The relationship between hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, platelet (HALP) score, and various cancers and cardiovascular diseases has been tested previously. However, the relationship between HALP score and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) has not been adequately tested. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the relationship between HALP score and mortality in patients with NVAF. This study included 2,592 NVAF patients from 35 centers in Turkey. Patients were divided into two groups: those with HALP scores ≤ 58.96 (low HALP score group, 1,296 patients) and > 58.96 (high HALP score group, 1,296 patients). The primary outcome measured was all-cause mortality. The mean HALP score was 66 ± 33. Patients in the low HALP score group had higher 1- and 5-year all-cause mortality rates (1-year: 12.9% vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001; 5-year: 38.5% vs. 20.2%, p < 0.001). Cox regression analysis identified the HALP score as an independent predictor of mortality (1-year: HR = 0.987, 95% CI = 0.981-0.992, p < 0.001; 5-year: HR = 0.990, 95% CI = 0.987-0.993, p < 0.001). ROC analysis determined a HALP score 52.3 predicted 1-year mortality with 62.9% sensitivity and 62% specificity (AUC = 0.680); a score of 55 predicted 5-year mortality with 60.3% sensitivity and 62.2% specificity (AUC = 0.657). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed increasing mortality over time in the low HALP score group (log-rank tests, 1-year = 44.86, p < 0.001; 5-year = 108.54, p < 0.001). The HALP score is a simple, accessible measure, and our findings suggest that lower HALP scores are associated with increased 1-year and 5-year mortality in NVAF patients. This provides a reference for clinicians assessing risk in this vulnerable population.

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a biomarker of insulin resistance and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an important complication that causes poor outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and CIN and mortality in patients who underwent PCI due to chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO). Two hundred eighteen individuals from three separate medical centers who underwent procedural PCI between February 2010 and April 2012 and had a CTO lesion in at least one coronary artery were recruited. According to the TyG index, patients were divided into two groups. Patients with a TyG index ≥ 8.65 were included in Group 1, and patients with a TyG index < 8.65 were included in Group 2. Patients were followed up for 96 months. The main outcome was the development of CIN and mortality. The mean age of the patients (65.8 ± 10.94 vs. 61.68 ± 11.4, P = 0.009), diabetes mellitus (60 [44.8%] vs. 11 [13.1%], P < 0.001), and dyslipidemia rates (52 [38.8%] vs. 21 [25%], P = 0.036) were higher in group 1. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, it was seen that age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08, P = 0.020), chronic kidney disease (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.02–5.33, P = 0.044), peripheral artery disease (OR = 5.66, 95% CI = 1.24–25.91, p = 0.026), LVEF (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92–0.99, P = 0.005), LDL cholesterol levels (OR = 1.00, 95%CI = 1.00–1.02, P = 0.024) and TyG index (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.21–3.89, P = 0.009) were independent predictors of the development of CIN. Our study demonstrates a correlation between the TyG index and the prevalence of CIN in patients with CTO undergoing PCI. Adding the TyG index to the routine clinical evaluation of patients with CTO undergoing PCI may help protect patients from the development of CIN.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of preoperative sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) on postoperative pain and assess intraoperative and postoperative analgesic consumption in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. In this prospective, randomized controlled study, 72 patients were included and divided into two groups: group 1 (36 patients) received the sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB), while group 2 (36 patients) served as the control group. Patient assessments, using the numerical rating scale (NRS), were conducted at the postoperative first hour, fourth hour, and 24^th hour. Additionally, intraoperative hemodynamics, analgesic requirements, and postoperative analgesic requirements were documented. The patients in group 1 exhibited significantly lower NRS scores at postoperative first, fourth, and 24^th hour than those in group 2 (P<0.001 for all three time points). Additionally, the mean Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale (RSAS) scores were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (P=0.006). Both intraoperative remifentanil use and postoperative analgesic consumption were significantly higher in patients in group 2 (P<0.001 and 0.004, respectively) than those in group 1. Analysis of intraoperative heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP) revealed that patients in group 1 had lower postoperative heart rates (P=0.040) than those in group 2, and MAP values after intraoperative block, at 30 min, and postoperatively were significantly lower (P=0.005, P=0.001, and P=0.034, respectively) than those in group 2. We advocate for the adoption of the noninvasive SPGB method in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty surgery. This approach significantly reduces the need for intraoperative analgesics, alleviates postoperative pain, and reduces the demand for postoperative analgesics. Moreover, it improves the overall surgical experience because of its ease of application, contributing to a more comfortable surgical process.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of explaining the perioperative process to pediatric patients scheduled for adenotonsillectomy using pictures on their anxiety levels. Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted, enrolling 58 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 29), where the perioperative process was explained using pictures, and Group 2 (n = 29), the control group, where no pictures were used. Child anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale Short Form (mYPAS-SF) at five observation time points before anesthesia induction. Parents’ anxiety was measured using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety. Results: Patients in Group 1 had significantly lower heart rates during induction and the intraoperative period compared to Group 2 (p = 0.031, p = 0.025, respectively). In terms of anxiety and RSAS scores, patients in Group 1 had significantly lower mYPAS-SF scores at time points t2, t3, t4, and t5 compared to Group 2 (t2: p = 0.001; t3–t5: p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed at t1 (p = 0.068). The mean RSAS scores were also significantly lower in Group 1 (p = 0.029). Parents’ anxiety was significantly lower in Group 1 at all three time points (t1: p = 0.017; t2: p = 0.006; t3: p = 0.036). Conclusions: Our study results demonstrate that illustrating the perioperative process to children undergoing adenotonsillectomy can significantly reduce preoperative anxiety and prevent awakening agitation. Given its ease of implementation, we believe that using visual aids to explain the perioperative process to pediatric patients can facilitate process management for patients, parents, and physicians.

BACKGROUND Among the limited analgesic options, plane blocks are of great importance in providing effective postoperative analgesia to donors and recipients in renal transplantation surgery. We aimed to demonstrate that anterior type quadratus lumborum plane block provides better analgesia than intravenous paracetamol in open and closed nephrectomy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study. Renal recipients and donors were divided into 2 groups. One group received anterior quadratus lumborum plane block and the other group received intravenous paracetamol. Pain levels and total tramadol consumption at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively were recorded as primary data. RESULTS Demographic data of donors and recipients were similar between the QLB and IVA groups, and there was no significant difference in the time spent for surgery, anesthesia, or hospitalization. In renal donors, we found that total tramadol consumption and pain scores of the quadratus lumborum block group were significantly lower than in the intravenous analgesia group (P<0.001). In renal recipients, we found that postoperative tramadol consumption and pain levels of the quadratus lumborum block group were significantly lower than in the intravenous analgesia group (P<0.001). Additionally, the duration of rescue analgesic requirement was significantly shorter in renal recipients and donors who underwent quadratus lumborum plane block compared to the intravenous analgesic group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The anterior type quadratus lumborum plane block provides effective analgesia to recipients and donors in renal transplantation surgery and reduces postoperative opioid consumption.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the most commonly performed minimally invasive surgical procedures. Postoperative pain may negatively affect patient satisfaction and recovery. External oblique intercostal plane block (EOIB) is proposed as a new regional anaesthesia technique to reduce this pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided EOIB on postoperative pain scores, postoperative opioid consumption, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing LC. After approval of the ethics committee, 64 patients aged 18-65 years, in ASA I-II class, who underwent elective LC for cholelithiasis were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: the EOIB group and the control group. Visual analogue scale (VAS), heart rate, systolic-diastolic-mean arterial pressure, analgesic consumption, nausea-vomiting frequency and patient satisfaction parameters were recorded for 24 h postoperatively. VAS scores were significantly lower in favour of EOIB at all time points (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference over time and between groups. (p < 0.001) In addition, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the EOIB group at 24 h (p < 0.001). EOIB improves pain control after LC, reduces the need for analgesics and significantly improves patient satisfaction. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06712498; registered 26 November 2024 (retrospectively registered).