Comparison of limited driving pressure ventilation and low tidal volume strategies in adults with acute respiratory failure on mechanical ventilation: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) presents a grave risk to acute respiratory failure patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Low tidal volume (LTV) ventilation has been advocated as a protective strategy against VILI. However, the effectiveness of limited driving pressure (plateau pressure minus positive end-expiratory pressure) remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the efficacy of LTV against limited driving pressure in preventing VILI in adults with respiratory failure. DESIGN: A single-centre, prospective, open-labelled, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This study was executed in medical intensive care units at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. We enrolled acute respiratory failure patients undergoing intubation and mechanical ventilation. They were randomized in a 1:1 allocation to limited driving pressure (LDP; ⩽15 cmH2O) or LTV (⩽8 mL/kg of predicted body weight). The primary outcome was the acute lung injury (ALI) score 7 days post-enrolment. RESULTS: From July 2019 to December 2020, 126 patients participated, with 63 each in the LDP and LTV groups. The cohorts had the mean (standard deviation) ages of 60.5 (17.6) and 60.9 (17.9) years, respectively, and they exhibited comparable baseline characteristics. The primary reasons for intubation were acute hypoxic respiratory failure (LDP 49.2%, LTV 63.5%) and shock-related respiratory failure (LDP 39.7%, LTV 30.2%). No significant difference emerged in the primary outcome: the median (interquartile range) ALI scores for LDP and LTV were 1.75 (1.00-2.67) and 1.75 (1.25-2.25), respectively (p = 0.713). Twenty-eight-day mortality rates were comparable: LDP 34.9% (22/63), LTV 31.7% (20/63), relative risk (RR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.57, p = 0.705. Incidences of newly developed acute respiratory distress syndrome also aligned: LDP 14.3% (9/63), LTV 20.6% (13/63), RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.55-1.22, p = 0.348. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with acute respiratory failure, the efficacy of LDP and LTV in averting lung injury 7 days post-mechanical ventilation was indistinguishable. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov database (identification number NCT04035915).

Limited breathing pressure or low amount of air given to the lung; which one is better for adults who need breathing help by ventilator machineWe conducted this research at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, aiming to compare two ways of helping patients with breathing problems. We studied 126 patients who were randomly put into two groups. One group received a method where the pressure during breathing was limited (limited driving pressure: LDP), and the other group got a method where the amount of air given to the lungs was kept low (low tidal volume: LTV). We checked how bad the lung injury was at seven days later. The results showed that there was no difference between the two methods. Both ways of helping patients breathe had similar outcomes, and neither was significantly better than the other in preventing lung problems. The study suggests that both approaches work about the same for patients who need help with breathing using a machine.

Critical care bed capacity in Asian countries and regions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of critical care. The aim of the current study was to compare the number of adult critical care beds in relation to population size in Asian countries and regions before (2017) and during (2022) the pandemic. Methods: This observational study collected data closest to 2022 on critical care beds (intensive care units and intermediate care units) in 12 middle-income and 7 high-income economies (using the 2022-2023 World Bank classification), through a mix of methods including government sources, national critical care societies, personal contacts, and data extrapolation. Data were compared with a prior study from 2017 of the same countries and regions. Findings: The cumulative number of critical care beds per 100,000 population increased from 3.0 in 2017 to 9.4 in 2022 (p = 0.003). The median figure for middle-income economies increased from 2.6 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.7-7.8) to 6.6 (IQR 2.2-13.3), and that for high-income economies increased from 11.4 (IQR 7.3-22.8) to 13.9 (IQR 10.7-21.7). Only 3 countries did not see a rise in bed capacity. Where data were available in 2022, 10.9% of critical care beds were in single rooms (median 5.0% in middle-income and 20.3% in high-income economies), and 5.3% had negative pressure (median 0.7% in middle-income and 18.5% in high-income economies). Interpretation: Critical care bed capacity in the studied Asian countries and regions increased close to three-fold from 2017 to 2022. Much of this increase was attributed to middle-income economies, but substantial heterogeneity exists. Funding: None.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure patients: outcomes and predictive factors.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an important rescue therapy for patients with refractory respiratory or circulatory failure. High cost and associated complications warrant careful case selection. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes and factors associated with mortality in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure patients who received ECMO support, and to externally validate preexisting ECMO survival prediction scoring systems. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled acute hypoxemic respiratory failure patients who received veno-venous (VV) or veno-arterial (VA) ECMO support at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) from 2010 to 2020. All relevant baseline patient characteristics including ECMO survival prediction scores were recorded. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Results: Of a total of 65 patients, 34 (52%) were male, the median (IQR) age was 61 years (49-70 years), the median body mass index (BMI) was 22.6 kg/m2 (20.6-28 kg/m2), and the median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 13 [11-16]. Forty-three patients (66%) received VV-ECMO, and 22 (34%) received VA-ECMO support. In-hospital mortality was 69%. Multivariate analysis identified a SOFA score >14, hospitalized >72 hours before ECMO initiation, PaO2/FiO2 ratio <60, and pH <7.2 as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. These four parameters were combined to create the SHOP (S: SOFA >14, H: hospitalize >72 hours, O: PF ratio <60, and P: pH <7.2) score. Compared with three different preexisting ECMO survival prediction scoring systems, the SHOP score had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting in-hospital mortality (overall: 0.873, VV-EMCO: 0.866, and VA-EMCO: 0.891). Conclusions: In-hospital mortality among ECMO-supported patients was high at 69%. SOFA score >14, hospitalized >72 hours, PaO2/FiO2 ratio <60, and pH <7.2 were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. A SHOP score of 2 or higher significantly predicts in-hospital mortality in EMCO-supported patients. Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (reg. No. NCT04031794).

Incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis in medical critical care patients.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 13-31% of medical critical care patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, there are very few reports regarding the incidence of DVT among Asian patients without routine prophylaxis. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in Thai medical critical care patients not receiving thrombosis prophylaxis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in medical critical care patients admitted to Siriraj Hospital, Thailand between November 2008 and November 2009. Patients were screened for proximal DVT by duplex ultrasonography performed 48 h, 7, 14 and 28 days after admission. Primary outcomes were prevalence and incidence proportion of DVT. Factors associated with the development of proximal DVT were evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 158 patients enrolled in the study, 25 had proximal DVT (15.8%). Nine patients (5.7%) had DVT on the first test at 48 h, while 10 (6.3%), 2 (1.3%) and 4 (2.5%) patients had developed DVT on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively. Thus, the prevalence at the beginning of the study was 5.7% (95%CI 2.6-10.5) and the incidence proportion was 10.1% (95%CI 5.9-15.9). The multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] per 1-year increase was 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.07), female gender (OR 4.05, 95%CI 1.51-12.03), femoral venous catheter (OR 11.18, 95%CI 3.19-44.83), and the absence of platelet transfusion (OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.003-0.43) were associated with the development of proximal DVT. Patients with proximal DVT had a longer hospital length of stay (22 days [IQR 11-60] vs. 14 days [7-23], p = 0.03) and spent more time on mechanical ventilation (10 days (3.3-57) vs. 6 days (3-12), p = 0.053) than patients without DVT. Patient mortality was not affected by the presence of DVT (52% vs. 38.3%, p = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Routine thromboprophylaxis is not used in our institution and the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in Asian medical critical care patients were both substantial. Patients with older age, female gender, an intravenous femoral catheter, and the absence of platelet transfusion all had a higher chance of developing proximal DVT.

Serum lactate levels in cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: In septic shock patients with cirrhosis, impaired liver function might decrease lactate elimination and produce a higher lactate level. This study investigated differences in initial lactate, lactate clearance, and lactate utility between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic septic shock patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a referral, university-affiliated medical center. We enrolled adults admitted during 2012-2018 who satisfied the septic shock diagnostic criteria of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign: 2012. Patients previously diagnosed with cirrhosis by an imaging modality were classified into the cirrhosis group. The initial lactate levels and levels 6 hours after resuscitation were measured and used to calculate lactate clearance. We compared initial lactate, lactate at 6 hours, and lactate clearance between the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Overall 777 patients were enrolled, of whom 91 had previously been diagnosed with cirrhosis. Initial lactate and lactate at 6 hours were both significantly higher in cirrhosis patients, but there was no difference between the groups in lactate clearance. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for predictors of in-hospital mortality revealed cut-off values for initial lactate, lactate at 6 hours, and lactate clearance of >4 mmol/L, >2 mmol/L, and <10%, respectively, among non-cirrhosis patients. Among patients with cirrhosis, the cut-off values predicting in-hospital mortality were >5 mmol/L, >5 mmol/L, and <20%, respectively. Neither lactate level nor lactate clearance was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality among cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic septic shock patients. CONCLUSIONS: The initial lactate level and lactate at 6 hours were significantly higher in cirrhosis patients than in non-cirrhosis patients.

Characteristics, outcomes, and risk factors for in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients: A retrospective study in Thailand.

Introduction: Data on the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Thailand are limited. Objective: To determine characteristics and outcomes and identify risk factors for hospital mortality for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had COVID-19 infection and were admitted to the cohort ward or ICUs at Siriraj Hospital between January 2020 and December 2021. Results: Of the 2,430 patients included in this study, 229 (9.4%) died; the mean age was 54 years, 40% were men, 81% had at least one comorbidity, and 13% required intensive care unit (ICU). Favipiravir (86%) was the main antiviral treatment. Corticosteroids and rescue anti-inflammatory therapy were used in 74 and 6%, respectively. Admission to the ICU was the only factor associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.05, P < 0.001], whereas older age (OR 14.3, 95%CI 5.76-35.54, P < 0.001), high flow nasal cannula (HFNC; OR 9.2, 95% CI 3.9-21.6, P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR 269.39, 95%CI 3.6-2173.63, P < 0.001), septic shock (OR 7.79, 95%CI, 2.01-30.18, P = 0.003), and hydrocortisone treatment (OR 27.01, 95%CI 5.29-138.31, P < 0.001) were factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: The overall mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 9%. The only factor associated with reduced mortality was admission to the ICU. Therefore, appropriate selection of patients for admission to the ICU, strategies to limit disease progression and prevent intubation, and early detection and prompt treatment of nosocomial infection can improve survival in these patients.

Continuous Vancomycin Infusion versus Intermittent Infusion in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Vancomycin is the best-choice medication for methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections, which are major problems in intensive care units (ICUs). Intermittent infusion is standard for vancomycin, although delayed therapeutic target achievement and supra- and subtherapeutic levels are concerns. A recently proposed alternative with superior therapeutic target achievement is continuous infusion. Objective: To compare the benefits of continuous (CVI) and intermittent (IVI) vancomycin infusion. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used propensity score-matched historical controls and adult patients in medical and surgical ICUs for whom vancomycin was indicated. The experimental group received CVI for ≥ 48 hours. Data on patients receiving IVI between January 2018 and October 2020 were reviewed. Capability to achieve serum vancomycin therapeutic targets (48 and 96 hours), episodes of supra- and subtherapeutic levels, treatment success, mortality, and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) were analyzed before and after one-to-two propensity score matching. Results: The CVI group had 31 patients, while the unmatched IVI group had 125. More CVI patients achieved the therapeutic target within 48 hours (54.8% vs 25.6%; P=0.002). CVI patients had a higher median number of supratherapeutic episodes (2 vs 1; P=0.007) but a lower median for subtherapeutic episodes (0 vs 1; P=0.003). Other outcomes demonstrated no differences. After propensity score matching, target achievement within 48 hours (54.8% vs 22.6%; P=0.002) and fewer subtherapeutic episodes (0 vs 1; P=0.014) remained significant. Conclusion: CVI's rapid therapeutic target achievement and fewer subtherapeutic episodes make it superior to IVI. No differences in treatment success, mortality, or AKI are evident.

The story of critical care in Asia: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Asia has more critically ill people than any other part of our planet. The aim of this article is to review the development of critical care as a specialty, critical care societies and education and research, the epidemiology of critical illness as well as epidemics and pandemics, accessibility and cost and quality of critical care, culture and end-of-life care, and future directions for critical care in Asia. MAIN BODY: Although the first Asian intensive care units (ICUs) surfaced in the 1960s and the 1970s and specialisation started in the 1990s, multiple challenges still exist, including the lack of intensivists, critical care nurses, and respiratory therapists in many countries. This is aggravated by the brain drain of skilled ICU staff to high-income countries. Critical care societies have been integral to the development of the discipline and have increasingly contributed to critical care education, although critical care research is only just starting to take off through collaboration across groups. Sepsis, increasingly aggravated by multidrug resistance, contributes to a significant burden of critical illness, while epidemics and pandemics continue to haunt the continent intermittently. In particular, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the central role of critical care in pandemic response. Accessibility to critical care is affected by lack of ICU beds and high costs, and quality of critical care is affected by limited capability for investigations and treatment in low- and middle-income countries. Meanwhile, there are clear cultural differences across countries, with considerable variations in end-of-life care. Demand for critical care will rise across the continent due to ageing populations and rising comorbidity burdens. Even as countries respond by increasing critical care capacity, the critical care community must continue to focus on training for ICU healthcare workers, processes anchored on evidence-based medicine, technology guided by feasibility and impact, research applicable to Asian and local settings, and rallying of governments for support for the specialty. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care in Asia has progressed through the years, but multiple challenges remain. These challenges should be addressed through a collaborative approach across disciplines, ICUs, hospitals, societies, governments, and countries.

High-flow nasal oxygen cannula vs. noninvasive mechanical ventilation to prevent reintubation in sepsis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal oxygen cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) can prevent reintubation in critically ill patients. However, their efficacy in post-extubated sepsis patients remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of HFNC vs. NIV to prevent reintubation in post-extubated sepsis patients. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre, prospective, open-labelled, randomised controlled trial at the medical intensive care unit of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Sepsis patients who had been intubated, recovered, and passed the spontaneous breathing trial were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HFNC or NIV support immediately after extubation. The primary outcome was rate of reintubation at 72 h after extubation. RESULTS: Between 1st October 2017 and 31st October 2019, 222 patients were enrolled and 112 were assigned to the HFNC group and 110 to the NIV group. Both groups were well matched in baseline characteristics. The median [IQR] age of the HFNC group was 66 [50-77] vs. 65.5 [54-77] years in the NIV group. The most common causes of intubation at admission were shock-related respiratory failure (57.1% vs. 55.5%) and acute hypoxic respiratory failure (34.8% vs. 40.9%) in the HFNC and NIV groups, respectively. The duration of mechanical ventilation before extubation was 5 [3-8] days in the HFNC group vs. 5 [3-9] days in the NIV group. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome: 20/112 (17.9%) in the HFNC group required reintubation at 72 h compared to 20/110 (18.2%) in the NIV group [relative risk (RR) 0.99: 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.70-1.39); P = 0.95]. The 28-day mortality was not different: 8/112 (7.1%) with HFNC vs. 10/110 (9.1%) with NIV (RR 0.88: 95% CI (0.57-1.37); P = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Among sepsis patients, there was no difference between HFNC and NIV in the prevention of reintubation at 72 h after extubation. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03246893; Registered 11 August 2017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03246893?term=surat+tongyoo&draw=2&rank=3.

In-Hospital Death after Septic Shock Reversal: A Retrospective Analysis of In-Hospital Death among Septic Shock Survivors at Thailand's Largest National Tertiary Referral Center.

Advances in sepsis resuscitation have significantly improved shock control; however, many patients still die after septic shock reversal. We conducted a retrospective review to examine in-hospital death in whom shock was reversed and vasopressor was discontinued for 72 hours or longer. Factors independently associated with death were determined. Medical records of septic shock survivors from the medical intensive care unit of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, during January 2012-January 2019 were analyzed. A total of 350 septic shock patients were enrolled. Of these, 280 survived initial resuscitation. Eighty of 280 patients died, 45 died by 28 days (16.1%), and 35 (12.5%) died thereafter during their hospital stay. Multi-organ failure and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) were the leading causes of death, followed by other infection and noninfectious complication. Although the death group had more laboratory derangement and required more organ support, there were four factors associated with mortality from multivariate analysis. Hospital-acquired pneumonia was the leading factor, followed by sequential organ failure assessment score and serum albumin at 72 hours after discontinuation of vasopressors, and total intravenous fluid during 72 hours after discontinuation of vasopressors. In-hospital mortality after hemodynamic restoration in patients with septic shock was substantial. Causes and contributing factors were identified. Measures to mitigate these risks would be beneficial for rendering more favorable patient outcomes.

Diagnostic and prognostic utility of presepsin for sepsis in very elderly patients in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Presepsin, a biomarker for sepsis diagnosis, has not been studied in very elderly population. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of Presepsin in very elderly patients compared to point-of-care Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and early warning scores (EWSs). METHODS: This study prospectively enrolled 250 patients aged at least 75 years old, presenting to the Emergency Department of Siriraj Hospital with suspected sepsis during September 2019 and January 2020. They were classified into three groups: non-sepsis, sepsis, and septic shock. Biomarkers and EWS values at admission were determined. PCT was analyzed with non-BRAHM method. RESULTS: Presepsin had valuable diagnostic utility for sepsis (AUC 0.792), comparable to PCT (AUC 0.751, p = 0.22) and CRP (AUC 0.767, p = 0.47). It also showed similar prognostic accuracy (AUC 0.683) with PCT (AUC 0.691, p = 0.68) and CRP (AUC 0.688, p = 0.85). The combination of Presepsin, PCT, and an EWS yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for sepsis and septic shock and highest prognostic accuracy for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Presepsin is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for sepsis in very elderly emergency patients. The combination of Presepsin, PCT, and an EWS was the best modality for early sepsis diagnosis and prognostication.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation versus conventional mechanical ventilation to treat refractory hypoxemia in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the treatment outcome of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) versus mechanical ventilation in hypoxemic patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) at a referral center that started offering VV-EMCO support in 2010. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled adults with severe ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 ratio of <100 with FiO2 of ≥90 or Murray score of ≥3) who were admitted to the intensive care unit of Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) from January 2010 to December 2018. All patients were treated using a low tidal volume (TV) and optimal positive end-expiratory pressure. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (ECMO, n = 30; mechanical ventilation, n = 34) were recruited. There was no significant difference in the baseline PaO2/FiO2 ratio (67.2 ± 25.7 vs. 76.6 ± 16.0), FiO2 (97 ± 9 vs. 94 ± 8), or Murray score (3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.5) between the ECMO and mechanical ventilation groups. The hospital mortality rate was also not significantly different between the two groups (ECMO, 20/30 [66.7%] vs. mechanical ventilation, 24/34 [70.6%]). Patients who underwent ECMO were ventilated with a significantly lower TV than patients who underwent mechanical ventilation (3.8 ± 1.8 vs. 6.6 ± 1.4 mL, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although VV-ECMO promoted lower-TV ventilation, it did not improve the in-hospital mortality rate. Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04031794).

Efficacy of echocardiography during spontaneous breathing trial with low-level pressure support for predicting weaning failure among medical critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography was reported to be a good predictor of weaning failure when using T-piece method, but information about its efficacy in a pressure support setting is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of echocardiography during spontaneous breathing trial with low-level pressure support for predicting weaning failure among medical critically ill patients. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in adult respiratory failure patients that tolerated low pressure support weaning for 30 minutes. Echocardiogram was performed during pressure support ventilation before extubation. Weaning failure was defined as reintubation within 48 hours. RESULTS: Of the 52 included patients (mean age 65.9 ± 17.8 years), 14 experienced weaning failure. Severe pneumonia, metabolic acidosis, and septic shock were the leading causes of respiratory failure. Univariate analysis identified BMI > 24, peak A wave < 100 cm/s, E/Ea > 14, and inferior vena cava maximum diameter (IVCmax ) > 17 mm as factors associated with reintubation. Multivariate analysis revealed E/Ea > 14 and IVCmax  > 17 mm to be independent predictors of weaning failure. CONCLUSION: Inferior vena cava maximum diameter > 17 and E/Ea ratio ≥ 14 independently predict weaning failure in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function. This finding confirms that preload status of both ventricles plays a major role in weaning failure.

Early Use of Norepinephrine in Septic Shock Resuscitation (CENSER). A Randomized Trial.

Rationale: Recent retrospective evidence suggests the efficacy of early norepinephrine administration during resuscitation; however, prospective data to support this assertion are scarce. Objectives: To conduct a phase II trial evaluating the hypothesis that early low-dose norepinephrine in adults with sepsis with hypotension increases shock control by 6 hours compared with standard care. Methods: This single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The study enrolled 310 adults diagnosed with sepsis with hypotension. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: early norepinephrine (n = 155) and standard treatment (n = 155). The primary outcome was shock control rate (defined as achievement of mean arterial blood pressure ≥65 mm Hg, with urine flow ≥0.5 ml/kg/h for 2 consecutive hours, or decreased serum lactate ≥10% from baseline) by 6 hours after diagnosis. Measurements and Main Results: The patients in both groups were well matched in background characteristics and disease severity. Median time from emergency room arrival to norepinephrine administration was significantly shorter in the early norepinephrine group (93 vs. 192 min; P < 0.001). Shock control rate by 6 hours was significantly higher in the early norepinephrine group (118/155 [76.1%] vs. 75/155 [48.4%]; P < 0.001). The 28-day mortality was not different between groups: 24/155 (15.5%) in the early norepinephrine group versus 34/155 (21.9%) in the standard treatment group (P = 0.15). The early norepinephrine group was associated with lower incidences of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (22/155 [14.4%] vs. 43/155 [27.7%]; P = 0.004) and new-onset arrhythmia (17/155 [11%] vs. 31/155 [20%]; P = 0.03). Conclusions: Early norepinephrine was significantly associated with increased shock control by 6 hours. Further studies are needed before this approach is introduced in clinical resuscitation practice. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01945983) (CENSER trial).

Serum potassium levels and outcomes in critically ill patients in the medical intensive care unit.

Objective To compare the outcomes of patients with and without a mean serum potassium (K+) level within the recommended range (3.5-4.5 mEq/L). Methods This prospective cohort study involved patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Siriraj Hospital from May 2012 to February 2013. The patients' baseline characteristics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, serum K+ level, and hospital outcomes were recorded. Patients with a mean K+ level of 3.5 to 4.5 mEq/L and with all individual K+ values of 3.0 to 5.0 mEq/L were allocated to the normal K+ group. The remaining patients were allocated to the abnormal K+ group. Results In total, 160 patients were included. Their mean age was 59.3±18.3 years, and their mean APACHE II score was 21.8±14.0. The normal K+ group comprised 74 (46.3%) patients. The abnormal K+ group had a significantly higher mean APACHE II score, proportion of coronary artery disease, and rate of vasopressor treatment. An abnormal serum K+ level was associated with significantly higher ICU mortality and incidence of ventricular fibrillation. Conclusion Critically ill patients with abnormal K+ levels had a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and ICU mortality than patients with normal K+ levels.

Worldwide Survey of the "Assessing Pain, Both Spontaneous Awakening and Breathing Trials, Choice of Drugs, Delirium Monitoring/Management, Early Exercise/Mobility, and Family Empowerment" (ABCDEF) Bundle.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge and use of the Assessment, prevention, and management of pain; spontaneous awakening and breathing trials; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium assessment; Early mobility and exercise; and Family engagement and empowerment (ABCDEF) bundle to implement the Pain, Agitation, Delirium guidelines. DESIGN: Worldwide online survey. SETTING: Intensive care. INTERVENTION: A cross-sectional online survey using the Delphi method was administered to intensivists worldwide, to assess the knowledge and use of all aspects of the ABCDEF bundle. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 1,521 respondents from 47 countries, 57% had implemented the ABCDEF bundle, with varying degrees of compliance across continents. Most of the respondents (83%) used a scale to evaluate pain. Spontaneous awakening trials and spontaneous breathing trials are performed in 66% and 67% of the responder ICUs, respectively. Sedation scale was used in 89% of ICUs. Delirium monitoring was implemented in 70% of ICUs, but only 42% used a validated delirium tool. Likewise, early mobilization was "prescribed" by most, but 69% had no mobility team and 79% used no formal mobility scale. Only 36% of the respondents assessed ICU-acquired weakness. Family members were actively involved in 67% of ICUs; however, only 33% used dedicated staff to support families and only 35% reported that their unit was open 24 hr/d for family visits. CONCLUSIONS: The current implementation of the ABCDEF bundle varies across individual components and regions. We identified specific targets for quality improvement and adoption of the ABCDEF bundle. Our data reflect a significant but incomplete shift toward patient- and family-centered ICU care in accordance with the Pain, Agitation, Delirium guidelines.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula Versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in Emergency Department Patients With Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: High-flow nasal cannula is a new method for delivering high-flow supplemental oxygen for victims of respiratory failure. This randomized controlled trial compares high-flow nasal cannula with conventional oxygen therapy in emergency department (ED) patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema. METHODS: We conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial in the ED of Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients aged 18 years or older with cardiogenic pulmonary edema were randomly assigned to receive either conventional oxygen therapy or high-flow nasal cannula. The primary outcome was the respiratory rate 60 minutes postintervention. RESULTS: We enrolled 128 participants (65 in the conventional oxygen therapy and 63 in the high-flow nasal cannula groups). Baseline high-flow nasal cannula and conventional oxygen therapy mean respiratory rates were 28.7 breaths/min (SD 3.2) and 28.6 breaths/min (SD 3.5). Mean respiratory rates at 60 minutes postintervention were lower in the high-flow nasal cannula group (21.8 versus 25.1 breaths/min; difference 3.3; 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 4.6). No significant differences were found in the admission rate, ED and hospital lengths of stay, noninvasive ventilation, intubation, or mortality. CONCLUSION: In patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the ED, high-flow nasal cannula therapy may decrease the severity of dyspnea during the first hour of treatment.