白细胞、血小板以及血清白蛋白水平对老年脓毒症预后的评估价值

目的探讨WBC、中性粒细胞百分比(N%)、PLT以及血清白蛋白(ALB)水平对老年脓毒症病人预后的评估价值。方法回顾性研究2014年1月至2018年9月期间入住南京医科大学附属老年医院ICU的脓毒症病人104例,收集病人入院时、入院第3天以及第7天WBC、PLT、N%以及ALB水平,并根据病人28 d预后分为死亡组以及存活组,采用多因素回归分析筛选脓毒症病人死亡的危险因素。结果存活组病人入院时APACHEⅡ评分明显低于死亡组(P=0.006);存活组WBC计数在第3天和第7天较第1天明显下降(P<0.01),N%在第7天较第1天明显下降(P<0.01),第3天和第7天的血清ALB水平较第1天上升(P<0.01);死亡组第3天及第7天的WBC、N%水平均明显高于存活组(P<0.05),PLT、ALB水平低于存活组(P<0.05)。入院后第7天,N%预测生存的敏感度为69.7%,特异度为75.0%,PLT水平预测生存的敏感度为88.2%,特异度为40.6%。结论血细胞水平与老年脓毒症病人预后具有一定相关性,WBC及N%升高、PLT及血清ALB水平降低均增加脓毒...     

脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡的影响因素及炎症因子水平对预后评估的价值北大核心CSCD

目的分析脓毒症致急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者死亡的影响因素及炎症因子水平对预后评估的价值。方法收集2019年2月—2021年2月在本院ICU接受治疗的100例脓毒症致ARDS患者的临床资料,按照28 d后的预后情况将其分为存活组(62例)和死亡组(38例),分析影响患者死亡的因素及其炎症因子水平对预后评估的价值。结果ARDS患者入住ICU 28 d后脓毒症所致的病死率为38%。脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、PaO_(2)/Fi_(2)、有无吸烟史、是否合理使用抗菌药物情况有关(P<0.05或P<0.01),与性别、年龄、BMI、饮酒史、入住ICU时间以及有创机械通气时间等因素无显著相关性(均P>0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,APACHEⅡ评分是脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。与存活组患者比较,死亡组患者的C-反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)以及IL-6等炎症指标水平均显著升高(均P<0.01);WBC和IL-10水平两组间比较差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。受试者工作曲线(ROC)显示,CRP、PCT和IL-6等炎症指标的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)均>0.7,约登指数PCT>IL-6>CRP。PCT预测脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡的敏感性为97.40%,特异性为82.30%,AUC为0.962,优于CRP及IL-6。结论脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分、Pa_(2)/Fi_(2)、有无吸烟史以及是否合理使用抗菌药物有一定关系,其中APACHEⅡ评分是脓毒症致ARDS患者死亡的独立影响因素。CRP、PCT和IL-6等炎症指标水平与脓毒症致ARDS患者的预后相关,其中PCT对毒症症致ARDS患者预后评估具有一定价值。     

PCT诊断危重感染临床分析

【】 目的 探讨降钙素原(PCT)在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中的价值。方法 选取本院重症监护病房(ICU)2012年2月～2015年7月收治的139例脓毒症患者作为研究对象,根据患者入住ICU 24h内的基本情况将患者分为脓毒症组47例、严重脓毒症组54例和脓毒症休克组38例,分别对比三组患者的血清PCT水平、急性生理与慢性健康评分(APACHEⅡ)、全身性感染相关气管衰竭评分(SOFA)等指标,并根据患者治疗结局分为存活组和死亡组进行亚组分析。结果 入住ICU 24h内,脓毒症患者的PCT、WBC、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分在不同病情分组患者间的水平为脓毒症组<严重脓毒症组<脓毒症休克组患者且差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);入住ICU 24h内,脓毒症患者的PCT水平与患者WBC、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05);ICU期间,存活脓毒症患者的PCT、WBC、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均呈显著的正低于死亡组患者(P<0.05); PCT判断患者预后的最佳临界值为19.84ng/ml,此时的ROC曲线下面积AUC值为0.857,灵敏度为89.27%,特异度为86.34%。结论 PCT在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中具有较高的临床价值。     

血清降钙素原诊断危重感染临床分析

目的:探讨降钙素原(PCT)在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中的价值。方法:选取139例脓毒症患者,根据患者入住ICU 24 h内的病情状况将患者分为脓毒症组47例、严重脓毒症组54例和脓毒症休克组38例,分别比较3组患者的血清PCT水平、急性生理与慢性健康评分(APACHEⅡ)、全身性感染相关器官衰竭评分(SOFA)等指标,并根据患者预后分为存活组和死亡组,进行亚组分析。结果:入住ICU 24 h内,不同病情分组患者的血清PCT、WBC、CRP水平、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分比较(脓毒症组严重脓毒症组脓毒症休克组),差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05);脓毒症患者的血清PCT水平与患者WBC、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均呈显著正相关(均P0.05);存活脓毒症患者的血清PCT、WBC、CRP水平、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分均显著低于死亡组患者(均P0.05);PCT判断患者预后的最佳临界值为19.84 ng/m L,此时的ROC曲线下面积AUC值为0.857,灵敏度为89.27%,特异度为86.34%。结论:血清PCT水平在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中具有较高的临床价值。     

脓毒症并发ARDS患儿血清miR-424和miR-494表达变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨脓毒症并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）患儿血清微小RNA-424(miR-424)、微小RNA-494(miR-494)表达变化及其临床意义。方法 选择脓毒症并发ARDS患儿213例（并发ARDS组），病情程度：轻度54例、中度86例、重度73例，住院28天内临床结局：死亡62例、存活151例。同期另选单纯脓毒症患儿45例（单纯脓毒症组）、体检健康儿童42例（对照组）。所有研究对象入组后采集外周静脉血，离心留取血清，采用RT-qPCR法检测血清miR-424、miR-494表达。比较三组血清miR-424、miR-494表达以及不同病情程度脓毒症并发ARDS患儿血清miR-424、miR-494表达。分析脓毒症并发ARDS患儿血清miR-424、miR-494表达与氧指数（OI）的关系。采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清miR-424、miR-494表达对脓毒症并发ARDS患儿预后不良的预测价值。结果 对照组、单纯脓毒症组、并发ARDS组血清miR-424相对表达量依次降低，血清miR-494相对表达量依次升高（P均<0.01）。随着脓毒症并发ARDS患儿病情加...     

脓毒症患者血清胆红素水平与急性呼吸窘迫综合征发生率及病死率的相关性研究

目的:探讨脓毒症患者血清胆红素水平与急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)发生率和病死率的相关性。方法:收治近3年确诊为脓毒症患者86例。利用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)综合分析胆红素水平对脓毒症并发ARDS患者的诊断价值。应用Logistic回归分析胆红素水平与脓毒症并发ARDS的危险度。结果:ARDS组中,死亡患者入科时总胆红素和直接胆红素水平[(36.1±22.5)μmol/L,(11.2±10.9)μmol/L]均高于存活患者[(26.6±15.1)μmol/L,(8.9±5.2)μmol/L](总胆红素P0.05),死亡患者在诊断ARDS当天血清总胆红素水平明显高于存活组患者[(46.8±18.3)μmol/L vs(33.8±19.2)μmol/L,(P0.05)]。诊断ARDS当天的总胆红素水平对于ARDS的诊断有中等程度的诊断价值(AUC=0.689,P=0.013)。在入住ICU时,血清总胆红素水平每升高1 mg/d L,ARDS发生风险增加51%(OR=1.51,P=0.031),死亡风险增加68%(OR=1.68,P=0.012)。诊断ARDS时,血清总胆红素水平每升高1 mg/d L,死亡风险增加167%(OR=2.67,P=0.008)。结论:脓毒症患者的胆红素水平与ARDS的发生以及病情预后密切相关。     

MicroRNA-155联合MicroRNA-127对急性呼吸窘迫综合征预后的意义

目的分析血清微小核糖核酸-155(MicroRNA-155)联合血清微小核糖核酸-127(MicroRNA-127)对急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)预后的意义。 方法选取2018年6月至2021年5月本院收治的56例ARDS患者为对象。逆转录-聚合酶链反应法(RT-PCR)检测MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127水平。随访28 d,统计ARDS患者生存情况,并依据其预后情况分为死亡组和存活组。对比死亡组和存活组患者的临床资料。Logistic回归分析影响ARDS患者预后的相关因素。绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC),以曲线下面积(AUC)分析血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127及两者联合对ARDS患者预后的预测效能。 结果56例ARDS患者病死率为19.64%%。死亡组病情为重症患者占比、急性生理学及慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分、序贯器官衰竭评估(SOFA)评分、机械通气时间、ICU住院时间、血清MicroRNA-155及MicroRNA-127水平均高于存活组(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析,多因素分析结果显示,ARDS病情为重度、SOFA评分、血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127均为影响ARDS患者预后的独立因素(OR＝3.442、2.878、2.804、3.184,P<0.05)。ROC分析显示,血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127对ARDS患者预后连进行预测的最佳截断点分别为1.24、1.48,两者联合的特异度为95.56%,高于血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127单独进行评估的特异度,且血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127两者联合预测ARDS患者预后的AUC为0.892,高于其单独预测的AUC(P<0.05)。 结论血清MicroRNA-155、MicroRNA-127两者联合对ARDS患者预后的预测效能较高,可作为评估ARDS患者预后有意义。     

血清降钙素原、C-反应蛋白及乳酸对老年脓毒症患者的预后评估

目的探讨老年脓毒症患者血清降钙素原(PCT)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)及乳酸水平与急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分及序贯性器官功能衰竭评估(SOFA)评分的相关性,分析其对脓毒症患者的预后评估价值。方法选取我院收治的老年脓毒症患者186例,根据其28 d生存情况的随访结果分为存活组(110例)和死亡组(76例)。检测两组患者血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平变化,并记录入院时APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分情况。采用t检验、重复测量的方差分析、χ~2检验或Fisher精确检验对两组数据进行分析。应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清PCT、CRP及乳酸对老年脓毒症患者预后的评估价值。采用Pearson相关分析法分析死亡组血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平与APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分的相关性。结果死亡组第1、3、7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平均明显高于存活组(P0.05),且死亡组第7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平明显高于第1、3天(P0.05)。存活组第7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平均明显低于第1、3天(P0.05)。Logistic回归分析发现,PCT、CRP、乳酸及SOFA评分是老年脓毒症患者预后不良的独立影响因素。ROC曲线显示,PCT_(d3)、CRP_(d3)及乳酸_(d3)评估老年脓毒症患者预后的最佳截值分别为9.83μg/L、86.42 mg/L和3.72 mmol/L,其敏感度和特异度较好,分别为81.7%和85.3%,77.5%和79.8%,86.3%和76.2%。相关分析显示,死亡组血清PCT_(d3)与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分的相关性较好(r=0.703,P0.001;r=0.802,P0.001)。结论血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平与老年脓毒症患者的病情严重程度及预后密切相关,第3天血清PCT水平预测患者预后的价值最大。     

脓毒症患者高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平的变化及其对患者预后的影响

目的 探讨脓毒症患者高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平的变化及其对患者预后的影响。方法 采用前瞻性研究方法,以2018年12月至2019年5月徐州医科大学附属医院重症监护病房收治的脓毒症患者为研究对象。所有患者均符合2016年发表的《脓毒症和脓毒性休克定义的第三次国际共识(Sepsis-3.0)诊断标准。以同期本院健康体检者为对照组。随访脓毒症患者28d,再根据存活情况将其分为存活组和死亡组。收集对照组基本资料、HDL-C、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)。收集脓毒症组基本资料、入ICU 24h内HDL-C、LDL-C、TC、TG、急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分(APACHEⅡ)和序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)、血乳酸、第3天和第5天血HDL-C水平以及28d预后;分析脓毒症患者HDL-C水平与PCT、CRP、APACHEⅡ和SOFA的相关性;采用logistic回归分析影响脓毒症患者死亡的危险因素,再对预后有意义的指标进行受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析,分析其对预后的评估价值。结果 共入选65例脓毒症患者和65名健康体检者。脓毒症患者HDL-C、LDL-C、TC水平与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);脓毒症患者血HDL-C的表达在生存组和死亡组之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。logistic多因素回归分析显示乳酸为脓毒症死亡的危险因素,而第5天的HDL-C则是保护性因素。进一步ROC曲线分析显示第5天血HDL-C对脓毒症患者28d病死率的预测价值较大,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.833(P＜0.01);乳酸对脓毒症预后也具有一定的预测价值,AUC为0.708(P＜0.01)。结论 脓毒症患者HDL-C较对照组患者明显下降,且随时间持续下降。脓毒症死亡组HDL-C明显低于存活组,并且可用于评估患者预后。     

血清髓系细胞表达触发受体1水平在老年脓毒症合并急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者中的变化及其对预后的影响

目的探讨血清髓系细胞表达触发受体1(TREM-1)水平在老年脓毒症合并急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者中的变化及其对预后的影响。方法选取100例老年脓毒症患者作为研究对象, 将全部脓毒症患者根据是否合并急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)分为脓毒症非ARDS患者组和脓毒症ARDS患者组, 比较两组患者的一般资料和TREM-1水平。根据脓毒症ARDS患者的28d随访期间的生存状况分为死亡组和生存组, 比较两组患者的TREM-1水平、急性生理与慢性健康状况(APACHEⅡ)评分和序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA)评分, 分析血清TREM-1水平与降钙素原(PCT)、APACHE Ⅱ评分和SOFA评分的相关性, 比较高TREM-1水平组和低TREM-1水平组的生存率, 以及对脓毒症ARDS患者预后的影响。结果脓毒症ARDS患者的年龄、白细胞(WBC)、降钙素原(PCT)、APACHE Ⅱ评分、SOFA评分和TREM-1水平显著高于非ARDS患者(t=2.722、6.088、11.550、6.889、4.661, 6.122, 均P<0.05)。脓毒症ARDS患者合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病的发生率显著高...     

Sequential organ failure predicts mortality of patients with a haematological malignancy needing intensive care

OBJECTIVES: Poor survival of patients with a haematological malignancy admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) prompts for proper admission triage and prediction of ICU treatment failure and long-term mortality. We therefore tried to find predictors of the latter outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of charts and a prospective follow-up study were done, of haemato-oncological patients, admitted to our ICU in a 7-year period with a follow-up until 2 yr thereafter. Clinical parameters during the first four consecutive days were taken to calculate the simplified acute physiology (SAPS II) and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, of proven predictive value in general ICU populations. RESULTS: From a total of 58 patients (n = 47 with acute myelogenous leukaemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma), admitted into ICU mostly because of respiratory insufficiency, sepsis, shock or combinations, 36 patients had died during their stay in the ICU. Of ICU survivors (n = 22), 20 patients died during follow-up so that the 1-year survival rate was only 12%. The SAPS II and particularly the SOFA scores were of high predictive value for ICU and long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with life-threatening complications of haematological malignancy admitted to ICU ran a high risk for death in the ICU and on the long-term, and the risk can be well predicted by SOFA. The latter may help us to decide on intensive care in individual cases, in order to avoid potentially futile care for patients with a SOFA score of 15 or higher.     

SARS in the intensive care unit

Approximately 20% of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) develop respiratory failure that requires admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). Old age, comorbidity, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase on hospital admission are associated with increased risk for ICU admission. ICU admission usually is late and occurs 8 to 10 days after symptom onset. Acute respiratory distress syndrome occurs in almost all admitted patients and most require mechanical ventilation. ICU admission is associated with significant morbidity, particularly an apparent increase in the incidence of barotrauma and nosocomial sepsis. Long-term mortality for patients admitted to the ICU ranges from 30% to 50%. Many procedures in ICUs pose a high risk for transmission of SARS coronavirus to health care workers. Contact and airborne infection isolation precautions, in addition to standard precautions, should be applied when caring for patients with SARS. Ensuring staff safety is important to maintain staff morale and delivery of adequate services.     

持续小剂量肝素治疗脓毒症患者急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合症的临床研究

目的探讨持续小剂量肝素对脓毒症患者急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合症的治疗作用。方法 119例脓毒症患者随机分为对照治疗组（61例）和肝素治疗组（58例）,对照组采用抗感染、呼吸支持等综合治疗,肝素组在对照治疗基础上加用持续小剂量肝素输注,比较两组患者治疗3天后氧合指数,APACHEⅡ积分,SOFA积分以及PLT、PT、APTT、FIB变化以及出血倾向。结果肝素组治疗后氧合指数明显好转,APACHEⅡ积分,SOFA积分明显低于对照组（P〈0.05）,PLT、PT、APTT、FIB两组治疗前后均无差异。结论持续小剂量肝素治疗严重脓毒症患者急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合症可有效提高氧合指数,减轻患者炎症反应,且具有良好的安全性。     

Clinical features, complications and mortality in critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Sfax,Tunisia

Please cite this paper as: Damak et al.(2011) Clinical features, complications and mortality in critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Sfax,Tunisia. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(4), 230–240 Purpose Africa, as the rest of the world, was touched by the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). In the literature, a few publications covering this subject emerged from this continent. We prospectively describe baseline characteristics, treatment and outcomes of consecutive critically ill patients with confirmed 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sfax hospital. Methods From 29 November 2009 through 21 January 2010, 32 patients with confirmed 2009 influenza A(H1N1) were admitted to our ICU. We prospectively analysed data and outcomes of these patients and compared survivors and dead patients to identify any predictors of death. Results Patients were young (mean, 36·1 [SD], 20·7 years) and 21 (65·6%) of whom had co‐morbidities. During ICU care, 29 (90·6%) patients had respiratory failure; among these, 15 (46·9%) patients required invasive ventilation with a median duration of 9 (IQR 3–12) days. In our experience, respiratory dysfunction can remain isolated but may also be associated with other dysfunctions or complications, such as, septic shock, seizures, myasthenia gravis exacerbation, Guillan–Barre syndrome, acute renal failure, nosocomial infections and biological disturbances. The nine patients (28·1%) who died had greater initial severity of illness (SAPS II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores) but also a higher SOFA score and increasing severity of organ dysfunction during their ICU evolution. Conclusion Critical illness from the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Sfax occurred in young individuals and was associated with severe acute respiratory and additional organ system failure. SAPS II and SOFA scores at ICU admission, and also during evolution, constitute a good predictor of death.     

HbA1c is outcome predictor in diabetic patients with sepsis

We have investigated predictive value of HbA1c for hospital mortality and length of stay (LOS) in patients with type 2 diabetes admitted because of sepsis. A prospective observational study was implemented in a university hospital, 286 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted with sepsis were included. Leukocyte count, CRP, admission plasma glucose, APACHE II and SOFA score were noted at admission, HbA1c was measured on the first day following admission. Hospital mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS) were the outcome measures. Admission HbA1c was significantly lower in surviving patients than in non-survivors (median 8.2% versus 9.75%, respectively; P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between admission HbA1c and hospital LOS of surviving patients (r=0.29; P<0.001). Logistic regression showed that HbA1c is an independent predictor of hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.36), together with female sex (OR 2.24), APACHE II score (OR 1.08) and SOFA score (OR 1.28). Multiple regression showed that HbA1c and APACHE II score are independently related to hospital LOS. According to our results, HbA1c is an independent predictive factor for hospital mortality and hospital LOS of diabetic patients with sepsis.     

脓毒症急性肾损伤危险因素及对预后影响318例分析

目的分析脓毒症急性肾损伤的发生及对预后的影响。方法回顾性分析2008-01-01—2010-06-30收入中国医科大学附属一院重症加强病房(ICU)治疗的318例脓毒症患者临床资料,分为急性肾损伤组和非急性肾损伤组,应用Logistic回归对发病和死亡的相关因素进行统计学分析。结果 318例脓毒症患者中有119例发生急性肾损伤,发生率为37.4%,平均入ICU 2.4 d(0～26 d)开始出现急性肾损伤,持续时间7.8 d(1～63 d)。依发病24 h内最差指标分期:1期(危险期)74例(62.2%),2期(损伤期)18例(15.1%),3期(衰竭期)27例(22.7%)。60例患者接受持续性肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)治疗,平均CRRT时间为131.8 h(1～1008 h)。脓毒症急性肾损伤患者死亡48例(其中19例放弃治疗),占脓毒症患者的15.1%。有37例(31.1%)肾功能完全恢复,32例(26.9%)肾功能部分恢复,50例(42.0%)肾功能未恢复(其中23例拒绝CRRT治疗)。弥散性血管内凝血(DIC)、CPR术后及高SOFA评分是急性肾损伤的危险因素。高乳酸血症是脓毒症急性肾损伤患者死亡的危险因素。结论 ICU中脓毒症急性肾损伤的发生率及病死率高,DIC、CPR术后及高SOFA评分会增加脓毒症患者发生急性肾损伤的风险。高乳酸血症会增加脓毒症急性肾损伤患者的死亡风险。     

The association of D-dimers with mortality,intensive care unit admission or acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A systematic review and meta-analysis

AimTo determine if D-dimers are elevated in individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection who have adverse clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases through April 9, 2020 for studies evaluating D-dimer levels in SARS-COV-2 infected patients with and without a composite clinical endpoint, defined as the presence of all-cause of mortality, Intensive care unit (ICU) admission or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A total of six studies were included in the meta-analysis.ResultsD-dimers were significantly increased in patients with the composite clinical end point than in those without (SMD, 1.67 ug/ml (95% CI, 0.72-2.62 ug/ml). The SMD of the studies (Tang et al, Zhou et al, Chen et al), which used only mortality as an outcome measure was 2.5 ug/mL (95% CI, 0.62-4.41 ug/ml).ConclusionWe conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with elevated D-dimers have worse clinical outcomes (all-cause mortality, ICU admission or ARDS) and thus measurement of D-dimers can guide in clinical decision making.     

Survival by a young woman with malnutrition due to alcoholism and eating disorders and with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to severe pneumonia who showed increased serum neutrophil elastase activity

A 30-year-old woman with malnutrition due to alcoholism and eating disorders was found to have acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis due to severe Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. S. pneumoniae was detected by an in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assay for S. pneumoniae antigen in urine on the day of admission and by blood culture 2 days after admission. Symptoms and laboratory findings improved after treatment with sivelestat sodium hydrate, antibiotics, and mechanical ventilation. Treatment with sivelestat sodium hydrate also decreased serum neutrophil elastase activity. This case demonstrates the usefulness of early treatment with sivelestat sodium hydrate in ARDS due to severe pneumonia.     

Outcome of patients with small-vessel vasculitis admitted to a medical ICU

PURPOSES: This study aims to describe the clinical course and prognostic factors of patients with small-vessel vasculitis admitted to a medical ICU. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 38 patients with small-vessel vasculitis admitted consecutively to the ICU between January 1997 and May 2004. The APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) III prognostic system was used to determine the severity of illness on the first ICU day; the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was used to measure organ dysfunction, and the Birmingham vasculitis activity score for Wegener granulomatosis (BVAS/WG) was used to assess vasculitis activity. Outcome measures were the 28-day mortality and ICU length of stay. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (50%) had Wegener granulomatosis, 16 patients (42%) had microscopic polyangiitis, 2 patients had CNS vasculitis, and 1 patient had Churg-Strauss syndrome. Reasons for ICU admission included alveolar hemorrhage in 14 patients (37%), sepsis in 5 patients (13%), seizures in 3 patients (8%), and pneumonia in 2 patients (5%). The median ICU length of stay was 4.0 days (interquartile range, 2.0 to 6.0 days). The APACHE III score was lower in survivors than nonsurvivors (p = 0.010). The predicted hospital mortality was 54% for nonsurvivors and 21% for survivors (p = 0.0038). The mean SOFA score was 11.6 (SD, 2.6) in nonsurvivors, compared to 6.9 (SD, 2.4) in survivors (p = 0.0004). Mean BVAS/WG scores were 8.6 (SD, 3.6) in nonsurvivors and 4.7 (SD, 4.6) in survivors (p = 0.0889). Twenty-six percent of the patients received invasive mechanical ventilation, and 33% underwent dialysis. The 28-day and 1-year mortality rates were 11% and 29%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of patients with small-vessel vasculitis admitted to the ICU is lower than predicted, and alveolar hemorrhage is the most common reason for ICU admission.