Net ultrafiltration (UFNET) during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can control fluid balance (FB), but is usually 0 ml·h−1 in patients with vasopressors due to the risk of hemodynamic instability associated with CRRT (HIRRT). We evaluated a UFNET strategy adjusted by functional hemodynamics to control the FB of patients with vasopressors, compared to the standard of care.
In this randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter, proof-of-concept trial, adults receiving vasopressors, CRRT since ≤ 24 h and cardiac output monitoring were randomized (ratio 1:1) to receive during 72 h a UFNET ≥ 100 ml·h−1, adjusted using a functional hemodynamic protocol (intervention), or a UFNET ≤ 25 ml·h−1 (control). The primary outcome was the cumulative FB at 72 h and was analyzed in patients alive at 72 h and in whom monitoring and CRRT were continuously provided (modified intention-to-treat population [mITT]). Secondary outcomes were analyzed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population.
Between June 2021 and April 2023, 55 patients (age 69 [interquartile range, IQR: 62; 74], 35% female, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) 13 [11; 15]) were randomized (25 interventions, 30 controls). In the mITT population, (21 interventions, 24 controls), the 72 h FB was −2650 [−4574; −309] ml in the intervention arm, and 1841 [821; 5327] ml in controls (difference: 4942 [95% confidence interval: 2736–6902] ml, P < 0.01). Hemodynamics, oxygenation and the number of HIRRT at 72 h, and day-90 mortality did not statistically differ between arms.
In patients with vasopressors, a UFNET fluid removal strategy secured by a hemodynamic protocol allowed active fluid balance control, compared to the standard of care.
The recent study by Liu et al. published in Intensive Care Medicine aroused our great interest [1]. We greatly appreciate the authors’ focus on the quality of sleep in postoperative patients, which is critical to improving the quality of sleep in postoperative patients and facilitating the recovery of postoperative patients. This study has greatly improved our understanding of the effects of low-dose clonidine infusion on sleep in postoperative patients. However, we offer some suggestions for interpreting the results of this study.
Gastric or duodenal mucosal erosions, or stress ulcers, are a known complication of critical illness [1]. General supportive care and treatment of the underlying cause of the critical illness are the cornerstones of intensive care medicine and may help minimize the risk of stress ulcer bleeding. Stress ulcer prophylaxis is often prescribed to prevent such ulcers and their consequences [2] which include patient and family concerns [3], tests (e.g., endoscopy), treatments (e.g., blood transfusions), and associated morbidity and mortality.
Sepsis is a heterogeneous syndrome. Identification of sepsis subphenotypes with distinct immune profiles could lead to targeted therapies. This study investigates the immune profiles of patients with sepsis following distinct body temperature patterns (i.e., temperature trajectory subphenotypes).
Hospitalized patients from four hospitals between 2018 and 2022 with suspicion of infection were included. A previously validated temperature trajectory algorithm was used to classify study patients into temperature trajectory subphenotypes. Microbiological profiles, clinical outcomes, and levels of 31 biomarkers were compared between these subphenotypes.
The 3576 study patients were classified into four temperature trajectory subphenotypes: hyperthermic slow resolvers (N = 563, 16%), hyperthermic fast resolvers (N = 805, 23%), normothermic (N = 1693, 47%), hypothermic (N = 515, 14%). The mortality rate was significantly different between subphenotypes, with the highest rate in hypothermics (14.2%), followed by hyperthermic slow resolvers 6%, normothermic 5.5%, and lowest in hyperthermic fast resolvers 3.6% (p < 0.001). After multiple testing correction for the 31 biomarkers tested, 20 biomarkers remained significantly different between temperature trajectories: angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), feline McDonough sarcoma-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3l), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-15, IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA), IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), human macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (MIP-3a), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), pentraxin-3, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (vCAM-1).The hyperthermic fast and slow resolvers had the highest levels of most pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Hypothermics had suppressed levels of most cytokines but the highest levels of several coagulation markers (Ang-1, thrombomodulin, tissue factor).
Sepsis subphenotypes identified using the universally available measurement of body temperature had distinct immune profiles. Hypothermic patients, who had the highest mortality rate, also had the lowest levels of most pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) Green Paper aims to address the challenge of environmental sustainability in intensive care and proposes actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into intensive care unit (ICU) stakeholder actions.
The ESICM Executive Committee appointed a task force of topic experts and ESICM committee representatives to develop the ESICM Green Paper. The task force convened biweekly from January to June 2024, identifying key domains for environmental sustainability and prioritizing actions. Drafts were iteratively refined and approved by the ESICM Executive Committee.
Climate change will impact activities in intensive care in many ways, but also the impact of ICU activities on the environment is considerable; drivers for this include extensive resource use and waste generation in ICUs from energy consumption, use of disposable items, and advanced therapies for critically ill patients. The ESICM Green Paper outlines a structured approach for ICUs to reduce their environmental impact, emphasizing energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Furthermore, it endorses the need for awareness and education among healthcare professionals, integration of sustainability into research, and sustainable policies within scientific societies.
The ESICM Green Paper reviewed the relevance of climate change to intensive care and provided suggestions for clinical practice, research, education, and ESICM organizational domains. It underscores that reducing intensive care's ecological footprint can coexist with high-quality patient care. Promoting a resilient, responsible healthcare system is a joint responsibility of all ICU stakeholders.