A pilot randomized study comparing high and low volume hemofiltration on vasopressor use in septic shock

OBJECTIVE: High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) has shown potential benefits in septic animals and a few reports suggested a hemodynamic improvement in humans. However, randomized studies are still lacking. Our goal was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of HVHF in septic shock patients with acute renal failure (ARF). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective randomized study in an intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS: Twenty patients with septic shock and ARF. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either high volume hemofiltration [HVHF 65 ml/(kg h)] or low volume hemofiltration [LVHF 35 ml/(kg h). Vasopressor dose was adjusted to reach a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > 65 mmHg. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We performed six hourly measurements of MAP, norepinephrine dose, PaO(2)/FiO(2) and lactate, and four daily urine output and logistic organ dysfunction (LOD) score. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable on randomization. Mean norepinephrine dose decreased more rapidly after 24 h of HVHF treatment compared to LVHF treatment (P = 0.004) whereas lactate and PaO(2)/FiO(2) did not differ between the two treatment groups. During the 4-day follow-up, urine output was slightly increased in the HVHF group (P = 0.059) but the LOD score evolution was not different. Duration of mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy and ICU length of stay were also comparable. Survival on day 28 was not affected. CONCLUSION: HVHF decreased vasopressor requirement and tended to increase urine output in septic shock patients with renal failure. However, a larger trial is required to confirm our results and perhaps to show a benefit in survival.     

Plasma endothelin levels are increased during septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether serially measured plasma concentrations of endothelin (a novel, potent, endogenous vasoconstrictor derived from endothelium and macrophages) relate to the pathophysiology and severity of human septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective analysis. SETTING: Medical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Six patients with septic shock, studied for 8 days after ICU admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The initial plasma endothelin concentration was increased (14.2 +/- 5.2 [SD] vs. normal 4.2 +/- 0.7 pg/mL, p less than .05) and correlated with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (r2 = .79, p less than .05). For pooled data, endothelin levels correlated poorly with leukocyte counts (r2 = .13), mean arterial pressure (MAP) (r2 = .16), and administered doses of dopamine (r2 = .26). In multiple regression analyses, plasma endothelin concentrations were predicted by dopamine doses and not by MAP. Plasma endothelin concentrations predicted the decrease in creatinine clearance, independently from MAP. The pooled value for correlations between endothelin levels and creatinine clearance, during the course of disease in individual patients, was statistically significant (r2 = .31). CONCLUSIONS: During septic shock, the release or production of endothelin may increase as a consequence of endothelial injury by activated leukocytes and the infusion of catecholamines, and this mechanism may relate to renal vasoconstriction and to the severity of disease.     

Hemodynamic, renal, and hormonal actions of aprotinin in an ovine model of septic shock.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Previous studies documented activation of protease enzymes such as the plasma kallikrein-kinin system in endotoxemia and sepsis, both in experimental animals and in patients. We investigated the actions of aprotinin (a protease inhibitor that binds to plasma kallikrein) on systemic hemodynamics and renal function, in an ovine model of septic shock. Aprotinin was infused intravenously in high dosage (1 x 10(6) kallikrein inhibitor units [KIU] loading, 200,000 KIU/hr), commencing 30 mins after surgical induction of sepsis (cecal ligation and puncture). RESULTS: In the control group (n = 6), there were significant decreases with time in BP and systemic vascular resistance, an increase in pulmonary artery pressure, reductions in creatinine clearance and sodium excretion, and an increase in plasma renin activity. In aprotinin-treated animals (n = 6), none of these changes occurred. There were significant between-group differences (controls vs. treatment) for mean arterial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and plasma renin activity. CONCLUSIONS: In this large animal model of septic shock, which reproduces the important features of clinical sepsis, treatment with aprotinin after the initiation of sepsis appears beneficial in relation to systemic hemodynamics, renal function, and hormonal stimulation, with no evidence of adverse effects.     

重症医学科患者急性肾损伤的发病率及危险因素的分析

目的:探讨重症监护病房(intensive care unit,ICU)收治患者急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury,AKI)的发病率以及相关危险因素。方法:回顾分析ICU 1443例患者的临床资料,按照AKI临床诊断标准筛选AKI患者,进行病因分析,检测AKI患者的实验室指标,记录尿量、住ICU时间等用Logistic回归分析影响预后的危险因素。结果:1443例ICU患者中符合2012年KDIGO-AKI诊断标准的患者98例(6.7%),其中病死32例(32.65%),需肾替代治疗50例(51.02%),随着AKI患者年龄和分期的增大,病死率越高;病因构成中脓毒症性AKI患者48例(48.98%),非脓毒症性AKI患者50例(51.02%),脓毒症性AKI患者住ICU时间和住院时间均较非脓毒症性AKI患者长(t=2.292,P=0.024;t=2.083,P=0.040),且行肾替代治疗比率较高(χ2=4.083,P=0.043)。Logistic回归分析显示老年、少尿、休克、酸中毒、AKI 3期、升压药物、感染和需肾替代治疗是AKI预后不良的危险因素。结论:ICU中AKI患者的发病率和病死率均较高,AKI的预后与多种因素有关,及早发现并干预治疗对降低AKI病死率具有重要意义。     

Effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) worsens outcome in various scenarios. We sought to investigate whether the occurrence of AKI has any effect on weaning from mechanical ventilation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational, retrospective study in a 23-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a cancer hospital from January to December 2003. PATIENTS: The inclusion criterion was invasive mechanical ventilation for > or =48 hrs. AKI was defined as at least one measurement of serum creatinine of > or =1.5 mg/dL during the ICU stay. Patients were then separated into AKI and non-AKI patients (control group). The criterion for weaning was the combination of positive end-expiratory pressure of < or =8 cm H2O, pressure support of < or =10 cm H2O, and Fio2 of < or =0.4, with spontaneous breathing. The primary end point was duration of weaning and the secondary end points were rate of weaning failure, total length of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the ICU, and ICU mortality. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were studied: 93 with AKI and 47 controls. The groups were similar in regard to age, sex, and type of tumor. Diagnosis of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome as cause of respiratory failure and Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at admission did not differ between groups. During ICU stay, AKI patients had markers of more severe disease: increased occurrence of severe sepsis or septic shock, higher number of antibiotics, and longer use of vasoactive drugs. The median (interquartile range) duration of mechanical ventilation (10 [6-17] vs. 7 [2-12] days, p = .017) and duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation (41 [16-97] vs. 21 [7-33.5] hrs, p = .018) were longer in AKI patients compared with control patients. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a > or =85% increase in baseline serum creatinine (hazard rate, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-4.08), oliguria (hazard rate, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-5.08), and the number of antibiotics (hazard rate, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-4.63) predicted longer duration of weaning. The length of ICU stay and ICU mortality rate were significantly greater in the AKI patients. After adjusting for Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, oliguria (odds ratio, 30.8; 95% confidence interval, 7.7-123.0) remained as a strong risk factor for mortality. CONCLUSION: This study shows that renal dysfunction has serious consequences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and mortality in critically ill cancer patients.     

Epidemiology and prognostic factors of critically ill patients treated with hemodiafiltration

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to study the epidemiology, outcome, and prognostic factors of critically ill patients treated with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational cohort was done in a French 16-bed intensive care unit (ICU) from a university-affiliated urban hospital. All patients requiring, in the opinion of the treating physician, the initiation of CVVHDF were included in the study. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-seven patients with acute renal failure (ARF) treated with CVVHDF were studied. The incidence of ARF treated with CVVHDF was 5.9% in the ICU with a mortality rate of 71.6%. A multivariate analysis identified 3 independent factors associated with fatal outcome: mechanical ventilation, sepsis, and septic shock requiring vasoactive drug. In contrast, 2 independent factors predicted a favorable outcome: nonoliguric ARF and serum creatinine concentration higher than 34 mg/L at CVVHDF initiation. A flowchart determined by the chi2 Automatic Interaction and Detection statistical method allowed for the identification of patients' subgroups with different mortality rates ranging from 25% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, ARF treated with CVVHDF was associated with a high overall ICU mortality rate (71.6%). However, our prognostic flowchart identified patients with low mortality rates for which renal replacement therapy must be initiated with no discussion as soon as required.     

CD64 surface expression on neutrophils is transiently upregulated in patients with septic shock

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the changes in total leukocyte counts, CD64 neutrophil receptor expression and serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations in critically ill patients without infection and sepsis and in patients with septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) and research laboratory of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Eleven critically ill patients without infections and 22 patients with proven infections in septic shock for the first time and of at least 3 days' duration. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Over a 6month period, a longitudinal analysis of expression of the monomeric Fc receptor type I (CD64, FcgammaRI) on neutrophils was performed by flow cytometric analysis on a daily basis in all postoperative/post-traumatic patients admitted to the ICU until discharge from the ICU or death. Out of 273 patients, 11 patients without sepsis had organ failure and 22 patients with proven infections had septic shock for the first time and of at least 3 days' duration. Ten out of the 22 patients survived, 12 died. CD64 expression was greater in patients with septic shock than in patients without sepsis. Moreover, CD64 expression was only initially and transiently elevated in most survivors (9/10) and non-survivors (8/12) of septic shock. In survivors, G-CSF serum concentrations were markedly decreased in the 2nd week. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased neutrophil CD64 expression in an acutely ill population with septic shock may reflect the development of a non-responsive state as well as the early downregulation of neutrophil activation prior to the resolution of an ongoing infection.     

胸腺肽-α1对脓毒性休克患者细胞免疫功能的影响

目的探讨胸腺肽-α1对脓毒性休克患者细胞免疫功能的影响及其对病情转归的干预作用。方法将重症加强治疗病房(ICU)治疗的42例脓毒性休克、且急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分在15～25分之间的患者纳入本研究,同时排除近3个月使用过免疫制剂、激素及肿瘤、器官移植和伴有慢性疾病终末期患者。随机分为治疗组(n=21)和对照组(n=21),两组患者入院后均给予广谱抗生素治疗,治疗组在上述基础上皮下注射1．6 mg胸腺肽-α1,每日2次,持续1周。抽取全部患者治疗1、3和7 d时的静脉血,采用微量全血直标法分别检测T细胞亚群和自然杀伤(NK)细胞水平,并观察患者的体温、ICU住院时间、机械通气时间、28 d病死率及总住院费用。结果治疗组经治疗后,CD3 、CD4 、NK细胞及CD4 ／CD8 比值均明显上升(P均<0．01)。体温下降时间、ICU住院时间、机械通气时间、总住院费用和28 d病死率均较对照组明显下降(P<0．01)。结论胸腺肽-α1能提高脓毒性休克患者的细胞免疫功能,从而改善症状,缩短ICU住院时间和机械通气时间,降低28 d病死率。细胞免疫功能是脓毒性休克患者抢救成功与否的重要因素之一。     

Tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphism and septic shock in surgical infection

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship of the genotype distribution of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha polymorphism with regard to the plasma TNF-alpha concentration and the development of septic shock as well as mortality of infected patients in a surgical intensive care unit (SICU). DESIGN: A total of 112 postoperative critically ill infected patients were prospectively enrolled. SETTING: SICU of a tertiary university-affiliated medical center. PATIENTS: Patients who were consecutively admitted to the SICU because of surgical infection with sepsis. INTERVENTION: Blood sampling. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood sample was obtained 24 hrs after intensive care unit (ICU) admission or within 2 hrs after the onset of septic shock to determine the plasma TNF-alpha level and to analyze the genotype of the biallelic polymorphism of the TNF-alpha. RESULTS: The allele frequency of the TNF2 in our infected ICU patients was 12%. Forty-two (37.5%) patients admitted fulfilled the criteria of septic shock during their ICU stay. Patients carrying the TNF2 allele were not more likely to develop septic shock, nor did they have a higher mortality rate. In the patients with septic shock, those carrying the TNF2 allele had a significantly higher mortality rate than those with the homozygous TNF1 genotype (92% vs. 62%, p < .05). In those who developed septic shock, the TNF2 allele was significantly associated with higher TNF levels. CONCLUSION: In patients admitted to SICU with surgical infection, the frequency of TNF2 allele was higher than in the general population. SICU patients with TNF2 allele did not show a higher incidence of developing septic shock, nor was there a higher baseline TNF-alpha level after infection. However, once septic shock had developed, the mortality rate was higher in those patients carrying the TNF2 allele.     

The effect of early vasopressin use on patients with septic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe effect of early vasopressin initiation on clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock is uncertain. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of early start of vasopressin support within 6 h after the diagnosis on clinical outcomes in septic shock patients.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies from inception to the 1st of February 2021. We included studies involving adult patients (> 16 years)with septic shock. All authors reported our primary outcome of short-term mortality and in the experimental group patients in the studies receiving vasopressin infusion within 6 h after diagnosis of septic shock and in the control group patients in the studies receiving no vasopressin infusion or vasopressin infusion 6 h after diagnosis of septic shock, clearly comparing with clinically relevant secondary outcomes(use of renal replacement therapy(RRT),new onset arrhythmias, ICU length of stay and length of hospitalization). Results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with accompanying 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsFive studies including 788 patients were included. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis showed that short-term mortality between the two groups was no difference (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.48; P = 0.6; χ2 = 0.83; I2 = 0%). Secondary outcomes demonstrated that the use of RRT was less in the experimental group than that of the control group (OR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.88; P = 0.007; χ2 = 3.15; I2 = 36%).The new onset arrhythmias between the two groups was no statistically significant difference (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.1; P = 0.10; χ2 = 4.7; I2 = 36%). There was no statistically significant difference in the ICU length of stay(mean difference = 0.16; 95% CI, − 0.91 to 1.22; P = 0.77; χ2 = 6.08; I2 = 34%) and length of hospitalization (mean difference = −2.41; 95% CI, −6.61 to 1.78; P = 0.26; χ2 = 8.57; I2 = 53%) between the two groups.ConclusionsEarly initiation of vasopressin in patients within 6 h of septic shock onset was not associated with decreased short-term mortality, new onset arrhythmias, shorter ICU length of stay and length of hospitalization, but can reduce the use of RRT. Further large-scale RCTs are still needed to evaluate the benefit of starting vasopressin in the early phase of septic shock.     

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

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

Development of septic shock and prognostic assessment in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease outside Wuhan,China

BACKGROUND: The study aims to illustrate the clinical characteristics and development of septic shock in intensive care unit (ICU) patients confirmed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and to perform a comprehensive analysis of the association between septic shock and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). METHODS: Patients confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, who were admitted to the ICU of the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 1 to February 7, 2020, were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with and without septic shock. RESULTS: In this study, 35 critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. Among them, the median age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR] 59-67 years), and 10 (28.4%) patients were female. The median ICU length of stay was 16 days (IQR 8-23 days). Three (8.6%) patients died during hospitalization. Nine (25.7%) patients developed septic shock in the ICU, and these patients had a significantly higher incidence of organ dysfunction and a worse prognosis than patients without septic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Septic shock is associated with a poor outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients and is one of the hallmarks of the severity of patients receiving ICU care. A dysregulated immune response, uncontrolled inflammation, and coagulation disorders are strongly associated with the development and progression of COVID-19-related septic shock.     

Analytical validation and investigation on reference intervals of aldosterone and renin in Chinese Han population by using fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays

BackgroundThe aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) is recommended to screen for primary aldosteronism (PA) in hypertension. We estimated fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA) for plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) and plasma direct renin concentrations (PRC) and investigated their reference intervals in Chinese Han population.MethodsPAC and PRC were measured on a fully automated analyzer (LIAISON XL, DiaSorin, Italy). Performance characteristics were estimated according to CLSI approved guidelines. 328 healthy individuals were selected for reference intervals investigation. Results simultaneously tested by CLIA and radioimmunoassays were reviewed from 123 patients with hypertension and/or adrenal space-occupying lesion. PAC/PRC ratio (ARR_prc) was compared to PAC/plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARR_pra).ResultsWithin-laboratory imprecision was 5.6%–6.7% for PAC and 3.0%–3.3% for PRC. The LoQ was 72.2 pmol/L for PAC and 1.27 mIU/L for PRC. Linearity was excellent in the range of concentrations between 94 and 2708 pmol/L for PAC and 1.3–461.8 mIU/L for PRC. Interferences of hemoglobin, unconjugated bilirubin and lipaemia could be acceptable, but not of conjugated-bilirubin when renin and aldosterone at low concentrations. The central 95% reference intervals for males: PAC: 76–722 pmol/L, PRC: 3.3–92.7 mIU/L, ARR: 2.2–46.0 pmol/mIU; for females: PAC: 85–1010 pmol/L, PRC: 3.7–99.8 mIU/L, ARR: 3.6–68.4 pmol/mIU. Upper reference limits for ARR of younger and older men were lower than women. ARR_prc and ARR_pra showed almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.815) for screening PA.ConclusionThe DiaSorin tests are valuable analytical options for PAC and PRC measurements. We recommend sex-specific and age-specific reference intervals of these items should be estimated.     

Tight glycemic control does not affect asymmetric-dimethylarginine in septic patients

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether preventing hyperglycemia in septic patients affected the plasma concentration of asymmetric-dimethylarginine and if this was associated with clinical benefit. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical study. SETTING: Intensive care units (ICU) in three university hospitals. PATIENTS: A total of 72 patients admitted for severe sepsis or septic shock, who stayed at least 3 days in the ICU. At admission the patients were assigned to receive either tight or conventional glycemic control. INTERVENTIONS: Determination of circulating levels of asymmetric-dimethylarginine, arginine, interleukin-6, C-reactive-protein and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Blood was sampled at admission (no differences between groups), and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th (T12) days. Sequential organ failure assessment was scored at each sampling time. All the data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The control and treatment groups received the same energy intake, glycemia (110.4 +/- 17.3 vs. 163.0 +/- 28.9 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and insulin (P = 0.02) supply differed. No differences were found in high plasma levels of asymmetric-dimethylarginine (P = 0.812) at any time during the ICU stay. The clinical course, as indicated by markers of inflammation, average and maximum organ failure score, ICU stay and ICU and 90-day mortality, was the same. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive insulin treatment, while achieving glucose control, did not reduce asymmetric-dimethylarginine in high-risk septic patients fed with no more than 25 kcal/kg per day to limit ventilatory demand and to simplify glucose control. DESCRIPTOR: 45 (SIRS/sepsis: clinical studies).     

液相色谱串联质谱法对原发性醛固酮增多症的诊断价值

目的： 探讨液相色谱串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）检测方法中的卡托普利试验（captopril test，CCT）和生理盐水输注试验（saline infusion test，SIT）对原发性醛固酮增多症（primary aldosteronism，PA）的诊断价值。方法： 选取2018年2月至2019年2月复旦大学附属中山医院内分泌科收治的高血压患者127例，其中111例患者行CCT试验，101例患者行SIT试验。通过LC-MS/MS方法检测患者试验前后血浆醛固酮浓度（PAC）、肾素活性及醛固酮/肾素活性比值（aldosterone/renin ratio，ARR）水平。以手术或螺内酯试验为诊断金标准，采用CCT和SIT的ROC曲线探讨2种试验的诊断指标和最佳诊断截断值。结果： PA患者57例，原发性高血压患者70例。CCT后醛固酮、ARR及醛固酮抑制率的AUC分别为0.876、0.902和0.751；ARR为6.5时，诊断PA的灵敏度为94.2%，特异度为78%；PAC为34.8 pg/mL时，诊断PA的灵敏度为75.5%，特异度为93.2%。SIT后醛固酮、ARR及醛固酮抑制率的AUC分别为0.881、0.823和0.652；PAC为24 pg/mL时，诊断PA的灵敏度为87.2%，特异度为78.8%。结论： CCT后ARR和PAC均可作为PA的诊断指标，诊断截断值为6.5和34.8 pg/mL；SIT试验后PAC为PA诊断指标，诊断截断值为24 pg/mL。     

连续肾脏替代疗法在感染性休克致急性肾损伤患者中的应用效果

目的探讨连续肾脏替代疗法在感染性休克致急性肾损伤患者中的应用效果。方法选取我院2017年5月至2019年4月收治的65例感染性休克致急性肾损伤患者,按照随机法将其分为对照组(32例)与研究组(33例)。对照组采用间歇性血液透析治疗,研究组采用连续肾脏替代疗法治疗。比较两组临床疗效。结果研究组尿量恢复时间、器官支持时间、ICU住院时间及总住院时间均短于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前,两组APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后24、48 h,研究组APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对感染性休克致急性肾损伤患者行以连续肾脏替代疗法可促进尿量恢复,缩短器官支持时间、ICU住院时间及总住院时间,还可以改善患者健康状况及器官衰竭状况。     

Epidemiology and outcome of severe pneumococcal pneumonia admitted to intensive care unit: a multicenter study

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) account for a high proportion of ICU admissions, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the main pathogen responsible for these infections. However, little is known on the clinical features and outcomes of ICU patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. The aims of this study were to provide epidemiological data and to determine risk factors of mortality in patients admitted to ICU for severe S. pneumoniae CAP. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of two prospectively-acquired multicentre ICU databases (2001-2008). Patients admitted for management of severe pneumococcal CAP were enrolled if they met the 2001 American Thoracic Society criteria for severe pneumonia, had life-threatening organ failure and had a positive microbiological sample for S. pneumoniae. Patients with bronchitis, aspiration pneumonia or with non-pulmonary pneumococcal infections were excluded. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty two patients were included, with a median SAPS 2 score reaching 47 [36-64]. Acute respiratory failure (n=154) and septic shock (n=54) were their most frequent causes of ICU admission. Septic shock occurred in 170 patients (77%) and mechanical ventilation was required in 186 patients (84%); renal replacement therapy was initiated in 70 patients (32%). Bacteremia was diagnosed in 101 patients. The prevalence of S. pneumoniae strains with decreased susceptibility to penicillin was 39.7%. Although antibiotherapy was adequate in 92.3% of cases, hospital mortality reached 28.8%. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for mortality were age [OR 1.05 (95% CI: 1.02-1.08)], male sex [OR 2.83 (95% CI: 1.16-6.91)] and renal replacement therapy [OR 3.78 (95% CI: 1.71-8.36)]. Co-morbidities, macrolide administration, concomitant bacteremia or penicillin susceptibility did not influence outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In ICU, mortality of pneumococcal CAP remains high despite adequate antimicrobial treatment. Baseline demographic data and renal replacement therapy have a major impact on adverse outcome.     

Comparable increase of B-type natriuretic peptide and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with severe sepsis, septic shock, and acute heart failure

OBJECTIVE: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP measurements are used for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (HF). However, the diagnostic value of these tests is unknown under septic conditions. We compared patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and patients with acute HF to unravel the influence of the underlying diagnosis on BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP levels. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Academic medical intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS: A total of 249 consecutive patients were screened for the diagnosis of sepsis or HF. Sepsis was defined according to published guidelines. HF was diagnosed in the presence of an underlying heart disease and congestive HF, pulmonary edema, or cardiogenic shock. INTERVENTIONS: BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP were measured from blood samples that were drawn daily for routine analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified 24 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and 51 patients with acute HF. At admission, the median (range) BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP levels were 572 (13-1,300) and 6,526 (198-70,000) ng/L in patients with sepsis and 581 (6-1,300) and 4,300 (126-70,000) ng/L in patients with HF. The natriuretic peptide levels increased during the ICU stay, but the differences between the groups were not significant. Nine patients with sepsis and eight patients with HF were monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. Mean (sd) pulmonary artery occlusion pressure were 16 (4.2) and 22 (5.3) mm Hg (p = .02), and cardiac indexes were 4.6 (2.8) and 2.2 (0.6) L/min/m (p = .03) in patients with sepsis and HF, respectively. Despite these clear hemodynamic differences BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP levels were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP values are highly elevated and, despite significant hemodynamic differences, comparable with those found in acute HF patients. It remains to be determined how elevations of natriuretic peptide levels are linked to inflammation and sepsis-associated myocardial dysfunction.     

Use of spironolactone and indapamide in the treatment of low-renin arterial hypertension

AIM: To compare efficacy of use of the blocker of aldosteron receptors spironolactone and diuretic indapamide in low-renin arterial hypertension (AH), their action on blood pressure, serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, creatinine, plasmic renin activity (PRA), plasmic aldosteron concentration (PAC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 31 females aged 40-60 years with hardly correctable AH and high PAC to (PRA) ratio. Biochemical parameters were measured before 2-week treatment with indapamide (1.5 mg/day) and spironolactone (25 mg/day) and after the treatment. Between the courses there was a 2-week interval. RESULTS: In AH patients with high PAC/PRA spironolacton reduced AP more significantly (-15.5 / -8.2 mmHg) than indapamide (-10.9 / -5.9 mmHg). Indapamide lowered potassium serum levels by 0.28 mmol/l (p < 0.05), spironolacton raised it by 0.26 mmol/l (p = 0.05). Sodium concentration in the serum reduced only after treatment with spironolactone. Both drugs increased blood concentrations of creatinine, aldosteron, PRA, but spironolactone was more active. CONCLUSION: In treatment-resistant AH it is necessary to perform screening for detection of patients with low-renin hypertension. Such patients are effectively treated with spironolacton in low doses.