Epidemiology and Clinical Correlates of AKI in Chinese Hospitalized Adults

Background and objectives

Comprehensive epidemiologic data on AKI are particularly lacking in Asian countries. This study sought to assess the epidemiology and clinical correlates of AKI among hospitalized adults in China.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of 659,945 hospitalized adults from a wide range of clinical settings in nine regional central hospitals across China in 2013. AKI was defined and staged according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The incidence of AKI in the cohort was estimated using a novel two-step approach with adjustment for the frequency of serum creatinine tests and other potential confounders. Risk factor profiles for hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) AKI were examined. The in-hospital outcomes of AKI, including mortality, renal recovery, length of stay, and daily cost, were assessed.

Results

The incidence of CA-AKI and HA-AKI was 2.5% and 9.1%, respectively, giving rise to an overall incidence of 11.6%. Although the risk profiles for CA-AKI and HA-AKI differed, preexisting CKD was a major risk factor for both, contributing to 20% of risk in CA-AKI and 12% of risk in HA-AKI. About 40% of AKI cases were possibly drug-related and 16% may have been induced by Chinese traditional medicines or remedies. The in-hospital mortality of AKI was 8.8%. The risk of in-hospital death was higher among patients with more severe AKI. Preexisting CKD and need for intensive care unit admission were associated with higher death risk in patients at any stage of AKI. Transiency of AKI did not modify the risk of in-hospital death. AKI was associated with longer length of stay and higher daily costs, even after adjustment for confounders.

Conclusion

AKI is common in hospitalized adults in China and is associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality and resource utilization.     

Epidemiology and Outcomes in Community-Acquired Versus Hospital-Acquired AKI

Background and objective

Compared with AKI in hospitalized patients, little is known about patients sustaining AKI in the community and how this differs from AKI in hospital. This study compared epidemiology, risk factors, and short- and long-term outcomes for patients with community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA) AKI.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A total of 15,976 patients admitted to two district general hospitals between July 11, 2011, and January 15, 2012 were studied. Through use of an electronic database and the AKI Network classification, 686 patients with CA-AKI and 334 patients with HA-AKI were identified. Patients were followed up for 14 months, and data were collated on short-term and long-term renal and patient outcomes.

Results

The incidence of CA-AKI among all hospital admissions was 4.3% compared with an incidence of 2.1% of HA-AKI, giving an overall AKI incidence of 6.4%. Patients with CA-AKI were younger than patients with HA-AKI. Risks for developing HA and CA-AKI were similar and included preexisting CKD, cardiac failure, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, dementia, and cancer. Patients with CA-AKI were more likely to have stage 3 AKI and had shorter lengths of hospital stay than patients with HA-AKI. Those with CA-AKI had better (multivariate-adjusted) survival than patients with HA-AKI (hazard ratio, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.44–2.13; P<0.001] for HA-AKI group). Mortality for the CA-AKI group was 45%; 43.7% of these deaths were acute in-hospital deaths. Mortality for the HA-AKI group was 62.9%, with 68.1% of these deaths being acute in-hospital deaths. Renal referral rates were low across the cohorts (8.3%). Renal outcomes were similar in both CA-AKI and HA-AKI groups, with 39.4% and 33.6% of patients in both groups developing de novo CKD or progression of preexisting CKD within 14 months, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with CA-AKI sustain more severe AKI than patients with HA-AKI. Despite having risk factors similar to those of patients with HA-AKI, patients with CA AKI have better short- and long-term outcomes.     

Improvement in the Renal Prognosis in Nephropathic Cystinosis

Summary

Background and objectives

Nephropathic cystinosis (NC) is an autosomal recessive disorder occurring in one to two per 100,000 newborns. Because of the rarity of NC, long-term outcome data are scarce.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

245 NC patients from 18 countries provided data to the ESPN/ERA-EDTA registry. We matched NC patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) to non-NC children on RRT.

Results

Between 1979 and 2008, mean age at the start of RRT among NC children increased by 0.15 year per calendar year (95% confidence interval, 0.10 to 0.21) from 8.8 to 12.7 years, whereas we did not observe this in non-NC children. Five-year survival after the start of RRT improved in NC patients from 86.1% (before 1990) to 100% (since 2000) as compared with the control population (89.6% and 94.0%). NC patients received a renal allograft more often (relative risk, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.17) as compared with matched RRT children, and 5-year graft survival was better (94.0% versus 84.0%). NC dialysis patients were less often hypertensive than non-NC children matched for age, country, and dialysis modality (42.7% versus 51.7%) and had lower parathyroid hormone levels (median, 56 versus 140 pg/ml). Although height at start of RRT slightly improved during the past decade, children with NC remained significantly shorter than non-NC children at the start of RRT.

Conclusions

We demonstrated improved survival of the renal function as well as better patient and graft survival after the start of RRT in a large European cohort of NC patients over the last two decades.     

Associations between Intensity of RRT,Inflammatory Mediators,and Outcomes

Background and objectives

Critically ill patients requiring RRT have higher circulating plasma concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers that are associated with subsequent RRT dependence and death. Whether intensive dosing of RRT is associated with changes in specific mediators is unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A multicenter, prospective, cohort study of 817 critically ill patients receiving RRT ancillary to the Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study was conducted between November 2003 and July 2007. Plasma inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and apoptosis (TNF receptor-I [TNFR-I], TNFR-II, and death receptor-5) biomarkers on days 1 and 8 were examined after initiation of intensive RRT. Whether intensive RRT, given day 1 biomarkers, is associated with RRT independence and lower mortality at day 60 was also examined.

Results

Overall, no differences were found in day 8 biomarker concentrations between intensive and less-intensive RRT groups. When adjusted for day 1 biomarkers and clinical variables, intensive RRT was not associated with renal recovery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 1.14) or mortality (adjusted OR, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.81 to 1.64). Use of intensive RRT, however, was associated with lower day 8 concentrations when day 1 plasma IL-6, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and TNFR-I concentrations were high (interaction P value for all markers, <0.01). In contrast, day 8 marker concentrations were higher when day 1 levels were low (P<0.01). Elevated biomarker concentrations on day 8 among 476 participants were associated with lower renal recovery (adjusted OR range, 0.19–0.87) and higher mortality (adjusted OR range, 1.26–3.18).

Conclusions

Among critically ill patients receiving RRT, intensive dosing of RRT has variable association with biomarker concentration and no association with renal recovery and mortality. However, elevated concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers on day 8 of RRT were associated with RRT dependence and death.     

Modality of RRT and Recovery of Kidney Function after AKI in Patients Surviving to Hospital Discharge

Background and objectives

Observational evidence has suggested that RRT modality may affect recovery after AKI. It is unclear whether initial choice of intermittent hemodialysis or continuous RRT affects renal recovery, survival, or development of ESRD in critically ill patients when modality choice is made primarily on hemodynamics.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We performed a retrospective cohort study examining adults (≥18 years old) admitted to intensive care units from 2000 to 2008 who received RRT for AKI and survived to hospital discharge or 90 days. We analyzed renal recovery (alive and not requiring RRT) and reasons for nonrecovery (death or ESRD) at 90 and 365 days. Conditional multivariable logistic regression was used to assess differences in renal recovery at 90 and 365 days between continuous RRT and intermittent hemodialysis. Models were stratified by propensity for continuous RRT and adjusted for age and reference creatinine.

Results

Of 4738 patients with Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stage 3 AKI, 1338 (28.2%) received RRT, and 638 (47.7%) survived to hospital discharge (353 intermittent hemodialysis and 285 continuous RRT). Recovery from AKI was lower for intermittent hemodialysis versus continuous RRT at 90 days (66.6% intermittent hemodialysis versus 75.4% continuous RRT; P=0.02) but similar at 365 days (54.1% intermittent hemodialysis versus 59.6% continuous RRT; P=0.17). In multivariable analysis, there was no difference in odds of recovery at 90 or 365 days for patients initially treated with continuous RRT versus intermittent hemodialysis (90 days: odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.55; P=0.20; 365 days: odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 1.2; P=0.55).

Conclusions

We found no significant difference in hazards for nonrecovery or reasons for nonrecovery (mortality or ESRD) with intermittent hemodialysis versus continuous RRT. These results suggest that, when initial RRT modality is chosen primarily on hemodynamics, renal recovery and clinical outcomes in survivors are similar between intermittent hemodialysis and continuous RRT.     

Association of Walking with Survival and RRT Among Patients with CKD Stages 3–5

Background and objectives

Patients with CKD can benefit from an increase in physical activity. Walking is one of the most common exercises in patients with CKD; however, the association of walking with outcomes in patients with CKD is not clear. This study investigated the association of walking with overall mortality and RRT in patients with CKD stages 3–5.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

All patients with CKD stages 3–5 in the CKD program of China Medical University Hospital from June 2003 to May 2013 were enrolled. The risks of overall mortality and RRT were analyzed using competing-risks regressions.

Results

A total of 6363 patients (average age, 70 years) during a median of 1.3 (range=0.6–2.5) years of follow-up were analyzed. There were 1341 (21.1%) patients who reported walking as their most common form of exercise. The incidence density rate of overall mortality was 2.7 per 100 person-years for walking patients and 5.4 for nonwalking ones. The incidence density rate of RRT was 22 per 100 person-years for walking patients and 32.9 for nonwalking ones. Walking, independent of patients’ age, renal function, and comorbidity, was linked to lower overall mortality and lower RRT risk in the multivariate competing-risks regression. The adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of walking was 0.67 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.53 to 0.84; P<0.001) for overall mortality and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.85; P<0.001) for the risk of RRT. The SHRs of overall mortality were 0.83, 0.72, 0.42, and 0.41 for patients walking 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and ≥7 times per week, and the SHRs of RRT were 0.81, 0.73, 0.57, and 0.56, respectively.

Conclusions

Walking is the most popular form of exercise in patients with CKD and is associated with lower risks of overall mortality and RRT. The benefit of walking is independent of patients’ age, renal function, and comorbidity.     

Timing of RRT Based on the Presence of Conventional Indications

Background and objectives

No data on the development of conventional indications for RRT (refractory acidosis, hyperkalemia, uremia, oliguria/anuria, and volume overload) related to timing of RRT exist. The prevalence of conventional indications among critically ill patients on RRT for AKI was evaluated, and patients manifesting indications versus patients without indications were compared in terms of crude and adjusted 90-day mortality.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In this substudy of the Finnish Acute Kidney Injury study conducted in 2011 and 2012 in 17 intensive care units with 2901 patients, patients were classified as pre-emptive (no conventional indications) and classic (one or more indications) RRT recipients. Patients with classic RRT were divided into classic-urgent (RRT initiated ≤12 hours from manifesting indications) and classic-delayed (RRT >12 hours from first indication). Additionally, 2450 patients treated without RRT were matched to patients with pre-emptive RRT.

Results

Of 239 patients treated with RRT, 134 (56.1%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 49.8% to 62.4%) fulfilled at least one conventional indication before commencing RRT. Crude 90-day mortality of 134 patients with classic RRT was 48.5% (95% CI, 40.0% to 57.0%), and it was 29.5% (95% CI, 20.8% to 38.2%) for the 105 patients with pre-emptive RRT. Classic RRT was associated with a higher risk for mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.09). Forty-four patients with classic–delayed RRT showed higher crude mortality (68.2%; 95% CI, 54.4% to 82.0%) compared with patients with classic–urgent RRT, and this association persisted after adjustment for known confounders (odds ratio, 3.85; 95% CI, 1.48 to 10.22). Crude 90-day mortality of 67 1:1 matched patients with pre-emptive RRT was 26.9% (95% CI, 6.3% to 37.5%), and it was 49.3% (95% CI, 37.3% to 61.2%; P=0.01) for their non-RRT matches.

Conclusions

Patients on RRT after one or more conventional indications had both higher crude and adjusted 90-day mortality compared with patients without conventional indications. These findings require confirmation in an adequately powered, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.     

Biomarker Enhanced Risk Prediction for Adverse Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Receiving RRT

Background and objectives

Higher plasma concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers in critically ill patients receiving RRT are associated with RRT dependence and death. This study objective was to examine whether plasma inflammatory (IL-6, -8, -10, and -18; macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and apoptosis (death receptor-5, tumor necrosis factor receptor I and II) biomarkers augment risk prediction of renal recovery and mortality compared with clinical models.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

The Biologic Markers of Recovery for the Kidney study (n=817) was a prospective, nested, observational cohort study conducted as an ancillary to the Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute renal failure Trial Network study, a randomized trial of intensive versus less intensive RRT in critically ill patients with AKI conducted between November 2003 and July 2007 at 27 Veterans Affairs– and university-affiliated centers. Primary outcomes of interest were renal recovery and mortality at day 60.

Results

A parsimonious clinical model consisting of only four variables (age, mean arterial pressure, mechanical ventilation, and bilirubin) predicted renal recovery (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.68 to 0.78) and mortality (AUROC, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.78). By contrast, individual biomarkers were only modestly predictive of renal recovery (AUROC range, 0.55–0.63) and mortality (AUROC range, 0.54–0.68). Adding plasma IL-8 to a parsimonious model augmented prediction of recovery (AUROC, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.81; P=0.04) and mortality (AUROC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.82; P<0.01) compared with the clinical model alone.

Conclusions

This study suggests that a simple four-variable clinical model with plasma IL-8 had predictive value for renal recovery and mortality. These findings require external validation but could easily be used by clinicians.     

Plasma Catalytic Iron,AKI, and Death among Critically Ill Patients

Background and objectives

Catalytic iron has been hypothesized to be a key mediator of AKI. However, the association between plasma catalytic iron levels and AKI has not been well studied in humans.

Design, settings, participants, & measurements

A single-center, prospective, nonconsecutive cohort study of 121 critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between 2008 and 2012 was performed. Plasma catalytic iron, free hemoglobin, and other iron markers were measured on ICU days 1 and 4. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality or AKI requiring RRT. Secondary end points included mortality (assessed during hospitalization, at 30 days, and 1 year) and incident AKI, defined by modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria.

Results

ICU day 1 plasma catalytic iron levels were higher among patients who reached the primary end point (median, 0.74 µmol/l [interquartile range, 0.31–3.65] versus 0.29 µmol/l [0.22–0.46]; P<0.01). ICU day 1 plasma catalytic iron levels were associated with number of packed red blood cell transfusions before ICU arrival (r_s=0.29; P<0.001) and plasma free hemoglobin levels on ICU day 1 (r_s=0.32; P<0.001). Plasma catalytic iron levels on ICU day 1 were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality or AKI requiring RRT, even after adjusting for age, enrollment eGFR, and number of packed red blood cell transfusions before ICU arrival (13 events; adjusted odds ratio per 1-SD higher ln[catalytic iron], 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.79 to 6.20). ICU day 1 plasma catalytic iron levels were also significantly associated with incident AKI, RRT, hospital mortality, and 30-day mortality.

Conclusions

Among critically ill patients, elevated plasma catalytic iron levels on arrival to the ICU are associated with a greater risk of incident AKI, RRT, and hospital mortality.     

Myocardial Revascularization in Dyalitic Patients: In-Hospital Period Evaluation

Background

Coronary artery bypass grafting currently is the best treatment for dialytic patients with multivessel coronary disease, but hospital morbidity and mortality related to procedure is still high.

Objective

Evaluate results and in-hospital outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in dialytic patients.

Methods

Retrospective unicentric study including 50 consecutive and not selected dialytic patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in a tertiary university hospital from 2007 to 2012.

Results

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was observed (100% hypertensive, 68% diabetic and 40% dyslipidemic). There was no intra-operative death and 60% of the procedures were performed off-pump. There were seven (14%) in-hospital deaths. Postoperative infection, previous heart failure, cardiopulmonary bypass, abnormal ventricular function and surgical re-exploration were associated with increased mortality.

Conclusion

Coronary artery bypass grafting is feasible to dialytic patients although high in-hospital morbidity and mortality. It is necessary better understanding about metabolic aspects to plan adequate interventions.     

Hepatitis C as a prognostic indicator among noncirrhotic patients hospitalized with alcoholic hepatitis

OBJECTIVE:

A nationwide analysis of alcoholic hepatitis (AH) admissions was conducted to determine the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on short-term survival and hospital resource utilization.

METHODS:

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, noncirrhotic patients admitted with AH throughout the United States between 1998 and 2006 were identified with diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. The in-hospital mortality rate (primary end point) of AH patients with and without co-existent HCV infection was determined. Hospital resource utilization was assessed as a secondary end point through linear regression analysis.

RESULTS:

From 1998 to 2006, there were 112,351 admissions for AH. In-hospital mortality was higher among patients with coexistent HCV infection (41.1% versus 3.2%; P=0.07). The adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality in the presence of HCV was 1.48 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.98). Noncirrhotic patients with AH and HCV also had longer length of stay (5.8 days versus 5.3 days; P<0.007) as well as greater hospital charges (US$25,990 versus US$21,030; P=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS:

Among noncirrhotic patients admitted with AH, HCV infection was associated with higher in-hospital mortality and resource utilization.     

AKI Complications in Critically Ill Patients: Association with Mortality Rates and RRT

Background and objectives

AKI is associated with short- and long-term mortality. However, the exact contribution of AKI complications to the burden of mortality and whether RRT has any beneficial effect on reducing mortality rates in critically ill AKI patients are unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This was a retrospective analysis using data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II project. A total of 18,410 adult patients were enrolled from four intensive care units from a university hospital from 2001 to 2008.

Results

Overall, 10,245 patients developed AKI. After adjustments, the odds ratios (ORs) for hospital mortality were 1.73 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.52 to 1.98) for AKI stage 1, 1.88 (95% CI, 1.57 to 2.25) for stage 2, and 2.89 (95% CI, 2.41 to 3.46) for stage 3. Totals of 33%, 59%, and 70% of the excess mortality rates associated with AKI stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were attenuated by the inclusion of each AKI-related complication in the model. The main burden of excess hospital mortality associated with AKI was attenuated by metabolic acidosis and cumulative fluid balance. Long-term mortality was not attenuated by any of the associated complications. Next, we used two different approaches to explore the associations between RRT, AKI complications, and hospital mortality: multivariate analysis and propensity score matching. In both approaches, the sensitivity analysis for RRT was associated with a better hospital survival in only the following AKI-related subgroups: hyperkalemia (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.85), metabolic acidosis (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.92), cumulative fluid balance >5% of body weight (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.88), and azotemia (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.81).

Conclusions

A majority of the excess risk of mortality associated with AKI was attenuated by its fluid volume and metabolic complications, particularly in severe AKI. In addition, this study demonstrated that RRT is associated with a better outcome in patients with AKI-related complications.     

Effect of perioperative glucose-insulin-potassium infusions on mortality and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:

Glucose-insulin infusions (with potassium [GIK] or without [GI]) have been advocated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to optimize myocardial glucose use and to minimize ischemic injury.

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct a meta-analysis assessing whether the use of GIK/GI infusions perioperatively reduce in-hospital mortality or atrial fibrillation (AF) after CABG surgery.

METHODS:

Electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL]) and references of retrieved articles were searched for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of GIK or GI infusions, before or during CABG surgery, on in-hospital mortality and/or postoperative AF. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs were calculated for each outcome.

RESULTS:

Twenty trials were identified and eligible for review. The summary OR for in-hospital mortality was 0.88 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.40), based on 44 deaths among 2326 patients. While postoperative AF was a more frequent outcome (occurring in 519 of 1540 patients in the 10 trials reporting this outcome), the overall pooled estimate of effect was nonsignificant (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.15). This latter finding needs to be interpreted cautiously because it is accompanied by significant heterogeneity across trials.

CONCLUSIONS:

Perioperative use of GIK/GI does not significantly reduce mortality or atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Unless future trial data in support of GIK/GI infusions become available, the routine use of these treatments in patients undergoing CABG surgery should be discouraged because the safety of these infusions has not been systematically examined.     

The effect of rapid response teams on end-of-life care: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND:

A subset of critically ill patients have end-of-life (EOL) goals that are unclear. Rapid response teams (RRTs) may aid in the identification of these patients and the delivery of their EOL care.

OBJECTIVES:

To characterize the impact of RRT discussion on EOL care, and to examine how a preprinted order (PPO) set for EOL care influenced EOL discussions and outcomes.

METHODS:

A single-centre retrospective chart review of all RRT calls (January 2009 to December 2010) was performed. The effect of RRT EOL discussions and the effect of a hospital-wide PPO set on EOL care was examined. Charts were from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Critical Care Information Systemic database, and were interrogated by two reviewers.

RESULTS:

In patients whose EOL status changed following RRT EOL discussion, there were fewer intensive care unit (ICU) transfers (8.4% versus 17%; P<0.001), decreased ICU length of stay (5.8 days versus 20 days; P=0.08), increased palliative care consultations (34% versus 5.3%; P<0.001) and an increased proportion who died within 24 h of consultation (25% versus 8.3%; P<0.001). More patients experienced a change in EOL status following the introduction of an EOL PPO, from 20% (before) to 31% (after) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

A change in EOL status following RRT-led EOL discussion was associated with reduced ICU transfers and enhanced access to palliative care services. Further study is required to identify and deconstruct barriers impairing timely and appropriate EOL discussions.     

Pneumonia severity index in the immunocompromised

BACKGROUND

The pneumonia severity index (PSI) accounts for many comorbidities, but not immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVES

To document the utility of the PSI to predict mortality in immunocompromised patients (IP) with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

METHODS

Charts of 284 patients with immunosuppression and CAP were reviewed, and these patients were compared with a contemporary sample of non-IP with CAP. The ability of the PSI to predict mortality was assessed by using multiple logistic regression. Discrimination of the PSI was studied by using the concordance index.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine of 284 IP died. Mortality varied according to the etiology of the immunosuppression. Patients with HIV, solid organ transplantation or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs (n=118) had a low in-hospital mortality (4.3%) and were classified as low risk. IP with hematological malignancies, chemotherapy, chest radiation or marrow transplantation (n=166) had a high mortality (20%) and were classified as high risk. Compared with non-IP, low-risk IP had similar PSI-controlled mortality (OR=0.9, P=0.80), whereas high-risk IP had significantly greater mortality (OR=2.8, P<0.0001). The concordance index revealed similar discrimination for the PSI in low-risk IP (0.77) and in non-IP (0.7), but inferior discrimination in high-risk patients (0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CAP and immunosuppression can be divided into low-risk and high-risk groups. The low-risk IP have mortality similar to non-IP and can be risk stratified by using the PSI.     

Extubation failure influences clinical and functional outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between extubation failure and outcomes (clinical and functional) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS:

A prospective cohort study involving 311 consecutive patients with TBI. The patients were divided into two groups according to extubation outcome: extubation success; and extubation failure (defined as reintubation within 48 h after extubation). A multivariate model was developed in order to determine whether extubation failure was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS:

The mean age was 35.7 ± 13.8 years. Males accounted for 92.3%. The incidence of extubation failure was 13.8%. In-hospital mortality was 4.5% and 20.9% in successfully extubated patients and in those with extubation failure, respectively (p = 0.001). Tracheostomy was more common in the extubation failure group (55.8% vs. 1.9%; p < 0.001). The median length of hospital stay was significantly greater in the extubation failure group than in the extubation success group (44 days vs. 27 days; p = 0.002). Functional status at discharge was worse among the patients in the extubation failure group. The multivariate analysis showed that extubation failure was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR = 4.96; 95% CI, 1.86-13.22).

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with TBI, extubation failure appears to lengthen hospital stays; to increase the frequency of tracheostomy and of pulmonary complications; to worsen functional outcomes; and to increase mortality.     

The Bleeding Risk Score as a Mortality Predictor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

It is well known that the occurrence of bleeding increases in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and there is a good correlation between bleeding risk scores and bleeding incidence. However, the role of bleeding risk score as mortality predictor is poorly studied.

Objective

The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the role of bleeding risk score as in-hospital mortality predictor in a cohort of patients with ACS treated in a single cardiology tertiary center.

Methods

Out of 1,655 patients with ACS (547 with ST-elevation ACS and 1,118 with non-ST-elevation ACS), we calculated the ACUITY/HORIZONS bleeding score prospectively in 249 patients and retrospectively in the remaining 1,416. Mortality information and hemorrhagic complications were also obtained.

Results

Among the mean age of 64.3 ± 12.6 years, the mean bleeding score was 18 ± 7.7. The correlation between bleeding and mortality was highly significant (p < 0.001, OR = 5.296), as well as the correlation between bleeding score and in-hospital bleeding (p < 0.001, OR = 1.058), and between bleeding score and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 1.121, p < 0.001, area under the ROC curve 0.753, p < 0.001). The adjusted OR and area under the ROC curve for the population with ST-elevation ACS were, respectively, 1.046 (p = 0.046) and 0.686 ± 0.040 (p < 0.001); for non-ST-elevation ACS the figures were, respectively, 1.150 (p < 0.001) and 0.769 ± 0.036 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Bleeding risk score is a very useful and highly reliable predictor of in-hospital mortality in a wide range of patients with acute coronary syndromes, especially in those with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.     

Temporal trends in the use of invasive cardiac procedures for non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes according to initial risk stratification

BACKGROUND:

Current guidelines support an early invasive strategy in the management of high-risk non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Although studies in the 1990s suggested that high-risk patients received less aggressive treatment, there are limited data on the contemporary management patterns of NSTE-ACS in Canada.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the in-hospital use of coronary angiography and revascularization in relation to risk among less selected patients with NSTE-ACS.

METHODS:

Data from the prospective, multicentre Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (main GRACE and expanded GRACE²) were used. Between June 1999 and September 2007, 7131 patients from across Canada with a final diagnosis of NSTE-ACS were included the study. The study population was stratified into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, based on their calculated GRACE risk score (a validated predictor of in-hospital mortality) and according to time of enrollment.

RESULTS:

While rates of in-hospital death and reinfarction were significantly (P<0.001) greater in higher-risk patients, the in-hospital use of cardiac catheterization in low- (64.7%), intermediate- (60.3%) and high-risk (42.3%) patients showed an inverse relationship (P<0.001). This trend persisted despite the increase in the overall rates of cardiac catheterization over time (47.9% in 1999 to 2003 versus 51.6% in 2004 to 2005 versus 63.8% in 2006 to 2007; P<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, intermediate-risk (adjusted OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.70 to 0.92], P=0.002) and high-risk (adjusted OR 0.38 [95% CI 0.29 to 0.48], P<0.001) patients remained less likely to undergo in-hospital cardiac catheterization.

CONCLUSION:

Despite the temporal increase in the use of invasive cardiac procedures, they remain paradoxically targeted toward low-risk patients with NSTE-ACS in contemporary practice. This treatment-risk paradox needs to be further addressed to maximize the benefits of invasive therapies in Canada.     

Relationship between acute kidney injury before thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair and in-hospital outcomes in patients with type B acute aortic dissection

Objective Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs after catheter-based interventional procedures and increases mortality. However, the implications of AKI before thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) of type B acute aortic dissection (AAD) remain unclear. This study evaluated the incidence, predictors, and in-hospital outcomes of AKI before TEVAR in patients with type B AAD. Methods Between 2009 and 2013, 76 patients were retrospectively evaluated who received TEVAR for type B AAD within 36 h from symptom onset. The patients were classified into no-AKI vs. AKI groups, and the severity of AKI was further staged according to kidney disease: improving global outcomes criteria before TEVAR. Results The incidence of preoperative AKI was 36.8%. In-hospital complications was significantly higher in patients with preoperative AKI compared with no-AKI (50.0% vs. 4.2%, respectively; P < 0.001), including acute renal failure (21.4% vs. 0, respectively; P < 0.001), and they increased with severity of AKI (P < 0.001). The maximum levels of body temperature and white blood cell count were significantly related to maximum serum creatinine level before TEVAR. Multivariate analysis showed that systolic blood pressure on admission (OR: 1.023; 95% CI: 1.003–1.044; P = 0.0238) and bilateral renal artery involvement (OR: 19.076; 95% CI: 1.914–190.164; P = 0.0120) were strong predictors of preoperative AKI. Conclusions Preoperative AKI frequently occurred in patients with type B AAD, and correlated with higher in-hospital complications and enhanced inflammatory reaction. Systolic blood pressure on admission and bilateral renal artery involvement were major risk factors for AKI before TEVAR.     

Community-onset bloodstream infection during the ‘after hours’ is not associated with an increased risk for death

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:

Patients admitted to hospital during the ‘after hours’ (weekends and evenings) may be at increased risk for adverse outcome. The objective of the present study was to assess whether community-onset bloodstream infections presenting in the after hours are associated with death.

METHODS:

All patients in the Victoria area of British Columbia, who had first admissions with community-onset bloodstream infections between 1998 and 2005 were included. The day of admission to hospital, the day and time of culture draw, and all-cause, in-hospital mortality were ascertained.

RESULTS:

A total of 2108 patients were studied. Twenty-six per cent of patients were admitted on a weekend. Blood cultures were drawn on a weekend in 27% of cases and, in 43%, 33%, and 25% of cases, cultures were drawn during the day (08:00 to 17:59), the evening (18:00 to 22:59) and night (23:00 to 07:59), respectively. More than two-thirds (69%) of index cultures were drawn during the after hours (any time Saturday or Sunday and weekdays 18:00 to 07:59). The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 13%. No difference in mortality was observed in relation to the day of the week of admission or time period of sampling. After-hours sampling was not associated with mortality in a multivariable logistic regression model examining factors associated with death.

CONCLUSION:

Presentation with community-onset, bloodstream infection during the after hours does not increase the risk of death.