were a moderate correlation between APACHE 2 and STAI scores on  day 1 (r =0.477)  and a strong correlation (r = 0.503) on day 21 (p<0.05). A moderate correlation (r = 0.503)  was found between APACHE 2 score and PSQI on day 21. STAI scores were not different between genders on day 1. There was an increase in both sexes in STAI scores on day 21), and the scores ere significantly more in females (p=0.003). While there was no statistically significant difference in PSQI scores on day 1, an increase was found in both sexes on day 21 (p <0.001). Female family members  had more sleep disturbances  (p=0.008). STAI scores were higher in both mothers and fathers on day 1 and 21 (p<0.001).

Conclusions: An increasing relationship was determined between patients' acute physiological condition and anxiety with sleep quality level of patients’ relatives as the time passed.

Objective: To determine the effect of COVID-19 infection on anxiety level in pregnant women.

Material and Methods: In this study, a questionnaire and Beck anxiety scale were applied to pregnant women who referred to outpatient clinic for routine pregnancy control in June 2020 to determine their concerns that may be related to COVID-19. Pregnant women admitted with obstetric emergencies and obstetric risk were not included in the study.

Results: 177 pregnant women were included in the study and the pregnant women were divided into four groups according to their score on Beck anxiety scale. Anxiety level of pregnant women was 44.6%. The possibility of not being with his family at the time of birth and the fear of death due to COVID-19 were statistically significantly associated with higher anxiety levels.

Conclusions: In this process, it is important to provide psychosocial support in addition to the follow-up of pregnant women by a multidisciplinary team consisting of perinatology, newborn and intensive care specialists.

The purpose of this review is to systematically review the intervention studies conducted and published to
prevent central catheter-related bloodstream infections. In this study, MEDLINE, CINAHL COCHRANE Library
and PUBMED databases were searched using “Preventing CLABSI infections” (Central Line-associated
Bloodstream Infection = CLABSI) as a keyword. Studies published in international journals between January
1, 2016 and November 10, 2020 were evaluated, and 99 publications were reached as a result of the search.
Seven studies were included in the scope of the review in line with the inclusion / exclusion criteria. As a
result of the investigated studies, the application of evidence-based infection control measures such as
hand hygiene, adherence to maximum barrier precautions during catheter insertion, skin antisepsis with 2%
chlorhexidine, appropriate dressing, avoiding the femoral vein and questioning the need for daily catheters
through appropriate methods It has been found to be effective in preventing associated bloodstream infections.
As a result of this systematic review, it was determined that evidence-based infection control measures
should be continued to be applied in adult intensive care units, especially in adult intensive care units, in order
to reduce the incidence of central catheter-associated bloodstr eam infections.