Palliative radiotherapy versus best supportive care in patients with painful hepatic cancer (CCTG HE1): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 study.

BACKGROUND: Palliative treatment options for painful hepatic cancer can be restricted due to patients eventually becoming refractory to standard treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether radiotherapy improves hepatic pain from cancer. METHODS: In this open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial (CCTG HE1) done in nine cancer centres across Canada, we included patients aged 18 years or older with hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastases, who were refractory to standard treatment, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-3, with life expectancy of more than 3 months, and pain or discomfort at its worst in the past 24 hours on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) of at least 4 out of 10, which was stable for up to 7 days before randomisation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), via a minimisation method after stratification by centre and type of cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma vs liver metastases), to single-fraction radiotherapy (8 Gy) to the liver with 8 mg ondansetron (or equivalent) orally and 4 mg dexamethasone orally given 1-2 h before radiotherapy plus best supportive care (including non-opioid or opioid analgesia, or dexamethasone, or a combination of these) or best supportive care alone. The primary endpoint was improvement in patient-reported liver cancer pain or discomfort of at least 2 points on worst pain intensity on the BPI at 1 month after randomisation. All patients with both baseline and 1-month assessments were included in the primary endpoint analysis. Safety was assessed in all patients randomly assigned to treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02511522, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between July 25, 2015, and June 2, 2022, 66 patients were screened and randomly assigned to radiotherapy plus best supportive care (n=33) or best supportive care (n=33). Median age was 65 years (IQR 57-72), 37 (56%) of 66 patients were male, 29 (44%) were female, 43 (65%) had liver metastases, and 23 (35%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (data on race and ethnicity were not collected). As of data cutoff (Sept 8, 2022), median follow-up was 3·2 months (95% CI 3·0-3·4). 24 (73%) of 33 in the radiotherapy plus best supportive care group and 18 (55%) of 33 in the best supportive care only group completed baseline and 1-month assessments. An improvement in hepatic pain of at least 2 points in worst pain intensity on the BPI at 1 month was seen in 16 (67%) of 24 patients in the radiotherapy plus best supportive care group versus four (22%) of 18 patients in the best supportive care group (p=0·0042). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events within 1 month after randomisation were abdominal pain (three [9%] of 33 in the radiotherapy group vs one [3%] of 33 in best supportive care group) and ascites (two [6%] vs one [3%]). No serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths were observed. INTERPRETATION: Single-fraction radiotherapy plus best supportive care improved pain compared with best supportive care alone in patients with liver cancer, and could be considered a standard palliative treatment. FUNDING: Canadian Cancer Society.

Third-line treatment patterns in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of real-world data in Canada.

There is an increasing demand for real-world data pertaining to the usage of cancer treatments, especially in settings where no standard treatment is specifically recommended. This study presents the first real-world analysis of third-line treatment patterns in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients in Canada. The purpose was to assess evolution of clinical practice and identify unmet needs in post-second-line therapy. Retrospective data from medical records of 66 patients who received third-line treatment before 31st October 2018, and data from 56 patients who received third-line treatment after this date, extracted from the Personalize My Treatment (PMT) cancer patient registry, were analyzed. In the first cohort, the study revealed heterogeneity in the third-line setting, with trastuzumab, lapatinib, and T-DM1 being the main treatment options. Even though data were collected before the wide availability of tucatinib, neratinib and trastuzumab deruxtecan in Canada, the PMT cohort revealed the emergence of new therapeutic combinations and a shift from lapatinib usage to T-DM1 choice was observed. These findings underscore the evolving nature of third-line treatment strategies in Canada, a facet that is intrinsically tied to the availability of new drugs. The absence of a consensus on post-second-line treatment highlights the pressing need for more efficient therapeutic alternatives beyond the currently available options. This study not only offers valuable insights into the present landscape of third-line treatment in Canada but validates the significance and effectiveness of the PMT registry as a tool for generating pan-Canadian real-world evidence in oncology and its capacity to provide information on evolution of therapeutic practices.

Predictive factors for severe long-term chronic kidney disease after acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients: an ancillary study of the ELVIS randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a serious complication in the ICU that results in increased mortality and risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some studies suggest RRT modality may have an impact on long-term renal recovery after AKI. However, other predictive factors of severe long-term CKD in ICU patients with AKI requiring RRT are unknown. METHODS: We performed an ancillary study of the multicenter ELVIS trial in the population with AKI requiring RRT. Patients alive 3 months after RRT initiation were eligible. Serum creatinine levels available at 3, 6 and 12 months and 3 and 5 years were recorded. CKD stage was determined according to the glomerular filtration rate as estimated by the CKD-EPI formula. At each timepoint, two groups of patients were compared, a no/mild CKD group with normal or mildly to moderately decreased renal function (stages 1, 2 and 3 of the international classification) and a severe CKD group (stages 4 and 5). Our objective was to identify predictive factors of severe long-term CKD. RESULTS: Of the 287 eligible patients, 183 had follow-up at 3 months, 136 (74.3%) from the no/mild CKD group and 47 (25.7%) from the severe CKD group, and 122 patients at 5 years comprising 96 (78.7%) from the no/mild CKD group and 26 (21.3%) from the severe CKD group. Multivariate analysis showed that a long RRT period was associated with severe CKD up to 12 months (ORM12 = 1.03 95% CI [1.02-1.05] per day) and that a high SOFA score at the initiation of RRT was not associated with severe CKD up to 5 years (ORM60 = 0.85 95% CI [0.77-0.93] per point). CONCLUSION: Severe long-term CKD was found in 21% of ICU survivors who underwent RRT for AKI. The duration of the RRT in AKI patients was identified as a new predictive factor for severe long-term CKD. This finding should be taken into consideration in future studies on the prognosis of ICU patients with AKI requiring RRT. Trial registration ELVIS trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT00875069 (June 16, 2014), and this ancillary study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT03302624 (October 6, 2017).

Clinical Significance of Upper Airway Virus Detection in Critically Ill Hematology Patients.

RATIONALE: Noninvasive diagnostic multiplex molecular tests may enable the early identification and treatment of viral infections in critically ill immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between viral detection in nasopharyngeal swabs and ICU mortality in critically ill hematology patients. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort of critically ill hematology patients admitted to 17 ICUs. Nasal swabs sampled and frozen at ICU admission were tested using a multiplex PCR assay. Predictors of ICU mortality and assay positivity were identified. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 747 patients (447 with acute respiratory failure [ARF]), 21.3% had a virus detected (56.4% rhinovirus/enterovirus and 30.7% influenza/parainfluenza/respiratory syncytial viruses). Overall ICU and hospital mortality rates were 26% and 37%, respectively. Assay positivity was associated with lymphoproliferative disorders, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, treatment with steroids or other immunosuppressants, ARF (25.5% vs. 16.3%; P = 0.004), and death in the ICU (28.9% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.008). The association with ICU mortality was significant for all viruses and was strongest for influenza/parainfluenza/respiratory syncytial viruses. In patients with ARF, detection of any respiratory virus was independently associated with ICU mortality (odds ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.50). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory virus detection in the upper airway by multiplex PCR assay is common in critically ill hematology patients. In patients with ARF, respiratory virus detection was independently associated with ICU mortality. Multiplex PCR assay may prove helpful for the risk stratification of hematology patients with ARF. Studies to understand whether respiratory tract viruses play a causal role in outcomes are warranted.

Positioning Performance Limits of GNSS Meta-Signals and HO-BOC Signals.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are the main source of position, navigation, and timing (PNT) information and will be a key player in the next-generation intelligent transportation systems and safety-critical applications, but several limitations need to be overcome to meet the stringent performance requirements. One of the open issues is how to provide precise PNT solutions in harsh propagation environments. Under nominal conditions, the former is typically achieved by exploiting carrier phase information through precise positioning techniques, but these methods are very sensitive to the quality of phase observables. Another option that is gaining interest in the scientific community is the use of large bandwidth signals, which allow obtaining a better baseband resolution, and therefore more precise code-based observables. Two options may be considered: (i) high-order binary offset carrier (HO-BOC) modulations or (ii) the concept of GNSS meta-signals. In this contribution, we assess the time-delay and phase maximum likelihood (ML) estimation performance limits of such signals, together with the performance translation into the position domain, considering single point positioning (SPP) and RTK solutions, being an important missing point in the literature. A comprehensive discussion is provided on the estimators' behavior, the corresponding ML threshold regions, the impact of good and bad satellite constellation geometries, and final conclusions on the best candidates, which may lead to precise solutions under harsh conditions. It is found that if the receiver is constrained by the receiver bandwidth, the best choices are the L1-M or E6-Public Regulated Service (PRS) signals. If the receiver is able to operate at 60 MHz, it is recommended to exploit the full-bandwidth Galileo E5 signal. In terms of robustness and performance, if the receiver can operate at 135 MHz, the best choice is to use the GNSS meta-signals E5 + E6 or B2 + B3, which provide the best overall performances regardless of the positioning method used, the satellite constellation geometry, or the propagation conditions.

Performance Limits of GNSS Code-based Precise Positioning: GPS, Galileo & Meta-Signals.

This contribution analyzes the fundamental performance limits of traditional two-step Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver architectures, which are directly linked to the achievable time-delay estimation performance. In turn, this is related to the GNSS baseband signal resolution, i.e., bandwidth, modulation, autocorrelation function, and the receiver sampling rate. To provide a comprehensive analysis of standard point positioning techniques, we consider the different GPS and Galileo signals available, as well as the signal combinations arising in the so-called GNSS meta-signal paradigm. The goal is to determine: (i) the ultimate achievable performance of GNSS code-based positioning systems; and (ii) whether we can obtain a GNSS code-only precise positioning solution and under which conditions. In this article, we provide clear answers to such fundamental questions, leveraging on the analysis of the Cramér-Rao bound (CRB) and the corresponding Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE). To determine such performance limits, we assume no external ionospheric, tropospheric, orbital, clock, or multipath-induced errors. The time-delay CRB and the corresponding MLE are obtained for the GPS L1 C/A, L1C, and L5 signals; the Galileo E1 OS, E6B, E5b-I, and E5 signals; and the Galileo E5b-E6 and E5a-E6 meta-signals. The results show that AltBOC-type signals (Galileo E5 and meta-signals) can be used for code-based precise positioning, being a promising real-time alternative to carrier phase-based techniques.

A Multivariable Prediction Model for Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Hematology Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure.

RATIONALE: The incidence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PjP) is rising. Longer time to treatment is associated with higher mortality. OBJECTIVES: To develop a multivariable risk prediction model for PjP diagnosis. METHODS: In a prospective multicenter cohort of ICU patients with hematological malignancies and acute respiratory failure, factors associated with documented PjP were identified. The risk prediction model was tested in an independent prospective multicenter cohort. We assessed discrimination (by areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves [AUCs]) and goodness of fit (by Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics). Model performance was assessed using 30 sets of imputed data sets. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 1,330 patients, 134 of 1,092 (12.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.4-14.4%) had proven PjP in the derivation cohort, as did 15 of 238 (6.3%, 95% CI, 3.6-10.2%) in the validation cohort. The model included age, lymphoproliferative disease, anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis, the number of days between respiratory symptom onset and ICU admission, shock, chest radiograph pattern, and pleural effusion. The median (interquartile range) score was 3.5 (1.5-5.0) (range, -3.5 to 8.5) in the derivation cohort and 1.0 (0-2.0) (range, -3.5 to 6.0) in the validation cohort. The best threshold was defined on the validation sample as 3, allowing us to reach 86.7% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity for PjP, with a negative predictive value of 97.9% in the case of 10% prevalence. The score had good calibration (goodness of fit, -0.75) and discrimination in the derivation cohort (mean AUC, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.76-0.84) and validation cohort (mean AUC, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The PjP score for hematology patients with acute respiratory failure can be computed at admission, based on readily available variables. Potential clinical benefits of using this score deserve assessment.

Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 in Critically Ill Patients With Hematologic Malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether serum concentration of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (Endocan) at ICU admission is associated with the use of ICU resources and outcomes in critically ill hematology patients. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter cohort study. SETTING: Seventeen ICUs in France and Belgium. PATIENTS: Seven hundred forty-four consecutive critically ill hematology patients; 72 critically ill septic patients without hematologic malignancy; 276 healthy subjects. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Median total endocan concentrations were 4.46 (2.7-7.8) ng/mL. Endocan concentrations were higher in patients who had received chemotherapy before ICU admission (4.7 [2.8-8.1] ng/mL vs. 3.7 [2.5-6.3] ng/mL [p = 0.002]). In patients with acute respiratory failure, endocan levels were increased in patients with drug-induced pulmonary toxicity compared with other etiologies (p = 0.038). Total endocan levels higher than 4.46 ng/mL were associated with a higher cumulative probability of renal replacement therapy requirement (p = 0.006), a higher requirement of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.01) and a higher requirement of vasopressors throughout ICU stay (p < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, total endocan levels at admission were independently associated with ICU mortality (odds ratios, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.06-1.83; p = 0.018). The predictive value of endocan peptide fragments of 14 kDa in terms of mortality and life-sustaining therapies requirement was inferior to that of total endocan. Endocan levels were higher in critically ill hematology patients compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.0001) but lower than endocan values in critically ill septic patients without hematologic malignancy (p = 0.005) CONCLUSIONS:: Serum concentrations of endocan at admission are associated with the use of ICU resources and mortality in critically ill hematology patients. Studies to risk-stratify patients in the emergency department or in the hematology wards based on endocan concentrations to identify those likely to benefit from early ICU management are warranted.

High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygenation in Immunocompromised Patients With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: A Groupe de Recherche Respiratoire en Réanimation Onco-Hématologique Study.

OBJECTIVE: In immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure, invasive mechanical ventilation remains associated with high mortality. Choosing the adequate oxygenation strategy is of the utmost importance in that setting. High-flow nasal oxygen has recently shown survival benefits in unselected patients with acute respiratory failure. The objective was to assess outcomes of immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure treated with high-flow nasal oxygen. DESIGN: We performed a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial of noninvasive ventilation in critically ill immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. SETTING: Twenty-nine ICUs in France and Belgium. PATIENTS: Critically ill immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. INTERVENTION: A propensity score-based approach was used to assess the impact of high-flow nasal oxygen compared with standard oxygen on day 28 mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 374 patients included in the study, 353 met inclusion criteria. Underlying disease included mostly malignancies (n = 296; 84%). Acute respiratory failure etiologies were mostly pneumonia (n = 157; 44.4%) or opportunistic infection (n = 76; 21.5%). Noninvasive ventilation was administered to 180 patients (51%). Invasive mechanical ventilation was ultimately needed in 142 patients (40.2%). Day 28 mortality was 22.6% (80 deaths). Throughout the ICU stay, 127 patients (36%) received high-flow nasal oxygen whereas 226 patients received standard oxygen. Ninety patients in each group (high-flow nasal oxygen or standard oxygen) were matched according to the propensity score, including 91 of 180 (51%) who received noninvasive ventilation. High-flow nasal oxygen was neither associated with a lower intubation rate (hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.11-1.61; p = 0.2) nor day 28 mortality (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.45-1.42; p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: In immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure, high-flow nasal oxygen when compared with standard oxygen did not reduce intubation or survival rates. However, these results could be due to low statistical power or unknown confounders associated with the subgroup analysis. A randomized trial is needed.

Endovascular Versus External Targeted Temperature Management for Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Targeted temperature management is recommended after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Whether advanced internal cooling is superior to basic external cooling remains unknown. The aim of this multicenter, controlled trial was to evaluate the benefit of endovascular versus basic surface cooling. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were the following: age of 18 to 79 years, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest related to a presumed cardiac cause, time to return of spontaneous circulation <60 minutes, delay between return of spontaneous circulation and inclusion <240 minutes, and unconscious patient after return of spontaneous circulation and before the start of cooling. Exclusion criteria were terminal disease, pregnancy, known coagulopathy, uncontrolled bleeding, temperature on admission <30°C, in-hospital cardiac arrest, immediate need for extracorporeal life support or hemodialysis. Patients were randomized between 2 cooling strategies: endovascular femoral devices (Icy catheter, Coolgard, Zoll, formerly Alsius; n=203) or basic external cooling using fans, a homemade tent, and ice packs (n=197). The primary end point, that is, favorable outcome evaluated by survival without major neurological damage (Cerebral Performance Categories 1-2) at day 28, was not significantly different between groups (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-2.16; P=0.107). Improvement in favorable outcome at day 90 in favor of the endovascular group did not reach significance (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-2.35; P=0.07). Time to target temperature (33°C) was significantly shorter and target hypothermia was more strictly maintained in the endovascular than in the surface group (P<0.001). Minor side effects directly related to the cooling method were observed more frequently in the endovascular group (P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Despite better hypothermia induction and maintenance, endovascular cooling was not significantly superior to basic external cooling in terms of favorable outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00392639.

Sortilin mediates the release and transfer of exosomes in concert with two tyrosine kinase receptors.

The transfer of exosomes containing both genetic and protein materials is necessary for the control of the cancer cell microenvironment to promote tumor angiogenesis. The nature and function of proteins found in the exosomal cargo, and the mechanism of their action in membrane transport and related signaling events are not clearly understood. In this study, we demonstrate, in human lung cancer A549 cells, that the exosome release mechanism is closely linked to the multifaceted receptor sortilin (also called neurotensin receptor 3). Sortilin is already known to be important for cancer cell function. Here, we report for the first time its role in the assembly of a tyrosine kinase complex and subsequent exosome release. This new complex (termed the TES complex) is found in exosomes and results in the linkage of the two tyrosine kinase receptors TrkB (also known as NTRK2) and EGFR with sortilin. Using in vitro models, we demonstrate that this sortilin-containing complex exhibits a control on endothelial cells and angiogenesis activation through exosome transfer.

Acetaminophen-Induced Changes in Systemic Blood Pressure in Critically Ill Patients: Results of a Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the incidence of acetaminophen-induced hypotension. Our secondary objectives were to describe systemic hemodynamic changes and factors associated with this complication. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Three ICUs. PATIENTS: Adult patients requiring IV acetaminophen infusion. Arterial pressure was monitored via an arterial catheter for 3 hours. Hypotension was defined as a decrease in the mean arterial pressure of greater than or equal to 15% compared with the baseline. RESULTS: Overall, 160 patients were included in this study. Eighty-three patients (51.9%) experienced acetaminophen-induced hypotension according to our definition. In patients with acetaminophen-induced hypotension, the nadir mean arterial pressure was 64 mm Hg (95% CI, 54-74). Hypotension was observed 30 minutes (95% CI, 15-71) after acetaminophen infusion. Changes in mean arterial pressure were closely correlated with decreases in the diastolic arterial pressure (r = 0.92) and to a lesser extent with changes in the pulse pressure (r = 0.18) and heart rate (r = 0.09). Changes in the body temperature were not correlated with changes in mean arterial pressure (r = 0.0002; p = 0.85). None of the patients' baseline characteristics (shock, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blockers, lactates, renal replacement therapy, chronic heart disease, and indication for acetaminophen infusion) or clinically relevant characteristics (baseline severity according to Logistic Organ Dysfunction score, need for vasopressors, use of antihypertensive agents, need for mechanical ventilation, or changes in the body temperature) were independently associated with acetaminophen-induced hypotension. Among patients with acetaminophen-induced hypotension, 29 (34.9%) required therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the patients who received IV injections of acetaminophen developed hypotension, and up to one third of the observed episodes necessitated therapeutic intervention. Adequately powered randomized studies are needed to confirm our findings, provide an accurate estimation of the consequences of acetaminophen-induced hypotension, and assess the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved.

Crosstalk analysis of ring resonator switches for all-optical routing.

Optical switches based on ring resonator cavities were fabricated by a silicon photonics foundry process and analyzed for optical crosstalk at various data rates and channel spacings. These devices were compared to commercial bandpass filters and at 20Gb/s, 0.5dB power penalty is observed due to spectral filtering for bit error ratio threshold of 1 × 10-9. Concurrent modulation at 20Gb/s with a channel spacing as narrow as 40GHz shows error-free transmission with 1dB power penalty as compared to wider channel spacing for the ring-based switch.

Guidewire exchange vs new site placement for temporary dialysis catheter insertion in ICU patients: is there a greater risk of colonization or dysfunction?

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients require dialysis catheters (DCs) for renal replacement therapy (RRT). They carry a high risk of developing end-stage renal disease, and therefore their vascular access must be preserved. Guidewire exchange (GWE) is often used to avoid venipuncture insertion (VPI) at a new site. However, the impact of GWE on infection and dysfunction of DCs in the ICU is unknown. Our aim was to compare the effect of GWE and VPI on DC colonization and dysfunction in ICU patients. METHODS: Using data from the ELVIS randomized controlled trial (RCT) (1496 ICU adults requiring DC for RRT or plasma exchange) we performed a matched-cohort analysis. Cases were DCs inserted by GWE (n = 178). They were matched with DCs inserted by VPI. Matching criteria were participating centre, simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) II +/-10, insertion site (jugular or femoral), side for jugular site, and length of ICU stay before DC placement. We used a marginal Cox model to estimate the effect of DC insertion (GWE vs. VPI) on DC colonization and dysfunction. RESULTS: DC colonization rate was not different between GWE-DCs and VPI-DCs (10 (5.6 %) for both groups) but DC dysfunction was more frequent with GWE-DCs (67 (37.6 %) vs. 28 (15.7 %); hazard ratio (HR), 3.67 (2.07-6.49); p < 0.01). Results were similar if analysis was restricted to DCs changed for dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: GWE for DCs in ICU patients, compared with VPI did not contribute to DC colonization or infection but was associated with more than twofold increase in DC dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00563342 . Registered 2 April 2009.

Ethanol lock and risk of hemodialysis catheter infection in critically ill patients. A randomized controlled trial.

RATIONALE: Ethanol rapidly eradicated experimental biofilm. Clinical studies of ethanol lock to prevent catheter-related infections (CRIs) suggest preventive efficacy. No such studies have been done in intensive care units (ICU). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether ethanol lock decreases the risk of major CRI in patients with short-term dialysis catheters (DCs). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 16 ICUs in seven university hospitals and one general hospital in France between June 2009 and December 2011. Adults with insertion of a nontunneled, nonantimicrobial-impregnated double-lumen DC for an expected duration greater than 48 hours, to perform renal-replacement therapy or plasma exchange, were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive a 2-minute catheter lock with either 60% wt/wt ethanol solution (ethanol group) or 0.9% saline solution (control group) at the end of DC insertion and after each renal-replacement therapy or plasma exchange session. The main outcome was major CRI defined as either catheter-related clinical sepsis without bloodstream infection or catheter-related bloodstream infection during the ICU stay. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The intent-to-treat analysis included 1,460 patients (2,172 catheters, 12,944 catheter-days, and 8,442 study locks). Median DC duration was 4 days (interquartile range, 2-8) and was similar in both groups. Major CRI incidence did not differ between the ethanol and control groups (3.83 vs. 2.64 per 1,000 catheter-days, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-2.87; P = 0.17). No significant differences occurred for catheter colonization (P = 0.57) or catheter-related bloodstream infection (P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-minute ethanol lock does not decrease the frequency of infection of DCs in ICU patients. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00875069).

Transient and Persistent Acute Kidney Injury and the Risk of Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: Results of a Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic impact of transient and persistent acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected patient data SETTING: : Six hospital ICUs. PATIENTS: Critically-ill patients with ICU stay longer than three days. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Assessment of hospital survival with respect to acute kidney injury duration. A total of 447 patients were included in this study, including 283 patients (63.3%) with an acute kidney injury at admission (175 and 108 patients with persistent and transient acute kidney injury, respectively). Patients with persistent acute kidney injury more frequently had stage 3 acute kidney injury (42.9% vs 30.6%; p = 0.04). Hospital survival was 76.2% (n = 125) in patients without acute kidney injury, 70.4% (n = 76) in patients with transient acute kidney injury, and 61.1% (n = 107) in patients with persistent acute kidney injury. After adjustment for confounding factors, the factors associated with lower hospital survival were the need for vasopressors (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-0.98) and the presence of persistent acute kidney injury (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95). When included in the final model, stage 3 acute kidney injury was independently associated with a lower hospital survival (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70-0.98), and persistent acute kidney injury was no longer associated with outcome. CONCLUSION: Two thirds of the critically ill patients with acute kidney injury have persistent acute kidney injury. Although mortality increased progressively with the duration of acute kidney injury, we found no independent association between this duration and patient outcome when the acute kidney injury severity is taken into account. Our results suggest that the classical "prerenal acute kidney injury" and "acute tubular necrosis" paradigm might be of limited interest from a pathophysiological or prognostic point of view.

Acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with haematological malignancies: results of a multicentre cohort study from the Groupe de Recherche en Réanimation Respiratoire en Onco-Hématologie.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We sought to appraise the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of AKI in a large multicentre cohort study of critically ill patients with haematological malignancies. METHODS: We used a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. The study was carried out in 17 university or university-affiliated centres in France and Belgium between 2010 and 2012. AKI was defined according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) definition. RESULTS: Of the 1011 patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) during the study period, 1009 were included in this study. According to the AKIN definition, 671 patients (66.5%) developed an AKI during their ICU stay, of which 258 patients (38.4%) were AKI stage 1, 75 patients (11.2%) AKI stage 2 and 338 patients (50.4%) AKI stage 3. After adjustment for confounders, main adverse risk factors of AKI were older age, severity [non-renal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)], history of hypertension, tumour lysis syndrome, exposure to nephrotoxic agents and myeloma. Hospital mortality was 44.3% in patients with AKI and 25.4% in patients without AKI (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, AKI was independently associated with hospital mortality [OR 1.65 (95% CI 1.19-2.29)]. Overall, 271 patients required renal replacement therapy (RRT), of whom 57.2% died during their hospital stay as compared with 31.2% (P < 0.0001) in those not requiring RRT. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of critically ill patients with haematological malignancies developed AKI. Hospital mortality in this population of patients developing AKI or requiring RRT is close to that in general ICU population.

Acute kidney injury in hematological patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present article reviews the recent literature on the main aspects of acute kidney injury (AKI) developing in patients with hematological malignancies admitted to ICU. RECENT FINDINGS: Up to two thirds of critically ill patients with hematological malignancies develop AKI. Current mortality rates range from 40 to 60% for most patients with hematological malignancies, except for recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in whom outcomes remain very poor. Renal function recovery occurs in most patients with AKI, but is dependent on the underlying causes. AKI is usually multifactorial, resulting from causes common to other ICU patients and related to the underlying malignancy or its treatment. New targeted therapies and treatment strategies are potentially associated with AKI. Management of these patients requires a high degree of suspicion, close monitoring of metabolic parameters, and use of preventive strategies to limit risk of AKI or to mitigate its severity. SUMMARY: AKI is a frequent and severe complication in critically ill patients with hematological malignancies. As the clinical management is complex, close collaboration with hematologists is paramount.

Effect of Noninvasive Ventilation vs Oxygen Therapy on Mortality Among Immunocompromised Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Noninvasive ventilation has been recommended to decrease mortality among immunocompromised patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. However, its effectiveness for this indication remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether early noninvasive ventilation improved survival in immunocompromised patients with nonhypercapnic acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter randomized trial conducted among 374 critically ill immunocompromised patients, of whom 317 (84.7%) were receiving treatment for hematologic malignancies or solid tumors, at 28 intensive care units (ICUs) in France and Belgium between August 12, 2013, and January 2, 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to early noninvasive ventilation (n = 191) or oxygen therapy alone (n = 183). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was day-28 mortality. Secondary outcomes were intubation, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on day 3, ICU-acquired infections, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ICU length of stay. RESULTS: At randomization, median oxygen flow was 9 L/min (interquartile range, 5-15) in the noninvasive ventilation group and 9 L/min (interquartile range, 6-15) in the oxygen group. All patients in the noninvasive ventilation group received the first noninvasive ventilation session immediately after randomization. On day 28 after randomization, 46 deaths (24.1%) had occurred in the noninvasive ventilation group vs 50 (27.3%) in the oxygen group (absolute difference, -3.2 [95% CI, -12.1 to 5.6]; P = .47). Oxygenation failure occurred in 155 patients overall (41.4%), 73 (38.2%) in the noninvasive ventilation group and 82 (44.8%) in the oxygen group (absolute difference, -6.6 [95% CI, -16.6 to 3.4]; P = .20). There were no significant differences in ICU-acquired infections, duration of mechanical ventilation, or lengths of ICU or hospital stays. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among immunocompromised patients admitted to the ICU with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure, early noninvasive ventilation compared with oxygen therapy alone did not reduce 28-day mortality. However, study power was limited. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01915719.

Monitoring and stopping Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: Contribution of IgE blocking activity.

Background: Hymenoptera venom allergy is a public health issue and has an undeniable impact on quality of life. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has shown long-term efficacy in this severe and potentially lethal allergy. However, no biomarker can predict the effectiveness of this treatment. Objectives: We evaluated the contribution of IgE blocking activity, a functional biomarker carried out in our center using flow cytometry, to predict the efficacy of AIT. Methods: This retrospective study from 1985 to 2022 describes in detail the demographic, clinical, and biological characteristics of patients who benefited from AIT with Hymenoptera venom at the University Hospital of Limoges. The outcome measure used was the presence of anaphylactic reaction (grade I to IV according to Ring and Messmer) in case of a new sting after discontinuation of AIT. Results: Our study, mainly composed of patients allergic to Vespula wasp venom, did not emphasize the interest of IgE blocking activity in the prediction of a relapse after a new sting. However, this inhibition showed a significant correlation with the amount of IgG4 antibodies. Conclusion: There is no biomarker that can help make the decision of stopping AIT. However, low levels of IgE blocking activity may suggest a likelihood of relapse. Serum IgG4, in correlation with IgE blocking activity, could be useful for monitoring treatment response. Additional studies are necessary to gain a thorough understanding of the composition of inhibitory antibodies.