Incidence and mortality of severe sepsis in surgical intensive care patients: the influence of patient gender on disease process and outcome

Objective: Laboratory studies demonstrated significant detrimental effects of male sex-steroids (testosterone) on immune functions following hemorrhagic shock and soft-tissue trauma. Moreover, better survival of female mice subjected to severe sepsis was observed when compared to male animals. The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether or not gender differences regarding incidence and mortality of severe sepsis do exist in surgical intensive care patients and to elucidate the influence of patient age on incidence and mortality of severe sepsis/septic shock.¶Design: Data base review of prospectively collected data from surgical intensive care patients.¶Setting: Surgical intensive care unit of the department of surgery of a university hospital.¶Patients: Prospectively collected data of 4218 intensive care patients (2709 male, 1509 female).¶Results: Significantly fewer female patients were referred to the intensive care unit (6.6 % vs 10.8 % of all patients; P < 0.05) leading to a significantly smaller proportion of female intensive care patients (35.8 % vs 64.2 %). No gender differences regarding number of failing organs or surgical procedure (exception vascular surgery) were observed in patients with and without severe sepsis/septic shock, indicating that the patients studied are comparable regarding general health prior to admission to SICU. Among all female patients referred to SICU only 7.6 % developed severe sepsis/septic shock, while 10.4 % of all male patients suffered from severe sepsis or septic shock (P < 0.05). This gender difference results from a significantly lower incidence of severe sepsis/septic shock in female patients between 60 and 79 years. No gender difference regarding mortality rates of severe sepsis/septic shock was observed (men 64.9 %, women 65.5 %).¶Conclusions: Our results indicate a significantly smaller number of female patients requiring intensive care as well as a significantly lower incidence of severe sepsis/septic shock in female intensive care patients. Mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock, however, is not affected by gender.     

强制性脓毒症治疗流程对严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克预后影响

目的 研究强制性脓毒症治疗流程对严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克患者预后的影响.方法 前瞻性研究2008年6月至2009年12月就诊于两个三级教学医院急诊科的严重脓毒症及脓毒性休克患者195例;应用拯救脓毒症运动标准数据库(SSC database)研究脓毒症患者临床的特点、治疗和预后.纳人标准:符合SSC database诊断标准.2008年6月至12月就诊患者进行现况调查,依据临床医师经验治疗,为对照组.2009年1月至12月间就诊患者采用强制性脓毒症治疗流程治疗,即治疗组.比较强制性脓毒症治疗流程实施前后两组住院病死率.采用SPSS 15.0软件进行数据分析.组间比较采用独立样本t检验.计数资料以率和构成比表示,采用χ2检验.用Kaplan-Meier进行生存曲线分析,以P＜0.05为差异具有统计学意义.结果 治疗组[98.3%(115/117)]与对照组[2.56%(2/78)]比较显著提高血乳酸的检测率(P＜0.01);治疗组69.2%(81/117)患者可以在来诊3 h内给予抗生素,对照组为35.8%(28/78)(P＜0.01);治疗组[47.9%(56/117)]与对照组[25.6%(20/78)]比较显著增加抗生素应用前血培养送检率(P=0.003);治疗组[80.3%(53/66)]与对照组[27%(10/37)]比较显著增加标准液体复苏率,P＜0.01;治疗组[8.1%(3/37)]与对照组[27.3%(18/66)]比较中心静脉压达标率增加(P=0.023);治疗组[29.1%(34/117)]与对照组[44.8%(35/78)]比较住院病死率显著下降(P=0.032).结论 强制性实施脓毒症治疗流程提高了严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克标准治疗依从性,住院病死率下降15.7%.

Abstract：

Objective To study the impact of therapy strategy on outcomes of patients suffering from severe sepsis and/or septic shock. Method A total of 195 patients diagnosed as severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled for prospective study from June 2008 to December 2009. Patient's clinical manifestation,treatments and outcomes were studied by using SSC database. Patients were divided into control group and treatment group. In control group, patients enrolled from June 2008 to December 2008, were treated with conventional medical care In treatment group, patients enrolled from January 2009 to December 2009 were treated with a novel algorithm of mandatory treatment for sepsis In-hospital mortality of two groups was compared. SPSS15.0 software was used for analysis of data. Chi-square test and unpaired t-test were used for comparisons between groups. Results Compared to the control group The need for blood lactate test was significantly grown in treatment group [98.2% (115/117) versus 2.56% (2/78), P ＜ 0.001]. Antibiotics was administered to 69.2% (81/117) patients of treatment group within 3 hours after their arrival at the emergency department compared to 35.8% (28/78) in the control group (P ＜ 0. 001). Blood cultures made before antibiotics given were 47.9% (56/117) in the treatment group compared to the control group 25.6%(20/78), P = 0. 003. The rate of fluid resuscitation was 80.3% (53/66) in the treatment group and 27%(10/37) in the control group, P ＜0.001. The rate of CVP (8 mmHg was 27.3% (18/66) in the treatment group and 8.1% (3/37) in the control group, P = 0. 023. In-hospital mortality was 29.1% (34/117) in the treatment group and 44.8% (35/78) in the control group, P =0. 032. Conclusions The algorithm of mandatory treatment for sepsis improved the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment for severe sepsis and septic shock, decreasing in-hospital mortality.     

HMGB1 as a predictor of organ dysfunction and outcome in patients with severe sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To study the predictive value of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) and hospital mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study in 24 ICUs in Finland. PATIENTS: Two hundred and forty-seven adult patients with severe sepsis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood samples for HMGB1 analyses were drawn from 247 patients at baseline and from 210 patients 72 h later. The mean APACHE II and SAPS II scores were 24 (SD 9) and 44 (SD 17), respectively. The hospital mortality was 26%. The serum HMGB1 concentrations were measured first by semi-quantitative Western immunoblotting (WB) analysis. The median HMGB1 concentration on day 0 was 108% (IQR 98.5-119) and after 72 h 107% (IQR 98.8-120), which differed from healthy controls (97.5%, IQR 91.3-106.5; p=0.028 and 0.019, respectively). The samples were re-analysed by ELISA (in a subgroup of 170 patients) to confirm the results by WB. The median concentration in healthy controls was 0.65 ng/ml (IQR 0.51-1.0). This was lower than in patients with severe sepsis (3.6 ng/ml, IQR 1.9-6.5, p< 0.001). HMGB1 concentrations (WB and ELISA) did not differ between hospital survivors and non-survivors. In ROC analyses for HMGB1 levels (WB) on day 0 and 72 h with respect to hospital mortality, the areas under the curve were 0.51 and 0.56 (95% CI 0.40-0.61 and 0.47-0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Serum HMGB1 concentrations were elevated in patients with severe sepsis, but did not differ between survivors and non-survivors and did not predict hospital mortality.     

严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克的急诊集束化治疗依从性调查分析

目的 调查严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克在急诊患者中的发生率以及针对严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克早期集束化治疗的依从性.方法 选择2009年5月至6月由救护车送至上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院急诊科的患者为调查对象,统计严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克的发生率,对符合诊断标准的患者分别统计早期复苏集束化治疗各项指标完成的依从性.结果 共纳入急诊就诊患者917例,其中符合严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克诊断标准者96例,发生率为10.47%.在符合诊断标准的患者中,早期复苏集束化治疗、使用抗菌药物前留取病原学标本、2 h内放置深静脉导管并监测中心静脉压(CVP)与中心静脉血氧饱和度(ScvO2)、3 h内使用广谱抗菌药物、6 h内早期目标导向治疗(EGDT)达标、12 h内乳酸下降或原乳酸≤2 mmol/L的依从性分别为1.04%、3.12%、2.08%、83.33%、1.04%、23.96%,急诊内科各指标的依从性依次为1.19%、3.57%、2.38%、83.33%、1.19%、26.19%,急诊外科各指标的依从性依次为0、0、0、83.33%、0、8.33%,急诊内、外科依从性比较差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).结论 严重脓毒症和脓毒性休克在急诊就诊患者中占相当比例,但医师的认识不足;早期集束化治疗依从性较低,需加大指南的教育及执行程度.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the occurrence of severe sepsis and septic shock and the rate of compliance with sepsis bundle in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in emergency department.Methods A prospective study was conducted on consecutive adult patients who were sent to Emergency Department of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine by ambulance from May to June in 2009. The occurrence of severe sepsis and septic shock, and the number of the patients in whom who met the criteria of compliance with sepsis bundle were analyzed. Results Nine hundred and seventeen patients who were sent to the emergency department by ambulance in that period were enrolled in the study.The number of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock was 96. The incidence of severe sepsis and septic shock was 10.47%. Among these patients, the number of patients in whom the sepsis bundle was complied,i.e. sepsis bundle, appropriate cultures were taken before antimicrobial therapy, placement of central venous catheter and monitoring of central venous pressure(CVP)as well as central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2)within 2 hours, antibiotic therapy within 3 hours, early goal-directed therapy(EGDT)within 6 hours, and lactate clearance in 12 hours reached 1.04%, 3. 12%, 2.08%, 83. 33%, 1.04%, 23.96%.The results were 1.19%, 3. 57%, 2.38%, 83.33%, 1.19%, 26.19% and 0, 0, 0, 83.33%, 0, 8. 33% in medical and surgical emergency department respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two divisions(all P＞0. 05). Conclusion The incidence of severe sepsis and septic shock was high in emergency department, but the rate of recognition of it and the compliance with sepsis bundle were inadequate. It is urgently necessary to enhance the learning and implementation of the guideline.     

Cost-effectiveness of immunoglobulin M-enriched immunoglobulin (Pentaglobin) in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock

PURPOSE: To measure the cost-effectiveness of a specific polyclonal intravenous immune globulin preparation (Pentaglobin) in adult patients treated for severe sepsis and septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effectiveness data from a meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials (N=435) were used to populate a decision model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of Pentaglobin and its comparator standard therapy from the hospital perspective in Germany. Primary outcome: all-cause morality; secondary outcome: intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay. Benefit was expressed as lives saved (LS). Published cost data were applied to assess differences in ICU treatment costs. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as incremental cost per LS. RESULTS: Pentaglobin reduced the risk of mortality (P<.001) but had no effect on ICU length of stay. A baseline risk of mortality of 0.4434 (risk ratio=0.5652; absolute risk reduction=0.1928; number-needed-to-treat=5.19) increased ICU treatment costs with Pentaglobin by 2,037 (22,711 vs 24,747) with a cost per LS of 10,565. Sensitivity analyses on baseline mortality risk (95% confidence interval 0.3293-0.5162) and risk ratio (95% confidence interval 0.4306-0.7420) yielded a cost per LS range of 5,715 to 28,443 with a 56.3% probability of cost-effectiveness of 12,000 or less. CONCLUSIONS: Pentaglobin is a promising adjuvant therapy both clinically and economically for treatment of adults with severe sepsis and septic shock.     

Incidence and risk factors for sepsis in surgical patients: a cohort study

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for infection and sepsis in surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Materials and Methods

Data were prospectively collected from a cohort of surgical patients from January 2005 to December 2007. We analyzed the incidence of infection and sepsis and certain other variables from the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods as risk factors for infection and sepsis.

Results

We studied 625 surgical patients. The mortality rate was 18.2%, and the mean age of the subjects was 53.1 ± 18.8 years. The incidences of severe sepsis and septic shock were 5% and 11.5%, respectively. A multivariate analysis showed that the following variables were associated with sepsis in the postoperative period: urgent surgery (odds ratio, 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-4.63), fluid resuscitation (odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.18-3.05), vasoactive drugs (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.61-4.14), and mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 5.51; 95% CI, 3.07-9.89). A Sequential Organ Failure Assessment was associated with infection or sepsis upon ICU admission (area under the curve, 0.737 ± 0.019; 95% CI, 0.748-0.825).

Conclusions

This study showed that sepsis has high incidence and mortality in surgical patients admitted to the ICU. Urgent surgeries, mechanical ventilation, fluid resuscitation, and vasoactive drugs in the postoperative period and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment at ICU admission were risk factors for sepsis.     

危重病严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者早期规范化液体复苏治疗——多中心、前瞻性、随机、对照研究

目的 探讨早期目标导向治疗(EGDT)对严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者的影响.方法 采用多中心、前瞻性、随机、对照研究方法,选择2005年1月至2008年1月浙江省8家三级甲等医院重症监护病房(ICU)住院的314例严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者,按随机数字表法分为常规组(151例)和EGDT组(163例).常规组以中心静脉压(CVP)、收缩压(SBP)和平均动脉压(MAP)、尿量变化指导液体复苏;EGDT组在此基础上增加中心静脉血氧饱和度(ScvO2)为观测指标进行复苏;对患者进行输液、输血和强等治疗,6 h内达标.比较两组患者28 d生存率、ICU住院病死率(主要终点)以及ICU住院时间、机械通气时间、抗生素使用时间、新发感染率和疾病严重程度评分(次要终点)的差异.结果 可供分析的有效病例中EGDT组为157例,常规组为146例.EGDT组28 d生存率较常规组增高约17.7%(75.2%比57.5%,P=0.001),EGDT组ICU住院病死率较常规组降低约15.7%(35.0%比50.7%,p=0.035).与常规组比较,EGDT能明显善患者的急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分(分:14.4±8.5比18.0±7.1,P=0.043)、多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)评分(分:5.8±3.1比8.9±3.7,P=0.014)和感染相关器官功能衰竭评分系统(SOFA)评分(分:5.6±2.9比10.4±3.7,P=0.001),减少抗生素使用时间(d:13.4±10.0比19.7±13.5,P=0.004),降低新发感染的发生率(37.6%比53.4%,p=0.014);EGDT对ICU住院时间、机械通气间均无明显影响.结论 EGDT能显著改善ICU中严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者28 d生存率和临床疾病严重程度评分,减少抗生素使用时间及降低新发感染的发生率.     

重症肺炎及感染性休克的集束治疗

目的 探讨国内严重感染集束治疗的疗效.方法 在广州医学院附属第二医院呼吸重症监护病房中选用43例重症肺炎及感染性休克患者,进行14个月(2006年11月1日至2007年12月31日)前瞻性观察研究.患者入进标准参照2001年国际脓毒症会议.分教育、试验和运作3个连续阶段实施6 h严重感染集束治疗和24 h严重感染集束治疗.历史对照期内(2004年1月1日至2006年10月31日)合格患者门入对照组.计最资料以(x±s)表示,计数资料以率表爪.采用γ2检验、独立样本t榆验、配对t检验、单因素和多冈素Logistic回归分析,P＜0.05为差异具有统计学意义.结果 1)对照组和集束治疗组问的基础特征差异基本上无统计学意义.2)血清乳酸测定率、休克业组液体复苏率及6 h内所输入液体量、血糖榨制,与对照组相比较,其差异均有统计学意义(P值分别是0.024,0.009,0.045和0.000).3)72 h时,集束治疗组呼吸频率和氧合指数,与对照组相比较,其差异均有统计学意义(P值分别是0.033和0.041);集束治疗组中休克业绀急性生理和慢性疾病评分(A-PACHE)Ⅱ分值和预计死亡率的下降值,与对照组中休克业组比较,其差异均有统计学意义(P值分别是0.017和0.040).4)与对照组比较,集束治疗组病死率绝对值下降23.30%(P=0.019).结论 严重感染集束治疗能显著降低重症肺炎及感染性休克患者病死率.     

Evaluating vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam in ED patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

Study objective

To determine the frequency and cause of inadequate initial antibiotic therapy with vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department (ED), characterize its impact on patient outcomes, and identify patients who would benefit from an alternative initial empiric regimen.

Epidemiology of severe sepsis in Japanese intensive care units: A prospective multicenter study

Severe sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a prospective multicenter study to evaluate epidemiology and outcome of severe sepsis in Japanese ICUs. The patients were registered at 15 general critical care centers in Japanese tertiary care hospitals when diagnosed as having severe sepsis. Of 14,417 patients, 624 (4.3%) were diagnosed with severe sepsis. Demographic and clinical characteristics at enrollment (Day 1), physiologic and blood variables on Days 1 and 4, and mortality were evaluated. Mean age was 69.0 years, and initial mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were 23.4 and 8.6, respectively. The 28-day mortality was 23.1%, and overall hospital mortality was 29.5%. SOFA score and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score were consistently higher in nonsurvivors than survivors on Days 1 and 4. SOFA score, DIC score on Days 1 and 4, and hospital mortality were higher in patients with than without septic shock. SOFA score on Days 1 and 4 and hospital mortality were higher in patients with than without DIC. Logistic regression analyses showed age, presence of septic shock, DIC, and cardiovascular dysfunction at enrollment to be predictors of 28-day mortality and presence of comorbidity to be an additional predictor of hospital mortality. Presence of septic shock or DIC resulted in approximately twice the mortality of patients without each factor, whereas the presence of comorbidity may be a significant predictor of delayed mortality in severe sepsis.     

重症感染的早期诊断和治疗

重症感染是全身性感染导致的以器官功能损害为特征的临床综合征。由于重症感染起病时临床表现缺乏特异性,早期诊断需要结合临床表现、实验室检查和微循环的监测,参考生物标志物,不但有助于指导重症感染的早期诊断和抗生素的选择,并且有助于判断患者预后。重症感染治疗的重点在于积极治疗原发病,加强感染部位引流的同时,早期应用有效的抗生素治疗,进行早期目标导向的积极液体复苏,并且给予血管活性药物和调整心脏功能,以改善和维持组织灌注,保护其他器官的功能。     

Impact of serial measurements of lysophosphatidylcholine on 28-day mortality prediction in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe sepsis or septic shock

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of serial lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) measurement on 28-day mortality prediction in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This is a prospective observational study of 74 ICU patients in a tertiary hospital. Serum LPC, white blood cell, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin (PCT) levels were measured at baseline (day 1 of enrollment) and day 7. The LPC concentrations were compared with inflammatory markers using their absolute levels and relative changes.

Results

The LPC concentration on day 7 was significantly lower in nonsurvivors than in survivors (68.45 ± 42.36 μmol/L and 99.76 ± 73.65 μmol/L; P = .04). A decreased LPC concentration on day 7 to its baseline as well as a sustained high concentration of PCT on day 7 at more than 50% of its baseline value was useful for predicting the 28-day mortality. Prognostic utility was substantially improved when combined LPC and PCT criteria were applied to 28-day mortality outcome predictions. Furthermore, LPC concentrations increased over time in patients with appropriate antibiotics but not in those with inappropriate antibiotics.

Conclusions

Serial measurements of LPC help in the prediction of 28-day mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.     

Myocardial depression in sepsis: From pathogenesis to clinical manifestations and treatment

The cardiovascular system plays a key role in sepsis, and septic myocardial depression is a common finding associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Myocardial depression during sepsis is not clearly defined, but it can perhaps be best described as a global (systolic and diastolic) dysfunction of both the left and right sides of the heart. The pathogenesis of septic myocardial depression involves a complex mix of systemic (hemodynamic) factors and genetic, molecular, metabolic, and structural alterations. Pulmonary artery catheterization and modern echo-Doppler techniques are important diagnostic tools in this setting. There are no specific therapies for septic myocardial depression, and the cornerstone of management is control of the underlying infectious process (adequate antibiotic therapy, removal of the source) and hemodynamic stabilization (fluids, vasopressor and inotropic agents). In this review, we will summarize the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of myocardial depression in sepsis. Additional studies are needed in order to improve diagnosis and identify therapeutic targets in septic myocardial dysfunction.     

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome,sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock: Incidence,morbidities and outcomes in surgical ICU patients

Objectives To determine the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and severe sepsis in surgical ICU patients and define patient characteristics associated with their acquisition and outcome.Design One-month prospective study of critically ill patients with a 28 day in-hospital follow up.Setting Surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at a tertiary care institution.Methods All patients (n=170) admitted to the SICU between April 1 and April 30, 1992 were prospectively followed for 28 days. Daily surveillance was performed by two dedicated, specifically-trained research nurses. Medical and nursing chart reviews were performed, and follow up information at six and twelve months was obtained.Results The in-hospital surveillance represented 2246 patient-days, including 658 ICU patient-days. Overall, 158 patients (93%) had SIRS for an incidence of 542 episodes/1000 patients-days. The incidence of SIRS in the ICU was even higher (840 episodes/1000 patients-days). A total of 83 patients (49%) had sepsis; among them 28 developed severe sepsis. Importantly, 13 patients had severe sepsis after discharge from the ICU. Patient groups were comparable with respect to age, sex ratio, and type of surgery performed. Apach II score on admission to the ICU and ASA score at time of surgery were significantly higher (p<0.05) only for patients who subsequently developed severe sepsis. The crude mortality at 28 days was 8.2% (14/170); it markedly differed among patient groups: 6% for those with SIRS vs. 35% for patients with severe sepsis. Patients with sepsis and severe sepsis had a longer mean length of ICU stay (2.1±0.2 and 7.5±1.5, respectively) than those with SIRS (1.45±0.1) or control patients (1.16±0.1). Total length of hospital stay also markedly differed among groups (35±9 (severe sepsis), 24±2 (sepsis), 11±0.8 (SIRS), and 9±0.1 (controls, respectively).Conclusions Almost everyone in the SICU had SIRS. Therefore, because of its poor specificity, SIRS was not helpful predicting severe sepsis and septic shock. Patients who developed sepsis or severe sepsis had higher crude mortality and length of stay than those who did not. Studies designed to identify those who develop complications of SIRS would be very useful.     

Impact of recent intravenous chemotherapy on outcome in severe sepsis and septic shock patients with hematological malignancies

Objective To compare the characteristics and outcome of patients with hematological malignancies referred to the ICU with severe sepsis and septic shock who had or had not received recent intravenous chemotherapy, defined as within 3 weeks prior to ICU admission. Design and setting Retrospective observational cohort study on prospectively collected data in a medical ICU of a university hospital. Patients 186 ICU patients with hematological malignancies with severe sepsis or septic shock (2000–2006). Measurements and results There were 77 patients admitted with severe sepsis and 109 with septic shock; 91 (49%) had received recent intravenous chemotherapy. Patients with recent chemotherapy more often had a high-grade malignancy and were more often neutropenic, less often had pulmonary infiltrates, and less often required mechanical ventilation. ICU, 28-day, in-hospital, and 6-month mortality rates were 33% vs. 48.4%, 40.7% vs. 57.4%, 45.1% vs. 58.9%, and 50.5% vs. 63.2% in patients with and without recent chemotherapy, respectively. Logistic regression identified four variables independently associated with 28-day mortality: SOFA score at ICU admission, pulmonary site of infection, and fungal infection were associated with worse outcome whereas previous intravenous chemotherapy was protective at borderline significance. After adjustment with a propensity score for recent chemotherapy, chemotherapy was not associated with outcome. Conclusions Patients referred to the ICU with severe sepsis and septic shock complicating active chemotherapeutic treatment have better prognosis than commonly perceived. This article is discussed in the editorial available at: .     

Reduced mortality after the implementation of a protocol for the early detection of severe sepsis

Objective

We evaluate the impact that implementing an in-hospital protocol for the early detection of sepsis risk has on mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study conducted in 2 phases at 2 general hospitals in Brazil. In phase I, patients with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified and treated in accordance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Over the subsequent 12 months (phase II), patients with severe sepsis/septic shock were identified by means of active surveillance for signs of sepsis risk (SSR). We compared the 2 cohorts in terms of demographic variables, the time required for the identification of at least 2 SSRs, compliance with sepsis bundles (6- and 24-hour), and mortality rates.

Results

We identified 217 patients with severe sepsis/septic shock (102 during phase I and 115 during phase II). There were significant differences between phases I and II in terms of the time required for the identification of at least 2 SSRs (34 ± 48 vs 11 ± 17 hours; P < .001) and in terms of in-hospital mortality (61.7% vs 38.2%; P < .001).

Conclusion

The early detection of sepsis promoted early treatment, reducing in-hospital mortality from severe sepsis/septic shock.     

Procollagen type III aminoterminal propeptide as biomarker of host response in severe sepsis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that procollagen type III aminoterminal propeptide (PIIINP) is early elevated in septic episodes and can indicate the acute organ dysfunction/failure characterizing severe sepsis.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study included 107 consecutive septic patients (44 with sepsis, 13 with severe sepsis, and 50 with septic shock) and 45 controls. After blood sampling (within 48 hours after onset of septic episodes), serum was assayed. Patients were followed up, and their disease severity was daily evaluated.

Results

Procollagen type III aminoterminal propeptide (median [range]) increased in patients with sepsis (9.4 [2.2-42.4] ng/mL) compared with controls (3.6 [1.9-4.9] ng/mL; P < .001), exhibiting further significant increase in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (19.5 [6.0-52.4] and 20.2 [1.8-89.2] ng/mL, respectively; P < .01-.001 vs sepsis). Among biomarkers of host response severity, PIIINP was the sole that was independently associated with severe sepsis/septic shock (P = .01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for PIIINP to predict which patients with sepsis would eventually develop severe sepsis/septic shock was 0.87; the cutoff of 12 ng/mL had sensitivity 82% and specificity 89%.

Conclusions

Increased serum PIIINP can signify severe sepsis/septic shock and predict which patients with sepsis will eventually develop severe sepsis/septic shock, thus representing a biomarker of risk stratification of patients with sepsis.     

An educational course including medical simulation for early goal-directed therapy and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle: An evaluation for medical student training

Objective

Widespread application of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle is limited by clinician knowledge, skills and experience. This study evaluated use of simulation-based teaching during medical training to increase future clinician knowledge in the above therapies for severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed with medical students at all levels of training. A 5-h course including didactic lectures, skill workshops, and a simulated case scenario of septic shock were administered to the participants. A checklist including 21 tasks was completed during the patient simulation. An 18-question pre-test, post-test and 2-week post-test were given. The participants completed a survey at the end of the course.

Results

Sixty-three students were enrolled. There was statistical difference between the pre-test and each of the post-test scores: 57.5 ± 13.0, 85.6 ± 8.8, and 80.9 ± 10.9%, respectively. 20.6% of participants thought the pre-test was too difficult, whereas all participants thought the post-test was either appropriate or too easy. The task performance during the simulated septic shock patient was 94.1 ± 6.0%. The participants noted improvements in their confidence levels at managing severe sepsis and septic shock, and agreed that the course should be a requirement during medical school training.

Conclusions

Medical simulation is an effective method of educating EGDT and the severe sepsis resuscitation bundle to medical students with limited experience in patient care. The results suggest that our course may be of further benefit at increasing clinical experience with this intensive protocol for the management of severe sepsis and septic shock.     

间歇性高容量血液滤过对严重感染和感染性休克患者治疗效果的影响

目的 观察间歇性高容量血液滤过(IHVHF)对严重感染和感染性休克患者28 d生存情况的影响.方法 采用回顾性队列研究,收集因急性肾衰竭或多器官功能衰竭(MOF)接受IHVHF的严重感染或感染性休克患者的基础资料、IHVHF治疗方式及治疗期间的相关信息,采用COX风险比例模型分析患者IHVHF治疗后28 d死亡的危险因素.结果 共44例患者纳入本研究,按照患者进行IHVHF的平均剂量分为高剂量组(≥70 ml· kg-1·h-1,17例)和低剂量组(＜70 ml·kg-1·h-1,27例).高剂量组和低剂量组患者除体质指数(kg/m2)有明显差异(20.7±3.2比25.3±3.0,P＜0.01)外,基础情况及IHVHF治疗方式均无明显差异.44例患者中28 d内死亡17例,患者实际28 d病死率明显低于预期病死率[38.6％比(61.8±21.9)％,P＜0.01],且高剂量组28 d病死率显著低于低剂量组[11.8％(2/17)比55.6％(15/27),P=0.004].多因素COX风险比例模型分析发现,IHVHF前高序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA)可增加28 d死亡风险[相对危险度(RR)=1.279,95％可信区间(95％CI)1.127 ～ 1.452,P＜0.001],而高剂量IHVHF (RR=0.149,95％CI 0.032～0.694,P=0.015)及IHVHF总时间长(RR=0.981,95％CI0.966～0.997,P=0.016)可降低28 d死亡风险.结论 对于合并急性肾衰竭或MOF的严重感染和感染性休克患者,高剂量IHVHF(≥70 ml·kg-1·h-1)是减少患者28d死亡的保护性因素,延长IHVHF时间可以降低28 d病死率.     

全身性感染的流行病学进展

全身性感染在感染患者中非常常见,尤其是入住ICU的患者。相关研究表明,全身性感染的发病率呈上升趋势。随着临床医师对发病机制认识的加深与支持治疗手段的不断进步,全身性感染的病死率有所下降,但由于发病率的增加,因全身性感染而死亡的人数仍在逐年增加。对于存活的全身性感染患者,由于健康状况欠佳,社会功能、情感职能下降,其远期的生命质量也常明显下降。全身性感染患者一旦合并器官功能衰竭,常需要入住ICU,消耗大量的医疗资源和医疗费用,给患者家庭及社会造成沉重的疾病及经济负担。本文将对全身性感染的流行病学进展进行回顾,以进一步加深对全身性感染的了解,并为医疗资源的分配提供依据。