进行性腓肌萎缩症的神经电生理学研究

目的 研究进行性腓肌萎缩症患者的肌电图、周围神经传导速度及F反应特点,探讨神经电生理检查对诊断该病的价值.方法 对31例进行性腓肌萎缩症患者的肌电图(EMG)、运动神经传导速度(MCV)、感觉神经传导速度(SCV)及F波进行检测.结果 肌电图异常率90%,运动神经传导速度异常率100%,感觉神经传导速度异常率90%,F波检测异常率34%.结论 神经电生理检查是诊断进行性腓肌萎缩症的可靠方法.     

危重病性多发性神经病与肌病的临床、电生理以及病理特点

目的 探讨危重病性多发性神经病与肌病的临床、电生理以及病理特点.方法 对3例危重病性多发性神经病与肌病患者的临床资料、肌电图结果以及神经和肌肉的病理改变特点进行分析.结果 3例患者均进行了气管插管后呼吸机辅助呼吸;插管7～10 d,患者均出现了四肢肌肉力弱及腱反射低下,14 d后出现四肢肌肉萎缩者2例.肌电图结果示四肢多条运动和感觉神经传导减慢,部分运动神经复合肌肉动作电位波幅下降.神经活检可见有髓神经纤维减少和轴索再生现象;肌肉活检提示神经源性损害及肌病样改变.结论 危重病性多发性神经病与肌病是重症患者气管插管后常见的并发症,电生理和神经肌肉病理检查有助于本病的诊断,预防本病的发生非常重要.     

肌电图与神经传导速度对Graves病患者神经肌肉受损的评估

目的：应用肌电图和神经传导速度检查探讨Graves病神经肌肉受损的临床诊断意义。方法：于2000-05／2003-12选择汕头大学医学院第一附属医院内分泌专科门诊的Graves病患者46例为研究对象，行肌电图和神经传导速度检查；正常对照组31例为健康志愿者，31例行肌电图检查，30例行神经传导速度检查。肌电图检测：用同心圆针电极观察三角肌、股四头肌自发电位及募集形式，记录及分析小力收缩时每块肌肉20个运动单位电位平均时限及去多相波平均时限、波幅和多相波百分比。神经传导速度检测：用表面电极分别在腕部刺激正中神经和内踝胫后神经，于外展拇短肌及拇展肌用表面电极记录正中神经和胫后神经运动末端潜伏期和复合肌肉动作电位。用指环电极分别刺激拇指、中指和趾1，用表面电极于腕部及内踝记录测定感觉神经传导速度及波幅，包括正中神经（拇指-腕，中指-腕）和胫后神经（趾1-内踝）。并用超强电刺激在正中神经腕部及胫后神经踝部检测F波潜伏斯及出现率。结果：纳入受试对象77例，均进入结果分析。①Graves病组患者肌电图示小力收缩后时限缩短、波幅降低，大力收缩后其峰波幅降低。Graves病组胫后感觉神经复合肌肉动作电位波幅与正常对照组比较降低；正中感觉神经拇指-腕复合肌肉动作电位波幅降低；正中神经中指-腕感觉神经传导速度减慢；Graves病组正中神经F波潜伏期延长和异常出现率增加。键）416例Graves病患者有神经肌肉临床症状26例（56％），肌电图异常39例（85％）；神经传导速度异常41例（89％）；以肌电图异常判断神经传导速度异常敏感性为83％，特异性为87％；以神经传导速度异常判断肌电图异常敏感性为87％。特异性为83％。结论：两种方法对Graves病神经肌肉损伤诊断敏感性高于临床症状，对慢性甲状腺功能亢进性肌病诊断异常率、敏感性和特异性相近；肌电图主要对肌源性损害敏感，神经传导速度主要对神经源性损害敏感，具互补性。     

不同营养支持方式对神经重症疾病患者膈肌厚度及预后的影响

目的探讨肠内营养联合补充性肠外营养与单纯肠内营养支持治疗对神经重症患者膈肌厚度及预后的影响。 方法选择2018年1月至2021年12月滁州市第一人民医院收治的90例神经重症患者,将其采用随机数字表法分为对照组及观察组,每组各45例。对照组患者予以单纯肠内营养支持治疗,观察组患者予以肠内营养联合补充性肠外营养支持治疗。对比两组患者营养治疗前后吸气末膈肌厚度（DTei）、呼气末膈肌厚度（DTee）、膈肌增厚分数（DTF）、前白蛋白、白蛋白及总淋巴细胞计数。计算所有患者2周内撤机成功率、急性病生理学和长期健康评价（APACHE）Ⅱ评分、格拉斯哥昏迷量表（GCS）评分、ICU住院时间,并记录所有患者在营养支持治疗期间呕吐、腹胀、腹泻及呼吸机相关性肺炎等并发症的发生情况。 结果营养支持治疗1周后,观察组患者DTei[（3.60 ± 0.14）mm vs.（3.40 ± 0.31）mm,t = 3.980,P<0.001]、DTee[（2.81 ± 0.16）mm vs.（2.58 ± 0.21）mm,t = 5.887,P<0.001]、DTF[（24.0 ± 4.5）% vs.（21.8 ± 4.5）%,t = 2.293,P = 0.024]、白蛋白[（36.0 ± 2.4）g/L vs.（33.4 ± 3.9）g/L,t = 3.670,P<0.001]、前白蛋白[（321 ± 27）mg/L vs.（264 ± 49）mg/L,t = 6.806,P<0.001]、总淋巴细胞计数[（3.56 ± 0.30）× 10⁹/L vs.（2.73 ± 0.49）× 10⁹/L,t = 9.711,P<0.001]均高于对照组,且观察组患者呼吸机相关性肺炎发生率显著低于对照组[6.67%（3/45）vs. 22.22%（10/45）,χ² = 4.406,P = 0.036]。同时,观察组患者2周内撤机的成功率[71.11%（32/45）vs. 44.44%（20/45）,χ² = 5.511,P = 0.019]、APACHEⅡ评分[（12 ± 4）分vs.（15 ± 5）分,t = 3.010,P = 0.003]及GCS评分[（12.3 ± 3.0）分vs.（9.5 ± 3.4）分,t = 4.170,P<0.001]均优于对照组,机械通气时间[（11 ± 5）d vs.（17 ± 7）d,t = 4.720,P<0.001]及ICU住院时间[（14 ± 5）d vs.（19 ± 6）d,t = 4.663,P<0.001]均明显短于对照组。 结论肠内营养联合补充性肠外营养比单纯肠内营养可以更有效地改善神经重症疾病患者的膈肌厚度,提高撤机成功率,缩短ICU住院时间,值得临床推广。     

急性缺血性脑卒中取栓治疗后联用替罗非班静脉维持的临床研究

目的探讨替罗非班治疗作为补充手段用于未接受静脉溶栓的急性缺血性脑卒中（AIS）患者机械取栓（MT）后静脉维持治疗的可行性与安全性。 方法入选不符合静脉溶栓条件且CT血管成像证实为大动脉闭塞的87例AIS患者,其中MT+替罗非班维持（MT+ T）组44例,MT组43例。MT+ T组患者采用支架取栓并在术后立即静脉泵入0.1 μg·kg^-1·min^-1替罗非班维持24 h,之后口服抗血小板聚集药物;MT组患者采用支架取栓治疗,术后口服抗血小板聚集药物。比较两组患者术前基线资料、血管再通情况、神经功能恢复情况、术后并发症及死亡情况。 结果MT+ T组与MT组患者术后14 d美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分[（7.7 ± 2.2）分vs.（8.8 ± 3.3）分]、术后并发症[4.55%（2/44）vs. 6.98%（3/43）]及病死率[2.27%（1/44）vs. 2.33%（1/43）]比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均> 0.05）;而MT+ T组患者术后90 d改良Rankin量表（mRS）评分低于MT组[（1.7 ± 1.0）分vs.（2.2 ± 1.1）分,t = 2.479,P = 0.015]。亚组分析显示,MT+ T组取栓次数> 3次的患者术后14 d NIHSS评分[（8.6 ± 3.1）分vs.（12.5 ± 3.5）分]及术后90 d mRS评分[（1.7 ± 1.5）分vs.（2.8 ± 1.0）分]均低于MT组（t = 2.996、2.172,P = 0.006、0.040）;MT+ T组及MT组取栓次数≤ 3次的患者术后14 d NIHSS评分[（7.4 ± 1.6）分vs.（7.2 ± 1.5）分]及术后90 d mRS评分[（1.7 ± 0.7）分vs.（2.0 ± 1.1）分]比较差异均无统计学意义（t= 0.441、1.362,P= 0.661、0.178）。 结论替罗非班可作为未接受静脉溶栓的AIS患者行3次以上支架取栓治疗后的补充手段,可有效改善患者的神经功能及预后,且不增加脑出血转化风险。     

腓骨肌萎缩症患者肌力与神经传导速度的相关性

目的：回顾性分析24例腓骨肌萎缩症的临床与神经电生理特点.方法：收集1996-03/2006-01广州市第一人民医院收治的24例腓骨肌萎缩症患者,对其进行肌电图和肢体远端神经传导速度检测,观察上下肢感觉及运动传导速度、肌电图的改变,分析电生理特点与临床之间的关系.结果：①全部患者均隐袭起病,进展缓慢,临床上以下肢无力或麻木为首发症状,随病情发展,受累部位增加.②常规神经传导检查均有感觉及运动传导速度减慢,其中16例Ⅰ型患者（脱髓鞘型,神经传导速度低于正常值50%）减慢更明显,其正中神经运动神经传导速度平均34.8 m/s,感觉神经传导速度平均27.9 m/s;尺神经运动神经传导速度平均37.2 m/s,感觉神经传导速度平均24.6 m/s;腓总神经运动神经传导速度平均16.5 m/s;胫神经运动神经传导速度平均17.4 m/s;腓肠神经感觉神经传导速度平均3.1 m/s.传导速度减慢与肌力受累程度不成比例,即肌无力程度相对较轻,感觉及运动传导速度减慢较重,其中有8例双下肢远端神经传导速度测不出,但患者尚能行走.③针电极肌电图检查可见明显的慢性神经源性损害特征,部分患者有巨大单位.结论：临床表现是诊断腓骨肌萎缩症的基础,感觉及运动传导速度测定是确诊腓骨肌萎缩症简单、易行、重复性好的最有价值的手段之一,且可以发现早期和临床无异常的患者.     

神经电生理检测对踝管综合征的诊断价值

目的探讨神经电生理检查对踝管综合征（TTS）患者的诊断价值。 方法对26例临床拟诊的踝管综合征患者进行运动神经传导速度（MCV）、感觉神经传导速度（SCV）、F波及肌电图（EMG）检查,并对结果进行分析。 结果26例患者中,单侧受累22例,双侧受累4例,共对30群受累神经进行神经电生理检测。经运动神经传导检测,30条胫后神经中异常28条,异常率为93.3%;经感觉神经传导检测,30条足底内侧神经中异常27条,异常率90%;30条患侧足底外侧神经中异常24条,异常率80%;经EMG检测,踝管内神经相关肌肉156块,90块肌肉出现异常自发活动（57.7%）,12块肌肉出现高大电位（7.7%）,76块肌肉出现募集相减少（48.7%）。 结论踝管综合征为胫后神经远端病变,以轴索损害电生理改变为主。神经电生理检查对踝管综合征的诊断、鉴别诊断及指导治疗有重要价值。     

神经电图与肌电图评估肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的神经电生理差异

背景：肌萎缩侧索硬化症早期症状往往局限于某部位，与脊髓型颈椎病临床表现极其相似，但两者的治疗方法和预后截然不同。此时肌电图和神经电图的多部位检查具有重要参考价值，特别是胸段棘旁肌肌电图可作为区别肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病的客观指标。目的：探讨肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病的电生理改变差异。设计：回顾性病例分析。单位：江西医学院第二附属医院的神经内科。对象：选择2001—12／2004—11江西医学院第二附属医院神经内科门诊和住院的肌萎缩侧索硬化症30例患者和脊髓型颈椎病30例患者。方法：对肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者30例和脊髓型颈椎病30例进行常规肌电图、神经电图检测。肌电图检测包括三肢体肌＋胸锁乳突肌＋胸段棘旁肌，观察静息状态时自发电位，测定运动单位电位的时限、波幅，大力收缩时的募集相。神经电图测定运动传导速度和感觉传导速度及动作电位的末端潜伏期、波幅。主要观察指标：①肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者肢体肌、胸锁乳突肌与棘旁肌的肌电图检测结果。②肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者神经传导速度检测结果。结果：60例患者全部进入结果分析。①肌电图检测结果：肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的肌电图均呈神经源性损害改变，而肌萎缩侧索硬化症的损害更为广泛，尤其胸段棘旁肌自发电位的异常率高达93．3％（28/30）；脊髓型颈椎病患者的胸段棘旁肌自发电位异常率仅占3．3％（1／30）（P〈0．001）。肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动单位电位平均时限、波幅增高异常与脊髓型颈椎病比较有明显的差异，但在两病的鉴别诊断中并不具有特征性。②运动神经传导速度：肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动神经传导速度的复合肌肉动作电位的波幅下降率明显低于脊髓型颈椎病患者（75．6％，86．7％；X^2=7．25，P〈0．01）。运动传导速度减慢率也低于脊髓型颈椎病患者（14.4％，23．9％，X^2=5．18,P〈0．05）。⑧感觉神经传导速度：肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的感觉神经传导速度未受到影响。结论：①两组患者的肌电图均呈神经源性损害改变，而肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者胸段棘旁肌自发电位异常率明显高于脊髓型颈椎病。②神经电图显示两者感觉神经传导速度均未受到影响。⑨神经电图还显示肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动神经传导速度减慢和波幅下降的运动神经数均少于脊髓型颈椎病患者。     

肌电图与神经传导速度对Graves病患者神经肌肉受损的评构

目的应用肌电图和神经传导速度检查探讨Graves病神经肌肉受损的临床诊断意义.方法于2000-05/2003-12选择汕头大学医学院第一附属医院内分泌专科门诊的Graves病患者46例为研究对象,行肌电图和神经传导速度检查;正常对照组31例为健康志愿者,31例行肌电图检查,30例行神经传导速度检查.肌电图检测用同心圆针电极观察三角肌、股四头肌自发电位及募集形式,记录及分析小力收缩时每块肌肉20个运动单位电位平均时限及去多相波平均时限、波幅和多相波百分比.神经传导速度检测用表面电极分别在腕部刺激正中神经和内踝胫后神经,于外展拇短肌及拇展肌用表面电极记录正中神经和胫后神经运动末端潜伏期和复合肌肉动作电位.用指环电极分别刺激拇指、中指和趾1,用表面电极于腕部及内踝记录测定感觉神经传导速度及波幅,包括正中神经(拇指-腕,中指-腕)和胫后神经(趾1-内踝).并用超强电刺激在正中神经腕部及胫后神经踝部检测F波潜伏期及出现率.结果纳入受试对象77例,均进入结果分析.①Graves病组患者肌电图示小力收缩后时限缩短、波幅降低,大力收缩后其峰波幅降低.Graves病组胫后感觉神经复合肌肉动作电位波幅与正常对照组比较降低;正中感觉神经拇指-腕复合肌肉动作电位波幅降低;正中神经中指-腕感觉神经传导速度减慢;Graves病组正中神经F波潜伏期延长和异常出现率增加.②46例Graves病患者有神经肌肉临床症状26例(56%),肌电图异常39例(85%);神经传导速度异常41例(89%);以肌电图异常判断神经传导速度异常敏感性为83%,特异性为87%;以神经传导速度异常判断肌电图异常敏感性为87%,特异性为83%.结论两种方法对Graves病神经肌肉损伤诊断敏感性高于临床症状,对慢性甲状腺功能亢进性肌病诊断异常率、敏感性和特异性相近;肌电图主要对肌源性损害敏感,神经传导速度主要对神经源性损害敏感,具互补性.     

神经电图与肌电图评估肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的神经电生理差异

背景:肌萎缩侧索硬化症早期症状往往局限于某部位,与脊髓型颈椎病临床表现极其相似,但两者的治疗方法和预后截然不同.此时肌电图和神经电图的多部位检查具有重要参考价值,特别是胸段棘旁肌肌电图可作为区别肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病的客观指标.目的:探讨肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病的电生理改变差异.设计:回顾性病例分析.单位:江西医学院第二附属医院的神经内科.对象:选择2001-12/2004-11江西医学院第二附属医院神经内科门诊和住院的肌萎缩侧索硬化症30例患者和脊髓型颈椎病30例患者.方法:对肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者30例和脊髓型颈椎病30例进行常规肌电图、神经电图检测.肌电图检测包括三肢体肌+胸锁乳突肌+胸段棘旁肌,观察静息状态时自发电位,测定运动单位电位的时限、波幅,大力收缩时的募集相.神经电图测定运动传导速度和感觉传导速度及动作电位的末端潜伏期、波幅.主要观察指标:①肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者肢体肌、胸锁乳突肌与棘旁肌的肌电图检测结果.②肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者神经传导速度检测结果.结果:60例患者全部进入结果分析.①肌电图检测结果:肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的肌电图均呈神经源性损害改变,而肌萎缩侧索硬化症的损害更为广泛,尤其胸段棘旁肌自发电位的异常率高达93.3%(28/30);脊髓型颈椎病患者的胸段棘旁肌自发电位异常率仅占3.3%(1/30)(P＜0.001).肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动单位电位平均时限、波幅增高异常与脊髓型颈椎病比较有明显的差异,但在两病的鉴别诊断中并不具有特征性.②运动神经传导速度:肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动神经传导速度的复合肌肉动作电位的波幅下降率明显低于脊髓型颈椎病患者(75.6%,86.7%,x2=7.25,P＜0.01).运动传导速度减慢率也低于脊髓型颈椎病患者(14.4%,23.9%,x2=5.18,P＜0.05).③感觉神经传导速度:肌萎缩侧索硬化症与脊髓型颈椎病患者的感觉神经传导速度未受到影响.结论:①两组患者的肌电图均呈神经源性损害改变,而肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者胸段棘旁肌自发电位异常率明显高于脊髓型颈椎病.②神经电图显示两者感觉神经传导速度均未受到影响.③神经电图还显示肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者运动神经传导速度减慢和波幅下降的运动神经数均少于脊髓型颈椎病患者.     

肾替代疗法序贯利尿剂持续输注在急性心肾综合征中的应用分析

目的 探讨肾替代疗法(RRT)序贯持续输注利尿剂对心血管外科围手术期急性心肾综合征(CRS)患者的影响. 方法 回顾性分析青岛市市立医院心脏病中心ICU自2014年11月至2019年12月收治的286例急性CRS患者的病历资料,其中行RRT序贯持续输注利尿剂治疗的106例患者纳入观察组,同期行连续RRT的180例患者纳...     

The impact of frailty in critically ill patients after trauma: A prospective observational study

BackgroundAs our population ages, older adults are increasingly exposed to trauma. Frailty could be a useful measure to identify patients at risk of a poor outcome. This study aimed to determine the impact of frailty in an Australian trauma intensive care unit (ICU) population.MethodsA prospective observational study of critically ill trauma patients ≥50 years of age. Frailty was determined on admission to the ICU using the frailty phenotype. Demographic and hospital data were collected, and patients were followed up at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was 12-month mortality, and multiple regression was used to determine associated factors.ResultsOne hundred thirty-eight patients were included, whose mean age was 68 years; 78.2% (108/138) were classified as major trauma (Injury Severity Score >12). Twenty-two percent (30/138) of patients were identified as frail. Patients with frailty were significantly older: however, they were less severely injured and required lower rates of surgical interventions and mechanical ventilation. Frailty was independently associated with mortality at 6 and 12 months (odds ratio: 5.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.9–18.1 and odds ratio: 7.3, 95% confidence interval: 2.5–21.9, respectively). Patients with frailty had lower measures of global functioning (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended frail 3 [1–5] vs nonfrail 6 [(5–7], p = 0.002) and health status (Euro Qol 5Q-5D-5L utility score 0.6 [0.5–0.7] vs 0.7 [0.6–0.9], p = 0.02) at 12 months than patients without frailty.ConclusionFrailty is a useful predictor of poor outcomes in critically ill trauma patients.Registration of protocol numberACTRN12615000039583.     

Investigation of neuromuscular transmission in some rare types of migraine

The aim of this study was to delineate any dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission (NMT) by single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG) in some rare types of migraine. Recent studies have shown subclinical dysfunction of NMT in migraine with aura and cluster headache by using SFEMG, whereas another recent study has shown NMT to be normal in familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) with CACNA1A mutations. Thirty patients with rare primary headache syndromes [18 with sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM), six with FHM and six with basilar-type migraine (BM)] and 15 healthy control subjects without any headache complaints underwent nerve conduction studies, EMG and SFEMG during voluntary contraction of the extensor digitorum communis muscle. Ten to 20 different potential pairs were recorded and individual jitter values calculated. The results obtained from patient groups were compared with those from the normal subjects. Of 600 individual jitter values of the patients, 27 (4.5%) were abnormally high, whereas only 3/205 (1.5%) jitter values from normal subjects were abnormal. Abnormal NMT was found in 4/30 (13.3%) patients (three SHM and one BM), but in none of the control subjects. Only in SHM patients was the number of individual abnormal jitter values slightly but significantly different from normal controls. The present study demonstrates that subclinical NMT abnormality is slightly present in only SHM and BM patients, but not in FHM patients.     

Coronary artery disease in patients clinically diagnosed with myocardial infarction in the medical intensive care unit

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) confirmed by coronary angiography in critically ill patients clinically diagnosed with myocardial infarction.

Materials and methods

This retrospective observational study involved 56 patients who were clinically diagnosed with myocardial infarction and subsequently underwent coronary angiography during their intensive care unit stay.

Results

Only 18 patients (32%) were finally confirmed to have CAD by coronary angiography. There were no significant differences in laboratory findings and clinical outcomes between patients with and without CAD. However, patients who developed shock (P = .009) and needed vasopressor support (P = .021) were less likely to be diagnosed with CAD. In addition, regional wall motion abnormality on echocardiography was more frequently observed in patients with CAD (P = .072). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.093; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.177-22.037) and focal hypokinesia on echocardiography (adjusted OR, 5.134; 95% CI, 1.071-24.614) were independently associated with CAD. However, development of shock was inversely associated with CAD (adjusted OR, 0.107; 95% CI, 0.019-0.606).

Conclusion

Coronary angiography in critically ill patients should only be performed in highly selected patients with predicting factors for CAD.     

An assessment of the validity of spectral entropy as a measure of sedation statein mechanically ventilated critically ill patients

Objective To assess whether the Entropy Module (GE Healthcare, Helsinki, Finland), a device to measure hypnosis in anesthesia, is a valid measure of sedation state in critically ill patients by comparing clinically assessed sedation state with Spectral Entropy Design Prospective observational study. Setting Teaching hospital general ICU. Patients and participants 30 intubated, mechanically ventilated patients without primary neurological diagnoses or drug overdose receiving continuous sedation. Interventions Monitoring of EEG and fEMG activity via forehead electrodes for up to 72 h and assessments of conscious level using a modified Ramsay Sedation Scale. Measurements and results 475 trained observer assessments were made and compared with concurrent Entropy numbers. Median State (SE) and Response (RE) Entropy values decreased as Ramsay score increased, but wide variation occurred, especially in Ramsay 4–6 categories. Discrimination between different sedation scores [mean (SEM) P_K value: RE 0.713 (0.019); SE 0.710 (0.019)] and between lighter (Ramsay 1–3) vs.deeper (Ramsay 4–6) sedation ranges was inadequate [P_K: RE 0.750 (0.025); SE 0.748 (0.025)]. fEMG power decreased with increasing Ramsay score but was often significant even at Ramsay 4–6 states. Frequent “on–off” effects occurred for both RE and SE, which were associated with fEMG activity.Values switched from low to high values even in deeply sedated patients. High Entropy values during deeper sedation were strongly associated with simultaneous high relative fEMG powers. Conclusions Entropy of the frontal EEG does not discriminate sedation state adequately for clinical use in ICU patients. Facial EMG is a major confounder in clinical sedation ranges.     

Critically ill obstetric patients in an American and an Indian public hospital: comparison of case-mix, organ dysfunction, intensive care requirements, and outcomes

Objective To compare case-mix, health care practices, and outcome in obstetric ICU admissions in inner-city teaching hospitals in economically developed and developing countries.Design Retrospective study.Setting Ben Taub General Hospital (BTGH), Houston, Texas, and King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Mumbai, India.Patients Women admitted during pregnancy or 6 weeks postpartum between 1992 and 2001.Measurements and results Patients from BTGH (n=174) and KEMH (n=754) had comparable age, number of organs affected, incidence of medical disorders (30%), liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. Fewer KEMH patients received prenatal care (27 vs 86%) and came to hospital within 24 h of onset of symptoms (60 vs 90%). They had higher APACHE II scores (median 16 vs 10), greater incidence of neurological (63 vs 36%), renal (50 vs 37%), and cardiovascular dysfunction (39 vs 29%). Severe malaria, viral hepatitis, cerebral venous thrombosis, and poisoning were common medical disorders. The BTGH group had higher incidence of respiratory dysfunction (59 vs 46%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (40 vs 23%), placental anomalies, HELLP syndrome, chorioamnionitis, peripartum cardiomyopathy, puerperal sepsis, urinary infection, bacteremia, substance abuse, and asthma. More BTGH patients required mechanical ventilation and blood component therapy, whereas more KEMH patients needed dialysis. Of BTGH patients, 78.2% were delivered by cesarean section (vs 15.4%). Maternal (2.3 vs 25%) and fetal (13 vs 51%) mortality were lower in BTGH patients.Conclusions There were marked differences in medical diseases, organ failure, and intensive care needs. Higher mortality in the Indian ICU may be due to difference in case mix, inadequate prenatal care, delay in reaching hospital, and greater severity of illness.     

Femoral,saphenous nerve palsy after tourniquet use: a case report

Persistent motor and sensory abnormalities after surgery may affect the rehabilitation process. Patients with continued weakness may be perceived as lacking motivation by health care providers. However, there may be an underlying pathophysiologic abnormality preventing patients from progressing through their rehabilitation programs. We report a case of a 20-year-old man who underwent surgical repair of multiple knee structures with the use of a pneumatic tourniquet. Several weeks after surgery, electromyographic evaluation was done because he was having difficulty in his rehabilitation because of persistent weakness. An electromyography and nerve conduction study (NCS) revealed femoral and saphenous nerve palsies. Our report is the first on tourniquet-induced saphenous nerve injury as well as on abnormal femoral NCSs caused by tourniquet use. A review of the literature indicates that tourniquet-induced nerve palsies are not a rare event. Further evaluation should be considered if patients who are having persistent weakness or sensory findings after surgery have used a tourniquet.     

Differential diagnosis of slow/slow atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia from atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia using concealed posteroseptal accessory pathway by 12-lead electrocardiography

Slow pathways are used as both antegrade and retrograde conduction pathway in slow/slow atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (SS-AVNRT), and patients with SS-AVNRT have tachycardia ECGs mimicking atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia using concealed posteroseptal accessory pathway (PS-AVRT). Therefore, SS-AVNRT can be misdiagnosed as PS-AVRT, and the differential diagnosis is clinically important. Standard 12-lead ECGs during tachycardia were analyzed in patients with SS-AVNRT (n = 10) and PS-AVRT (n = 10). All these patients were diagnosed by electrophysiological study and underwent successful catheter ablation. Differences of the RP' intervals (dRP') between V1 and the inferior leads were evaluated. SS-AVNRT had significantly longer RP' intervals measured in V1 (167 +/- 25.2 vs 137 +/- 26.8 ms, SS-AVNRT vs PS-AVRT, respectively, P = 0.02), longer dRP' between V1 and II (dRP'[V1-II], 37 +/- 14 vs 17 +/- 6.7 ms, P = 0.0007), longer dRP'[V1-III] (39 +/- 14 vs 17 +/- 9.9 ms, P = 0.0011), and longer dRP'[V1-aVF] (39 +/- 13 vs 20 +/- 9.5 ms, P = 0.0008). The following criteria were suggested for differential diagnosis of SS-AVNRT from PS-AVRT: dRP'[V1-II] >25 ms (sensitivity and specificity: 80% and 100%, respectively), dRP'[V1-III] >23 ms (90% and 90%), dRP'[V1-aVF] >30 ms (90% and 90%). Differences of the RP' intervals between V1 and the inferior leads in the tachycardia ECGs were useful for differential diagnosis of SS-AVNRT from PS-AVRT.