The effects of acute kidney injury in a multicenter cohort of high-risk surgical patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients who develop post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) have a poor prognosis, especially when undergoing high-risk surgery. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with AKI acquired after non-cardiac surgery and the possible risk factors for this complication. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective cohort study with patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) after non-cardiac surgery was conducted to assess whether they developed AKI. The patients who developed AKI were then compared to non-AKI patients. RESULTS: A total of 29 ICUs participated, of which 904 high-risk surgical patients were involved in the study. The occurrence of AKI in the post-operative period was 15.8%, and the mortality rate of post-operative AKI patients at 28 days was 27.6%. AKI was strongly associated with 28-day mortality (OR = 2.91; 95% CI 1.51-5.62; p = 0.001), and a higher length of ICU and hospital stay (p < 0.001). Independent factors for the risk of developing AKI were pre-operative anemia (OR = 7.01; 95% CI 1.69-29.07), elective surgery (OR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.21-0.97), SAPS 3 (OR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.06), post-operative vasopressor use (OR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.34-4.55), post-operative infection (OR = 8.82; 95% CI 2.43-32.05) and the need for reoperation (OR= 7.15; 95% CI 2.58-19.79). CONCLUSION: AKI was associated with the risk of death in surgical patients and those with anemia before surgery, who had a higher SAPS 3, needed a post-operative vasopressor, or had a post-operative infection or needed reoperation were more likely to develop AKI post-operatively.

Referral to immediate postoperative care in an intensive care unit from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians: a cross-sectional questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Due to the high cost and insufficient offer, the request for Intensive Care (ICU) beds for postoperative recovery needs adequate criteria. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of patients referred to postoperative care at an ICU from the perspective of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians. METHODS: A questionnaire on referrals to postoperative intensive care was applied to physicians at congresses in Brazil. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians who agreed to fill out the questionnaire were included. The questionnaire consisted of hypothetical clinical scenarios and cases for participants to choose which would be the priority for referral to the ICU. RESULTS: 360 physicians participated in the study, with median time of 10 (5-18) years after graduation. Of the interviewees, 36.4% were anesthesiologists, 30.0% surgeons, and 33.6% intensive care physicians. We found that anesthesiologists were more conservative, and surgeons less conservative in ICU referrals. As to patients with risk of bleeding, 75.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 52.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 43.5% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to elderly persons with limited reserve, 62.0% of the surgeons would refer them to the ICU, in contrast with 47.1% of the intensive care physicians, and 22.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). As to patients with risk of respiratory complications, 64.5% of the surgeons would recommend the ICU, versus 43.0% of the intensive care physicians, and 32.1% of the anesthesiologists (p < 0.001). Intensive care physicians classified priorities better in indicating ICU, and the main risk indicator was the ASA physical status in all specialties (p < 0.001). There was no agreement among the specialties and surgeries on prioritizing post-operative intensive care. CONCLUSION: Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensive care physicians presented different perspectives on postoperative referral to the ICU.

Epidemiology and outcome of high-surgical-risk patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil. / Epidemiologia e desfecho dos pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To define the epidemiological profile and the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in noncardiac high surgical risk patients in Brazil. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational and multicenter study. All noncardiac surgical patients admitted to intensive care units, i.e., those considered high risk, within a 1-month period were evaluated and monitored daily for a maximum of 7 days in the intensive care unit to determine complications. The 28-day postoperative, intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine intensive care units participated in the study. Surgeries were performed in 25,500 patients, of whom 904 (3.5%) were high-risk (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 3.3% - 3.8%) and were included in the study. Of the participating patients, 48.3% were from private intensive care units, and 51.7% were from public intensive care units. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was 2.0 (1.0 - 4.0) days, and the length of hospital stay was 9.5 (5.4 - 18.6) days. The complication rate was 29.9% (95%CI 26.4 - 33.7), and the 28-day postoperative mortality rate was 9.6% (95%CI 7.4 - 12.1). The independent risk factors for complications were the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; odds ratio - OR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.03) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) on admission to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.09 - 1.25), surgical time (OR = 1.001, 95%CI 1.000 - 1.002) and emergency surgeries (OR = 1.93, 95%CI, 1.10 - 3.38). In addition, there were associations with 28-day mortality (OR = 1.032; 95%CI 1.011 - 1.052), SAPS 3 (OR = 1.041; 95%CI 1.107 - 1.279), SOFA (OR = 1.175, 95%CI 1.069 - 1.292) and emergency surgeries (OR = 2.509; 95%CI 1.040 - 6.051). CONCLUSION: Higher prognostic scores, elderly patients, longer surgical times and emergency surgeries were strongly associated with higher 28-day mortality and more complications during the intensive care unit stay.

SAPS 3 score as a predictive factor for postoperative referral to intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery are typically taken to the ward postoperatively. However, some may develop complications requiring intensive care later. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery who required late postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and determine the predictors for this. METHODS: The study included patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery with preoperative indication for ICU but who were taken to the ward postoperatively, because they appeared to be responding well. However, they required late ICU admission. ICU care and preoperative SAPS 3 score were evaluated. Palliative surgeries and patients readmitted to ICU were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 100 patients, 27 % of whom had late postoperative admission to the ICU. The preoperative SAPS 3 score was higher (45.4 ± 7.8 vs. 35.9 ± 7.4, P < 0.001) in patients who required delayed admission to the ICU postoperatively. Furthermore, they had undergone longer surgery (4.2 ± 1.9 vs. 2.7 ± 1.5 h, P < 0.001), and a greater proportion were gastrointestinal surgeries (14.8 vs. 5.5 %, P = 0.03) and intraoperative transfusion (18.5 vs. 5.5 % P = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, preoperative SAPS 3 and surgery duration independently predicted postoperative ICU admission, respectively (OR 1.25; 95 % CI 1.1-1.4 and OR 3.33; 95 % CI 1.7-6.3). CONCLUSION: The identification of high-risk surgical patients is essential for proper treatment; time of surgery and preoperative SAPS 3 seem to provide a useful indication of risk and may help better to characterize patients undergoing intermediate-risk surgery that demand ICU care.

Epidemiologia e desfecho dos pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil / Epidemiology and outcome of high-surgical-risk patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Definir o perfil epidemiológico e os principais determinantes de morbimortalidade dos pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos de alto risco no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, observacional e multicêntrico. Todos os pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos admitidos nas unidades de terapia intensiva, ou seja, considerados de alto risco, no período de 1 mês, foram avaliados e acompanhados diariamente por, no máximo, 7 dias na unidade de terapia intensiva, para determinação de complicações. As taxas de mortalidade em 28 dias de pós-operatório, na unidade de terapia intensiva e hospitalar foram avaliadas. Resultados: Participaram 29 unidades de terapia intensiva onde foram realizadas cirurgias em 25.500 pacientes, dos quais 904 (3,5%) de alto risco (intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 3,3% - 3,8%), tendo sido incluídos no estudo. Dos pacientes envolvidos, 48,3% eram de unidades de terapia intensiva privadas e 51,7% de públicas. O tempo de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 2,0 (1,0 - 4,0) dias e hospitalar de 9,5 (5,4 - 18,6) dias. As taxas de complicações foram 29,9% (IC95% 26,4 - 33,7) e mortalidade em 28 dias pós-cirurgia 9,6% (IC95% 7,4 - 12,1). Os fatores independentes de risco para complicações foram Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; razão de chance − RC = 1,02; IC95% 1,01 - 1,03) e Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) da admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva (RC =1,17; IC95% 1,09 - 1,25), tempo de cirurgia (RC = 1,001; IC95% 1,000 - 1,002) e cirurgias de emergências (RC = 1,93; IC95% 1,10 - 3,38). Em adição, foram associados com mortalidade em 28 dias idade (RC = 1,032; IC95% 1,011 - 1,052) SAPS 3 (RC = 1,041; IC95% 1,107 - 1,279), SOFA (RC = 1,175; IC95% 1,069 - 1,292) e cirurgias emergenciais (RC = 2,509; IC95% 1,040 - 6,051). Conclusão: Pacientes com escores prognósticos mais elevados, idosos, tempo cirúrgico e cirurgias emergenciais estiveram fortemente associados a maior mortalidade em 28 dias e mais complicações durante permanência em unidade de terapia intensiva.

ABSTRACT Objective: To define the epidemiological profile and the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in noncardiac high surgical risk patients in Brazil. Methods: This was a prospective, observational and multicenter study. All noncardiac surgical patients admitted to intensive care units, i.e., those considered high risk, within a 1-month period were evaluated and monitored daily for a maximum of 7 days in the intensive care unit to determine complications. The 28-day postoperative, intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were evaluated. Results: Twenty-nine intensive care units participated in the study. Surgeries were performed in 25,500 patients, of whom 904 (3.5%) were high-risk (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 3.3% - 3.8%) and were included in the study. Of the participating patients, 48.3% were from private intensive care units, and 51.7% were from public intensive care units. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was 2.0 (1.0 - 4.0) days, and the length of hospital stay was 9.5 (5.4 - 18.6) days. The complication rate was 29.9% (95%CI 26.4 - 33.7), and the 28-day postoperative mortality rate was 9.6% (95%CI 7.4 - 12.1). The independent risk factors for complications were the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; odds ratio - OR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.03) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) on admission to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.09 - 1.25), surgical time (OR = 1.001, 95%CI 1.000 - 1.002) and emergency surgeries (OR = 1.93, 95%CI, 1.10 - 3.38). In addition, there were associations with 28-day mortality (OR = 1.032; 95%CI 1.011 - 1.052), SAPS 3 (OR = 1.041; 95%CI 1.107 - 1.279), SOFA (OR = 1.175, 95%CI 1.069 - 1.292) and emergency surgeries (OR = 2.509; 95%CI 1.040 - 6.051). Conclusion: Higher prognostic scores, elderly patients, longer surgical times and emergency surgeries were strongly associated with higher 28-day mortality and more complications during the intensive care unit stay.