Purpose: This present study aimed to share experiences in the diagnosis and management of brain death (BD) and cadaveric donation cases, detected in a research hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: BD cases diagnosed between 15/03/2020-15/05/2021 in our intensive care units (ICU) were retrospectively evaluated. Patients’ demographic characteristics, primary diagnoses, ICU admission time, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. Clinical suspicion, diagnosis, declaration, and donation or cardiac arrest times and supplementary tests to support the clinical judgment performed were also evaluated. Results: 37 cases, were included in the study. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common (54.1%) diagnosis in ICU admissions. Apnea tests could be performed only in 27 patients (73%). Cerebral CT-angiography was used as a supplementarytary test in 27 (73%) cases. Family consent for organ donation was obtained from 10 patients (27%), and 70% (n= 7) of them became donors. The time between ICU admission and BD diagnosis time was 114±92.8 (11-360) hours, the time between clinical suspicion and diagnosis was 32±15.1 (4-78) hours, the time between diagnosis and cardiac arrest of non-donors was 24±15.2 (5-72) hours, and the time between diagnosis and donation was 23±7.6 (15-35) hours. Conclusion: Occupancy in ICUs due to COVID-19 has reduced the admission of patients who may be donors to ICUs, and there has been a decrease in the number of BD detection, family approval, and organ donation in our hospital.

BACKGROUND Acute renal failure (ARF) is a critical complication following open-heart surgery, significantly impacting morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the association between intraoperative renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) findings and postoperative ARF in 357 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study included 357 patients undergoing open-heart surgery with CPB. ARF diagnosis was based on KDIGO criteria. NIRS sensors were placed bilaterally at the T12/L2 level under ultrasound guidance, and renal oxygenation (rSO2) values were continuously monitored intraoperatively. Patients were categorized into ARF and non-ARF groups for comparative analysis. RESULTS ARF developed in 12.3% (n=44) of patients. ARF patients were older (p=0.024) and had longer surgery (p<0.001), CPB (p=0.004), and aortic cross-clamping durations (p=0.013). They required more blood products (p<0.001) and intra-aortic balloon pump support (p=0.027). Intensive care unit stays were significantly longer in ARF patients (p=0.036). NIRS analysis showed significant rSO2 reductions in ARF patients. Time spent with rSO2 below 80%, 70%, and 60% was a strong predictor of ARF. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses demonstrated that time exceeding 30 minutes below the 60% threshold predicted ARF with 96.5% specificity and 86.4% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative NIRS monitoring is crucial for detecting renal perfusion abnormalities during high-risk surgeries. Declines below 80%, 70%, and 60% thresholds strongly predict ARF. Timely interventions, such as fluid resuscitation and hemodynamic support, can mitigate risks. ARF patients require intensive postoperative monitoring due to prolonged ICU stays and complications.

Effect of Duration of Pre-Procedure Fasting on Clinical Outcomes in Intensive Care Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Tracheostomy - Article abstract #950128

Effect of Anesthesia Type on Airway Assessment Tests in Cesarean Delivery Operations: A Prospective Comparative Study - Article abstract #949693

This document comprehensive reviews anesthesia management in the surgical treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a systemic atherosclerotic condition associated with high mortality and morbidity. Classic predisposing risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, male gender, hyperhomocysteinemia, and genetic predisposition. Preoperative evaluation requires a detailed cardiovascular assessment, diagnostic tests, and the strategic discontinuation of antihemostatic drugs based on specific pharmacological intervals. During the intraoperative period, the choice of anesthesia method varies according to the specific vascular surgical procedure being performed. For axilla-femoral/bifemoral bypass, anesthesia can range from general to local or tumescent options combined with sedoanalgesia under hemodynamic monitoring. Lower extremity revascularizations frequently utilize regional anesthesia due to its benefits in suppressing surgical stress responses and optimizing post-operative analgesia. In emergency procedures such as embolectomies, local anesthesia remains the preferred approach. Given that cardiac complications represent the most significant cause of perioperative morbidity, managing these high-risk patients successfully requires close postoperative hemodynamic monitoring, rigorous pain control, and ongoing monitoring of cardiac biomarkers.