Sedation, analgesia, and delirium management in Portugal: a survey and point prevalence study. / Abordagem da sedação, da analgesia e do delirium em Portugal: inquérito nacional e estudo de prevalência.

OBJECTIVE: To establish current Portuguese critical care practices regarding analgesia, sedation, and delirium based on a comparison between the activities reported and daily clinical practice. METHODS: A national survey was conducted among physicians invited to report their practice toward analgesia, sedation, and delirium in intensive care units. A point prevalence study was performed to analyze daily practices. RESULTS: A total of 117 physicians answered the survey, and 192 patients were included in the point prevalence study. Survey and point prevalence studies reflect a high sedation assessment (92%; 88.5%), with the Richmond Agitated Sedation Scale being the most reported and used scale (41.7%; 58.2%) and propofol being the most reported and used medication (91.4%; 58.6%). Midazolam prescribing was reported by 68.4% of responders, but a point prevalence study revealed a use of 27.6%.Although 46.4% of responders reported oversedation, this was actually documented in 32% of the patients. The survey reports the daily assessment of pain (92%) using standardized scales (71%). The same was identified in the point prevalence study, with 91.1% of analgesia assessment mainly with the Behavioral Pain Scale. In the survey, opioids were reported as the first analgesic. In clinical practice, acetaminophen was the first option (34.6%), followed by opioids. Delirium assessment was reported by 70% of physicians but was performed in less than 10% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results from the survey did not accurately reflect the common practices in Portuguese intensive care units, as reported in the point prevalence study. Efforts should be made specifically to avoid oversedation and to promote delirium assessment.

OBJETIVO: Determinar as práticas atuais de cuidados intensivos em Portugal quanto à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium, com base em uma comparação entre as atividades relatadas e a prática clínica diária. MÉTODOS: Inquérito nacional em que os médicos foram convidados a relatar sua prática em relação à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva. Para analisar a prática diária, realizou-se um estudo de prevalência pontual. RESULTADOS: Responderam ao inquérito 117 médicos, e 192 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo de prevalência pontual. O inquérito e o estudo de prevalência mostraram uma avaliação generalizada do nível de sedação (92%; 88,5%). A Escala de Agitação e Sedação de Richmond foi a mais reportada e utilizada (41,7%; 58,2%), e o propofol foi o medicamento mais reportado e utilizado (91,4%; 58,6%). A prescrição de midazolam foi relatada por 68,4% dos respondentes, mas o estudo de prevalência pontual revelou a sua utilização em 27,6%.Embora 46,4% dos respondentes tenham relatado excesso de sedação, na realidade foi documentado em 32% dos pacientes. O inquérito relatou avaliação diária de dor (92%) com uso de escalas padronizadas (71%). Identificou-se resultado semelhante no estudo de prevalência pontual, com 91,1% de avaliação da analgesia feita principalmente com a Escala Comportamental de Dor. No inquérito, os opioides foram relatados como analgésicos de primeira linha. Na prática clínica, o paracetamol foi a primeira opção (34,6%), seguido de opioides. A avaliação do delirium foi relatada por 70% dos médicos, embora tenha sido realizada em menos de 10% dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do inquérito não refletiram com precisão as práticas habituais nas unidades de terapia intensiva portuguesas, tal como relatado no estudo de prevalência pontual. Devem ser feitos esforços principalmente para evitar o excesso de sedação e promover a avaliação do delirium.

Abordagem da sedação, da analgesia e do delirium em Portugal: inquérito nacional e estudo de prevalência / Sedation, analgesia, and delirium management in Portugal: a survey and point prevalence study

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar as práticas atuais de cuidados intensivos em Portugal quanto à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium, com base em uma comparação entre as atividades relatadas e a prática clínica diária. Métodos: Inquérito nacional em que os médicos foram convidados a relatar sua prática em relação à analgesia, à sedação e ao delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva. Para analisar a prática diária, realizou-se um estudo de prevalência pontual. Resultados: Responderam ao inquérito 117 médicos, e 192 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo de prevalência pontual. O inquérito e o estudo de prevalência mostraram uma avaliação generalizada do nível de sedação (92%; 88,5%). A Escala de Agitação e Sedação de Richmond foi a mais reportada e utilizada (41,7%; 58,2%), e o propofol foi o medicamento mais reportado e utilizado (91,4%; 58,6%). A prescrição de midazolam foi relatada por 68,4% dos respondentes, mas o estudo de prevalência pontual revelou a sua utilização em 27,6%. Embora 46,4% dos respondentes tenham relatado excesso de sedação, na realidade foi documentado em 32% dos pacientes. O inquérito relatou avaliação diária de dor (92%) com uso de escalas padronizadas (71%). Identificou-se resultado semelhante no estudo de prevalência pontual, com 91,1% de avaliação da analgesia feita principalmente com a Escala Comportamental de Dor. No inquérito, os opioides foram relatados como analgésicos de primeira linha. Na prática clínica, o paracetamol foi a primeira opção (34,6%), seguido de opioides. A avaliação do delirium foi relatada por 70% dos médicos, embora tenha sido realizada em menos de 10% dos pacientes. Conclusão: Os resultados do inquérito não refletiram com precisão as práticas habituais nas unidades de terapia intensiva portuguesas, tal como relatado no estudo de prevalência pontual. Devem ser feitos esforços principalmente para evitar o excesso de sedação e promover a avaliação do delirium.

ABSTRACT Objective: To establish current Portuguese critical care practices regarding analgesia, sedation, and delirium based on a comparison between the activities reported and daily clinical practice. Methods: A national survey was conducted among physicians invited to report their practice toward analgesia, sedation, and delirium in intensive care units. A point prevalence study was performed to analyze daily practices. Results: A total of 117 physicians answered the survey, and 192 patients were included in the point prevalence study. Survey and point prevalence studies reflect a high sedation assessment (92%; 88.5%), with the Richmond Agitated Sedation Scale being the most reported and used scale (41.7%; 58.2%) and propofol being the most reported and used medication (91.4%; 58.6%). Midazolam prescribing was reported by 68.4% of responders, but a point prevalence study revealed a use of 27.6%. Although 46.4% of responders reported oversedation, this was actually documented in 32% of the patients. The survey reports the daily assessment of pain (92%) using standardized scales (71%). The same was identified in the point prevalence study, with 91.1% of analgesia assessment mainly with the Behavioral Pain Scale. In the survey, opioids were reported as the first analgesic. In clinical practice, acetaminophen was the first option (34.6%), followed by opioids. Delirium assessment was reported by 70% of physicians but was performed in less than 10% of the patients. Conclusion: The results from the survey did not accurately reflect the common practices in Portuguese intensive care units, as reported in the point prevalence study. Efforts should be made specifically to avoid oversedation and to promote delirium assessment.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia diagnosis: a prioritization exercise based on multi-criteria decision analysis.

The aim was to provide global experts ranking on priorities in diagnostic tools for VAP in clinical practice. A multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was performed to identify diagnosis tools for VAP diagnosis. Priority factors were identified after literature review. An international, multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed variables and ranked diagnostic tools. Experts from ten European hospitals participated. Regarding bedside clinical practices, seven required chest X-ray use in all patients, whereas six reported the use of blood cultures and endotracheal aspirate in all patients. Invasive techniques were routinely performed in seven sites. CRP, PCT, and Gram stains were performed in all patients by 5, 2, and 8, respectively. Impact on patient outcomes, safety, and impact on the decision to start antibiotic therapy were ranked as the top three relevant concerns (7.7/10, 7/10, and 6.9/10, respectively). Chest X-ray was ranked as the most important imaging technique to diagnose VAP (score 251.7). Apart from blood cultures, endotracheal aspirate culture was identified as the main collection method for the microbiological testing (scores of 274.8 and 246.8, respectively). Mini-BAL was the preferred invasive technique with a score of 208. Top three biomarkers were CRP (score 184.3), PCT (181.3), and WBC (166.4). Gram stain (192.5) was prioritized among laboratory diagnostic techniques. Using MCDA, it is recommended to perform a combination of diagnostic techniques including images (chest X-ray), culture of clinical specimens (blood cultures and endotracheal aspirate), and biomarkers (CRP or PCT) for VAP diagnosis at the bedside. Gram stain was ranked as the preferred laboratory technique.

suPAR na avaliação do prognóstico após permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva: um estudo piloto / suPAR in the assessment of post intensive care unit prognosis: a pilot study

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar o desempenho da dosagem do receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel quando da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva para predição da mortalidade após permanência na mesma unidade. Métodos: Durante 24 meses conduziu-se um estudo prospectivo observacional de coorte em uma unidade de terapia intensiva polivalente de oito leitos. Colheram-se os seguintes dados: APACHE II, SOFA, níveis de proteína C-reativa e receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel, além de contagem de leucócitos no dia da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva, em pacientes que sobreviveram à permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. Resultados: Durante este período, incluíram-se no estudo 202 pacientes; 29 (18,6%) morreram após alta da unidade de terapia intensiva. Os não sobreviventes eram mais idosos e tinham enfermidades mais graves quando admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva, com escores de severidade mais elevados, e necessitaram de vasopressores por mais tempo do que os que sobreviveram. As áreas sob a curva Característica de Operação do Receptor para SOFA, APACHE II, proteína C-reativa, contagem de leucócitos e receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel, no momento da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva, avaliadas como marcadores de prognóstico de morte hospitalar, foram, respectivamente, 0,78 (IC95% 0,70 - 0,86); 0,70 (IC95% 0,61 - 0,79); 0,54 (IC95% 0,42 - 0,65); 0,48 (IC95% 0,36 - 0,58); 0,68 (IC95% 0,58 - 0,78). O SOFA associou-se de forma independente com risco mais elevado de morte no hospital (OR 1,673; IC95% 1,252 - 2,234), assim como para mortalidade após 28 dias (OR 1,861; IC95% 1,856 - 2,555) e mortalidade após 90 dias (OR 1,584; IC95% 1,241 - 2,022). Conclusão: A dosagem do receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel na alta unidade de terapia intensiva teve um valor prognóstico fraco de mortalidade após a permanência nesta unidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the performance of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor upon intensive care unit discharge to predict post intensive care unit mortality. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted during a 24-month period in an 8-bed polyvalent intensive care unit. APACHE II, SOFA, C-reactive protein, white cell count and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor on the day of intensive care unit discharge were collected from patients who survived intensive care unit admission. Results: Two hundred and two patients were included in this study, 29 patients (18.6%) of whom died after intensive care unit discharge. Nonsurvivors were older and more seriously ill upon intensive care unit admission with higher severity scores, and nonsurvivors required extended use of vasopressors than did survivors. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves of SOFA, APACHE II, C-reactive protein, white cell count, and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor at intensive care unit discharge as prognostic markers of hospital death were 0.78 (95%CI 0.70 - 0.86); 0.70 (95%CI 0.61 - 0.79); 0.54 (95%CI 0.42 - 0.65); 0.48 (95%CI 0.36 - 0.58); and 0.68 (95%CI 0.58 - 0.78), respectively. SOFA was independently associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.673; 95%CI 1.252 - 2.234), 28-day mortality (OR 1.861; 95%CI 1.856 - 2.555) and 90-day mortality (OR 1.584; 95%CI 1.241 - 2.022). Conclusion: At intensive care unit discharge, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor is a poor predictor of post intensive care unit prognosis.

suPAR in the assessment of post intensive care unit prognosis: a pilot study. / suPAR na avaliação do prognóstico após permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva: um estudo piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor upon intensive care unit discharge to predict post intensive care unit mortality. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted during a 24-month period in an 8-bed polyvalent intensive care unit. APACHE II, SOFA, C-reactive protein, white cell count and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor on the day of intensive care unit discharge were collected from patients who survived intensive care unit admission. RESULTS: Two hundred and two patients were included in this study, 29 patients (18.6%) of whom died after intensive care unit discharge. Nonsurvivors were older and more seriously ill upon intensive care unit admission with higher severity scores, and nonsurvivors required extended use of vasopressors than did survivors. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curves of SOFA, APACHE II, C-reactive protein, white cell count, and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor at intensive care unit discharge as prognostic markers of hospital death were 0.78 (95%CI 0.70 - 0.86); 0.70 (95%CI 0.61 - 0.79); 0.54 (95%CI 0.42 - 0.65); 0.48 (95%CI 0.36 - 0.58); and 0.68 (95%CI 0.58 - 0.78), respectively. SOFA was independently associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.673; 95%CI 1.252 - 2.234), 28-day mortality (OR 1.861; 95%CI 1.856 - 2.555) and 90-day mortality (OR 1.584; 95%CI 1.241 - 2.022). CONCLUSION: At intensive care unit discharge, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor is a poor predictor of post intensive care unit prognosis.

OBJETIVO: Determinar o desempenho da dosagem do receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel quando da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva para predição da mortalidade após permanência na mesma unidade. MÉTODOS: Durante 24 meses conduziu-se um estudo prospectivo observacional de coorte em uma unidade de terapia intensiva polivalente de oito leitos. Colheram-se os seguintes dados: APACHE II, SOFA, níveis de proteína C-reativa e receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel, além de contagem de leucócitos no dia da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva, em pacientes que sobreviveram à permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. RESULTADOS: Durante este período, incluíram-se no estudo 202 pacientes; 29 (18,6%) morreram após alta da unidade de terapia intensiva. Os não sobreviventes eram mais idosos e tinham enfermidades mais graves quando admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva, com escores de severidade mais elevados, e necessitaram de vasopressores por mais tempo do que os que sobreviveram. As áreas sob a curva Característica de Operação do Receptor para SOFA, APACHE II, proteína C-reativa, contagem de leucócitos e receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel, no momento da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva, avaliadas como marcadores de prognóstico de morte hospitalar, foram, respectivamente, 0,78 (IC95% 0,70 - 0,86); 0,70 (IC95% 0,61 - 0,79); 0,54 (IC95% 0,42 - 0,65); 0,48 (IC95% 0,36 - 0,58); 0,68 (IC95% 0,58 - 0,78). O SOFA associou-se de forma independente com risco mais elevado de morte no hospital (OR 1,673; IC95% 1,252 - 2,234), assim como para mortalidade após 28 dias (OR 1,861; IC95% 1,856 - 2,555) e mortalidade após 90 dias (OR 1,584; IC95% 1,241 - 2,022). CONCLUSÃO: A dosagem do receptor ativador de plasminogênio tipo uroquinase solúvel na alta unidade de terapia intensiva teve um valor prognóstico fraco de mortalidade após a permanência nesta unidade.

Biomarkers kinetics in the assessment of ventilator-associated pneumonia response to antibiotics - results from the BioVAP study.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the role of biomarker kinetics in the assessment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) response to antibiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study to evaluate in 37 microbiologically documented VAP, the kinetics of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), mid-region fragment of pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM). The kinetics of each variable, from day 1 to 6 of therapy, was assessed with a time dependent analysis comparing survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: During the study period kinetics of CRP as well as its relative changes, CRP-ratio, was significantly different between survivors and non-survivors (p=0.026 and p=0.005, respectively). On day 4 of antibiotic therapy, CRP of survivors was 47% of the initial value while it was 96% in non-survivors. The kinetics of other studied variables did not distinguish between survivors and non-survivors. In survivors the bacterial load also decreased markedly. Adequate initial antibiotic therapy was associated with lower mortality (p=0.025) and faster CRP decrease (p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: C-reactive protein kinetics can be used to identify VAP patients with poor outcome as soon as four days after the initiation of treatment. (Trial registration - NCT02078999; registered 3 August 2012).

Current challenges in the management of sepsis in ICUs in resource-poor settings and suggestions for the future.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major reason for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, also in resource-poor settings. ICUs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face many challenges that could affect patient outcome. AIM: To describe differences between resource-poor and resource-rich settings regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, economics and research aspects of sepsis. We restricted this manuscript to the ICU setting even knowing that many sepsis patients in LMICs are treated outside an ICU. FINDINGS: Although many bacterial pathogens causing sepsis in LMICs are similar to those in high-income countries, resistance patterns to antimicrobial drugs can be very different; in addition, causes of sepsis in LMICs often include tropical diseases in which direct damaging effects of pathogens and their products can sometimes be more important than the response of the host. There are substantial and persisting differences in ICU capacities around the world; not surprisingly the lowest capacities are found in LMICs, but with important heterogeneity within individual LMICs. Although many aspects of sepsis management developed in rich countries are applicable in LMICs, implementation requires strong consideration of cost implications and the important differences in resources. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing both disease-specific and setting-specific factors is important to improve performance of ICUs in LMICs. Although critical care for severe sepsis is likely cost-effective in LMIC setting, more detailed evaluation at both at a macro- and micro-economy level is necessary. Sepsis management in resource-limited settings is a largely unexplored frontier with important opportunities for research, training, and other initiatives for improvement.

Assessment of pharmacokinetic changes of meropenem during therapy in septic critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic commonly used in critically ill patients to treat severe infections. The available pharmacokinetic (PK) data has been mostly obtained from healthy volunteers as well as from clinical studies addressing selected populations, often excluding the elderly and also patients with renal failure. Our aim was to study PK of meropenem in a broader population of septic critically ill patients. METHODS: We characterized the PK of meropenem in 15 critically ill patients during the first 36 hrs of therapy. Aditionally, whenever possible, we collected a second set of late plasma samples after 5 days of therapy to evaluate PK intra-patient variability and its correlation with clinical course.Patients received meropenem (1 g every 8 hrs IV). Drug plasma profiles were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The PK of meropenem was characterized and compared with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Fifteen septic critically ill patients (8 male, median age 73 yrs) were included. The geometric mean of the volume of distribution at the steady state (Vss)/weight was 0.20 (0.15-0.27) L/kg. No correlation of Vss/weight with severity or comorbidity scores was found. However the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score correlated with the Vss/weight of the peripheral compartment (r2 = 0.55, p = 0.021). The median meropenem clearance (Cl) was 73.3 (45-120) mL/min correlated with the creatinine (Cr) Cl (r2 = 0.35, p = 0.033).After 5 days (N = 7) although Vss remained stable, a decrease in the proportion of the peripheral compartment (Vss2) was found, from 61.3 (42.5-88.5)% to 51.7 (36.6-73.1)%. No drug accumulation was noted. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of septic, unselected, critically ill patients, large meropenem PK heterogeneity was noted, although neither underdosing nor accumulation was found. However, Cr Cl correlated to meropenem Cl and the Vss2 decreased with patient's improvement.

Assessment of risk factors for in-hospital mortality after intensive care unit discharge.

CONTEXT: Post-intensive care unit (ICU) mortality predictors are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess post-ICU in-hospital mortality predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of 296 patients discharged alive from a medical-surgical ICU during an 18-month period. RESULTS: Post-ICU in-hospital mortality was 22.6%. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity score and more often had a tracheostomy. C-reactive protein (CRP) "alert measurement", ≥ 6 mg/dL, independently discriminated survivors from nonsurvivors. DISCUSSION: A CRP "alert measurement" or the need for tracheostomy may be used to identify patients with high risk of dying after ICU discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Charlson comorbidity score, CRP and tracheostomy predicted post-ICU in-hospital mortality.

Pilot study evaluating C-reactive protein levels in the assessment of response to treatment of severe bloodstream infection.

We evaluated the usefulness of monitoring daily C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after initiation of antimicrobial therapy in 44 patients with bloodstream infection. The ratio of the CRP level during therapy to the level at the start of antimicrobial therapy (CRP ratio) was measured. A CRP ratio of >0.58 at day 4 of therapy was a marker of poor outcome (sensitivity, 0.89; specificity, 0.69). The recognition of a pattern of CRP-ratio response was useful in the prediction of individual clinical course.