Fat-free mass at admission predicts 28-day mortality in intensive care unit patients: the international prospective observational study Phase Angle Project

Purpose

Phase angle as measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis reflects fat-free mass. Fat-free mass loss relates to worse prognosis in chronic diseases. Primary aim of this study was: to determine the association between fat-free mass at intensive care unit admission and 28-day mortality.

Methods

Ten centres in nine countries participated in this multicentre prospective observational study. The inclusion criteria were age >18 years; expected length of stay >48 h; absence of pacemaker, heart defibrillator implant, pregnancy and lactation. Fat-free mass was assessed by measurement of the 50-kHz phase angle at admission. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess prediction of 28-day mortality by fat-free mass at ICU admission. The variables associated with 28-day mortality were analysed by means of multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of the 3605 patients screened, 931 were analysed: age 61 ± 16 years, male 60 %, APACHE II 19 ± 9, body mass index 26 ± 6, day 1 phase angle 4.5° ± 1.9°. Day 1 phase angle was lower in patients who eventually died than in survivors (4.1° ± 2.0° vs. 4.6° ± 1.8°, P = 0.001). The day 1 phase angle AUC for 28-day mortality was 0.63 [0.58–0.67]. In multivariable analysis, the following were independently associated with 28-day mortality: age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.014 [95 % confidence interval 1.002–1.027], P = 0.03), day 1 phase angle (aOR 0.86 [0.78–0.96], P = 0.008), APACHE II (aOR 1.08 [1.06–1.11], P < 0.001), surgical patient (aOR 0.51 [0.33–0.79], P = 0.002), and admission for other diagnosis (aOR 0.39 [0.21–0.72], P = 0.003). A multivariable combined score improved the predictability of 28-day mortality: AUC = 0.79 [0.75–0.82].

Conclusion

Low fat-free mass at ICU admission is associated with 28-day mortality. A combined score improves mortality predictability. Trial registration: NCT01907347 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

     

Core-to-skin temperature gradient measured by thermography predicts day-8 mortality in septic shock: A prospective observational study

BackgroundSeptic shock is associated with altered peripheral perfusion. Core-to-skin temperature gradient depends on skin perfusion and microcirculatory function. We hypothesized that a high core-to-skin temperature gradient is correlated with mortality in septic shock.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study including 61 patients at the first 24 h of a septic shock in an intensive care unit. During the 24 first hours after norepinephrine administration, we collected clinical and circulatory characteristics, skin perfusion assessment (Capillary refill time (CRT), Mottling score) and we measured skin temperature with an infrared thermographic camera. We measured the Core-to-skin temperature gradient to evaluate if it is a predictor of day-8 mortality.ResultsDay-8 mortality was 16.3%. Core-to-index finger temperature gradient >7 °C was associated with day-8 mortality (OR = 18.0, [3.02–346.14], p = 0.002). This association was still significant after adjustment to the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score. A model including a high SOFA score and a core-to index finger >7 °C was effective to predict day-8 mortality (c-statistic: 0.8735 [0.770–0.976]). Core-to-index finger temperature gradient was correlated with CRT, Mottling Score, and arterial lactate levels.ConclusionsCore-to-index finger temperature gradient higher than 7 °C predicts day-8 mortality in septic shock and is correlated with other tissue perfusion markers.     

Toward less sedation in the intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

Purpose

Excessive sedation is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays. We evaluated the feasibility of using minimal sedation in the ICU.

Methods

Prospective observational study in a university hospital 34-bed medico-surgical department of intensive care. All adult patients who stayed in the ICU for more than 12 hours over a 2-month period were included. Intensive care unit admission diagnoses, severity scores, use of sedatives and/or opiates, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and 28-day mortality were recorded for each patient.

Results

Of the 335 patients (median age, 61 years) admitted during the study period, 142 (42%) received some sedation, most commonly with midazolam and propofol. Sedative agents were administered predominantly for short periods of time (only 10% of patients received sedation for >24 hours). One hundred fifty-five patients (46%) received mechanical ventilation, generating 15?240 hours of mechanical ventilation, of these, only 2993 (20%) hours were accompanied by a continuous sedative infusion. Self-extubation occurred in 6 patients, but only 1 needed reintubation.

Conclusions

In a mixed medical-surgical ICU, minimal use of continuous sedation seems feasible without apparent adverse effects.     

Survival of hematological patients after discharge from the intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

Introduction

Although the survival rates of hematological patients admitted to the ICU are improving, little is known about the long-term outcome. Our objective was to identify factors related to long-term outcome in hematological patients after ICU discharge.

Methods

A prospective, observational study was carried out in seven centers in Spain. From an initial sample of 161 hematological patients admitted to one of the participating ICUs during the study period, 62 were discharged alive and followed for a median time of 23 (1 to 54) months. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the factors related to long term-survival. Finally, variables that influence the continuation of the scheduled therapy for the hematological disease were studied.

Results

Mortality after ICU discharge was 61%, with a median survival of 18 (1 to 54) months. In the multivariate analysis, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (ECOG) >2 at ICU discharge (Hazard ratio 11.15 (4.626 to 26.872)), relapse of the hematological disease (Hazard ratio 9.738 (3.804 to 24.93)) and discontinuation of the planned treatment for the hematological disease (Hazard ratio 4.349 (1.286 to 14.705)) were independently related to mortality. Absence of stem cell transplantation, high ECOG and high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores decreased the probability of receiving the planned therapy for the hematological malignancy.

Conclusions

Both ICU care and post-ICU management determine the long-term outcome of hematological patients who are discharged alive from the ICU.     

Prevalence of low central venous oxygen saturation in the first hours of intensive care unit admission and associated mortality in septic shock patients: a prospective multicentre study

Introduction

In septic shock patients, the prevalence of low (<70%) central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and its relationship to outcome are unknown. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of low ScvO2 in the first hours of ICU admission and to assess its potential association with mortality in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Methods

This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study conducted over a one-year period in ten French ICUs. Clinicians were asked to include patients with severe sepsis or septic shock preferably within 6 hours of ICU admission and as soon as possible without changing routine practice. ScvO2 was measured at inclusion and 6 hours later (H6), by blood sampling.

Results

We included 363 patients. Initial ScvO2 below 70% was present in 111 patients and the pooled estimate for its prevalence was 27% (95% Confidence interval (95%CI): 18% to 37%). At time of inclusion, among 166 patients with normal lactate concentration (≤2 mmol/L), 55 (33%) had a low initial ScvO2 (<70%), and among 136 patients who had already reached the classic clinical endpoints for mean arterial pressure (≥65 mmHg), central venous pressure (≥8 mmHg), and urine output (≥0.5 mL/Kg of body weight), 43 (32%) had a low initial ScvO2 (<70%). Among them, 49% had lactate below 2 mmol/L. The day-28 mortality was higher in case of low initial ScvO2 (37.8% versus 27.4%; P = 0.049). When adjusted for confounders including the Simplified Acute Physiology Score and initial lactate concentration, a low initial ScvO2 (Odds ratio (OR) = 3.60, 95%CI: 1.76 to 7.36; P = 0.0004) and a low ScvO2 at H6 (OR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.12 to 4.26; P = 0.022) were associated with day-28 mortality by logistic regression.

Conclusions

Low ScvO2 was common in the first hours of admission to the ICU for severe sepsis or septic shock even when clinical resuscitation endpoints were achieved and even when arterial lactate was normal. A ScvO2 below 70% in the first hours of ICU admission and six hours later was associated with day-28 mortality.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-014-0609-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Absolute eosinophils count as a marker of mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in an intensive care unit

Introduction

Eosinophils in the circulating blood undergo apoptosis during sepsis syndromes induced by the action of certain cytokines.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the absolute eosinophils count (EC) as a marker of mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Patients and Method

A prospective cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Dr Gustavo Fricke Hospital between January 2008 and December 2009 was conducted. Daily EC in all patients was analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the performance of the diagnostic test.

Results

We studied a total of 240 patients. The median age was 62 years (interquartile range [IQR], 48-72 years), and 67 (27.9%) died. The median EC in patients who died was 43 (IQR, 14-121), whereas in surviving patients, it was 168 (IQR, 98-292) (P < .001). When the EC on the fifth day of hospital stay was assessed, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.73) was observed. Eosinophils count at intensive care unit discharge showed an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.87).

Discussion

Eosinophils counts were lower in patients who died of sepsis than in those who survived, but its clinical usefulness seems limited. Their role as an indicator of clinical stability seems to be important.     

Clinical risk conditions for acute lung injury in the intensive care unit and hospital ward: a prospective observational study

Background  

Little is known about the development of acute lung injury outside the intensive care unit. We set out to document the following: the association between predefined clinical conditions and the development of acute lung injury by using the American–European consensus definition; the frequency of lung injury development outside the intensive care unit; and the temporal relationship between antecedent clinical risk conditions, intensive care admission, and diagnosis of lung injury.     

Plasma glutamine concentration after intensive care unit discharge: an observational study

Introduction

Low plasma glutamine concentration at ICU admission is associated with unfavorable outcomes. The prediction of plasma glutamine concentration after ICU discharge on outcomes has not been characterized. In the recent Scandinavian Glutamine Trial, a survival advantage was seen with glutamine supplementation as long as patients stayed in the ICU. It was therefore hypothesized that the glutamine level may drop at ICU discharge, indicative of a sustained glutamine deficiency, which may be related to outcome.

Methods

Fully fed ICU patients intravenously supplemented with glutamine for >3 days were studied at ICU discharge and post ICU. In study A, plasma glutamine level was followed every 5 to 7 days post ICU of the remaining hospital stay and compared to the level on the day of ICU discharge (n = 63). In study B, plasma glutamine level 24 to 72 hours after ICU discharge was related to 12-month all-cause mortality (n = 100).

Results

Post-ICU plasma glutamine levels were within normal range and were not found to be predictive for mortality outcome. Plasma glutamine level at discharge, on the other hand, was within normal limits but higher in nonsurvivors. In addition, it was adding prediction value to discharge SOFA scores for post-ICU mortality.

Conclusions

Post-ICU glutamine levels are not indicative of glutamine depletion. The relation between plasma glutamine concentration and glutamine availability during critical illness is not well understood, and needs to be studied further to define the possible role for glutamine supplementation.     

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predicts mortality in cirrhotic patients with septic shock

IntroductionPatients with liver cirrhosis and septic shock have a significantly higher risk of mortality and morbidity compared with non-cirrhotic patients. The peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) can determine the prognosis of cirrhotic patients. Our study aimed to investigate the usefulness of LMR as a predictive marker of mortality risk in cirrhotic patients with septic shock.MethodsThis single-center, retrospective case-control study included adult patients who visited the emergency department between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2020 and diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and septic shock. They were divided into survivor and non-survivor groups according to their survival status at the 60-day follow-up. We used a Cox proportional hazards regression model to identify independent factors associated with mortality risk and tested the mortality discriminative ability of those factors using the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsA total of 93 patients were eligible for this study. Compared with the patients in the survivor group, those in the non-survivor group had significantly higher Child-Pugh (11 ± 2 vs. 9 ± 2, p < 0.001) and MELD scores (29 ± 6 vs. 22 ± 8, p < 0.001), higher serum international normalized ratio (1.7 vs.1.4, p = 0.03), bilirubin (6.0 vs. 3.3 mg/dL, p = 0.02), lactate (5.4 vs. 2.7 mmol/L, p < 0.01), creatinine (2.2 vs. 1.6 mg/dL, p = 0.04), higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (13.0 vs. 10.3, p = 0.02), and lower LMR (1.1 vs. 2.3, p < 0.01). The LMR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.54, p = 0.01) and lactate (aHR = 1.03, p < 0.01) were identified as independent predictive factors for mortality in the multivariate regression model. Furthermore, LMR (area under curve [AUC]: 0.87) revealed a superior discrimination ability in mortality prediction compared with the Child-Pugh (AUC: 0.72) and MELD (AUC: 0.76) scores.ConclusionsThe LMR can be used to predict mortality risk in cirrhotic patients with septic shock.     

Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in a Lebanese intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

Objective To evaluate the implementation and process of withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in an intensive care unit.Design and setting Prospective observational study in the medical intensive care unit of a university hospital in Lebanon.Patients Forty-five consecutive adult patients admitted to the ICU for a 1-year period and for whom a decision to withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment was made.Measurements and results Patients were followed up until their death. Data regarding all aspects of the implementation and the process of withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment were recorded by a senior staff nurse. Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment was applied to 9.6% of all admitted patients to ICU. Therapies were withheld in 38% and were withdrawn in 7% of patients who died. Futility of care and poor quality of life were the two most important factors supporting these decisions. The nursing staff was not involved in 26% of the decisions to limit care. Families were not implicated in 21% of the cases. Decisions were not notified in the patients medical record in 23% of the cases. Sixty-three percent of patients did not have a sedative or an analgesic to treat discomfort during end-of-life care.Conclusions Life-sustaining treatment were frequently withheld or withdrawn from adult patients in the Lebanese ICU. Cultural differences and the lack of guidelines and official statements could explain the ethical limitations of the decision-making process recorded in this study.     

Persistent hypocoagulability in patients with septic shock predicts greater hospital mortality: impact of impaired thrombin generation

Purpose

Sepsis induces hypercoagulability, hypofibrinolysis, microthrombosis, and endothelial dysfunction leading to multiple organ failure. However, not all studies reported benefit from anticoagulation for patients with severe sepsis, and time courses of coagulation abnormalities in septic shock are poorly documented. Therefore, the aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to describe the coagulation profile of patients with septic shock and to determine whether alterations of the profile are associated with hospital mortality.

Methods

Thirty-nine patients with septic shock on ICU admission were prospectively included in the study. From admission to day 7, analytical coagulation tests, thrombin generation (TG) assays, and thromboelastometric analyses were performed and tested for association with survival.

Results

Patients with septic shock presented on admission prolongation of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), increased consumption of most procoagulant factors as well as both delay and deficit in TG, all compatible with a hypocoagulable state compared with reference values (P?P?=?0.007) and persistence of TG deficit (P?=?0.024) on day 3 were strong predictors of mortality, independently from disease severity scores, disseminated intravascular coagulation score, and standard coagulation tests on admission.

Conclusions

Patients with septic shock present with hypocoagulability at the time of ICU admission. Persistence of hypocoagulability assessed by prolonged aPTT and unresolving deficit in TG on day 3 after onset of septic shock is associated with greater hospital mortality.     

Early adaptive immune suppression in children with septic shock: a prospective observational study

Introduction

Innate immune suppression occurs commonly in pediatric critical illness, in which it is associated with adverse outcomes. Less is known about the adaptive immune response in critically ill children with sepsis. We designed a single-center prospective, observational study to test the hypothesis that children with septic shock would have decreased adaptive immune function compared with healthy children and that among children with sepsis, lower adaptive immune function would be associated with the development of persistent infection or new nosocomial infection.

Methods

Children (18 years or younger) who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with septic shock (by International Consensus Criteria) were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were taken within 48 hours of sepsis onset and again on Day 7 of illness. Adaptive immune function was assessed with ex vivo phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced cytokine production capacity of isolated CD4⁺ T cells. Percentage of regulatory T cells was measured with flow cytometry. Absolute lymphocyte counts were recorded when available.

Results

In total, 22 children with septic shock and eight healthy controls were enrolled. Compared with those from healthy children, CD4⁺ T cells isolated from septic shock children on Days 1 to 2 of illness and stimulated with PHA produced less of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) (P = 0.002), and the antiinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 (P = 0.03) and IL-10 (P = 0.02). Among septic shock children, those who went on to develop persistent or nosocomial infection had decreased T-cell ex vivo PHA-induced production of IFN-γ (P = 0.01), IL-2 (P = 0.01), IL-4 (P = 0.008), and IL-10 (P = 0.001) compared with septic shock children who did not. Percentage of regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^lo) did not differ among groups.

Conclusions

Adaptive immune suppression may occur early in the course of pediatric septic shock and is associated with adverse infection-related outcomes.     

Incidence and prognostic impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with septic shock: a prospective observational study

Introduction  

Since data regarding new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in septic shock patients are scarce, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and prognostic impact of new-onset AF in this patient group.     

Withdrawing and withholding life support in the intensive care unit: a Spanish prospective multi-centre observational study

OBJECTIVE: To determine how frequently life support is withheld or withdrawn from adult critically ill patients, and how physicians and patients families agree on the decision regarding the limitation of life support. DESIGN: Prospective multi-centre cohort study. SETTING: Six adult medical-surgical Spanish intensive care units (ICUs). PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand four hundred ninety-eight consecutive patients admitted to six ICUs were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Data collected included age, sex, SAPS II score on admission and within 24 h of the decision to limit treatment, length of ICU stay, outcome at ICU discharge, cause and mode of death, time to death after the decision to withhold or withdraw life support, consultation and agreement with patient's family regarding withholding or withdrawal, and the modalities of therapies withdrawn or withheld. Two hundred twenty-six (6.6%) of 3,498 patients had therapy withheld or withdrawn and 221 of them died in the ICU. Age, SAPS II and length of ICU stay were significantly higher in patients dying patients who had therapy withheld or withdrawn than in patients dying despite active treatment. The proposal to withhold or withdraw life support was initiated by physicians in 210 (92.9%) of 226 patients and by the family in the remaining cases. The patient's family was not involved in the decision to withhold or withdraw life support therapy in 64 (28.3%) of 226 cases. Only 21 (9%) patients had expressed their wish to decline life-prolonging therapy prior to ICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: The withholding and withdrawing of treatment was frequent in critically ill patients and was initiated primarily by physicians.     

Significance of new-onset prolonged sinus tachycardia in a medical intensive care unit: a prospective observational study

Objective

Few data are available on sinus tachycardia among medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We investigated new critical illnesses related to new-onset prolonged sinus tachycardia (NOPST) and the relationship of NOPST with ICU mortality.

Methods

The heart rate (HR) of all enrolled patients was monitored hourly over a 12-month period, and NOPST was defined as sinus tachycardia (>100 beats/min) with an increase in HR of more than 20% from the baseline value lasting longer than 6 hours.

Results

Among the 522 patients enrolled, the average mean HR was 96.1 ± 18.4 beats/min. Fifty-two (10.0%) patients met the criteria for NOPST; pneumonia, delirium, septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, catheter-related infections, and mechanical ventilator–related problems were related to the occurrence of NOPST. The ICU mortality rate in patients with a NOPST duration of more than 72 hours was higher compared with other patients with NOPST (60.0% vs 18.5%; P = .002). A high daily mean HR rather than NOPST was a significant predictor of ICU mortality (odds ratio, 1.415; 95% confidence interval, 1.177-1.700).

Conclusions

Although NOPST was not associated with ICU mortality, it indicates the presence of new critical events in the medical ICU setting.     

Comparison of shock reversal with high or low dose hydrocortisone in intensive care unit patients with septic shock: A retrospective cohort study

PurposeThis study aims to describe differences in shock reversal between hydrocortisone 200 mg and 300 mg per day dosing regimens in patients with septic shock.MethodsThis is a multi-center retrospective study including patients admitted to intensive care units with septic shock receiving vasopressors and hydrocortisone between 2013 and 2018. We compared patients who received low dose hydrocortisone (50 mg every 6 h) versus high dose hydrocortisone (100 mg every 8 h) on the primary outcome of shock reversal.Results319 patients (low dose group, n = 134 and high dose group, n = 185) were included. In the multivariate regression model, high-dose steroids were associated with shock reversal [OR (95% CI) = 2.278 (1.063–4.880), p = 0.034]. This was not confirmed in the propensity score matched analysis [OR (95% CI) =2.202 (0.892–5.437), p = 0.087]. High dose steroids were associated with a lower need for additional vasopressor therapy (22% vs. 34%, p = 0.012) and lower shock recurrence (6.7% vs. 16%, p = 0.013), which was confirmed with propensity score matching.ConclusionsLow and high dose hydrocortisone have similar rates of shock reversal in septic shock patients. Hydrocortisone 100 mg every 8 h may reduce rates of recurrence of shock and reduce the need for additional vasopressors.     

Exercise is feasible in patients receiving vasoactive medication in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit: A prospective observational study

BackgroundPatients may require vasoactive medication after cardiac surgery. The effect and safety profile of exercise on haemodynamic parameters in these patients is unclear.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to measure the effect of upright positioning and low-level exercise on haemodynamic parameters in patients after cardiac surgery who were receiving vasoactive therapy and to determine the incidence of adverse events.MethodsThis was a prospective, single-centre, observational study conducted in an adult intensive care unit of a tertiary, cardiothoracic university–affiliated hospital in Australia. The Flotrac-Vigileo™ system was used to measure haemodynamic changes, including cardiac output, cardiac index, and stroke volume. Normally distributed variables are presented as n (%) and mean (standard deviation), and non-normally distributed variables are presented as median [interquartile range].ResultsThere were a total of 20 participants: 16 (80%) male, with a mean age of 65.9 (10.6) years. Upright positioning caused significant increases (p = 0.018) in the mean arterial pressure (MAP), with MAP readings increasing from baseline (supine), from 72.31 (11.91) mmHg to 77.44 (9.55) mmHg when back in supine. There were no clinically significant changes in cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, or cardiac index with upright positioning. The incidence of adverse events was low (5%). The adverse event was transient hypotension of low severity.ConclusionsLow-level exercise in patients after cardiac surgery receiving vasoactive medication was well tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events and led to significant increases in MAP. Upright positioning and low-level exercise appeared safe and feasible in this patient cohort.