[Blood gas analysis in the intensive cardiac care unit]. / La rapida lettura dell'emogasanalisi in unità di terapia intensiva cardiologica.

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a simple and quick test that can provide multiple respiratory and metabolic parameters. The interpretation of ABG analysis and acid-base disorders represents one of the most complex chapters of clinical medicine. In this brief review, the authors propose a rational approach that sequentially analyzes the information offered by the ABG to allow a rapid classification of the respiratory, metabolic or mixed disorder. The patient's history and clinical-instrumental assessment are the framework in which to insert the information derived from the ABG analysis in order to characterize the critical heart patient.

Retrospective Analysis of Hospital Acquired Infection and Antibiotic Resistance in Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Adult, and Pediatric Cardiology Wards.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics resistance is an paramount threat affecting the whole world but nowhere situation is as gloomy as in India. No study till date regarding epidemiology of hospital acquired infections in coronary care units(CCU) and cardiology wards from India. From Indian perspective it is the first observational study to analyse microbiological profile and antibiotic resistance in CCU. The purpose of this observational study is to explore the epidemiology and importance of infections in CCU patients. METHODOLOGY: After ethics committee approval, the records of all patients who were admitted in coronary care units, adult and pediatric cardiology wards surgery between January 2020 and December 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. The type of organism,source of infection ,age wise distribution and seasonal variability among patients who developed hospital acquired infection (HAI) were determined. RESULTS: 271 patients developed microbiologically documented HAI during from January 2020 to December 2021. Maximum number of organisms(78/271 28.78%) are isolated from urinary samples ,followed by blood stream(60/271 22.14%) and Endotracheal tube (54/271 19.92%). Acinetobacter baumanii (53/271, 19.5%) being the most common isolate among all the samples taken . Acinetobacter was the most frequent pathogens isolated in patients with LRTI and blood stream infection while E. coli was from urinary tract infection . In the adult population, infection with E. coli(24.6%) is the most common followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.8%) and Acinetobacter baumanii (10.1%). In the pediatric population Acinetobacter baumanii (38.6%%) is the most common followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.5%) and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA (6.8%). Commonly used antibiotics eg ciprofloxacin,ceftazidime and amikacin were found to be resistant against the top three isolates. CONCLUSION: Urinary tract was the most common site of infection and Gram-negative bacilli, the most common pathogens in adult as well as pediatric population. Antibiotic resistance was maximum with commonly isolated microorganisms.

Baseline Characteristics of a Patient Cohort and Predictors of In-hospital MORtality in CORonary Care Units (MORCOR-TURK) Trial in Türkiye.

OBJECTIVE: The MORtality in CORonary Care Units in Türkiye (MORCOR-TURK) trial is a national registry evaluating predictors and rates of in-hospital mortality in coronary care unit (CCU) patients in Türkiye. This report describes the baseline demographic characteristics of patients recruited for the MORCOR-TURK trial. METHODS: The study is a multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective national registry that included 50 centers capable of 24-hour CCU service, selected from all seven geographic regions of Türkiye. All consecutive patients admitted to CCUs with cardiovascular emergencies between September 1-30, 2022, were prospectively enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics, admission diagnoses, laboratory data, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3,157 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range: 56-73) and 2,087 (66.1%) males were included in the analysis. Patients with arterial hypertension [1,864 patients (59%)], diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,184 (37.5%)], hyperlipidemia [1,120 (35.5%)], and smoking [1,093 (34.6%)] were noted. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was the leading cause of admission [1,187 patients (37.6%)], followed by ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 742 patients (23.5%). Other frequent diagnoses included decompensated heart failure (HF) [339 patients (10.7%)] and arrhythmia [272 patients (8.6%)], respectively. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common pathological rhythm [442 patients (14%)], and chest pain was the most common primary complaint [2,173 patients (68.8%)]. CONCLUSION: The most common admission diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly NSTEMI. Hypertension and DM were found to be the two leading risk factors, and AF was the most commonly seen pathological rhythm in all hospitalized patients. These findings may be useful in understanding the characteristics of patients admitted to CCUs and thus in taking precautions to decrease CCU admissions.

Relación del supradesnivel del segmento ST en aVR con las complicaciones cardiovasculares / Relationship of ST-segment elevation in AVR to cardiovascular complications

Introducción: El patrón de supradesnivel del segmento ST en aVR en el síndrome coronario agudo se asocia con un aumento de la mortalidad. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre el patrón de supradesnivel del segmento ST en aVR y las complicaciones cardiovasculares no letales. Método: Estudio observacional de corte transversal, con componente analítico de todos los pacientes ingresados con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST, en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Fajardo de la Habana entre los años 2016 y 2020. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino en el primer grupo, con una mediana de 78 años. Hubo incidencia de cardiopatía isquémica (75 por ciento y 56,4 por ciento) e hipertensión arterial (78,8 por ciento y 85,8 por ciento ). Se determinó una relación estadística significativa entre el patrón con elevación del segmento ST en aVR y las complicaciones cardiovasculares con un riesgo relativo de 5,769 veces. Conclusiones: El patrón de supradesnivel del segmento ST en un síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST predice complicaciones intrahospitalarias cardiovasculares no letales(AU)

Introduction: The pattern of ST-segment elevation in aVR in acute coronary syndrome is associated with increased mortality. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the pattern of ST-segment elevation in aVR and nonlethal cardiovascular complications. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study, with analytical component of all patients admitted with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome at the Manuel Fajardo University Hospital of Havana between 2016 and 2020. Results: Female gender predominated in the first group, with an average age of 78 years. There was incidence of ischemic heart disease (75 percent and 56.4 percent) and arterial hypertension (78.8 percent and 85.8 percent). A significant statistical relationship was determined between the pattern with ST-segment elevation in aVR and cardiovascular complications with a relative risk of 5.769 times. Conclusions: ST-segment suprathreshold pattern in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome predicts non-lethal in-hospital cardiovascular complications(AU)

Passagem de plantão, comunicação efetiva e o método sbar, na percepção dos enfermeiros de uma unidade coronariana / El cambio de turno, la comunicación efectiva y el método sbar en la percepción de los enfermeros de una unidad de cuidados coronarios / Shift handover, effective communication, and the sbar method, in the perception of nurses in a coronary care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as percepções dos enfermeiros de uma unidade coronariana sobre a relação entre a passagem de plantão, comunicação efetiva e o método SBAR. Método: estudo descritivo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa que buscou identificar as percepções dos enfermeiros sobre a relação entre a passagem de plantão, a comunicação efetiva e o método SBAR na unidade de terapia intensiva no processo realizado entre os turnos de trabalho, com indicativos para a construção de um instrumento estruturado para orientar e conduzir a troca de turnos, com a participação de 12 enfermeiros de uma unidade intensiva coronariana. Os dados foram obtidos no período de janeiro a julho de 2020 por meio oficina presencial antes da pandemia, e questionários foram submetidos à análise temática. Resultados: foram elencadas três categorias: Organização da passagem de plantão com enfermeiro e técnico de Enfermagem; Instrumentalização da passagem de plantão entre as equipes de Enfermagem; e Método SBAR na passagem de plantão, como base para a elaboração do instrumento de passagem de plantão. Evidenciou-se que a comunicação efetiva é um fator influenciador na passagem de plantão para a realização do cuidado de Enfermagem de forma continuada, evitando eventos adversos aos pacientes. Conclusão: confirma-se que, estratégias envolvendo a gestão hospitalar, como instrumentalizar e capacitar a equipe que está na linha de frente da atividade do plantão, acrescentam e enriquecem o cuidado sistematizado e humanizado.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las percepciones del personal de enfermería de una unidad de cuidados coronarios sobre la relación entre el rostering, la comunicación efectiva y el método SBAR. Método: Estudio exploratorio descripti-vo con abordaje cualitativo, que buscaba identificar las percepciones de los enfermeros sobre la relación entre el paso de planta, la comunicación efectiva y el método SBAR, en la unidad de terapia intensiva en el proceso realizado entre los turnos de trabajo, con indicaciones para construir un instrumento estructurado para orientar y conducir la búsqueda de turnos con la participación de 12 enfermeros de una unidad intensiva coronaria. Los datos se obtuvieron de enero a julio de 2020, mediante un taller presencial antes de la pandemia y cuestionarios sometidos a análisis temáticos. Resultados: Se enumeraron tres categorías: Organización del paso de planta con el enfermero y el técnico de enfermería, instrumentalización del cambio de turno entre los equipos de enferme-ría y método SBAR en el cambio de turno, como base para la elaboración del instrumento de cambio de turno. Se demostró que la comunicación eficaz es un factor que influye en el paso de la planta para la realización del cuidado de la salud de forma continuada, evitando eventos adversos a los pacientes. Conclusión: Se confirma que las estrategias que implican a la dirección del hospital, como: potenciar y formar a este equipo que está en primera línea, en el liderazgo de la actividad de guardia, suma y enriquece la atención sistematizada y humanizada.

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the perceptions of nurses in a coronary care unit about the relationship between shift change, effective communication, and the SBAR method. Method: descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach that sought to identify nurses' perceptions about the relationship between shift change, effective communication, and the SBAR method in the intensive care unit in the process carried out between work shifts, with indications for the construction of a structured instrument to guide and lead the shift change, with the participation of 12 nurses from a coronary intensive care unit. Data were obtained from January to July 2020 through a face-to-face workshop before the pandemic, and questionnaires were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: three categories were listed: Organization of the shift change with nurses and Nursing technicians; Instrumentalization of the shift change between the Nursing teams; and SBAR Method in the shift change, as a basis for the elaboration of the shift change instrument. It was evidenced that effective communication is an influencing factor in the shift change to carry out Nursing care in a continuous way, avoiding adverse events to patients. Conclusion: it is confirmed that strategies involving hospital management, such as equipping and training the team that is in the front line of the duty activity, add and enrich the systematized and humanized care.

Distress among hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that those suffering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) experience various physical and psychological symptoms. Few studies have investigated the multi-factorial, holistic, unpleasant experience of distress that includes physical, psychological, social, and spiritual factors among this patient population while still hospitalized. AIM: To describe the level of distress among patients hospitalized with ACS and its association with demographic and clinical factors and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: The study conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. METHODS: The Acute Coronary Syndrome Israel Study is a national, biennial registry, enrolling all patients with ACS admitted to cardiac intensive care or cardiology wards in Israel within a 2-month period. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from an electronic database. Distress was measured by the Distress Thermometer. Nurses collected distress data directly from patients before discharge. RESULTS: Nine hundred ninety participants (50.6% response rate) were surveyed. Mean age was 62.8 (SD = 12.5). Mean distress level was 4.8 (SD = 3.45) out of 10. The most frequently reported area of distress was physical, followed by emotional. Practical and family problems were less frequent. Emotional distress was found to differ based on educational level, marital status, smoking history, and previous medical history. Distress did not predict 7- or 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents with ACS were in moderate distress. It is recommended that those at increased risk receive increased monitoring of emotional distress while still in hospital. Further studies should investigate this holistic view of distress among the ACS population using a variety of methods and methodologies.

Machine learning applied to a Cardiac Surgery Recovery Unit and to a Coronary Care Unit for mortality prediction.

Most established severity-of-illness systems used for prediction of intensive care unit (ICU) mortality were developed targeted at the general ICU population, based on logistic regression (LR). To date, no dynamic predictive tool for ICU mortality has been developed targeted at the Cardiac Surgery Recovery Unit (CSRU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) using machine learning (ML). CSRU and CCU adult patients from the MIMIC-III critical care database were studied. The ML methods developed extract ICU data during a 5-h window and demographic features to produce mortality predictions and were compared to six established severity-of-illness systems and LR. In a secondary experiment, additional procedure/surgery and ICU features were added to the models. The ML models developed were the Tree Ensemble (TE), Random Forest, XGBoost Tree Ensemble (XGB), Naive Bayes (NB), and Bayesian network. The discrimination, calibration and accuracy statistics were assessed. The AUROC values were superior for the ML models reaching 0.926 and 0.924 for the XGB, and 0.904 and 0.908 for the TE for ICU mortality prediction in the primary and secondary experiments respectively. Among the conventional systems, the serial SOFA obtained the highest AUROC (0.8405). The Brier score was better for the ML models except the NB over the conventional systems. The accuracy statistics less sensitive to unbalanced cohorts were higher for all the ML models. In conclusion, the predictive power of XGB was excellent, substantially outperforming the conventional systems and LR. The ML models developed in this work offer promising results that could benefit CSRU and CCU.

Needs of family members of patients in a coronary care unit

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the need of family members of patients hospitalized in a coronary intensive care unit and their degree of satisfaction with the care provided. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study including family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit for acute coronary syndrome in Killip I or II. After the second visit of the same family member to the patient in the unit, a 43-item inventory of needs and stressors of family members was applied. Family members assessed each need for its importance and satisfaction using a four-point Likert scale. The scores in each dimension of importance and satisfaction were compared using the Wilcoxon test, considering a value of p<0.05 as significant. Results: One hundred family members were interviewed. The most important needs were related to assurance and information. Family members had satisfaction scores corresponding to be very satisfied or totally satisfied, but with lower scores when compared to the needs scores (p<0.01). Conclusion: The most important needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit were related to assurance and information. Multiprofessional interventions involving better communication of patient information to family members should be incorporated into the coronary intensive care unit.

Factores asociados al síndrome de Wellens en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST / Factors associated to Wellens' syndrome in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation

Introducción: El síndrome de Wellens constituye un equivalente del síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST. Este incluye dos patrones electrocardiográficos que sugieren lesión crítica de la arteria descendente anterior. Objetivo: Evaluar probables factores asociados al síndrome de Wellens en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST y lesiones coronarias significativas en la arteria descendente anterior. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, transversal en pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST y lesión significativa en la arteria descendente anterior, comprobada mediante coronariografía, ingresados en la unidad de cuidados coronarios intensivos del Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico Manuel Fajardo entre el 2016 y 2019. Resultados: La edad media fue de 66 años, predominó el sexo masculino (53,9 por ciento) y el antecedente de hipertensión arterial (89,5 por ciento). Los pacientes con síndrome de Wellens tuvieron un significativo menor porcentaje de antecedente de cardiopatía isquémica (58,1 por ciento vs. 84,8 por ciento; p = 0,012). Además, el síndrome arrojó asociación estadísticamente muy significativa con la condición de fumador activo (51,2 por ciento vs. 15,2 por ciento; p < 0,01). No se encontró relación estadística significativa entre el síndrome de Wellens y el resultado angiográfico. Conclusiones: La presencia de los patrones electrocardiográficos del síndrome de Wellens se asocia con el hábito tabáquico en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST y lesiones coronarias en la arteria descendente anterior, y su ausencia se asocia con el antecedente de cardiopatía isquémica en el mismo subgrupo de individuos(AU)

Introduction: Wellens' syndrome is equivalent to acute coronary syndrome with ST-segment elevation. It includes two electrocardiographic patterns suggesting a critical lesion in the anterior descending artery. Objective: Evaluate probable factors associated to Wellens' syndrome in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation and significant coronary lesions in the anterior descending artery. Methods: A cross-sectional observational analytical study was conducted of patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation and significant lesion in the anterior descending artery verified by coronary arteriography, admitted to the intensive coronary care unit at Manuel Fajardo Clinical Surgical Hospital in the period 2016-2019. Results: Mean age was 66 years, with a predominance of the male sex (53.9 percent) and a history of hypertension (89.5 percent). Patients with Wellens' syndrome had a significantly lower percentage of ischemic heart disease antecedents (58.1 percent vs. 84.8 percent; p = 0.012). A very significant statistical association was observed between the syndrome and active smoking (51.2 percent vs. 15.2 percent; p < 0.01). A significant statistical relationship was not found between Wellens' syndrome and angiographic results. Conclusions: The presence of electrocardiographic patterns of Wellens' syndrome is associated to smoking in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation and coronary lesions in the anterior descending artery, whereas their absence is associated to a history of ischemic heart disease in the same subgroup of individuals(AU)

Hiperglucemia y leucocitosis como predictores de complicaciones intrahospitalarias en pacientes con Infarto del miocardio agudo / Hyperglycemia and leukocytosis as predictive factors of in-hospital complications in patients with Acute myocardial infarction

Introducción: A pesar de las nuevas técnicas para la reperfusión del vaso en el infarto agudo de miocardio, las complicaciones y la mortalidad en estos pacientes es elevada. La hiperglucemia y la leucocitosis se han descrito como factores de riesgo y de peor pronóstico. Objetivo: Evaluar la capacidad predictiva de la hiperglucemia y la leucocitosis de complicaciones intrahospitalarias en pacientes con infarto de miocardio agudo con elevación del segmento ST. Material y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de cohorte desde 2013 hasta 2020 que incluyó a 507 pacientes consecutivos que ingresaron en la Unidad de Cuidados Coronarios del Hospital Militar Central Dr. Carlos J. Finlay y el Hospital General Docente Enrique Cabrera con el diagnóstico de infarto del miocardio agudo con elevación del segmento ST. Se dividieron los pacientes de acuerdo con la ocurrencia de complicaciones intrahospitalarias. Resultados: Los valores de glucemia y leucograma presentaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de pacientes (p = 0,002 y p = 0,005; respectivamente). La capacidad discriminativa de ambos exámenes se clasificó como mala. El análisis univariado de regresión logística reveló que la glucemia y el leucograma eran factores de riesgo para la aparición de complicaciones, pero solo el leucograma se consideró un predictor independiente del evento final del estudio. Al asociar los valores de leucograma al modelo multivariado, se elevó su capacidad predictiva (área bajo la curva: 0,735; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La leucocitosis es un predictor independiente de complicaciones intrahospitalarias en pacientes con Infarto del miocardio agudo con elevación del segmento ST(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Despite the use of novel techniques for reperfusion of the vessel in acute myocardial infarction, complications and mortality in these patients are high. Hyperglycemia and leukocytosis have been described as risk factors and worse prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the predictive capacity of hyperglycemia and leukocytosis for in-hospital complications of myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation patients. Material and Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted from 2013 to 2020 that included 507 consecutive patients admitted to the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of the Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Central Military Hospital and the Enrique Cabrera General Teaching Hospital with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction with ST- segment elevation. The patients were divided into groups according to the occurrence of in-hospital complications. Results: The values of glycemia and leukocyteswere significantly different among the groups of patients (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005; respectively). The discriminative capability of both tests was classified as bad. The univariate analysis of logistic regression revealed that glycemia and leukocytes were risk factors for the appearance of complications, but only the leukocyte test was considered as an independent predictor of the final event of the study. When the values of the leukocyte test were associated with the multivariate model, its predictive capacity increased (area under curve: 0.735; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Leukocytosis is an independent predictor of in-hospital complications of acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation(AU)

Effects of Melatonin on Postoperative Delirium After PCI in Elderly Patients: A Randomized, Single-Center, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Experimental evidence has indicated the benefits of melatonin (Mel) for the treatment of delirium. Clinical trials had no definite conclusions concerning Mel on delirium after percutaneous transluminal coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients. The present study explored whether acute Mel treatment could reduce the incidence of delirium. METHODS: This trial enrolled patients over the age of 60, who were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) after PCI. A computer-generated randomization sequence (in a 1:1 ratio) was used to randomly assign patients to receive Mel (3 mg/day) or placebo once daily for up to 7 days. The primary endpoint was the incidence of delirium, assessed twice daily with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) during the first 7 postoperative days. Analyses were performed using intention-to-treat and safety populations. RESULTS: A total of 297 patients randomly were assigned to receive either placebo (N = 149) or Mel (N = 148). The incidence of postoperative delirium was significantly lower in the Mel group than in the placebo group (27.0% vs. 39.6%, respectively, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference between 30-day all-cause mortality (12.2% vs. 14.1%, P = 0.62) and drug reactions (0 vs. 2.0%, P = 0.25). The length of stay and hospitalization costs in the Mel group were significantly decreased compared with those in the placebo group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that Mel is safe and effective in the treatment of delirium after PCI. Further investigation is necessary to fully understand the potential usefulness of Mel in older patients via larger randomized, multicenter, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials.

Characteristics of Heart Failure Patients With or Without Hypotension When Transitioning From Nitroprusside to Sacubitril-Valsartan.

BACKGROUND: Sacubitril-valsartan is an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Little is known about outcomes of HFrEF patients transitioned from sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to sacubitril-valsartan during an admission for acute decompensated heart failure. We sought to describe characteristics of patients initiated on sacubitril-valsartan while receiving SNP and, in particular, those patients who did and did not experience hypotension requiring interruption or discontinuation of sacubitril-valsartan. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case series of adult patients (>18 years) with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) admitted to the University of Michigan cardiac intensive care unit between July 2018 to September 2020 who received sacubitril-valsartan while on SNP. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with acute decompensated heart failure were initiated on sacubitril-valsartan while on SNP. The mean age was 57 ± 15.9 years. Seven (46.7%) patients experienced hypotension. The patients in the cohort who experienced hypotension were numerically older (60 ± 17 vs. 55 ± 15.5), and the majority were white (86%). Patients with hypotension had a numerically lower left ventricular ejection fraction (13 ± 4.2 vs. 18 ± 8.2) and higher serum creatinine (1.4 ± 0.54 vs. 0.88 ± 0.25). Seven (100%) patients received a diuretic on the day of sacubitril-valsartan initiation in those who experienced hypotension compared with 2 (25%) in those who did not experience hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: In almost half of patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit with acutely decompensated HFrEF, significant hypotension was seen when initiating sacubitril-valsartan while on SNP. Future studies should evaluate appropriate patients for this transition and delineate appropriate titration parameters.

Right Ventricular Pulmonary Artery Coupling and Mortality in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Background Impaired right ventricular (RV) pulmonary artery coupling has been associated with higher mortality in patients with chronic heart disease, but few studies have examined this metric in critically ill patients. We sought to evaluate the association between RV pulmonary artery coupling, defined by the ratio of tricuspid annular peak systolic tissue Doppler velocity (TASV)/estimated RV systolic pressure (RVSP), and mortality in cardiac intensive care unit patients. Methods and Results Using a database of unique cardiac intensive care unit admissions from 2007 to 2018, we included patients with TASV/RVSP ratio measured within 1 day of hospitalization. Hospital mortality was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, and 1-year mortality was analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional-hazards analysis. We included 4259 patients with a mean age of 69±15 years (40.1% women). Admission diagnoses included acute coronary syndrome in 56%, heart failure in 52%, respiratory failure in 24%, and cardiogenic shock in 12%. The mean TASV/RVSP ratio was 0.31±0.14, and in-hospital mortality occurred in 7% of patients. Higher TASV/RVSP ratio was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted unit odds ratio, 0.68 per each 0.1-unit higher ratio; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79; P<0.001) and lower 1-year mortality among hospital survivors (adjusted unit hazard ratio, 0.83 per each 0.1-unit higher ratio; 95% CI, 0.77-0.90; P<0.001). Stepwise decreases in hospital and 1-year mortality were observed in each higher TASV/RVSP quintile. The TASV/RVSP ratio remained associated with mortality after adjusting for left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Conclusions A low TASV/RVSP ratio is associated with increased short-term and long-term mortality among cardiac intensive care unit patients, emphasizing importance of impaired RV pulmonary artery coupling as a determinant of poor prognosis. Further study is required to determine whether interventions to optimize RV pulmonary artery coupling can improve outcomes.

Palliative Care Referrals in Cardiac Disease.

OBJECTIVES: With evidence of benefits of pediatric palliative care (PPC) integration, we sought to characterize subspecialty PPC referral patterns and end of life (EOL) care in pediatric advanced heart disease (AHD). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared inpatient pediatric (<21 years) deaths due to AHD in 2 separate 3-year epochs: 2007-2009 (early) and 2015-2018 (late). Demographics, disease burden, medical interventions, mode of death, and hospital charges were evaluated for temporal changes and PPC influence. RESULTS: Of 3409 early-epoch admissions, there were 110 deaths; the late epoch had 99 deaths in 4032 admissions. In the early epoch, 45 patients (1.3% admissions, 17% deaths) were referred for PPC, compared with 146 late-epoch patients (3.6% admissions, 58% deaths). Most deaths (186 [89%]) occurred in the cardiac ICU after discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy (138 [66%]). Medical therapies included ventilation (189 [90%]), inotropes (184 [88%]), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (68 [33%]), or mechanical circulatory support (67 [32%]), with no temporal difference observed. PPC involvement was associated with decreased mechanical circulatory support, ventilation, inotropes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation at EOL, and children were more likely to be awake and be receiving enteral feeds. PPC involvement increased advance care planning, with lower hospital charges on day of death and 7 days before (respective differences $5058 [P = .02] and $25 634 [P = .02]). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric AHD deaths are associated with high medical intensity; however, children with PPC consultation experienced substantially less invasive interventions at EOL. Further study is warranted to explore these findings and how palliative care principles can be better integrated into care.

Application effect of initiation of enteral nutrition at different time periods after surgery in neonates with complex congenital heart disease: A retrospective analysis.

ABSTRACT: Early enteral nutrition (EN) promotes the recovery of critically ill patients, but the initiation time for EN in neonates after cardiac surgery remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the effect of initiation time of EN after cardiac surgery in neonates with complex congenital heart disease (CHD).Neonates with complex CHD admitted to the CICU from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the 24-hour Group (initiated at 24 hours after surgery in 2015) (n = 32) and 6-hour Group (initiated at 6 hours after surgery in 2016 and 2017) (n = 66). Data on the postoperative feeding intolerance, nutrition-related laboratory tests (albumin, prealbumin, retinol binding protein), and clinical outcomes (including duration of mechanical ventilation, CICU stay, and postoperative hospital stay) were collected.The incidence of feeding intolerance was 56.3% in 24-hour Group and 39.4%, respectively (P = .116). As compared to 24-hour Group, prealbumin and retinol binding protein levels were higher (160.7 ±â€Š64.3 vs 135.2 ±â€Š28.9 mg/L, P = .043 for prealbumin; 30.7 ±â€Š17.7 vs 23.0 ±â€Š14.1 g/L P = .054 for retinol-binding protein). The duration of CICU stay (9.4 ±â€Š4.5 vs 13.3 ±â€Š10.4 day, P = .049) and hospital stay (11.6 ±â€Š3.0 vs 15.8 ±â€Š10.3 day, P = .028) were shorter in 6-hour Group.Early EN improves nutritional status and clinical outcomes in neonates with complex CHD undergoing cardiac surgery, without significant feeding intolerance.

Diagnosis, prevention, and management of delirium in the intensive cardiac care unit.

Delirium is a frequent complication in patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCU) with potentially severe consequences including increased risks of mortality, cognitive impairment and dependence at discharge, and longer times on mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. Delirium has been widely documented and studied in general intensive care units and in patients after cardiac surgery, but it has barely been studied in acute nonsurgical cardiac patients. Moreover, delirium (especially in its hypoactive form) is commonly misdiagnosed. We propose a protocol for delirium prevention and management in ICCUs. A daily comprehensive assessment to improve detection should be done using validated scales (ie, confusion assessment method). Preventive measures are particularly relevance and constitute the basis of treatment as well, acting on reversible risk factors, including environmental interventions, such as quiet time, sleep promotion, family support, communication, and adequate treatment of pain and dyspnea. Pharmacological prophylaxis is not indicated with the exception of patients at risk of withdrawal syndrome but should only be used in patients with confirmed delirium. Dexmedetomidine is the drug of choice in patients with severe agitation, and those weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation. As the complexity of ICCUs increases, clinical scenarios posing challenges for the management of delirium become more frequent. Efforts should be done to improve the identification of patients at risk during admission in order to establish preventive interventions to avoid this complication. Patient-centered protocols will increase the awareness of the healthcare professionals for better prevention and earlier diagnosis and will positively impact on prognosis.

Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in a Large Regional Coronary Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an under recognised cause of coronary artery disease, despite the proven reductions in risk with early detection and treatment. METHODS: Data from 180 consecutive patients presenting to a large regional hospital with acute coronary syndrome were collected. Potential FH was assessed using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC), and if patients were on statins, pre-treatment cholesterol was estimated according to a validated algorithm. RESULTS: Ninety per cent (90%) of patients presented with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A total of 11 patients (6%) were classified as having phenotypic FH. The phenotypic FH cohort was younger (mean age 53.1 vs 62.0, p=0.011); and more likely to have documented ischaemic heart disease (63.6% vs 20.7%, p=0.001). PHENOTYPIC FH PATIENTS: Familial hypercholesterolaemia patients had a higher rate of ezetimibe use (18.2% vs 2.4%, p=0.005), but fibrate use was not significantly different. Phenotypic FH patients also had higher levels of total cholesterol, corrected LDL and triglycerides, but no statistically significant difference in HDL levels compared with non-FH counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FH is relatively high among patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. This has now been established in a regional Australian population, with similar prevalence to large European registries. This highlights the need for improved access to specialised services in regional and rural areas to reduce adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes.