Long-Term Outcome of Critically Ill Advanced Cancer Patients Managed in an Intermediate Care Unit.

Background: To analyze the long-term outcomes for advanced cancer patients admitted to an intermediate care unit (ImCU), an analysis of a do not resuscitate orders (DNR) subgroup was made. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from 2006 to January 2019 in a single academic medical center of cancer patients with stage IV disease who suffered acute severe complications. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3) was used as a prognostic and severity score. In-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality and survival after hospital discharge were calculated. Results: Two hundred and forty patients with stage IV cancer who attended at an ImCU were included. In total, 47.5% of the cohort had DNR orders. The two most frequent reasons for admission were sepsis (32.1%) and acute respiratory failure (excluding sepsis) (38.7%). Mortality in the ImCU was 10.8%. The mean predicted in-hospital mortality according to SAPS 3 was 51.9%. The observed in-hospital mortality was 37.5% (standard mortality ratio of 0.72). Patients discharged from hospital had a median survival of 81 (30.75−391.25) days (patients with DNR orders 46 days (19.5−92.25), patients without DNR orders 162 days (39.5−632)). The observed mortality was higher in patients with DNR orders: 52.6% vs. 23.8%, p 0 < 0.001. By multivariate logistic regression, a worse ECOG performance status (3−4 vs. 0−2), a higher SAPS 3 Score and DNR orders were associated with a higher in-hospital mortality. By multivariate analysis, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, higher bilirubin levels and DNR orders were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion: For patients with advanced cancer disease, even those with DNR orders, who suffer from acute complications or require continuous monitoring, an ImCU-centered multidisciplinary management shows encouraging results in terms of observed-to-expected mortality ratios.

Therapeutic versus Prophylactic Bemiparin in Hospitalized Patients with Nonsevere COVID-19 Pneumonia (BEMICOP Study): An Open-Label, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is mandatory, unless contraindicated. Given the links between inflammation and thrombosis, the use of higher doses of anticoagulants could improve outcomes. We conducted an open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial in adult patients hospitalized with nonsevere COVID-19 pneumonia and elevated D-dimer. Patients were randomized to therapeutic-dose bemiparin (115 IU/kg daily) versus standard prophylaxis (bemiparin 3,500 IU daily), for 10 days. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of death, intensive care unit admission, need of mechanical ventilation support, development of moderate/severe acute respiratory distress, and venous or arterial thrombosis within 10 days of enrollment. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria). A prespecified interim analysis was performed when 40% of the planned study population was reached. From October 2020 to May 2021, 70 patients were randomized at 5 sites and 65 were included in the primary analysis; 32 patients allocated to therapeutic dose and 33 to standard prophylactic dose. The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 7 patients (22%) in the therapeutic-dose group and 6 patients (18%) in the prophylactic-dose (absolute risk difference 3.6% [95% confidence interval [CI], -16% -24%]; odds ratio 1.26 [95% CI, 0.37-4.26]; p = 0.95). Discharge in the first 10 days was possible in 66 and 79% of patients, respectively. No major bleeding event was registered. Therefore, in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized with nonsevere pneumonia but elevated D-dimer, the use of a short course of therapeutic-dose bemiparin does not appear to improve clinical outcomes compared with standard prophylactic doses. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04604327.

Immunological Biomarkers of Fatal COVID-19: A Study of 868 Patients.

Information on the immunopathobiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly increasing; however, there remains a need to identify immune features predictive of fatal outcome. This large-scale study characterized immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection using multidimensional flow cytometry, with the aim of identifying high-risk immune biomarkers. Holistic and unbiased analyses of 17 immune cell-types were conducted on 1,075 peripheral blood samples obtained from 868 COVID-19 patients and on samples from 24 patients presenting with non-SARS-CoV-2 infections and 36 healthy donors. Immune profiles of COVID-19 patients were significantly different from those of age-matched healthy donors but generally similar to those of patients with non-SARS-CoV-2 infections. Unsupervised clustering analysis revealed three immunotypes during SARS-CoV-2 infection; immunotype 1 (14% of patients) was characterized by significantly lower percentages of all immune cell-types except neutrophils and circulating plasma cells, and was significantly associated with severe disease. Reduced B-cell percentage was most strongly associated with risk of death. On multivariate analysis incorporating age and comorbidities, B-cell and non-classical monocyte percentages were independent prognostic factors for survival in training (n=513) and validation (n=355) cohorts. Therefore, reduced percentages of B-cells and non-classical monocytes are high-risk immune biomarkers for risk-stratification of COVID-19 patients.

Acquiring sepsis competencies through simulation-based learning bundle during intermediate care unit internship.

ABSTRACT: Intermediate care units (ImCUs) have been shown as appropriate units for the management of selected septic patients. Developing specific protocols for residents in training may be useful for their medical performance. The objective of this study was to analyze whether a simulation-based learning bundle is useful for residents while acquiring competencies in the management of sepsis during their internship in an ImCU.A prospective study, set in a tertiary-care academic medical center was performed enrolling residents who performed their internship in an ImCU from 2014 to 2017. The pillars of the simulation-based learning bundle were sepsis scenario in the simulation center, instructional material, and sepsis lecture, and management of septic patients admitted in the ImCU. Each resident was evaluated in the beginning and at the end of their internship displaying a sepsis-case scenario in the simulation center. The authors developed a sepsis-checklist that residents must fulfill during their performance which included 5 areas: hemodynamics (0-10), oxygenation (0-5), antibiotic therapy (0-9), organic injury (0-5), and miscellaneous (0-4).Thirty-four residents from different years of residency and specialties were evaluated. The total median score (interquartile range) increased significantly after training: 12 (25) vs 23 (16), P = .001. First-year residents scored significantly lower than older residents at baseline: 10 (14) vs 14.5 (19), P = .024. However, the performance at the end of the training period was similar in both groups: 21.5 (11) vs 23 (16), P = 1.000. Internal Medicine residents scored significantly higher than residents from other specialties: 18 (17) vs 10.5 (21), P = .007. Nonetheless, the performance at the end of the training period was similar in both groups: 24.5 (9) vs 22 (13), P = 1.000.Combining medical simulation with didactic lectures and a rotation in an ImCU staffed by hospitalists seems to be useful in acquiring competencies to manage critically ill patients with sepsis. We designed a checklist to assure an objective evaluation of the performance of the residents and to identify those aspects that could be potentially improved.

Immunologic characterization of COVID-19 patients with hematological cancer.

Not available.

EXPLORE: A Prospective, Multinational, Natural History Study of Patients with Acute Hepatic Porphyria with Recurrent Attacks.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute hepatic porphyria comprises a group of rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in genes involved in heme biosynthesis. Patients can experience acute neurovisceral attacks, debilitating chronic symptoms, and long-term complications. There is a lack of multinational, prospective data characterizing the disease and current treatment practices in severely affected patients. APPROACH AND RESULTS: EXPLORE is a prospective, multinational, natural history study characterizing disease activity and clinical management in patients with acute hepatic porphyria who experience recurrent attacks. Eligible patients had a confirmed acute hepatic porphyria diagnosis and had experienced ≥3 attacks in the prior 12 months or were receiving prophylactic treatment. A total of 112 patients were enrolled and followed for at least 6 months. In the 12 months before the study, patients reported a median (range) of 6 (0-52) acute attacks, with 52 (46%) patients receiving hemin prophylaxis. Chronic symptoms were reported by 73 (65%) patients, with 52 (46%) patients experiencing these daily. During the study, 98 (88%) patients experienced a total of 483 attacks, 77% of which required treatment at a health care facility and/or hemin administration (median [range] annualized attack rate 2.0 [0.0-37.0]). Elevated levels of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 messenger ribonucleic acid levels, δ-aminolevulinic acid, and porphobilinogen compared with the upper limit of normal in healthy individuals were observed at baseline and increased further during attacks. Patients had impaired quality of life and increased health care utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced attacks often requiring treatment in a health care facility and/or with hemin, as well as chronic symptoms that adversely influenced day-to-day functioning. In this patient group, the high disease burden and diminished quality of life highlight the need for novel therapies.

Síndrome de Herlyn-Werner-Wünderlich y diagnóstico tardío: a propósito de un caso / Herlyn-Werner-WÜnderlich syndrome with late diagnosis: a propos of a case

Herlyn-Werner-Wünderlich syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly that affects the genitourinary system. It is defined by the triad of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. It consists in a Mullerian anomaly. Most patients remain asymptomatic until the menarche, when they present dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and a pelvic mass is noticed due to hematocolpos. We present the case of a 32-year-old patient studied for infertility. 3D transvaginal ultrasound and hysterosalpingography showed uterus didelphys and a blind hemivagina. Speculoscopy during menses revealed a normal cervix and a little orifice on the lateral vagina where blood could be seen draining from a fistulized hemivagina. The abdominal ultrasound showed ipsilateral renal agenesis, confirming the suspected diagnosis.

El síndrome de Herlyn-Werner-Wünderlich es una anomalía congénita del tracto urogenital. Se caracteriza por la tríada de útero didelfo, hemivagina obstruida y agenesia renal unilateral. La mayoría de pacientes se mantienen asintomáticas hasta la menarquia, cuando debutan con dismenorrea, dolor pélvico y masa palpable debido al hematocolpos asociado. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 32 años en estudio por problemas de fertilidad. Se realizó estudio ecográfico 3D e histerosalpingografía, donde se observó útero bicorne completo con doble canal cervical, con impresión diagnóstica de vagina homolateral ciega. A la especuloscopia durante el periodo menstrual se observó cérvix de hemivagina normal y orificio de salida en cara lateral, por donde drenaba sangre de hemivagina ciega (probablemente fistulizada). Se realizó una ecografía abdominal que constató agenesia renal izquierda, confirmándose el diagnóstico.

Treatment of graft-versus-host disease with mesenchymal cells as a complication of a liver transplantation.

We present the case of a liver transplant (LT) recipient donor who developed graft versus host disease (GVHD). The main features were cutaneous rash, diarrhea and pancytopenia. Mesenchymal cells were administered as part of the treatment. This is the first case of a patient with GVHD after LT reported to date. Despite the treatment, there was no improvement in aplasia or gastrointestinal symptoms and the patient died due to a disseminated infection.

Mortality Prediction in Patients Undergoing Non-Invasive Ventilation in Intermediate Care.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate Care Units (ImCU) have become an alternative scenario to perform Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV). The limited number of prognostic studies in this population support the need of mortality prediction evaluation in this context. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and 3 in patients undergoing NIV in an ImCU. Additionally, we searched for new variables that could be useful to customize these scores, in order to improve mortality prediction. DESIGN: Cohort study with prospectively collected data from all patients admitted to a single center ImCU who received NIV. The SAPS II and 3 scores with their respective predicted mortality rates were calculated. Discrimination and calibration were evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test for the models, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to identify new variables to customize the scores for mortality prediction in this setting. PATIENTS: The study included 241 patients consecutively admitted to an ImCU staffed by hospitalists from April 2006 to December 2013. KEY RESULTS: The observed in-hospital mortality was 32.4% resulting in a Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) of 1.35 for SAPS II and 0.68 for SAPS 3. Mortality discrimination based on the AUC was 0.73 for SAPS II and 0.69 for SAPS 3. Customized models including immunosuppression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute pulmonary edema (APE), lactic acid, pCO2 and haemoglobin levels showed better discrimination than old scores with similar calibration power. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SAPS II and 3 should be customized with additional patient-risk factors to improve mortality prediction in patients undergoing NIV in intermediate care.

Design and Performance of a New Severity Score for Intermediate Care.

BACKGROUND: Application of illness-severity scores in Intermediate Care Units (ImCU) shows conflicting results. The aim of the study is to design a severity-of-illness score for patients admitted to an ImCU. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study in a single academic medical centre in Pamplona, Spain. Demographics, past medical history, reasons for admission, physiological parameters at admission and during the first 24 hours of ImCU stay, laboratory variables and survival to hospital discharge were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables for mortality prediction. RESULTS: A total of 743 patients were included. The final multivariable model (derivation cohort = 554 patients) contained only 9 variables obtained at admission to the ImCU: previous length of stay 7 days (6 points), health-care related infection (11), metastatic cancer (9), immunosuppressive therapy (6), Glasgow comma scale 12 (10), need of non-invasive ventilation (14), platelets 50000/mcL (9), urea 0.6 g/L (10) and bilirubin 4 mg/dL (9). The ImCU severity score (ImCUSS) is generated by summing the individual point values, and the formula for determining the expected in-hospital mortality risk is: e(ImCUSS points*0.099 - 4,111)/(1 + e(ImCUSS points*0.099 - 4,11)1). The model showed adequate calibration and discrimination. Performance of ImCUSS (validation cohort = 189 patients) was comparable to that of SAPS II and 3. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit C test was χ2 8.078 (p=0.326) and the area under receiver operating curve 0.802. CONCLUSIONS: ImCUSS, specially designed for intermediate care, is based on easy to obtain variables at admission to ImCU. Additionally, it shows a notable performance in terms of calibration and mortality discrimination.

Performance of SAPS II and SAPS 3 in intermediate care.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy and reliability of prognostic scores has been described extensively for intensive care, but their role for predicting mortality in intermediate care patients is uncertain. To provide more information in this field, we have analyzed the performance of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and SAPS 3 in a single center intermediate care unit (ImCU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cohort study with prospectively collected data from all patients admitted to a single center ImCU in Pamplona, Spain, from April 2006 to April 2012. The SAPS II and SAPS 3 scores with respective predicted mortality rates were calculated according to standard coefficients. Discrimination was evaluated by calculating the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and calibration with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for each model. RESULTS: The study included 607 patients. The observed in-hospital mortality was 20.1% resulting in a SMR of 0.87 (95% CI 0.73-1.04) for SAPS II and 0.56 (95% CI 0.47-0.67) for SAPS 3. Both scores showed acceptable discrimination, with an AUROC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.71-0.80) for SAPS II and 0.75 (95% CI 0.71- 0.80) for SAPS 3. Calibration curves showed similar performance based on Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit C-test: (X(2)=12.9, p=0.113) for SAPS II and (X(2)=4.07, p=0.851) for SAPS 3. CONCLUSIONS: Although both scores overpredicted mortality, SAPS II showed better discrimination for patients admitted to ImCU in terms of SMR.

Renal autotransplant for subsequent endovascular exclusion of the thoracoabdominal aorta.

In the last 20 years, endovascular procedures have radically altered the treatment of diseases of the aorta. The objective of endovascular treatment of dissections is to close the entry point to redirect blood flow toward the true lumen, thereby achieving thrombosis of the false lumen. In extensive chronic dissections that have evolved with the formation of a large aneurysm, the dissection is maintained from the end of the endoprosthesis due to multiple orifices, or reentries, that communicate with the lumens. In addition, one of the primary limitations of this technique is when the visceral arteries have disease involvement. In this report we present a case where, despite having treated the entire length of the descending thoracic aorta, the dissection was maintained distally, leading to progression of the diameter of the aneurysm. After reviewing the literature, and to the best of our knowledge, we describe the first case in which renal autotransplant was performed to allow for subsequent exclusion of the aorta at the thoracoabdominal level using a fenestrated endoprosthesis for the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery.

Zolmitriptan: a novel portal hypotensive agent which synergizes with propranolol in lowering portal pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Only a limited proportion of patients needing pharmacological control of portal hypertension are hemodynamic responders to propranolol. Here we analyzed the effects of zolmitriptan on portal pressure and its potential interaction with propranolol. METHODS: ZOLMITRIPTAN, PROPRANOLOL OR BOTH WERE TESTED IN TWO RAT MODELS OF PORTAL HYPERTENSION: common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and CCl4-induced cirrhosis. In these animals we measured different hemodynamic parameters including portal venous pressure, arterial renal flow, portal blood flow and cardiac output. We also studied the changes in superior mesenteric artery perfusion pressure and in arterial wall cAMP levels induced by zolmitriptan, propranolol or both. Moreover, we determined the effect of splanchnic sympathectomy on the response of PVP to zolmitriptan. RESULTS: In both models of portal hypertension zolmitriptan induced a dose-dependent transient descent of portal pressure accompanied by reduction of portal flow with only slight decrease in renal flow. In cirrhotic rats, splanchnic sympathectomy intensified and prolonged zolmitriptan-induced portal pressure descent. Also, propranolol caused more intense and durable portal pressure fall when combined with zolmitriptan. Mesenteric artery perfusion pressure peaked for about 1 min upon zolmitriptan administration but showed no change with propranolol. However propranolol enhanced and prolonged the elevation in mesenteric artery perfusion pressure induced by zolmitriptan. In vitro studies showed that propranolol prevented the inhibitory effects of ß2-agonists on zolmitriptan-induced vasoconstriction and the combination of propranolol and zolmitriptan significantly reduced the elevation of cAMP caused by ß2-agonists. CONCLUSION: Zolmitriptan reduces portal hypertension and non-selective beta-blockers can improve this effect. Combination therapy deserves consideration for patients with portal hypertension failing to respond to non-selective beta-blockers.

Results of a retrospective observational study of intermediate care staffed by hospitalists: impact on mortality, co-management, and teaching.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients are complex and institutions have to face the high cost of critical care and the limited resources of the ward. Intermediate care appears as an attractive strategy to provide rational care according to patient needs. It is an interesting scenario to expand co-management and teaching. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Intermediate care unit (ImCU) of a single academic hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 456 patients admitted from April 2006 to April 2010 were included in the study. Demographics, admission physiologic parameters and in-hospital mortality were recorded. We used the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) as prognostic score system. Co-management with medical and surgical teams, and the number of training residents were evaluated. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 20.6%, whereas the expected mortality was 23.2% based on SAPS II score. The correlation between SAPS II predicted and observed death rates was accurate and statistically significant (Rho = 1.0, p < 0.001). Co-management was performed with several medical and surgical teams, with an increase in perioperative comanagement of 22.7% (p = 0.014). The number of training residents in ImCU increased from 4.3% to 30.4% (p = 0.002) CONCLUSIONS: An ImCU led by hospitalists showed encouraging results regarding patient survival and SAPS II is an useful tool for prognostic evaluation in this population. Intermediate care serves as an expansion of role for hospitalists; and clinicians, trainees and patients may benefit from co-management and teaching opportunities at this unique level of care.