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Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common causes of long-term disabilities and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin administration on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) in patients with TBI. Methods: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial included 60 patients with TBI in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. After obtaining an informed consent from all patients, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups. For the intervention group, atorvastatin with a daily dose of 20 mg was used. The control group was administered the same amount of placebo for 10 days. Changes in the level of consciousness were measured using the GCS, and functional recovery rate in patients was measured by GOS and DRS in the third follow-up month. Results: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, the atorvastatin administration significantly increased the level of GCS and DRS within 2 - 3 months post-intervention and improved GOS since the tenth day after the study (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results revealed the positive effect of atorvastatin on the improvement of outcomes measurements such as GCS, DRS, and GOS in patients after moderate and severe TBI.

Background: A variety of spinal surgery procedures are performed on patients with different cardiac, vascular, and respiratory comorbidities. Postoperative pain management is a major determinant of hemodynamic and respiratory status in these patients and promotes clinical results, prevents complications, saves health services, and improves the quality of life of patients. Objectives: We compared the effects of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil on pain control after spinal surgery. Methods: Sixty patients aged 18 - 65 years undergoing spinal surgery were randomized into the two groups of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. The dexmedetomidine group (group D, n = 30) received dexmedetomidine infusion (0.6 mcg/kg/h), and the remifentanil group (group R, n = 30) received remifentanil infusion (0.1 mcg/kg/min) from induction of anesthesia until extubation. Propofol (1.5 mg/kg) and fentanyl (2mcg/kg) were used to initiate anesthesia, and propofol (100 - 150 mcg/kg/min) was infused to maintain anesthesia. Postoperative pain, hemodynamic parameters, and recovery characteristics were evaluated after surgery. Results: The mean pain intensity in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower than in the remifentanil group (2.98 ± 1.29 vs. 3.80 ± 1.1; P < 0.001). Hemodynamic changes in the dexmedetomidine group (MAP: 92.60 ± 5.56, HR: 73.07 ± 7) were less, and their condition was significantly more stable than in the remifentanil group (MAP: 93.85 ± 4.78, HR: 79.15 ± 7.03; P < 0.05). The mean arterial oxygen saturation (O2 sat) in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly higher and more stable than in the remifentanil group (98.87 ± 0.51 vs. 97.92 ± 0.46; P < 0.05). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the remifentanil group (P < 0.05). The administration of analgesics in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) was significantly higher in the remifentanil group than the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.016). Conclusions: Anesthetic maintenance with either dexmedetomidine or remifentanil infusion until extubation provided more smooth and hemodynamically stable conditions, without complications. However, dexmedetomidine provides better analgesia, causes a more stable hemodynamic state, and reduces postoperative nausea-vomiting, shivering, and the need for analgesics.

BACKGROUND In the Middle East, data on liver transplantation (LT) are limited, and reports on LT from this region are of specific value. The purpose of this study is to report our 8-year experiences and challenges with LTs in our center to improve the outcomes. METHODS 116 patients received whole organ graft from deceased donors, and orthotopic liver transplantation was performed at Taleghani hospital, between January 2009 and July 2017. The patients were prioritized according to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and Child-Pugh classification. RESULTS The most common postoperative complication was sepsis (16%), although the most common surgical post LT complication was postoperative bleeding. The most common cause of death was primary graft dysfunction (21.9%). Following LT, 50% of the deaths (n = 16) occurred during the first 10 days. Cumulative survival rates were 78.4%, 77.6%, and 66.7% at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION This report provides invaluable experience from a region where data on LT is largely missing due to the absence of official registration programs. The data could be used to improve the LT program in the region.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular injection of fibrinogen on postoperative bleeding following total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients aged 40 - 70 years under spinal anesthesia candidate for total knee arthroplasty in Golestan hospital, Ahwaz, Iran, in 2017-2018. Patients were divided into fibrinogen intra-articular injection (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The amounts of blood loss and blood transfusion requirement were recorded. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), international normalized ratio (INR), platelet (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were recorded before and after the surgery. Results: There was no significant difference in the average amount of intraoperative blood loss between the groups (P > 0.05). The average amount of blood loss 24 hours after the surgery was significantly lower in the fibrinogen group than in the control group (fibrinogen group 350.61 ± 120.32 cc; control group 540.00 ± 170.21 cc; P = 0.0002). There were significant differences in transfusion between the groups (fibrinogen group 250 ± 20 cc; control group 350 ± 50 cc; P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in 24 h postoperative Hb and HCT (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Intra-articular fibrinogen administration may reduce acute bleeding and can be used as an effective intervention to prevent further bleeding and the need for transfusion in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction Pain management after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains challenging. Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of Ketorolac and Paracetamol on postoperative CABG pain management. Method This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in Ahvaz, Iran, from September 2018-December 2019. Two consecutive groups of 60 patients undergoing elective on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Intervention The patients were divided into 0.5 mg/kg of ketorolac mg/dl and 10 mg/kg of Paracetamol after surgery for pain management. Primary outcomes were: visual analog pain scale (VAS) at the time point immediately after extubation (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours and the total dose of morphine consumption. Secondary outcomes included the hemodynamic variables, weaning time, chest tube derange, in-hospital mortality and myocardial infarction. Statistical analysis The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22(SPSS, Chicago, IL). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare demographic data, VAS scores, vital signs, and side effects. Repeated measurements were tested within groups using Friedman's ANOVA and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Values were expressed as means ± standard deviations. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05. Results Compared with baseline scores, there were significant declines in VAS scores in both groups throughout the time sequence (P< 0.05). The statistical VAS score was slightly higher in the Paracetamol group at most time points, except for the time of 6 h. However, at 24 and 48 hours, the VAS score in group Paracetamol was significantly higher than in group Ketorolac. There were no significant differences between groups about hemodynamic variables. Conclusion: The efficacy of ketorolac is comparable to that of Paracetamol in postoperative CABG pain management.

Introduction Pain management after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains challenging. Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of Ketorolac and Paracetamol on postoperative CABG pain relief. Method This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in Ahvaz, Iran, from September 2018–December 2019. Two consecutive groups of 60 patients undergoing elective on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Intervention The patients were divided into 0.5 mg/kg of ketorolac mg/dl and 10 mg/kg of Paracetamol after surgery for pain management. Primary outcomes were: visual analog pain scale (VAS) at the time point immediately after extubation (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and the total dose of morphine consumption. Secondary outcomes included the hemodynamic variables, weaning time, chest tube derange, in-hospital mortality and myocardial infarction. Statistical analysis: The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22(SPSS, Chicago, IL). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare demographic data, VAS scores, vital signs, and side effects. Repeated measurements were tested within groups using Friedman’s ANOVA and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Values were expressed as means ± standard deviations. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value Results Compared with baseline scores, there were significant declines in VAS scores in both groups throughout the time sequence (P< 0.05). The statistical VAS score was slightly higher in the Paracetamol group at most time points, except for the time of 6 h. However, at 24 and 48 h, the VAS score in group Paracetamol was significantly higher than in group Ketorolac. There were no significant differences between groups about hemodynamic variables. Conclusion The efficacy of ketorolac is comparable to that of Paracetamol in postoperative CABG pain relief. Trial registry IRCT20150216021098N5. Registered at 2019-09-12.

Background: Prevention and optimal treatment of postoperative bleeding are of great clinical importance in various types of surgeries including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Reducing the amount of bleeding will reduce the complications subsequent to blood transfusion. The positive effects of coagulation factors, especially fibrinogen, after cardiovascular bypass could have beneficial effects due to reduced bleeding and less need for blood transfusion. However, different studies have reported controversial findings. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of fibrinogen on blood loss in patients undergoing CABG surgery to achieve more accurate clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial conducted on 36 patients hospitalized in Ahvaz Imam Khomeini Hospital for coronary artery bypass graft. Patients were randomized to receive either fibrinogen concentrate (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, international normalized ratio, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen were checked preoperatively. The transfusion of allogeneic blood components and the volume of blood loss were recorded and compared between the groups. Results: Prophylactic fibrinogen injection reduced the need for blood transfusion, blood products, and postoperative hypotension in the fibrinogen group when compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.005). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the amount of bleeding during operation (P ≤ 0.005). Conclusions: Fibrinogen plays a key role in preventing and stopping the bleeding. Accordingly, fibrinogen decreases bleeding and the need for paced cell in patients in CABG. Given the adverse outcomes of bleeding and coagulopathy in patients undergoing surgery, we conclude that the use of fibrinogen could be beneficial as a prophylactic in hemorrhagic surgery.

Background: Discopathy is one of the most common spinal surgeries. Hemodynamic control is important in bleeding reduction during the surgery. Clonidine and dexmedetomidine both are α2 agonists that help stabilize hemodynamics and prevent the increase of intraoperative bleeding. Objectives: In this study, the effects of clonidine and dexmedetomidine were compared in bleeding reduction during spinal surgery. Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 120 patients aged 20 to 50 years with ASA class I or II, undergoing spinal surgery. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group C received oral clonidine 0.2 mg, 90 minutes before entering the room. Group D received dexmedetomidine 0.5 µ/kg 15 minutes before anesthesia induction and 0.25 µ/kg/h infusion during operation. Group P received placebo as the control group. Results: There was a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss in patients who received clonidine (289 ± 130) and dexmedetomidine (344 ± 145) compared to the control group (462 ± 15) (P < 0.05), with a more dramatic reduction in the clonidine group (P < 0. 001).

Background Surgery is one of the stressors that cause physiological and psychological stress. Anxiety and pain and their complications are very important in anesthesiology and many researches have been done to decrease or eliminate them. This training was done to compare the effect of melatonin and gabapentin on pain and anxiety during lumbar surgery. Methods This study was a double-blinded clinical trial conducted on 90 patients undergoing lumbar surgery with general anesthesia in Golestan Academic Hospital in 2017. Patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups: 30 patients received 6 mg melatonin, 30 patients received 600 mg gabapentin, and 30 patients were on placebo (control), 100 minutes preoperatively. All patients were given a fixed method of anesthesia. The pain intensity and patients' satisfaction from analgesia measured at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery. The anxiety was measured 15 minutes before surgery and 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery. Results In our study, there was a significant difference between mean Visual Analog Score between melatonin and gabapentin groups in comparison to placebo (P = 0.02). The intensity of anxiety among the groups was lower in melatonin and gabapentin groups in comparison to placebo (P = 0.01). Conclusions The results show that pretreatment with melatonin or gabapentin decreases anxiety and pain in lumbar surgery.

The alterations in liver function in patients after major liver resection are complex. Partial hepatectomy surgery is considered as a selective therapeutic approach in many benign and malignant liver tumors, secondary metastases, and liver trauma. According to surgical techniques most often based on vascular control and hepatic venous closure (Pringle maneuver), related complications such as ischemia and decreased venous return during and after surgery can be seen. In this study, the effects of Mannitol and N-acetylcysteine, on liver function, after hepatectomy surgery, were compared. This study was shown that infusion N-acetylcysteine next to mannitol, in partial hepatectomy surgeries, was not the significant difference to improve liver function, hemodynamic status, and laboratory tests.

Background: Open prostatectomy is still accompanied by some postoperative bleeding. Prescribing fibrinogen to promote clot formation in patients with bleeding is of critical importance. This research studied the effects of local injection of fibrinogen on level of postoperative bleeding in open prostatectomy. Methods: Overall, 44 patients were randomly entered in a study on open prostatectomy. Patients in the intervention group received local injections of 500 mg fibrinogen (20 mL) dissolved in distilled water, and the control group patients only received 20 mL of normal saline, where the injections were given by the surgeon at the prostatectomy operation site. All patients were tested for hemoglobin, hematocrit, PT, PTT, INR, and fibrinogen level. Also, the amount of blood loss and requirement for blood products were recorded. Results: The study groups showed no difference regarding baseline variables. One patient in the fibrinogen group (1.66%) and four patients in the control group (6.66%) received blood products (P < 0.05), and the blood drainage tube at 24 hours after operation was 36.50) 18.70 (mL in the fibrinogen group and 151.36) 120.58 (mL in the control group (P = 0.005). There were no differences in hemoglobin, hematocrit, PT, PTT, INR, and serum fibrinogen level between the groups at any time. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that using fibrinogen in patients with high bleeding risk may effectively reduce the amount of bleeding and its subsequent blood transfusion requirement, after open prostatectomy surgery.

Background The aim of this study was to compare the volume of blood loss and hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing lumbar discopathy, after continuous infusions of dexmedetomidine versus remifentanil during anesthesia with controlled low blood pressure. Methods In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 60 patients aged 20 to 65 years were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The intervention group received a continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at 0.3 - 0.7 µg/kg/hour plus propofol at 50 - 100 µg/kg/minute. The control group was given a continuous infusion of remifentanil at 0.1 to 1 µg/kg/minute plus the same dose of propofol as above. The primary outcome was the amount of patient's bleeding during surgery, and secondary outcomes were changes in the patient's systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and urinary output. Results Univariate and multivariate analyses of the main outcome in the control and intervention groups showed that there was no significant difference between the two drugs with regards to the volume of blood loss, mean arterial pressure, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Postoperative side effects were significantly lower in the intervention group (P = 0.002). Conclusions Administration of dexmedetomidine plus propofol in comparison with remifentanil plus propofol did not show any significant difference regarding blood loss and hemodynamic changes; however, it reduced some side effects after surgery and decreased analgesic requirement in the postoperative period. Taken together, the findings of this study do not support strong recommendations for dexmedetomidine infusion for all patients and the decision should be taken with caution on basis of the anesthesiologist's expert opinion and the patient's condition during surgery.

Background: Elective open heart surgery is associated with troponin release in some cases due to myocyte necrosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure cardiac troponin I (cTnI) preoperatively in elective CABG after remote ischemic preconditioning. Methods: Twenty-eight patients were selected for elective CABG. They were randomized to receive remote ischemic preconditioning (induced by three 5-min cycles of inflation with a pneumatic tourniquet and 5-min deflation between inflation episodes as reperfusion). Outcomes: Primary outcomes were cardiac troponin I levels at 6 and 24 hours after the procedure, and the secondary outcomes included creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum creatinine levels. Hemodynamic changes were evaluated between the treatment and control groups. Results: Cardiac troponin I at 6 hours after preconditioning was significantly lower compared to the control group (P = 0.036), and after 24 hours, there was still a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Remote ischemic preconditioning reduces ischemic biomarkers during coronary artery bypass graft and attenuates procedure-related cardiac troponin I release and eventually reduces cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, chest pain, and hemodynamic changes after cardiac surgery.

Background Patients with end-stage liver diseases who undergo liver transplantation may suffer from hypotension related to the liver disease itself or related to the surgical procedure. Because electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan (PC-6) and the Jianshi (PC-5) points influences hemodynamics, we hypothesize that electro-acupuncture at the traditionally used acupuncture points will reduce the severity of hypotension in patients who undergo liver transplantation. Methods Forty patients with end-stage liver disease who underwent orthotropic deceased donor liver transplantation were randomized into two groups. The norepinephrine (NE) group received norepinephrine as a vasoconstrictor, and the electro-acupuncture group received EA at the PC-5 and the PC-6 points for treatment of hypotension during anesthesia for the liver transplantation. The patients were monitored, during the three stages of liver transplantation by using hemodynamic parameters. Results During the three stages of liver transplantation, there were no significant differences in the hemodynamic measurements including the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and central venous pressure between the two groups ( p >0.05). Conclusions Electro-acupuncture at the acupuncture points reduced the severity and the incidence of hypotension during anesthesia for liver transplantation.