Flumazenil in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in children with fulminant liver failure

Objective To evaluate the effect of flumazenil on hepatic encephalopathy complicating fulminant liver failure in children.Design Uncontrolled prospective study.Setting Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, tertiary care center.Patients 9 children with fulminant liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy awaiting emergency liver transplantationInterventions Changes in hepatic encephalopathy grade and in electroencephalogram were recorded during the injection of a bolus of flumazenil (0.01 mg/kg/IV bolus) followed by a continuous infusion of flumazenil (0.01mg/kg/h).Measurements and main results Before flumazenil, 7 children had grade 2 and 2 had grade 3 hepatic encephalopathy. Flumazenil injection mediated an arousal effect in 1 child in whom encephalopathy improved from grade 3 to grade 2. This effect lasted 30 min. No clinical response was observed in other children. An improvement of EEG anomalies was observed lasting 3 min in one child. Despite continuous infusion of flumazenil, encephalopathy worsened in all children.Conclusion The effect of intravenous administration of flumazenil on hepatic encephalopathy in children with fulminant liver failure is inconsistent. Its efficacy is transient. The therapeutic value of flumazenil in children with fulminant liver failure awaiting a liver graft is minimal at this dosage.     

亚临床肝性脑病患者脑MRI与1H MRS研究

目的利用MRI及^1H-MRS研究有与没有亚临床肝性脑病的肝硬化患者基底节区信号变化与代谢改变。方法27例肝硬化患者进行MRI与基底节区MRS扫描,其中男22例,女5例,年龄29-62岁,平均43岁,其中14例肝硬化患者有亚临床肝性脑病（经数字连接试验及符号数字试验测试）。18例年龄匹配的健康志愿者作对比,其中男13例,女5例,年龄24-51岁,平均38岁。结果有与没有亚临床肝性脑病的肝硬化患者结果及正常对照组间的NAA/Cr无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。没有亚临床肝性脑病的肝硬化患者及正常对照组间苍白球的高信号强度值、mI/Cr与Cho/Cr无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。有与没有亚临床肝性脑病的肝硬化患者间苍白球的高信号强度值、mI/Cr与Cho/Cr有显著性差异（P〈0.001）。结论肝硬化患者的亚临床肝性脑病与苍白球的高信号、基底节区mI/Cr、Cho/Cr有明显相关性。基底节区MRI与1H-MRS对判断是否有亚临床肝性脑病有重要的临床意义。     

Sagittal abdominal diameter may effectively predict future complications and increased mortality in intensive care unit patients with severe sepsis

Purpose

To investigate whether increased visceral adipose tissue is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in intensive care patients with severe sepsis.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective cohort study, body mass index (BMI) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) were measured in all patients with severe sepsis immediately after admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). The patients were followed up until death or discharge from ICU. The study’s primary outcome measure was mortality until day 60 after admission, while secondary outcomes were morbidity, length of stay, and length of ventilation in ICU.

Results

Of the 30 patients, 24 (80%) developed septic shock, 6 (20%) multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, 13 (43.3%) necessitated continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, while 6 (20%) of them died. BMI and SAD had a statistically significant positive linear correlation with ICU length of stay (P < .001) and length of ventilation (P ≤ .001). However, only SAD was significantly correlated with the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (P = .033), the need for continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (P = .004), and death (P = .033).

Conclusion

An increased SAD may effectively predict future complications and increased mortality in intensive care unit patients with severe sepsis.     

Clinical profile, intensive care unit course, and outcome of patients admitted in intensive care unit with dengue

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the clinical profile and course of dengue patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and to identify factors related to poor outcome.

Methods

All patients with dengue admitted to ICU over 2.5 years were included prospectively. Severity of illness was assessed by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, and organ failure was determined by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Primary outcome measure was 28-day mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting mortality.

Results

Data from 198 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 39.56 ± 17.1 years, and 61.1% were male. The commonest complaints were fever (96%) and rash (37.9%). Mean admission APACHE II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were 7.52 ± 7.8 and 4.52 ± 3.4, respectively. The commonest organ failure was coagulation (43.4%) followed by respiratory failure (13.1%). Vasopressors were required by 11.6%; and dialysis and mechanical ventilation were required by 7.6% and 9.1%, respectively. Mortality was 12 (6.1%); and on multivariate analysis, APACHE II score (odds ratio, 1.781; 95% confidence interval, 0.967-3.281; P = .048) could independently predict mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with dengue fever may require ICU admission for organ failure. Outcome is good if appropriate aggressive care and organ support are instituted. Admission APACHE II score may predict patients at higher risk of death.     

肝性脑病的12例护理体会

目的探讨护理在肝性脑病治疗中的作用。方法对12例肝性脑病患者在正常治疗的同时配合以综合、饮食、心理护理。结果 12例患者经积极配合治疗,均取得了较好的效果。结论对肝性脑病患者在正常治疗的同时配合以综合、饮食、心理护理,极大地提高了患者的生存率,改善生活质量。     

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in intensive care medicine

Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a well-recognized clinico-neuroradiological transient condition. Early recognition is of paramount importance for prompt control of blood pressure or removal of precipitating factors and treatment of epileptic seizures or status epilepticus. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment may in fact results in death or in irreversible neurological sequelae. Discussion PRES is characterized by headache, altered mental status, seizures, and visual disturbances and is associated with a number of different causes, most commonly acute hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and immunosuppressive agents. Clinical symptoms and neuroradiological findings are typically indistinguishable among the cases of PRES, regardless of underlying cause. Magnetic resonance studies typically show edema involving the white matter of cerebral posterior regions, especially parieto-occipital lobes but frontal and temporal lobes, and other encephalic structures may be involved. Conclusions Intensivists and other physicians involved in the evaluation of patients with presumed PRES must be aware of the clinical spectrum of the associated conditions, the diagnostic modalities, and the correct treatment.     

Predictive factors of intensive care unit admission in patients with haematological malignancies and pneumonia

Objective To describe early signs at the onset of pneumonia occurring in the haematology ward which could be associated with a transfer to the ICU.Design A 13-month preliminary prospective observational cohort study.Setting Department of haematology and (32-bed) medical intensive care unit (ICU).Patients Fifty-three of 302 patients hospitalised in the haematology ward who developed presumptive clinical evidence of pneumonia were enrolled.Measurements and results At the onset of the clinical evidence of pneumonia (day 1), we compared variables between patients requiring an ICU admission and those who did not. Twenty-four patients (45%) required a transfer to the ICU. Factors associated with ICU admission were: numbers of involved quadrants: 2.3 vs 1, P=0.001 and oxygenation parameters (initial level of O₂ supplementation: 3.5 vs 0.9 l/min, P<0.05), the presence of hepatic failure (58% vs 10%, P<0.01), Gram-negative bacilli isolated in blood culture (7 vs 1, P=0.01). In the multivariate analysis, a decrease of 10% in the SaO₂ and the requirement of nasal supplementary O₂ at the onset of acute respiratory failure increased the risk of admission to MICU, respectively, by 18 and by 14. The overall 6-month mortality rate of the 53 patients was 28%.Conclusion Parameters of oxygenation and radiological score could be associated with this transfer on day 1 of the onset of pneumonia occurrence. A further study should evaluate an earlier selection of this type of patient, followed by an early admission to the MICU, in order to improve ICU outcome.     

肝硬化隐匿型肝性脑病的筛查现状

肝性脑病是肝硬化患者的常见并发症,严重影响患者的生活质量,隐匿型肝性脑病是肝性脑病的临床前期,早期干预可有效改善患者的临床结局。目前,国内对于肝硬化患者隐匿型肝性脑病的研究尚处于起步阶段,隐匿型肝性脑病的评估工具众多,筛查方法不统一。本文综述了肝硬化隐匿型肝性脑病筛查工具并分析其优缺点,以期为临床医护人员选择合适的筛查...     

Predicting mortality in intensive care unit patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionAlthough several models to predict intensive care unit (ICU) mortality are available, their performance decreases in certain subpopulations because specific factors are not included. Moreover, these models often involve complex techniques and are not applicable in low-resource settings. We developed a prediction model and simplified risk score to predict 14-day mortality in ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae.MethodologyA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data of ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae at the largest tertiary hospital in Northern Vietnam during 2016–2018. Logistic regression was used to develop our prediction model. Model performance was assessed by calibration (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve-AUC) and discrimination (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test). A simplified risk score was also constructed.ResultsTwo hundred forty-nine patients were included, with an overall 14-day mortality of 28.9%. The final prediction model comprised six predictors: age, referral route, SOFA score, central venous catheter, intracerebral haemorrhage surgery and absence of adjunctive therapy. The model showed high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.83; p-value Hosmer-Lemeshow test = 0.92). The risk score has a range of 0–12 corresponding to mortality risk 0–100%, which produced similar predictive performance as the original model.ConclusionsThe developed prediction model and risk score provide an objective quantitative estimation of individual 14-day mortality in ICU patients infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae. The tool is highly applicable in practice to help facilitate patient stratification and management, evaluation of further interventions and allocation of resources and care, especially in low-resource settings where electronic systems to support complex models are missing.     

卒中单元重症监护对急性重症脑卒中的护理效果观察

目的探讨卒中单元建立重症监护病房对急性重症脑卒中的护理效果。方法将符合监护标准的61例急性重症脑卒中患者置卒中单元重症监护病房实施重症监护作为观察组（A组）,将2006年1月之前在本院神经内科及神经外科住院的急性重症脑卒中患者60例的常规护理作为对照组（B组）。对比两组患者的意识障碍程度评分、神经功能缺损程度评分、病残程度评分和并发症的发生率、病死率等指标,分析卒中单元对急性重症脑卒中患者实施重症监护的优越性。结果A组在改善神经功能缺损程度评分、意识障碍程度评分方面,均明显优于B组（P〈0.01）,并发症的发生率亦显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论卒中单元建立重症监护病房对急性重症脑卒中患者实施重症监护,能有效提高急性重症脑卒中的疗效,显著提高护理质量,改善护患关系。     

肝硬化患者发生轻微型肝性脑病现状及影响因素研究

目的 探讨肝硬化患者发生轻微型肝性脑病的现况及影响因素。方法 采用便利抽样法,对2017年6月—2018年12月入住上海市某三级甲等医院感染科的300例肝硬化患者,使用肝性脑病心理测试评分进行轻微型肝性脑病筛查,收集相关临床资料,经多因素Logistic回归分析发生轻微型肝性脑病的危险因素。 结果 300例肝硬化患者中146例（48.67%）存在轻微型肝性脑病,年龄（OR=1.032）、国际标准化比值（OR=2.434）、血氨浓度（OR=1.793）、感染（OR=2.152）、肾功能不全（OR=1.904）和存在营养风险（OR=2.104）是主要影响因素（P<0.05）。 结论 年龄较大、国际标准化比值和血氨浓度升高,合并感染、肾功能不全和存在营养风险的肝硬化患者是发生轻微型肝性脑病的高危人群,应在护理评估中早期识别并予以预见性护理。     

监护病房中高血钠发生的危险因素及护理对策

目的 分析监护病房中高血钠发生的危险因素及护理对策。方法 用急性生理功能与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ评分系统评估疾病严重程度，采用单因素x^2检验和多因素Logistic回归分析判定发生高血钠的危险因素。结果 监护病房中高血钠患者的发生率为16．55％，高血钠发生与患者不同程度的意识水平，尿量，高热，基础疾病较严重，经口饮水受限及使用脱水剂不当等因素显著相关。结论 高血钠是监护病房中常见并发症，应重视其危险因素，加强护理，减少发生率。     

综合重症监护病房患者胸腔积液的临床分析

目的研究综合重症监护病房(ICU)患者胸腔积液的临床特点。方法选择2005-01～2006-06入住ICU的患者632例,依据住ICU期间有无胸腔积液分为胸腔积液组和非胸腔积液组。分析原因并比较两组患者呼吸衰竭的发生率、机械通气时间及预后。结果632例患者胸腔积液的发生率是58%,基础疾病以创伤、病理产科、急性胰腺炎和外科手术后为主,发生胸腔积液的相关因素以低蛋白血症及多脏器功能障碍综合征最常见。胸腔积液组呼吸衰竭的发生率高于非胸腔积液组(P<0.01),机械通气时间长于非胸腔积液组(P<0.05);胸腔积液组的死亡率明显高于非胸腔积液组(P<0.05)。结论综合ICU患者胸腔积液的发生率高,合并胸腔积液较无胸腔积液的患者在呼吸衰竭的发生率、机械通气平均时间方面差异均有统计学意义,且与预后相关;ICU患者发生胸腔积液的原因明显区别于普通病房。     

Management of severe and complicated malaria in the intensive care unit

Malaria remains today one of the major health problems in the tropics with increased morbidity and mortality. The most serious complications are caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which, in contrast to the benign malarias, may progress to a life-threatening multi-system disease. Our case concerns a young woman in the 14th week of pregnancy, admitted to the ICU in a coma, with pulmonary oedema, haemolytic anaemia, renal failure and thrombocytopenia as complications of P. falciparum malaria. The case is discussed and possible explanations for the clinical picture and complications of P. falciparum malaria are given in the light of experiences from the literature. Received: 11 November 1998 Accepted: 12 April 1999     

Platelet indices are novel predictors of hospital mortality in intensive care unit patients

Background and objective

Platelet volume indices (PVIs) are inexpensive and readily available in intensive care units (ICUs). However, their association with mortality has never been investigated in a critical care setting. Our study aimed to investigate the association of PVI and mortality in unselected ICU patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study conducted in a mixed 24-bed ICU from September 2010 to December 2012. Platelet indices including mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet count, and plateletcrit were measured on ICU entry. Univariable analyses were performed to screen for variables that were associated with mortality. Variables with P < .1 were incorporated into a regression model to adjust for the odds ratio of platelet indices.

Results

A total of 1556 patients were included during the study period, including 1113 survivors and 443 nonsurvivors (mortality rate: 28.47%). Platelet distribution width and MPV were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors. Platelet distribution width greater than 17% and MPV greater than 11.3 fL were independent risk factors for mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.92 and 1.84, respectively) and survival time (hazards ratio: 1.77 and 1.75, respectively).

Conclusion

Higher MPV and PDW are associated with increased risk of death, whereas the decrease in plateletcrit is associated with increased mortality risk.     

Short-term and long-term mortality in very elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit

Objective To report short-term and long-term mortality of very elderly ICU patients and to determine independent risk factors for short-term and long-term mortalityDesign and setting Retrospective cohort study in the medical/surgical ICU of a tertiary university teaching hospital.Patients 578 consecutive ICU patients aged 80 years or older.Results Demographic, physiological, and laboratory values derived from the first 24 h after ICU admission. ICU mortality of unplanned surgical (34.0%) and medical patients (37.7%) was higher than that of planned surgical patients (10.6%), as was post-ICU hospital mortality (26.5% and 29.7% vs. 4.4%). Mortality 12 months after hospital discharge, including ICU and hospital mortality, was 62.1% in unplanned surgical and 69.2% in medical patients vs. 21.6% in planned patients. Only median survival of planned surgical patients did not differ from survival in the age- and gender-matched general population. Independent risk factors for ICU mortality were lower Glasgow Coma Scale score, higher SAPS II score, the lowest urine output over 8 h, abnormal body temperature, low plasma bicarbonate levels, and higher oxygen fraction of inspired air. High urea concentrations and admission type were risk factors for hospital mortality, and high creatinine concentration was an independent risk factor for 12-month mortality.Conclusion Mortality in very elderly patients after unplanned surgical or medical ICU admission is higher than after planned admission. The most important factors independently associated with ICU mortality were related to the severity of illness at admission. Long-term mortality was associated with renal function.This article is discussed in the editorial available at:     

重症监护病房患者镇痛镇静的研究进展

镇痛镇静治疗已经成为重症监护病房中综合治疗的重要组成部分,可以消除或减轻患者的疼痛及不适,控制焦虑、躁动和谵妄,减轻应激反应,改善患者睡眠、诱导遗忘,提高机械通气的协调性,减轻医疗护理操作对患者造成的伤害性刺激,使危重患者处于舒适和安全的理想水平。本文对重症监护病房患者镇痛镇静的研究进展进行综述。     

血浆置换联合血液滤过治疗重型肝炎肝性脑病临床观察

目的 探讨血浆置换联合连续静静脉血液滤过治疗重型肝炎并发肝性脑病的疗效。方法 35名重型肝炎肝性脑病患者随机分为治疗组18例,对照组17例,两组均给予综合护肝、促进肝细胞再生、降血氨、脱水防治脑水肿及调整血浆氨基酸谱等治疗,观察肝性脑病不同病期的治疗效果及不良反应。结果 治疗组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期肝性脑病有效率分别为100％、100％、100％、50％,总有效率89.0％;对照组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期有效率分别为100％、33.4％、33.4％、0％,总有效率41.2％,两组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论 血浆置换联合连续静静脉血液滤过治疗重型肝炎并发肝性脑病疗效可靠、安全,尤以Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期肝性脑病疗效最好。     

轻微型肝性脑病患者静息状态下脑缺省模式网络

目的 利用静息功能磁共振成像(fMRI)观察轻微型肝性脑病(MHE)患者脑缺省模式网络的改变. 方法对14例MHE患者和14名正常对照者行静息状态下的功能磁共振扫描,利用独立成分分析方法,分离得到各自的脑缺省模式网络脑区,各组进行单样本t检验组内分析和两样本t检验组间分析,观察MHE患者静息状态下脑缺省模式网络的改变. 结果 MHE患者和正常对照组均显示出典型的静息态脑缺省模式网络空间分布模式.但与正常对照组相比,MHE患者大部分脑缺省模式网络脑区功能连接降低,包括:左侧后扣带回、双侧前扣带回、双侧额中回、左侧海马旁回;而右侧楔前叶的功能连接较正常对照组升高. 结论静息状态下,MHE患者大部分脑缺省模式网络脑区功能连接度下降,而楔前叶增加,反映了MHE患者的大脑内源性功能组织发生损伤.静息fMRI可用于观察MHE患者脑缺省模式网络的改变.     

重症医学科重度子痫前期产妇围手术期临床路径的应用

目的 评价综合重症医学科(ICU)开展重度子痫前期产妇围手术期临床路径(CP)的效果,并分析其变异情况以促进质量改进.方法 比较福建医科大学附属第二医院ICU内实行CP前1年(2009年1月至12月,14例)和实施CP后1年(2010年1月至12月,22例)收治的重度子痫前期产妇ICU停留时间、住院费用、并发症发生率、病死率以及术后前3 d血压控制的总有效率.结果 与实施CP前1年组比较,实施CP后1年组ICU停留时间(h)明显缩短(65.5±24.9比86.3±28.2,t=2.321,P＜0.05),ICU住院费用(元)明显减少(6 463.6±1 838.2比8 136.5±2 142.8,t=2.496,P＜0.05),并发症发生率有所下降(36.4%比42.8%,x2=0.100,P＞0.05);血压控制的总有效率术后1 d、2 d明显提高(1 d:59.1%比14.3%,2 d:86.4%比50.0%,均P＜0.05),而术后3 d则无明显差异(95.4%比85.7%,P＞0.05).实施CP前1年组死亡1例,实施CP后1年组无死亡.结论 通过对重度子痫前期产妇围手术期实施CP管理,降低了患者的医疗负担,促进了医疗质量持续改进.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the effect of implementation of perioperative clinical pathway (CP)for severe preeclampsia patients in intensive care unit (ICU), and to discuss variation factors in order to improve clinical quality. Methods Thirty-six patients treated in ICU in the Second Clinical Hospital of Fujian Medical University were divided into two groups according to time of 1 year before implementation of CP (from January to December in 2009, n = 14) and 1 year after implementation of CP (from January to December in 2010, n = 22). The length of stay in ICU, cost of hospitalization, occurrence of major complications and mortality, as well as the total effective rate of control of blood pressure in the first 3 days after operation were compared. Results Compared with the group of patients of 1 year before implementation of CP, in the group of patients of 1 year after implementation of CP, the length of stay in ICU (hours) was significantly shorter (65. 5 ±24. 9 vs. 86. 3 ±28. 2, t = Z. 321, P＜0. 05), the cost of hospitalization (yuan) was significantly lower (6 463. 6±1 838.2 vs. 8 136. 5±2 142.8, r = 2. 496, P＜ 0. 05), the occurrence rate of major complications was lower (36. 4% vs. 42. 8%, x2 = 0. 100, P＞0. 05), the total effective control rate of blood pressure was significant improved on the 1st and the 2nd postoperative day (1 day: 59. 1 % vs. 14. 3%, 2 days: 86. 4% vs. 50. 0%, both P＜0. 05), but there was no significant change on the 3rd postoperative day (95. 4% vs. 85. 7%, P＞0. 05). One patient died before the application of CP,and none after its application. Conclusion These results suggested that it was beneficial to implement the program in preeclampsia patients to improve medical quality.