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BACKGROUND: Leaving against medical advice (LAMA) is a common health concern seen worldwide. It has variable incidence and reasons depending upon disease, geographical region and type of health care system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We approached anesthesiologists and intensivists for their opinion through ISA and ISCCM contact database using Monkey Survey of 22 questions covering geographical area, type of healthcare system, incidence, reasons, type of disease, expected outcome of LAMA patients etc. RESULTS: We received only 1154 responses. Only 584 answered all questions. Out of 1154, only 313 respondents were from government medical colleges or hospitals while remaining responses were from private and corporate sector. Most hospitals had >100 beds. ICUs were semi-closed and supervised by critical-care physicians. LAMA incidence was maximum from ICU (45%) followed by ward (32%) and emergency (25%). Most patients of LAMA had ICU stay for >1 week (60%). Eighty percent of the respondents opined that financial constraints are the most common reason of LAMA. Unsatisfactory care was rarely considered as a factor for LAMA. Approximately 40% patients had advanced malignancy or disease. Nearly 2/3rd strongly believed that insurance cover may reduce the LAMA rate. CONCLUSION: Most patients get LAMA from the ICU after a stay of week. Financial constraints, terminal medical illness, malignancy and sepsis are major causes of LAMA. Remedial methods suggested to decrease the incidence include a good national health policy by the state; improved communication between the patient, caregivers and heathcare team; practice of palliative and end-of-life care support; and lastly, awareness among the people about advance directives. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Paul G, Gautam PL et al. Patients Leaving Against Medical Advice-A National Survey. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(3):143-148.
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tissue hypoperfusion is reflected by metabolic parameters such as lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and the veno-arterial CO2 (vaCO2) difference. We studied the relation of these parameters over time and with outcome in patients with severe septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center, prospective observational cohort study, adult patients (≥18 years) with circulatory shock were included. Echocardiography and simultaneous arterial and venous blood gases were done on enrolment (0 h) and at 24, 48 and 72 h. The partial pressure of CO2, lactate and ScvO2 were recorded from the central venous blood samples. The vaCO2 was calculated as the difference in CO2 between paired venous and arterial blood gas samples. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients with circulatory shock, 79 patients (44 males) with septic shock aged 49.8 (standard deviation ± 14.6) years and with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 11.0 ± 3.4 were included. 71 patients (89.9%) were ventilated (11.4 ± 12.3 ventilator-free days). The duration of hospitalization was 16.6 ± 12.8 days and hospital mortality 50.6%. Lactate significantly decreased over time with a greater decrement in survivors than nonsurvivors (-0.35 vs. -0.10, P < 0.001). For every l/min increase in cardiac output, vaCO2 decreased by 0.34 mmHg (P = 0.006). There was no association between ScvO2 and mortality (P = 0.930). 0 h SOFA and vaCO2 ≤6 mmHg were strongly associated (P = 0.005, P = 0.018, respectively) with higher odds of mortality. However, this association was evident only in those with ScvO2 >70% and not in ScvO2 ≤70%. CONCLUSION: In septic shock, vaCO2 ≤6 mmHg is independently associated with mortality, particularly in those with normalized ScvO2 consistent with metabolic microcirculatory abnormalities in these patients.
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Organophosphate poisoning has significant gastrointestinal manifestations including vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and increased salivation. We report an uncommon gastrointestinal complication of multiple small intestinal perforations following organophosphorus poisoning. A 28-year old male presented after ingesting dichlorvos mixed with alcohol. Following the initial cholinergic symptoms, the patient developed severe shock with fever, attributed to aspiration pneumonia. Despite appropriate antibiotics, shock was persistent. Over the next 24-hours, he developed abdominal distension, loose stools and high nasogastric aspirates. Computed tomography showed pneumoperitonium. Exploratory laparotomy revealed six perforations in the jejunum and ileum. The involved portion of the bowel was resected and re-anastomosed, following which only 80-cm of small bowel was left. Postoperatively, shock resolved over 72-hours. However, over the next few days, patient developed features of anastomotic leak. Since only a small portion of the small bowel was preserved, a conservative approach was adopted. He deteriorated further and finally succumbed to the illness.