Systemic Nitrosative/Oxidative Stress in Patients With Acute Brain Injury
Subarachnoid HemorrhageAneurysmal2 moreAcute brain injury due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) carries a high morbidity and mortality, in part due to the development of secondary brain injury. The mechanisms behind secondary brain injury are incompletely understood, but oxidative/nitrosative stress and disturbances in the metabolism of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) are believed to be involved. The aim of the present study is to characterise systemic changes in markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress and NO metabolism in the early phase after acute brain injury, and to examine their relationship to clinical course, neurological outcome, and mortality.
Evaluating the Use of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in Total Joint Arthroplasty
Blood LossThis research study aims to study the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in total joint replacement (arthroplasty) of the hip (THR) and knee (TKR).
ERAS Protocol in Pancreaticoduodenectomy and Total Pancreatectomy
Pancreatic CancerSurgery--Complications3 moreIn the study, the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program is applied to total pancreatectomy (TP) and low-risk pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) patients identified by a small number of acinar cells in the cut edge of the pancreas. The research setting is randomized and controlled. All patients arriving at the Tampere University Hospital (TAUH) for PD or TP surgery are recruited into the study. Recruited patients are randomized to the ERAS protocol and to the standard protocol recovery program. The ERAS program differs from the normal care protocol preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively as explained in the following section. In the ERAS protocol, both on the previous day of the surgery and on the following days, the patient is discussed with the patient about the benefits of the protocol used and the recovery program objectives. The purpose is to motivate and encourage the patient. On the day of surgery, the patient's intake of food and fluids is allowed to be closer to the surgery and the patient is also given a carbohydrate drink two hours before surgery. The nasogastric tube set at the beginning of surgery is removed at the end of the surgery and peripancreatic or perihepatic drains are not routinely placed. After surgery, drinking is allowed after four hours and the patient is encouraged to move as actively as possible in the bed. On the first and second postoperative day, the patient is allowed to enjoy normal food and drink according to his or her ability, and pancreatic capsules are given in the course of food. Additionally, the analgesic to be administered through the epidural cannula is dosed as far as possible to allow mobilization of the patient. The discussion on the benefits and recovery targets of the ERAS protocol are continued. On the third postoperative day, the epidural infusion is discontinued and the pain medication is moved to opioid-based pain management. This is continued until specific criteria for passing to the follow-up care are met. Typical complications (pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage) are registered during hospitalization and their severity ratings according to ISGPS, ISPGF and Clavien-Dindo classifications are also determined. Other variables registered are the number of intensive care days, situations requiring new surgeries, 30 and 90 day mortality, the completion time of the criteria for passing to follow up care, and the total length of hospitalization. In addition, the need for readmissions is registered. The implementation of the ERAS protocol is followed by a separate tracking template, in which the nurses record the progress of the goals specified in the protocol on a daily basis. The results of the study are analyzed with the intention-to-treat principle.
CytoSorb SAH Trial
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid HaemorrhageIn aSAH high levels of IL-6 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine) in the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as systemically have been linked to the severity grade and the occurrence of vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm as well as worse outcome independent of severity grade at time of admission and age. Increased levels of IL-6 increase the probability of unfavourable outcome, as well as the occurrence of delayed ischemic neurological deficit. CytoSorb is an available, and certified medical device intended for use in conditions where elevated levels of cytokines such as IL-6 exist. Its clinical effect lies in the reduction of levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and thereby improving organ function as well as improving hemodynamic stability within hours of treatment initiation. Currently it is primarily used for the treatment of patients with confirmed or imminent respiratory failure who have either an acute lung injury, or acute respiratory distress syndrome, or a severe disease incl. respiratory failure, septic shock, and or multiple organ dysfunction/failure. Until now, effective IL-6 removal in patients suffering from aSAH has not been possible in human and thus has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this study is to see whether removal of IL-6 in patients with aSAH using CytoSorb is possible, and whether this alters the clinical course. The overall goal of this study is to investigate whether a treatment with CytoSorb removes Interleukin 6 in patients with aSAH, and whether the treatment with CytoSorb alters the clinical course.
Assessing Depth of Small Bowel Insertion at Push Enteroscopy by Using Capsule Endoscopy
Obscure Gastrointestinal BleedingGastrointestinal Diseases2 moreBleeding from the gastrointestinal tract can originate from the small bowel. Typically, upper and lower endoscopies are unable to identify the site of bleeding and patients need to undergo special endoscopies with longer cameras to examine the small bowel and find the bleeding site. One of the most commonly used scopes to investigate the first part of the small intestinal is called "push enteroscopy". This is an upper endoscopy that uses a pediatric colonoscope, which is longer. To date, it is unknown what percentage of small bowel can be observed with this technique. Hence, this study aimed to determine the extent of small bowel examined by push enteroscopy. Consecutive patients with suspected bleeding from the small intestine will undergo a push enteroscopy and the depth of the examination will be marked with metallic clips. Subsequently, patients will have a capsule endoscopy, which is a little camera that will take multiple pictures of the whole small intestine. The percentage of small bowel that the push enteroscopy examined will be determined by the percentage of small bowel corresponding to the location of the clips visualized on capsule endoscopy.
Prospective Study on Feto-maternal outcoMe In aNemIc womEn
AnemiaPregnancy Anemia6 moreBackground Blood transfusions in pregnancy are usually urgent, unpredictable, and occur in otherwise healthy women. There is evidence of increasing rates of maternal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion around childbirth both in Europe and in US. Indeed, they are recorded in approximately 0.4-1.6% of all deliveries. Although obstetric patients use a small proportion of the blood supply overall (3-4%), however over the last years there has been a significant increase (about 30%) in the use of blood and blood products throughout pregnancy. Most available data relate to the peri-partum period, defined as those occurring from 48 hours before delivery onwards. Anemia in pregnancy is associated with increased maternal mortality and fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The risk of these adverse effects is proportional to the severity of anemia; for instance, preterm birth and low birth weight rates are particularly high among women with a hemoglobin below 7 g/dL. The presence of anemia in at-term pregnant women is a rather frequent and unrecognized risk factor for peri-partum hemorrhage (PPH) transfusion. In a retrospective investigation, we have calculated that almost 20% of at-term pregnant women show iron deficiency anemia. It has been suggested that reduction of RBC transfusion in the context of PPH may decrease maternal mortality and, at the same time, reduce costs. Patient's Blood Management (PBM) is a well-known strategy based on 1) identification of anemia; 2) reduction of blood loss and 3) reduction of RBC transfusion. In several medical specialties, recommendations based on available evidence highlighted the concept that a restrictive RBC administration is safe and efficacious. Despite the fact that the WHO has recommended PBM early 2010, the majority of hospitals are in need of guidelines to apply PBM in daily practice. Rationale Anemia is a frequent and often unrecognized hallmark of at-term pregnancies. Systematic collection of data on transfusion practice during pregnancy and post-partum period are scarce. The application of PBM in obstetrics is expected to improve pregnancy outcome and optimize resources. Objectives Objectives of the present study are To estimate: frequency of anemia in pregnancy and feto-maternal complications, distribution of haemorrhage aetiologies and transfusion indications. To evaluate associations of these outcomes with gestational age, and transfusion dose.
Clinical, Pharmacological and Molecular Effects of IV and Oral Acetaminophen in Adults With aSAH...
Subarachnoid HemorrhageStrokeThis study compares the bioavailability of IV and PO acetaminophen in both blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients following subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study will also compare the temperature and levels of inflammatory cytokines in both blood and CSF of patients treated with IV and PO acetaminophen.
Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss in Hemorrhagic Caesarean Delivery
Pregnancy ComplicationsHemorrhageTRACES trial is a multicenter randomized double blind placebo control therapeutic and pharmaco-biological dose ranging study to measure the effect on blood loss reduction of a single intravenous infusion of two doses regimens (standard dose and low dose) of TA administered at the onset of an active PPH (>800mL) during elective or non-emergent CS and to correlate this clinical effect with the biological effect of fibrinolysis inhibition and the pharmacodynamic measure of TA uterine bleeding and venous blood concentration.
Tampostat for Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum HemorrhageThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility and applicability of a new device 'Tampostat' in the management of primary postpartum hemorrhage and compare the efficacy of 'Tampostat' in terms of arresting primary PPH with that of the conventional condom catheter.
Milrinone in Addition to Hyperdynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Vasospasm Following Aneurysmal...
Cerebral VasospasmThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of adding Milrinone to the current standard treatment for cerebral vasospasm.