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Background: and Purpose Antiplatelets are often used before direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) initiation after an acute ischemic stroke related to atrial fibrillation (AF), but the evidence is weak. Here, we explored the risks and benefits of this approach. Methods: A post-hoc analysis of ELAN (Early versus Late Initiation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Post-ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) trial data (NCT03148457) was conducted to compare the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding (extracranial or intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]), and vascular death within 30 days (as a composite and as individual outcomes) in participants treated with and without antiplatelets before DOAC initiation after an AF-associated ischemic stroke. We used both logistic and cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression in inverse probability of treatment weighted models to account for confounding. We calculated the net benefit of antiplatelet use by subtracting the weighted rate of excess bleeding events attributable to antiplatelets from the rate of excess ischemic events possibly prevented by antiplatelets. Results: Among 2,013 participants (median age 77 years, 45.5% female), 1,090 (54.1%) used antiplatelets, and 70 (3.5%) experienced the composite outcome. Antiplatelet use was not associated with the composite outcome (inverse probability of treatment weighted odds ratio [ORweighted] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–1.72; inverse probability of treatment weighted hazard ratio [HRweighted] 1.06, 95% CI 0.65–1.72), but showed a lower risk of ischemic stroke recurrence (ORweighted 0.58 [0.30–1.08], HRweighted 0.57 [0.30–1.10]), and a higher risk of major bleeding (ORweighted 1.76 [0.56–6.63], HRweighted 1.88 [0.56–6.39]). Its net benefit was +0.57 (95% CI -1.25 to +2.34) to +0.30 (-1.82 to +2.27) weighted events/100 person-months for ICH weights 1.5 to 3.1. Conclusion Following an AF-associated ischemic stroke, we found a lower risk of recurrence and no signs of net harm with antiplatelet use before DOAC initiation, despite an increased risk of bleeding.

Background: and Purpose Antiplatelets are often used before direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) initiation after an acute ischemic stroke related to atrial fibrillation (AF), but the evidence is weak. Here, we explored the risks and benefits of this approach. Methods: A post-hoc analysis of ELAN (Early versus Late Initiation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Post-ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) trial data (NCT03148457) was conducted to compare the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding (extracranial or intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]), and vascular death within 30 days (as a composite and as individual outcomes) in participants treated with and without antiplatelets before DOAC initiation after an AF-associated ischemic stroke. We used both logistic and cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression in inverse probability of treatment weighted models to account for confounding. We calculated the net benefit of antiplatelet use by subtracting the weighted rate of excess bleeding events attributable to antiplatelets from the rate of excess ischemic events possibly prevented by antiplatelets. Results: Among 2,013 participants (median age 77 years, 45.5% female), 1,090 (54.1%) used antiplatelets, and 70 (3.5%) experienced the composite outcome. Antiplatelet use was not associated with the composite outcome (inverse probability of treatment weighted odds ratio [ORweighted] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–1.72; inverse probability of treatment weighted hazard ratio [HRweighted] 1.06, 95% CI 0.65–1.72), but showed a lower risk of ischemic stroke recurrence (ORweighted 0.58 [0.30–1.08], HRweighted 0.57 [0.30–1.10]), and a higher risk of major bleeding (ORweighted 1.76 [0.56–6.63], HRweighted 1.88 [0.56–6.39]). Its net benefit was +0.57 (95% CI -1.25 to +2.34) to +0.30 (-1.82 to +2.27) weighted events/100 person-months for ICH weights 1.5 to 3.1. Conclusion Following an AF-associated ischemic stroke, we found a lower risk of recurrence and no signs of net harm with antiplatelet use before DOAC initiation, despite an increased risk of bleeding.

Background: and Purpose Antiplatelets are often used before direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) initiation after an acute ischemic stroke related to atrial fibrillation (AF), but the evidence is weak. Here, we explored the risks and benefits of this approach. Methods: A post-hoc analysis of ELAN (Early versus Late Initiation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Post-ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) trial data (NCT03148457) was conducted to compare the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding (extracranial or intracranial hemorrhage [ICH]), and vascular death within 30 days (as a composite and as individual outcomes) in participants treated with and without antiplatelets before DOAC initiation after an AF-associated ischemic stroke. We used both logistic and cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression in inverse probability of treatment weighted models to account for confounding. We calculated the net benefit of antiplatelet use by subtracting the weighted rate of excess bleeding events attributable to antiplatelets from the rate of excess ischemic events possibly prevented by antiplatelets. Results: Among 2,013 participants (median age 77 years, 45.5% female), 1,090 (54.1%) used antiplatelets, and 70 (3.5%) experienced the composite outcome. Antiplatelet use was not associated with the composite outcome (inverse probability of treatment weighted odds ratio [ORweighted] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–1.72; inverse probability of treatment weighted hazard ratio [HRweighted] 1.06, 95% CI 0.65–1.72), but showed a lower risk of ischemic stroke recurrence (ORweighted 0.58 [0.30–1.08], HRweighted 0.57 [0.30–1.10]), and a higher risk of major bleeding (ORweighted 1.76 [0.56–6.63], HRweighted 1.88 [0.56–6.39]). Its net benefit was +0.57 (95% CI -1.25 to +2.34) to +0.30 (-1.82 to +2.27) weighted events/100 person-months for ICH weights 1.5 to 3.1. Conclusion Following an AF-associated ischemic stroke, we found a lower risk of recurrence and no signs of net harm with antiplatelet use before DOAC initiation, despite an increased risk of bleeding.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) is a rare but serious complication during orthotopic liver transplantation. HVOO most frequently occurs with large-forsize donor livers during piggyback liver transplantation due to a mismatch of anatomical features of donor and recipient affecting the position of the graft. This can lead to kinking and obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow or the native inferior vena cava. Failure to promptly address this issue can have severe consequences.Although various intraoperative strategies exist, they are poorly documented and often employed under significant time constraints. Here, we present two cases in which bioabsorbable mesh was successfully utilized to treat intraoperative HVOO, providing a novel, effective solution that eliminates the need for reoperation to remove a prosthetic material.

Recent data indicated a high incidence of inappropriate management of neuromuscular block, with a high rate of residual paralysis and relaxant-associated postoperative complications. These data are alarming in that the available neuromuscular monitoring, as well as myorelaxants and their antagonists basically allow well tolerated management of neuromuscular blockade. In this first European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) guideline on peri-operative management of neuromuscular block, we aim to present aggregated and evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians provide best medical care and ensure patient safety. We identified three main clinical questions: Are myorelaxants necessary to facilitate tracheal intubation in adults? Does the intensity of neuromuscular blockade influence a patient′s outcome in abdominal surgery? What are the strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of residual paralysis? On the basis of this, PICO (patient, intervention, comparator, outcome) questions were derived that guided a structured literature search. A stepwise approach was used to reduce the number of trials of the initial research ( n=24 000) to the finally relevant clinical studies ( n=88). GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used for formulating the recommendations based on the findings of the included studies in conjunction with their methodological quality. A two-step Delphi process was used to determine the agreement of the panel members with the recommendations: R1 We recommend using a muscle relaxant to facilitate tracheal intubation (1A). R2 We recommend the use of muscle relaxants to reduce pharyngeal and/or laryngeal injury following endotracheal intubation (1C). R3 We recommend the use of a fast-acting muscle relaxant for rapid sequence induction intubation (RSII) such as succinylcholine 1 mg/kg or rocuronium 0.9 to 1.2 mg/kg (1B). R4 We recommend deepening neuromuscular blockade if surgical conditions need to be improved (1B). R5 There is insufficient evidence to recommend deep neuromuscular blockade in general to reduce postoperative pain or decrease the incidence of peri-operative complications (2C). R6 We recommend the use of ulnar nerve stimulation and quantitative neuromuscular monitoring at the adductor pollicis muscle to exclude residual paralysis (1B). R7 We recommend using sugammadex to antagonise deep, moderate and shallow neuromuscular blockade induced by aminosteroidal agents (rocuronium, vecuronium) (1A). R8 We recommend advanced spontaneous recovery (i. e. TOF ratio>0.2) before starting neostigmine-based reversal and to continue quantitative monitoring of neuromuscular blockade until a TOF ratio of more than 0.9 has been attained (1C).

Background/Aims: Hypoxemia is a common side effect of propofol sedation during endoscopy. Applying mild positive airway pressure (PAP) using a nasal mask may offer a simple way to reduce such events and optimize the conditions for diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Methods: We compared overweight patients (body mass index >25 kg/m2) with a nasal PAP mask or standard nasal cannula undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies by non-anesthesiologists who provided propofol sedation. Outcome parameters included the frequency and severity of hypoxemic episodes. Results: We analyzed 102 procedures in 51 patients with nasal PAP masks and 51 controls. Episodes of hypoxemia (oxygen saturation [SpO2] <90% at any time during sedation) occurred in 25 (49.0%) controls compared to 8 (15.7%) patients with nasal PAP masks (p<0.001). Severe hypoxemia (SpO2 <80%) occurred in three individuals (5.9%) in both groups. The mean delta between baseline SpO2 and the lowest SpO2 recorded was significantly decreased among patients with nasal PAP mask compared to controls (3.7 and 8.2 percentage points difference, respectively). There were significantly fewer airway interventions performed in the nasal PAP mask group (15.7% vs. 41.2%, p=0.008). Conclusions Using a nasal PAP mask may be a simple means of increasing patient safety and ease of examination.