Epidemiology and prognostic factors in severe sepsis/septic shock. Evolution over six years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Donostia University Hospital (Guipuzcoa, Spain). DESIGN: A prospective, observational study was carried out during a consecutive 6-year period (1st February 2008-31st December 2013). SETTING: The Intensive Care Unit of Donostia University Hospital, the only third level hospital in the province of Guipuzcoa, with a recruitment population of 700,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Number of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock has progressively increased over the last years to reach 1,136 patients, yet significant changes in age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, procalcitonin and lactate values could not be observed. In the last years, admission rate from Emergency Department has increased in comparison to admissions from hospitalization ward, with a higher incidence of urological sepsis. Hemodynamic and renal dysfunctions have been the most prevalent disorders, respiratory involvement and thrombocytopenia have gone down while coagulopathy has increased significantly. Mortality has decreased significantly. We have performed a multivariate analysis of the early prognostic factors. Type, origin, sepsis etiology, lactate and the presence of organ dysfunction -except for hyperbilirubinemia and hypotension- were the most important mortality factors. CONCLUSIONS: Severe sepsis and septic shock result in growing ICU admissions. Although clinical features have barely changed over the last years, we have observed a decrease in mortality. We find important knowing these early prognostic factors to improve the management of these patients.

Prognosis of elderly patients subjected to mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognosis of mechanically ventilated elderly patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). DESIGN AND SCOPE: Sub-analysis of a prospective multicenter observational cohort study conducted over a period of two years in 13 medical-surgical ICUs in Spain. PATIENTS: Adult patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) for longer than 24 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. STUDY VARIABLES: Demographic data, APACHE II, SOFA, reason for MV, comorbidity, functional condition, reintubation, duration of MV, tracheotomy, ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1661 patients were recruited. Males accounted for 67.9% (n=1127), with a mean age of 62.1 ± 16.2 years. APACHE II: 20.3 ± 7.5. Total SOFA: 8.4 ± 3.5. Four hundred and twenty-three patients (25.4%) were ≥ 75 years of age. Comorbidity and functional condition rates were poorer in these patients (p<0.001 for both variables). Mortality in the ICU was higher in the elderly patients (33.6%) than in the younger subjects (25.9%) (p=0.002). Also, in-hospital mortality was higher in those ≥ 75 years of age. No differences in duration of MV, prevalence of tracheostomy or reintubation incidence were found. Regarding the indication for MV, only the patient ≥ 75 years of age with pneumonia, sepsis or trauma had a higher in-ICU mortality than the younger patients (46.3% vs 33.1%, p=0.006; 55% vs 25.8%, p=0.002; 63.6% vs 4.5%, p<0,001, respectively). No differences were found referred to other reasons for MV. CONCLUSION: Older patients (≥ 75 years) have significantly higher in-ICU and in-hospital mortality than younger patients without differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation. Differences in mortality were at the expense of pneumonia, sepsis and trauma.

Abdominal trauma.

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in people aged<45 years, and abdominal trauma is a source of significant morbidity and mortality and high economic costs. Imaging has a fundamental role in abdominal trauma, where CT is a fundamental tool for rapid, accurate diagnosis that will be key for patients' clinical outcomes.

Continuously evaluating performance in deceased donation: the Spanish quality assurance program.

The Spanish Quality Assurance Program applied to the process of donation after brain death entails an internal stage consisting of a continuous clinical chart review of deaths in critical care units (CCUs) performed by transplant coordinators and periodical external audits to selected centers. This paper describes the methodology and provides the most relevant results of this program, with information analyzed from 206,345 CCU deaths. According to the internal audit, 2.3% of hospital deaths and 12.4% of CCU deaths in Spain yield potential donors (clinical criteria consistent with brain death). Out of the potential donors, 54.6% become actual donors, 26% are lost due to medical unsuitability, 13.3% due to refusals to donation, 3.1% due to maintenance problems and 3% due to other reasons. Although the national pool of potential donors after brain death has progressively decreased from 65.2 per million population (pmp) in 2001 to 49 pmp in 2010, the number of actual donors after brain death has remained at about 30 pmp. External audits reveal that the number of actual donors could be 21.6% higher if all potential donors were identified and preventable losses avoided. We encourage other countries to develop similar comprehensive approaches to deceased donation performance.

[A prospective, observational severe sepsis/septic shock registry in a tertiary hospital in the province of Guipuzcoa (Spain)]. / Registro observacional y prospectivo de sepsis grave/shock séptico en un hospital terciario de la provincia de Guipúzcoa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU of Donostia Hospital (Guipuzcoa, Spain), analyzing the prognostic factors and comparing them with the existing data at national level. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out during a consecutive 3-year period (1 Feb. 2008-31 Dec. 2010). SETTING: The ICU of Donostia Hospital, the only third level hospital in the province of Guipúzcoa, with a recruitment population of 700,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: In the course of the study period, 6,263 patients were admitted to our Department: 2,880 were non-coronary patients, and 511 suffered a severe sepsis or septic shock episode upon admission or during their stay in the ICU. Males predominated (66.5%), the mean age was 63 years, and the mean Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 21. Most cases were medical (68%) and were admitted from hospital wards (53.5%). The most frequent origin was pneumonia (24%). The great majority of the cases (73%) corresponded to septic shock. Hemodynamic alterations were the most frequent disorders, followed by renal and respiratory impairment. Noradrenalin was used as vasoactive drug in all shock patients; over one-half required mechanical ventilation (MV), and one third required continuous venous-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Interventions frequently used in the management of these patients comprised blood cultures or corticosteroid use, while other measures such as activated protein C were little used. The mortality rate in the ICU was 20.8%, with a mean stay in the Unit of 14 days. The parameters associated to mortality in the multivariate analysis included the presence of hypoglycemia, respiratory dysfunction, the need for MV, lactic acid elevation and thrombocytopenia in the first 24 hours, together with an origin of sepsis either in the ICU or in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Severe sepsis is frequent in our unit, generating important morbidity and hospital stay, as well as high mortality. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of our patients are similar to those described globally at national level. Considering our data in complying with the different treatment measures, it is clear that there is still room for improvement.

[Prolonged mechanical ventilation probability model]. / Modelo de probabilidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada.

OBJECTIVE: To design a probability model for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) using variables obtained during the first 24 hours of the start of MV. DESIGN: An observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study. SCOPE: Thirteen Spanish medical-surgical intensive care units. PATIENTS: Adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. STUDY VARIABLES: APACHE II, SOFA, demographic data, clinical data, reason for mechanical ventilation, comorbidity, and functional condition. A multivariate risk model was constructed. The model contemplated a dependent variable with three possible conditions: 1. Early mortality; 2. Early extubation; and 3. PMV. RESULTS: Of the 1661 included patients, 67.9% (n=1127) were men. Age: 62.1±16.2 years. APACHE II: 20.3±7.5. Total SOFA: 8.4±3.5. The APACHE II and SOFA scores were higher in patients ventilated for 7 or more days (p=0.04 and p=0.0001, respectively). Noninvasive ventilation failure was related to PMV (p=0.005). A multivariate model for the three above exposed outcomes was generated. The overall accuracy of the model in the training and validation sample was 0.763 (95%IC: 0.729-0.804) and 0.751 (95%IC: 0.672-0.816), respectively. The likelihood ratios (LRs) for early extubation, involving a cutoff point of 0.65, in the training sample were LR (+): 2.37 (95%CI: 1.77-3.19) and LR (-): 0.47 (95%CI: 0.41-0.55). The LRs for the early mortality model, for a cutoff point of 0.73, in the training sample, were LR (+): 2.64 (95%CI: 2.01-3.4) and LR (-): 0.39 (95%CI: 0.30-0.51). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model could be a helpful tool in decision making. However, because of its moderate accuracy, it should be considered as a first approach, and the results should be corroborated by further studies involving larger samples and the use of standardized criteria.

Urgent ultrasound-guided interventional procedures.

Interventional radiology procedures have become a fundamental part of radiology, resulting in faster diagnoses and in safer, more effective, and more precise treatments, all of which are important, and even more so when referring to urgent situations, where time is of the essence. In this context, the use of ultrasound to guide interventional procedures enables real-time viewing in multiple planes that can be done at the patient's bedside, which is a great advantage in critical patients. We review the indications and technical aspects of the most common procedures related with radiological care of urgent patients.

Urgent ultrasound-guided interventional procedures. / Intervencionismo urgente guiado por ecografía.

Interventional radiology procedures have become a fundamental part of radiology, resulting in faster diagnoses and in safer, more effective, and more precise treatments, all of which are important, and even more so when referring to urgent situations, where time is of the essence. In this context, the use of ultrasound to guide interventional procedures enables real-time viewing in multiple planes that can be done at the patient's bedside, which is a great advantage in critical patients. We review the indications and technical aspects of the most common procedures related with radiological care of urgent patients.

Radiologic aspects of COVID-19 pneumonia: outcomes and thoracic complications. / Aspectos radiológicos de la neumonía COVID-19: evolución y complicaciones torácicas.

Outcomes vary widely in patients with COVID-19. Whereas some patients have only mild symptoms of short duration, others develop severe disease that leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring prolonged stays in intensive care units. Radiologically, the initial stage is characterized by viral pneumonia with mild expression. In some patients, however, the onset of the immune response results in acute lung damage with organizing pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage. Moderate-severe disease is associated with a high incidence of pulmonary embolisms, generally peripherally distributed and associated with endothelial damage, prolonged stays in bed, and coagulopathy. Other relatively common complications are spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum due to the rupture of alveolar walls and barotrauma in mechanically ventilated patients. Superinfection, generally bacterial and less commonly fungal, is more common in patients with severe disease.

Intervencionismo urgente guiado por ecografía / Urgent ultrasound-guided interventional procedures

Los procedimientos intervencionistas se han convertido en una parte fundamental de la radiología, logrando diagnósticos más precoces y tratamiento más precisos, seguros y eficaces. Aspectos muy importantes, más si cabe si nos referimos al proceso urgente, en el que el tiempo es fundamental. En este contexto, el uso de la ecografía como guía de procedimientos intervencionistas nos va a permitir una visualización en tiempo real con capacidad multiplanar y la posibilidad de trasladarnos a pie de cama del paciente, esto último de gran relevancia en pacientes críticos. Revisaremos indicaciones y aspectos técnicos de los procedimientos más comunes relacionados con la atención radiológica al paciente urgente.(AU)

Interventional radiology procedures have become a fundamental part of radiology, resulting in faster diagnoses and in safer, more effective, and more precise treatments, all of which are important, and even more so when referring to urgent situations, where time is of the essence. In this context, the use of ultrasound to guide interventional procedures enables real-time viewing in multiple planes that can be done at the patient's bedside, which is a great advantage in critical patients. We review the indications and technical aspects of the most common procedures related with radiological care of urgent patients.(AU)

Aspectos radiológicos de la neumonía COVID-19: evolución y complicaciones torácicas / Radiologic aspects of COVID-19 pneumonia: outcomes and thoracic complications

Los pacientes con COVID-19 presentan una evolución muy variable: desde enfermos con síntomas leves de corta duración a pacientes con enfermedad grave que desarrollan un síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo, con ingresos prolongados en unidades de críticos. Desde el punto de vista radiológico, la etapa inicial se caracteriza por una neumonía viral poco expresiva. No obstante, en algunos pacientes, con el inicio de la respuesta inmunitaria se produce un daño pulmonar agudo con patrones radiológicos de neumonía organizada y daño alveolar difuso. La enfermedad moderada-grave se asocia con una incidencia alta de tromboembolismo pulmonar, generalmente de distribución periférica y asociado al daño endotelial, encamamiento prolongado y coagulopatía de la enfermedad. Otras complicaciones relativamente frecuentes son: el neumotórax y el neumomediastino espontáneos por rotura de paredes alveolares, y el barotrauma en pacientes con ventilación mecánica. La sobreinfección es más frecuente en pacientes graves, generalmente de origen bacteriano y menos frecuente fúngico

Outcomes vary widely in patients with COVID-19. Whereas some patients have only mild symptoms of short duration, others develop severe disease that leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring prolonged stays in intensive care units. Radiologically, the initial stage is characterized by viral pneumonia with mild expression. In some patients, however, the onset of the immune response results in acute lung damage with organizing pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage. Moderate-severe disease is associated with a high incidence of pulmonary embolisms, generally peripherally distributed and associated with endothelial damage, prolonged stays in bed, and coagulopathy. Other relatively common complications are spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum due to the rupture of alveolar walls and barotrauma in mechanically ventilated patients. Superinfection, generally bacterial and less commonly fungal, is more common in patients with severe disease

Respuesta de los autores: Epidemiología de la sepsis en los servicios de urgencias / Author's reply: Epidemiology of sepsis in the emergency care department

No disponible

Epidemiología y factores pronósticos de la sepsis grave/shock séptico. Seis años de evolución / Epidemiology and prognostic factors in severe sepsis/septic shock. Evolution over six years

OBJETIVO: Examinar las características clínicas y los factores pronósticos de los pacientes ingresados por sepsis grave/shock séptico en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Universitario Donostia. DISEÑO: Estudio observacional prospectivo durante un período consecutivo de 6 años (1-2-2008 a 31-12-2013). ÁMBITO: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital Universitario Donostia, único hospital terciario de Guipúzcoa. RESULTADOS: El número de pacientes con sepsis grave/shock séptico ha aumentado progresivamente hasta un total de 1.136, sin observarse cambios significativos en la edad, el sexo, la puntuación del Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, los valores de procalcitonina ni en los de lactato sérico. En los últimos años ha habido un aumento significativo de los ingresos desde Urgencias respecto a los procedentes de planta, con una mayor incidencia de la sepsis urológica. La afectación hemodinámica y renal han sido las disfunciones más prevalentes, descendiendo la afectación respiratoria y la trombocitopenia y aumentando la coagulopatía. La mortalidad ha descendido significativamente. Mediante un análisis multivariante analizamos factores pronósticos precoces: el tipo de paciente, su procedencia, la etiología de la sepsis, la cifra de lactato y la presencia de disfunciones orgánicas, exceptuando la hiperbilirrubinemia y la hipotensión, fueron las variables más influyentes en la mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES: La sepsis grave/shock séptico genera un creciente número de ingresos. A pesar de que las características clínicas han variado poco en los últimos años, hemos observado un descenso de la mortalidad. Consideramos importante el conocimiento de los factores pronósticos precoces para mejorar el abordaje de estos pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Donostia University Hospital (Guipuzcoa, Spain). DESIGN: A prospective, observational study was carried out during a consecutive 6-year period (1st February 2008-31st December 2013). SETTING: The Intensive Care Unit of Donostia University Hospital, the only third level hospital in the province of Guipuzcoa, with a recruitment population of 700,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Number of patients with severe sepsis/septic shock has progressively increased over the last years to reach 1,136 patients, yet significant changes in age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, procalcitonin and lactate values could not be observed. In the last years, admission rate from Emergency Department has increased in comparison to admissions from hospitalization ward, with a higher incidence of urological sepsis. Hemodynamic and renal dysfunctions have been the most prevalent disorders, respiratory involvement and thrombocytopenia have gone down while coagulopathy has increased significantly. Mortality has decreased significantly. We have performed a multivariate analysis of the early prognostic factors. Type, origin, sepsis etiology, lactate and the presence of organ dysfunction -except for hyperbilirubinemia and hypotension- were the most important mortality factors. CONCLUSIONS: Severe sepsis and septic shock result in growing ICU admissions. Although clinical features have barely changed over the last years, we have observed a decrease in mortality. We find important knowing these early prognostic factors to improve the management of these patients

Registro observacional y prospectivo de sepsis grave/shock séptico en un hospital terciario de la provincia de Guipúzcoa / A prospective, observational severe sepsis/septic shock registry in a tertiary hospital in the province of Guipuzcoa (Spain)

Objetivo: Conocer las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes con sepsis grave/shock séptico ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Donostia, analizar factores pronósticos y compararlos con los datos existentes a nivel nacional. Diseño: Estudio observacional prospectivo durante un periodo consecutivo de 3 años (1 de febrero de 2008-31 de diciembre de 2010). Ámbito: Unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) del Hospital Donostia, único hospital de tercer nivel de la provincia de Guipúzcoa, que atiende a una población de 700.000 habitantes. Resultados: A lo largo de este periodo, 6.263 pacientes ingresaron en nuestro servicio; 2.880 fueron pacientes no coronarios y 511 presentaron al ingreso o en su evolución en UCI, un episodio de sepsis grave o shock séptico. Hubo un predominio de varones (66,5%), con una edad media de 63 años y Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) medio de 21. La mayoría fueron de tipo médico (68%), procedentes de planta de hospitalización(53,5%) y el origen más frecuente fue la neumonía (24%). La gran mayoría (73%) presentó shock séptico. La afectación hemodinámica fue la más frecuente, seguida de la renal y respiratoria. En todos los pacientes con shock se utilizó noradrenalina como vasopresor, más de la mitad requirieron ventilación mecánica (VM) y un tercio, hemodiafiltración venovenosa continua (HDFVVC). En el manejo de estos (..)(AU)

Objective: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients with severe sepsis/septic shock admitted to the ICU of Donostia Hospital (Guipuzcoa, Spain), analyzing the prognostic factors and comparing them with the existing data at national level. Design: A prospective observational study was carried out during a consecutive 3-year period (1 Feb. 2008-31 Dec. 2010). Setting: The ICU of Donostia Hospital, the only third level hospital in the province of Guipúzcoa, with a recruitment population of 700,000 inhabitants. Results: In the course of the study period, 6,263 patients were admitted to our Department: 2,880 were non-coronary patients, and 511 suffered a severe sepsis or septic shock episode upon admission or during their stay in the ICU. Males predominated (66.5%), the mean age was 63 years, and the mean Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 21. Most cases were medical (68%) and were admitted from hospital wards (53.5%). The most frequent origin was pneumonia (24%). The great majority of the cases (73%) corresponded to septic shock. Hemodynamic alterations were the most frequent disorders, followed by renal and respiratory impairment. Noradrenalin was used as vasoactive drug in all shock patients; over one-half required mechanical ventilation (MV), and one third required continuous venous-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Interventions frequently used in the management of these patients comprised blood cultures or corticosteroid use, while other measures such as activated protein C were little used. The mortality rate in the ICU was 20.8%, with a mean stay in the Unit of 14 days. The parameters associated to mortality in the multivariate analysis included the presence of hypoglycemia, respiratory dysfunction, the need for MV, lactic acid elevation and (..) (AU)

Modelo de probabilidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada / Prolonged mechanical ventilation probability model

Objetivo: Diseñar un modelo de probabilidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada (VMP) con variables clínicas obtenidas durante las primeras 24 horas de su instauración. Diseño: Estudio de cohorte, observacional, prospectivo, multicéntrico. Ámbito: Trece UCI españolas polivalentes. Pacientes: Adultos ventilados durante más de 24 horas. Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables de interés: APACHE II, SOFA, variables clínicas y demográficas, motivo de VM, comorbilidad y estado funcional. Se construyó un modelo de riesgo multivariante en el que la variable dependiente tenía tres posibles estados: 1.- Muerte precoz. 2.- Retirada precoz de la VM. 3.- VMP. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1.661 pacientes. El 67,9% (n=1.127) fueron hombres. Edad: 62,1±16,2 años. APACHE II: 20,3±7,5. SOFA: 8,4±3,5. Las puntuaciones APACHE II y SOFA fueron mayores en pacientes ventilados > 7 días (p=0,04 y p=0,0001 respectivamente). El fracaso de la ventilación no invasiva (VNI) se asoció a VMP (p=0,005). Se generó un modelo de riesgo multivariante con las siguientes variables: APACHE II, SOFA, fracaso de VNI, ubicación hospitalaria antes del ingreso en UCI y motivo de ventilación mecánica. La exactitud del modelo global (..) (AU)

Objective: To design a probability model for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) using variables obtained during the first 24hours of the start of MV. Design: An observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study. Scope: Thirteen Spanish medical-surgical intensive care units. Patients: Adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 24hours. Interventions: None. Study variables: APACHE II, SOFA, demographic data, clinical data, reason for mechanical ventilation, comorbidity, and functional condition. A multivariate risk model was constructed. The model contemplated a dependent variable with three possible conditions: 1. Early mortality; 2. Early extubation; and 3. PMV. Results: Of the 1661 included patients, 67.9% (n=1127) were men. Age: 62.1±16.2 years. APACHE II: 20.3±7.5. Total SOFA: 8.4±3.5. The APACHE II and SOFA scores were higher in patients ventilated for 7 or more days (p=0.04 and p=0.0001, respectively). Noninvasive ventilation failure was related to PMV (p=0.005). A multivariate model for the three above exposed outcomes was generated. The overall accuracy of the model in the training and validation sample was 0.763 (95%IC: 0.729-0.804) and 0.751 (95%IC: 0.672-0.816), respectively. The likelihood ratios (LRs) for early extubation, involving a cutoff point of 0.65, in the training sample were LR (+): 2.37 (95%CI: 1.77-3.19) and LR (-): 0.47 (95%CI: 0.41-0.55). The LRs for the early mortality model, for a cutoff point of 0.73, in the training sample, were LR (+): 2.64 (95%CI: 2.01-3.4) and LR (-): 0.39 (95%CI: 0.30-0.51). Conclusions: The proposed model could be a helpful tool in decision making. However, because of its moderate accuracy, it should be considered as a first approach, and the results should be corroborated by further studies involving larger samples and the use of standardized criteria (AU)

Pronóstico de los ancianos ventilados mecánicamente en la UCI / Prognosis of elderly patients subjected to mechanical ventilation in the ICU

Objetivo Analizar el pronóstico de los pacientes ancianos ventilados mecánicamente en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI).Diseño y ámbito Análisis secundario de un estudio observacional prospectivo y multicéntrico llevado a cabo durante un periodo de 2 años en 13 UCI españolas. Pacientes Pacientes adultos que precisaron ventilación mecánica (VM) invasiva durante más de 24 horas. Intervencione Ninguna. Variables de interés Datos demográficos, APACHE II, SOFA, motivo de VM, comorbilidad, situación funcional, reintubación, duración de la VM, traqueotomía, mortalidad en la UCI, mortalidad hospitalaria. Resultados Se incluyeron 1.661 pacientes. De ellos 1.127 (67,9%) eran hombres. Edad: 62,1±16,2 años. APACHE II: 20,3±7,5. SOFA total: 8,4±3,5. Cuatrocientos veintitrés pacientes (25,4%) tenían 75 años o más. Los índices de comorbilidad y capacidad funcional fueron peor en este grupo de pacientes (p<0,001 para ambas variables). La mortalidad en la UCI fue superior en este grupo (33,6%) que en los más jóvenes (25,9%) (p=0,002), al igual que la mortalidad hospitalaria (41,8 vs 31,8%; p<0,0001). No hubo diferencias en cuanto a tiempo de VM, incidencia de traqueotomías o índice de reintubaciones. Por causas de VM solo los pacientes ≥ 75 años ventilados por neumonía, sepsis o trauma presentaron una mortalidad en UCI más alta que los menores de esa edad (46,3 vs 33,1% p=0,006; 55 vs 25,8% p=0,002; 63,6 vs 4,5% p<0,001 respectivamente).Conclusiones Los ancianos (≥ 75 años) tienen una mayor mortalidad en UCI y hospitalaria que los más jóvenes sin diferencias en la duración de la VM. Las diferencias son a expensas de patologías como neumonía, sepsis y trauma (AU)

Objective To analyze the prognosis of mechanically ventilated elderly patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Design and scope Sub-analysis of a prospective multicenter observational cohort study conducted over a period of two years in 13 medical-surgical ICUs in Spain. Patients Adult patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) for longer than 24hours.InterventionsNone.Study variables Demographic data, APACHE II, SOFA, reason for MV, comorbidity, functional condition, reintubation, duration of MV, tracheotomy, ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 1661 patients were recruited. Males accounted for 67.9% (n=1127), with a mean age of 62.1±16.2 years. APACHE II: 20.3±7.5. Total SOFA: 8.4±3.5. Four hundred and twenty-three patients (25.4%) were ≥ 75 years of age. Comorbidity and functional condition rates were poorer in these patients (p<0.001 for both variables). Mortality in the ICU was higher in the elderly patients (33.6%) than in the younger subjects (25.9%) (p=0.002). Also, in-hospital mortality was higher in those ≥ 75 years of age. No differences in duration of MV, prevalence of tracheostomy or reintubation incidence were found. Regarding the indication for MV, only the patient ≥ 75 years of age with pneumonia, sepsis or trauma had a higher in-ICU mortality than the younger patients (46.3% vs 33.1%, p=0.006; 55% vs 25.8%, p=0.002; 63.6% vs 4.5%, p<0,001, respectively). No differences were found referred to other reasons for MV. Conclusion Older patients (≥ 75 years) have significantly higher in-ICU and in-hospital mortality than younger patients without differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation. Differences in mortality were at the expense of pneumonia, sepsis and trauma (AU)

Pronóstico de los pacientes VIH positivos ingresados en UCI / Prognosis of HIV-positive patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Fundamento. Desde el diagnóstico de los primeros casos de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en nuestro país, y a medida que la epidemia progresa, aumenta el número de personas infectadas por el VIH que necesitan tratamiento en UCI. Sin embargo, la idoneidad de su ingreso es objeto de amplio debate, con componentes médicos, sociales, emocionales, legales y económicos no resueltos en la actualidad. Por ello hemos querido conocer las características de pacientes VIH positivos ingresados en UCI en los primeros 12 años de la epidemia y determinar factores pronósticos que ayuden al intensivista a la hora de adoptar la decisión del ingreso de este grupo de enfermos. Métodos. Estudio epidemiológico observacional, transversal, de morbimortalidad. Variables: se analizaron diferentes variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y analíticas medidas el día del ingreso. Resultados. Se estudiaron 102 enfermos VIH positivos ingresados en UCI desde enero de 1985 a enero de 1997. La mayoría de los enfermos fueron varones (80/102), con una edad media de 32 años. El 60,8 por ciento cumplía criterios de sida-1987 y un 65,7 los ampliados de 1993. El 77,5 por ciento se había infectado por el uso de drogas por vía parenteral. Un 56,9 por ciento ingresó por insuficiencia respiratoria, siendo la mayoría neumonías por Pneumocystis carinii (NCP). La mortalidad en UCI fue del 48 por ciento. Los factores que se asociaron con un incremento significativo de la mortalidad (p < 0,05) fueron: sexo femenino, cumplimiento de criterios de sida, falta de conocimiento de infección VIH, ausencia de diagnóstico etiológico o presencia al ingreso de hipotensión, taquipnea, hipoxia severa, acidosis, anemia y un menor número de linfocitos CD4. Conclusiones. La determinación de factores pronósticos en los pacientes infectados por el VIH que requieren tratamiento en UCI es importante, tanto para informar adecuadamente a enfermos y familiares como para tomar decisiones clínicas y terapéuticas. Los continuos avances en el tratamiento de la infección VIH y enfermedades asociadas hacen necesario la realizacion de una puesta al día continua y la realización de nuevos estudios. (AU)

Hiponatremia y muerte cerebral secundaria al consumo de éxtasis / Hyponatremia and brain death secondary to ecstasy ingestion

El 3,4-metilendioximetilanfetamina (MDMA), también conocido como éxtasis, es un análogo sintético del 3,4-metilendioxianfetamina (MDA). Su consumo entre los jóvenes se ha incrementado en los últimos años. Esta sustancia actúa como estimulante del sistema nervioso central (SNC), de forma similar a los simpaticomiméticos. Hoy día cada vez es más frecuente la asistencia de estos pacientes en los servicios de urgencias y de cuidados intensivos tras el abuso de éxtasis. Las manifestaciones clínicas tras su consumo son muy variables. Entre las más graves encontramos la agitación, las convulsiones, las arritmias, la hipertermia, la hepatitis tóxica y la hiponatremia. Presentamos el caso de una mujer joven que tras ingerir una dosis de MDMA presentó un deterioro del nivel de conciencia que evolucionó a coma y muerte cerebral en pocas horas. Destacamos en la analítica sanguínea la presencia de hiponatremia severa. Exponemos los posibles mecanismos fisiopatológicos de la hiponatremia y la actitud terapeútica a tomar (AU)