Computed tomography severity index and C-reactive protein values predicting mortality in emergency and intensive care units for patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis is a multisystem disease in which various local and systemic complications lead to high mortality. We retrospectively examined the clinical and biochemical factors that may influence the risk of mortality on admission to emergency and intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients were admitted into our hospital for acute pancreatitis and treated in our ICU for computed tomography-proven severe acute pancreatitis during the years 1997 to 2004. The clinical, biochemical, and radiologic data were reviewed from the computerized database, radiologic films, and patient records. RESULTS: The mortality rate during the ICU stay was 18% (12/68) and that during the whole period of hospitalization 26% (18/68). A C-reactive protein (CRP) value over 150 was the only independent predictor of mortality on admission into the emergency unit, whereas the computed tomography severity index and the elevated CRP value over 150 predicted significantly and independently mortality on admission into the ICU. Linear backward regression analysis showed that high CRP values and respiratory failure on ICU admission correlate with longer ICU stay. Men's ICU stays were longer than those of women. CONCLUSIONS: A high computed tomography severity index and CRP values over 150 on admission into the ICU are valuable predictors of the mortality risk. High CRP, renal and respiratory failure, and male gender are associated with longer ICU stay.     

Prognostic predictors in patients with sepsis after gastrointestinal tumor surgery: A retrospective study

BACKGROUNDThere have been different reports on mortality of sepsis; however, few focus on the prognosis of patients with sepsis after surgery.AIMTo study the clinical features and prognostic predictors in patients with sepsis after gastrointestinal tumor surgery in intensive care unit (ICU).METHODSWe retrospectively screened patients who underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery at Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. Among them, 181 patients who were diagnosed with sepsis in ICU were included in our study. Survival was analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate adjusted analyses were performed to identify predictors of prognosis.RESULTSThe 90-d all-cause mortality rate was 11.1% in our study. Univariate analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), shock within 48 h after ICU admission, leukocyte count, lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio, international normalized ratio, creatinine, procalcitonin, lactic acid, oxygenation index, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score within 24 h after ICU admission might be all significantly associated with the prognosis of sepsis after gastrointestinal tumor surgery. In multiple analysis, we found that BMI ≤ 20 kg/m², lactic acid after ICU admission, and SOFA score within 24 h after ICU admission might be independent risk predictors of the prognosis of sepsis after gastrointestinal tumor surgery. Compared with SOFA score, SOFA score combined with BMI and lactic acid might have higher predictive ability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.859; 95% confidence interval, 0.789-0.929).CONCLUSIONLactic acid and SOFA score within 24 h after ICU admission are independent risk predictors of the prognosis of sepsis after gastrointestinal tumor surgery. SOFA score combined with BMI and lactic acid might have good predictive value.     

Acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated in the intensive care unit: a long term follow up study

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, patients with acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are believed to have a poor outcome. A study was undertaken to explore both hospital and long term outcome in this group and to identify clinical predictors. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of consecutive admissions to a tertiary referral ICU over a 6 year period. This group was then followed prospectively for a minimum of 3 years following ICU admission. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory failure due to COPD during the study period. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 0.74 (0.34) l. Eighty five per cent of the group underwent invasive mechanical ventilation for a median of 2 days (range 1-17). The median duration of stay in the ICU was 3 days (range 2-17). Survival to hospital discharge was 79.7%. Admission arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) and APACHE II score were independent predictors of hospital mortality on multiple regression analysis. Mortality at 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years was 40.5%, 48.6%, 58.1%, and 63.5%, respectively. There were no independent predictors of mortality in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in most of the study group, good early survival was observed. Mortality in the long term was significant but acceptable, given the degree of chronic respiratory impairment of the group.     

Comparison of the severity of illness scoring systems for critically ill cirrhotic patients with renal failure

BACKGROUND: Mortality rates of cirrhotic patients with renal failure admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) are high. End-stage liver disease is frequently complicated by disturbances of renal function. This investigation is aimed to compare the predicting ability of acute physiology, age, chronic health evaluation II and III (APACHE II and III), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and Child-Pugh scoring systems, obtained on the first day of ICU admission, for hospital mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with renal failure. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with liver cirrhosis and renal failure were admitted to ICU from April 2001-March 2002. Information considered necessary for computing the Child-Pugh, SOFA, APACHE II and APACHE III score on the first day of ICU admission was prospectively collected. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality rate was 86.6%. Liver disease was most commonly attributed to hepatitis B viral infection. The development of renal failure was associated with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Goodness-of-fit was good for SOFA, APACHE II and APACHE III scores. The APACHE III and SOFA models reported good areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (0.878 +/- 0.050 and 0.868 +/- 0.051, respectively). CONCLUSION: Renal failure is common in critically ill patients with cirrhosis. The prognosis for cirrhotic patients with renal failure is poor. APACHE III and SOFA showed excellent discrimination power in this group of patients. They are superior to APACHE II and Child-Pugh scores in this homogenous group of patients.     

Long-term renal function and survival of renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit

Arulkumaran N, West S, Chan K, Templeton M, Taube D, Brett SJ. Long‐term renal function and survival of renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit.
Clin Transplant 2012: 26: E24–E31.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Introduction: We determined the long‐term mortality and renal allograft function of renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A single institution retrospective observational cohort study of all renal transplant patients admitted to the ICU was performed. Serum creatinine was recorded up to one yr after hospital discharge and survival data were collected for three yr. Results: Chest sepsis was the commonest reason for ICU admission. ICU and hospital mortality were 32% and 19% respectively. Predictors of hospital mortality included the presence of sepsis and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV). Of the patients who were discharged from ICU, three‐yr mortality was 50%. Renal function at one yr was worse than that at hospital discharge and at baseline, though not statistically significant. Death‐censored allograft loss was 11% over the three‐yr follow up period. Conclusions: Sepsis and requirement for MV are independent predictors of mortality in renal transplant recipients admitted to ICU. Renal transplant recipients with chest sepsis may warrant earlier ICU admission. Any loss of renal allograft function during an episode of critical illness appears to have a lasting effect, and longterm patient and allograft survival is poor.     

Role of serum creatinine and prognostic scoring systems in assessing hospital mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND: End-stage liver disease is frequently complicated by episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage that are often associated with multiple organ dysfunction and require intensive care. This study aimed to identify specific predictors of hospital mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, and compare the prediction accuracy of the Child-Pugh score and two illness severity scoring systems frequently used for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: 76 patients with liver cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were admitted to the ICU from April 2001 to March 2002. In addition, 27 demographic, clinical and laboratory variables, including parameters assessing liver and renal function and systemic hemodynamics, were analyzed as survival predicators. Finally, information required, calculating the Child-Pugh, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score on the 1st day of ICU admission, was gathered prospectively. RESULTS: Overall, hospital mortality was 68.4%. Liver disease was generally attributed to hepatitis B viral infection. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that mean arterial pressure (MAP), Child-Pugh points, and serum creatinine (Cr) were significantly related to prognosis. The SOFA and APACHE III models displayed good areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. CONCLUSION: The rise of serum Cr levels above 1.5 mg/dL is common, and indicates a poor prognosis for critically ill cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. SOFA is a straightforward approach with excellent prognostic abilities for this homogeneous patient subset.     

Epidemiology and prognosis of hyperosmolar state in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: We studied elderly patients admitted for hyperosmolar state (HS) to evaluate current outcome of HS and identify prognosis factors associated with mortality. STUDY DESIGN: A clinical retrospective study in an eight bed ICU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen over 65-year-old patients admitted with a serum osmolality greater than 325 mOsm/kg were reviewed. Age, sex, diabetes mellitus, underlying medical condition, presence of an acute precipitating factor, Apache II and Glasgow scores, systolic arterial pressure, state of hydration, core temperature, heart rate, serum osmolality, creatininemia, lactatemia, plasma urea and bicarbonate, and protidemia were collected at the admission. Amount of fluid, time course of osmolality correction, length of hospitalization and mortality were recorded. All data were analyzed to identify possible correlations with patient outcome. RESULTS: Mean age: 75 +/- 11 years; sex ratio 1/2; hyperosmolar hyperglycemic states: 13 patients; hyperosmolar hypernatremic states: five patients; mean Apache II score: 18 +/- 7; Glasgow coma score: 11 +/- 3; mean osmolality: 370 +/- 25 mOsm/kg. In nine patients, infection was the precipitating factor. Five patients died (28%). At the admission, low blood pressure and high heart rate were related to mortality. During hospitalization, the occurrence of an acute cardiocirculatory failure and/or the need of mechanical ventilation significantly worsens the outcome. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that ICU mortality of HS in the elderly was at 28%. Haemodynamic state was the only factor of prognosis at the admission. Deaths were mostly related to acute respiratory and circulatory failure.     

Respiratory problems in renal transplant recipients admitted to intensive care during long-term follow-up

Cardiovascular disease, malignancies, and infectious complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality of renal transplant recipients. Mortality rates vary between 16% and 40% in an intensive care unit (ICU). The aims of this study were to identify the types incidences of respiratory problems that affected renal transplant recipients admitted to the ICU during long-term follow-up thereby determining the impact of respiratory problems on mortality. We reviewed the data for 34 recipients who had 39 ICU admissions from January 2000 through December 2003. Twenty-four admissions (61.5%) had at least one respiratory problem at admission or developed at least one during the ICU stay. The most frequent problem was pneumonia (n=18, 46.2% of the 39 readmissions), followed by acute respiratory failure (n=10, 25.6%), atelectasis (n=9, 23.1%), pleural effusion (n=8, 20.5%), and pulmonary edema (n=2, 5.1%). The patients who had respiratory problems showed a significantly higher mortality rate than those who did not have respiratory problems (66.6% versus 26.6%, respectively; P<.05). The overall mortality rate was 58.8% (20 patients). Thus, infectious and respiratory problems are the most frequent indications for admission and the most common problems during an ICU stay. The prognosis for patients who either have a respiratory problem upon admission to the ICU or develop one during the ICU stay is poor.     

Evolution and predictive power of serum cystatin C in acute renal failure

AIMS: The serum concentration of cystatin C has recently been proposed as a better indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than plasma creatinine. Little is known about cystatin C in critical illness. We assessed serum cystatin C as a marker of renal function in acute renal failure (ARF) and its power in predicting survival of ARF patients. MATERIAL: 202 consecutive adult patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) during a period of 9 months. METHOD: Serum cystatin C, plasma creatinine and plasma urea were measured on admission, daily during the first 3 days, and 5-7 times a week during the rest of the ICU stay. The patients with and without ARF were compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test. The correlation between different variables was calculated by Spearman's correlation. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to test independent predictors of mortality. The positive predictive value of serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine for ARF and mortality was calculated by ROC analysis. RESULTS: ARF occurred in 54 patients (27%). Serum cystatin C showed excellent positive predictive value for ARF in critical illness by ROC analysis. In acute renal dysfunction, abnormal values of serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine appeared equally quickly (median 3 days). The diagnosis of ARF, the day 1 Apache II score and admission plasma creatinine appeared as independent predictors of hospital mortality. ROC analysis showed only weak predictive power for serum cystatin C and plasma creatinine regarding hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Serum cystatin C was as good as plasma creatinine in detecting ARF in intensive care patients. Neither marker was clinically useful in predicting mortality.     

败血症并发急性肾功能衰竭患者的临床特点和影响预后的因素

目的：探讨败血症伴急性肾功能衰竭（ARF）患者的临床特点和影响预后的因素。方法：回顾分析近10年败血症ARF患者的临床资料，分别计算APACHE Ⅱ和ATN－ISI积分，并与非败血症ARF进行对比，运用多因素回归分析观察由败血症引起ARF的临床和主要生化指标与预后的关系。结果：败血症并发ARF者66例，占同期ARF患者的15．6％。多脏器衰竭发生率为87．9％，病死率高达69．7％。单因素分析发现外科原因的败血症、并发呼吸衰竭、肝功能衰竭、辅助呼吸、少尿、昏迷、多脏器衰竭、在ICU中出现ARF以及慢性疾病数目为影响其预后的因素。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示少尿、在ICU中出现的ARF、慢性疾病数目和多脏器衰竭为其独立危险因素。结论：败血症所致ARF患者预后差，其高病死率与少尿，在ICU中出现ARF、合并慢性疾病数目和多脏器衰竭有关。     

Sepsis and SOFA score: related outcome for critically ill renal patients

AIMS: To evaluate the influence of sepsis in critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF), and to analyze the value of the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score for assessing the morbidity and related mortality of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study developed in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care university hospital. Data were collected from January 1, 2001 - July 31, 2002. The inclusion criterion was either a creatinine plasma level > or = 2 mg/dl on ICU admission or increases > or = 30% from its initial value. Sepsis was evaluated at the time of study inclusion, and patients were distributed into 2 groups (septic and nonseptic patients). RESULTS: Two hundred patients with ARF were prospectively enrolled in the study (91 (45.5%) septic and 109 (54.5%) nonseptic patients). Median age was 68 years in septic patients and 72 in nonseptic ones while the percentage of males in both groups was 66% vs 69%, respectively. Septic patients showed more organ failures and more respiratory, cardiovascular and coagulation failures at the time of study admission as well as a worse mean SOFA score during the first 4 days after inclusion (p < 0.01). Mortality rate at the ICU was significantly higher in the septic group when compared to the nonseptic one (55% vs 19.3%, OR = 2.21 (1.65 - 2.97)). Using stepwise logistic regression, acute tubular necrosis and oliguria in septic patients as well as cardiovascular failure (evaluated by SOFA score) in nonseptic patients were identified as independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Septic and nonseptic ICU patients with ARF have an increased risk of ICU mortality depending on the type of organ failure. Although SOFA score does not predict outcome, it is a useful tool to categorize these patients and to describe a sequence of complications in critically ill patients.     

Acute renal failure in bone marrow transplant patients admitted to the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Review of bone marrow transplant (BMT) cases admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare co-morbidity and outcome of BMT patients developing or not developing acute renal failure (ARF). METHODS: A case review of BMT patients admitted to the ICU (a 16-bed medico-surgical ICU in a tertiary care teaching institution) over a 4-year period. RESULTS: Between January 1994 and December 1998, 57 among 441 BMT patients (12.9%) were admitted to the ICU, mainly for respiratory distress (58%) and hypotension (32%). Forty-two patients (73.7%) presented ARF as defined as a doubling of serum creatinine. Compared to the 15 other patients, ARF patients had a higher APACHE II score (30 +/- 8 vs. 25 +/- 7, p < 0.05). For ARF vs. non-ARF patients, there was no difference in age (43.8 +/- 10.8 vs. 44.3 +/- 11.1 years), in requirement for mechanical ventilation (76 vs. 73%) and vasopressors (69 vs. 60%), and in prevalence of graft-versus-host disease (19 vs. 13%) or neutropenia (69 vs. 67%), but the prevalence of sepsis (83 vs. 60%) and liver failure (69 vs. 40%) was higher. Maximum serum bilirubin was markedly increased in ARF compared to non-ARF patients (p < 0.005). For both subgroups, no difference in the administration of potential nephrotoxic agents was identified. Usually, ARF was considered multifactorial by clinicians, with ATN being the most frequent diagnosis (55%). Maximum serum creatinine reached a mean of 330 +/- 130 micromol/l. In 74% of cases, ARF occurred concomitantly or after admission to the ICU. Oligoanuria was present in 38%, whereas polyuria was observed in 17%. Fourteen ARF patients (33%) required dialytic support. Mortality rates were significantly different in ARF vs. non-ARF patients (88 vs. 60%, p < 0.05). Predictive factors for the development of ARF were liver failure (odds ratio (OR) 5.9), low serum albumin (OR 1.2) and APACHE II score (OR 1.1), whereas variables predictive of mortality were mechanical ventilation (OR 14.8), ARF (OR 5.8), liver failure (OR 3.7), and APACHE II score (OR 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that ARF in BMT patients admitted to the ICU is frequent, multifactorial, related to liver failure, and that its development has a negative impact on outcome.     

Haematological malignancy in ICU

The admission of patients suffering haematological malignancyto the intensive care unit (ICU) is controversial due to theirpoor prognosis. The dilemma regarding admission has escalatedwith the development of more aggressive forms of chemotherapy.Whilst improving survival from primary disease these treatmentsalso result in an increase in life-threatening complicationsrequiring ICU admission.¹ Analysis of patients admitted to alarge ICU over a 3-yr period and data collected from surroundingregional hospitals has allowed determination of various prognosticfactors that may assist in patient management. A retrospective observational study on patients with haematologicalmalignancy admitted to ICU between January 1996 and July 1999was conducted. Patients admitted from medical and haematologicalwards and a regional cancer centre were included, as were datafrom regional ICUs. Data included malignancy type, reason foradmission, severity and duration of leucopenia, creatinine onadmission, Logistic Organ Dysfunction (LOD) score, requirementfor invasive ventilation and survival. Sixteen patients (8 male, 8 female) were admitted to the ICUwithin the specified time. An additional 13 patients were admittedto regional ICUs between January 1997 and July 1999. Haematologicaldiagnoses: Hodgkin’s lymphoma (7), non-Hodgkin’slymphoma (1), chronical lymphocytic leukaemia (3), chronic myeloidleukaemia (6), acute myelogenous leukaemia (6), acute lymphoblasticleukaemia (3), multiple myeloma (2). Admission to ICU was precipitatedby pneumonia (35%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (15%),sepsis (15%), multi-organ failure (15%), bleeding (12%) andgraft-versus-host disease (8%). On admission LOD scores rangedfrom 1–16 (average 6.5) and ICU mortality was 71%. Ofthe 30% surviving ICU, only 18% survived to long term (>6months). Survival was associated with not requiring mechanicalventilation, a normal white cell count or brief period of neutropenia.A creatinine on admission of greater than 200 µmol litre^–1was noted to be associated with mortality (P = 0.05). In logisticregression analysis haematological malignancy is significantlyassociated with in hospital mortality (P<0.005). This associationis strengthened when age is taken into account (P<0.001),but is not significant when organ severity is controlled for(P = 0.10). Relative risk of in hospital death for patientswith haematological malignancy admitted to ICU was 1.9 (OR 4.3695%CI 1.6–12.1). These results suggest that patients withhaematological malignancy are admitted to ICU with more severeillness than matched patients with other underlying disease. In conclusion it can be shown that a high mortality is associatedwith admission of such patients to ICU. Prognosis is guidedby several factors including the requirement for mechanicalventilation,² LOD score >10 and severe prolonged neutropenia.Improved prognosis is associated with normal white cell count,rapid recovery of bone marow³, normal admission creatinine andavoidance of mechanical ventilation.     

Influence of underlying disease on the outcome of critically ill patients with acute renal failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The development of acute renal failure (ARF) in critically ill patients is associated with an increase in hospital mortality. Recently, it was shown that starting renal replacement therapy early and using high-filtrate flow rates can improve the outcome, but this could not be confirmed in later investigations. Studying selected patient subgroups could provide a useful basis for patient selection in future trials evaluating the outcome of renal replacement therapies. We, therefore, investigated the impact of the underlying disease on the outcome of patients with ARF. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 306 patients with ARF who were treated with renal replacement therapy. Patients were classified according to six initial diagnosis groups: haemorrhagic shock, post-cardiac surgery, post-liver transplantation, trauma, severe sepsis and miscellaneous. Univariate and multivariate multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine which factors influenced the outcome. RESULTS: Underlying disease proved to be the only independent risk factor for mortality that was present at intensive care unit (ICU) admission (P = 0.047). Patients with severe sepsis had a significantly higher mortality rate (68%) than ARF patients as a whole (51%) (P = 0.02). Length of stay in the ICU, the use of catecholamines, the delay before ARF onset, and the correlation between APACHE II score and ICU length of stay proved to be additional independent predictors of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Patient selection and subgroup definition according to the underlying disease could augment the usefulness of future trials evaluating the outcome of ARF.     

Retrospective analysis on acute respiratory distress yndrome in ICU

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, etiology, physiological and clinical features, mortality, and predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 5 314 patients admitted to the ICU of our hospital from April 1994 to December 2003 was performed in this study. The ARDS patients were identified with the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference (AECC). Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score (MODS score), and lung injury score (LIS) were determined on the onset day of ARDS for all the patients. Other recorded variables included age, sex, biochemical indicators, blood gas analysis, length of stay in ICU, length of ventilation, presence or absence of tracheostomy, ventilation variables, elective operation or emergency operation. RESULTS: Totally, 131 patients (2.5%) developed ARDS, among whom, 12 patients were excluded from this study because they died within 24 hours and other 4 patients were also excluded for their incomplete information. Therefore, there were only 115 cases (62 males and 53 females, aged 22-75 years, 58 years on average) left, accounting for 2.2% of the total admitted patients. Their average ICU stay was (11.27+/-7.24) days and APACHE III score was 17.23+/-7.21. Pneumonia and sepsis were the main cause of ARDS. The non-survivors were obviously older and showed significant difference in the ICU length of stay and length of ventilation as compared with the survivors. On admission, the non-survivors had significantly higher MODS and lower BE (base excess). The hospital mortality was 55.7%. The main cause of death was multiple organ failure. Predictors of death at the onset of ARDS were advanced age, MODS > or = to 8, and LIS > or = 2.76. CONCLUSIONS: ARDS is a frequent syndrome in this cohort. Sepsis and pneumonia are the most common risk factors. The main cause of death is multiple organ failure. The mortality is high but similar to most recent series including severe comorbidities. Based on this patient population, advanced age, MODS score, and LIS may be the important prognostic indicators for ARDS.     

Outcome from intensive care. II. A 5-year study of 1308 patients: short-term outcome

All patients (n = 1308) admitted to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) during a 5-year period (1979-83) were followed prospectively. The in-unit mortality was 18% and the in-hospital mortality (mortality during ICU-stay plus mortality during the ensuing hospital stay) was 29%. Increasing age was associated with increasing in-hospital mortality, up to 40% mortality rate in patients aged 80 years and older. Using multiple logistic regression analyses, prognostic factors for mortality were identified. Risk factors for death in the ICU included age, cardiovascular diseases, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure. Cancer did not appear as a risk factor. The mortality during the ensuing hospital stay, however, was significantly influenced by cancer as well as the aforementioned risk factors. When controlled for severity of illness, expressed by the level of organ system failure after 48 h of ICU treatment, only sex, sepsis and severity of illness showed significant influence on the mortality in the ICU, and only sex and severity of illness significantly influenced mortality during the ensuing hospital stay after discharge from the ICU.     

Prognostic factors in acute renal failure due to sepsis. Results of a prospective multicentre study

BACKGROUND.: Sepsis is a major cause of acute renal failure in hospital patients,but its incidence and the associated prognostic factors haverarely been assessed prospectively by multivariate analysis. METHODS.: We conducted a prospective 6-month study in 20 multidisciplinaryintensive care units to assess the prognosis of patients hospitalizedwith acute renal failure due to sepsis. Sepsis syndrome andseptic shock were defined according to the criteria of the Societyof Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference. Severity scoringindexes (SAPS, APACHE II, and organ system failure (OSF)) weremeasured on ICU admission and on inclusion. The end-point washospital mortality. RESULTS.: Acute renal failure had a septic origin in 157 patients (Group1), comprising 68 with septic shock and 89 with sepsis syndrome,and did not result from infection in 188 patients (Group 2).Patients with septic acute renal failure were older (mean age:62.2 versus 57.9 years, P<0.02) and had on inclusion a higherSAPS (19.3 versus 16.1, P<0.001), APACHE II (29.6 versus24.3, P<0.001), and OSF (2.07 versus 1.52, P<0.001) thanpatients with non-septic acute renal failure. They had a higherneed for mechanical ventilation (69.1% versus 47.3%, P<0.001),and acute renal failure was more often delayed during the ICUstay than was present on admission (47.7% versus 32.4% respectively,P<0.005). Hospital mortality was higher in patients withseptic acute renal failure (74.5%) than in those whose renalfailure did not result from sepsis (45.2%, P<0.001). Mortalitywas influenced by the presence of a septic shock (79.4%) orof a sepsis syndrome on inclusion (70.8%). Using a stepwiselogistic regression model, sepsis was an independent predictorof hospital mortality (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.44–4.39) aswell as a delayed occurrence of acute renal failure, oliguria,an altered previous health status, hospitalization prior toICU, need for mechanical ventilation, age and severity scoringindexes on inclusion. In total patients, mortality was higherin dialyzed than in non-dialyzed patients (P<0.001), andin those treated by continuous compared to intermittent techniques(P<0.01). Patients dialysed with biocompatible membraneshad a lower mortality than those treated with cellulose membranes(P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS.: Patients with acute renal failure due to sepsis have a worseprognosis than those with non-septic acute renal failure. Sepsisand the above-defined predictive factors are to be consideredin studies on prognosis of ARF patients. Our results suggestthat the use of biocompatible membranes may reduce significantlymortality in these patients.     

Emergency intensive care admission following elective thoracic surgery

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following initial recovery after elective thoracic surgery. METHODS: The case notes of all patients who underwent elective thoracic surgery over a one-year period were reviewed. Patients who were admitted to ICU following an initial recovery on the ward were identified and their postoperative course analysed. The clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were recorded and their outcomes analysed. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were admitted to ICU of whom 13 (65%) were admitted for respiratory complication, 5 with sepsis and 2 with cardiovascular instability. Sixteen (80%) patients required CPAP or BIPAP, of whom only 7 (35%) required mechanical ventilation. Renal support was required in 7 patients, with 2 (10%) requiring haemofiltration. ICU survival was 15 patients (75%), whilst overall three-month survival post ICU admission was 65%. Requirement for renal support was the only predictor of mortality on univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage ICU admission following elective thoracic surgery is associated with significant mortality, however the outcome is far from hopeless. The majority of patients can be managed without recourse to mechanical ventilation or haemofiltration. The need for renal support is, however, a significant adverse prognostic indicator.     

Outcome and cost of prolonged stay in the surgical intensive care unit

We retrospectively studied 50 surgical patients who required more than 14 days of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) in terms of the admission diagnosis, reason for extended stay, complications, cost, therapeutic intervention scores, mortality, and quality of life after discharge. The morbidity, mortality, and cost were extraordinary. Survival varied inversely with the therapeutic intervention scores. The ICU and one-year mortalities were 46.0% and 74.5%, respectively. The quality of life following discharge was generally poor. Increased mortality was associated with the following criteria: multiple-organ failure, age, sepsis, cancer, the combination of infection and failure of a major organ system, the requirement for a tracheostomy for prolonged respiratory support, and the requirement for hemodialysis for renal failure. In light of the escalating demand and cost of ICU care, it is advisable to identify those factors that determine whether these patients will benefit from intensive care, to develop strategies that are cognizant of the prognosis and the cost at the outset of care.     

The Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Combined Severe Acute Liver and Kidney Injury Secondary to Paracetamol Toxicity Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

There is a paucity of outcome data for critically ill patients with combined acute liver and kidney injury secondary to paracetamol overdose (POD) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). We retrospectively reviewed all admissions over a 6-year period to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a university teaching hospital which supports an active liver transplant program. Of the 5582 admissions over this period, 73 patients were admitted with combined liver and kidney injury requiring RRT, and of these 10 patients went on to receive a liver transplant. Overall mortality was 58%, being lower at 20% for transplant recipients. Transplant recipients were younger than non-transplanted patients with similar global disease severity scores [Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II)]. Patients with a higher MELD or APACHE II score fared worse and patients fulfilling the King’s College Hospital transplant criteria on admission had an odds ratio (OR) for death of 3.8 (1.3–10.6). Logistic regression modeling found that only a higher admission bilirubin OR 1.6 (1.1–2.3) mg/dL and a lower creatinine OR 0.52 (0.3–0.9) mg/dL were predictive of mortality. Of the ICU survivors, 41% remained RRT dependant at the time of ICU discharge; all regained independent renal function by 1 month. Combined severe acute liver and kidney injury secondary to POD requiring RRT is associated with a high mortality. The majority of survivors recover independent kidney function by 1 month. Standard disease severity scores appear to reflect prognosis in these patients.