Search results for " unit"

Bacterial inactivation/sterilization by argon plasma treatment on contaminated titanium implant surfaces: in vitro study

2015

Background: Surface treatment by argon plasma is widely used as the last step of the manufacturing process of ti- tanium implant fixtures before their sterilization by gamma rays. The possibility of using such a technology in the daily clinical practice is particularly fascinating. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the argon plasma treatment on different titanium implant surfaces previously exposed in vitro to bacterial contamination. Material and Methods: Sterile c.p. titanium implant discs with turned (T, Sa: 0.8μm), sandblasted/acid-etched (SAE, Sa: 1.3μm) and titanium plasma sprayed (TPS, Sa: 3.0μm) surface were used in this study. A strain of Ag- gregatibacter a…

A first dedicated heart valve unit: safe and streamlined patient care for the rapidly growing field of transcatheter heart valve interventions

2021

Abstract Background A dedicated Heart Valve Unit was launched in 2018 to meet the demands of the growing transcatheter heart valve program by optimizing patient care in a single dedicated unit. Purpose To assess the performance of the heart valve unit (all steps of patient care in a single unit with intermediate care facilities) over a conventional approach (preparation on a normal ward, postprocedural intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring and transfer to an additional monitoring ward before discharge) in a high volume center. Methods Retrospective analysis including patients undergoing transcatheter mitral or tricuspid valve repair who were admitted to the Heart Valve Unit (02/2018–01/2020)…

An intensive midsummer night’s dream

2018

2020

Gait variability observed in step duration is predictive of impending adverse health outcomes among apparently healthy older adults and could potentially be evaluated using wearable sensors (inertial measurement units, IMU). The purpose of the present study was to establish the reliability and concurrent validity of gait variability and complexity evaluated with a waist and an ankle-worn IMU. Seventeen women (age 74.8 (SD 44) years) and 10 men (73.7 (4.1) years) attended two laboratory measurement sessions a week apart. Their stride duration variability was concurrently evaluated based on a continuous 3 min walk using a force plate and a waist- and an ankle-worn IMU. Their gait complexity (…

SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in the lower respiratory tract, viral RNAemia and N-antigenemia in critically ill adult COVID-19 patients: relationship with biom…

2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundLittle is known about the comparative kinetics of SARS-CoV-RNA load in the lower respiratory tract and in blood compartment in patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and how these relate to biomarkers of COVID-19 severity.MethodsSeventy-three consecutive critically ill COVID-19 patients (median age, 65 years) were recruited. Serial lower respiratory tract (n=165) and plasma (n=340) specimens were collected. RT-PCR and lateral flow immunochromatography assay were used for SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantitation and N protein detection in plasma, respectively. Serum levels of inflammatory and tissue-damage biomarkers in paired specimens were analyzed.ResultsSARS-CoV-RNA was detec…

Bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: Distribution and antibiotic resistance of bacteria

2015

Vincenzo Russotto,1 Andrea Cortegiani,1 Giorgio Graziano,2 Laura Saporito,2 Santi Maurizio Raineri,1 Caterina Mammina,2 Antonino Giarratano1 1Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies (DIBIMED), Section of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Intensive Care and Emergency, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; 2Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy Abstract: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The case-fatality rate associated with BSIs in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) reaches 35%–50%. The emergence and diffusi…

Analysis of Candida auris candidemia cases in an Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital

2021

Abstract Candida auris is a multi-resistant emerging fungus. Objectives To analyze the relationship between colonization by C. auris and the appearance of invasive candidiasis. Description of the sample of colonized patients, risk factors for colonization and/or infection, and calculation of mortality rates. Methodology Longitudinal observational study in an anesthesia intensive care unit in 2018. Results 2130 patients were admitted. Surveillance studies were positive in 124 patients; 118 cases involved skin colonization and 52 were pharyngeal. Patients with a positive blood culture were identified. A statistically significant association was found between pharyngeal colonization and the ap…

PS-075 Evaluation of fall risks in elderly patients

2014

Background Falls among hospitalised elderly patients are a major public health concern since they can cause loss of independence, injury and sometimes patient death. Purpose To examine risk factors, especially drugs, potentially related to falls in elderly patients and to define possible actions. Materials and methods A retrospective (May 1 2010–March 31 2013) study was performed at ISMETT, a 90-bed hospital. Patient characteristics (age/gender/body mass index, BMI), clinical conditions (diagnosis/comorbidity), ward (Intensive Care Unit, Step-Down Unit, Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit and Abdominal Surgery Unit), length of stay, number of medicines taken within three days before falling and sev…

Changes of Hemodynamic Parameters, Pulmonary Gas Exchange, and Extravascular Lung Water During Esophageal Cancer Surgery

1988

Esophagectomy is often connected to postoperative pulmonary complications with a high mortality rate [1, 3,4]. From 1980 to 1985 we treated 19 patients after esophagectomy in our intensive care unit. Nine patients (47%) died of pulmonary complications. From the literature [3] and from our own observations we came to the conclusion that the first pulmonary changes start during the operative procedure.

0201: Cardiac surgery associated with cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with stable coronary disease: growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF- 15) as …

2014

BackgroundGrowth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been identified as a strong marker for cardiovascular disease; however, no data are available concerning the role of GDF-15 in the occurrence of organ dysfunction during cardiac surgery associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).MethodsThirty four patients, programmed to have non-urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), were included in our study. Arterial blood samples were taken sequentially from anesthesia induction (IND) until 24h after arrival at the cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU). Plasma levels of GDF-15, follistatin-like 1 (FLST1), myeloperoxidases (MPO), hydroperoxides and plasma antioxidant status (PAS) were …