感染性休克患者预后与早期血乳酸清除率的关系

目的:探讨感染性休克患者早期血乳酸清除率与预后的关系。方法:回顾性分析重症监护病房感染性休克患者56例的APACHEⅡ评分、入ICU 6 h后动脉血乳酸清除率及预后。分别将患者分成存活组(33例)和死亡组(23例),高乳酸清除率组(6 h乳酸清除率≥10%)和低乳酸清除率组(6 h乳酸清除率10%),比较各组间的差异。结果:各组年龄、性别、APACHEⅡ评分和基础血乳酸值差异无统计学意义。存活组乳酸清除率明显高于死亡组[(29.8±15.0)%vs(9.7±8.6)%,P0.05];高乳酸清除率组病死率均明显低于低乳酸清除率组(11.5%vs44.0%,P0.01)。结论:早期乳酸清除率≥10%能准确评估感染性休克患者的预后。     

43例感染性休克患者血流动力学与血乳酸的变化监测

目的观察43例感染性休克患者在早期目标治疗(EDTA)前后血流动力学与血乳酸的变化。方法将43例感染性休克患者分为存活组及死亡组,存活组30例,死亡组13例。并选择同期类似病种无休克患者31例为对照组。分别于诊断即刻、6h、12h、24h测定心率(HR)、血压(BP)、尿量(UV)、中心静脉压(CVP)、血乳酸(Lac),计算平均动脉压(MAP)。结果感染性休克患者在入院初始CVP、MAP较对照组显著降低,HR明显增快,尿量减少,Lac显著升高;经EDTA方案治疗,各组的CVP值明显升高,HR下降,MAP回升,但死亡组在6h仍未至60mmHg;死亡组血乳酸值较存活组明显升高,经积极治疗仍无明显改善;各组尿量在治疗初始均有改善,死亡组在24h后随MAP恶化明显减少。结论感染性休克患者存在血乳酸增高,外周血管扩张,有效循环血量减少,组织灌注差的特点,经积极的治疗存活组较快达标,而死亡组各指标恶化,故血流动力学指标及时的监测对预后的判断及临床治疗指导具有一定价值。     

联合应用氨力农和多巴胺治疗感染性休克患者的临床体会

目的评价联合应用氨力农和多巴胺治疗感染性休克患者右心室功能不全的临床疗效.方法40例感染性休克患者,随机分为两组,A组18例患者给予多巴胺2～5μg@kg-1@min-1持续静脉滴注,B组22例患者行氨力农10μg@kg-1@min-1联合多巴胺2～5μg@kg-1@min-1持续静脉滴注,运用REF-1TM右心功能监测仪,观测治疗前及72h后患者右心室射血分数(RVEF)、肺血管阻力指数(PVRI)、中心静脉压(CVP)、右心室舒张末容积指数(RVED-VI)、心排指数(CI)、肺动脉嵌压(PAWP)和右心室作功指数(RCWI)的变化;运用Seldinger技术,结合HP监护仪,观测治疗前后收缩期动脉血压(SBP)的变化.结果与治疗前相比,B组患者RVEF和RCWI显著增加,PVRI和RVEDVI明显下降,CI下降,SBP升高,CVP和PAWP无显著性改变;A组患者除收缩压明显升高外,其余指标均无显著性变化.两组患者死亡率分别为33.33%(6/18)对13.64%(3/22),P＜0.05.结论联合应用氨力农和多巴胺可迅速纠正患者的休克状态,改善右心室功能不全,降低患者死亡率.     

感染性休克患者预后与血乳酸清除率的临床研究

目的 探讨感染性休克患者早期乳酸清除率与预后的关系。方法 回顾性研究我院重症监护病房感染性休克患者56 例，收集其APACHE II评分、入ICU 6 h 后动脉血乳酸清除率及患者预后。分别将患者分成存活组和死亡组，高乳酸清除率组（6 h 乳酸清除率＞10%）和低乳酸清除率组（6 h 乳酸清除率＜10%），比较各组间的差异。结果 各组年龄、性别、APACHEII评分和基础血乳酸值差异无统计学意义。存活组乳酸清除率明显高于死亡组 [（29.83±14.96）% vs （9.74±8.61）%，P ＜0.01]；高乳酸清除率组病死率均明显低于低乳酸清除率组 （11.49% vs44.00%，P ＜0.01）。结论 早期乳酸清除率＞10%能准确评估感染性休克休克患者的预后。     

乳酸清除率在老年危重病人中的临床应用

目的探讨乳酸清除率可否作为脓毒性休克早期液体复苏的氧输送目标及其与患者预后的关系。方法选取老年脓毒性休克患者60例,随机分成两组,两组均依次达到早期复苏目标中心静脉压(CVP)及平均动脉压(MAP),所有病人均监测乳酸,实验组以乳酸清除率10%为氧输送目标,对照组以中心静脉或混合静脉血氧饱和度即Scv O270%为氧输送目标。上述试验完成后所有病人再次回顾性依照乳酸清除率分为高乳酸清除率组及低乳酸清除率组,比较两组患者的多器官功能不全(MODS)的发生率及病死率。结果 60例采用早期目标定向治疗方案治疗6 h均达标,乳酸清除率组及中心静脉(上腔静脉)血氧饱和度组患者输液总量及输液种类差异无统计学意义(P0.05),28 d死亡率及ICU住院天数无差别(P0.05)。而高乳酸清除率组的MODS发生率及病死率均明显低于低乳酸清除率组(P0.01)。结论血乳酸清除率可作为老年脓毒性休克早期液体复苏有效的临床监测指标。早期乳酸清除率可作为判断脓毒症休克患者预后的一个指标。     

联合应用氨力农和多巴胺治疗感染性休克患者的临床体会

目的:评价联合应用氨力农和多巴胺治疗感染性休克患者右心室功能不全的临床疗效。方法:40例感染性休克患者,随机分为两组,A组18例患者给予多巴胺2～5μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1)持续静脉滴注,B组22例患者行氨力农10μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1)联合多巴胺2～5μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1)持续静脉滴注,运用REF-1~(TM)右心功能监测仪,观测治疗前及72h后患者右心室射血分数(RVEF)、肺血管阻力指数(PVRI)、中心静脉压(CVP)、右心室舒张末容积指数(RVEDVI)、心排指数(CI)、肺动脉嵌压(PAWP)和右心室作功指数(RCWI)的变化;运用Seldinger技术,结合HP监护仪,观测治疗前后收缩期动脉血压(SBP)的变化。结果:与治疗前相比,B组患者RVEF和RCWI显著增加,PVRI和RVEDVI明显下降,CI下降,SBP升高,CVP和PAWP无显著性改变;A组患者除收缩压明显升高外,其余指标均无显著性变化。两组患者死亡率分别为33.33％(6/18)对13.64％(3/22),P<0.05。结论:联合应用氨力农和多巴胺可迅速纠正患者的休克状态,改善右心室功能不全,降低患者死亡率。     

急性心肌梗死心源性休克常用前负荷评估指标准确性的探讨

目的对比研究利用脉搏指示持续心输出量监测仪(PiCCO)获得的容量负荷指标胸腔内血容量指数(ITB-VI)及全心舒张末期容量指数(GEDVI)能否较中心静脉压(CVP)及肺动脉楔压(PAOP)更准确地评估急性心肌梗死心源性休克患者的前负荷状态。方法 8例急性心肌梗死心源性休克患者气管插管呼吸机支持,设置潮气量8ml/kg、呼气末正压(PEEP)5～8cmH2O,充分镇痛镇静。留置Swan-Ganz、PiCCO导管,监测血流动力学,PAOP>20mmHg纳入试验,每6小时为一研究周期,PAOP下降、血流动力学无明显恶化者,再次监测血流动力学,对结果进行统计分析。结果①SVI与CVP、PA0P负相关,r分别为-0.46和-0.49(P<0.05);SVI与GEDVI、ITBVI的r分别为0.35和0.37,P>0.05,相关性不显著;②CVP及PA0P的变化率较GEDVI及ITBVI的变化率大(F为19.26,P<0.01,差异有统计学意义)。结论 PiCCO容量负荷指标ITBVI及GEDVI用于评估急性心肌梗死心源性休克患者的前负荷状态有一定缺陷,而压力负荷指标CVP及PAOP的准确性、敏感性较高。     

中心静脉血氧饱和度联合中心静脉-动脉血二氧化碳分压差指导感染性休克液体复苏

目的:研究中心静脉血氧饱和度(Scv O_2)联合中心静脉-动脉血二氧化碳分压差[P(cv-a)CO_2]在指导感染性休克患者液体复苏的意义。方法:选取108例外科感染性休克患者,随机分为对照组(以Scv O_2为目标)和治疗组[以Scv O_2+P(cv-a)CO_2为目标]各54例,给予抗生素治疗的同时积极进行液体复苏,观察2组患者28 d病死率、机械通气时间、住ICU时间、肺水肿发生率等临床指标。结果:对照组28 d病死率、机械通气时间、住ICU时间、6 h平均入液量分别为27.8%、(35.6±10.9)d、(51.8±8.4)d、(2539±615)m L;治疗组分别为18.5%、(25.3±8.8)d、(42.0±11.3)d、(3140±701)m L。治疗组均优于对照组(均P0.05);2组患者MAP、CVP、Scv O_2、乳酸清除率、CI均较治疗前明显升高,而SCr明显降低(P0.05);治疗组MAP、CVP、Scv O_2、乳酸清除率、CI均较对照组高,而SCr较对照组低(均P0.05);对照组使用去甲肾上腺素(15.6±4.1)mg,多巴酚丁胺(110.4±40.9)mg;治疗组使用去甲肾上腺素(12.1±2.3)mg,多巴酚丁胺(90.3±38.2)mg;治疗组使用的药物剂量明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组的肺水肿发生率明显低于对照组(20.4%vs 24.1%,P0.05)。结论:Scv O_2联合P(cv-a)CO_2用于指导感染性休克患者液体复苏,较单纯使用Scv O_2更有价值。     

肺动脉导管在感染性休克中的应用价值

目的探讨肺动脉导管在感染性休克中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析2001-2006年问北京协和医院加强医疗科收治的经初步复苏后放置肺动脉导管（PAC）的70例感染性休克患者的临床资料,记录放置PAC初始与24h后血流动力学参数、乳酸、APACHEⅡ评分及28d住院生存状况。结果70例患者中存活28例,死亡42例,28d总住院病死率为60％。初始血流动力学参数中,心率、血乳酸水平、APACHEⅡ评分死亡者显著高于存活者;24h血流动力学参数中,平均动脉压（MAP）死亡者显著低于存活者,肺动脉嵌压（PAWP）、血乳酸水平、APACHEⅡ评分死亡者显著高于存活者,其他指标存活者与死亡者比较差异无统计学意义。死亡者中有15例患者接受了超剂量的去甲肾上腺素治疗,7例接受了超剂量的多巴胺治疗。初始和24h是否达到超常氧输送、早期目标指导性血流动力学支持治疗（EGDT）目标,病死率差异无统计学意义。多重线性回归分析显示,24h MAP、24h PAWP为独立预后指标。结论感染性休克患者经初步复苏后采用PAC监测未显示出存活者与死亡者初始血流动力学特征存在差异,24h后死亡者的PAWP高于存活者。存活者与死亡者问是否存在全身血流动力学特征差异,不是应用PAC的基础,其监测价值应在于平衡高动力循环需求与心功能抑制间的关系。     

中心静脉压评估感染性休克患者容量反应性的应用

目的 探讨中心静脉压(CVP)评估感染性休克患者容量反应性的作用.方法 对入选的66例感染性休克患者行容量负荷试验,以提高患者CVP 2 mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133 kPa)为目标,心脏指数(CI)≥300 ml·min-1·m-2为有反应者(有反应组),CI<300 ml·min-1·m-2为无反应者(无反应组).CVP由上腔静脉导管测量,全心舒张末容积指数(CEDVI)、胸腔内血容量指数(ITBVI)、每搏输出量指数(SVI)、CI经肺热稀释法和脉搏指示连续心排血量技术(PiCCO)测量.结果 (1)初始CVP有反应组明显低于无反应组,初始CVP用于诊断容量反应性有意义(P<0.05),其中CVP=11 mill Hg时敏感度为0.884,特异度为0.601.(2)有反应组与无反应组比较,初始ITBVI、GEDVI、CI、收缩压、舒张压、平均动脉压、心率差异无统计学意义.容量负荷试验前后,有反应组与无反应组比较,△ITBVI、△GEDVI、△CI、△SVI差异有统计学意义,△ITBVI、△GEDVI用于诊断容量反应性有意义.(3)CVP≤11 mm Hg者与CVP>11 mm Hg者比较,初始ITBVI、GEDVI差异无统计学意义.容量负荷试验前后,CVP≤11 mm Hg者与CVP>11 mm Hg者比较,△ITBVI、△GEDVI差异有统计学意义.结论 (1)用CVP评估感染性休克患者容量反应性有指导意义,但CVP >11 mm Hg时患者对容量负荷试验有反应的可能性较小;(2)与CVP相比,初始ITBVI、GEDVI评估感染性休克患者容量反应性无明确优势,当CVP无法良好预测容量反应性时△ITBVI、△GEDVI有指导意义.     

Arterial norepinephrine changes in patients with septic shock.

Arterial, mixed venous (pulmonary arterial), and peripheral venous norepinephrine and epinephrine levels; hemodynamics; and blood lactate levels were measured in 28 patients with septic shock (16 men and 12 women). During hospital follow-up, 18 patients (64%) died of circulatory failure. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters or initial blood lactate levels between survivors and nonsurvivors. Initial arterial, mixed venous, and peripheral venous norepinephrine levels were elevated above normal in both survivors and nonsurvivors. However, norepinephrine levels at all three sampling sites were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors. Arterial or mixed venous norepinephrine level was better than peripheral venous norepinephrine level in distinguishing survivors from nonsurvivors. In contrast, the differences in plasma epinephrine levels between survivors and nonsurvivors became significantly different only after 48 hr of follow-up. During 60 degrees head-up tilt, the increase in plasma norepinephrine level was significantly higher in survivors compared to non-survivors, suggesting a differential response in the sympathetic nervous system in the two groups of patients. These data suggest that measurement of arterial or mixed venous plasma norepinephrine levels may be a useful guide for assessing the clinical course of patients in septic shock. Moreover, the differences in the sympathetic nervous system response to a 60 degree tilt may predict a poor outcome in these patients.     

Blood lactate levels are superior to oxygen-derived variables in predicting outcome in human septic shock

Recent reports have shown that oxygen delivery (Do2) and oxygen uptake (Vo2) could be related to outcome of critically ill patients. In this study, we examined measurements of cardiac output, oxygen-derived variables, and blood lactate levels in 48 patients with documented septic shock. There were 27 survivors and 21 nonsurvivors from the shock episode. For all 174 observations, there was a significant linear relationship between Vo2 and Do2 (Vo2 = 79 + 0.17 x Do2, r = 0.64, p less than 0.001). There were no significant differences in Do2 between survivors and nonsurvivors at the onset of septic shock (mean +/- SD, 540 +/- 219 vs 484 +/- 222 ml/min.m2, NS) or in the final phase of septic shock (506 +/- 163 vs 443 +/- 187 ml/min.m2, NS). Also, no significant differences were found in Vo2 and oxygen extraction between survivors and nonsurvivors. However, survivors had significantly lower blood lactate levels both initially (5.1 +/- 2.7 vs 8.2 +/- 5.4 mmol/L, p less than 0.05) and in the final phase of septic shock (2.6 +/- 1.9 vs 7.7 +/- 5.6 mmol/L, p less than 0.001). Only the survivors had a significant decrease in blood lactate levels during the course of septic shock (p less than 0.001). We conclude that the oxygen-derived variables, Do2 and Vo2, cannot be used as prognostic indicators in human septic shock. In contrast, blood lactate levels are closely related to ultimate survival from septic shock. Furthermore, decreases in blood lactate levels during the course of septic shock could indicate a favorable outcome. Therefore, blood lactate levels can serve as a reliable clinical guide to therapy.     

Veno-arterial carbon dioxide gradient in human septic shock.

Recent reports have shown that venous hypercarbia, resulting in a widening of the veno-arterial difference in PCO2 (dPCO2), is related to systemic hypoperfusion in various forms of low-flow state. Although septic shock usually is a hyperdynamic state, other factors can influence the CO2 production and elimination, and thus dPCO2 in septic shock This study examined the dPCO2 and acid-base balance together with cardiac output measurements and oxygen-derived variables in 64 adult patients with documented septic shock. For a total of 191 observations, a significant exponential relation between dPCO2 and CO was found. At time of first measurement, 15 patients had an increased dPCO2 (above 6 mm Hg) and a higher mixed venous PCO2 (PvCO2) (47.2 +/- 10.0 vs 35.9 +/- 7.3 mm Hg, p less than 0.001). These patients had a lower cardiac index (2.9 +/- 1.3 vs 3.8 +/- 2.0 L/min.m2, p less than 0.01), a higher oxygen extraction ratio, but a similar VO2 than patients with normal dPCO2. The higher dPCO2 could also be related to an impaired CO2 elimination as indicated by a higher PaCO2 and a lower PaO2/FIO2 in these patients. Nonsurvivors had a significantly higher dPCO2 than survivors (5.9 +/- 3.4 vs 4.4 +/- 2.3 mm Hg, p less than 0.05) in the presence of similar cardiac output. The higher dPCO2 in these patients was probably related to the higher blood lactate levels (7.7 +/- 5.3 mmol/L vs 4.5 +/- 2.8 mmol/L, p less than 0.01) and the more severe pulmonary impairment (SaO2 90 +/- 8 percent vs 95 +/- 4 percent, p less than 0.001). Arteriovenous oxygen content difference (dAVO2) and VO2 were similar in survivors and nonsurvivors. In conclusion, dPCO2 patients with septic shock is related principally to cardiac output but apparently also to the degree of pulmonary impairment. Although dPCO2 is larger in nonsurvivors, its prognostic value is modest.     

Right ventricular dysfunction and dilatation, similar to left ventricular changes, characterize the cardiac depression of septic shock in humans

Septic shock in humans is usually characterized by a high cardiac output, a low systemic vascular resistance, reversible depression of left ventricular ejection fraction, and transient left ventricular dilatation. The relationship of left ventricular to right ventricular function in septic shock is poorly understood. To evaluate right ventricular vs left ventricular performance and to evaluate the relation of biventricular performance to survival, we performed serial hemodynamic and radionuclide angiographic studies in 39 patients with septic shock. Right ventricular ejection fraction was calculated using the two regions of interest method. There were 22 survivors and 17 nonsurvivors. Comparing initial with final (after recovery for survivors; within 24 hours of death for nonsurvivors) studies, each survivor's cardiovascular performance returned toward normal, with significant increases in mean arterial pressure, left and right ventricular ejection fraction, and right ventricular stroke work index. Their profiles also demonstrated significant decreases in central venous pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, pulmonary artery mean pressure, and left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume indices. From initial to final study in the nonsurvivors, there was a statistically significant increase in heart rate but no change in any other cardiovascular parameter, indicating a persistence of the initial cardiovascular dysfunction until death. Comparing serial studies, the pattern of change in right vs left ventricular function was very similar (same direction in 82 percent of patients). Thus, myocardial depression in human septic shock affects both ventricles simultaneously with a similar pattern of dysfunction.     

Lactate Clearance Is Associated With Improved Survival in Cardiogenic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Factor Studies

ObjectiveElevated blood lactate levels are strongly associated with mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock. Recent evidence suggests that the degree and rate at which blood lactate levels decrease after the initiation of treatment may be equally important in patient prognosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the usefulness of lactate clearance as a prognostic factor in cardiogenic shock.Methods and ResultsWe performed searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier EMBASE, EBM Reviews–Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science to identify studies comparing lactate clearance between survivors and nonsurvivors at one or more timepoints. Both prospective and retrospective studies were eligible for inclusion. Two study investigators independently screened, extracted data, and assessed the quality of all included studies. Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. The median lactate clearance at 6–8 hours was 21.9% (interquartile range [IQR] 14.6%–42.1%) in survivors and 0.6% (IQR –3.7% to 14.6%) in nonsurvivors. At 24 hours, the median lactate clearance was 60.7% (IQR 58.1%–76.3%) and 40.3% (IQR 30.2%–55.8%) in survivors and nonsurvivors, respectively. Accordingly, the pooled mean difference in lactate clearance between survivors and nonsurvivors at 6–8 hours was 17.3% (95% CI 11.6%–23.1%, P < .001) at 6–8 hours and 27.9% (95% CI 14.1%–41.7%, P < .001) at 24 hours.ConclusionsSurvivors had significantly greater lactate clearance at 6–8 hours and at 24 hours compared with nonsurvivors, suggesting that lactate clearance is an important prognostic marker in cardiogenic shock.     

Coronary hemodynamics and myocardial metabolism of lactate, free fatty acids, glucose, and ketones in patients with septic shock

To investigate disturbances in the coronary circulation and myocardial metabolism during septic shock, we examined coronary sinus blood flow and myocardial substrate extraction in 40 patients with septic shock and 13 control patients. Patients with coronary artery disease were excluded from this study. The global hemodynamic pattern of the septic patients was characterized by a lower stroke volume, despite an elevated cardiac index. Coronary sinus blood flow was high (187 +/- 47 vs 130 +/- 21 ml/min in the control group, p less than .001) due to marked coronary vasodilation, especially in the subgroup of nonsurvivors. In contrast to the control group, myocardial lactate uptake was elevated, while that of free fatty acids, glucose, and ketone bodies was diminished in patients with septic shock. These findings were especially prominent in the nonsurvivors. Expressed as oxygen equivalents, the contribution of free fatty acids as an energy source of the myocardium was markedly diminished in septic patients (12% vs 54% in the control group, p less than .005), while that of lactate was increased (36% vs 12%, p less than .01). The observed shift in myocardial substrate extraction was associated with a discrepancy between measured myocardial oxygen consumption and that calculated chemically from commonly available exogenous substrates: 41% of myocardial oxygen consumption was not explained by the utilization of commonly available substrates extracted from coronary circulation in all patients with septic shock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

血管外肺水指数对感染性休克患者预后的评价

目的评价血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)对感染性休克患者预后判断的意义。方法选收住在ICU的感染性休克患者,右颈内静脉置管接PiCCO温度探头,用PiCCO监测其EVLWI,记录每日液体用量,用受试者操作特征曲线(ROC)评价各指标对预后评价的准确性。结果(1)共50例感染性休克患者入选本研究,26例患者住院期间病情好转存活(存活组),24例病情恶化死亡(死亡组)。(2)置管时的EVLWI存活组与死亡组差异无统计学意义(P=0.551);置管第3天的EVLWI存活组显著低于死亡组(P=0.001)。将50例患者置管第3天的EVLWI按0~7ml/kg、8~14ml/kg、>14ml/kg进行分层,病死率分别为25%、41.7%、10/10。(3)置管第1天、前3d的液体平衡,存活组与死亡组差异有统计学意义(P=0.000,0.000)。液体负平衡者病死率低。(4)ROC曲线置管第3天的EVLWI的AUC为0.740±0.072。置管第3天的EVLWI>7.5ml/kg时,预后评价的敏感性为83.3%,特异性为53.8%。结论动态观察感染性休克患者EVLWI,可作为预后评价的指标之一。如治疗早期EVLWI明显下降,液体呈负平衡,预后可能较好。     

Assessment of cardiac index in anemic patients

STUDY OBJECTIVES: During isovolemic hemodilution, healthy individuals maintain oxygen consumption VO2 by identical increases in cardiac index (CI) and oxygen extraction ratio (O(2)ER). In critically ill patients, the relationship between CI and O(2)ER may be different. Patients with an altered cardiac function may have a decreased CI/O(2)ER ratio, whereas patients with sepsis may have an increased CI/O(2)ER ratio. We hypothesized that the analysis of the CI-O(2)ER relationship could help us to assess the adequacy of cardiac function in critically ill patients with anemia. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Thirty-one-bed medicosurgical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty patients equipped with arterial and Swan-Ganz catheters presenting with anemia, which was defined as a hemoglobin level < or = 10 g/dL in the absence of active bleeding. Patients were classified into those with compromised cardiac function (group 1; n = 40), and those with normal cardiac function (group 2; n = 20). Measurements and results: In addition to the pertinent clinical data, initial hemodynamic measurements, including pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), CI, and O(2)ER, were collected in all patients at the onset of anemia. As anticipated, group 1 patients (n = 40) had lower CIs, higher O(2)ER levels, and lower CI/O(2)ER ratios than group 2 patients. However, there was no significant difference in PAOP values between the groups. The CI/O(2)ER ratio was < 10 in 27 of 40 group 1 patients but only in 4 of 20 group 2 patients. Of these latter four patients, three were found to be hypovolemic, and one patient with sepsis had severe myocardial depression. There was no statistically significant difference in PAOP in group 2 patients with or without hypovolemia ([mean +/- SD] 12.3+/-2.1 mm Hg) vs 13.7+/-4.3 mm Hg; p = 0.21). In group 1, survivors had a higher CI and CI/O(2)ER ratio than nonsurvivors. In group 2, however, such a relationship did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between CI and O(2)ER level can help interpret the CI in anemic patients. In anemic patients with no cardiac history, a low CI/O(2)ER ratio (< 10) suggests hypovolemia even when CI is not depressed.     

Adrenal insufficiency in meningococcal sepsis: bioavailable cortisol levels and impact of interleukin-6 levels and intubation with etomidate on adrenal function and mortality

CONTEXT: Adequate adrenal function is pivotal to survive meningococcal sepsis. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate adrenocortical function in meningococcal disease. DESIGN: This was an observational cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university-affiliated pediatric intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Sixty children with meningococcal sepsis or septic shock participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The differences in adrenal function between nonsurvivors (n = 8), shock survivors (n = 43), and sepsis survivors (n = 9) on pediatric intensive care unit admission were measured. RESULTS: Nonsurvivors had significantly lower median cortisol to ACTH ratio than shock survivors and sepsis survivors. Because cortisol binding globulin and albumin levels did not significantly differ among the groups, bioavailable cortisol levels were also significantly lower in nonsurvivors than sepsis survivors. Nonsurvivors had significantly lower cortisol to 11-deoxycortisol ratios but not lower 11-deoxycortisol to 17-hydroxyprogesterone ratios than survivors. Using multiple regression analysis, decreased cortisol to ACTH ratio was significantly related to higher IL-6 levels and intubation with etomidate (one single bolus), whereas decreased cortisol to 11-deoxycortisol ratio was significantly related only to intubation with etomidate. Aldosterone levels tended to be higher in nonsurvivors than shock survivors, whereas plasma renin activity did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the most severely ill children with septic shock had signs of adrenal insufficiency. Bioavailable cortisol levels were not more informative on adrenal function than total cortisol levels. Besides disease severity, one single bolus of etomidate during intubation was related to decreased adrenal function and 11beta-hydroxylase activity. Decreased adrenal function was not related to decreased 21-hydroxylase activity. Based on our results, it seems of vital importance to take considerable caution using etomidate and consider combining its administration with glucocorticoids during intubation of children with septic shock.