Clinical Research Directory

Perioperative Lidocaine for Lung Protection in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Cardiopulmonary bypass-associated pulmonary injury is a common complication after infant cardiac surgery and may contribute to impaired oxygenation, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and longer intensive care stay. Lidocaine has anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing properties and may attenuate perioperative lung injury. This investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial will evaluate whether perioperative intravenous lidocaine reduces postoperative pulmonary injury in infants undergoing corrective non-palliative congenital cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Preoperative Fasting Times Before Elective Procedures

This single-center quality improvement project evaluates preoperative fasting times before elective procedures requiring anesthesiology care. The project aims to reduce prolonged fasting for clear fluids by implementing a local standard operating procedure (SOP) allowing patients to drink clear liquids until being called to the operating room ("drink until called"), supported by staff education and fasting instruction cards. Fasting times and selected perioperative outcomes will be assessed before and after implementation.

Mechanical Power and Driving Pressure Exposure in Laparoscopic Surgery

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) remain an important cause of morbidity after abdominal surgery. Intraoperative mechanical ventilation may contribute to lung injury through the mechanical load applied to the respiratory system. Mechanical power (MP) and driving pressure (DP) have emerged as integrative parameters reflecting the total ventilatory burden delivered to the lungs. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the association between time-dependent exposure to intraoperative mechanical power and driving pressure and postoperative pulmonary outcomes in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Ventilatory parameters will be recorded at predefined intervals during routine clinical care, and MP and DP will be calculated without altering clinical management. The primary objective is to assess whether longer exposure to elevated ventilatory load is associated with the development of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Driving Pressure During Surgeries With High Risk for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two different types of perioperative mechanical ventilation (MV), specifically Protective Mechanical Ventilation (PMV) and MV with the lowest possible Driving Pressure (ΔP), in relation to the appearance of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in adult patients who are operated and have higher risk of PPCs. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is MV with lower ΔP better than conventional PMV in preventing PPCs in patients with higher risk for PPCs? * Does MV with lower ΔP decrease hospital stay, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) need and mortality? * Does MV with lower ΔP suit better than PMV to lung characteristics and needs intraoperatively? Researchers will compare MV with the lowest possible Driving Pressure (ΔP) to Protective Mechanical Ventilation (PMV) to see if any of this is more protective than the other concerning PPCs. All participants will receive perioperative MV. Half of them will receive conventional Protective Mechanical Ventilation (PMV). This will include well known generally protective settings for mechanical ventilation of patients, concerning volumes, pressures, respiratory rate, inspiratory gases and ventilation maneuvers. The rest of participants will be ventilated with the lowest possible Driving Pressure (ΔP). This will be similar to PMV in the chosen volumes, respiratory rate, inspiratory gases and ventilation maneuvers. However, the pressure inside lung at the end of expiration, eg Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP), will be not be preset for every patient. Initially, the investigators will perform a maneuver that will quantify each individual's lung characteristics and mechanics. According to this, the investigators will find the exact PEEP that seems to suit each patients lungs most, and use this perioperatively, trying to provide lungs the best conditions every time. After the completion of the operation, all the patients will be screened for PPCs, via arterial blood testing and chest X ray, and the results will be statistically analyzed trying to find if any of the forementioned strategies of mechanical ventilation surpasses the other concerning PPCs appearance. PPCs include atelectasis, respiratory failure, bronchospasm, pleural effusion, pneumonia, aspiration and pneumothorax. Furthermore hospital stay, ICU need and mortality will be noted. Finally, measurements of perioperative lung pressures, volumes and derived variables will be noted and compared statistically as well.

Evaluation of the Effect of Perioperative Recruitment Maneuver Practice on Lung Ultrasound Score and Mechanical Power in Pediatric Patients

Pulmonary atelectasis is common during general anesthesia and increases the risk of hypoxemia, especially in pediatric patients. PEEP and recruitment maneuvers (RM) are effective in preventing atelectasis. Lung ultrasound is practical for diagnosis. Mechanical power refers to the amount of energy delivered to the lung by the ventilator; excessive mechanical power can cause lung injury. Limiting mechanical power may reduce postoperative complications. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of recruitment maneuvers in preventing atelectasis using lung ultrasound during the intraoperative period, to examine the relationship between lung ultrasound scores and mechanical power, and to demonstrate the effect of recruitment maneuvers on postoperative pulmonary complications. This study is based on the hypothesis that "The recruitment maneuver reduces perioperative atelectasis and the development of related complications, and lung ultrasound can be used to detect this. The lung ultrasound score also decreases in patients with reduced mechanical force." It will be prospectively applied to pediatric patients aged 1-14 years who will undergo surgery in the operating rooms of Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty. Patients included in the study will be prospectively randomized into 3 groups. The randomization performed using the sealed opaque envelope method.All patients will be ventilated in VG-Pressure guaranteed mode. Tidal volume will be calculated as 6-8 ml/kg of ideal body weight. GROUP 1: Fixed PEEP: 5 cmH2O, GROUP 2: PEEP: 5 cmH2O, 5 cycles, recruitment maneuver with plateau P\<35 cm H2O and vital capacity x2. GROUP 3: PEEP: 5 cmH2O, 5 cycles of recruitment maneuvers will be performed in the right and left lateral decubitus position before extubation with P\<35 cmH2O and vital capacity x2. Lung ultrasound will be performed before induction (1), 5 minutes after intubation (2), before extubation (3), and finally 5 minutes after extubation(4). Each hemithorax will be divided into 6 regions, and lung scores will be recorded. At 5 minutes after intubation and every hour there after, PeakP, PlateauP, DeltaP, Compliance, Driving Pressures, and Mechanical Work calculations will be recorded before and after the maneuver in the group undergoing the recruitment maneuver.

The Effect of the 5T Teach-Back Method on Respiratory Exercise and Incentive Spirometer Training

Breathing problems after surgery are common and can lead to serious complications such as low oxygen levels, lung collapse, or pulmonary embolism. These problems increase patient risk and place an additional burden on the healthcare system. Breathing exercises and incentive spirometer use are important methods to prevent these complications. However, many patients have difficulty understanding and correctly performing these exercises when education is limited to standard verbal instructions. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate whether the 5T Teach-Back education method improves patients' understanding, practical skills, respiratory outcomes, and satisfaction compared with standard verbal education. The study will be conducted in a university hospital and will include 76 adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Patients in the intervention group will receive preoperative breathing exercise and incentive spirometer training using the 5T Teach-Back method, which encourages patients to explain the information back in their own words and repeat the skills until they are correctly understood. Patients in the control group will receive routine verbal education provided by clinical nurses. Outcomes will be measured before surgery and again within 24-72 hours after surgery. These outcomes include patients' knowledge level, correct performance of breathing exercises and spirometer use, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, lung function test results, and patient satisfaction with nursing care. The results of this study are expected to show whether the 5T Teach-Back method is more effective than standard education in improving postoperative respiratory care and patient satisfaction. The findings may help standardize patient education practices and support nurses in delivering more effective respiratory training before surgery.

The Effect of Single Lung Ventilation Duration on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Thoracic Surgery

This observational study investigates the relationship between the duration of single-lung ventilation (SLV) and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) such as pneumonia, pneumothorax, hemothorax, acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery. A total of 134 patients aged 18-85 years, scheduled for thoracic surgery requiring SLV, will be monitored. Data including SLV duration, perioperative parameters, and postoperative pulmonary outcomes will be analyzed.

Optimal Interval for Periodic Alveolar Recruitment Maneuvers Achieving 90% Lung Re-expansion During Intraoperative Ventilation

This study aims to determine the optimal interval for periodic alveolar recruitment maneuvers (PARM) that can achieve effective lung re-expansion in 90% of patients undergoing intraoperative mechanical ventilation during abdominal laparoscopic surgery in the low Trendelenburg position. Identifying the most effective frequency of PARM is crucial for establishing lung-protective ventilation strategies, with the ultimate goal of reducing intraoperative atelectasis, decreasing postoperative pulmonary complications, and accelerating recovery. Patients are randomized using a biased-coin sequential design. PARM is initially applied every 0.5 hours, and the effectiveness of lung re-expansion is evaluated before the end of surgery. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of recruitment, assessed by a combination of lung ultrasound scores and shunt fraction. Secondary outcomes include mechanical power at the end of surgery, time-weighted average mechanical power during ventilation, postoperative P/F ratio, dead space fraction, air test results, intraoperative adverse events, incidence of respiratory failure in the PACU and postoperative period, and postoperative length of stay. This trial is expected to provide robust evidence for defining the optimal RM interval in protective ventilation protocols for patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery, thereby contributing to improved perioperative respiratory outcomes.

Consensus Statements on Definition, Components and Grading of Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

An international team of experts is working on a project called PrECiSIOn to develop a clear, consistent definition of PPCs. The goals of this study are to: * Define postoperative pulmonary complications in a way that makes sense for patients, families, and healthcare providers. * Rank complications by severity so doctors can focus on the most serious ones first. * Decide how and when to monitor patients after surgery to catch problems early.

Evaluation of the Effect of Para-sternal Block on Postoperative Respiratory Function After Cardiac Sternotomy Surgery

Postoperative pain after cardiac surgery is associated with reduced postoperative respiratory function. There is an association between greater pain and more pronounced decreases in lung volumes postoperatively. With an incidence of 10% to 25% of cases, pulmonary complications are the second source of postoperative morbidity after cardiac complications; in 2-5% of cases, the dysfunction is severe and leads to significant consequences that can lead to death. It has been shown that postoperative pain after cardiac surgery is associated with a reduction in functional respiratory capacity. There is an association between greater pain and more pronounced decreases in lung volumes postoperatively. The main objective of this study will be to evaluate the impact of locoregional anesthesia by parasternal block analgesic on postoperative respiratory function at D1 postoperatively

Postoperative Respiratory and Activity Monitoring

This study plans to learn more about specific breathing and activity recommendations for patients after surgery. Participants will be monitored after abdominal surgery to identify what activities help them breathe better and reduce complications after surgery.

PrEventing PostoPERative Pulmonary Complications by Establishing a MachINe-learning assisTed Approach

Postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) are common after general anaesthesia and are a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. However, prevention and treatment methods for POPC that are considered effective, tie up human and technical resources. The aim of the planned research project is therefore to enable reliable identification of high-risk patients on the basis of a tailored machine learning algorithm using perioperative clinical routine data and sonographic imaging data collected in the recovery room. The randomized clinical trial will include 512 patients undergoing elective surgery in general anaesthesia. The primary outcome will be the development of POPC. The goal of the study is to detect postoperative pulmonary complications before they become clinically manifest.

Gut Microbiota and Pulmonary Complications After Non Cardiac Elective Surgery in Elderly Patients

This study adopts a combination of retrospective and prospective cohort research methods to explore the composition of preoperative oropharyngeal and gut microbiota in elderly patients undergoing elective upper abdominal surgery, aiming to analyze the correlation between preoperative oropharyngeal and intestinal microbiota composition and metabolite levels and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). The research subjects of the retrospective cohort study were participants (ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT05679661) included in the prospective RCT on the effects of perioperative immune nutrition intervention and oral hygiene on postoperative complications in elderly patients, which was conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2023 to present. The prospective cohort study plans to continue enrolling elderly patients aged ≥ 65 who underwent elective upper abdominal surgery. This study collects preoperative oropharyngeal and fecal samples, as well as preoperative plasma from patients for microbial sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. The main outcome measurement is PPCs, which include pneumonia, atelectasis, and hypoxemia within 7 days after surgery. Inflammatory cells and cytokines in peripheral blood are secondary outcomes.

Evaluating Respiratory Effects of Driving Pressure Guided Mechanical Ventilation Using Electrical Impedance Tomography in Patients Undergoing Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy is a method increasingly used for prostate cancer due to fewer complications, morbidity, and mortality compared to other methods. The technique involves inflating the abdomen with carbon dioxide to provide visualization and working in a steep Trendelenburg position, which puts pressure on the lungs and can cause them to collapse. The functional residual capacity reduction caused by general anesthesia, combined with the negative effects of the position, increases the risk of significant respiratory system complications during and after surgery. Lung protective ventilation strategies can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) by alleviating iatrogenic injury to previously healthy lungs. Apart from a low tidal volume (VT), applying positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can minimize the risk of atelectasis and/or overdistension. There is limited information on how to adjust optimal PEEP under increased intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy. A meta-analysis study on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients showed that high driving pressure (plateau pressure - PEEP) is the most associated value with mortality. It was shown that VT, plateau pressure, and PEEP are not related to patient outcomes or only when they affect driving pressure. Subsequent retrospective and prospective studies confirmed the importance of driving pressure in ARDS patients and surgical patients. For patients under mechanical ventilation, applying a personalized PEEP that provides the lowest driving pressure, along with maneuvers to open closed alveoli (recruitment), reduces respiratory system complications during and after surgery. One method to visualize the effects of these maneuvers and the ideal PEEP application, which provides the lowest driving pressure for the patient, is electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a non-invasive, radiation-free bedside imaging technique. EIT, measured with 16 electrodes placed on an elastic belt around the patient\&amp;amp;#39;s 4th to 6th ribs, shows impedance changes in the lungs. This method successfully visualizes and evaluates dynamic changes in gas distribution within the lungs and has been validated by computed tomography scans, proving safe for use in both adults and pediatric patients. EIT divides the lungs into four layers from ventral to dorsal, showing the percentage distribution of tidal volume in these regions. Examining the relative impedance changes allows for observing gas volume distribution entering the lungs and evaluating regional lung characteristics. Therefore, EIT can contribute to examining the PEEP value that ensures homogeneous gas distribution in the lungs and preventing ventilator-associated lung injury. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of driving pressure guided mechanical ventilation on lung gas distribution during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy through respiratory parameters recorded by EIT during surgery and perioperative period and to compare perioperative pulmonary complications with traditional ventilation methods

Diaphragmatic Inspiratory Amplitude as a Prognosticator for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery is a critical intervention for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, yet it can frequently results in a spectrum of postoperative complications. Amongst various morbidities, Post-Operative Pulmonary Complications (POPCs) represent a significant clinical challenge leading to adverse outcomes like increased morbidity, mortality, and raised healthcare expenditures. The diaphragm, as the principal respiratory muscle, plays a pivotal role in maintaining pulmonary function. Diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) in the perioperative period of Cardiac surgery has an incidence of up to 20%. Understanding the impact of DD on postoperative pulmonary function is imperative for optimizing patient care and clinical outcomes. Its occurrence has been linked to a spectrum of respiratory complications, ranging from pneumonia to difficulty in weaning from mechanical ventilation. In recent years, the advent of point-of-care ultrasonogram (POCUS) has emerged as a promising modality for real-time monitoring of DD. It offers a more accessible and feasible approach compared to traditional methods, providing immediate feedback on diaphragmatic movement, and facilitates timely intervention. Ultrasound has been used to assess Diaphragmatic Inspiratory Amplitude (DIA) (the expansion of the diaphragm when breathing). DIA has been shown to decrease in the post-operative period after cardiac surgery, which has been well-correlated with the occurrence of POPCs, however, its predictive value has not yet been studied in a cohort of cardiac surgical patients. Hence, we aim to address this gap by exploring the utility of DIA measured by ultrasonogram as a predictive tool in anticipating the occurrence of POPCs. We hypothesize that DIA can predict the occurrence of POPC in cardiac surgical patients. We will recruit 130 patients at University Hospital, London Health Science Centre, to this prospective, observational study.

The Effect of Continuous Intravenous Infusion of Lidocaine on PPCs and Prognosis in Emergency Surgical Patients With IAI

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of continuous 24-hour intravenous infusion of lidocaine on the incidence of PPCs in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for intra-abdominal infection (IAI).The secondary objectives of this study are to assess the impact of continuous 24-hour intravenous lidocaine infusion on the proportion of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, protection of important organ function during the perioperative period, length of hospital stay, and outcomes within 30 days postoperatively.