Effect of rapid fluid administration on the prognosis of septic shock patients with isolated hyperlactatemia: A prospective multicenter observational study

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the association between initial fluid resuscitation in septic shock patients with isolated hyperlactatemia and outcomes.MethodsThis multicenter prospective study was conducted using the data from the Korean Shock Society registry. Patients diagnosed with isolated hyperlactatemia between October 2015 and December 2018 were included and divided into those who received 30 mL/kg of fluid within 3 or 6 h and those who did not receive. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; the secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy (RRT).ResultsA total of 608 patients were included in our analysis. The administration of 30 mL/kg crystalloid within 3 or 6 h was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in multivariable logistic regression analysis ([OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.52–1.23, p = 0.31], [OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.59–1.57, p = 0.88], respectively). The administration of 30 mL/kg crystalloid within 3-h was not significantly associated with mechanical ventilation and RRT ([OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.77–1.84, p = 0.44], [OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.7–2.04, p = 0.5], respectively). However, the administration of 30 mL/kg crystalloid within 6 h was associated with higher ICU admission and RRT ([OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.07–2.28, p = 0.02], [OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.19–3.66, p = 0.01], respectively).ConclusionsInitial fluid resuscitation of 30 mL/kg within 3 or 6 h was neither associated with an increased or decreased in-hospital mortality in septic shock patients with isolated hyperlactatemia.     

Hemoglobin and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide: Independent and synergistic predictors of mortality in patients with acute heart failure Results from the International Collaborative of NT-proBNP (ICON) Study

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are both independent predictors of mortality in patients with chronic HF. Their combined predictive power for mortality in the setting of acute HF is uncertain. METHODS: In an international prospective cohort design, we evaluated the relationships between hemoglobin, NT-proBNP, and 60-day mortality in 690 patients with acute HF. RESULTS: The median hemoglobin for the entire cohort was 13.0 g/dL (interquartile range 11.6-14.3). The WHO criterion for anemia was met by 44% (n=305). The 60-day mortality rate for anemic patients was 16.4% vs. 8.8% in non-anemic patients (p<0.001). Anemia was an independent predictor of short-term mortality (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.05-2.80, p=0.03), as was a NT-proBNP concentration >5180 pg/mL (OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.36-3.94 p=0.002). Consideration of four risk groups: not anemic/low NT-proBNP (reference group, n=220), anemic/low NT-proBNP (n=152), not anemic/high NT-proBNP (n=165), and anemic/high NT-proBNP (n=153) revealed respective 60-day mortality rates of 5.0% (referent), 9.2% (OR=1.93, 95% CI=0.85-4.36; p=0.12), 13.9% (OR=3.07, 95% CI=1.45-6.50, p=0.003), and 23.5% (OR=5.84, 95% CI=2.87-11.89, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia was common in this cohort of subjects with acute HF and was related to adverse short-term outcome. Integrated use of hemoglobin and NT-proBNP measurements provides powerful additive information and is superior to the use of either in isolation.     

Can elevated troponin I levels predict complicated clinical course and inhospital mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for prediction of complicated clinical course and in-hospital mortality in patients with confirmed acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed as having PE, in whom cTnI testing was obtained at emergency department (ED) presentation between January 2002 and April 2006. Clinical characteristics; echocardiographic right ventricular dysfunction; inhospital mortality; and adverse clinical events including need for inotropic support, mechanical ventilation, and thrombolysis were compared in patients with elevated cTnI levels vs patients with normal cTnI levels. One hundred sixteen patients with PE were identified, and 77 of them (66%) were included in the study. Thirty-three patients (42%) had elevated cTnI levels. Elevated cTnI levels were associated with inhospital mortality (P = .02), complicated clinical course (P < .001), and right ventricular dysfunction (P < .001). In patients with elevated cTnI levels, inhospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82-9.29), hypotension (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 2.31-23.28), thrombolysis (OR, 5.71; 95% CI, 1.63-19.92), need for mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.42-17.57), and need for inotropic support (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.03-8.85) were more prevalent. The patients with elevated cTnI levels had more serious vital parameters (systolic blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation) at ED presentation. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that elevated cTnI levels are associated with higher risk for inhospital mortality and complicated clinical course. Troponin I may play an important role for the risk assessment of patients with PE. The idea that an elevation in cTnI levels is a valuable parameter for the risk stratification of patients with PE needs to be examined in larger prospective studies.     

Do ventilatory parameters influence outcome in patients with severe acute respiratory infection? Secondary analysis of an international,multicentre14-day inception cohort study

PurposeTo investigate the possible association between ventilatory settings on the first day of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and mortality in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).Materials and methodsIn this pre-planned sub-study of a prospective, multicentre observational study, 441 patients with SARI who received controlled IMV during the ICU stay were included in the analysis.ResultsICU and hospital mortality rates were 23.1 and 28.1%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, tidal volume and respiratory rate on the first day of IMV were not associated with an increased risk of death; however, higher driving pressure (DP: odds ratio (OR) 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.1, p = 0.011), plateau pressure (Pplat) (OR 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04–1.13, p < 0.001) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (OR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03–1.24, p = 0.006) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. In subgroup analysis, in hypoxemic patients and in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), higher DP, Pplat, and PEEP were associated with increased risk of in-hospital death.ConclusionsIn patients with SARI receiving IMV, higher DP, Pplat and PEEP, and not tidal volume, were associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death, especially in those with hypoxemia or ARDS.     

Multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Prevalence, risk factors, and outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence, risk factors, and effect on outcome of multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-bed medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital. METHODS: All chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute exacerbation who required intubation and mechanical ventilation for >48 hrs were eligible during a 4-yr period. Patients with pneumonia or other causes of acute respiratory failure were not eligible. In all patients, quantitative tracheal aspirate was performed at ICU admission (positive at 10 colony-forming units [cfu]/mL). MDR bacteria were defined as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ceftazidime- or imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli. All patients received empirical antibiotic treatment at ICU admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine variables associated with MDR bacteria and variables associated with ICU mortality. RESULTS: A total of 857 patients were included, and 304 bacteria were isolated (>/=10 cfu/mL) in 260 patients (30%), including 75 MDR bacteria (24%) in 69 patients (8%). When patients with MDR bacteria were compared with patients without MDR bacteria, previous antimicrobial treatment (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2-4.7; p = .013) and previous intubation (OR, 31; 95% CI, 12-82; p < .001) were independently associated with MDR bacteria. When patients with bacteria other than MDR or patients with no bacteria were used as a reference group, these risk factors were still independently associated with MDR bacteria. Although ICU mortality rate was higher in patients with MDR bacteria than in patients without MDR bacteria (44% vs. 25%; p = .001; OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.8), MDR bacteria were not independently associated with ICU mortality. Inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment (88% vs. 5%; p = <.001; OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 3.8-12) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (23% vs. 5%; p = <.001; OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1-1.8) rates were significantly higher in patients with MDR bacteria than in patients with bacteria other than MDR. Inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment was independently associated with increased ICU mortality (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 1.9-30; p = .003). CONCLUSION: MDR bacteria are common in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Previous antimicrobial treatment and previous intubation are independent risk factors for MDR bacteria. Although MDR bacteria are not independently associated with ICU mortality, inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment is an independent risk factor for ICU mortality in these patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is cost-effective in these patients.     

Risk Factors for Mortality of Bacteremic Patients in the Emergency Department

Objectives: Patients with bacteremia have a high mortality and generally require urgent treatment. The authors conducted a study to describe bacteremic patients in emergency departments (EDs) and to identify risk factors for mortality. Methods: Bacteremic patients in EDs were identified retrospectively at a university hospital from January 2007 to December 2007. Demographic characteristics, underlying illness, clinical conditions, microbiology, and the source of bacteremia were collected and analyzed for their association with 28-day mortality. Results: During the study period, 621 cases (50.2% male) were included, with a mean (±SD) age of 62.8 (±17.4) years. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus (39.3%). Escherichia coli (39.2%) was the most frequently isolated pathogen. The most common source of bacteremia was urinary tract infection (41.2%), followed by primary bacteremia (13.2%). The overall 28-day mortality rate was 12.6%. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed age > 60 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29 to 4.92, p = 0.007), malignancy (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.44 to 4.91, p = 0.002), liver cirrhosis (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.02 to 4.26, p = 0.044), alcohol use (OR = 5.73, 95% CI = 2.10 to 15.63, p = 0.001), polymicrobial bacteremia (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.75 to 9.10, p = 0.001), anemia (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.34 to 4.03, p = 0.003), and sepsis (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.16 to 3.37, p = 0.019) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. Conclusions: Bacteremic patients in the ED have a high mortality, particularly with these risk factors. It is important for physicians to recognize the factors that potentially contribute to mortality of bacteremic patients in the ED.     

The impact of age on 6-month survival in patients with cardiovascular risk factors undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery

An increasing number of patients aged>or=70 years are presenting for elective non-cardiac surgery. We undertook this study to: (i) compare the nature and distribution of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in an at risk population of patients aged>or=70 years undergoing elective surgery compared with a younger at risk cohort; and (ii) identify the impact of age and other risk factors on 6-month survival. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. A total of 1622 patients aged>or=40 years with recognised surgical or patient-specific risk factors for CVD were identified. The patients were divided into two groups; group 1 (aged: 40-69 years) and group 2 (aged>or=70 years). Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with 6-month mortality. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) are presented. In hospital, mortality was similar in both groups. However, 6-month mortality in those aged>or=70 years was significantly higher (p=0.001). Cardiovascular symptoms were significantly more common in group 2 (p<0.001) as were cardiovascular-related deaths (p=0.04) at 6 months follow-up. Preoperative cardiovascular preventative therapy was under prescribed in the elderly cohort. Factors independently associated with 6-month mortality were aged>or=70 (OR=3.57, 95% CI: 2.22-5.73), angina (OR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.26-3.20), renal impairment (OR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.17-4.89) also operation type and duration. Despite similar in-hospital mortality, those aged>or=70 years had significantly higher 6-month mortality than the younger surgical cohort. Cardiovascular deaths were significantly higher in patients aged>or=70 years. Effective identification and the management of cardiovascular risk factors may improve 6-month survival.     

The Emergency Department presenting complaint as predictor of in-hospital fatality.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between major discharge diagnoses and prediction of in-hospital death has been intensively studied. The relation between the presenting complaint at the Emergency Department (ED) and in-hospital fatality, however, is less well known. OBJECTIVE: To investigate if presenting complaints add information regarding in-hospital fatality risk for nonsurgical ED patients. METHODS: Investigating the relationship of in-hospital fatality rate and presenting complaint by comparing the presenting complaints, discharge diagnoses and in-hospital fatality for all nonsurgical patients visiting the ED during 1 year. RESULTS: Of 12,995 nonsurgical admissions, 40% were treated as in-hospital patients. Among these, 328 in-hospital deaths occurred. Age was the most powerful predictor of death in hospitalized patients (P<0.0001). After adjustment for age, the female sex was found to be protective [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.92, P=0.007)]. Compared with the largest complaint group, chest pain with an in-hospital fatality rate of 2.5%, there was a significantly increased risk of dying among those with stroke-like symptoms (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.35-3.08, P=0.0007), dyspnoea (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.27-3.00, P=0.002) or general disability (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.17-2.79, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The presenting complaint at the ED carries valuable information of the risk for in-hospital fatality in nonsurgical patients. This knowledge can be valuable in the prioritization between different patient groups in the process of initiating diagnostics and treatment procedures at the ED.     

A comparison of outcomes between diabetic and nondiabetic CAPD patients in India

BACKGROUND: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has been an established modality of renal replacement therapy in India for a decade, but there is a paucity of published data on the outcome of CAPD patients in India. We analyzed our data to determine the overall predictors of survival and compared patient survival between diabetic and nondiabetic end-stage renal disease patients on CAPD. METHODS: Of 373 patients, 197 were diabetic (165 males, 32 females) and 176 nondiabetic (104 males, 72 females). Patients were followed for 22 +/- 14 patient-months. Patients were prospectively followed until the study end point or death. RESULTS: Overall median survival was 48 patient-months. Median survival of diabetics (34.5 patient-months) was significantly inferior to nondiabetic patients (59 patient-months) p = 0.001. Overall patient survival at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 90%, 72%, 60%, 49%, and 39%, respectively. Patient survival of diabetics versus nondiabetics at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 85% versus 96%, 62% vs 82%, 48% vs 72%, 39% vs 62%, and 34% vs 42%, respectively. The relative risk of mortality in nondiabetics (34/176) was less than that in diabetic patients (71/197): odds ratio (OR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 - 0.68; p = 0.001. On Cox regression analysis, diabetes (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.23 - 3.07; p = 0.004), comorbidities (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.25 - 0.61; p = 0.001), peritonitis (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.19 - 2.68; p = 0.005), malnutrition (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 - 0.94; p = 0.03), and residual glomerular filtration rate at initiation of CAPD (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81 - 0.93; p = 0.001) were significant predictors of overall mortality. Age (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.45 - 1.03; p = 0.07), gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.42 - 1.03; p = 0.06), and albumin level at initiation of CAPD (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.64 - 1.33; p = 0.68) were not predictors of mortality. Age (56 +/- 10 vs 46 +/- 15 years, p = 0.001), comorbidities (51/197 vs 16/176, p = 0.001), peritonitis rate (0.68 vs 0.50 episodes/patient-year, p = 0.056), and severe malnutrition (27/197 vs 10/176, p = 0.002) were higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSION: In India the majority of CAPD patients are diabetic. Patient survival was inferior in diabetic compared to nondiabetic patients on CAPD, but survival was statistically similar after adjustment for comorbidities. Diabetes, comorbidities, residual glomerular filtration rate, peritonitis, and severe malnutrition are predictors of mortality in CAPD patients.     

The Association between White Blood Cell Count and Acute Myocardial Infarction In-hospital Mortality: Findings from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVES: Although cross-sectional and prospective studies have shown that the white blood cell (WBC) count is associated with long-term mortality for patients with ischemic heart disease, the role of the WBC count as an independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been examined as extensively. The objective of this study was to determine whether the WBC count is associated with in-hospital mortality for patients with ischemic heart disease after controlling for potential confounders. METHODS: From July 31, 2000, to July 31, 2001, the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 4 enrolled 186,727 AMI patients. A total of 115,273 patients were included in the analysis. RESULTS: WBC counts were subdivided into intervals of 1,000/mL, and in-hospital mortality rates were determined for each interval. The distribution revealed a J-shaped curve. Patients with WBC counts >5,000/mL were subdivided into quartiles, whereas patients with WBC counts <5,000/mL were assigned to a separate category labeled "subquartile" and were analyzed separately. A linear increase in in-hospital mortality by WBC count quartile was found. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for the fourth versus the first quartile showed strong associations with in-hospital mortality among the entire population and by gender: 4.09 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.83 to 4.73) for all patients, 4.31 (95% CI = 3.93 to 4.73) for men, and 3.65 (95% CI = 3.32 to 4.01) for women. Following adjustment for covariates, the magnitude of the ORs attenuated, but the ORs remained highly significant (OR, 2.71 [95% CI = 2.53 to 2.90] for all patients; OR, 2.87 [95% CI = 2.59 to 3.19] for men; OR, 2.61 [95% CI = 2.36 to 2.99] for women). Reperfused patients had consistently lower in-hospital mortality rates for all patients and by gender (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The WBC count is an independent predictor of in-hospital AMI mortality and may be useful in assessing the prognosis of AMI in conjunction with other early risk-stratification factors. Whether elevated WBC count is a marker of the inflammatory process or is a direct risk factor for AMI remains unclear. Given the simplicity and availability of the WBC count, the authors conclude that the WBC count should be used in conjunction with other ancillary tests to assess the prognosis of a patient with AMI.     

Incidence and risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in 4 multidisciplinary intensive care units in Athens,Greece

INTRODUCTION: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. OBJECTIVE: Prospectively identify the factors associated with development of VAP and examine the incidence of VAP. SUBJECTS: Over a 6-month period we had 175 patients who required mechanical ventilation for longer than 24 hours. RESULTS: VAP occurred in 56 patients (32%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified 5 factors independently associated with VAP (p < 0.05): bronchoscopy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-8.3; p = 0.036); tube thoracostomy (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI, 1.1-6.6; p = 0.023); tracheostomy (AOR = 3.56; 95% CI, 1.7-8.4; p = 0.002); Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score >/= 18 (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1; p = 0.033); and enteral feeding (AOR = 2.89; 95% CI, 1.3-7.7; p = 0.026). The duration of mechanical ventilation was longer among patients who developed VAP (p < 0.001). VAP was not associated with the cause of ICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: VAP is a common infection and certain interventions might affect the incidence of VAP. ICU clinicians should be aware of the risk factors for VAP, which could prove useful in identifying patients at high risk for VAP and modifying patient care to minimize the risk of VAP, such as avoiding unnecessary bronchoscopy or modulating enteral feeding.     

Subjects with a shortened activated partial thromboplastin time show increased in-hospital mortality associated with elevated D-dimer, C-reactive protein and glucose levels

BACKGROUND: Shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values are associated with enhanced coagulation activation. However, the clinical relevance of shortened aPTTs is not well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the in-hospital mortality rate in subjects with shortened aPTTs and the effects of polymorphism in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-, t-PA- and factor XIII gene on the coagulation status. D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP) and glucose, markers that have been related with increased mortality, were tested. RESULTS: We found that a shortened aPTT on admission was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 2.1-3.5). Non-survivors with short aPTTs had significantly higher plasma D-dimer, CRP and glucose levels compared with survivors. Subjects homozygous for PAI-1 5G and t-PA I alleles showed higher plasma D-dimer levels compared with 4G/4G PAI-1 (p=0.02) and D/D t-PA (p=0.001) homozygotes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PAI-1 4G/5G and t-PA I/D polymorphisms determine plasma D-dimer levels in patients with shortened aPTT values. Preliminary results show that, among patients with short aPTTs, homozygosity for the hyperfibrinolytic PAI-1 5G or tPA I alleles are at increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared with 4G/4G PAI-1 and D/D tPA homozygotes (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-5.5 and OR=5.5, 95% CI: 1.3-24.5, respectively).     

ICU nurse-to-patient ratio is associated with complications and resource use after esophagectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine if having a night-time nurse-to-patient ratio (NNPR) of one nurse caring for one or two patients (> 1:2) versus one nurse caring for three or more patients (< 1:2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with clinical and economic outcomes following esophageal resection. DESIGN: State-wide observational cohort study. Hospital discharge data was linked to a prospective survey of ICU organizational characteristics. Multivariate analysis adjusting for case-mix, hospital and surgeon volume was used to determine the association of NNPR with in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), hospital cost and specific postoperative complications. SETTING: Non-federal acute care hospitals (n = 35) in Maryland that performed esophageal resection. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients who had esophageal resection in Maryland, 1994 to 1998 (n = 366 patients). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-five patients at nine hospitals had a NNPR > 1:2;128 patients in 23 hospitals had a NNPR < 1:2. No significant association between NNPR and in-hospital mortality was seen. A 39 % increase in median in-hospital LOS (4.3 days; 95% CI, (2, 5 days); p < 0.001), and a 32% increase in costs ($4,810; 95 % CI, ($2,094, $7,952) was associated with a NNPR < 1:2. Pneumonia (OR 2.4; 95 % CI (1.2, 4.7); p = 0.012), reintubation (OR 2.6; 95% CI(1.4, 4.5);p = 0.001), and septicemia (OR 3.6; 95 % CI(1.1, 12.5); p = 0.04), were specific complications associated with a NNPR < 1:2. CONCLUSIONS: A nurse caring for more than two ICU patients at night increases the risk of several postoperative pulmonary and infectious complications and was associated with increased resource use in patients undergoing esophageal resection.     

Prehospital amiodarone may increase the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome among patients at risk

PURPOSE: Amiodarone has been implicated as a risk factor for acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when used in the hospital. This study aims to estimate whether prehospital amiodarone also increases the risk of ALI/ARDS. MATERIALS: Adult patients admitted to 22 centers with at least 1 risk factor for developing ALI were recruited. In a secondary analysis of this cohort, the prehospital use of amiodarone was documented on admission, and the patients followed for the primary outcome of ALI and secondary outcomes of ARDS, the need for invasive ventilation, and mortality. Dose/duration of amiodarone therapy was not available. Propensity matching was performed to account for imbalances in being assigned to amiodarone. The adjusted risk for ALI/ARDS was then estimated from a conditional logistic regression model of this propensity-matched set. RESULTS: Forty of 5584 patients were on amiodarone at the time of hospitalization; of those, 6 developed ALI, with 5 progressing to ARDS. In comparison, 371 patients not on amiodarone developed ALI, with 224 having ARDS. After propensity score matching, the prehospital use of amiodarone was not statistically associated with an increased risk for all ALI (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-5.0; P = .25), invasive ventilation (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.6; P = .059), or in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.5-2.9; P = .75); but its use appeared to significantly increase the risk for ARDS (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 1.1-13.1; P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital use of amiodarone may independently increase the risk for ARDS in patients who have at least 1 predisposing condition for ALI.     

Effect of critical illness polyneuropathy on the withdrawal from mechanical ventilation and the length of stay in septic patients

OBJECTIVES: No previous study has demonstrated whether critical illness polyneuropathy itself lengthens mechanical ventilation or whether this prolonged duration of ventilatory support is explained by concomitant risk factors for weaning failure. Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of critical illness polyneuropathy on the length of mechanical ventilation after controlling for coexisting risk factors for weaning failure and to assess the impact of critical illness polyneuropathy on the length of the stay in a cohort of septic patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with severe sepsis or septic shock who required mechanical ventilation for > or =7 days who were considered ready to discontinue mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent a neurophysiologic evaluation at onset of weaning from mechanical ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-four critically ill septic patients were enrolled, and 34 developed critical illness polyneuropathy (53.1%; 95% confidence interval, 40.2-65.7%). Length of mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in patients who had developed critical illness polyneuropathy (median 34 days vs. 14 days, p < .001). The duration of the weaning period was also significantly greater in patients with critical illness polyneuropathy (median 15 days vs. 2 days, p < .001) even though factors suspected to influence the weaning process did not differ between these two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that critical illness polyneuropathy was the only risk factor independently associated with weaning failure (odds ratio, 15.4; 95% confidence interval, 4.55, 52.3; p < .001). Lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays were significantly higher in patients with critical illness polyneuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill septic patients, critical illness polyneuropathy significantly increases the duration of mechanical ventilation and prolongs the lengths of intensive care unit and hospital stays.     

Stress-induced Hyperglycemia Ratio as an Independent Risk Factor of In-hospital Mortality in Nonresuscitation Intensive Care Units: A Retrospective Study

PurposeTo determine whether the stress-induced hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is independently associated with in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients in nonresuscitation ICUs.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, clinical- and laboratory-related data from patients first admitted to nonresuscitation ICUs were extracted from an open-access database of >50,000 ICU admissions. Patients were assigned to one of two groups according to an SHR threshold of 1.1. The primary end point of this study was the in-hospital mortality rate. The associations between SHR and length of stay in the ICU and hospital, duration of mechanical ventilation use, and vasopressor use were secondary end points. Logistic regression models were established in the analysis of in-hospital mortality risk, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were analyzed to investigate the association between the primary end point and SHR used alone or together with the Simplified Acute Physiology Scale (SAPS) II score. The Youden index, specificity, and sensitivity of SHR and SAPS-II were also assessed.FindingsIn this study, 1859 patients were included, 187 of whom (10.06%) died during hospitalization. The group with an SHR of ≥1.1 had a greater in-hospital mortality rate (13.7% vs 7.4%; P < 0.001), longer length of stay both in the ICU and in the hospital, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation use, and a greater rate of vasopressor use. On adjustment for multivariate risk, a 0.1-point increment in SHR was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00–1.16; P = 0.036). The AUC of the association between risk and the SAPS-II score was significantly greater than that with SHR (0.797 [95% CI, 0.576–0.664] vs 0.620 [95% CI, 0.764–0.830]; P < 0.001). The AUC with SAPS-II + SHR was significantly greater than that with SAPS-II used alone (0.802 [95% CI, 0.770–0.835] vs 0.797 [95% CI, 0.764-0.830]; P = 0.023). The Youden index, specificity, and sensitivity of SAPS-II + SHR were 0.473, 0.703, and 0.770, respectively.ImplicationsStress-induced hyperglycemia, as evaluated using the SHR, was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and worse clinical outcomes in these critically ill patients in nonresuscitation ICUs. SHR was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality, and when used together with the SAPS-II, added to the capacity to predict mortality in these patients in nonresuscitation ICUs. Prospective data are needed to validate the capacity of SHR in predicting in-hospital mortality in patients in the nonresuscitation ICU.     

Morbidity and mortality risk associated with red blood cell and blood-component transfusion in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to quantify incremental risk associated with transfusion of packed red blood cells and other blood components on morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting. DESIGN: The study design was an observational cohort study. SETTING: This investigation took place at a large tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 11,963 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass from January 1, 1995, through July 1, 2002. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 11,963 patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, 5,814 (48.6%) were transfused. Risk-adjusted probability of developing in-hospital mortality and morbidity as a function of red blood cell and blood-component transfusion was modeled using logistic regression. Transfusion of red blood cells was associated with a risk-adjusted increased risk for every postoperative morbid event: mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-1.87; p<.0001), renal failure (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.87-2.27; p<.0001), prolonged ventilatory support (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.72-1.86; p<.0001), serious infection (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.68-1.84; p<.0001), cardiac complications (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.47-1.63; p<.0001), and neurologic events (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.30-1.44; p<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is the single factor most reliably associated with increased risk of postoperative morbid events after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Each unit of red cells transfused is associated with incrementally increased risk for adverse outcome.     

The clinical course of pneumomediastinum in patients with SARS-CoV-2 before invasive mechanical ventilation

Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax are recognised complications encountered in COVID-19 before or during invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The clinical course of patients developing pneumomediastinum before IMV is yet to be evaluated.Four-thousand, one-hundred and thirty-one patients hospitalised with COVID-19 over a 12-month period were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate for incidence, clinical characteristics and outcomes. A subgroup analysis was done to identify any clinical traits between survivors and non-survivors. The overall incidence of pneumomediastinum prior to IMV was 0.92% (n=38) and was seen at admission or during non-invasive respiratory support. Thirty-seven per cent had associated pneumothorax most commonly unilateral (right side). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) duration from admission to developing pneumomediastinum was 7 days (3–11) and complete resolution was seen in 53% of patients; median (IQR) duration to resolution was 8 days (4–17). The in-hospital mortality associated with pneumomediastinum in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (PneumoCoV) was 55%. Increasing age (68 ± 12 years vs 56 ± 14 years; p=0.01), higher body mass index (31 ± 5 kg/m² vs 28 ± 5 kg/m²; p=0.04), lack of resolution of pneumomediastinum (67% vs 24%; p=0.01; odds ratio (OR) 6.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–27.5), presence of concurrent pneumothorax (65% vs 14%; p=0.002; OR 11; 95% CI 2.2–53.1) and elevated procalcitonin levels (>0.5 ng/mL; 81% vs 41%; p=0.01; OR 6; 95% CI 1.4–26) were significant features in those who did not survive.The incidence of PneumoCoV, despite being low, is associated with increased mortality. It is a hallmark of moderate to severe disease with multifaceted contributory factors. Both demographic and clinical factors predict survival.KEYWORDS: SARS-CoV-2, pulmonary complication, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, respiratory failure     

Outcomes After Intensive Rehabilitation for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of intensive rehabilitation on mortality and liberation from mechanical ventilation among patients with mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.DesignRetrospective cohort study using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database.SettingPatients discharged from acute care hospitals from April 2010 to March 2016.ParticipantsPatients (N=46,438) aged 20 years and older who were admitted to intensive care units and who started rehabilitation within 3 days of starting mechanical ventilation.InterventionIntensive rehabilitation in intensive care unit in the first 5 days after admission. Amount of rehabilitation was defined as the average number of units per day in the first 5 days after admission and was dichotomized as intensive (≥1.0 unit/d) or nonintensive (<1.0 unit/d) rehabilitation.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome was liberation from mechanical ventilation.ResultsWe identified 29,982 eligible patients, including intensive (n=7745) and nonintensive (n=22,237) rehabilitation groups. In the propensity score-matched analysis, the intensive rehabilitation group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (risk difference: ?3.4%; 95% CI, ?4.9% to ?1.9%) and a higher proportion of liberation from mechanical ventilation (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.13) compared with the nonintensive rehabilitation group.ConclusionsPatients receiving a higher amount of rehabilitation in intensive care units were less likely to die and more likely to be liberated from mechanical ventilation.