Background: Severe variations in osmotic pressure are significant contributors to critical patient morbidity and mortality and might also affect platelet volume. We aimed to investigate possible osmotic-induced changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) and their possible effects on platelet aggregation activity (PLAG). Methods: We induced experimental variations of serum osmolality in blood samples from healthy volunteers (heparinized whole blood [WB]) and isolated platelets (platelet-rich plasma [PRP]) by adding isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions of saline/water (pH = 7.2–7.4). PLAG was tested in WB samples with impedance aggregometry (IA) and in PRP samples with light transmission aggregometry (LTA) using three agonists: adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 μm), thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP-6, 10 μm), and arachidonic acid (500 μm). Osmolality was either calculated using a formula or measured directly. Results: We found almost identical osmolalities in WB and PRP preparations. Osmotic stress did not produce significant changes in MPV. In IA testing, the hypotonic challenge of WB preparations produced significant reductions at 50% (p = 0.056) (95% CI: 11.2–2.4, in Ohms) of ADP and at 31% (p = 0.017) (95% CI: 13.4–8.6, in Ohms) of TRAP-6-induced PLAG, respectively. In PRP, we did not observe any variations in PLAG with LTA. Conclusions: We conclude that in vitro hypotonic stress of WB samples has an inhibitory effect on the PAR-1 (TRAP-6-induced) pathway and on the P2Y12 (ADP-induced) pathway and reflects a distinct in vivo effect of hypoosmotic stress on WB human platelet preparations.

Introduction Cell salvaging is well established in the blood management of cardiac patients, but there remain some concerns about its effects on perioperative bleeding and transfusion variables. This randomized controlled study investigated the potential effects of the centrifuged end-product on bleeding, transfusion rates, and other transfusion-related variables in adult cardiac surgery patients submitted to extracorporeal circulation. Materials and Methods Patients were randomly chosen to receive (cell-salvage group, 99 patients) or not to receive (control group, 110 patients) the centrifuged product of a cell salvage apparatus. Bleeding and transfusion rates according to the universal definition of perioperative bleeding (UDPB) classification, postoperative hemoglobin, coagulation, and oxygenation indices were recorded and compared between the groups. Results Both groups had almost identical bleeding and transfusion rates (median value: 2 units of red blood cells (RBC) and no units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLT) for both groups, p > 0.05). Patients in the cell-salvage group presented slightly higher hemoglobin concentrations (10.6 ± 1.1 vs. 10.1 ± 1.7 g/dL, p < 0.05, respectively) and a tendency towards better oxygenation indices (PaO2/FiO2: 241 ± 94 vs. 207 ± 84, p=0.013) in the postoperative period albeit with a tendency for prolongation of prothrombin time (INR: 1.31 ± 0.18 vs. 1.26 ± 0.12, p=0.008). Conclusion Within the study's constraints, the perioperative use of the cell salvage concentrate does not seem to affect bleeding or transfusion variables, although it could probably ameliorate postoperative oxygenation in adult cardiac surgery patients. A tendency to promote coagulation disturbances was detected.

When studying the Hippocratic Medicine and the Traditional Chinese Medicine in parallel, one cannot miss some intriguing similarities between them. In this article, we sought to describe the most pertinent similarities that arouse during our research. We reviewed the two main resources of Hippocratic Medicine available in the literature and compared its doctrines with those of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. Given the length of time that has elapsed since the abandonment of Hippocratic practices, it is quite difficult to retrieve accurate information on its medical practices and the recipes of his “medicines”. On the other hand, the Chinese Medicine doctrines seem to have survived, more detailed and robust through the ages as they are still practiced in vast in the Far East populations. The phlebotomy and cauterisation sites proposed by Hippocrates and the meridian paths of the Chinese Medicine look quite analogous in their conceptualisation, as well as in spatial locating. There are also a lot of topographically common sites in the acupuncture nomenclature and the sites for intervention that Hippocrates proposed for most of the painful syndromes. Some similar bases in the treatment of pain may have their origin in possible cultural exchanges between the fifth and tenth century BC but are still lacking the relative affirmative data. Multiple similarities seem to exist between these ancient but distinct medical schools. The likelihood of potential interaction between their hosting civilizations cannot be proven, yet it seems quite possible.

Current treatment for calcific tendonitis consists of arm rest, antiinflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. If unsuccessful, a lot of clinicians suggest several physiotherapy modalities, such as shockwave therapy and electrotherapy. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture, as a substitute for failed medical treatment in calcific tendonitis. In a pilot study, we prospectively followed 10 patients treated with electroacupuncture for calcific tendonitis who failed to respond to medical treatment. Its efficacy was assessed by evaluating the level of pain, the Beck Depression Inventory, the range of active elbow mobility, and by repeated radiological evaluation of the course of calcific deposits. All clinical and radiological observations were recorded before and within 6 months after the onset of treatment. After electroacupuncture treatment (2 Hz, 180 mA for 30-60 seconds at GB21, GB34, LI4, LI 14, LI15, TW5, TW14, Chien Chien SI9, SI12, S37, S38), the visual analog score decreased notably, and the range of motion returned to normal. Radiological evaluation demonstrated almost complete absorption of calcific deposits within 6 months, after treatment. We conclude that electroacupuncture relieved skeletal pain, improved the quality of patient's life, and contributed to total regression of the calcific depositions in followed patients. So, electroacupuncture may be a valuable treatment option for calcific tendonitis, when medical treatment fails to relieve symptoms.

BACKGROUND:Hip fracture is common and morbid in elderly patients. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is also very common in these subjects undergoing surgery with an incidence which exceeds 40% in some reports. To date, the evidence is ambiguous as to whether anesthetic technique may affect the patients' outcome as far as postoperative cognitive function is concerned.OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the effect of general and subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia on the development of POCD up to 30 days after surgery in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Methods Subjects over 65 years with hip fracture undergoing surgery were recruited for this study. They were enrolled and randomized to receive either general anesthesia (GA group) or subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia (S group). Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests undertaken preoperatively and at 30 days postoperatively. The incidence of delirium was examined during the same period and their functional status, in terms of activities of daily living was also recorded.RESULTS:A total of seventy patients, 33 men and 37 females, mean age of 76 years were analyzed. Thirty-three patients received general anesthesia (GA group) and 37 subarachnoid (spinal) anesthesia (S group). The two groups of patients were similar with respect to baseline characteristics, comorbidities and perioperative data. The results of neuropsychological testing showed that there were no significant differences between the groups in eight out of ten neurocognitive tests at baseline and 30 days after surgery. There was a statistically significant decline of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale score in S group compared with group GA on the 30th postoperative day (p = 0.043). A significant decline was also present in Color-Word Task test in S group compared with group GA at baseline (p = 0.014) and 30 days postoperatively (p = 0.003). Postoperative delirium was present in four patients (12%) for the GA group, and in 10 patients (27%) for the group receiving subarachnoid anesthesia.CONCLUSION:We concluded that the choice of anesthesia modality does not appear to influence the emergence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

IntroductionNeuropathic pain is a frequent consequence of cancer pain. Quite often, in the end stage, it is difficult to discern its presence and delineate its characteristics in the context of painful cancer complications. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) and painDETECT questionnaires, which were translated to the patient's native language, for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathic pain in oncology patients. MethodsEnd-stage cancer patients who presented to the outpatient pain clinic were prospectively followed. At presentation, all patients completed the DN4 and painDETECT questionnaires, which had been translated to their native language, and the output was compared to the pain specialist's diagnosis of the neuropathic or non-neuropathic nature of the pain, which was considered as the gold standard. The diagnostic accuracy of both questionnaires was tested with receiver operating characteristic curves plotted from the data collected. ResultsNinety patients (48.5% of 185 in total) presented with severe pain. Seventy-six had neuropathic pain (41.1%) and 109 had non-neuropathic pain. Of those with neuropathic pain, most had a mixed pain (bone or visceral in addition to neuropathic pain). The DN4 questionnaire had a sensitivity of 71.1% and a specificity of 88.7% in detecting neuropathic pain, with a cutoff value of 4, while the painDETECT questionnaire had a sensitivity of 26.3% and a specificity of 100%, with a cutoff value of 19. ConclusionAt standard cutoff values, the DN4 and painDETECT questionnaires, despite having been translated to the patient's native language, failed to adequately discriminate between neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain in our end-stage cancer patients.

BACKGROUND:Before applying new blood management strategies, the extent of blood product transfusions and its correlation with perioperative mortality should be identified. METHODS:This study retrospectively analyzed the extent of perioperative transfusions of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and platelets (PLT) in 565 consecutive cardiac surgery patients, who received transfusions based on standard prescriptions. Patients were stratified in four groups according to perioperative transfusion units (no transfusion, <5, 5-10, >10 units). Mortality was analyzed in relation to the type and extent of each blood product transfused and their combinations. Subsequently, the ability of transfusion volume to predict mortality was tested. RESULTS:Most patients received blood product transfusions perioperatively. The observed mortality (11.7 %) correlated significantly with the volume of transfusion. Patients transfused with >5 RBC or FFP units or >10 PLT units had increased mortality compared with those receiving fewer transfusions (23.9 % vs 4.5 %, 27.4 % vs 6 %, 24.5 % vs 8.5 %, p <0.05, respectively). Analysis revealed that cutoffs of >5 units of RBC or >15 units of RBC, FFP, and PLT additively (sensitivity: 74.2 % and 72.7 %, specificity: 68.7 % and 69.5 %, respectively) had an acceptable discrimination ability for perioperative mortality (Area under the ROC curve: 0.756, p <0.001, and 0.735, p <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:This study confirmed a dose-dependent, transfusion-associated, increased mortality in cardiac surgery patients who received standard prescription transfusions. The results support the need for applying validated, patient-specific blood conservation strategies that correspond to the patient's actual perioperative transfusion needs. HIPPOKRATIA 2018, 22(2): 68-74.

The objective of this study was to test platelet function pre- and peri-operatively in clopidogrel-treated patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.

Calcific tendonitis is a common painful syndrome of the shoulder region that affects mainly women of 40 to 60 years of age. It usually remains asympatomatic at the early stages and in some patients, but produces severe and sometimes protracted pain during the resolution phase. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and the "frozen shoulder" syndrome are the main entities that need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of the syndrome. Although there are specific criteria to diagnose any of these painful syndromes but occasionally some of these may co-exist and make diagnosis and appropriate treatment quite a challenging task. We present a case with bilateral calcific tendonitis of the shoulders, complicated with causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) syndrome that make the two arms of the CRPS. After failure of the conservative treatment (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, opioids, physiotherapy, intra-articular steroids) to treat both pain and causalgia, we applied repetitive trials of electroacupuncture together with auricular acupuncture and one trial of intravenous regional anesthesia. The patient gradually responded to treatment and regained normal, painless mobility of the shoulders. She returned to normal life activities after five years of debilitating pain in both of her shoulders. We believe that electroacupuncture deserves further clinical research in painful musculoskeletal disorders like calcific tendonitis.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a constellation of risk factors, including central obesity, elevated fasting blood glucose, high blood pressure and atherogenic dyslipidemia. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the impact of MetS on perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with laparotomy. Methods: We included 105 consecutive non-diabetic patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with laparotomy. Patients were divided into two groups based on MetS diagnosis. Perioperative adverse events were recorded according to the definitions of the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome guidelines. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 57.1%. The presence of MetS was associated with a 2.64 higher odds (95% CI 1.18-5.95, P = 0.019) for respiratory events and a 3.42 higher odds (95% CI 1.05-11.13, P = 0.041) for superficial surgical site infections. Furthermore, regarding MetS patients, all individual components of MetS were associated with worse outcomes in an independent manner. Conclusions: MetS as an entity along with its individual components are associated with an increased risk of perioperative events in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with laparotomy. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neuropathic pain is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain. Its resistance to treatment, often challenges patient's cooperation to prolonged and sometimes interventional schemes and necessitates constant search for alternative or complementary interventions. In this case series, one elderly male patient who presented with persistent chronic pelvic pain after multiple abdominal operations did not respond to conventional medical treatment and acupuncture and requested discontinuation of treatment. Electroacupuncture was applied as a last resort therapy and proved very effective in reducing pelvic pain; it permitted significant reduction in anti-depressant medication doses. A second case study refers to a young female patient who developed chronic pelvic pain after giving birth to a child. Various treatments proved unsuccessful in alleviation her pain. She eventually responded to electro-acupuncture at multiple trigger points in the abdominal wall.

10 National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc ‘‘Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’’, Athens, Greece 11 Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece 12 ELPEN, Experimental-Research Centre, Athens, Greece 13 University of Ioannina, Medical School, Department of Anesthesiology, Ioannina, Greece 14 Chicago College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois 15 European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus 16 17 Received 4 June 2016; received in revised form 20 September 2016; accepted 13 November 2016; online published-ahead-of-print xxx

BACKGROUND:Severe or massive bleeding in cardiac surgery is an uncommon but important clinical scenario. Its existing definitions are diverse. Its characteristics constantly change during an active hemorrhage and, thus is difficult to define appropriately.METHODS:In this narrative, non-systematic review, we performed a literature search to retrieve data that could contribute to answering clinical questions on the definition and grading of severe hemorrhage and massive transfusion, identifying factors that predict and affect bleeding and transfusion-related mortality and describing the risks of re-exploration and the economic impact of severe bleeding in cardiac surgery.   Results: Massive perioperative bleeding is currently described by indices of its rate and extent and the magnitude of the consequent blood products transfusion. It has a significant impact on mortality, service logistics, and hospital financing. Proper and early identification of a massive bleeding is possible. Among other factors, patient's co-morbidities, bleeding severity and transfusion volume seem to predict the associated mortality. Consequent to severe bleeding, re-exploration, is also a potentially hazardous adverse event that also affects morbidity and mortality.CONCLUSIONS:Severe perioperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery carries significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, prediction and identification of massive bleeding is a feasible but incomplete clinical task despite the availability of effective treatment regimens. A still missing, compact definition of massive perioperative bleeding in cardiac surgery that incorporates all phases of treatment could augment clinical preparedness, allow for the development of accurate prediction tools and permit the application of well-validated protocols of management. Hippokratia 2016, 20(3): 179-186.

Background Centhaquin citrate is a novel agent being developed for use in the treatment of haemorrhagic shock. The aim of our study was to assess whether the administration of centhaquin would improve initial resuscitation success, 24-hour survival, and neurologic outcome compared with adrenaline alone in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation.Methods Ventricular fibrillation was induced in 20 healthy Landrace/Large White piglets. The animals were randomised to receive placebo plus adrenaline 0.02 mg/kg (n= 10, Group C) and adrenaline 0.02 mg/kg plus centhaquin 0.015 mg/kg (n= 10, Group S). All animals were resuscitated according to the 2010 European Resuscitation Council guidelines. Haemodynamic variables were measured before arrest, during arrest and resuscitation, and during the first two hours after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Survival and a neurologic alertness score were measured at 24 hours after ROSC.Results A significant difference was observed in ROSC rate between the two groups, as 10 animals (100%) from Group S and 4 animals (40%) from Group C achieved ROSC (p= 0.011). Systolic, diastolic, and mean aortic pressure and coronary perfusion pressure were significantly higher in Group S at the end of the second cycle of CPR. In our study, all subjects with ROSC survived for 24 hours, while we observed no statistically significant differences in neurologic examination (Group C 100 +/- 0, Group S 96 +/- 12.64; p= 0.527).Conclusion The addition of centhaquin to adrenaline improved ROSC rates in a swine model of VF cardiac arrest.

We report a case of thoracic trauma (rib fractures with pneumothorax and pulmonary contusions) with severe chest pain leading to ineffective ventilation and oxygenation. The patient presented to our emergency department. The patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was completely unable to take deep breaths and clear secretions from his bronchial tree. After obtaining informed consent, we applied auricular acupuncture to ameliorate pain and hopefully improve his functional ability to cough and breathe deeply. Within a few minutes, his pain scores diminished considerably, and his ventilation and oxygenation indices improved to safe limits. Auricular acupuncture analgesia lasted for several hours. Parallel to pain reduction, hemodynamic disturbances and anxiety significantly resolved. A second treatment nearly a day later resulted in almost complete resolution of pain that lasted at least 5 days and permitted adequate ventilation, restored oxygenation, and some degree of mobilization (although restricted due to a compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra). Nonopioid and opioid analgesics were sparsely used in low doses during the entire hospitalization period. Hemodynamic alterations and anxiety also decreased, and the patient was soon ready to be discharged.

AIM:The additive EuroSCORE system for predicting operative mortality of cardiac patients tends to underestimate the mortality risk of high risk patients and concomitantly to overestimate that of low risk patients. We propose a modification of stratification groups aiming at improving its precision. We also tested its ability to predict the length of postoperative mechanical ventilation of our patients.METHODS:The high risk group of the EuroSCORE system (>6 points) was divided into three additional groups (group I: 0-2 points, group II: 3-5 points, group III: 6-8 points, group IV: 9-13 points, group V: >14 points) thus producing a 5 classes system. In a group of 301 cardiac surgery patients operated on in a low volume cardiac center, we calculated the expected mortality rate for each EuroSCORE class, the calibration of the modified scoring system, the ROC and the corresponding AUC values and the relative risk of each predisposing factor used by the original EuroSCORE sytem.RESULTS:The proposed modification increased the discrimination ability of EuroSCORE in predicting mortality (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.78, ROC size: 0.791) and marginally affected its accuracy in predicting length of postoperative mechanical ventilation (Hosmer-Lemeshow: 0.11, ROC size: 0.711). Combined operations of CABG and valve replacement were shown to exert a statistically significant effect on mortality (odds ratio 3.85, CI: 1.15-12.87, P=0.028).CONCLUSION:The proposed modification of additive EuroSCORE can presumably increase its discrimination ability in predicting mortality of cardiac patients handled in a low volume cardiac center. The need for prolonged mechanical ventilation could be predicted with acceptable accuracy, possibly providing support in resource management.

BACKGROUND:Postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction are common in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether postoperative ondansetron administration has a favorable effect on postoperative delirium and 30th day cognitive function and pain in patients undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia due to femoral or hip fracture.METHODS:A hundred and six patients aged >40 years old scheduled for a femoral or hip fracture rehabilitation surgery, were randomized on a double-blind protocol to receive postoperatively 4 ml of either ondansetron 8 mg (Group A) or placebo (Group B) daily i.v. for five days. Each patient was evaluated preoperatively and on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day postoperatively with Confusion Assessment Method test, and preoperatively and on the 30th day postoperatively using a sensitive battery of neuropsychological, functional and pain tests.RESULTS:Patients of both groups did not differ preoperatively significantly in their basic characteristics and predisposing factors associated with postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction. The results showed that postoperative administration of ondansetron was followed by a lower incidence and duration of postoperative delirium and improved postoperative neurocognitive function on the 30th postoperative day, regardless of age or history of stroke. This was accompanied by a significant better postoperative functionality and less pain.CONCLUSION:The postoperative ondansetron administration seems to protect and might improve the cognitive function in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. Ondansetron also seems to release analgesic effects.