Evaluation of Serum Lactate, Central Venous Saturation, and Venous-Arterial Carbon Dioxide Difference in the Prediction of Mortality in Postcardiac Arrest Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia markers predict mortality in critically ill patients. This study evaluates the ability of serum lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo 2), and venous-arterial carbon dioxide difference (GapCo 2) to predict mortality in patients with postcardiac arrest (post-CA) syndrome. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients with post-CA in a tertiary teaching hospital. Serial assessments of lactate, lactate clearance (Clac), GapCo 2, and Scvo 2 in the first 72 hours post-CA were analyzed. Adults (≥18 years) patients resuscitated from CA were included. The primary end point was 28-day mortality and secondary end points were 24- and 72-hour mortality. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were recruited, 33 (61,1%) of 54 were men, with a 28-day mortality of 75.9%. Cardiac arrest occurred in-hospital in 84.6% of survivors and 97.5% of nonsurvivors. Lactate and Clac were significantly associated with mortality at 28 days, yielding an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.797 (lactate 6 hours) and 0.717 (Clac 6 hours) with a positive predictive value of 96% for lactate 6 hours (> 2.5 mmol/L) and 89.5% for Clac 6 hours (<50%). Survival analysis confirmed the difference between the groups from the 24th hour post-CA. Considering mortality at 24 hours, lactate, Clac, and Scvo 2 (immediately post-CA, 6 and 18 hours) were different between the groups. In mortality at 72 hours, lactate, Clac, Scvo 2 (48 hours), and GapCo 2 (36 and 48 hours) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: In post-CA syndrome, serum lactate and Clac were consistently able to predict mortality.

Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/-2) infection in pregnant women in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection may cause serious disease, while pathogenicity of HTLV-2 is less certain. There are no screening or surveillance programs for HTLV-1/-2 infection in Brazil. By performing this systematic review, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of HTLV-1/-2 infections in pregnant women in Brazil. This review included cohort and cross-sectional studies that assessed the presence of either HTLV-1/-2 infection in pregnant women in Brazil. We searched BVS/LILACS, Cochrane Library/CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and gray literature from inception to August 2020. We identified 246 records in total. Twenty-six of those were included in the qualitative synthesis, while 17 of them were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of HTLV-1 in Brazilian pregnant women, as diagnosed by a positive screening test and a subsequent positive confirmatory test, was 0.32% (95% CI 0.19-1.54), while of HTLV-2 was 0.04% (95% CI 0.02-0.08). Subgroup analysis by region showed the highest prevalence in the Northeast region (0.60%; 95% CI 0.37-0.97) for HTLV-1 and in the South region (0.16%; 95% CI 0.02-1.10) for HTLV-2. The prevalence of HTLV-1 is much higher than HTLV-2 infection in pregnant Brazilian women with important differences between regions. The prevalence of both HTLV-1/-2 are higher in the Northeast compared to Center-West region.

Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia Increases Glutathione Levels in Postcardiac Arrest Patients.

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms of tissue injury after cardiac arrest (CA). A decrease in antioxidant defenses may contribute to I/R injury. The present study aims to investigate the influence of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) on levels of nonenzymatic antioxidants after CA. We investigated antioxidant levels at 6, 12, 36, and 72 hours after CA in central venous blood samples of patients admitted to intensive care. The sample consisted of 31 patients under controlled normothermia (36°C) and 11 patients treated with 24 hours of MTH (33°C). Erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) levels were elevated by MTH, increasing at 6, 12, 36, and 72 hours after CA in hypothermic patients (mean GSH levels in normothermic patients: 6 hours = 73.89, 12 hours = 56.45, 36 hours = 56.46, 72 hours = 61.80 vs. hypothermic patients: 6 hours = 176.89, 12 hours = 198.78, 36 hours = 186.96, and 72 hours = 173.68 µmol/g of protein). Vitamin C levels decreased significantly at 6 and 12 hours after CA in hypothermic patients (median vitamin C levels in normothermic patients: 6 hours = 7.53, 12 hours = 9.40, 36 hours = 8.56, and 72 hours = 8.51 vs. hypothermic patients: 6 hours = 5.46, 12 hours = 5.44, 36 hours = 6.10, and 72 hours = 5.89 mmol/L), coinciding with the period of therapeutic hypothermia. Vitamin E and nitric oxide levels were not altered by hypothermic treatment. These findings suggest that MTH alters nonenzymatic antioxidants differently, decreasing circulating vitamin C levels during treatment; however, MTH elevates GSH levels, possibly protecting tissues from I/R injury after CA.

Accuracy of C - Reactive protein as a bacterial infection marker in critically immunosuppressed patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a better understanding of the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a valid marker for the detection of bacterial infections in critically immunosuppressed patients. A high negative predictive value of CRP is also needed to rule out sepsis and bacterial infections in immunocompetent patients. However, few studies have evaluated the performance of CRP in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of CRP as a marker of infection in critically immunosuppressed patients. METHODS: The inclusion criterion was immunosuppression for which CRP was used as a bacterial infection marker. Searches were performed in the Cochrane Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web OF Science, LILACS and CINAHL databases. We applied the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool 2 (QUADAS 2) to evaluate the quality of the articles and evaluated the test accuracy parameters using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves and bivariate random effect models. RESULTS: Only 13 of 21 studies produced quantitative results. We analyzed all studies using the random effects method (restricted maximum likelihood) and obtained a joint diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 3.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71-5.40) with heterogeneity (I2=91%, Q=181.48, p<0.001). Therefore, a bivariate model was applied. Analyzing the tuberculosis carrier, steroid user, or presence of opportunistic infection subgroups, as described in the proposal, was not possible due to the lack of information on these topics included in the articles. CONCLUSIONS: CRP appears to be a good screening tool for sepsis in critically immunosuppressed patients. Submitted PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015019329.

Safe prone checklist: construction and implementation of a tool for performing the prone maneuver. / Checklist da prona segura: construção e implementação de uma ferramenta para realização da manobra de prona.

OBJECTIVE: To construct and implement an instrument (checklist) to improve safety when performing the prone maneuver. METHODS: This was an applied, qualitative and descriptive study. The instrument was developed based on a broad review of the literature pertaining to the construction of a care protocol using the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane). RESULTS: We describe the construction of a patient safety tool with numerous modifications and adaptations based on the observations of the multidisciplinary team regarding its use in daily practice. CONCLUSION: The use of the checklist when performing the prone maneuver increased the safety and reliability of the procedure. The team's understanding of the tool's importance to patient safety and training in its use are necessary for its success.

OBJETIVO: Construir e implementar um instrumento (checklist) para melhoria do cuidado na manobra prona. MÉTODOS: Estudo aplicativo, qualitativo e descritivo. O instrumento foi desenvolvido a partir de ampla revisão da literatura, para construção de um protocolo de atendimento assistencial, utilizando as principais bases eletrônicas (MEDLINE, LILACS e Cochrane). RESULTADOS: Descrevemos a construção de uma ferramenta de segurança do paciente com suas inúmeras modificações e adaptações, a partir das observações da equipe multidisciplinar com seu uso na prática diária. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicação do checklist na manobra de prona acrescentou confiabilidade e segurança ao procedimento. O entendimento da importância da ferramenta na segurança do paciente, por parte da equipe, e sua capacitação são necessários para seu sucesso.

Inhalation injury after exposure to indoor fire and smoke: The Brazilian disaster experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pre-hospital, emergency department, and intensive care unit (ICU) care and prognosis of patients with inhalation injury after exposure to indoor fire and smoke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational cohort study that includes patients admitted to seven ICUs after a fire disaster. The following data were collected: demographic characteristics; use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy; degree of inhalation injury; percentage of burned body surface area; mechanical ventilation parameters; and subsequent events during ICU stay. Patients were followed to determine the ICU and hospital mortality rates. RESULTS: Within 24h of the incident, 68 patients were admitted to seven ICUs. The patients were young and had no comorbidities. Most patients (n=35; 51.5%) only had an inhalation injury. The mean ventilator-free days for patients with an inhalation injury degree of 0 or I was 12.5±8.1 days. For patients with an inhalation injury degree of II or III, the mean ventilator-free days was 9.4±5.8 days (p=0.12). In terms of the length of ICU stay for patients with degrees 0 or I, and patients with degrees II or III, the median was 7.0 days (5.0-8.0 days) and 12.0 days (8.0-23.0 days) (p<0.001), respectively. In addition, patients with a larger percentage of burned surface areas also had a longer ICU stay; however, no association with ventilator-free days was found. The patients with <10% of burned body surface area showed a mean of 9.2±5.4 ventilator-free days. The mean ventilator-free days for patients who had >10% burned body surface area was 11.9±9.5 (p=0.26). The length of ICU stay for the <10% and >10% burned body surface area patients was 7.0 days (5.0-10.0 days) and 23.0 days (11.5-25.5 days) (p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that burn patients with inhalation injuries have different courses of disease, which are mainly determined by the percentage of burned body surface area.

Good practices for prone positioning at the bedside: Construction of a care protocol.

Last year, interest in prone positioning to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resurfaced with the demonstration of a reduction in mortality by a large randomized clinical trial. Reports in the literature suggest that the incidence of adverse events is significantly reduced with a team trained and experienced in the process. The objective of this review is to revisit the current evidence in the literature, discuss and propose the construction of a protocol of care for these patients. A search was performed on the main electronic databases: Medline, Lilacs and Cochrane Library. Prone positioning is increasingly used in daily practice, with properly trained staff and a well established care protocol are essencial.

Innovating the fight against syphilis: SIM Project / Inovando a luta contra a sífilis: Projeto SIM

Introduction: Syphilis is a major public health problem. Its incidence has increased in Brazil, particularly in the Southern Region. New tools are available, and immediate action is necessary. Objective: To describe the pilot study of an investigation aimed to assess the prevalence of syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV and evaluate three strategies for adherence to syphilis treatment. Methods: A spontaneous sample of participants was evaluated with a structured questionnaire and underwent rapid tests for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C after signing an informed consent form (ICF). Rapid tests reagent for syphilis were confirmed by quantitative venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA). Participants with confirmation of syphilis were randomized into three groups for follow-up: telephone calls, SIM app, and usual care at the health unit. Results: During a two-day pilot, 68 participants were included. Fourteen (20.6%) had tests reagent for syphilis, 1 (1.5%) for hepatitis B, 3 (4.4%) for hepatitis C, and 1 (1.5%) for HIV. Eight (57.1%) of the initial 14 individuals with rapid tests reagent for syphilis agreed to participate in the study. Out of the 8 rapid tests for syphilis, 2 (25%) were confirmed as active syphilis (>1/8). Conclusion: The prevalence of active syphilis estimated in this population was 3.5%. The demand for tests was high. The COVID-19 epidemic had a negative impact on the development of the study, which is ready for implementation. Discussions on the role of such a testing unit and the coverage of the research project in a context that requires increasing COVID-19-focused testing are fundamental for the future development of the project.

Introdução: A sífilis é um importante problema de saúde pública. A incidência tem aumentado no Brasil, principalmente na Região Sul. Novas ferramentas estão disponíveis e uma ação imediata é necessária. Objetivo: Descrever o estudo piloto de uma pesquisa que avalia a prevalência de sífilis, hepatites B e C e HIV e três estratégias de aderência ao seguimento do tratamento. Métodos: Uma amostra espontânea de participantes foi avaliada com um questionário estruturado e testes rápidos para sífilis, HIV e hepatites B e C foram realizados após assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE). Os testes rápidos reagentes para sífilis foram confirmados por VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) quantitativo e hemaglutinação para sífilis (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay ­ TPHA). Os participantes com confirmação de sífilis foram randomizados em três grupos para acompanhamento: ligações telefônicas, aplicativo do SIM e cuidados habituais na unidade de saúde. Resultados: Durante um piloto de dois dias, 68 participantes foram incluídos. Quatorze (20,6%) tiveram testes reagentes para sífilis, 1 (1,5%) para hepatite B, 3 (4,4%) para hepatite C e 1 (1,5%) para HIV. Oito (57,1%) dos 14 casos iniciais com teste rápido reagente para sífilis aceitaram participar do estudo. Dos 8 testes rápidos para sífilis, 2 (25%) foram confirmados como sífilis ativa (>1/8). Conclusão: A prevalência de sífilis ativa estimada nesta população foi de 3,5%. A demanda por exames foi alta. A epidemia de COVID-19 impactou negativamente o desenvolvimento do estudo, que está pronto para implementação. A discussão sobre o papel desta espécie de unidade de teste e a abrangência do projeto de pesquisa em um contexto que pede a expansão de testes focados na COVID-19 são fundamentais para o desenvolvimento futuro do projeto.

Perfil clínico e complicações em pacientes pronados: uma coorte de um hospital universitário / Clinical profile and complications in prone patients: a cohort from a university hospital

Introdução: Este arquivo busca verificar a incidência de lesões por pressão (LP) e eventos adversos graves em pacientes submetidos à posição prona. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado entre 2015 a 2017 no Centro de Terapia Intensiva (CTI) de um Hospital Universitário de Porto Alegre. Os dados foram coletados no prontuário eletrônico por meio de um questionário estruturado e analisados através de estatística descritiva e analítica. Resultados: Foram avaliados 37 pacientes. A incidência de LP após prona foi 8 (21,6%). A ocorrência de eventos adversos durante posicionamento em prona foi 1 (2,7%), durante alternância da posição nadador foram 3 (8%) e nenhum no retorno à posição supina. Conclusões: A incidência de eventos adversos graves e de LP é menor comparados aos outros estudos. A hipótese é que o uso de coxins para o posicionamento, cuidados de enfermagem padronizados, aplicação do checklist e treinamento da equipe são responsáveis para esse resultado. (AU)

Introduction: This paper aims to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) and serious adverse events in patients in the prone position. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Data were collected from electronic medical records using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Thirty-seven patients were evaluated. Of these, 8 (21.6%) had PUs after prone positioning. One (2.7%) adverse event occurred during prone positioning, 3 (8%) when patients were alternately placed in the swimmer's position, and none when patients were returned to the supine position. Conclusions: The incidence of serious adverse events and PUs was lower than that reported in previous studies. A hypothesis is that the use of cushions for positioning, standardized nursing care, checklists, and team training are responsible for this outcome. (AU)

Checklist da prona segura: construção e implementação de uma ferramenta para realização da manobra de prona / Safe prone checklist: construction and implementation of a tool for performing the prone maneuver

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e implementar um instrumento (checklist) para melhoria do cuidado na manobra prona. Métodos: Estudo aplicativo, qualitativo e descritivo. O instrumento foi desenvolvido a partir de ampla revisão da literatura, para construção de um protocolo de atendimento assistencial, utilizando as principais bases eletrônicas (MEDLINE, LILACS e Cochrane). Resultados: Descrevemos a construção de uma ferramenta de segurança do paciente com suas inúmeras modificações e adaptações, a partir das observações da equipe multidisciplinar com seu uso na prática diária. Conclusão: A aplicação do checklist na manobra de prona acrescentou confiabilidade e segurança ao procedimento. O entendimento da importância da ferramenta na segurança do paciente, por parte da equipe, e sua capacitação são necessários para seu sucesso.

ABSTRACT Objective: To construct and implement an instrument (checklist) to improve safety when performing the prone maneuver. Methods: This was an applied, qualitative and descriptive study. The instrument was developed based on a broad review of the literature pertaining to the construction of a care protocol using the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane). Results: We describe the construction of a patient safety tool with numerous modifications and adaptations based on the observations of the multidisciplinary team regarding its use in daily practice. Conclusion: The use of the checklist when performing the prone maneuver increased the safety and reliability of the procedure. The team's understanding of the tool's importance to patient safety and training in its use are necessary for its success.

Good practices for prone positioning at the bedside: Construction of a care protocol / Boas práticas da manobra de prona à beira do leito: construção de um protocolo de cuidados

SUMMARY Last year, interest in prone positioning to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resurfaced with the demonstration of a reduction in mortality by a large randomized clinical trial. Reports in the literature suggest that the incidence of adverse events is significantly reduced with a team trained and experienced in the process. The objective of this review is to revisit the current evidence in the literature, discuss and propose the construction of a protocol of care for these patients. A search was performed on the main electronic databases: Medline, Lilacs and Cochrane Library. Prone positioning is increasingly used in daily practice, with properly trained staff and a well established care protocol are essencial.

RESUMO No último ano, o interesse pela posição prona no tratamento da síndrome da angústia respiratória aguda (Sara) ressurgiu com a demonstração da redução da mortalidade por um grande estudo clínico randomizado. Os relatos, na literatura, sugerem que a incidência de eventos adversos é significativamente reduzida com uma equipe treinada e experiente no processo. O objetivo desta revisão é revisitar as evidências atuais, discutir e propor a construção de um protocolo de cuidados para esses pacientes. Foi realizada busca nas principais bases eletrônicas: Medline, Lilacs e Cochrane Library. A posição prona é cada vez mais utilizada na prática diária, sendo imprescindível a presença de uma equipe adequadamente treinada e um protocolo de cuidados bem estabelecido.

Prognostic value of the calling criteria in patients receiving a medical emergency team review.

AIM: To describe the reasons for medical emergency team (MET) activation, and to verify the association of the MET score with 30-day mortality. METHODS: This retrospective observational study took place in a 794-bed university-affiliated hospital. The population included all adult admissions reviewed by the MET during the period between January 2007 and June 2008. MET score was defined as the sum of each of the physiological triggers, and score zero was considered the calls made due to concern about the patient, without any physiological alteration. RESULTS: During the period of the study, 1051 calls were generated for 901 patients. Respiratory distress and hypotension accounted for most of MET calls. The triggers that showed an independent association with mortality were threatened airway, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg, decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale score > or =2 points and respiratory frequency >36 breaths/min. Logistic regression analysis revealed MET score, age, medical patient, documented do not resuscitate orders and MET decision to transfer to the intensive care unit to be significant predictors of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: MET score presents a strong association with 30-day mortality in patients seen on the ward.

The role of serum lactate in post-cardiac arrest syndrome

Cardiopulmonary arrest is a medical emergency with significant mortality. The success of resuscitation led to the emergence of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS), which originates from ischemia-reperfusion injury and its consequent increase in serum lactate. Despite the robust evidence correlating hyperlactatemia as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients, there is insufficient evidence about the role of serum lactate in the outcome of PCAS. Thus, the purpose of this review is to check the current evidence on the role of lactate in predicting mortality in PCAS.