Is aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation beneficial in acute pancreatitis? A meta-analysis of randomized control trials and cohort studies

BACKGROUND There is conflincting evidence on the intravenous fluid(IVF)strategy for acute pancreatitis(AP).We perform a metaanalysis of the available evidence.AIM To investigate if aggressive IVF therapy in AP patients is beneficial to decrease mortality and improve outcomes.METHODS Metaanalysis of available randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing aggressive IVF vs non-aggressive IVF resuscitation.RESULTS There was no significant difference in mortality between the aggressive(n=1229)and non-aggressive IVF(n=1397)patients.Patients receiving aggressive IVF therapy had higher risk for acute kidney injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.There also was no significant difference in the overall incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome,persistent organ failure,pancreatic necrosis when comparing both study groups.CONCLUSION Early aggressive IVF therapy did not improve mortality.Moreover,aggressive IVF therapy could potentially increase the risk for acute kidney injury and pulmonary edema leading to respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation.Studies are needed to investigate which subset of AP patients could benefit from aggressive IVF therapy.

Intravenous fluid selection rationales in acute clinical management

BACKGROUND: Intravenous fluid(IVF) is commonly used in acute clinical management. This study aimed to review the choice and primary considerations in IVF prescriptions and to evaluate the adequacy of guidelines and trainings on it in the New Territories West Cluster(NTWC) of Hong Kong.METHODS: This is a descriptive study based on data collected from an online survey. Data were processed by SPSS for statistical analysis. This study focused on a general description and doctor-nurse between group comparison. Participants were asked the choice of IVF for nine acute clinical scenarios and provide reason. A 1–10 scale was used to assess the sufficiency of guideline, training and information, and time for revision on IVF prescription.RESULTS: 0.9% sodium chloride was the most familiar IVF(36%), followed by 5% Dextrose solution(26%). In the nine scenarios, the most chosen IVF was 0.9% sodium chloride(37%–61%). There was significant difference in the choice of IVF between doctors and nurses in 7 cases. The second most chosen IVF for doctors was Plasma-Lyte A while that for nurses was Gelofusine. Departmental practice was the most chosen reason to account for the prescription. The adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision was rated 5. Doctors had significantly more time at work than nurses to update knowledge in IVF prescription(5.41 versus 4.57).CONCLUSION: 0.9% sodium chloride was mostly chosen. The choice of IVF was mainly based on departmental practice. Adequacy of guideline, information and training, and time for revision on IVF prescription were average, indicating significant training deficit.

Impact of postoperative intravenous fluid administration on complications following elective hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery

Background: The impact of perioperative intravenous fluid administration on surgical outcomes has been documented in literature, but not specifically studied in the context of hepato-pancreato-biliary(HPB) surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of postoperative intravenous fluid administration on intensive care unit(ICU), in this subgroup of patients. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort of 241 HPB patients was assessed, focusing on intravenous fluid administration in ICU, during the first 24 h. Intravenous fluid variables were compared to hospital stay and postoperative complications. Data were assessed using Spearman's correlation test for bivariate correlations and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: The median volume of intravenous fluid administered in the first 24 h postoperatively was 4380 mL, of which 2200 mL was crystalloid, 1500 mL colloid and 680 mL "other" fluid. Patients with one or more complications had a higher median total intravenous fluid input(4790 vs. 4300 mL), higher colloid volume(20 0 0 vs. 150 0 mL), lower urine output(1595 vs. 1900 mL) and greater overall fluid balance( + 3040 vs. + 2553 mL) than those without complications. There were correlations between total intravenous fluid volume administered( r = 0.278, P < 0.001), intravenous colloid input( r = 0.278, P < 0.001), urine output( r =-0.295, P < 0.001), positive fluid balance( r = 0.344, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay. Logistic regression model was constructed to predict the occurrence of one or more complications; total intravenous fluid volume and overall fluid balance were both independent significant predictors(OR = 2.463, P = 0.007; OR = 1.001, P = 0.011; respectively). Conclusions: Administration of high volumes of intravenous fluids in the first 24 hours post-HPB surgery, along with higher positive fluid balance is associated with a higher rate of complications and longer hospital stay. Moreover, lower urine output is associated with longer hospital stay. Whether these are the cause of complications or the result of them remains unclear.

Administration of fentanyl via a slow intravenous fluid line compared with rapid bolus alleviates fentanyl-induced cough during general anesthesia induction

Objective： Fentanyl-induced cough （FIC） is a common complication with a reported incidence from 18.0% to 74.4% during general anesthesia induction. FIC increases the intrathoracic pressure and risks of postoper- ative nausea and vomiting, yet available treatments are limited. This study was designed to investigate whether ad- ministering fentanyl via a slow intravenous fluid line can effectively alleviate FIC during induction of total intravenous general anesthesia. Methods： A total number of 1200 patients, aged 18-64 years, were enrolled, all of whom were American Society of Anesthesiologists （ASh,） grade I or II undergoing scheduled surgeries. All patients received total intravenous general anesthesia, which was induced sequentially by midazolam, fentanyl, propofol, and cisatracurium injection. Patients were randomly assigned to receive fentanyl 3.5 pg/kg via direct injection （control group） or via a slow intravenous fluid line. FIC incidence and the severity grades were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. Other adverse reactions, such as hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypoxemia, vomiting, and aspiration, during induction were also observed. The online clinical registration number of this study was ChiCTR-IOR-16009025. Re- sults： Compared with the control group, the incidence of FIC was significantly lower in the slow intravenous fluid line group during induction （9.1%, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 6.7%-11.4% vs. 55.9%, 95% CI： 51.8%-60.0%, P=0.000）, as were the severity grades （P=0.000）. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with regard to other adverse reactions （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： The administration of fentanyl via a slow intravenous fluid line can alleviate FIC and its severity during induction for total intravenous general anesthesia. This method is simple, safe, and reliable, and deserves clinical expansion.

Emerging concepts in the care of patients with cirrhosis and septic shock

Septic shock impacts approximately 6% of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although a number of landmark clinical trials have paved the way for incremental improvements in the diagnosis and management of septic shock in the general population, patients with cirrhosis have largely been excluded from these studies and critical knowledge gaps continue to impact the care of these individuals. In this review,we discuss nuances in the care of patients with cirrhosis and septic shock using a pathophysiology-based approach. We illustrate that septic shock may be challenging to diagnose in this population in the context of factors such as chronic hypotension, impaired lactate metabolism, and concomitant hepatic encephalopathy. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the application of routine interventions such as intravenous fluids, vasopressors, antibiotics, and steroids should be carefully considered among those with decompensated cirrhosis in light of hemodynamic, metabolic, hormonal, and immunologic disturbances. We propose that future research should include and characterize patients with cirrhosis in a systematic manner, and clinical practice guidelines may need to be refined accordingly.

Enhanced recovery programme in colorectal surgery:Does one size fit all?

Enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) employs a multimodal perioperative care pathway with the aim of attenuating the stress response to surgery and accelerating recovery.It has been difficult to determine the relative importance of some of the individual components of these pathways such as epidural analgesia and laparoscopic colorectal surgery.Some argue that only a rigid adherence to the published ERAS protocol can achieve the proposed benefits of fast-track surgery.In this article,we explore some of the areas where the evidence base may be changing and ask whether a more flexible and individualised approach should be considered.