An eight year audit before and after the introduction of modified early warning score (MEWS) charts, of patients admitted to a tertiary referral intensive care unit after CPR

Aims

To determine whether cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of adult patients admitted to intensive care after CPR and their associated mortalities were reduced, in a four year period after the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS (Modified Early Warning System) Charts.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data during two four-year periods, (2002-05 and 2006-09) in a UK University Teaching Hospital Comparisons were via χ² test. A p value of ≤0.05 was regarded as being significant.

Results

In the second audit period, compared to the first one, the number of cardiac arrest calls relative to adult hospital admissions decreased significantly (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.0001), the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care having undergone in-hospital CPR fell significantly (2% vs. 3%; p = 0.004) as did the in-hospital mortality of these patients (42% vs. 52%; p = 0.05).

Conclusion

The four years following the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS Charts were associated with significant reductions in the incidence of cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care having undergone in-hospital CPR and their in-hospital mortality.     

Prehospital neurologic deterioration is independent predictor of outcome in traumatic brain injury: analysis from National Trauma Data Bank

Background

The prevalence and impact of prehospital neurologic deterioration (PhND) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been investigated. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PhND during emergency medical service (EMS) transportation among patients with TBI and its impact on patient's outcome.

Methods

We used the National Trauma Data Bank, using data files from 2009 to 2010 to identify patients with TBI through International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ascertained at the scene by EMS was compared with the subsequent GCS score evaluation in the emergency department (ED) to identify neurologic deterioration (defined as a decrease in GCS of ≥ 2 points). Patients' demographics, initial injury severity score (ISS), admission GCS score, and hospital outcome were compared between patients with PhND and patients without neurologic deterioration.

Results

A total of 257?127 patients with TBI were identified. Among patients with TBI, 22?254 patients had PhND, which comprised 9% of all patients with TBI. The mean of GCS score decrease during EMS transport was 5 points (± 3). Patients without PhND tended to have higher GCS recorded by EMS (median, 15 vs 12; P < .0001). Patients with TBI who had PhND had significantly higher hospital length of stay and intensive care unit days after adjusting for baseline characteristics and EMS GCS score, EMS transport time, type of injury, presence of intracranial hemorrhages, and ED ISS (P < .0001). These patients had higher rate of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for the same variables (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.18-2.41).

Conclusion

Prehospital neurologic deterioration occurs in 9% of patients with TBI. It is more prevalent in men and associated with lower EMS GCS level and higher ED ISS. Prehospital neurologic deterioration is an independent predictor of worse hospital outcome and higher resource use in patients with TBI.     

Impact of older age and nursing home residence on clinical outcomes of US emergency department visits for severe sepsis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of older age and nursing home residence on the incidence and morbidity of severe sepsis.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 19 460 emergency department visits from the 2005 to 2009 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys with diagnosis of infection with or without severe sepsis (acute organ dysfunction). Clinical outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospital length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality.

Results

Older adults (age ≥ 65 years) were 5-fold more likely to have infections classified as severe sepsis than younger adults (6.5% vs 1.3%), and nursing home residents were 7-fold more likely to have a severe sepsis diagnosis compared with nonnursing home residents (14% vs 1.9%). Among visits for severe sepsis, older adults, compared with younger adults, had modestly higher rates of ICU admission (27% vs 21%), hospital LOS (median, 6 vs 5 days), and in-hospital mortality (24% vs 16%). Nursing home residents with severe sepsis, compared with nonnursing home residents, had significantly higher rates of ICU admission (40% vs 21%), hospital LOS (median, 7 vs 5 days), and in-hospital mortality (37% vs 15%).

Conclusions

Older adults and particularly nursing home residents have a disproportionately high incidence of and morbidity from severe sepsis.     

Fluid therapy and acute kidney injury in cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest

Aim of the study

It has recently been suggested that acute kidney injury (AKI) may strongly be influenced by post-resuscitation disease and cardiogenic shock (CS), and may not just be a consequence of cardiac arrest and time without spontaneous circulation. AKI also has been suggested as a strong independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Therefore the present study aimed at investigating the effect of fluid management on the incidence of AKI in patients with cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest treated by mild therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods

Fluid therapy and the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was retrospectively reviewed in 51 patients with cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest comparing patients with and without hemodynamic (PPV, SVV) and volumetric (ELWI, GEDI) monitoring.

Results

There was no significant difference in baseline or cardiac arrest characteristics between hemodynamic monitored patients and conventional monitored patients. 28 patients were monitored by standard monitoring, in 23 patients monitoring was complemented by a PICCO system. In the first 24 h of treatment the total amount of fluid was significantly higher in patients under PICCO monitoring compared to conventional monitoring (4375 ± 1285 ml vs. 5449 ± 1438 ml, p = 0.007). This was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of AKI (RIFLE ‘I’/‘F’: PICCO-group: 1 (4.3%) vs. conventional group 8 (28.6%), p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The presented data suggest that volume therapy guided by volumetric (ELWI, GEDI) and arterial waveform derived variables (PPV, SVV) can reduce the incidence of AKI in patients with cardiogenic shock after cardiac arrest treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia.     

Changes and their prognostic implications in the abbreviated VitalPAC™ Early Warning Score (ViEWS) after admission to hospital of 18,827 surgical patients

Background

It is not known how often, to what extent and over what time frame any early warning scores change in surgical patients, and what the implications of these changes are.

Setting

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

The changes in the first three recordings of the abbreviated version of the VitalPAC™ Early Warning Score (ViEWS) after admission to hospital of 18,827 surgical patients, and their relationship to subsequent in-hospital mortality were examined.

Results

In the 2.0 SD 2.4 h between admission and the second recording the score changed in 12.6% of patients. If the initial abbreviated ViEWS was =2 points (78% of all patients) the in-hospital mortality was 0.5%, and not significantly different in the 3.7% of patients that either increased or decreased their score. Patients who had an initial score =3 had a significantly higher overall in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 5.48, Chi-square 120.72, p < 0.0001). Of these patients, those with a lower second score (42.3% of patients) had a significantly lower in-hospital mortality than those with an unchanged second score (i.e. 1.5% versus 3.3%, odds ratio 0.43, Chi-square 11.08, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The abbreviated ViEWS score measured on admission identifies the majority of surgical patients who are at low risk of in-hospital death. Patients with an initial abbreviated ViEWS =3 who do not reduce their score within 2–3 h of admission have a further significantly increased mortality.     

The impact of low hemoglobin levels and transfusion on critical care patients with severe ischemic stroke : STroke: RelevAnt Impact of HemoGlobin, Hematocrit and Transfusion (STRAIGHT)—an observational study

Purpose

Optimal management of hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) in neurologic intensive care unit (NICU) patients has not been determined yet. Here we aimed to investigate the impact of anemia and transfusion activity in patients who had acute ischemic stroke.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis of clinical, laboratory, and outcome data of patients with severe acute ischemic stroke treated on our NICU between 2004 and 2011 was performed.

Results

Of 109 patients, 97.2% developed anemia and 33% received RBCT. Significant correlations were found between NICU length of stay (NICU LOS) and lowest (nadir) Hb (correlation coefficient, − 0.42, P < .001), Hb decrease (0.52, P < .001), nadir hematocrit (Hct; − 0.43, P < .001), and Hct decrease (0.51, P < .001). Duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) was strongly associated with both nadir Hb (− 0.41, P < .001) and decrease (0.42, P < .001) and nadir Hct (− 0.43, P < .001) and decrease (0.40, P < .001). Red blood cell transfusion correlated with NICU LOS (0.33, P < .001) and with duration of MV (0.40, P < .001). None of these hematologic parameters correlated with in-hospital mortality or 90-day outcome.The linear regression model showed number of RBCT (0.29, P = .008), nadir Hb (− 0.18, P = .049), Hb decrease (0.33, P < .001), nadir Hct (− 0.18, P = .03), and Hct decrease (0.29, P < .001) to be independent predictors of NICU LOS. Duration of MV was also independently predicted by number of RBC transfusions (0.29, P < .001), nadir Hb (− 0.20, P = .02), Hb decrease (0.25, P = .002), nadir Hct (− 0.21, P = .015), and Hct decrease (0.26, P < .001).

Conclusions

Low and further decreasing Hb and Hct levels as well as RBCT activity are associated with prolonged NICU stay and duration of MV but not with mortality or long-term outcome. Our findings do not justify using a more aggressive transfusion practice at present.     

Attitudes of Dutch, German and Swiss nursing staff towards physical restraint use in nursing home residents, a cross-sectional study

Objective

To investigate the attitudes of nursing staff towards restraint measures and restraint use in nursing home residents, and to investigate if these attitudes are influenced by country of residence and individual characteristics of nursing staff.

Methods

A questionnaire on attitudes regarding restraints (subscales: reasons, consequences, and appropriateness of restraint use) and opinions regarding the restrictiveness of restraint measures and discomfort in using them was distributed to a convenience sample of nursing staff in The Netherlands (n = 166), Germany (n = 258), and Switzerland (n = 184).

Results

In general, nursing staff held rather neutral opinions regarding the use of physical restraints, but assessed the use of restraints as an appropriate measure in their clinical practice. Gender and age were not related to attitudes of nursing staff, but we did find some differences in attitudes between nursing staff from the different countries. Dutch nursing staff were most positive regarding the reasons of restraint use (p < 0.01), but were less positive than German and Swiss nursing staff regarding the appropriateness of restraint use (p < 0.01). Swiss nursing staff were less positive than German nursing staff regarding the appropriateness of restraint use (p < 0.01). Nursing staff with longer clinical experience showed a more negative attitude towards restraint use than nursing staff with less experience (p < 0.05) and charge nurses had the least positive attitude towards restraint use (p < 0.05).Opinions regarding restraint measures differed between the three countries. The use of bilateral bedrails was considered as a moderate restrictive measure; the use of belts was rated as the most restrictive measure and nursing staff expressed pronounced discomfort on the use of these measures.

Conclusions

Nursing staff from three European countries have different attitudes and opinions regarding the use of physical restraints. The results underline the importance of more tailored, culturally sensitive interventions to reduce physical restraints in nursing homes.     

Predictive value of elevated cystatin C in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Objectives

The prognostic value of cystatin C (CysC) has been documented in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation. However, its value in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of CysC in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 475 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age 55.6 ± 12.4 years, 380 male, 95 female) undergoing primary PCI. The study population was divided into tertiles based on admission CysC values. The high CysC group (n = 159) was defined as a value in the third tertile (> 1.12 mg/L), and the low CysC group (n = 316) included those patients with a value in the lower two tertiles (≤ 1.12 mg/L). Clinical characteristics and in-hospital and one-month outcomes of primary PCI were analyzed.

Results

The patients of the high CysC group were older (mean age 62.8 ± 13.1 vs. 52.3±10.5, P < .001). Higher in-hospital and 1-month cardiovascular mortality rates were observed in the high CysC group (9.4% vs. 1.6%, P < .001 and 14.5% vs. 2.2%, P < .001, respectively). In Cox multivariate analysis; a high admission CysC value (> 1.12 mg/L) was found to be a powerful independent predictor of one-month cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-22.38; P = .02).

Conclusions

These results suggest that a high admission CysC level was associated with increased in-hospital and one-month cardiovascular mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.     

C-reactive protein levels after cardiac arrest in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia

Aim

Prognostication of outcome after cardiac arrest (CA) is challenging. We assessed the prognostic value of daily blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a cheap and widely available inflammatory biomarker, after CA.

Methods

We reviewed the data of all patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) after CA between January 2009 and December 2011 and who survived for at least 24 h. We collected demographic data, CA characteristics (initial rhythm; location of arrest; time to return of spontaneous circulation [ROSC]), occurrence of infection, ICU survival and neurological outcome at three months (good = cerebral performance category [CPC] 1–2; poor = CPC 3–5). CRP levels were measured daily from admission to day 3.

Results

A total of 130 patients were admitted after successful resuscitation from CA and survived more than 24 h; 76 patients (58%) developed an infection and overall mortality was 56%. CRP levels increased from admission to day 3. CRP levels were higher in in-hospital than in out-of-hospital CA, especially on admission and day 1 (44.1 vs. 2.1 mg L⁻¹ and 74.5 vs. 29.5 mg L⁻¹, respectively; p < 0.001), and in patients with non-shockable than in those with shockable rhythms. In a logistic regression model, high CRP levels on admission were independently associated with poor neurological outcome at 3 months.

Conclusion

CRP levels increase in the days following successful resuscitation of CA. Higher CRP levels in patients with in-hospital CA, non-shockable rhythms and infection, suggest a greater inflammatory response in these patients. High CRP levels on admission may identify patients at high-risk of poor outcome and could be a target for future therapies.     

Documenting Rapid Response System afferent limb failure and associated patient outcomes

Objective

Describe afferent limb failure (ALF), defined as documented Rapid Response System (RRS) calling criteria, but no associated call, in the 24 h prior to an event.

Methods

Retrospective medical record and database review. Adult in-patients whose hospital length of stay (LOS) was greater than 24 h, an event being a cardiac arrest, Medical Emergency Team (MET) call or unanticipated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission.

Results

Over 6 months, there were 443 patients with 575 events, of which 35 (6.1%) were cardiac arrests, 395 (68.7%) MET calls, and 145 (25.2%) ICU admissions. 131 (22.8%) events had documented ALF, of which 47/131 (35.9%) had documented criteria across more than one time period. Patients with ALF, compared to those without ALF, were significantly more likely to have an unanticipated ICU admission (45/131 (34.4%) vs 100/443 (22.5%), p = 0.01), but be of similar age (71 years vs 72 years, p = 0.44), male gender (51.1% vs 53.2%, p = 0.38), APACHE 2 score (22.8 vs 21.4, p = 0.67), predicted risk of death (0.394 vs 0.367, p = 0.55), ICU LOS (2 days vs 2 days, p = 0.56), likelihood of not-for-resuscitation order during an event (4/131 (3.4%) vs 22/444 (5.0%), p = 0.34), and hospital mortality (42/107 (39.3%) vs 125/236 (37.2%), p = 0.70). Hospital mortality for patients with ALF across multiple, compared to single time periods was higher, 21/40 (52.5%) vs 22/69 (31.9%), p = 0.03.

Conclusions

RRS ALF is a useful performance measure for a mature RRS, and is associated with unanticipated ICU admissions. The duration of, and not timing of, ALF criterion occurrence may affect hospital mortality.     

Homocysteine level and metabolism in ischemic stroke in the population of Northern Poland

Objectives:

In this study we analyzed the occurrence of ischemic brain stroke in Northern Poland in regard to risk factors.

Design and methods:

131 ischemic stroke patients and 64 controls were studied. Analyzed risk factors included conventional risk factors, total plasma homocysteine level and polymorphisms of the main enzymes of homocysteine metabolism—methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (polymorphisms C677T and A1298C) and cystathionine β synthase (polymorphism T833C).

Results:

We confirmed the occurrence of a number of conventional risk factors in ischemic stroke. We found that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor (p = 0.0001). Plasma homocysteine correlated inversely with plasma vitamin B₆. We also found a relationship between C677T polymorphism type and hyperhomocysteinemia (p = 0.0266).

Conclusions:

The occurrence of studied polymorphisms in the population of northern Poland was higher than reported previously for similar populations. However, none of the studied genetic factors were found to be significant risk factors in ischemic brain stroke.     

Evaluation of pre-arrest morbidity score and prognosis after resuscitation score and other clinical variables associated with in-hospital cardiac arrest in southern Sweden

Objective

To evaluate pre-arrest morbidity score (PAM), prognosis after resuscitation score (PAR) and to identify additional clinical variables associated with survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Methods

A retrospective observational study involving all cases of IHCA at Skåne University Hospital Malmö 2007–2010.

Results

Two-hundred-eighty-seven cases of IHCA were identified (61.3% male; mean age 70 years) of whom 20.2% survived until discharge. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for death prior to discharge was 6.49 (1.50–28.19) (p = 0.013) for PAM > 6 and 3.88 (1.95–7.73) (p < 0.001) for PAR > 4. At PAM- and PAR-scores >5, specificity exceeded 90%, while sensitivity was only 20–30%. The odds ratio for in-hospital mortality was 0.38 (0.20–0.72) (p = 0.003) for patients with cardiac monitoring, 9.86 (5.08–19.12) (p < 0.001) for non-shockable vs shockable rhythm, 0.32 (0.15–0.69) (p = 0.004) for presence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 0.27 (0.09–0.78) (p = 0.016) for patients with independent Activities of Daily Life (ADL) and 13.86 (1.86–103.46) (p = 0.010) for patients with malignancies. Heart rate (HR) on admission (per bpm) [1.024 (1.009–1.040) (p = 0.002)] and sodium plasma concentration on admission (per mmol l⁻¹) [0.92 (0.85–0.99) (p = 0.023)] were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

PAM- and PAR-scores do not sufficiently discriminate between in-hospital death and survival after IHCA to be used as clinical tools guiding CPR decisions. We confirm that malignancy is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, and cardiac monitoring, shockable rhythm, STEMI and independent ADL, with decreased in-hospital mortality. Interestingly, our results suggest that HR and plasma sodium concentration upon admission may represent new tools for risk stratification.     

Tertiary centres have improved survival compared to other hospitals in the Copenhagen area after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Aims

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been reported to carry very varying morbidity and mortality. However, it remains unclear whether this is caused by intrinsic factors of the OHCA or due to the level of in-hospital care. The aim of this study is to compare 30-day and long-term mortality after OHCA at tertiary heart centres and non-tertiary university hospitals.

Methods and results

Data from the Copenhagen OHCA registry from June 2002 through December 2010 included a total of 1218 consecutive patients treated by the same mobile emergency care unit (MECU) with either return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or on-going resuscitation (n = 53) at hospital arrival. The MECU transported patients to the nearest hospital unless an ECG on scene suggested ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, in which case patients were transported to the nearest tertiary centre for acute coronary angiography. Therefore, patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (n = 198) were excluded from the analysis. 30-day mortality was 56% vs. 76% and long term (up to 8 years) mortality was 78% vs. 94% for tertiary and non-tertiary hospitals, respectively, both p < 0.001. Multivariate analysis showed that admission to a non-tertiary hospital was independently associated with increased risk of death (HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09–1.59, p = 0.004). Exclusion of patients with on-going resuscitation at admission resulted in HR = 1.34 (1.11–1.62), p = 0.003. A matched pair propensity score analysis of 255 patients confirmed the results of the proportional hazard analysis (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.11–1.65 p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Admission to tertiary centres is associated with lower mortality rates after OHCA compared with non-tertiary hospitals.     

Myocardial infarction is a frequent cause of exercise-related resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a general non-athletic population

Background

Performing exercise is shown to prevent cardiovascular disease, but the risk of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is temporarily increased during strenuous activity. We examined the etiology and outcome after successfully resuscitated OHCA during exercise in a general non-athletic population.

Methods

Consecutive patients with OHCA were admitted with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or on-going resuscitation at hospital arrival (2002–2011). Patient charts were reviewed for post-resuscitation data. Exercise was defined as moderate/vigorous physical activity.

Results

A total of 1393 OHCA-patients were included with 91(7%) arrests occurring during exercise. Exercise-related OHCA-patients were younger (60 ± 13 vs. 65 ± 15, p < 0.001) and predominantly male (96% vs. 69%, p < 0.001). The arrest was more frequently witnessed (94% vs. 86%, p = 0.02), bystander CPR was more often performed (88% vs. 54%, p < 0.001), time to ROSC was shorter (12 min (IQR: 5–19) vs. 15 (9–22), p = 0.007) and the primary rhythm was more frequently shock-able (91% vs. 49%, p < 0.001) compared to non-exercise patients. Cardiac etiology was the predominant cause of OHCA in both exercise and non-exercise patients (97% vs. 80%, p < 0.001) and acute coronary syndrome was more frequent among exercise patients (59% vs. 38%, p < 0.001). One-year mortality was 25% vs. 65% (p < 0.001), and exercise was even after adjustment associated with a significantly lower mortality (HR = 0.40 (95%CI: 0.23–0.72), p = 0.002).

Conclusions

OHCA occurring during exercise was associated with a significantly lower mortality in successfully resuscitated patients even after adjusting for confounding factors. Acute coronary syndrome was more common among exercise-related cardiac arrest patients.     

The effect of positive balance on the outcomes of critically ill noncardiac postsurgical patients: A retrospective cohort study

Purpose

Fluid balance remains a highly controversial topic in the critical care field, and no consensus has been reached about the fluid levels required by critically ill surgical patients. In this study, we investigated the relationship between fluid balance and in-hospital mortality in critically ill surgical patients.

Methods

The medical records of adult patients managed in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 48 hours after surgery from January 2010 to February 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Abstracted data included body weights, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, fluid therapy values (intake, output, and balance) during the ICU stay, type of operation, length of stay in the ICU and hospital, and in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 148 patients were enrolled. The in-hospital mortality rate was 20.8%, and the median length of stay in the ICU and hospital were 5.0 and 24 days, respectively. The median daily fluid balance over the first 3 postoperative days was positive 11.2 mL/kg. Fluid balances in the ICU were 19.2, 15.0, and − 0.6 mL kg^− 1 d^− 1, respectively, during the first 3 days vs SOFA scores (6.8, 6.3, and 6.5). Comparing the nonsurvival group with the survival group, the univariate analysis showed that age (P = .05), APACHE II score (P < .001), and use of a vasopressor (norepinephrine) (P = .05) affect in-hospital mortality. In the overall patients, any of the fluid balances were not significantly associated with mortality. However, in critically ill patients whose APACHE II scores were greater than 20, the nonsurvivor group showed a significant tendency toward a positive balance compared with the survivor group on the second and third days of ICU stay. Nevertheless, the SOFA scores showed no difference between nonsurvivor and survivors during the initial 2 postoperative days.

Conclusion

In critically ill noncardiac postsurgical patients whose APAHCE II scores were greater than 20, a positive balance in the ICU can be associated with mortality risk. To determine the direct effect of positive fluid balance, a larger scaled, prospective randomized study will be required.     

Nifekalant versus lidocaine for in-hospital shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of nifekalant, a pure class III anti-arrhythmic drug, and lidocaine in patients with shock-resistant in-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Patients and methods

Between August 2005 and March 2008, we conducted a prospective, two-arm, cluster observational study, in which participating hospitals were pre-registered either to the nifekalant arm or the lidocaine arm. Patients were enrolled if they had in-hospital VF or VT resistant to at least two defibrillation shocks. Congenital or drug-induced long QT syndrome was excluded. The primary end-point was termination of VF or VT with/without additional shock. The secondary end-points were return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 1-month survival and survival to hospital discharge. We also assessed the frequency of adverse events, including asystole, pulseless electrical activity and torsade de pointes.

Results

In total, 55 patients were enrolled. After nifekalant, 22 of 27 patients showed termination of VF or VT, as compared with 15 of 28 patients treated with lidocaine with/without additional shock (odds ratio (OR): 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-13.0; P = 0.03). Twenty-three of 27 patients given nifekalant showed ROSC, as compared with 15 of 28 patients given lidocaine (OR: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.4-18.2; P = 0.01). There was no difference in 1-month survival or survival to hospital discharge between the nifekalant and lidocaine arms. There was a higher incidence of asystole with lidocaine (7 of 28 patients) than with nifekalant (0 of 27 patients) (P = 0.005). Torsade de pointes was not observed.

Conclusion

Nifekalant was more effective than lidocaine for termination of arrhythmia and for ROSC in patients with shock-resistant in-hospital VF or VT (umin-CTR No. UMIN 000001781).     

Attitudes regarding mental health nurse prescribing among psychiatrists and nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire study

Background

In the United Kingdom, mental health nurses (MHNs) can independently prescribe medication once they have completed a training course. This study investigated attitudes to mental health nurse prescribing held by psychiatrists and nurses.

Method

119 MHNs and 82 psychiatrists working in South-East England were randomly sampled. Participants completed a newly created questionnaire. This included individual item statements with 6-point likert scales to test levels of agreement which were summated into 7 subscales.

Results

Psychiatrists had significantly less favourable, albeit generally positive attitudes than MHNs regarding general beliefs (63% vs. 70%, p < 0.001), impact (62% vs. 70%, p < 0.001), uses (60% vs. 71%, p < 0.001), clinical responsibility (69% vs. 62%, p < 0.001) and legal responsibility (71% vs. 64%, p < 0.001). More MHNs than psychiatrists believed that nurse prescribing would be useful in emergency situations for rapid tranquilisation (82% vs. 37%, p < 0.001), and that the consultant psychiatrist should have ultimate clinical responsibility for prescribing by an MHN (42% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). Approximately half of all participants agreed nurse prescribing would create conflict in clinical teams.

Conclusions

The majority of both groups were in favour of mental health nurse prescribing, although significantly more psychiatrists expressed concerns. This may be explained by a perceived change in power balance.     

Comparing the survival between extracorporeal rescue and conventional resuscitation in adult in-hospital cardiac arrests: Propensity analysis of three-year data

Aim

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been shown to have survival benefit over conventional CPR (CCPR) in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin. We compared the survival of patients who had return of spontaneous beating (ROSB) after ECPR with the survival of those who had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after conventional CPR.

Methods

Propensity score-matched cohort of adults with in-hospital prolonged CPR (>10 min) of cardiac origin in a university-affiliated tertiary extracorporeal resuscitation center were included in this study. Fifty-nine patients with ROSB after ECPR and 63 patients with sustained ROSC by CCPR were analyzed. Main outcome measures were survival at hospital discharge, 30 days, 6 months, and one year, and neurological outcome.

Results

There was no statistical difference in survival to discharge (29.1% of ECPR responders vs. 22.2% of CCPR responders, p = 0.394) and neurological outcome at discharge and one year later. In the propensity score-matched groups, 9 out of 27 ECPR patients survived to one month (33.3%) and 7 out of 27 CCPR patients survived (25.9%). Survival analysis showed no survival difference (HR: 0.856, p = 0.634, 95% CI: 0.453-1.620) between the groups, either at 30 days or at the end of one year (HR: 0.602, p = 0.093, 95% CI: 0.333-1.088).

Conclusions

This study failed to demonstrate a survival difference between patients who had ROSB after institution of ECMO and those who had ROSC after conventional CPR. Further studies evaluating the role of ECMO in conventional CPR rescued patients are warranted.     

Pulmonary embolectomy in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism: The effectiveness of a comprehensive therapeutic algorithm including extracorporeal life support

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of a comprehensive therapeutic algorithm including extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism (aPE) treated with pulmonary embolectomy.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 25 consecutive patients of aPE treated with pulmonary embolectomy in a single institution between June 2005 and July 2012. All patients had high-risk aPE identified by computed tomographic angiography and were not suitable for thrombolytic therapy. High-risk aPE here was defined as aPE with (1) hemodynamic instability, (2) a pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI) ≥ 0.5, (3) a diameter ratio of right ventricle-to-left ventricle (RV-to-LV) ≥ 1.0, or (4) right heart thrombi. Once the eligibility was confirmed, a 3-staged therapeutic algorithm was adopted to perform an aggressive preoperative resuscitation, an expeditious pulmonary embolectomy with multidisciplinary postoperative care, and a thorough surveillance for recurrence.

Results

Among the 25 patients, 24 had a PAOI ≥ 0.5 and 23 had a RV-to-LV diameter ratio ≥ 1.0. Four patients had right heart thrombi. Sixteen patients developed preoperative instability requiring inotropic and/or mechanical support. Eight in the 16 had a preoperative cardiac arrest (CA) and six of these were bridged to surgery on ECLS. Three in the 6 patients weaned ECLS after surgery and survived to discharge. The overall in-hospital mortality was 20% (n = 5). A preoperative CA (Odds ratio [OR]: 16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–185.4, p = 0.027, c-index: 0.80) and a postoperative requirement of ECLS (OR: 36, 95% CI: 2.1–501.3, p = 0.008, c-index: 0.85) was the pre- and postoperative predictor of in-hospital mortality. No late deaths or re-admission for recurrence were found during a median follow-up of 19 months (interquartile range: 8–29).

Conclusion

Pulmonary embolectomy was an effective intervention of high-risk aPE. However, the occurrence of preoperative CA still carried a high mortality in spite of the assistance of ECLS.     

Arterial carbon dioxide tension and outcome in patients admitted to the intensive care unit after cardiac arrest

Background

Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO₂) affects neuronal function and cerebral blood flow. However, its association with outcome in patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac arrest (CA) has not been evaluated.

Methods and results

Observational cohort study using data from the Australian New Zealand (ANZ) Intensive Care Society Adult-Patient-Database (ANZICS-APD). Outcomes analyses were adjusted for illness severity, co-morbidities, hypothermia, treatment limitations, age, year of admission, glucose, source of admission, PaO₂ and propensity score.We studied 16,542 consecutive patients admitted to 125 ANZ ICUs after CA between 2000 and 2011. Using the APD-PaCO₂ (obtained within 24 h of ICU admission), 3010 (18.2%) were classified into the hypo- (PaCO₂ < 35 mmHg), 6705 (40.5%) into the normo- (35–45 mmHg) and 6827 (41.3%) into the hypercapnia (>45 mmHg) group. The hypocapnia group, compared with the normocapnia group, had a trend toward higher in-hospital mortality (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.00–1.24, p = 0.04]), lower rate of discharge home (OR 0.81 [0.70–0.94, p < 0.01]) and higher likelihood of fulfilling composite adverse outcome of death and no discharge home (OR 1.23 [1.10–1.37, p < 0.001]). In contrast, the hypercapnia group had similar in-hospital mortality (OR 1.06 [0.97–1.15, p = 0.19]) but higher rate of discharge home among survivors (OR 1.16 [1.03–1.32, p = 0.01]) and similar likelihood of fulfilling the composite outcome (OR 0.97 [0.89–1.06, p = 0.52]). Cox-proportional hazards modelling supported these findings.

Conclusions

Hypo- and hypercapnia are common after ICU admission post-CA. Compared with normocapnia, hypocapnia was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes and hypercapnia a greater likelihood of discharge home among survivors.