Annals of Intensive Care最新文献

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Its complications often require renal replacement therapy (RRT). Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and infections are considered risk factors for the occurrence of AKI. The use of IMV and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has changed over the course of the pandemic. Concomitant with this change in treatment a reduction in the incidences of AKI and RRT was observed. We aimed to investigate the impact of IMV on RRT initiation by comparing critically ill patients with and without COVID-19. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the rates and timing of RRT as well as the outcome of patients, who were treated with RRT.

Results: A total of 8,678 patients were included, of which 555 (12.8%) in the COVID-19 and 554 (12.8%) in the control group were treated with RRT. In the first week of ICU stay the COVID-19 patients showed a significantly lower probability for RRT initiation (day 1: p < 0.0001, day 2: p = 0.021). However, after day 7 a reversed HR was found. In mechanically ventilated patients the risk was significantly higher for the initiation of RRT over the entire stay. While in non-COVID-19 patients this was a non-significant trend, in COVID-19 patients the risk for RRT was significantly increased. The median delay between initiation of IMV and requirement of RRT was observed to be longer in COVID-19 patients (5 days [IQR: 2-11] vs. 2 days [IQR: 1-5]). The analysis restricted to patients with RRT showed a significantly higher risk for ICU death in patients requiring IMV compared to patients without IMV.

Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated that IMV as well as COVID-19 are associated with an increased risk for initiation of RRT. The association between IMV and risk of RRT initiation was given for all investigated time intervals. Additionally, COVID-19 patients showed an increased risk for RRT initiation during the entire ICU stay within patients admitted to an ICU due to respiratory disease. In COVID-19 patients treated with RRT, the risk of death was significantly higher compared to non-COVID-19 patients.

Objective: To understand the impact of both frailty and chronologic age on outcomes of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the 'WorldwidE. AssessmeNt of Separation of pAtients From ventilatory assistancE (WEAN SAFE) study. We defined 4 non-overlapping groups, namely: 'frail' (clinical frailty scale [CFS] score > 4; age < 80 years); 'elderly' (CFS ≤ 4; age ≥ 80y), 'frail elderly' (CFS > 4; age ≥ 80 years), and a 'not frail or elderly' population. The primary outcome was the impact of frailty and older age on delayed weaning and failed weaning from invasive MV. Secondary outcomes included the impact of frailty and age on ICU and hospital survival.

Results: In the study population, 760 (17%) were frail, while 360 (8%) were elderly, 197 (4%) were frail and elderly, while 3,176 (70%) were not frail or elderly. The frail and elderly cohorts were more likely to be female, had hypoxemic/hypercapnic respiratory failure or sepsis, and had more comorbidities. The proportion of delayed weaning and of failed weaning from invasive MV was significantly higher in the frail (28 and 23%), the elderly (25 and 19%), and the frail and elderly groups (22% and 25%), compared to the not frail or elderly population (12% and 13%, P < 0.01). ICU and hospital mortality was higher in the frail (21 and 33%), the elderly (19 and 31%), and the frail and elderly groups (26 and 46%), compared to the not frail or elderly population (12% and 18%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, there was an independent association between frailty and delayed weaning initiation and weaning failure. Old age was independently associated with risk of weaning failure.

Conclusions: Frailty status had a more consistent impact than older age on weaning outcomes. However, overall outcomes in these cohorts are encouraging once separation attempts have been initiated.

Background: Intensive care units (ICU) are characterized by high medical assistance costs and great complexity. Recommendations to determine the needs of medical staff are scarce, generating appreciable variability. The French Intensive Care Society (FICS) and the French National Council of Intensive Care Medicine (CNP MIR, Conseil National Professionel de Médecine Intensive Réanimation) have established a technical committee of experts, the purposes of which were to draft recommendations regarding staffing needs in ICUs and to propose optimal organisation of work hours, a key objective being improved workplace quality of life.

Results: Literature analysis was conducted according to the GRADE methodology (Grade of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation). The synthesis work of the experts according to the GRADE method led to the development of 22 recommendations in 6 field. The experts issued a strong recommendation associated with a high level of evidence which is that work organization be given priority during periods of permanent care, with a maximum 16 h of consecutive work permitted. For 21 other recommendations, the level of evidence did not allow GRADE classification, and led to the formulation of expert opinions. All recommendations and expert opinions were validated (strong agreement).

Conclusion: The work in the intensive care unit and in the intermediate intensive care unit is multifaceted, both clinical and non-clinical, and must include at least the following continuity and quality for patient safety. This document provides a detailed framework to propose an optimal medical staff.

Background: There is scarce literature evaluating long term psychological or Quality of Life (QoL) outcomes in family members of ICU survivors, who have not experienced invasive ventilation. The objective was to compare long-term psychological symptoms and QoL outcomes in family members of intubated versus non-intubated ICU survivors and to evaluate dyadic relationships between paired family members and survivors.

Methods: Prospective, multicentre cohort study among four medical-surgical ICUs in Australia. Adult family members of ICU survivors and family-survivor dyads had follow-up assessments (3 and 12 months after ICU discharge), using Impact of Event Scale-Revised; Depression, Anxiety Stress Scales-21; EQ-5D-5L. Dyadic relationships examined associations of psychological symptoms or QoL impairments.

Results: Of 144 family members (75% female, 54% partners/spouses) recruited, 59% cared for previously intubated survivors. Overall, 83% (110/132) of eligible family members completed ≥ 1 follow-up. In family members of intubated vs non-intubated survivors, clinically significant psychological symptoms (PTSD/depression/anxiety) were reported by 48% vs 33% at 3-months (p = 0.15); and 39% vs 25% at 12-months (p = 0.23). Family self-rated their QoL with a mean score of 83 (SD 13) on a visual analogue scale (range 0-100), and > 30% reported problems in pain/discomfort or anxiety/depression domains at 12-months. Family members were more likely to have persistent psychological symptoms of PTSD [OR 4.9, 95% CI (1.47-16.1), p = 0.01] or depression [OR 14.6, 95% CI (2.9-72.6), p = 0.001]; or QoL domain problems with pain/discomfort [OR 6.5, 95% CI (1.14-36.8), p = 0.03] or anxiety/depression [OR 3.5, 95% CI (1.02-12.1), p = 0.04], when the paired survivor also reported the same symptoms.

Conclusions: Almost one-third of the family members of ICU survivors reported persistent psychological symptoms and QoL problems at 12-months. There was a noticeable dyad effect with family members more likely to have persistent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and problems in QoL domains when the paired ICU survivors experienced similar symptoms. The family members of non-intubated ICU survivors had an equal propensity to develop long-term psychological distress and should be included in long-term outcome studies. Future recovery intervention trials should be aimed at ICU family-survivor dyads. Trial registration ACTRN12615000880549.

Background: After cardiac arrest (CA), the European recommendations suggest to use a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level > 60 µg/L at 48-72 h to predict poor outcome. However, the prognostic performance of NSE can vary depending on electroencephalogram (EEG). The objective was to determine whether the NSE threshold which predicts poor outcome varies according to EEG patterns and the effect of electrographic seizures on NSE level.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary CA center, using a prospective registry of 155 adult patients comatose 72 h after CA. EEG patterns were classified according to the Westhall classification (benign, malignant or highly malignant). Neurological outcome was evaluated using the CPC scale at 3 months (CPC 3-5 defining a poor outcome).

Results: Participants were 64 years old (IQR [53; 72,5]), and 74% were male. 83% were out-of-hospital CA and 48% were initial shockable rhythm. Electrographic seizures were observed in 5% and 8% of good and poor outcome patients, respectively (p = 0.50). NSE blood levels were significantly lower in the good outcome (median 20 µg/L IQR [15; 30]) compared to poor outcome group (median 110 µg/l IQR [49;308], p < 0,001). Benign EEG was associated with lower level of NSE compared to malignant and highly malignant patterns (p < 0.001). The NSE level was not significantly increased in patients with seizures as compared with malignant patterns (p = 0.15). In patients with a malignant EEG, a NSE > 45.2 µg/L was predictive of unfavorable outcome with 100% specificity and a higher sensitivity (70.8%) compared to the recommended NSE cut-off of 60 µg/l (Se = 66%). Combined to electrographic seizures, a NSE > 53.5 µg/L predicts poor outcome with 100% specificity and a higher sensitivity (77.7%) compared to the recommended cut-off (Se = 66.6%). Combined to a benign EEG, a NSE level > 78.2 µg/L was highly predictive of a poor outcome with a higher specificity (Sp = 100%) compared to the recommended cut-off (Sp = 94%).

Conclusion: In comatose patients after AC, a personalized approach of NSE according to EEG pattern could improve the specificity and sensitivity of this biomarker for poor outcome prediction. Compared to others malignant EEG, no significant difference of NSE level was observed in case of electrographic seizures.

Diagnosing coagulopathy in septic patients remains challenging in intensive care. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) indeed presents with complex pathophysiology, complicating timely diagnosis. Epidemiological data indicate a significant prevalence of DIC in septic patients, with mortality rates up to 60%. Despite advances, current biomarker-based diagnostic tools often fail to provide early and accurate detection. This review evaluates the utility and limitations of traditional and emerging biomarkers for diagnosing sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and DIC. We also assess the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy guided by biomarker-based diagnostic criteria.

Background: To describe the use of life-sustaining therapies and mortality in patients with acute leukemia admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: The PubMed database was searched from January 1st, 2000 to July 1st, 2023. All studies including adult critically ill patients with acute leukemia were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, assessed bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cohort studies, and performed data extraction from full-text reading. We performed a proportional meta-analysis using a random effects model. The primary outcome was all-cause ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included reasons for ICU admission, use of organ support therapies (mechanical ventilation, vasopressors and renal replacement therapy), hospital, day-90 and one-year mortality rates.

Results: Of the 1,331 studies screened, 136 (24,861 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Acute myeloid leukemia affected 16,269 (66%) patients, acute lymphoblastic leukemia affected 835 (3%) patients, and the type of leukemia was not specified in 7,757 (31%) patients. Acute respiratory failure (70%) and acute circulatory failure (25%) were the main reasons for ICU admission. Invasive mechanical ventilation, vasopressors and renal replacement therapy, were needed in 65%, 53%, and 23% of the patients, respectively. ICU mortality was available in 51 studies (6,668 patients, of whom 2,956 died throughout their ICU stay), resulting in a metanalytical proportion of 52% (95% CI [47%; 57%]; I² 93%). In a meta-regression, variables that influenced ICU mortality included year of publication, and intubation rate.

Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure is the main reason for ICU admission in patients with acute leukemia. Mechanical ventilation is the first life-sustaining therapy to be used, and also a strong predictor of mortality.

Trial registration: This study's protocol was preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD42023439630).

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with coronavirus infectious disease (COVID)-19 has been a challenge in intensive care medicine for the past three years. Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is linked to COVID-19, but also to non-COVID-19 ARDS. It is still unclear whether changes in the RAS are associated with prognosis of severe COVID-19.

Methods: In this prospective exploratory study, blood samples of 94 patients with COVID-19 were taken within 48 h of admission to a medical ward or an ICU. In ICU patients, another blood sample was taken seven days later. Angiotensin (Ang) I-IV, Ang 1-7, Ang 1-5 and aldosterone concentrations were measured with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by calculation of markers for activities of renin (PRA-S) and ACE (ACE-S), alternative RAS activation (ALT-S) as well as the ratio of aldosterone to Ang II (AA2R). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS-based assays. All RAS parameters were evaluated as predictors of 28-day and 60-day survival using receiver operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: AA2R at inclusion was a predictor of 60-day survival for ICU patients with an AUROC of 0.73. Ang II and active ACE2 were inversely associated with survival (OR 0.07; 95%CI 0.01, 0.39 and OR 0.10; 95%CI 0.01, 0.63) while higher Ang 1-7 predicted favorable outcome (OR 6.8; 95%CI 1.5, 39.9). ICU patients showed higher concentrations of all measured angiotensin metabolites, PRA-S, ALT-S and active ACE2, and lower ACE-S and AA2R than patients in the medical ward at inclusion. After seven days in the ICU, Ang I, Ang II, Ang III and Ang IV concentrations decreased, while ACE and ACE2 levels increased. Ang I, PRA-S, Ang 1-7 and Ang 1-5 concentrations correlated with the SOFA score both at the time of inclusion and after seven days, and driving pressure after seven days.

Conclusions: AA2R at inclusion predicted 60-day survival with moderate sensitivity, revealing a dissociation between unchanged aldosterone and increased Ang II levels in the most severely ill COVID-19 patients. After adjustment for confounders, Ang 1-7 as the final metabolite of alternative RAS was predictive for survival.

Background: Invasive procedures and environmental factors in the intensive care unit (ICU) may cause anxiety and discomfort in patients, who often require sedation therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of remimazolam tosilate for procedural sedation in ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation following endotracheal intubation. Eighty patients from a single centre were randomly assigned to either the propofol group or the remimazolam group. Blood tests were conducted to evaluate changes in lactate, blood lipids, liver and kidney function, and inflammatory markers, and patients' vital signs were observed over several periods. This study compared the incidence of delirium, the impact on liver and kidney function, circulatory effects, and changes in blood lipids between the two groups. These findings have optimised the selection of medications, providing ICU patients with more options for sedation therapy.

Methods: In this single-centre randomised controlled trial, intubated patients were randomly assigned to the remimazolam group or the propofol group. Under the same analgesic regimen, the two groups received remimazolam and propofol for procedural sedation.

Results: Our primary outcome was the mean arterial pressure (MAP), which significantly differed on Days 4 and 7 (P = 0.021, control group vs. experimental group = 85.23 ± 11.24 vs. 94.36 ± 13.18, P = 0.023, 83.55 ± 8.94 vs. 92.66 ± 7.02). With respect to liver and kidney function, the ∆AST value in the remimazolam group was significantly lower than that in the control group on Day 7 (P = 0.023). There were significant differences in triglyceride (TG) levels on Days 4 and 7 (P = 0.020) and in the ∆LDL on Day 7 (P = 0.027). Furthermore, the rates of dyslipidaemia and delirium in the remimazolam group were lower than those in the propofol group (85.0%, n = 40 vs. 90.0%, n = 40; 27.5%, n = 40 vs. 55%, n = 40).

Conclusion: Remimazolam is a novel benzodiazepine that has demonstrated promising applications in general anaesthesia and procedural sedation; however, its use in ICU sedation is still in the early stages of research. Current evidence suggests that remimazolam is a safe sedative that is particularly well suited for patients with haemodynamic instability. Large sample-size randomised clinical trials are warranted.