Management of Candida infections in the adult intensive care unit

The epidemiology of Candida infection in intensive care units (ICUs) and the management strategies for such infections in non-neutropenic intensive care patients are discussed in this review. Candida species are one of the leading causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections and a significant cause of morbidity in patients admitted to the ICU. Prophylactic, pre-emptive and empiric treatment strategies for Candida infections have been explored in ICU patients. Routine prophylaxis should not be administered to the whole population of ICU patients, because the concerns about the selection of azole-resistant Candida strains or the induction of resistance are justified. Treatment of fungal infections is now possible with newer antifungal agents, including newer azoles (e.g., voriconazole, posaconazole) and echinocandins (e.g., micafungin, anidulafungin). However, there is a critical need for improvement in diagnosis of invasive Candida infection in order to provide clinicians the opportunity to intervene earlier in the diseases course.     

The pharmacokinetics of dobutamine in pediatric intensive care unit patients.

Dobutamine is used for hemodynamic support in critically ill patients; however, due to the relative insensitivity of most available assays, there is little detailed information about its pharmacokinetics. We studied the pharmacokinetics of dobutamine in 27 children and infants using a high-sensitivity HPLC technique. The patients' ages ranged from 0.13 to 16.6 years; 17 received dobutamine for treatment of shock while 10 received it for treatment of post-cardiac surgery. Blood samples were collected before (N = 27) and after (N = 10, 9 time points each) the cessation of dobutamine infusion. The duration of dobutamine infusion before sampling was 1.87 +/- 0.29 days (range: 0.2-5.5; median: 1). The steady-state plasma concentration of dobutamine (infusion rate corrected to 5.0 micrograms/kg/min) was 105 +/- 19 ng/ml (range: 3.79-400; median: 76). The clearance rate was 151.1 +/- 47.5 ml/kg/min (range: 12.5-1319; median: 66). Most post-infusion time-concentration data were best fit to a biexponential function suggestive of a two-compartment model. The t1/2 alpha was 1.65 +/- 0.20 min (range: 0.64-3.01; median: 1.52) while the t1/2 beta was 25.8 +/- 11.5 min (range: 4.6-68.6; median: 16.9). Neither age, weight, sex, disease state, duration of infusion, nor blood measures of renal or hepatic dysfunction were found to be covariates of the above parameters. It was found, however, that the concomitant administration of dopamine altered dobutamine's pharmacokinetics, indicating the possible presence of a competitive component in dobutamine's disposition.     

重症监护病房患者发生ICU综合征的Logistic分析

目的观察重症监护病房患者ICU综合征的发生情况,研究与ICU综合征相关的影响因素。方法随机选取2013年6月至2015年12月间在本院住院治疗的ICU患者326例,采用ICU意识模糊评估法对患者进行ICU综合征的诊断。针对ICU患者制定一般资料调查表、ICU环境压力源量表、疾病相关资料调查表及A型行为类型表对其ICU综合征的影响因素进行评测,然后对影响因素进行Logistic回归分析。结果患者中有94例出现了ICU综合征,发生率为28.8%。心外科ICU患者ICU综合征的发生率为42.5%,内科患者为33.3%,外科患者为20.2%。Logistic回归分析结果显示:年龄[OR1.145,95%CI(1.043,1.164)]、疾病严重程度[OR1.087,95%CI(1.064,1.126)]、使用有创机械通气[OR3.564,95%CI(1.265,9.874)]、住院时间[OR1.024,95%CI(1.012,1.135)]、A型性格类型[OR9.487,95%CI(3.165,11.240)]、ICU环境压力源的物理环境[OR1.136,95%CI(1.064,1.189)]均为ICU综合征的影响因素。对该研究的实验模型进行HosmerLemeshow检验,结果显示该模型的拟合效果为0.724,说明该模型计算出的ICU综合征发生率与实际值接近,可以较好地拟合数据。结论不同科室的ICU综合征发生率存在差异,且都处于较高水平,年龄、疾病严重程度、使用有创机械通气、住院时间、A型性格类型及ICU环境压力源的物理环境均为ICU综合征的影响因素。     

精神科118例重症监护患者临床特征分析

目的探讨精神科重症监护患者的临床特征。方法采用自制调查表对118例精神科重症监护患者进行调查。结果精神科患者重症监护最常见的原因是急性精神药物中毒,占49.15%;其次为合并躯体疾病,占39.83%;第3位原因为药物副反应,占11.02%。监护时间平均(12.78±10.28)d。痊愈出院10例,病情缓解后转入精神科病房治疗105例,自动出院2例,转上级医院治疗1例。结论精神科重症监护患者有其自身特点,重症监护病房为重症精神病患者的康复提供了有力的保障。     

低镁血症对重症监护室患者预后的影响

目的 探讨重症监护室危重患者低血镁的临床特征及其对预后的影响.方法 选取2015年7月至2016年2月我院重症监护病房(ICU)收治的发生低血镁(血镁＜0.7 mmol/L)的成年患者40例及血清镁水平正常(血镁0.7～1.2 mmol/L)的成年患者40例作为研究对象,记录并对比两组患者的一般资料、原发疾病组成及各项临床实验室指标的差异,计算其进入重症监护室24h内的APACHEⅡ评分和SOFA评分,同时比较机械通气时间、ICU住院时间和病死率等预后指标.结果 低血镁组危重患者严重脓毒症、心力衰竭的组成比例、SOFA评分和病死率明显高于正常血镁组,且ICU住院时间明显较长,血清胰岛素浓度明显低于正常血镁组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 重症监护室危重患者发生低血镁有可能增加患者病死率,临床上应更加重视.     

Human immunodeficiency virus and Guillain 'Barre' syndrome in intensive care unit patients.

Among 155 medical admissions to the intensive care unit during the period 1989 to 1990, 16 patients had Guillain-'Barre' Syndrome (GBS), five of whom were HIV positive. Out of the five cases, three had manifested herpes zoster and one had TB. The impact of HIV infection o GBS is discussed.     

Cytomegalovirus infections in non-immunocompromised and immunocompromised patients in the intensive care unit

Infection, inflammatory response, activation of coagulation cascade and sepsis are tightly interconnected. In the initial phase, sepsis is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state, while in the late phase, by an anti-inflammatory state which favors cytomegalovirus reactivation. Cytomegalovirus infection would accentuate the sepsis-induced immunologic effects increasing the risk for other infections. The rate of CMV infection is 17% in critically ill nonimmunocompromised patients, up to 30% in hematopoietic stem cell transplant and up to 60% in solid organ transplant recipients. Cytomegalovirus infection in critically ill patients is associated with prolonged ventilator support, nosocomial infections, prolonged hospital and/or ICU stay and increased mortality. In immunocompromised patients, cytomegalovirus causes direct effects (viral syndrome, pneumonia, meningo-encephalitis, and gastro-intestinal tract involvement) and indirect (immunomodulatory) effects. These indirect effects would predispose the patients to secondary infections, delay immune recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and increase the risk of EBV-related B-cell lymphoproliferative disease and allograft rejection. Cytomegalovirus serology is not useful for the diagnosis of active infections. Cytomegalovirus culture is impractical for clinical purposes. The shell vial assay has low sensitivity. pp65 antigen is a sensitive and specific diagnostic method. Real-time PCR is more sensitive and specific (earlier detection) than pp65 antigen test and it is a more reliable marker to monitor the clearance of viremia. Ganciclovir and valganciclovir are the first-line antiviral therapies for the treatment of immunocompromised patients, while foscarnet and cidofovir are reserved mainly for treatment of ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus infections.     

Enteral fluconazole population pharmacokinetics in patients in the surgical intensive care unit

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the population pharmacokinetic parameters of enterally administered fluconazole in patients in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU). DESIGN: Population pharmacokinetics component of a prospective, randomized clinical study. SETTING: The SICU at a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred ten patients with an expected length of stay in the SICU of 3 or more days and a need for intubation, in whom at least one fluconazole plasma concentration-time measurement was available. Intervention. Patients received fluconazole as an 800-mg loading dose and as a 200- or 400-mg (depending on renal function) daily maintenance dose. Fluconazole suspension was administered enterally followed by a 30-ml free water flush. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma samples were collected, and population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with NONMEM software; a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used. Fluconazole clearance was dependent on creatinine clearance, and volume of distribution was dependent on body weight and age. In patients with creatinine clearance values greater than 80 ml/minute, between 30 and 80 ml/minute, and less than 30 ml/minute, geometric mean (percentage coefficient of variation) fluconazole clearance was 14.39 ml/minute (21%), 10.53 ml/minute (28%), and 5.47 ml/minute (30%), respectively. The geometric mean (percentage coefficient of variation) volume of distribution in all patients was 1.27 L/kg (28%) and decreased with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole clearance values in patients in the SICU who had normal renal function and in those with renal impairment were in agreement with previously reported data. Fluconazole volume of distribution was larger and half-life was longer in the SICU population than in healthy subjects.     

Management of systemic candidal infections in the intensive care unit.

Risk factors and treatment strategies for systemic candidal infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) are discussed. The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in the frequency of infections caused by Candida species. Risk factors associated with candidemia include treatment with multiple antimicrobials for extended periods, presence of central venous catheters, total parenteral nutrition, colonization by Candida species, abdominal surgery, prolonged stay in the ICU, and compromised immune status. Since the 1960s, conventional amphotericin B has been the primary treatment option for fungal infections. Although effective, amphotericin B has extensive toxicity. Three lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B have been developed in an attempt to decrease nephrotoxicity and improve drug delivery. Practitioners have also been offered alternatives by the introduction of less toxic azole antifungals, such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole; however, their widespread use has resulted in other problems, such as the selection of resistant isolates. There is controversy concerning fluconazole's effectiveness. In the treatment of systemic candidal infections, especially in critically ill patients. Clinical trials do not support the prophylactic or empirical use of fluconazole in the ICU. Treating patients who have no microbiological evidence of infection provides no therapeutic benefit and shifts the fungal flora to noncandidal strains that are more resistant to fluconazole. Patients in ICUs are often susceptible to systemic candidal infection. Preemptive therapy with fluconazole may reduce mortality in high-risk patients. Fluconazole and amphotericin B appear equally effective in treating established systemic candidal infections.     

重症监护患者营养支持用药分析

目的 调查我院重症监护患者使用营养制剂情况,为临床合理用药提供参考.方法 统计我院重症监护患者使用营养支持药品的数据,对重症监护患者使用营养支持药品的品种、总金额及各种营养支持药品的用药频度,利用限定日剂量方法进行相关计算和分析.结果 重症监护患者使用的肠外营养制剂共16种,总用药频度是5978,总金额是561 042.54元;使用的肠内营养制剂共4种,总用药频度是1093,总金额276 591.97元.复方氨基酸类、脂肪乳类和肠内营养制剂的金额构成比分别为27.0％、32.9％、33.0％,总金额构成比为92.9％.重症监护患者使用最多的前10位营养支持药品中,肠外营养制剂有9种,而肠内营养制剂仅1种,即肠内营养混悬液(TPF),但是其用药频度达到897,占肠内营养制剂总用药频度(1093)的82.1％,并且在所有营养制剂中排在首位.结论 我院重症监护患者的营养支持方式以肠外营养为主,而肠内营养混悬液是临床易于接受的一种营养制剂.临床为重症监护患者选择营养支持药物,应综合考虑各种因素.     

氟康唑预防危重病人的肺部真菌感染

目的 观察氟康唑对危重病人肺部真菌感染的预防作用。方法 脑血管意外、多发伤患者120例，随机分为3组；对照组，40例，不给抗真菌药；氟康唑50mg组，42例，用氟康唑50mg,qd；氟康唑100mg组，38例，用氟康唑100mg；氟康唑均由胃管注入或口服，均始于入监护室第2d。每周取深部痰作真菌培养等检查。结果 对照组第1、2、3周肺部真菌感染率分别为60％、81％、87％。氟康唑50mg组分别为44％、27％、22％，100mg组分别为31%、24％、20％。2用药组第2，3周的感染率显著降低（P＜0.01)。结论 氟康唑（50mg或100mg)均能安全有效地预防ICU危重病人的肺部真菌感染。     

重症监护室临终关怀研究进展

近年来临终关怀在中国已有较大发展,随着重症医学的发展趋势,重症监护室(ICU)终末期患者将成为临终关怀的一大特殊群体而越来越受到人们的关注。目前,国内外就ICU临终关怀进行了多方面研究,但在具体实践中却困难重重。为推动开展ICU优质的临终关怀服务,满足终末期患者生理、心理及社会多方面的需求,给予合理的临终关怀措施,提高临终生命质量,使之能够无痛苦、安宁、舒适地走完人生的最后旅程,该文就ICU临终关怀的必要性、护理措施及影响因素进行综述。     

Assessing antibacterial pharmacoeconomics in the intensive care unit

Intensive care units (ICUs) represent areas of high use of antibacterials and other pharmacy goods and services. Many institutions view their ICUs as a target for drug-use surveillance and cost-containment programmes. Economic assessment of antibacterial interventions in the ICU should include all direct costs and patient outcomes. Nonetheless, many of these institutions focus their efforts at reducing antibacterial costs without considering the consequences of these actions. It is possible that devoting more resources to antibacterials can have an overall positive economic impact if more appropriate antibacterial use reduces length of stay, decreases bacterial resistance or lowers frequency of adverse complications. Two consequences of antibacterial use which can result in substantial economic burdens to institutions are drug-induced complications (toxicities and adverse events) and the development of antibacterial-resistant organisms. These events are logical targets for performing pharmacoeconomic studies to evaluate appropriate and inappropriate antibacterial use. Either of these problems can increase length of stay, which is the single most important variable influencing the overall cost of patient care. The primary goal of patient care is to hasten patients' clinical improvement. This will result in decreased antibacterial acquisition costs, decreased lengths of ICU and hospital stays, and ultimately decreased consumption of hospital resources. These can be accomplished by using strategies to guide antibacterial use in order to reduce failures, adverse events, toxicity and antimicrobial resistance.     

人文关怀护理在重症监护室中的应用

目的探讨人文关怀护理在重症监护室中的应用效果。方法选择80例重症患者分为两组,各40例,观察组采用人文关怀护理,对照组采用常规护理,比较两组的护理满意度、焦虑和抑郁评分。结果观察组护理态度、护理质量、护理管理及护理技术满意度显著高于对照组,焦虑和抑郁评分显著低于对照组．差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论重症监护室内进行人文关怀护理能提高患者的治疗信心,改善其焦虑和抑郁．对促进护患关系有积极的作用。