Clusters of IEs are often present in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients and are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased mortality. Studies to find ways of improving patient-ventilator interaction are warranted.

BackgroundMitochondria are the energy producing organelles practically in every human cell except erythrocytes. Indeed mitochondria are widespread in high energy requiring organs like brain, heart and muscles. Currently there are no clinical trials supporting with clear evidence which is the most suitable surgical or anesthetic management of a patient with known mitochondrial disease presenting with surgical disorders. This condition poses possible hazardous problems to the medical attention of those patients.Case presentationA case of an 8 year old child with known Electron Transfer Flavoprotein Dehydrogenase deficiency (ETFDH deficiency) requiring surgery for acute appendicitis is presented. Our approach for anesthesia revealed a combination of fentanyl, low dose propofol and nitrous oxide.ConclusionThe choice of the safest pharmacological anesthetic agents for patients with ETFDH deficiency is challenging given that most of the general anesthetic medications have multiple effects on mitochondria, fatty acids metabolism and striated muscles. Anesthetists are expected to individualize anesthetic care for the patient based on current publications for similar cases, medical history and knowledge of pharmacology and physiology.

BackgroundWe present a case of a patient with multinodular goiter disease who suffered asystole during head hyperextension for surgical positioning on the operational table.Case PresentationManipulation of carotid sinus may trigger bradycardia or even asystole even in patients without prior history of carotid sinus hypersensitivity. The time proximity between patient positioning and asystole, the late responsiveness to atropine, the immediate increase of heart rate after head elevation and the lack of any other trigger factor or prior history support the hypothesis of carotid sinus syndrome.ConclusionsHead hyperextension during surgical positioning is not only responsible for jeopardizing blood flow to spinal cord and brainstem but may trigger reflexes, as well, even in patients without prior neck pathology.

Trauma is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with road traffic collisions, suicides, and homicides accounting for the majority of injury-related deaths. Since trauma mainly affects young age groups, it is recognized as a serious social and economic threat, as annually, almost 16,000 posttrauma individuals are expected to lose their lives and many more to end up disabled. The purpose of this research is to summarize current knowledge on factors predicting outcome – specifically mortality risk – in severely injured patients. Development of this review was mainly based on the systematic search of PubMed medical library, Cochrane database, and advanced trauma life support Guiding Manuals. The research was based on publications between 1994 and 2016. Although hypovolemic, obstructive, cardiogenic, and septic shock can all be seen in multi-trauma patients, hemorrhage-induced shock is by far the most common cause of shock. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on factors predicting outcome – more specifically mortality risk – in severely injured patients. The main mortality-predicting factors in trauma patients are those associated with basic human physiology and tissue perfusion status, coagulation adequacy, and resuscitation requirements. On the contrary, advanced age and the presence of comorbidities predispose patients to a poor outcome because of the loss of physiological reserves. Trauma resuscitation teams considering mortality prediction factors can not only guide resuscitation but also identify patients with high mortality risk who were previously considered less severely injured.