African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine最新文献

Background: Mortality rates in patients with haematological malignancies who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission have in the past been high. More recently, however, improved outcomes for critically ill haematological patients have been reported.

Objectives: To determine outcomes, average length of ICU stay, and factors associated with mortality in patients with haematological malignancies and neutropenic fever in the multidisciplinary ICU (MICU) at Universitas Academic Hospital (UAH), Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical and laboratory records of all patients admitted to the UAH MICU with haematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia between 2010 and 2019.

Results: A total of 182 patients with haematological malignancies were admitted to the MICU between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019, of whom 51 (28.0%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the study. The median age was 33 years, and 29 patients (56.9%) were female. Most patients had either acute myeloid leukaemia (n=22; 43.1%) or acute lymphocytic leukaemia (n=16; 31.4%), while B-cell lymphoma (n=12; 23.5%) and multiple myeloma (n=1; 2%) were less frequent. The median length of stay in the ICU was 3 days. ICU mortality was 76.5% and hospital mortality 82.4%. Factors associated with mortality included septic shock, vasoactive agent use and mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion: Patients with haematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia in the UAH MICU have high ICU and hospital mortality rates. More needs to be done with regard to timeous management of patients with haematological malignancies and septic shock in our setting to improve survival.

Study synopsis: This is the first study to report on ICU mortality of adult patients with haematological malignancies and neutropenic sepsis in a tertiary hospital ICU in the Free State. These patients had a high mortality rate. What the study adds. Our study shows that septic shock, vasoactive agent use and mechanical ventilation were associated with increased ICU mortality.Implications of the findings. Strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures in haematology wards is required. Early recognition and treatment of sepsis before it progresses to septic shock is important. ICUs must be designed so that isolation cubicles are readily available to prevent cross-infection of patients.

Background: Shock is a state of circulatory insufficiency that creates an imbalance between tissue oxygen supply and demand, resulting in end-organ dysfunction and hypodynamic circulatory failure. Most patients with infectious and trauma-related illnesses present to the emergency department (ED) in shock.

Objectives: To study the usefulness of the shock index (SI) and modified shock index (MSI) in identifying and triaging patients in shock presenting to the ED.

Methods: This was a year-long observational, cross-sectional study of 290 patients presenting to the ED of a tertiary hospital in compensated or overt shock. The SI and MSI were calculated at the time of first contact, and then hourly for the initial 3 hours. Relevant background investigations targeting the cause of shock and prognostic markers were done. The outcome measures of mortality and intensive care unit admission were documented for each participant.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 49 years, and 67% of them were men. In consensus with local and national data, the major medical comorbidities were hypertension (20%) and diabetes mellitus (16%). An SI ≥0.9 and an MSI ≥1.3 predicted in-hospital mortality (p<0.05) and ICU admission (p<0.05) with no significant superiority of the MSI over the SI in terms of mortality, although the MSI was a better surrogate marker for critical care admission.

Conclusion: The study showed the complementary value of the SI and MSI in triage in a busy tertiary hospital ED, surpassing their components such as blood pressure, heart rate and pulse pressure. We determined useful cut-offs for these tools for early risk assessment in the ED, and larger multicentre studies are needed to support our findings.

Study synopsis: What the study adds. The study highlights the usefulness of clinical bedside tools such as the shock index (SI) and modified shock index (MSI) in triaging patients in the emergency department, and their role in predicting morbidity and mortality.Implications of the findings. Compared with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure, alone or in combination, the SI and MSI had higher sensitivity and specificity in terms of outcome prediction. While both an elevated SI and an elevated MSI predicted in-hospital mortality, the MSI was a better surrogate marker for ICU admission.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disorder that affects the lives of many South Africans. Post-tuberculosis (TB) bronchiectasis is an important complication of previous pulmonary TB and a common cause of bronchiectasis in South Africa (SA). No previous statements on the management of bronchiectasis in SA have been published.

Objectives: To provide a position statement that will act as a template for the management of adult patients with bronchiectasis in SA.

Methods: The South African Thoracic Society appointed an editorial committee to compile a position statement on the management of adult non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis in SA.

Results: A position statement addressing the management of non-CF bronchiectasis in adults in SA was compiled. This position statement covers the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, investigations and various aspects of management of adult patients with non-CF bronchiectasis in SA.

Conclusion: Bronchiectasis has largely been a neglected lung condition, but new research has improved the outlook for patients. Collaboration between interprofessional team members in patient management is important. In SA, more research into the epidemiology of bronchiectasis, especially post-TB bronchiectasis and HIV-associated bronchiectasis, is required.

Abstract: The South African Thoracic Society mandated a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers to compile a position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in South Africa (SA). International guidelines on the management of bronchiectasis were reviewed and used as a basis from which the current position statement was compiled. This is the first position statement on the management of adult non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in SA. A description of the epidemiology and aetiology of bronchiectasis is provided, as well as guidance on its diagnosis and management. The position statement provides guidance on the management of bronchiectasis to healthcare providers, policymakers and regulatory authorities.

Background: Chest radiographs are a common diagnostic tool in the internal medicine department, and correct interpretation is imperative for adequate patient management.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of common pathologies in South Africa that are evident on chest radiographs, and to determine whether there are discrepancies according to different levels of qualification of doctors rotating through the internal medicine department, and which factors contribute to an accurate diagnosis.

Methods: Fifteen chest radiographs with common pathologies were given to all doctors rotating through the Department of Internal Medicine at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and they were asked to interpret them. Information pertaining to their experience, designation and confidence in chest radiograph interpretation was also obtained.

Results: Diagnostic accuracy according to years of experience was as follows: 0 - 5 years 27.0%, 6 - 10 years 43.0%, and >10 years 47.9%. For different designations, accuracy was as follows: consultants 50.5%, registrars 40.9%, medical officers 36.4%, and interns 19.5%. Participants who were confident obtained a mean score of 39.4% and those who were not, a mean score of 31.6%.

Conclusion: Chest radiographs are readily accessible and used daily in clinical practice in numerous facilities. An accurate diagnosis is important to provide quality healthcare. Improved training in interpretation for all, but especially for junior doctors, should be a priority in our training facilities.

Study synopsis: What the study adds. This study tested the diagnostic accuracy with regard to common pathologies present on chest X ray by doctors rotating through, or stationed at the internal medicine department at an academic hospital. Implications of the findings. Interpretation of chest X-rays was generally poor but the study did find that this improves with experience and confidence in diagnostic ability. These findings are significant in that they indicate a need to implement improved teaching programs in radiological interpretation, especially at an undergraduate level.