Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for Evaluation of Pediatric Abdominal Trauma
Abdominal TraumaThe research protocol aims to compare the utility of contrast enhanced abdominal sonography with computerized tomography in the evaluation of children with blunt abdominal trauma. Hemodynamically stable children ages 7-18 who are transferred to Children's Hospital on the trauma service with a CT scan of abdomen & pelvis already performed at the referring institution will be identified by the trauma service as eligible for inclusion. The ultrasounds will be performed by one of two Attending Radiologists involved in the study. The contrast being used for the study is Optison (GE Healthcare Inc, Princeton, NJ), which is an injectable suspension of Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres. This has been used in echocardiography as well as abdominal ultrasonography for evaluation of pediatric abdominal and pelvic solid tumors. The contrast enhanced ultrasound will be performed by radiologist. Contrast enhancement only lasts for 3-5 minutes per injection, therefore Optison will be redosed up to 2 additional doses for the completion of the ultrasound. Vital signs will be monitored for 30 minutes after the contrast agent is given and any adverse reactions will be recorded. Adverse reactions to Optison have occurred within this time frame in the literature. Subsequent medical care will be as indicated per the clinical practice guideline.
Levosimendan in Acute Kidney Injury Study
Acute Kidney InjuryWe hypothesise that levosimendan will have a positive influence on renal function during acute kidney injury in adult intensive care patients.
The Effect of Auditory Stimuli on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Among Patients With Acquired Brain...
Acquired Brain InjuryHeart Rate Variability (HRV) reflects the responsiveness of the autonomic system to an external stimuli. The aim of this system is to maintain homeostasis.The variability implies on the interaction between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems to maintain the ongoing changes of the autonomic system. Following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), there can be a damage to the Central Nervous System (CNS) function. The damages described in the literature are cognitive, motor and behavioural function, while there is less relation to the autonomic system. The autonomic system can influence the ability of patient with ABI to participate in the rehabilitation program. The aim of this work is to investigate the activity of the autonomic system activity as manifested by HRV among patients with ABI in different conditions: resting, during activity and while listening to different auditory stimuli.
Laparoscopy Versus Clinical Follow up to Detect Diaphragm Injury
Diaphragm InjuryTitle: A randomized prospective study comparing non operative management with laparoscopic treatment in patients with a diaphragm injury following left thoracoabdominal stab wounds. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to access the clinical outcome of potential occult diaphragm injuries in a group of patients presenting at the Groote Schuur trauma centre with left sided thoracoabdominal stab wounds, if an expectant non operative management course is taken. Objects of the Study: To obtain the above mentioned aim the study will undertake; to do laparoscopy on a group of randomly selected patients with left thoracoabdominal stab wounds to obtain the incidence of occult diaphragm injury. to assess the incidence and clinical outcome of delayed diaphragm visceral herniation in the study group.
The Influence of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery
Acute Kidney InsufficiencyAcute Renal Insufficiency2 moreAcute kidney injury is associated with cardiopulmonary bypass during heart surgery and its pathogenesis is similar to that of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Remote ischemic preconditioning attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. The investigators hypothesize that such preconditioning reduces the incidence of acute kidney injury associated with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Strategies to Optimize Positive End-expiratory Pressure (PEEP) in Patients With Acute Lung Injury...
Acute Lung InjuryAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome1 moreThe purpose of this study in patients suffering from acute lung injury is to determine whether positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) setting guided by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) influences pulmonary gas exchange, lung mechanics, ventilation/perfusion matching and homogeneity of regional ventilation when compared to other PEEP setting strategies such as the open lung concept or the ARDSnet protocol.
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in High Risk Patients Undergoing...
Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury After Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass GraftN-acetylcysteine may prevent acute kidney injury in high risk patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft.
Antiseptic Sutures and Wound Infection
Wound InfectionThe aim of this study was to ascertain if the use of Vicryl plus® reduced the number of wound infections after transverse laparotomy comparing to polydioxanon suture.
Impact of Nonselective Beta-blocker on Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhotic Patients With Esophageal...
Acute Kidney InjuryCirrhosis1 moreWe will include patients with EV and EVB. They will be randomized to EVL vs. NSBB for primary prevention And EVL+long-term NSBB vs. EVL+short-term NSBB for secondary prevention. 150 patients will be included in a 3-year period. Primary end-points are formation/progression of ascites, acute kidney injury and survival. The other outcomes such as bleeding, rebleeding, infection and other risk factors will be also analyzed.
Assessment of InfraScanner 2000™ in Detecting Subdural and Epidural Hematomas
Head TraumaCraniocerebral Injuries22 moreThe goal of this study is to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the a portable near-infrared-based device (portable NIR-based device), the InfraScanner 2000™, to detect intracranial hematomas (epidural hematomas (EDH) and/or subdural hematomas (SDH)) in patients hospitalized at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) who have sustained or who are suspected to have sustained head trauma.