Jaume Fontanals

Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · Servicio de Anestesia

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia (MTH) and decompressive craniectomy are therapeutic measures used for the treatment of intracranial hypertension (ICHT) refractory to medical treatment and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. One of the side effects of MTH is the increased risk of coagulopathy, thus the performance of neurosurgical procedures in these cases i...

Background and objective: The aim of this study is to analyse in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests (CA) that took place in conventional wards and evaluate their prognostic factors. Patients and method: Retrospective review of in-hospital CA which occurred in our hospital over a 9-year period. CA that took place in intensive care areas, emergency...

Objectives: The objective of this study was to add more evidence about the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with basilar artery occlusion and secondarily to identify prognostic factors. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients (mean age 60.5 years, 15 men) with basilar artery occlusion treated with mechanical thrombecto...

Objective To analyze survival and neurological outcome at short and medium term in patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (HTM) in our hospital after suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) secondary to a shockable rhythm. Design Prospective, observational study from September 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012, with a follow up of...

Background and objective: Cardiac output generated from chest compressions during resuscitation maneuvres can predict effectiveness and successful outcome. During manual chest compressions, blood flow to vital organs is generally impaired because the quality of manual chest compressions is significantly inferior to that recommended by international...

To analyze survival and neurological outcome at short and medium term in patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (HTM) in our hospital after suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) secondary to a shockable rhythm.

Background: Brugada syndrome is a cardiac disorder associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death, especially in young subjects. The incidence and prevalence are likely underestimated. The diagnosis is based on a characteristic electrocardiography (ECG) pattern. The most commonly performed confirmatory test in cases of equivocal ECG is the in...

One of the aims of the medical profession is to be able to detect complications in patients during diagnostic tests and treatments. The early diagnosis of these complications can prevent a fatal outcome. The diagnosis is often based on clinical symptoms and supported by complementary tests. Diagnostic tests have been developed in the last few years...

One of the aims of the medical profession is to be able to detect complications in patients during diagnostic tests and treatments. The early diagnosis of these complications can prevent a fatal outcome. The diagnosis is often based on clinical symptoms and supported by complementary tests. Diagnostic tests have been developed in the last few years...

To evaluate variability in the detection and prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU), and application of the international recommendations in this field (Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative [ADQI] and Acute Kidney Injury Network [AKIN]). A prospective, observational, multicenter study. A total of 42 ICUs in 32 hospita...

Objective To determine first-year medical residents' perception of their competence in basic life support (BLS) and the use of automatic external defibrillation (AED). Material and methods Course in BLS and AED accredited by the European Resuscitation Council with pre- and post-course self-assessment. The post-training questionnaire was administer...

The cardiac output and coronary perfusion pressure generated from chest compressions during resuscitation manoeuvres can predict effectiveness and successful outcome. Until now, there is no good method for haemodynamic monitoring during resuscitation. Noninvasive partial carbon dioxide rebreathing system (NICO, Novametrix Medical Systems, Inc., Wal...

To determine first-year medical residents' perception of their competence in basic life support (BLS) and the use of automatic external defibrillation (AED). Course in BLS and AED accredited by the European Resuscitation Council with pre- and post-course self-assessment. The post-training questionnaire was administered immediately after the course...

Although the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) in managing critical patients is a subject of debate, they continue to be inserted in many cases and possible complications should be taken into account. Our objective was to review the serious or potentially serious complications associated with PACs in our hospital in the past 15 years. This w...

Transluminal percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) carries a risk of cerebral ischemia, hemorrhage, or edema due to relative hyperemia and hemodynamic instability during and after the procedure. Noninvasive monitoring of near-infrared regional cerebral oxygen saturation (SrO2) offers an indirect way to estimate cerebral blood flow. To...

To assess the effects of dopamine and dobutamine administration on the systemic and mesenteric (macro- and microvascular) circulatory disturbances induced by intra-abdominal hyperpressure. Prospective, randomized study. Animal research laboratory in a university hospital. Twenty-five pigs of either gender, weighing 30-35 kg. Animals were anesthetiz...

Insufflation with helium is used to prevent respiratory acidosis, hypercapnia, and cardiovascular instability associated with carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this prospective study was to compare CO2 with helium pneumoperitoneum with special reference to respiratory and hemodynamic changes at different times during the operation....

Elevated intraabdominal pressure due to gas insufflation for laparoscopic surgery may result in regional blood flow changes. Impairments of hepatic, splanchnic, and renal blood flow during peritoneal insufflation have been reported. Therefore we set out to investigate the effects of peritoneal insufflation with helium (He) and carbon dioxide (CO2)...

Information regarding to the system functioning and to the outcome of patients in whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed during their in hospital period in non intensive care units are essentially lacking in Spain. The objectives of the present work were: 1) to define clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients who deve...