Fournier's gangrene and diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels associated with SGLT-2 inhibitor: A double trouble.

Empagliflozin has a demonstrated cardiovascular benefit. It is co-prescribed as a glucose-lowering medication in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Herein, we discuss dual-emergency side-effects, Fournier's gangrene (FG) and diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels in a patient on Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i). The pathophysiologic mechanism of FG in correlation with SGLT-2i is not yet elucidated. SGLT-2i increase predisposition to genital mycotic and urinary infections, a mechanism favouring FG. A patient with type II diabetes mellitus on SGLT-2i presented with acute necrotic infection of the scrotum and simultaneous diabetic ketoacidosis with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels. This dual emergency was managed with debridement and medical treatment on lines of diabetes ketoacidosis, respectively. A re-look at this group of glucose-lowering medications from bedside towards benchtop research may help to prod into any other mechanistic basis of these life-threatening clinical occurrences.

Correlation and Prognostic Significance of Oxygenation Indices in Invasively Ventilated Adults (OXIVA-CARDS) with COVID-19-associated ARDS: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Oxygenation index [OI = (MAP × FiO2 × 100)/PaO2] assesses the severity of hypoxic respiratory failure. Oxygen saturation index [OSI = (MAP × FiO2 × 100)/SpO2] is a noninvasive method to assesses the severity of hypoxic respiratory failure. Conventionally used PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio to measure the severity of ARDS requires arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling. It tenders limited prognostic information mandating the need for better markers. Oxygenation index (needs arterial sampling) and OSI (a noninvasive method) are substitutes to provide mortality information in ARDS patients. We evaluated the correlation between P/F, OI, and OSI in invasively ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients (C-ARDS) and looked at its relationship with mortality. Patients and methods: A retrospective study of invasively ventilated C-ARDS >18 years of age managed in COVID ICU. Ventilator settings (FiO2, mean airway pressure), pulse oximetry (SpO2), and ABG values (PaO2) were simultaneously noted at the time of sample collection. Patient outcomes (alive and deceased) were documented. Differences in parameters between survivors and nonsurvivors were assessed using independent sample t-test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with Youden's index was used to identify cutoff values to determine survival. Results: A total of 1557 measurements for 203 patients were collected over the maximum duration of 21 days after ventilation. About 147 (72.4%) were males and 56 (27.6%) were females. On day one of ventilation, 161 (79.3%) had P/F ratio <200, 28 (13.8%) had P/F ratio between 200 and 300, and 14 (6.9%) had P/F ratio >300. There was a linear relationship between P/F ratio and OSI (r = -0.671), P/F and OI (r = -0.753), and OSI and OI (r = 0.893) (p < 0.001). After natural log transform, the correlation between these factors became stronger [P/F ratio and OSI (r = -0.797), PF and OI (r = -0.949), and OSI and OI (r = 0.902) (p < 0.001)]. About 74 (36.5%) patients survived. Survivors had significantly higher P/F ratio as compared with nonsurvivors (p < 0.05). Oxygen saturation index and OI were significantly lower in survivors as compared with nonsurvivors. Based on day-1 reading, a higher OSI (AUC = 0.719, 95% CI = 0.648-0.790) and OI (AUC = 0.752. 95% CI = 0.684-0.819) significantly can predict mortality. On the other hand, a higher P/F ratio can predict survival (AUC = 0.734, 95% CI = 0.664-0.805). P/F ratio of 160 on day 1 can predict survival. Oxygen saturation index values above 10.4% and OI above 13.5% were the cutoff derived for day 1 values to predict mortality. Conclusion: Noninvasive OSI can be used to assess the severity of hypoxic respiratory failure in C-ARDS without arterial access in resource-limited settings. Oxygen saturation index can noninvasively provide prognostic information in invasively ventilated C-ARDS patients. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Suthar D, Sanwalka N. Correlation and Prognostic Significance of Oxygenation Indices in Invasively Ventilated Adults (OXIVA-CARDS) with COVID-19-associated ARDS: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(11):801-805.

Association of Mortality with Lymphocyte Subset in Patients with COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Failure: A Subgroup Analysis.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes pneumonia and lymphopenia. We investigated the predictive value of T-lymphocyte subset absolute counts for outcomes following coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory failure (C-ARF). Patients and methods: A retrospective chart review of adult patients with C-ARF was undertaken from 23 March 2020 to 20 November 2021 to obtain relevant data. Patients were divided into two groups based on survival. The T-lymphocyte subsets were determined by flow cytometric analysis. A binomial logistic regression was performed to ascertain factors affecting survival. Cut-off values to differentiate between survivors and non-survivors were identified with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: A total of 379 patients were analyzed. Age was negatively correlated with survival. Non-survivors had significantly lower T-lymphocyte subset absolute counts than survivors. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in non-survivors. Baseline lymphocyte (%) and a subset were predictive of survival in patients [lymphocyte (%) <5.65%, CD3+ <321 cells/µL, CD4+ <205 cells/µL, CD8+ <103 cells/µL]. Conclusions: Lower T-lymphocyte subsets were associated with higher mortality in patients with C-ARF. Monitoring trends may help in identifying patients at increased risk of poor outcomes. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Pednekar A, Suthar D, Sanwalka N, Rabade N, Ghodke K. Association of Mortality with Lymphocyte Subset in Patients with COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Failure: A Subgroup Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(1):52-56.

In Response to Author: COVID-19 and T Cells: Do T Cells Really Matter?

How to cite this article: Vadi S, Pednekar A, Suthar D, Sanwalka N, Ghodke K, Rabade N. In Response to Author: COVID-19 and T Cells: Do T Cells Really Matter? Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(1):76.

Inadvertent Vertebral Vein Cannulation: Anatomical Considerations and Practical Aspects.

A routine vascular procedure, the central venous catheterization requires recognition of malposition to avoid its serious sequelae. This case report discusses the complications encountered following presumed right internal jugular vein cannulation in a trauma patient. Cervical spine imaging done as part of a trauma protocol revealed a catheter in the right vertebral vein. Inadvertently mispositioned catheter emphasizes the significance of ultrasound-guided central vein catheterization even if the cannulation is done using standard anatomical landmarks. How to cite this article: Vadi S. Inadvertent Vertebral Vein Cannulation: Anatomical Considerations and Practical Aspects. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(8):956-957.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Lower-than-anticipated Glucose Levels, and Recalcitrant Metabolic Acidosis Requiring Rescue Hemodialysis in a Patient of COVID-19 Infection.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has stood out as a disease of great medical interest, influencing disease evolution, and severity of diabetes mellitus. The intersection of COVID-19 infection and diabetes mellitus has unmasked inflammation and critical metabolic disturbances. We deliberate the case of a young woman, with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who was hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. Work-up revealed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels, and acute metabolic acidosis. Refractoriness of metabolic acidosis to standard treatment required hemodialysis as a salvage therapy. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Bajpe S, Kulkarni N. Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Lower-than-anticipated Glucose Levels, and Recalcitrant Metabolic Acidosis Requiring Rescue Hemodialysis in a Patient of COVID-19 Infection. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(6):752-754.

Spectrum of Vascular Thrombosis in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: From Bench to the Bedside.

Proinflammatory cytokines and procoagulant factors released by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lead to thrombosis and ischemia. Pathogenesis and clinical significance of hypercoagulability and an ensuing gamut of vascular complications are explained here. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Pednekar A, Raut A. Spectrum of Vascular Thrombosis in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: From Bench to the Bedside. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(12):1237-1243.

Characteristics and Predictive Value of T-lymphocyte Subset Absolute Counts in Patients with COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Of the factors influencing severity and outcomes following coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), cellular immune response has a strong impact. The spectrum of response varies from over-activation to hypo-functioning. The severe infection leads to reduction in numbers and dysfunction of T-lymphocytes/subsets. Patients and methods: This retrospective, single-center study aimed to analyze the expression of T-lymphocyte/subsets by flow cytometry and inflammation-related biomarker, serum ferritin in real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive patients. According to oxygen requirements, patients were stratified into nonsevere (room air, nasal prongs, and face mask) and severe [nonrebreather mask (NRBM), noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV)] subgroups for analysis. Patients were classified into survivors and nonsurvivors. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze differences in T-lymphocyte and subset values when classified according to gender, the severity of COVID, outcome, and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Cross tabulations were computed for categorical data and compared using Fisher's exact test. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation of T-lymphocyte and subset values with age or serum ferritin levels. p <0.05 values were considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 379 patients were analyzed. Significantly higher percentage of patients with DM were aged ≥61 years in both nonsevere and severe COVID groups. A significant negative correlation of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ was found with age. CD3+ and CD4+ absolute counts were significantly higher in females as compared to males. Patients with severe COVID had significantly lesser total lymphocyte (%), CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ counts as compared to those with nonsevere COVID (p <0.05). T-lymphocyte subsets were reduced in patients with severe disease. A significant negative correlation of total lymphocyte (%), CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ counts was found with serum ferritin levels. Conclusions: T-lymphocyte/subset trends are an independent risk factor for clinical prognosis. Monitoring may help in intervening in patients with disease progression. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Pednekar A, Suthar D, Sanwalka N, Ghodke K, Rabade N. Characteristics and Predictive Value of T-lymphocyte Subset Absolute Counts in Patients with COVID-19-associated Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(11):1198-1203.

Mental Health Indices of Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room Frontliners during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic in India.

BACKGROUND: The contagious coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on healthcare workers. Intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency room (ER) providers have functioned in an environment of fear for their health as well as their family well-being. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of the article was to study mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep quality) in frontliners and to identify factors affecting mental health indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 153 doctors and nurses working in ICU and ER was conducted from December 2020 to January 2021 using questionnaire with clinically validated scales: Acute Stress Disorder Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPS), and New General Self-efficacy (NGSE) Scale. Analysis was performed to identify of gender, age, place of work, self-efficacy, and social support using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 153 participants, 21.6% had PTSD, 88.6% had moderate to high stress, 16.3% had anxiety, and 59.5% had poor sleep. Of these, the majority were females and those aged ≤30 years. Males had lesser depression, anxiety, and poor sleep compared to females (p <0.05). Participants working in ER reported higher stress as compared to those working in ICU (p <0.05). PTSD, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and poor sleep were higher in participants with low-to-moderate perceived self-efficacy as compared to participants with high self-efficacy (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals significant psychological distress among ER and ICU frontliners during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a typical high-acuity environment during the nonpandemic times. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Vadi S, Shah S, Bajpe S, George N, Santhosh A, Sanwalka N, et al. Mental Health Indices of Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Room Frontliners during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(1):100-107.

Correlation of Oxygen Index, Oxygen Saturation Index, and PaO2/FiO2 Ratio in Invasive Mechanically Ventilated Adults.

BACKGROUND: With the oxygen saturation index (OSI) being a noninvasive surrogate for oxygen index (OI) and P/F ratio, examining the correlation between PaO2/FiO2 (P/F ratio), OI, and OSI in mechanically ventilated adults will benefit in those settings where arterial blood gas monitoring is not readily accessible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected for patients ≥18 years who were under invasive (endotracheal intubation) mechanical ventilation at medical or surgical wards in a tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: After natural log transformation, the correlations between P/F ratio and OI (r = -0.94) and OI and OSI (r = 0.82) were strong, but weaker between P/F ratio and OSI (r = -0.69). CONCLUSION: Future bigger studies are needed to evaluate whether monitoring OSI and/or OI over P/F ratio will impact treatment outcomes. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Vadi S. Correlation of Oxygen Index, Oxygen Saturation Index, and PaO2/FiO2 Ratio in Invasive Mechanically Ventilated Adults. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(1):54-55.

Perioperative Implication of Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor in a Patient Following Major Surgery.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the second line of therapy in diabetes mellitus type 2. They are frequently coprescribed with other noninsulin glucose-lowering medications. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels is an important SGLT2i-related adverse effect in postoperative patients. This case highlights the need for increased postoperative surveillance of patients on this group of medications. Ketonuria was managed with short-acting insulin infusion with dextrose-containing intravenous fluid, as a part of the ongoing intensive care treatment to which the patient responded well. Awareness of DKA with lower-than-anticipated glucose levels is an important clinical challenge, an entity that can be confused in the setting of major and complex surgeries. The frequency of this arcane and underreported diagnosis in the perioperative setting is unknown. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Lad V, Kapoor D. Perioperative Implication of Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor in a Patient Following Major Surgery. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(8):958-959.

High-flow Oxygen Therapy via Tracheostomy to Liberate COVID-19-induced ARDS from Invasive Ventilation: A Case Series.

Lung involvement with differing phenotypes characterizes COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS). The liberation of these patients from mechanical ventilation has been challenging. Excessive stress and strain following increased respiratory efforts spiral their vulnerable lung tissue into ventilator-induced lung injury vortex. The use of high-flow oxygen therapy via tracheostomy (HFOTTracheal)eases weaning process. As a safe option for both the patient and the healthcare workers, HFOTTracheal was successfully employed to wean two CARDS patients from the mechanical ventilator. How to cite this article: Vadi S, Phadtare S, Shetty K. High-flow Oxygen Therapy via Tracheostomy to Liberate COVID-19-induced ARDS from Invasive Ventilation: A Case Series. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):724-728.

Redefining Death: Urgent Need to Evolve toward a Homogeneous Definition of Death in India.

The interdependent circulatory-respiratory criteria and brainstem criteria are used to define death. Continuing life-support in brainstem dead patients is a legal conundrum for the health-care professionals and an ethical worry for the society at large. There is an urgent need to revisit this subject to evolve a more uniform definition of death irrespective of the circumstances. A compelling take-home message from this discussion is to spread awareness about brainstem death amongst healthcare professionals. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Vadi S, Shroff S. Redefining Death: Urgent Need to Evolve Toward a Homogeneous Definition of Death in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(8):368-370.

Hypernatremia due to Urea-Induced Osmotic Diuresis: Physiology at the Bedside.

Hypernatremia secondary to urea-induced solute diuresis is due to the renal excretion of electrolyte-free water. This concept is explained here step-wise physiologically with the help of a clinical vignette.

The Fondaparinux Paradox: Fondaparinux-Related Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia.

Fondaparinux, a pentasaccharide administered for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), can lead to the occurrence of thrombocytopenia. This patient underwent aortic stent graft placement for Salmonella paratyphi A-infected abdominal aortic aneurysm. Fondaparinux was administered for anticoagulation that led to a dramatic decline in his platelet counts. Investigations revealed HIT profile, PF4/heparin by particle gel immunoassay to be positive. Fondaparinux, a prescribed anticoagulant for HIT can paradoxically predispose to thrombocytopenia.

Canagliflozin-associated Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Lower-than-anticipated Glucose Levels.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors for use in Type II diabetics. These are a relatively new addition to the armamentaria of diabetes management. Postmarketing surveillance is a witness to several side effects, a morbid one being ketoacidosis. Herein is discussed a scenario of a Type II diabetic who presented with substantial ketoacidosis without significant hyperglycemia. The absence of the customary precipitating factors and the presence of a recent introduction of canagliflozin, a SGLT-2 inhibitor to the diabetes prescription, hinted at the causal relationship. Of note, she had never experienced diabetic ketoacidosis in the past prior to commencement of SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy. As clinicians, we need to be aware of the treatment-emergent adverse effect of this relatively new class of diabetic treatment.

Incidence and outcomes following pulmonary barotrauma in COVID-19 ventilated and non-ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure: A retrospective study.

Background and Objectives: : Alveolar rupture following increased transalveolar pressure on positive pressure ventilation is associated with pulmonary barotrauma (PB). The spectrum varies from pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum, retro-pneumoperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema. We studied the incidence of PB and their clinical characteristics in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory failure. Methods: Patients aged >18 years with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome were included in the study. We recorded demographics (age, gender, comorbidities), severity scores (APACHE II on admission, SOFA on the day of barotrauma), type of PB and outcomes at discharge from the hospital. Patient characteristics are descriptively reported. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier survival tests after classifying by various factors. Survival was compared using the log-rank test. Results: Thirty-five patients experienced PB. Eighty per cent of patients in this cohort were males with mean age of 55.89 years. The commonest comorbidities were diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Twelve spontaneously breathing patients developed barotrauma. Eight patients experienced sequential events. In all, 18 patients required insertion of pigtail catheters. The median survival time in patients was 37 days (95% CI: 25-49 days). The overall survival rate was 34.3%. Mean serum ferritin levels were six times upper limit of normal in deceased, reflecting the severity of lung involvement. Conclusion: A high incidence of PB was noted following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) infection even in the non-ventilated patients, a consequence of SARS CoV-2 effects on the pulmonary parenchyma causing widespread lung injury.

Post coronavirus disease- 19 invasive renal and gastrointestinal mucormycosis.

A 68-year-old female patient who was treated with anti-viral, steroids and biologics for coronavirus disease- 19 (COVID- 19) infection presented to our facility following right abdominal and flank pain since a week. Initially attributed to pancreatitis and right sided pyelonephritis, it was diagnosed as mucormycosis on KOH mount following CT-guided renal biopsy. She underwent right total nephrectomy and Whipple's surgery followed by Isavuconazole and liposomal Amphotericin B. This is a rare presentation of renal and gastrointestinal mucormycosis in a patient without diabetes mellitus following COVID- 19 infection. High suspicion and early diagnosis help in timely treatment of this life-threatening infection.

Six-year study on peripheral venous catheter-associated BSI rates in 262 ICUs in eight countries of South-East Asia: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium findings.

BACKGROUND: Short-term peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection rates have not been systematically studied in Asian countries, and data on peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections incidence by number of short-term peripheral venous catheter days are not available. METHODS: Prospective, surveillance study on peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections conducted from 1 September 2013 to 31 May 2019 in 262 intensive care units, members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, from 78 hospitals in 32 cities of 8 countries in the South-East Asia Region: China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. For this research, we applied definition and criteria of the CDC NHSN, methodology of the INICC, and software named INICC Surveillance Online System. RESULTS: We followed 83,295 intensive care unit patients for 369,371 bed-days and 376,492 peripheral venous catheter-days. We identified 999 peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections, amounting to a rate of 2.65/1000 peripheral venous catheter-days. Mortality in patients with peripheral venous catheter but without peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections was 4.53% and 12.21% in patients with peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections. The mean length of stay in patients with peripheral venous catheter but without peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections was 4.40 days and 7.11 days in patients with peripheral venous catheter and peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections. The microorganism profile showed 67.1% were Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (22.9%), Klebsiella spp (10.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.3%), Enterobacter spp. (4.5%), and others (23.7%). The predominant Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (11.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Infection prevention programs must be implemented to reduce the incidence of peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

Six-year multicenter study on short-term peripheral venous catheters-related bloodstream infection rates in 204 intensive care units of 57 hospitals in 19 cities of India: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) findings.

BACKGROUND: Short-term peripheral venous catheters-related bloodstream infections (PVCR-BSIs) rates have not been systematically studied in developing countries, and data on their incidence by number of device-days are not available. METHODS: Prospective, surveillance study on PVCR-BSI conducted from September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2019 in 204 intensive care units (ICUs), members of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC), from 57 hospitals in 19 cities of India. We applied US INICC definition criteria and reported methods using the INICC Surveillance Online System. RESULTS: We followed 7,513 ICU patients for 296,893 bed-days and 295,795 short term peripheral venous catheter (PVC)-days. We identified 863 PVCR-BSIs, amounting to a rate of 2.91/1,000 PVC-days. Mortality in patients with PVC but without PVCR-BSI was 4.14%, and 11.59% in patients with PVCR-BSI. The length of stay in patients with PVC but without PVCR-BSI was 4.13 days, and 5.9 days in patients with PVCR-BSI. The micro-organism profile showed 68% of gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (23%), Klebsiella spp (15%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5%), and others. The predominant gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (10%). CONCLUSIONS: PVCR-BSI rates found in our ICUs were much higher than rates published from industrialized countries. Infection prevention programs must be implemented to reduce the incidence of PVCR-BSIs.