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The present study highlights the advances in ultrasound, especially regarding its clinical applications to critically ill patients. Artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial in automating image interpretation, improving accuracy and efficiency. Software has been developed to make it easier to perform accurate bedside ultrasound examinations, even by professionals lacking prior experience, with automatic image optimization. In addition, some applications identify cardiac structures, perform planimetry of the Doppler wave, and measure the size of vessels, which is especially useful in hemodynamic monitoring and continuous recording. The "strain" and "strain rate" parameters evaluate ventricular function, while "auto strain" automates its calculation from bedside images. These advances, and the automatic determination of ventricular volume, make ultrasound monitoring more precise and faster. The next step is continuous monitoring using gel devices attached to the skin., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease being their most common presentations, comprise a spectrum of diverse disease phenotypes, exhibiting variable behaviors ranging from an indolent course to aggressive phenotypes that impact quality of life of these patients. The last two decades have been marked by the development of new medications (biological therapy and novel small molecules) with diverse mechanisms of action, which have revolutionized the management of IBD, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these patients. This landscape of multiple therapeutic options underscores the need to define which medication will benefit each patient the most and at what speed it should be started. The objective of this review is to present personalized approaches for patients with IBD, thus contributing to therapeutic management., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The Airway Management section of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Pain Therapy (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES), and the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) present the Guide for the comprehensive management of difficult airway in adult patients. Its principles are focused on the human factors, cognitive processes for decision-making in critical situations, and optimization in the progression of strategies application to preserve adequate alveolar oxygenation in order to enhance safety and the quality of care. The document provides evidence-based recommendations, theoretical-educational tools, and implementation tools, mainly cognitive aids, applicable to airway management in the fields of anesthesiology, critical care, emergencies, and prehospital medicine. For this purpose, an extensive literature search was conducted following PRISMA-R guidelines and was analyzed using the GRADE methodology. Recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE methodology. Recommendations for sections with low-quality evidence were based on expert opinion through consensus reached via a Delphi questionnaire., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The Airway Management section of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Pain Therapy (SEDAR), the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES), and the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) present the Guide for the comprehensive management of difficult airway in adult patients. Its principles are focused on the human factors, cognitive processes for decision-making in critical situations, and optimization in the progression of strategies application to preserve adequate alveolar oxygenation in order to enhance safety and the quality of care. The document provides evidence-based recommendations, theoretical-educational tools, and implementation tools, mainly cognitive aids, applicable to airway management in the fields of anesthesiology, critical care, emergencies, and prehospital medicine. For this purpose, an extensive literature search was conducted following PRISMA-R guidelines and was analyzed using the GRADE methodology. Recommendations were formulated according to the GRADE methodology. Recommendations for sections with low-quality evidence were based on expert opinion through consensus reached via a Delphi questionnaire., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

With the advent of biologic and small molecule therapies, there has been a substantial change in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. These advances have had a great impact in preventing disease progression, intestinal damage and, therefore, have contributed to a better quality of life. Discordance between symptom control and mucosal healing has been demonstrated. This has led to the search for new disease control targets. The treat to target strategy, based on expert recommendations and now a randomized controlled trial, has determined that clinical and endoscopic remission should be the goal of therapy. Biomarkers (fecal calprotectin) can be a surrogate target. Although histological healing has shown benefits, there is inadequate evidence and inadequate therapy for that to be a fixed goal at this time. This review will focus on therapeutic goals, according to the evidence currently available, and evaluate strategies to achieve them., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Ultrasound has an excellent diagnostic performance when Crohn's disease is suspected, when performing an activity assessment, or determining the extension and location of Crohn's disease, very similar to other examinations such as MRI or CT. It has a good correlation with endoscopic lesions and allows the detection of complications such as strictures, fistulas or abscesses. It complements colonoscopy in the diagnosis and, given its tolerance, cost and immediacy, it can be considered as a good tool for disease monitoring. In ulcerative colitis, its role is less relevant, being limited to assessing the extent and activity when it is not possible with other diagnostic techniques or if there are doubts with these. Despite its advantages, its use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not widespread in Spain. For this reason, this document reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the technique to promote knowledge about it and implementation of it in IBD Units., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Imaging techniques play a fundamental role in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease. Intestinal ultrasound has high sensitivity and specificity in patients with suspected Crohn's disease and in the detection of inflammatory activity. This technique enables the early diagnosis of intra-abdominal complications such as stenosis, fistulas, and abscesses. It has also proven useful in monitoring the response to treatment and in detecting postsurgical recurrence. Technical improvements in ultrasound scanners, technological advances such as ultrasound contrast agents and elastography, and above all increased experience have increased the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. The features that make ultrasound especially attractive include its wide availability, its noninvasiveness and lack of ionizing radiation, its low cost, and its good reproducibility, which is important because it is easy to repeat the study and the study is well tolerated during follow-up. This review summarizes the role of intestinal ultrasound in the detection and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease., (Copyright © 2020 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In 2017, the Neurosciences section of the Spanish Society of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Therapy published a national survey on postoperative care and treatment circuits in neurosurgery. The survey showed that practices vary widely, depending on the centre, the anaesthesiologist and the pathology of the patient. There is currently no standard postoperative circuit for cranial neurosurgical procedures in Spanish hospitals, and there is sufficient evidence to show that not all patients undergoing elective craniotomy should be routinely admitted to a postsurgical critical care unit. The aim of this study is to perform a narrative review of postoperative circuits in elective craniotomy in order to standardise clinical practice in the light of published studies. For this purpose, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed) to retrieve studies published in the last ten years, up to November 2019, using the keywords neurosurgery and postoperative care, craniotomyand postoperative care., (Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) has reviewed and updated the recommendations for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in critically ill patients published by the Group in 2011, with the primary aim of helping decision making in daily clinical practice. The recommendations have been formulated by an expert panel with broad experience in nutritional and metabolic support in critically ill patients, and were drafted between March 2016 and February 2019. A level of evidence has been provided for each of the recommendations, based on the GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). A grade of recommendation has also been produced, taking into account the clinical impact of the recommendation, regardless of the level of evidence established by the GRADE scale., (Copyright © 2020. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Burned patients may need prolonged admissions in the Intensive Care Service, both for initial care and for the pre and postoperative treatment of the multiple surgeries they require. The initial resuscitation of critically burned patients requires adequate monitoring to calculate the fluid therapy necessary to replenish the losses and ensure tissue perfusion, but without excesses that increase interstitial edema. In addition, monitoring can evaluate the systemic inflammatory response that can lead to shock and organic dysfunctions. After this initial phase we will find a critical patient who requires multiple reinterventions in non-optimal situations, so he will need special care over a long period of time. In addition, the Intensive Care Service offers specific postoperative care for reconstructive surgery and the transplantation of composite tissues (upper limb and face) in which its success depends on a rigorous control through adequate monitoring and treatment., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess several air-pressure settings for MI-E to determine their effect on peak cough flow (PCF), and to compare the best pressures with those are more common used in the literature (±40cmH 2 O) in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD)., Methods: Adults with NMD in whom MI-E was indicated were recruited. Assisted PCF was measured by an external pneumotachograph. The protocol included 9 PCF measures per patient: 1 baseline (non-assisted), 4 with increasing inspiratory pressures without negative pressure (10, 20, 30 and 40cmH 2 O or maximum tolerated), and then 4 adding expiratory pressures (-10, -20, -30 and -40cmH 2 O or maximum tolerated) with maximum inspiratory pressure previously achieved., Results: Twenty one patients were included, 61% with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mean PCFs with recommended pressures (±40cmH 2 O) were lower than the scored in the individualized steps of the titration protocol (197.7±67l/min vs 214.2±60l/min, p<0.05). Regarding subgroups, mean PCF max values in ALS patients with bulbar symptoms were significantly higher than those achieved with recommended pressures (163.6±80 vs 189±66l/min, p<0.05)., Conclusion: The PCF max obtained with the protocol did not always match the recommended settings. It may be advisable to perform MI-E titration assessed by non-invasive PCF monitoring in patients with NMD, especially in ALS with bulbar involvement to improve the therapy detecting airway collapse induced by high pressures., (Copyright © 2018 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Despite major advances in our understanding of the physiopathology of brain death (BD), there are important controversies as to which protocol is the most appropriate for organ donor management. Many recent reviews on this subject offer recommendations that are sometimes contradictory and in some cases are not applied to other critically ill patients. This article offers a review of the publications (many of them recent) with an impact upon these controversial measures and which can help to confirm, refute or open new areas of research into the most appropriate measures for the management of organ donors in BD, and which should contribute to discard certain established recommendations based on preconceived ideas, that lead to actions lacking a physiopathological basis. Aspects such as catecholamine storm management, use of vasoactive drugs, hemodynamic objectives and monitoring, assessment of the heart for donation, and general care of the donor in BD are reviewed., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The main objective of the study is to obtain knowledge about the organisation of care for severe head trauma as well as the initial management of these patients in Neurosurgical Departments in Spain., Material and Method: A 22-item questionnaire was designed and sent to 59 Neurosurgical Departments. The aim of the questionnaire was to collect data regarding the general profile of the patients with a severe head injury, the general characteristics of the hospitals, the initial care of these patients, the monitoring techniques used, and the measures used to control Intracranial pressure (ICP)., Results: Of the 59 Neurosurgical Departments identified, 29 (49.2%) completed the questionnaire. There was a wide variability in the number of patients treated per year between the different departments. The leadership of care often fell (58.6%) on the intensive care specialist. Many (69%) of the departments did not have a neurosurgeon specially dedicated to the management and monitoring of these patients. The initial care in the Emergency department usually fell (51.7%) on the general medicine practitioner. The availability of computed tomography (CT) was universal. The use of telemedicine was highly variable. ICP monitoring was performed on more than 75% of patients in most (89.7%) of departments, but there was limited use of other monitoring techniques. Most Departments followed the recommendations of the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines for the control of ICP., Conclusions: The organisation of care and the initial management of severe head trauma in Spain is very similar to its neighbouring countries. However, there are shortcomings, such as low participation by a neurosurgeon in the initial management of these patients, insufficient use of telemedicine, and the low implementation of certain brain monitoring techniques (SjO 2 , PtiO 2 , and Doppler)., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Preventive isolation of patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms is considered an effective measure to prevent outbreaks in hospitals. The objective of this study is to assess compliance by healthcare workers and family of contact isolation precautions in colonised/infected patients with multidrug-resistant microorganisms., Methods: An observational study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015. A checklist with a structure was designed (equipment trolley), including knowledge of the situation and compliance by the patients, families, and healthcare workers. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed. Non-parametric tests Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used., Results: Out of the 467 observations made, the equipment trolley was correctly situated in 97% (453) of cases, the sphygmomanometer in 90% (421), the stethoscope 43.9% (205), and thermometer 16.5% (77). A dustbin and the alcoholic solution were observed in over 98.7% (461) of cases. The antiseptic soap for patient hygiene was observed to be correctly placed in 348 (74%) of occasions. The situation was known by 84.9% (305) of patients and 91.4% (234) of families. As regards compliance by professionals with the placement/removal of disposable gowns and gloves was about 50% for entering the room (49.5%, 56 gown and 53.09%, 60 gloves), and 40% (28) for leaving the room by professionals. Hand hygiene compliance was 26.5% (30) for entering and 35.2% (25) when leaving., Conclusions: There is significant room for improvement in the compliance with isolation precautions. Non-compliance to isolation procedures is not due to a deficit of materials, but to individual behaviours. It is important to implement and evaluate programs based on psychosocial intervention models that can change attitudes and behaviours related to contact isolation precautions for multidrug-resistant microorganisms., (Copyright © 2016 SECA. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In Digestive Disease Week 2016, interesting data were presented on the eventual role of certain foods in inflammatory bowel disease, although the value of these data is relative. Also of interest were epidemiological studies, of which several analysed the natural history of the disease. Some presentations dealt with the search for individual predictive factors, a pressing need in clinical practice. Unfortunately, some of the findings presented were of dubious value. A study suggesting that a simple parameter as increased blood monocytes could be a clear predictive factor of poor outcome could perhaps be highlighted (the results were striking but had multiple limitations). In contrast, more interesting data were presented on monitoring and optimising biological therapy in the search for an individually-tailored approach. New studies were presented on the levels of distinct anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab and even ustekinumab. One study aimed to estimate the safety of anti-TNF agents on the basis of the patient's genetic (and clinical) features. There is no new evidence that will change our clinical practice. Equally, the data on colon cancer prevention will not modify our clinical practice, although one study reported a promising new strategy, consisting of the use of a new stool DNA test, with very promising results in the detection of high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer in these patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Improper clinical use of tumor markers (TM) may cause unnecessary additional studies to confirm or refute a positive result. After observing 2 adverse events due to a wrong use of TM, a protocol for improving their use was implemented. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the implementation of the protocol., Material and Method: This was a pre-postintervention study, where analytical requests of carcinoembryonic antigen, CA15.3, CA19.9 and CA125 were analyzed during one year in patients not undergoing checking of neoplasia. A protocol was implemented and physicians were trained as recommended by the European Group on Tumor Markers, limiting its use to monitor the disease and its treatment. The study period was 2010-2014., Results: The total number of requests dropped 50.81% and the percentage of adequacy of TM increased, each year, from 31.03 to 77.91%., Conclusions: The implementation of a protocol for the proper use of TM contributes to a safer use, avoiding incorrect studies and unnecessary and harmful tests for the patient., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

There are no important new data on the aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease. However, some new data were presented on the possible importance of certain nutrients or drugs in the genesis of the disease, as well as other data related to genetic features and their relationship with the microbiota. A highly interesting study suggested the strong potential of serological studies in predicting the course of Crohn's disease. The value of magnetic resonance imaging and the potential of low-radiation-dose tomography were reaffirmed in the monitoring and follow-up of patients and their treatments. Studies also confirmed the utility confirmed of new (and more comfortable) methods of home measurement of faecal calprotectin levels. In individualized therapy, attempts are being made to increase the practical application of new results on anti-TNF levels and their antibodies, for example, by identifying the utility of non-trough levels. We believe that the results presented on the impact of the disease on patients themselves were especially important, from their own perspective and in diverse setting. This impact is important both for patients (not only because of the repercussions of the disease on their quality of life but also on their mental health, disability, stress, and financial situation, etc.) and for their families. Finally, interesting results were presented of well-performed studies on colorectal cancer prevention in inflammatory bowel disease. These results confirm chromoendoscopy as a key technique but suggest that technological advances could change this situation, thus simplifying prevention., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The term "ICU without walls" refers to innovative management in Intensive Care, based on two key elements: (1) collaboration of all medical and nursing staff involved in patient care during hospitalization and (2) technological support for severity early detection protocols by identifying patients at risk of deterioration throughout the hospital, based on the assessment of vital signs and/or laboratory test values, with the clear aim of improving critical patient safety in the hospitalization process. At present, it can be affirmed that there is important work to be done in the detection of severity and early intervention in patients at risk of organ dysfunction. Such work must be adapted to the circumstances of each center and should include training in the detection of severity, multidisciplinary work in the complete patient clinical process, and the use of technological systems allowing intervention on the basis of monitored laboratory and physiological parameters, with effective and efficient use of the information generated. Not only must information be generated, but also efficient management of such information must also be achieved. It is necessary to improve our activity through innovation in management procedures that facilitate the work of the intensivist, in collaboration with other specialists, throughout the hospital environment. Innovation is furthermore required in the efficient management of the information generated in hospitals, through intelligent and directed usage of the new available technology., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)

A lot of data were reported about monitoring patients with inflammatory bowel disease, with varying degrees of practical applicability. Concerning the evaluation of disease activity, it was established that objective assessments are needed. Among the techniques that we use, although endoscopy is undoubtedly the reference standard, a lot of data were presented regarding less invasive techniques. The importance of MRIs, CTs and ultrasounds (with some variations) was thus reiterated. The importance of fecal calprotectin is also reiterated, not only for colon disease, but probably small intestine disease as well. Regarding treatment monitoring, a great deal was reported about anti-TNF therapy, demonstrating again its potential role when properly used. In addition to results with infliximab, results with adalimumab were reported as very consistent. For colon cancer prevention, it seems that the clinical guidelines are achieving their objective. It also seems clear that we must improve conventional endoscopic techniques. Finally, there are other aspects that need to be considered when monitoring our patients, such as adequate sleeping patterns, anxiety or depression., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To measure the appropriateness of hospital admissions, to classify its Clinical Services (CS) according to the level of inappropriateness, and to determine the usefulness of applying rapid assessment techniques (lot quality assurance sampling) in these types of measurements., Material and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital to assess the clinical records of emergency admissions to the 12 CS with a higher volume of admissions, using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). A four-level («A» to «D») increasingly inadequate admissions scale was constructed setting both standard and threshold values in every stratum. Every CS was classified in one of them using lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS). A total of 156 cases (13 cases from every CS) were assessed. The assessment effort (devoted time) was also estimated., Results: There were 22.4±6.3% of inadequate admissions. In the CS classification, 9 (75%) got a good or acceptable appropriateness level, and only 1 (8%) got an inacceptable level. The time devoted was estimated at 17 hours., Conclusions: AEP is useful to assess the admission appropriateness and may be included in the «Emergencies» process management, although its variability prevents the use for external comparisons. If both LQAS and the appropriateness classification level and the global estimation (by unifying lot samples) are combined, the monitoring is affordable without a great effort. To extend these tools to other quality indicators requiring direct observation or clinical records, manual assessment could improve the monitoring efficiency., (Copyright © 2013 SECA. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: To evaluate the usefulness of capnography for early detection of respiratory depression during sedoanalgesia procedures in the pediatric emergency department. To assess whether the administration of oxygen during the procedure can modify monitored parameters, thus delaying detection of respiratory depression., Material and Methods: A prospective randomized study was performed on children between 1 year and 16 years who underwent sedoanalgesia to perform diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. They were randomized into two groups (with or without supplemental oxygen). All patients were monitored by visual inspection, pulse-oximetry and non-invasive capnography. Monitoring was initiated prior to drug administration and continued until complete recovery of baseline. The main study variable was respiratory depression defined as apnea, hypoventilation or oxygen desaturation., Results: Twenty patients were included. Eleven patients were randomized in the supplemental oxygen group. This study showed a statistically significant elevation of EtCO2 levels at 5, 10 and 15min, compared with baseline. No significant change in the SatO2 mean was detected. No statistically significant differences were identified when comparing etCO2 mean and SatO2 mean in both groups. Two cases of respiratory depression were detected early by capnography. There was a statistically significant correlation between etCO2 at 5 and 10min, and the degree of sedation achieved., Conclusions: The inclusion of capnography to routine monitoring for adequate sedation procedures could improve safety. Oxygen administration does not appear to modify the parameters monitored., (Copyright © 2013 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)