COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, emerged as a pandemic disease posing a severe threat to global health. To date, sporadic studies have demonstrated that innate immune mechanisms, specifically neutrophilia, NETosis, and neutrophil-associated cytokine responses, are involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis; however, our understanding of the exact nature of this aspect of host–pathogen interaction is limited. Here, we present a detailed dissection of the features and functional profiles of neutrophils, dendritic cells, and monocytes in COVID-19. We portray the crucial role of neutrophils as drivers of hyperinflammation associated with COVID-19 disease via the shift towards their immature forms, enhanced degranulation, cytokine production, and augmented interferon responses. We demonstrate the impaired functionality of COVID-19 dendritic cells and monocytes, particularly their low expression of maturation markers, increased PD-L1 levels, and their inability to upregulate phenotype upon stimulation. In summary, our work highlights important data that prompt further research, as therapeutic targeting of neutrophils and their associated products may hold the potential to reduce the severity of COVID-19.

The review article is focused on developments in optical devices, other than laryngoscopes, in airway management and tracheal intubation. It brings information on advantages and limitations in their use, compares different devices, and summarizes benefits in various clinical settings. Supraglottic airway devices may be used as a conduit for fiberscope-guided tracheal intubation mainly as a rescue plan in the scenario of difficult or failed laryngoscopy. Some of these devices offer the possibility of direct endotracheal tube placement. Hybrid devices combine the features of two different intubating tools. Rigid and semi-rigid optical stylets represent another option in airway management. They offer benefits in restricted mouth opening and may be used also for retromolar intubation. Awake flexible fiberoptic intubation has been a gold standard in predicted difficult laryngoscopy for decades. Modern flexible bronchoscopes used in anesthesia and intensive care are disposable devices and contain optical lenses instead of fibers. Endotracheal tubes with an incorporated optics are used mainly in thoracic anesthesia for lung separation. They are available in double-lumen and single-lumen versions. They offer a benefit of direct view to the carina and do not require flexible fiberscope for their correct placement.

Purpose: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease interfering with neuromuscular transmission. Patients are at risk of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) if nondepolarizing muscle relaxants are used. Clinically inapparent insufficient muscle strength may result in hypoventilation and postoperative bronchopneumonia. We describe a cohort of 117 cases in which sugammadex was used in MG patients undergoing surgery with muscle relaxation with rocuronium. Methods and patients: We anesthetized 117 patients with MG using rocuronium and sugammadex as neuromuscular blockade reversal agent. One hundred five patients underwent surgical thymectomy and 12 underwent cholecystectomy (five laparotomic and seven laparoscopic). We measured time from sugammadex administration to recovery and to extubation, using the TOF-Watch^® (series of four consecutive electrical impulses [the train-of-four] >0.9). We tracked peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂) 10% above baseline, number of reintubations within the first 48 hours, and number of pneumonias within 120 hours, postoperatively. Results were processed as average, minimum, and maximum values. Results: The period needed to reach train-of-four of 0.9 following sugammadex administration was on average 117 seconds (minimum of 105 seconds/maximum of 127 seconds) and differed within deviation <10%. The time to extubation following sugammadex administration was on average 276 seconds (minimum of 251 seconds/maximum of 305 seconds) and differed minimally among patients as well. We observed no SpO2 10% above a baseline, no emergent reintubation within the first 48 hours, and no pneumonia diagnosed on clinical basis within 120 hours, postoperatively in all 117 patients. Conclusion: In this cohort of MG patients undergoing surgery using rocuronium and sugammadex, we did not observe any signs of postoperative residual curarization and respiratory depression. The neuromuscular blockade recovery was reliable, predictable, and rapid.

Coagulopathy is often accompanied by prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) in septic and nonseptic patients in intensive care unit (ICU). The conventional way to correct the coagulopathy is to administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP) before invasive procedures to minimise the risk of bleeding. However, prolonged PT can be present even in hypercoagulation status, resulting in unnecessary administration of FFP. In the present study, we have assessed the reliability of thromboelastometry in case of prolonged PT and the relationship to bleeding complications during surgical tracheostomy. The study was conducted during the period between April 2013 and April 2014 in patients undergoing surgical tracheostomy. Coagulation status was assessed using PT, and the status was reassessed by thromboelastometry for prolonged PT. Tracheostomy was performed in patients with normal thromboelastometry results without administering FFP. Tracheostomy was performed in total 119 patients. Normal value of PT as measured by international normalized ratio (INR) ≤ 1.2 was found in 64 (54 %) patients, while prolonged INR > 1.2 was found in 55 (46 %) patients. Patients with INR ≥ 1.3 (with INR min- 1.3, max- 1.84, and median- 1.48) were further analysed by thromboelastometry. Despite prolonged INR, thromboelastometry results were in normal ranges in all cases except one. With normal thromboelastometry, tracheostomy was performed safely without any bleeding complication. Surgical tracheostomy in septic and nonseptic patients can be performed without bleeding complications in case of normal thromboelastometry results (EXTEM CT) despite increased PT-INR. This method can help physicians to reduce unnecessary administration of FFP in patients.

Background: Airway management in tracheal resections presents many challenges. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to report the efficacy and complications associated with the use of the laryngeal mask airway in this procedure. Methods: The charts of 54 consecutive patients operated for tracheal stenosis during the period 2009–2016 were reviewed. This cohort included only resections of the trachea. We evaluated total success rate of laryngeal mask insertion (%), insertion success rate on the first attempt, the quality of intraoperative ventilation through the laryngeal mask, the quality of fibre optic view through the device, incidence of bleeding during the first 24 h, signs of dehiscence of the anastomosis within 48 h and 30-day mortality. Results: The laryngeal mask airway provided a patent airway throughout the procedure in 52 (96.4%) patients. Insertion of the device failed in 1 (1.8%) patient due to abnormal upper airway anatomy. Another patient (1.8%) developed laryngeal mask malposition during intraoperative neck extension subsequently requiring tracheal intubation. Fibre optic view through the devices including insertion of the flexible bronchoscope was satisfactory in 52 (96.4%) patients. Serious complications, such as pulmonary aspiration, early postoperative bleeding or suture dehiscence were not observed in this cohort. Conclusions: Based on this analysis of 54 patients, we would consider the laryngeal mask airway a feasible alternative to the tracheal tube for airway management and ventilation during open tracheal surgery.

Background. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disorder characterized by a large accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material within the alveoli. This causes respiratory failure due to a restriction of gas exchange and changes in the ventilation/perfusion ratio. Treatment methods include noninvasive pharmacological approaches and invasive procedures, such as whole-lung lavage under general anesthesia.Methods. Based on the literature search using free-term key words, we have analyzed published articles concerning the perioperative management of adult and pediatric patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.Results and Discussion. In total, 184 publications were analyzed. Only a few manuscripts were related to anesthetic, respiratory, and airway management in patients suffering from pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Airway should be strictly separated using a double-lumen tube. Respiratory strategies involve the use of manual clapping, continuous positive airway pressure, high-frequency jet ventilation of the affected lung, and employment of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the most serious of cases.Conclusion. The goal of this review is to summarize the current published information about an anesthetic management strategy with a focus on airway management, ventilation, and oxygenation techniques in PAP patients.