Acquired factor V inhibitor in a patient receiving venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for Legionella pneumonia.

We report a rare complication of factor V deficiency in a patient having Legionella pneumonia. This patient also had other complications like severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, and septic shock that required venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. This is the first reported case of acquired factor V deficiency in a patient receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for Legionella pneumonia. With the combined use of intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab and plasma exchange, we achieved rapid clearance of the factor V inhibitor within 1 week so as to allow safe decannulation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Three-year experience of using venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients with severe respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVE: To present the 3-year experience of using venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients with severe respiratory failure in a single centre in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A 19-bed Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients who were managed with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013 in the Intensive Care Unit. RESULTS: Overall, 31 patients (mean age, 42.2 years, standard deviation, 14.1 years; 21 males) received venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the treatment of severe respiratory failure. Of these, 90.3% (28 patients) presented with pneumonia as the cause of the respiratory failure, and 22 of them had identifiable causes. A total of nine (29.0%) patients were diagnosed to have H1N1 infection. The median Murray score was 3.5 (interquartile range, 3.0-3.5); the median duration of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was 5.0 (2.8-8.6) days; and the median duration of mechanical ventilator support was 18.2 (7.8-27.9) days. The overall intensive care unit mortality was 19.4% (n=6). The overall in-hospital mortality and the 28-day mortality were both 22.6% (n=7). Among the 22 patients who had identifiable infective causes, those suffering from viral infection had lower intensive care unit and hospital mortality than those who had bacterial infection (8.3% vs 20.0%). All the H1N1 patients survived. Complications related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation included severe bleeding (n=2; 6.5%) and mechanical complications of the circuits (n=3; 9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an effective adjunctive therapy and can be used as a life-saving procedure for carefully selected patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome when the limits of standard therapy have been reached.

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Feeding Rate as a Phenotypic Endpoint for the Impact of Pollutants in Daphnids.

Traditional approaches for monitoring aquatic pollution primarily rely on chemical analysis and the detection of pollutants in the aqueous environments. However, these methods lack realism and mechanistic insight and, thus, are increasingly supported by effect-based methods, which offer sensitive endpoints. In this context, daphnids, a freshwater species used extensively in molecular ecotoxicology, offer fast and noninvasive approaches to assess the impact of pollutants. Among the phenotypic endpoints used, feeding rate is a highly sensitive approach because it provides evidence of physiological alterations even in sublethal concentrations. However, there has been no standardized method for measuring feeding rate in daphnids, and several approaches follow different protocols. There is a diversity among tests employing large volumes, extensive incubation times, and high animal densities, which in turn utilize measurements of algae via fluorescence, radiolabeling, or counting ingested cells. These tests are challenging and laborious and sometimes require cumbersome instrumentation. In the present study, we optimized the conditions of a miniaturized fast, sensitive, and high-throughput assay to assess the feeding rate based on the ingestion of fluorescent microparticles. The protocol was optimized in neonates in relation to the concentration of microplastic and the number of animals to increase reproducibility. Daphnids, following exposures to nonlethal concentrations, were incubated with microplastics; and, as filter feeders, they ingest microparticles. The new approach revealed differences in the physiology of daphnids in concentrations below the toxicity limits for a range of pollutants of different modes of action, thus proving feeding to be a more sensitive and noninvasive endpoint in pollution assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Sex differences in corticospinal excitability and quadriceps performance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures result in lasting quadriceps dysfunction that contributes to secondary injury risk and development of osteoarthritis. There is evidence of persistent reduced nervous system drive (corticospinal excitability [CSE]) to the quadriceps and sex differences in both quadriceps performance and CSE post-ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The purposes of this study were to investigate the differences in CSE and quadriceps dysfunction after ACLR between sexes and relative to controls. Twenty subjects 4-9 months post-ACLR and 20 age, sex, and activity matched controls participated in this study. Quadriceps performance (peak torque, PT; rate of torque development from onset to 100 ms, RTD100; and RTD from 100 to 200ms, RTD200) and CSE (active motor threshold; slope of the stimulus response (SR) curve, SR curve slope) were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (HUMAC NORM) and transcranial magnetic stimulation respectively. Significant group differences were found for SR curve slope, PT, RTD100, and RTD200 on the surgical limb. Males after ACLR had higher slopes (higher CSE) than females. Females after ACLR had worse surgical limb quadriceps PT than control males and slower RTD100 and RTD200 than control males and control females. Higher CSE in males after ACLR may point to a potentially adaptive neurological change in males post-ACLR and indicate greater need for novel interventions to address cortical drive in females after ACLR.

Postoperative considerations based on graft type after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Graft selection for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) affects rehabilitation throughout the course of postoperative care. Methods: A search of PubMed and EBSCO was performed and abstracts independently reviewed by two authors. This search was also supplemented with additional evidence relevant to each phase of ACLR rehabilitation. Key Content and Findings: Direct implications of graft type on clinical decisions vary throughout treatment phases, transitioning from potential differences in acute postoperative pain management immediately after surgery to facilitating sufficient and appropriate lower extremity loading in subsequent weeks. Regardless of graft type, surgical limb weakness persists throughout the course of rehabilitation; however, harvest site selection for autografts contributes to disproportionate weakness of the harvested muscle group and the potential for surgical-induced tendinopathy. In later phases of rehabilitation, as athletes are transitioning into return to sport (RTS), treatment decisions and protocols are less affected by graft type but expectations for meeting clinical milestones and the time required to do so does differ between graft types. Conclusions: Targeted strengthening interventions to address muscle weakness following graft harvest in autografts should be continued throughout the rehabilitation process. Lingering deficits in quadriceps strength symmetry may also influence time to meet progression and RTS criteria following graft harvest from the extensor mechanism.

A rare neurological complication due to lithium poisoning.

Lithium salts have been used in treatment of depression and bipolar disorder for more than 50 years. Neurotoxic side-effects such as nystagmus, ataxia, tremor, fasciculation, clonus, seizure and even coma have been well described in the literature. We present a case of generalised peripheral neuropathy following lithium intoxication. It is a rare presentation with delayed onset and characterised by a rapid downhill course. Diagnosis was confirmed by nerve conduction tests, which showed axonal neuropathy. Despite the profound neurological effects of this toxicity, it is readily reversible with supportive care and the prognosis is good.

Hip Joint Kinematic Covariation During Gait Before and 1-Year After Hip Arthroscopic Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

The primary aim of this study was to determine if the three-dimensional (3D) hip joint motion coordination during gait changes after arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Three-dimensional hip joint kinematic data were collected with a 12-camera motion capture system. Five trials of level walking were collected preoperatively (PRE) and at 1-year postoperatively (POST) in 8 patients diagnosed with FAIS and at a single time point in 8 healthy controls. Planar covariation analysis was performed to quantify the 3D hip joint motion coordination strategy during gait. Independent sample's t-test were used to determine differences between the FAIS group at the preoperative time point (PRE) and healthy controls. Paired samples t-tests were used to determine differences between the PRE and POST time points within the FAIS group. The %VAF by PC 1 for the FAIS group at the PRE time point was significantly less than that of healthy controls (PRE: 77.2 ± 8.7% vs. Control: 96.1 ± 2.8%; p = 0.0001), and the % VAF of the second PC (PC2) was significantly greater [PRE: 22.8 (8.7)%; Control: 3.9 (2.8)%; p = 0.0001]. No differences in %VAF were found between the PRE and POST time points within the FAIS group for PC1 [PRE: 77.2 (8.7)% vs. POST: 79.3 (11.1)%; p = 0.472] or PC2 [PRE: 22.7 (8.7)%; POST: 20.7 (11.1)%; p = 0.472]. Significant differences in the plane specific contribution to the 3D motion coordination strategy were found between the FAIS patients at the PRE and POST time points for the sagittal plane [PRE: 5.6 (2.7) vs. POST: 0.91 (6.1); p = 0.012] and frontal plane [PRE: -10.4 (2.2) and -1.5 (6.3); p = 0.005]. Patients with FAIS demonstrated a more complex coordination strategy of 3D hip joint motion than controls and this strategy remains unchanged after hip arthroscopic surgery despite changes in the plane specific contribution to this strategy. These findings indicate that motor control impairments in FAIS patients do exist and seem to persist for at least 1 year after hip arthroscopic surgery.

Bleeding, thrombosis and transfusion in patients on ECMO: A retrospective study in a tertiary center in Hong Kong.

PURPOSE: Use of anticoagulation in patients on ECMO, especially in Chinese, has always been difficult. This study aimed to review the incidence of bleeding, thrombosis, and transfusion requirement in Chinese ECMO patients and to identify risk factors for bleeding complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of a tertiary hospital from 2010 to 2018. Patients aged ⩾18 years who received ECMO were included. The primary outcome was incidence of bleeding. Secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, hospital mortality, and length of the ICU and hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients, 55(42.3%) had at least one bleeding events and thrombosis occurred in 37(28.5%). A lower fibrinogen level (adjusted OR 0.56 (0.36-0.86), p = 0.009), bloodstream infection (adjusted OR 2.76 (1.01-7.53), p = 0.047) and longer duration on ECMO (adjusted OR 1.14 (1.02-1.27), p = 0.018) were independently associated with occurrence of bleeding. APTT (adjusted OR 0.99 (0.97-1.01), p = 0.370) and platelet count (adjusted OR 1.00 (0.98-1.01), p = 0.632) were not statistically significant risk factors for bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding and thrombosis were common complications in Chinese patients receiving ECMO. Hypofibrinogenemia and bloodstream infection, but not APTT nor platelet counts, were independent risk factors for bleeding events.

Uninjured Youth Athlete Performance on Single-Leg Hop Testing: How Many Can Achieve Recommended Return-to-Sport Criterion?

BACKGROUND: Current anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) guidelines utilize single-leg hop tests (SLHTs) to assist in return-to-sport decision making. A limb symmetry index (LSI) of ≥90% is often required; however, after ACLR, most youth athletes cannot achieve this standard. Reporting the performance of age-matched normative controls will allow clinicians to compare post-ACLR performance with noninjured peers, improving the utility of SLHTs. The purpose of this study was to report hop test LSI within healthy youth athletes and determine whether athlete performance surpasses post-ACLR requirements. HYPOTHESIS: The LSI for the majority of healthy youth athletes will be ≥90%. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. METHODS: Each participant performed a single hop (SH), triple hop (TrH), crossover hop (CrH), and timed hop (TiH). A 3-trial mean was utilized to calculate an LSI (nondominant/dominant leg [self-reported kicking leg]) for each hop. The frequency of pass/fail at ≥90% LSI was calculated. Pearson correlation coefficients analyzed the relationship between the different hops, and a 2-way analysis of variance determined the effects of age and sex on LSI. RESULTS: A total of 340 participants (54% male; mean age, 10.9 ± 1.5 years; range, 8-14 years) were included. The mean LSI was >95% for each SLHT (SH, 97.9% [SD, 0.7]; TrH, 96.6% [SD, 0.6]; CrH, 96.8% [SD, 0.8]; TiH, 96.5% [SD, 0.6]). When analyzed as a test battery, only 45% of participants achieved this standard. Significantly weak to moderate correlations existed among hop tests (P < 0.01; r = 0.342-0.520). Age and sex had no effect on LSI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: While the mean LSI in our sample was >95% for each individual hop test, participant performance across all SLHT components varied, such that less than half of healthy athletes could achieve ≥90% LSI across all hops. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Current guidelines require ≥90% LSI on SLHTs. The majority of healthy youth athletes could not achieve this standard, which questions the validity of this LSI threshold in youth athletes after ACLR.

Positive fluid balance and mortality in adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous fluid is important for resuscitation and maintenance of circuit flow in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but fluid overload is widely recognized as detrimental in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the association between positive fluid balance and outcomes in adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of a tertiary hospital from October 2010 to January 2018. Patients aged ≥18 years who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ≥48 h were included. The fluid balance was determined as the difference between fluid intake and fluid output, and the cumulative fluid balance was calculated as the sum of these values on the preceding days. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of the 123 included extracorporeal membrane oxygenation episodes, 79 were venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The hospital mortality rate was 31.7%. Seventy-eight patients underwent continuous renal replacement therapy during their extracorporeal membrane oxygenation course. Non-survivors had a greater cumulative fluid balance (p≤0.001) and a lower cumulative fluid output (p = 0.006) than survivors on day 7. Fluid intake was not significantly different between survivors and non-survivors (p = 0.583). In the multivariate analysis, the cumulative fluid balance (per litre) on day 7, but not on day 3, was associated with increased hospital mortality (adjusted OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06-1.29, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a higher positive cumulative fluid balance on day 7 was associated with increased hospital mortality. The association between positive fluid balance and mortality was mainly influenced by lower fluid output rather than an increase in fluid intake.

Renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To provide updated information (including on treatment) in relation to renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Literature search of Medline and PubMed till June 2008. DATA EXTRACTION: Original studies, literature review, and book chapters. DATA SYNTHESIS: The prevalence of acute renal failure in critically ill patients remains high and mortality is up to 60%. Both the practice of renal replacement therapy (continuous against intermittent, haemofiltration against haemodialysis) and patient outcomes vary widely between studies. To better understand this heterogeneous group of patients, a unified classification of acute renal failure proposed by the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative allows better understanding of the epidemiology and outcome of this disease. Similar to patients with chronic renal failure, there exists a direct relationship between the dose of dialysis and survival; 35 mL/kg/h is the accepted norm. However, this traditional practice is being challenged by recent trials. Although the use of citrate as anticoagulant in renal replacement therapy can prolong circuit patency and decrease bleeding risk, its use is limited by the complex set up and metabolic problems. CONCLUSIONS: The RIFLE classification allows an accurate description of the epidemiology and outcome of critically ill patients with acute renal failure. The well-accepted continuous renal replacement therapy dose of 35 mL/kg/h in critically ill patients needs further verification from ongoing clinical trials. The complex set-up and the use of citrate anticoagulant has limited the use of such dialysis, which can nevertheless be overcome with the support of pharmaceutical companies.

Comparing the effectiveness of polyethylene covers (Gladwrap) with lanolin (Duratears) eye ointment to prevent corneal abrasions in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: In unconscious ventilated patients, various eye protective measures have been used to prevent corneal abrasions. Two randomized controlled studies in Australia had compared the effectiveness of polyethylene films and eye instillations to prevent corneal abrasions but results were inconsistent. The local acceptance of polyethylene films as a standard eye protective measure is still limited. OBJECTIVES: Our study aims to compare the effectiveness of polyethylene covers (Gladwrap) with lanolin (Duratears) eye ointment in the prevention of corneal abrasions in critically ill patients. DESIGN: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted between April 2004 and December 2005. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were randomly assigned to receive either polyethylene covers or lanolin eye ointment to prevent corneal abrasions. METHODS: All participants received a standard eye care regime together with the eye protective interventions. A fluorescein stain test was performed by the eye care team daily and then weekly to detect any corneal abrasions. RESULTS: Four participants were not included in the data analysis as they died soon after commencement of the study. A total of 116 patients were included in the final analysis. Of the seven patients (6.0%) that had a positive fluorescein test, four (6.8%) were in the polyethylene covers group (n=59) and three (5.3%) were in the lanolin eye ointment group (n=57). This was not statistically significant (p=0.519). One patient in the lanolin eye ointment group had an eye infection. Upon follow-up of those patients with positive fluorescein test results, two patients spontaneously converted to stain negative within 24h and two patients died before the ophthalmologist's assessment. The remaining three patients were diagnosed to have epithelial cell loss without corneal abrasions. CONCLUSIONS: With the implementation of a standardized eye care protocol, polyethylene cover is found to be equally effective in preventing corneal abrasions when compared with lanolin eye ointment. The additional benefit of polyethylene cover as a physical barrier to protect patients' eyes needed further evaluation.

Speak-up culture in an intensive care unit in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional survey exploring the communication openness perceptions of Chinese doctors and nurses.

OBJECTIVES: Despite growing recognition of the importance of speaking up to protect patient safety in critical care, little research has been performed in this area in an intensive care unit (ICU) context. This study explored the communication openness perceptions of Chinese doctors and nurses and identified their perceptions of issues in ICU communication, their reasons for speaking up and the possible factors and strategies involved in promoting the practice of speaking up. DESIGN: A mixed-methods design with quantitative and sequential qualitative components was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Eighty ICU staff members from a large public hospital in Hong Kong completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of communication openness. Ten clinicians whose survey responses indicated support for open communication were then interviewed about their speak-up practices. RESULTS: The participating ICU staff members had similar perceptions of their openness to communication. However, the doctors responded more positively than the nurses to many aspects of communication openness. The two groups also had different perceptions of speaking up. The interviewed ICU staff members who indicated a high level of communication openness reported that their primary reasons for speaking up were to seek and clarify information, which was achieved by asking questions. Other factors perceived to influence the motivation to speak up included seniority, relationships and familiarity with patient cases. CONCLUSIONS: Creating an atmosphere of safety and equality in which team members feel confident in expressing their personal views without fear of reprisal or embarrassment is necessary to encourage ICU staff members, regardless of their position, to speak up. Because harmony and saving face is valued in Chinese culture, training nurses and doctors to speak up by focusing on human factors and values rather than simply addressing conflict management is desirable in this context.

Critical care and the urologic patient.

Changing concepts of disease management, expanding indications for invasive therapy to elderly patients, together with technologic advances have changed the management of various urologic diseases. Although minimally invasive surgery may have reduced the need for ICU care, we are faced with new and unique treatment problems.

A retrospective review of the use of regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous venovenous hemofiltration for critically ill patients.

Background. The emergence of a commercially prepared citrate solution has revolutionized the use of RCA in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of a commercially prepared citrate solution. Method. Predilution continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) was performed using Prismocitrate 10/2 at 2500 mL/h and a blood flow rate of 150 mL/min. Calcium chloride solution was infused to maintain ionized calcium within 1.0-1.2 mmol/L. An 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution was infused separately. Treatment was stopped when the predefined clinical target was reached or the filter clotted. Result. 58 sessions of citrate RCA were analyzed. The median circuit lifetime was 26.0 h (interquartile range IQR 21.2-44.3). The percentage of circuits lasting more than 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h was 94.6%, 58.9%, and 16.1%, respectively. There was no incidence of hypernatremia and median pH was <7.5. Hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia were detected in 41.6% and 17.6% of blood samples taken, respectively. Although 16 episodes had a total calcium/ionized calcium (total Ca/iCa) >2.5, only four patients had evidence of citrate accumulation. Conclusion. The commercially prepared citrate solution could be used safely in critically ill patients who required CVVH with no major adverse events.

Triage decisions and outcomes for patients with Triage Priority 3 on the Society of Critical Care Medicine scale.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with the triage decision for patients classified as Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Triage Priority 3, and their outcomes. DESIGN: Single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study. SETTING: General intensive care unit in a tertiary regional hospital, over the 9 months January to September 2007. PATIENTS: SCCM Triage Priority 3 patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Among the 1346 triaged patients, 250 were classified as SCCM Triage Priority 3. Fewer than a third of these (76, 30.4%) were admitted to the ICU. Medical patients were more likely to be rejected than surgical or neurosurgical patients. Those with a poorer physicianpredicted chance of long-term survival were more likely to be rejected than those with a better predicted prognosis. The MPMII0-predicted mortality was higher for those denied ICU admission. Non-postoperative status (odds ratio [OR], 26.3) and physician-predicted risk > 50% of death within 1 month (OR, 11.8) were independently correlated with denial of ICU admission in a multiple logistic regression analysis. Cox regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for mortality were denial of ICU admission (hazard ratio [HR], 2.80), higher MPMII0-predicted mortality (HR, 1.12 for every 10% increment) and the presence of renal disease as an admission diagnosis (HR, 2.28). CONCLUSIONS: For SCCM Triage Priority 3 patients, postoperative status and better physician-predicted prognosis correlated with ICU admission. Patients had lower medium-term survival if they were denied ICU admission, or had higher MPMII0-predicted mortality, or renal disease as the admission diagnosis.