Background Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) has been recommended to assess aspiration in stroke. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic roles of FEES in the early assessment of aspiration, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and mortality in acute stroke patients.
Methods Fifty-two patients with acute stroke admitted to the Alexandria Main University Hospital were included. Complete examinations and assessment of aspiration using the 8-point penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) with FEES protocol were performed.
Results The patients were classified into three groups: normal with no or low risk of aspiration (n=15, 27.3%; PAS level 1), low to moderate risk (n=8, 14.5%; PAS level 2–4), and high risk (n=32, 58.2%; PAS ≥5). There was high incidence of aspiration pneumonia, prolonged ICU stay, and mortality in both moderate- and high-risk groups (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). The PAS score predicted aspiration pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia) with sensitivity and specificity of 80.0% and 76.0%, respectively (negative predictive value [NPV], 76.0; positive predictive value [PPV], 80.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.706–0.940) and mortality with sensitivity and specificity of 88.46% and 68.97% (NPV, 87.0; PPV, 71.9; 95% CI, 0.749–0.951). The PAS score could predict the length of ICU stay with sensitivity and specificity of 70.21% and 87.50, respectively (NPV, 33.3; PPV, 97.1; 95% CI, 0.605–0.906).
Conclusions The standard FEES protocol using PAS score is a useful tool to assess aspiration in acute stroke patients and could be used to predict length of ICU stay and mortality.
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BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to determine the clinical outcomes of early vancomycin administration before identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients with nosocomial pneumonia on a ventilator. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with nosocomial pneumonia in a 20-bed medical ICU during a period of 2 years and 2 months. This study included 52 inpatients, who were admitted for more than 72 hr and had a new or progressive lung infiltrate plus at least two of the following three criteria for pneumonia: abnormal body temperature (>38oC or <35oC), abnormal leukocyte count (>10,000/mm3 or <3,000/mm3), and purulent bronchial secretions. All of the MRSA were identified in tracheal aspirates during mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients who received vancomycin prior to identification of MRSA exhibited a 28-day mortality rate of 60%, while 29 patients who received vancomycin after identification of MRSA showed a 28-day mortality rate of 40% (p=0.17). There was no statistically significant difference in severity index and routine laboratory findings between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early vancomycin administration before identification of MRSA does not appear to affect the mortality rate for patients with nosocomial pneumonia.
BACKGOUND: Patients with tracheostomy tubes have altered glottic closure in deglutition that may result in aspiration and may cause dangerous pulmonary complication including bronchopneumonia and atelectasis. The incidence of pulmonary aspiration in patients with tracheosomy may be high but difficult to determine because investigators often apply different criteria. The present study was prepared to document the incidence of aspiration in patients with tracheostomy using a simple dye-marker test. METHODS Thirty six surgical and medical patients (14 male and 22 female) in ICU with tracheostomy tube (high volume, low pressure cuffed tube) were included in this study.
Mental status (presence of response to verbal command), the presence of nasogastric tube and the presence of ventilatory support were recorded in each patients to evaluate the effect of these factors on the incidence of aspiration. 1% solution of methylene blue dye was applied on the both side of posterior tongue and then any evidence of the blue dye-marker obtained microscopically on secretion through the tracheostomy tube at every 2 hours during 72 hours was considered the positive evidence of aspiration. RESULTS Aspiration was detected by a positive methylene blue dye test in 11 of the 36 patients (30.5%) and average length of time before blue dye was obtained on tracheal secretion was 8.2 7.3 hours.The presence of response to verbal command, nasogastric tube and ventilatory support had no apparent effect on the incidence of aspiration. CONCLUSIONS This observation suggests that a simple test using dye-maker is helpful to detect aspiration in patients with tracheostomy. Tracheostomy should be done under discreet decision because the high incidence of aspiration in trcheostomized patients.
Indication for fiberoptic intubation in an awake patient include almost any abnormality that may hinder the expeditious placement of an endotracheal tube during anesthetic induction. An epistaxis is the most frequent complication of nasotracheal intubation. The patient was admitted for open reduction and internal fixation due to severe mandible fracture. We experienced a case of atelectasis due to epistaxis aspiration during awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation in the conscious patient regionally anesthetized by both superior laryngeal nerve block and translaryngeal anesthesia, which is treated by saline irrigation, suction, active coughing and chest percussion.
Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is a feared complication of anesthetic procedures. But aspiration of intestinal contents is rare, the influences of the aspirated contents and/or the consequnt events in the airway have not been fully settled in its provacative role for causing an acute pulmonary reaction. We experienced a case of pulmonary aspiration of intestinal content. The patinet who had undergone previous total gastrectomy was planed emergency operation due to intestinal obstructon. Aspiration during anesthetic induction occurred accidentally. Immediate endotracheal intubation and suction were followed. Right chest breathing sound was coarse and then it was getting better. Although supplement of O2 by Y-piece, arterial blood gas analysis of patient revealed pH 7.30, PaCO2 36 mmHg, PaO2 58 mmHg after emegence from anesthesia in the recovery room. Chest X-ray showed the focal air space consolidation in right lower lung and ill defined pulmonary opacity in left mid lung and retrocardiac area. The measured pH of aspiration content was 7.8 and nonpathogenic Gram negative bacilli species were cutured. Frequent suction, encouraging expectoration, antimicrobial agents therapy and O2 supplementation by Y-piece were performed in the ICU.
Patient normalized following 24 hrs after the episode of aspiration.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is defined as the onset of acute heart failure without demonstrable cause in the last trimester of pregnancy or within the first 6 months after delivery. Mortality from PPCM ranges from 25% to 50% and cause of death is usually chronic congestive heart failure or thromboembolic complications. We experienced 2 patients with PPCM. One was a twin pregnant woman and PPCM was developed after cesarean section. In the other case, PPCM was combined with aspiration pneumonia in the preterm labor patient. They were treated with diuretics and cardiotonic drugs and recovered to normal cardiac function within 7 to 10 days. Prognosis is related to recovery of left ventricular function, which usually occurs within 6 months postpartum. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of PPCM improve outcome.