Potential Interaction Between Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Effect on the 6-Month Clinical Outcomes: A Preliminary Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the potential interaction between sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on the 6-month clinical outcomes. METHODS: This secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter observational study included patients who were expected to receive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 h. Patients were stratified based on the incidence of sepsis and further subdivided according to the presence of ARDS. The primary endpoints for patients whose follow-up information was available included mortality (n = 162) and the occurrence of PICS (n = 96) at six months. The diagnosis of PICS was based on any of the following criteria: (1) decrease ≥ 10 points in the physical component score of the 36-item Short Form (SF36) questionnaire; (2) decrease ≥ 10 points in the mental component score of the SF-36; or (3) decline in the Short Memory Questionnaire (SMQ) score and SMQ score < 40 at six months after ICU admission. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the effect of the potential interaction between ARDS and sepsis on the 6-month clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mortality in the ARDS sub-group was higher than that in the non-ARDS subgroup [47% (7/15) versus 21% (18/85)] in the non-sepsis group. However, the mortality in the ARDS and non-ARDS subgroups was similar in the sepsis group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that ARDS was significantly associated with mortality in the non-sepsis group (adjusted OR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.45-19.09; p = .012), but not in the sepsis group (P for interaction = .087). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed ARDS was not associated with PICS occurrence in the non-sepsis and sepsis groups (P-value for the interaction = .039). CONCLUSIONS: This hypothesis-generating study suggested that the effect of ARDS on the 6-month outcomes depended on the presence or absence of sepsis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Malocclusion of Molar Teeth Is Associated with Activities of Daily Living Loss and Delirium in Elderly Critically Ill Older Patients.

A single-center retrospective cohort study examined the association between molar malocclusion status at ICU admission and loss of activities of daily living (ADL) at hospital discharge among acutely ill patients. Patients were assigned to the bilateral occlusion group or malocclusion group (N = 227 and 93, respectively). The following data were collected from electronic medical records: age, sex, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) on admission, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score, confirmed diagnosis (neurological disorders or others), CFS at hospital discharge, and occlusion condition. Patients who were frail at admission (CFS > 5) were excluded from analysis, and ADL loss was defined as CFS > 5 at hospital discharge. Multivariate analysis showed malocclusion was independently associated with ADL loss [OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.13-3.64; p = 0.02]. For those aged 65 and older, malocclusion was significantly associated with both ADL loss [OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.44-7.32; p < 0.01] and the incidence of delirium [OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.14-5.95; p = 0.02]. Malocclusion on ICU admission was associated with ADL loss in critically ill patients, and was associated with ADL loss and the incidence of delirium in the elderly. Poor oral health was a poor prognostic factor among critically ill patients.

Association between physical restraint requirement and unfavorable neurologic outcomes in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Physical restraint has been commonly indicated to patients with brain dysfunction in neurocritical care. The effect of physical restraints on outcomes of critically ill adults remains controversial as no randomized controlled trials have compared its safety and efficacy, and the association between physical restraint requirement and neurological outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has not been fully examined. The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical restraint requirement and neurological outcomes in patients with SAH. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted on patients with acute phase SAH treated for > 72 h in the intensive care unit from 2014 to 2020. Patients were divided into three groups based on the amount of time required for physical restraint during the first 24-72 h after admission: no, intermittent, and continuous use of physical restraint. Unfavorable neurologic outcome, assessed using the modified Rankin scale upon hospital discharge, has been considered as primary end point. RESULTS: Overall, 101 patients were included in the study, with 52 patients (51.5%) having unfavorable neurological outcomes. Among them, 46 patients (45.5%) did not use physical restraint, and 55 (54.5%) patients used physical restraint during the first 24-72 h after admission: 26 (25.7%) intermittent and 29 (28.7%) continuous. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that continuous use of physical restraint during the first 24-72 h after admission was significantly associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes in patients with SAH (odds ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-13.06; p = 0.042) compared with no physical restraint. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous use of physical restraint during the first 24-72 h after admission was more significantly associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes than no physical restraint among patients with SAH during the acute phase.

Clinical characteristics of non-convulsive status epilepticus diagnosed by simplified continuous electroencephalogram monitoring at an emergency intensive care unit.

Aim: The present study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in patients with altered mental status (AMS). Methods: This single-center retrospective study comprised 149 patients who were hospitalized between March 1, 2015 and September 30, 2015 at the emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of the Kagawa University Hospital (Kagawa, Japan). The primary outcome was NCSE incidence. The secondary outcome was the comparison of duration of ICU stay, hospital stay, and a favorable neurological outcome, as assessed using the modified Rankin Scale score, at discharge from our hospital between patients with and without NCSE. Favorable neurological outcome and poor neurological outcome were defined as modified Rankin Scale scores of 0-2 and 3-6, respectively. Results: Simplified continuous electroencephalogram was used to monitor 36 patients (median age, 68 years; 69.4% males) with acute AMS; among them, NCSE was observed in 11 (30.1%) patients. Rates of favorable neurological outcome, duration of ICU stay, and hospital stay were not significantly different between the NCSE and non-NCSE groups (P = 0.45, P = 0.30, and P = 0.26, respectively). Conclusion: Approximately 30% of the patients with AMS admitted to emergency ICUs developed NCSE. The outcomes of AMS patients with and without NCSE did not differ significantly when appropriate medical attention and antiepileptic drugs were initiated. Simplified continuous electroencephalogram monitoring may be recommended in patients with AMS in emergency ICU to obtain early detection of NCSE followed by appropriate intervention.

Burst Suppression in Hypothermia After Cardiac Arrest Because of Drowning Treated with Targeted Temperature Management: A Case Report.

Outcomes of cardiac arrest (CA) because of drowning in children are generally poor, but some reports show that cases with post-CA hypothermia because of drowning exhibit good recovery when treated with targeted temperature management (TTM). However, because electroencephalogram (EEG) findings are not reported in those cases, a complete examination of brain damage has not been performed during TTM. Here we report a case of a 15-month-old boy with post-CA hypothermia recovery after treating with TTM, along with EEG findings. The initial clinical and laboratory data and resuscitation history in the current case strongly indicated an unfavorable outcome. However, the return of normal EEG findings after 36 hours postadmission may indicate favorable neurological outcomes. Although reliable evidence has not been established, we recommend maintained mild therapeutic hypothermia using TTM, followed by slow rewarming in patients with post-CA hypothermia because of drowning, based on the observations in the current case and in other studies.

d-Allose Attenuates Overexpression of Inflammatory Cytokines after Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Gerbil.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the effects of d-allose, a rare sugar, on the inflammatory response after transient forebrain ischemia in the gerbil and whether it reduces oxidative stress (8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine levels) and behavioral deficits. METHODS: Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries for 5 minutes. d-Allose was intraperitoneally injected immediately after ischemia (400 mg/kg). Inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage in the hippocampus and behavioral deficits were examined 3 days after ischemia. RESULTS: d-Allose administration reduced ischemia-induced cytokine production, oxidative stress, and behavioral deficits (motor and memory related). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that d-allose reduces brain injury after transient global ischemia by suppressing inflammation as well as by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Vitamin K2 for the reversal of warfarin-related coagulopathy.

The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation recommends vitamin K1 for warfarin-related coagulopathy. In Japan, vitamin K2 is used more commonly for such purpose. The difference between vitamins K1 and K2 in reversing warfarin-related coagulopathy has not been discussed. Herein, we report a case that was reversed with vitamin K2; alterations in vitamins K1 and K2 levels and coagulation markers are also presented.

Successful management of heat stroke associated with multiple-organ dysfunction by active intravascular cooling.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate initiation of rapid and effective cooling. We report successful cooling with initial intravascular cooling use that rapidly achieved the target temperature with continued normothermia thereafter. A 39-year-old previously healthy man collapsed on a hot, humid day and presented with a disturbance of consciousness. On initial examination, Glasgow Coma Scale score was 6/15, and his body temperature was 40.7°C. He was therefore intubated, and fluid resuscitation was initiated. A Cool Line catheter (Asahi KASEI ZOLL Medical, Tokyo, Japan) was inserted, and aggressive cooling was started using the intravascular balloon-catheter system (The Thermogard XP system; Asahi KASEI ZOLL Medical) within 32 minutes of arrival. His core temperature reached 38.8°C after 17 minutes of intravascular cooling at an average cooling rate of 0.10°C/min. Further investigation revealed impaired liver function and renal failure. His hemodynamic condition was stabilized, and no vasoactive agents were administrated during hospitalization. The cooling catheter was removed on day 2 of admission, and no bleeding, infection, or thrombosis associated with catheter placement was observed. Blood and urine cultures remained negative. Extubation was performed on day 3, and he was discharged on day 5 without further complication or sequelae. It is essential in the treatment of heat stroke to cool as quickly as possible and to provide cardiovascular support. In patients with severe heat stroke and multiple-organ dysfunction, initial use of the active intravascular cooling technique is warranted for aggressive cooling.

Clinical experience with an active intravascular rewarming technique for near-severe hypothermia associated with traumatic injury.

Hypothermia and acidosis are secondary causes of trauma-related coagulopathy. Here we report the case of a 72-year-old patient with severe trauma who suffered near-severe hypothermia despite the initiation of standard warming measures and was successfully managed with active intravascular rewarming. The patient was involved in a road traffic accident and was transported to a hospital. He was diagnosed with massive right-sided hemothorax, blunt aortic injury, burst fractures of the eighth and ninth thoracic vertebrae, and open fracture of the right tibia. He was referred to our hospital, where emergency surgery was performed to control bleeding from the right hemothorax. During surgery, the patient demonstrated progressive heat loss despite standard rewarming measures, and his temperature decreased to 32.4°C. Severe acidosis was also observed. A Cool Line® catheter was inserted into the right femoral vein and lodged in the inferior vena cava, and an intravascular balloon catheter system was utilized for aggressive rewarming. The automated target core temperature was set at 37°C, and the maximum flow rate was used. His core temperature reached 36.0°C after 125 min of intravascular rewarming. The severe acidosis was also resolved. The main active bleeding site was not identified, and coagulation hemostasis as well as rewarming enabled us to control bleeding from the vertebral bodies, lung parenchyma, and pleura. The total volume of intraoperative bleeding was 5,150 mL, and 20 units of red cell concentrate and 16 units of fresh frozen plasma were transfused. After surgery, he was transferred to the intensive care unit under endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. His hemodynamic condition stabilized after surgery. The rewarming catheter was removed on day 2 of admission, and no bleeding, infection, or thrombosis associated with catheter placement was observed. Extubation was performed on day 40, and his subsequent clinical course was uneventful. He recovered well following rehabilitation and was discharged on day 46. These findings suggest that active intravascular rewarming should be considered as an aggressive, additional rewarming technique in patients with near-severe hypothermia associated with traumatic injury.