The international anaesthesia community is getting older, in line with trends worldwide, and as men and women age there is the risk that psychophysiological decline could have an impact on clinical practice. Impairment of technical and nontechnical skills could have a negative impact on patients' safety and outcomes. The ageing process may not necessarily go hand-in-hand with a predictable pattern of decreased competence as not all aspects of functional decline are affected at the same rate and to the same extent. The development of simulation has provided a means of detecting and perhaps reversing the decline in ability associated with age. The introduction of recertification based on an assessment of competence at simulation sessions could play a crucial role in maintaining a high standard of patient care and an appropriate level of patient safety.

ABSTRACTThe study evaluated the single-platform, volumetric, CD45-assisted PanLeucogating Auto40 flow cytometer (Apogee Flow Systems Ltd., Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom) for CD4 T cell numeration, compared to the reference FACSCalibur flow cytometer. Results of absolute counts and percentages of CD4 T cells by Auto40 and FACSCalibur of 234 tripotassium EDTA (K3-EDTA)-blood samples from 146 adults and 88 children (aged from 18 months to 5 years), living in Yaoundé, Cameroon, were highly correlated (r2= 0.97 andr2= 0.98, respectively). The mean absolute bias and relative bias between Apogee Auto40 and FACSCalibur absolute CD4 T cell counts were +9.6 cells/μl, with limits of agreement from −251 to 270 cells/μl, and +4.1%, with limits of agreement from −16.1 to 24.4%, respectively. The mean absolute bias and relative bias between Apogee Auto40 and FACSCalibur CD4 T cell results expressed as percentages were +0.05% CD4 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.03 to 0.41), with limits of agreement from −6.0 to 5.9% CD4, and +1.0%, with limits of agreement from −32.3 to 34.4%, respectively. The Auto40 counting allowed identification of the majority of adults with CD4 T cell counts below 200 cells/μl (sensitivity, 87%; specificity, 98%) or below 350 cells/μl (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 98%) and of children with CD4 T cell counts below 750 cells/μl (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 98%) or below 25% CD4+(sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 99%). The Auto40 analyzer is a reliable alternative flow cytometer for CD4 T lymphocyte enumeration to be used in routine immunological monitoring according to the WHO recommendations for HIV-infected adults as well as children living in resource-constrained settings.

The automated closed-loop sedation system tested could be used successfully for patients scheduled for a TAVI procedure. The results showed a satisfactory clinical performance of sedation control.

BACKGROUND An inverse linear relationship has been reported between pre-operative fibrinogen levels and postoperative blood loss in cardiac surgery. However, recently high pre-operative fibrinogen levels have also been reported to be associated with increased blood transfusion and re-operation. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that the relationship between pre-operative fibrinogen levels and severe peri-operative bleeding is not linear. DESIGN A large-scale (n = 3883) single-centre retrospective study. SETTING A tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS We analysed data from our institutional database which includes all patients above 18 years who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery through a sternotomy between September 2010 and May 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Peri-operative severe bleeding adapted from the Universal Definition of Peri-operative Bleeding, class 3 or 4. The relationship between pre-operative fibrinogen levels and peri-operative severe bleeding was analysed by binary logistic regression. A cubic B-spline transformation was used to estimate the relationship between pre-operative fibrinogen level associated with excessive peri-operative bleeding. RESULTS Severe peri-operative bleeding was observed in 957 (24.6%) patients. An L-shaped relationship was observed between pre-operative fibrinogen levels and 24-h postoperative blood loss. The relationship between pre-operative fibrinogen levels and severe peri-operative bleeding (i.e. Universal Definition of Peri-operative Bleeding class 3 or 4) was U-shaped: the risk of severe peri-operative bleeding bottomed at 3.3 g l−1 when the upward sloping curve started at 5.8 g l−1 with a steeper increase above 8.2 g l−1. CONCLUSION We reported a U-shaped relationship between severe peri-operative bleeding and pre-operative fibrinogen levels. While a low-level of fibrinogen appears to be associated with a high risk of bleeding, a high level does not necessarily protect the patient against such a risk and could even be a risk factor for peri-operative bleeding.

Background: A high perioperative blood lactate level has been reported to be associated with poor outcomes after cardiac surgery. More than isolated peaks of lactate values, it should be more interesting to take into account changes in intraoperative blood lactate level (∆Lact). This large-scale retrospective study evaluated the relationship between ∆Lact and overall intensive care unit morbidity and 30-day all-cause mortality. Methods: Perioperative data from consecutive patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery between September 2010 and June 2016 were retrospectively analysed through our institutional database including clinical, transfusion and laboratory test results implemented prospectively by physicians. Blood lactate levels were initially measured after induction of anaesthesia (baseline) and periodically during the surgery. The ∆Lact was defined as the difference between the highest intraoperative blood lactate and the baseline lactate level and offered the opportunity to stratify patients into four subgroups: ⩽0, 0.1-0.9, 1-1.9 and ⩾2 mmol L−1. Results: From the 7,795 patients found eligible during the study period, 7,447 patients were analysed. The median ∆Lact of our patients was 0.6 (0.3-1) mmol L−1. Most of the studied patients (65.9%) exhibited a ∆Lact between 0.1 and 0.9 mmol L−1. A concentration-dependent relationship was observed between ∆Lact and intensive care unit morbidity and 30-day mortality. After adjustment for co-variables, all ∆Lact > 0 was associated with an increase in overall intensive care unit morbidity. An independent relationship was also found between ∆Lact and 30-day mortality as of a 1 mmol L−1 increase. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ∆Lact is associated with poor short-term outcomes in adult cardiac surgical patients.

Sugammadex offers significant advantages over the current anticholinesterase reversal drugs. Sugammadex used has been approved for the United Stated and for Canada since December 2015 and February 2016, respectively. The present article aims to provide a straightforward and concise review of the most recent literature describing its clinical advantages in routine use. A thorough and cost-effective evaluation has been conducted specifically for North America to determine if its price justifies its inclusion into regular patients' care. The search examined the relevant literature from January 2013 to October 2016. The present narrative review describes how sugammadex could play a crucial role in the modern conduct of anesthesia. The particular emphasis on sugammadex cost-effective analysis performed in this article suggests that this new reversal agent should be considered for a wider use in North America.

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Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common complications after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) have a higher risk of cardiac surgery-associated AKI (CSA-AKI). A relationship has been strongly suggested between AKI and poor long-term graft survival. The main objective was to evaluate the impact of on-pump cardiac surgery on the 1-year renal allograft survival rate. Methods The study population consisted of 37 RTRs and 56 non-RTRs who underwent cardiac surgery between January 2010 and December 2019. They were matched according to age, sex, preoperative glomerular function, diabetes, and type of surgery. The primary composite outcome was renal survival, defined as patient survival without the requirement for permanent dialysis or new kidney transplantation at 1 year after surgery. Results The renal survival rate was significantly lower in the RTR group than in the non-RTR group (81% vs. 96%; OR, 0.16 [95% CI: 0.03–0.82], p = 0.03). The proportion of patients who returned to permanent dialysis was higher in the RTR group than in the non-RTR group (12% vs. 0%; p  =  0.02). The proportion of patients with severe AKI was also higher in the RTR group. At 1 year after surgery, serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate and all-cause mortality rates were comparable between both groups. Conclusion Patients with a functional renal allograft have a low 1-year renal allograft survival rate after cardiac surgery with CPB. In addition, these patients have significant risks of AKI and acute kidney disease after open-heart surgery.