Performance evaluation of phase angle and handgrip strength in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: Prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The phase angle (PA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), has been interpreted as a cell membrane integrity indicator, while handgrip strength (HGS) has been used as a prognostic indicator in certain clinical situations, such as in cardiac, oncologic patients with renal disease, hemodialysis patients, HIV-positive patients, and liver disease patients. In addition to prognostic scores, body changes due to surgical procedures indicate the importance of measuring muscle function and cell integrity. This study aimed to evaluate the behaviour of PA and HGS in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and associate these factors with clinical outcomes and prognosis. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 50 consecutively recruited patients (aged ≥18 years) undergoing cardiac surgery. Measures PA and HGS were at three set points: preoperative, at hospital discharge and three months postoperative. The following data were collected: time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), ischemia, mechanical ventilation (MV), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS after surgery; the EuroSCORE was also calculated. RESULTS: A decrease in PA was observed between the preoperative and the two postoperative stages (p<0.001). There was a reduction in HGS between the preoperative and hospital discharge assessments (p<0.001) and a recovery three months postoperative (p<0.001). The MV and EuroSCORE were inversely associated with PA and HGS in all three assessments. The PA was correlated with EuroSCORE in the first assessment (p=0.007) and in the second and third assessments (p<0.001), as well as with MV in all three assessments (p<0.001). The HGS was correlated with EuroSCORE and MV in the first and second assessments (p<0.001) and in the third assessment (p=0.010 and p=0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: PA and HGS appear to be related to MV time, ICU LOS and hospital LOS after surgery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Effect of Lung Recruitment and Titrated Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) vs Low PEEP on Mortality in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The effects of recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration on clinical outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain uncertain. Objective: To determine if lung recruitment associated with PEEP titration according to the best respiratory-system compliance decreases 28-day mortality of patients with moderate to severe ARDS compared with a conventional low-PEEP strategy. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, randomized trial conducted at 120 intensive care units (ICUs) from 9 countries from November 17, 2011, through April 25, 2017, enrolling adults with moderate to severe ARDS. Interventions: An experimental strategy with a lung recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration according to the best respiratory-system compliance (n = 501; experimental group) or a control strategy of low PEEP (n = 509). All patients received volume-assist control mode until weaning. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality until 28 days. Secondary outcomes were length of ICU and hospital stay; ventilator-free days through day 28; pneumothorax requiring drainage within 7 days; barotrauma within 7 days; and ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month mortality. Results: A total of 1010 patients (37.5% female; mean [SD] age, 50.9 [17.4] years) were enrolled and followed up. At 28 days, 277 of 501 patients (55.3%) in the experimental group and 251 of 509 patients (49.3%) in the control group had died (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.42; P = .041). Compared with the control group, the experimental group strategy increased 6-month mortality (65.3% vs 59.9%; HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.38; P = .04), decreased the number of mean ventilator-free days (5.3 vs 6.4; difference, -1.1; 95% CI, -2.1 to -0.1; P = .03), increased the risk of pneumothorax requiring drainage (3.2% vs 1.2%; difference, 2.0%; 95% CI, 0.0% to 4.0%; P = .03), and the risk of barotrauma (5.6% vs 1.6%; difference, 4.0%; 95% CI, 1.5% to 6.5%; P = .001). There were no significant differences in the length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with moderate to severe ARDS, a strategy with lung recruitment and titrated PEEP compared with low PEEP increased 28-day all-cause mortality. These findings do not support the routine use of lung recruitment maneuver and PEEP titration in these patients. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01374022.

Evaluation of Serum Lactate, Central Venous Saturation, and Venous-Arterial Carbon Dioxide Difference in the Prediction of Mortality in Postcardiac Arrest Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia markers predict mortality in critically ill patients. This study evaluates the ability of serum lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo 2), and venous-arterial carbon dioxide difference (GapCo 2) to predict mortality in patients with postcardiac arrest (post-CA) syndrome. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients with post-CA in a tertiary teaching hospital. Serial assessments of lactate, lactate clearance (Clac), GapCo 2, and Scvo 2 in the first 72 hours post-CA were analyzed. Adults (≥18 years) patients resuscitated from CA were included. The primary end point was 28-day mortality and secondary end points were 24- and 72-hour mortality. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were recruited, 33 (61,1%) of 54 were men, with a 28-day mortality of 75.9%. Cardiac arrest occurred in-hospital in 84.6% of survivors and 97.5% of nonsurvivors. Lactate and Clac were significantly associated with mortality at 28 days, yielding an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.797 (lactate 6 hours) and 0.717 (Clac 6 hours) with a positive predictive value of 96% for lactate 6 hours (> 2.5 mmol/L) and 89.5% for Clac 6 hours (<50%). Survival analysis confirmed the difference between the groups from the 24th hour post-CA. Considering mortality at 24 hours, lactate, Clac, and Scvo 2 (immediately post-CA, 6 and 18 hours) were different between the groups. In mortality at 72 hours, lactate, Clac, Scvo 2 (48 hours), and GapCo 2 (36 and 48 hours) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: In post-CA syndrome, serum lactate and Clac were consistently able to predict mortality.

Weaning from mechanical ventilation: a cross-sectional study of reference values and the discriminative validity of aging.

[Purpose] To evaluate pre-extubation variables and check the discriminative validity of age as well as its correlation with weaning failure in elderly patients. [Subjects and Methods] Two hundred thirty-nine consecutive patients (48% female) who were on mechanical ventilation and had undergone orotracheal intubation were divided into four subgroups according to their age: <59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and >80 years old. The expiratory volume (VE), respiratory frequency (f), tidal volume (VT), and respiratory frequency/tidal volume ratio (f/VT) were used to examine differences in weaning parameters between the four subgroups, and age was correlated with weaning failure. [Results] The rate of weaning failure was 27.8% in patients aged >80 years and 22.1% in patients aged <60 years old. Elderly patients presented higher f/VT and f values and lower VT values. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for f/VT ratio were smaller than those published previously. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that aging influences weaning criteria without causing an increase in weaning failure.

Comparison of hemodynamic instability among continuous, intermittent and hybrid renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

PURPOSE: To compare hemodynamic instability during continuous, intermittent and hybrid renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critically ill patients, and its association with renal recovery and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines which was registered at the PROSPERO Database (CRD42018086504). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) involving critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with continuous, intermittent or hybrid RRT were included. The search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases. RESULTS: Out of 3442 citations retrieved, 12 RCTs were included in the systematic analysis, representing 1419 patients. Most studies (n = 8) did not report differences in hemodynamic parameters across different RTT modalities. The incidence of hypotensive episodes varied from 5 to 60% among the studies. Punctual differences on heart rate and blood pressure were observed among studies. However, studies presented high heterogeneity in terms of outcome definitions and measurement, thus making the conduction of meta-analysis impossible. CONCLUSIONS: There is very few information available regarding hemodynamic tolerance of renal replacement therapy methods. A better standardization of hemodynamic tolerance and further reports are needed before conclusions can be drawn.

Changes in cardiac arrest profiles after the implementation of a Rapid Response Team. / Modificações no perfil de paradas cardíacas após implantação de um Time de Resposta Rápida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in the characteristics of in-hospital cardiac arrest after the implementation of a Rapid Response Team. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of in-hospital cardiac arrest that occurred from January 2013 to December 2017. The exclusion criterion was in-hospital cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit, emergency room or operating room. The Rapid Response Team was implemented in July 2014 in the study hospital. Patients were classified into two groups: a Pre-Rapid Response Team (in-hospital cardiac arrest before Rapid Response Team implementation) and a Post-Rapid Response Team (in-hospital cardiac arrest after Rapid Response Team implementation). Patients were followed until hospital discharge or death. RESULTS: We had a total of 308 cardiac arrests (64.6 ± 15.2 years, 60.3% men, 13.9% with initial shockable rhythm). There was a decrease from 4.2 to 2.5 in-hospital cardiac arrest/1000 admissions after implementation of the Rapid Response Team, and we had approximately 124 calls/1000 admissions. Pre-Rapid Response Team cardiac arrest was associated with more hypoxia (29.4 versus 14.3%; p = 0.006) and an altered respiratory rate (14.7 versus 4.2%; p = 0.004) compared with post-Rapid Response Team cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest due to hypoxia was more common before Rapid Response Team implementation (61.2 versus 38.1%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, return of spontaneous circulation was associated with shockable rhythm (OR 2.97; IC95% 1.04 - 8.43) and witnessed cardiac arrest (OR 2.52; IC95% 1.39 - 4.59) but not with Rapid Response Team implementation (OR 1.40; IC95% 0.70 - 2.81) or premonitory signs (OR 0.71; IC95% 0.39 - 1.28). In multivariate analysis, in-hospital mortality was associated with non-shockable rhythm (OR 5.34; IC95% 2.28 - 12.53) and age (OR 1.03; IC95% 1.01 - 1.05) but not with Rapid Response Team implementation (OR 0.89; IC95% 0.40 - 2.02). CONCLUSION: Even though Rapid Response Team implementation is associated with a reduction in in-hospital cardiac arrest, it was not associated with the mortality of in-hospital cardiac arrest victims. A significant decrease in cardiac arrests due to respiratory causes was noted after Rapid Response Team implementation.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as modificações nas características das paradas cardíacas no hospital após a implantação de um Time de Resposta Rápida. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo observacional prospectivo de paradas cardíacas ocorridas no hospital entre janeiro de 2013 e dezembro de 2017. O critério de exclusão foi parada cardíaca na unidade de terapia intensiva, na emergência ou na sala cirúrgica. O Time de Resposta Rápida foi introduzido no hospital do estudo em julho de 2014. Os pacientes foram classificados em dois grupos: Pré-Time de Resposta Rápida (parada cardíaca no hospital antes da implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida) e Pós- Time de Resposta Rápida (parada cardíaca no hospital após a implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida). Os pacientes foram seguidos até a alta hospitalar ou óbito. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 308 paradas cardíacas (64,6 ± 15,2 anos; 60,3% homens; 13,9% com ritmo inicial chocável). Houve diminuição de 4,2 para 2,5 no índice de parada cardíaca no hospital por 1.000 admissões após o início da atuação do Time de Resposta Rápida, além de cerca de 124 chamados por 1.000 admissões. A parada antes da implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida se associou com hipóxia (29,4 versus 14,3%; p = 0,006) e alteração da frequência respiratória (14,7 versus 4,2%; p = 0,004) em comparação aos dados referentes à parada cardíaca após a implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida. Parada cardíaca por hipóxia foi mais comum antes da implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida (61,2 versus 38,1%; p < 0,001). Na análise multivariada, o retorno à circulação espontânea se associou com ritmo chocável (RC 2,97; IC95% 1,04 - 8,43) e parada cardíaca testemunhada (RC 2,52; IC95% 1,39 - 4,59) mas não com a implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida (RC 1,40; IC95% 0,70 - 2,81) ou sinais premonitórios (RC 0,71; IC95% 0,39 - 1,28). Na análise multivariada, a mortalidade hospitalar se associou com ritmo não chocável (RC 5,34; IC95% 2,28 - 12,53) e idade (RC 1,03; IC95% 1,01 - 1,05), porém não com a implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida (RC 0,89; IC95% 0,40 - 2,02). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de a implantação de um Time de Resposta Rápida se associar com redução na incidência de parada cardíaca no hospital, ela não se associou com a redução da mortalidade das vítimas de parada cardíaca no hospital. Observou-se significante diminuição nas paradas cardíacas devidas a causas respiratórias após a implantação do Time de Resposta Rápida.

SAPS 3 in the modified NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill score has comparable predictive accuracy to APACHE II as a severity marker. / Uso do SAPS 3 no escore NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill modificado tem precisão preditiva comparável ao uso do APACHE II como marcador de gravidade.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the substitution of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) by Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3) as a severity marker in the modified version of the NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill score (mNUTRIC); without interleukin 6) based on an analysis of its discriminative ability for in-hospital mortality prediction. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 1,516 adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit of a private general hospital from April 2017 to January 2018. Performance evaluation included Fleiss' Kappa and Pearson correlation analysis. The discriminative ability for estimating in-hospital mortality was assessed with the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. RESULTS: The sample was randomly divided into two-thirds for model development (n = 1,025; age 72 [57 - 83]; 52.4% male) and one-third for performance evaluation (n = 490; age 72 [57 - 83]; 50.8% male). The agreement with mNUTRIC was Kappa of 0.563 (p < 0.001), and the correlation between the instruments was Pearson correlation of 0.804 (p < 0.001). The tool showed good performance in predicting in-hospital mortality (area under the curve 0.825 [0.787 - 0.863] p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The substitution of APACHE II by SAPS 3 as a severity marker in the mNUTRIC score showed good performance in predicting in-hospital mortality. These data provide the first evidence regarding the validity of the substitution of APACHE II by SAPS 3 in the mNUTRIC as a marker of severity. Multicentric studies and additional analyses of nutritional adequacy parameters are required.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3) como substituto do Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) como marcador de gravidade na versão modificada do escore NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill (mNUTRIC; sem interleucina 6), com base em uma análise de sua capacidade discriminativa para predição de mortalidade hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Este estudo de coorte retrospectiva avaliou 1.516 pacientes adultos internados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital geral privado entre abril de 2017 e janeiro de 2018. A avaliação de desempenho incluiu as análises Kappa de Fleiss e correlação de Pearson. A capacidade discriminativa para estimar a mortalidade hospitalar foi avaliada com a curva Característica de Operação do Receptor. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi dividida aleatoriamente em dois terços para o desenvolvimento do modelo (n = 1.025; idade 72 [57 - 83]; 52,4% masculino) e um terço para avaliação do desempenho (n = 490; idade 72 [57 - 83]; 50,8 % masculino). A concordância com o mNUTRIC foi Kappa de 0,563 (p < 0,001), e a correlação entre os instrumentos foi correlação de Pearson de 0,804 (p < 0,001). A ferramenta mostrou bom desempenho para prever a mortalidade hospitalar (área sob a curva de 0,825 [0,787 - 0,863] p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A substituição do APACHE II pelo SAPS 3 como marcador de gravidade no escore mNUTRIC mostrou bom desempenho para predizer a mortalidade hospitalar. Esses dados fornecem a primeira evidência sobre a validade da substituição do APACHE II pelo SAPS 3 no mNUTRIC como marcador de gravidade. São necessários estudos multicêntricos e análises adicionais dos parâmetros de adequação nutricional.

Central venous saturation is a predictor of reintubation in difficult-to-wean patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of central venous saturation to detect extubation failure in difficult-to-wean patients. DESIGN: Cohort, multicentric, clinical study. SETTING: Three medical-surgical intensive care units. PATIENTS: All difficult-to-wean patients (defined as failure to tolerate the first 2-hr T-tube trial), mechanically ventilated for >48 hrs, were extubated after undergoing a two-step weaning protocol (measurements of predictors followed by a T-tube trial). Extubation failure was defined as the need of reintubation within 48 hrs. INTERVENTIONS: The weaning protocol evaluated hemodynamic and ventilation parameters, and arterial and venous gases during mechanical ventilation (immediately before T-tube trial), and at the 30th min of spontaneous breathing trial. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled in the study over a 6-mo period. Reintubation rate was 42.5%. Analysis by logistic regression revealed that central venous saturation was the only variable able to discriminate outcome of extubation. Reduction of central venous saturation by >4.5% was an independent predictor of reintubation, with odds ratio of 49.4 (95% confidence interval 12.1-201.5), a sensitivity of 88%, and a specificity of 95%. Reduction of central venous saturation during spontaneous breathing trial was associated with extubation failure and could reflect the increase of respiratory muscles oxygen consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Central venous saturation was an early and independent predictor of extubation failure and may be a valuable accurate parameter to be included in weaning protocols of difficult-to-wean patients.

Hemodynamic and skin perfusion is associated with successful enteral nutrition therapy in septic shock patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enteral nutrition is controversial in hemodynamically unstable patients. This study aimed to evaluate the association between hemodynamic and skin perfusion parameters and enteral nutrition therapy (NT) outcomes in septic shock patients. METHODS: Ventilated adults with septic shock were evaluated at bedside upon admission (H0), and at 12 h (H1), 24 h (H2) and 48 h (H3) for mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, urine output, lactate levels, mottling score, capillary refill time (CRT), central-to-toe temperature gradient and norepinephrine dose. Two groups were stratified: NT success (NTS) (≥20 kcal/kg or 11 kcal/kg for obese in the first ICU week) or NT failure (NTF). A generalized linear model and generalized estimating equations were performed. RESULTS: Over a 19-month period, 2167 admissions were assessed and 141 patients were analyzed (63.5 ± 15.0 years, SAPS-3 75 ± 12, 102 [72%] in the NTS vs. 39 [28%] in NTF). At 12 h, the failure group showed more severe mottling scores, higher lactate levels, norepinephrine dose and central-to-toe temperature gradient. Mottling score at 12 h was a predictor of NT failure (RR 1.28 95%CI [1.09-1.50], p = .003). Over 48 h, higher mottling scores, lactate levels and norepinephrine dosage, % of patients with central-to-toe temperature gradient and CRT ≥3 s were observed in the failure group and higher urine output and MAP values were observed in the success group. CONCLUSION: Early improvement in hemodynamic and skin perfusion parameters was associated with success in nutrition therapy, and mottling score at 12 h was a risk factor for nutrition therapy failure. This data could support the recommendation to start NT after hemodynamic and perfusion goals are achieved and to proactively evaluate bedside parameters while implementing NT in critical care setting.

Critical illness polyneuromyopathy in septic patients: Is it possible to diagnose it in a bedside clinical examination?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of peripheral and respiratory muscle strength tests in diagnosing critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), compared with an electrophysiological examination. METHODS: Fifty septic patients who required mechanical ventilation for at least five days, and without a previous history of muscle weakness, were included. Peripheral muscle strength was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score, handgrip strength by dynamometry, and respiratory muscle strength with maximum respiratory pressures. Diagnosis of CIPNM was either confirmed or rejected by an electrophysiological examination. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values with the best sensitivity (SN) and specificity (SP) of the studied variables in the presence or absence of CIPNM. RESULTS: Patients with CIPNM were older, more critical (APACHE IV/SAPS 3), had a longer hospitalization, required mechanical ventilation for longer, and had a higher rate of intensive care unit readmission. Cutoff values identified CIPNM patients using MRC scores, dynamometry according to sex, maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressures, as well as being confirmed by the electrophysiological examination, with good sensitivity and specificity: < 40 (SN: 0.893; SP: 0.955); < 7 kg (SN: 1; SP: 0.909) for men, < 4 kg (SN: 0.882; SP: 1) for women; < 34 cmH2O (SN: 0.808; SP: 0.909) and > -40 cmH2O (SN: 0.846; SP: 0.909), respectively. CONCLUSION: The MRC score, dynamometry or maximum respiratory pressures can be used to identify patients with CIPNM at the intensive care bedside assessment. The healthcare professional can choose any of the methods studied to evaluate the patient, based on his experience and the resource available.

Comparison of bronchial hygiene techniques in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomized clinical trial. / Comparação entre técnicas de higiene brônquica em pacientes mecanicamente ventilados: ensaio clínico randomizado.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of vibrocompression and hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator techniques alone and in combination (hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator + vibrocompression) on the amount of aspirated secretion and the change in hemodynamic and pulmonary parameters. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial with critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation conducted in the intensive care unit of a university hospital. The patients were randomly allocated to receive one of the bronchial hygiene techniques for 10 minutes (vibrocompression or hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator or hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator + vibrocompression). Afterwards, the patients were again randomly allocated to receive either the previous randomly allocated technique or only tracheal aspiration. The weight of aspirated secretions (in grams), ventilatory mechanics and cardiopulmonary data before and after the application of the techniques were analyzed. The tracheal reintubation frequency and time and mortality on mechanical ventilation were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients (29 vibrocompression, 32 hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator and 32 hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator + vibrocompression) on mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours were included. The hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator + vibrocompression group was the only one that presented a significant increase in aspirated secretions compared to tracheal aspiration alone [0.7g (0.1 - 2.5g) versus 0.2g (0.0 - 0.6g), p value = 0.006]. CONCLUSION: Compared to tracheal aspiration alone, the combination of hyperinflation with mechanical ventilator + vibrocompression techniques was most efficient for increasing the amount of aspirated secretions.

OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficiência das técnicas de vibrocompressão e hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico de forma isolada e a associação das duas técnicas (hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico + vibrocompressão), na quantidade de secreção aspirada e na alteração de parâmetros hemodinâmicos e pulmonares. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico randomizado com pacientes críticos em ventilação mecânica, realizado na unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital universitário. Os pacientes foram randomizados para receber uma das técnicas de higiene brônquica por 10 minutos (vibrocompressão, ou hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico, ou hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico + vibrocompressão). Após, foram novamente randomizados para receber inicialmente a técnica (previamente randomizada) ou apenas a aspiração isolada. Foram analisados o peso de secreção aspirada (em gramas), dados de mecânica ventilatória e cardiopulmonares, antes e após a aplicação das técnicas. A frequência de reintubação traqueal, o tempo de ventilação mecânica e a mortalidade, também foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 93 pacientes (29 vibrocompressão, 32 hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico e 32 hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico + vibrocompressão) em ventilação mecânica por mais de 24 horas. O grupo hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico + vibrocompressão foi o único que apresentou aumento significativo da secreção aspirada, quando comparado a aspiração isolada 0,7g (0,1 - 2,5g) versus 0,2g (0,0 - 0,6g), com valor de p = 0,006. CONCLUSÃO: Quando comparada à aspiração isolada, a associação das técnicas hiperinsuflação com ventilador mecânico + vibrocompressão foi mais eficiente na quantidade de secreção aspirada.

Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 Cut-Off to Identify High-Risk Is a Good Predictor of ICU Mortality in Critically Ill Patients.

BACKGROUND: The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) is a widely recommended nutrition risk indicator. Two cut-offs have been proposed for intensive care unit (ICU) patients to classify nutrition risk: ≥3-<5, at risk and ≥5, high risk. To date, no study has directly compared these cut-offs. The aim of this study is to compare the NRS-2002 ICU nutrition risk cut-offs as predictors of clinical outcomes including infections, ICU and hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), duration of mechanical ventilation (MVd), weaning failure, tracheotomy for prolonged MVd, and chronic critical illness (CCI). METHODS: Adult patients were screened and stratified according to NRS-2002 ICU criteria. Clinical, epidemiologic, and nutrition data were extracted from medical records. Statistical analysis for independent samples and Poisson regression were performed. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were screened: 1 (0.54%) no risk; 96 (51.89%) at risk, and 88 (47.56%) high risk. High-risk patients were older, had higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (62.0 ± 14.1 vs 53.0 ± 12.9, respectively; P < .001) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (6.9 ± 3.7 vs 5.1 ± 3.1, respectively; P < .001), and developed more infections (42 [47.8%] vs 27 [28.1%]; P = .010). No differences were found for ICU and hospital LOS, MVd days, weaning failure, tracheotomy, and CCI. ICU and hospital mortality were higher in high-risk patients. The high-risk cut-off was predictor of ICU mortality (relative risk 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.07-4.14; P = .032). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the NRS-2002 high-risk cut-off is associated with worse clinical outcomes and is a predictor for ICU mortality.

Validation of Two Pain Assessment Tools Using a Standardized Nociceptive Stimulation in Critically Ill Adults.

CONTEXT: The Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) or the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) are recommended in practice guidelines for pain assessment in critically ill adults unable to self-report. However, their use in another language requires cultural adaptation and validation testing. OBJECTIVES: Cross-cultural adaptation of the CPOT and BPS English versions into Brazilian Portuguese, and their validation by comparing behavioral scores during rest, standardized nociceptive stimulation by pressure algometry (SNSPA), and turning were completed. In addition, we explored clinical variables that could predict the CPOT and BPS scores. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 168 medical-surgical critically ill adults unable to self-report in the intensive care unit. Two nurses were trained to use the CPOT and BPS Brazilian Portuguese versions at the following assessments: 1) baseline at rest, 2) after SNSPA with a pressure of 14 kgf/cm2, 3) during turning, and 4) 15 minutes after turning. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability of nurses' CPOT and BPS scores was supported by high weighted kappa >0.7. Discriminative validation was supported with higher CPOT and BPS scores during SNSPA or turning in comparison to baseline (P < 0.001). The Glasgow Coma Scale score was the only variable that predicted CPOT and BPS scores with explained variance of 44.5% and 55.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the Brazilian CPOT and BPS versions showed good reliability and validity in critically ill adults unable to self-report. A standardized procedure, the SNSPA, was used for the first time in the validation process of these tools and helped us improve the validation process.

Quality of life after intensive care unit: a multicenter cohort study protocol for assessment of long-term outcomes among intensive care survivors in Brazil. / Qualidade de vida pós-unidades de terapia intensiva: protocolo de estudo de coorte multicêntrico para avaliação de desfechos em longo prazo em sobreviventes de internação em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of physical, cognitive and psychiatric disabilities, associated factors and their relationship with the qualities of life of intensive care survivors in Brazil. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study is currently being conducted at 10 adult medical-surgical intensive care units representative of the 5 Brazilian geopolitical regions. Patients aged ≥ 18 years who are discharged from the participating intensive care units and stay 72 hours or more in the intensive care unit for medical or emergency surgery admissions or 120 hours or more for elective surgery admissions are consecutively included. Patients are followed up for a period of one year by means of structured telephone interviews conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge from the intensive care unit. The outcomes are functional dependence, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety and depression symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, health-related quality of life, rehospitalization and long-term mortality. DISCUSSION: The present study has the potential to contribute to current knowledge of the prevalence and factors associated with postintensive care syndrome among adult intensive care survivors in Brazil. In addition, an association might be established between postintensive care syndrome and health-related quality of life.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de incapacidades físicas, cognitivas e psiquiátricas, fatores associados e sua relação com qualidade de vida em pacientes sobreviventes de internação em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Um estudo de coorte prospectivo multicêntrico está sendo conduzido em dez unidades de terapia intensiva adulto clínico-cirúrgicas representativas das cinco regiões geopolíticas do Brasil. Pacientes com idade ≥ 18 anos que receberam alta das unidades de terapia intensiva participantes e permaneceram internados na unidade de terapia intensiva por 72 horas ou mais, nos casos de internação clínica ou cirúrgica de urgência, e por 120 horas ou mais, nos casos de internação cirúrgica eletiva, serão incluídos de forma consecutiva. Estes pacientes serão seguidos por 1 ano, por meio de entrevistas telefônicas estruturadas 3, 6 e 12 meses pós-alta da unidade de terapia intensiva. Dependência funcional, disfunção cognitiva, sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, sintomas de estresse pós-traumático, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, re-hospitalizações e mortalidade em longo prazo serão avaliados como desfechos. DISCUSSÃO: O presente estudo tem o potencial de contribuir para o conhecimento a respeito da prevalência e dos fatores associados à síndrome pós-cuidados intensivos na população de pacientes adultos sobreviventes de internação em unidades de terapia intensiva brasileiras. Ademais, a associação entre síndrome pós-cuidados intensivos e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde poderá ser estabelecida.

Acute bag-valve breathing maneuvers plus manual chest compression is safe during stable septic shock: a randomized clinical trial. / Uso da hiperinsuflação manual combinada com pressão expiratória positiva e compressão torácica é seguro durante o choque séptico estável: um estudo clínico randomizado.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the effects of bag-valve breathing maneuvers combined with standard manual chest compression techniques on safety, hemodynamics and oxygenation in stable septic shock patients. DESIGN:: A parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized trial of two groups. A computer-generated list of random numbers was prepared by an independent researcher to allocate treatments. SETTING:: The Intensive Care Unit at Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. PARTICIPANTS:: Fifty-two subjects were assessed for eligibility, and 32 were included. All included subjects (n = 32) received the allocated intervention (n = 19 for the Experimental Group and n = 13 for the Control Group). INTERVENTION:: Twenty minutes of bag-valve breathing maneuvers combined with manual chest compression techniques (Experimental Group) or chest compression, as routinely used at our intensive care unit (Control Group). Follow-up was performed immediately after and at 30 minutes after the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:: Mean artery pressure. RESULTS:: All included subjects completed the trial (N = 32). We found no relevant effects on mean artery pressure (p = 0.17), heart rate (p = 0.50) or mean pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.89) after adjusting for subject age and weight. Both groups were identical regarding oxygen consumption after the data adjustment (p = 0.84). Peripheral oxygen saturation tended to increase over time in both groups (p = 0.05), and there was no significant association between cardiac output and venous oxygen saturation (p = 0.813). No clinical deterioration was observed. CONCLUSION:: A single session of bag-valve breathing maneuvers combined with manual chest compression is hemodynamically safe for stable septic-shocked subjects over the short-term.

Chronic critical illness: are we saving patients or creating victims? / Doença crítica crônica: estamos salvando ou criando vítimas?

The technological advancements that allow support for organ dysfunction have led to an increase in survival rates for the most critically ill patients. Some of these patients survive the initial acute critical condition but continue to suffer from organ dysfunction and remain in an inflammatory state for long periods of time. This group of critically ill patients has been described since the 1980s and has had different diagnostic criteria over the years. These patients are known to have lengthy hospital stays, undergo significant alterations in muscle and bone metabolism, show immunodeficiency, consume substantial health resources, have reduced functional and cognitive capacity after discharge, create a sizable workload for caregivers, and present high long-term mortality rates. The aim of this review is to report on the most current evidence in terms of the definition, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of persistent critical illness.

Safe prone checklist: construction and implementation of a tool for performing the prone maneuver. / Checklist da prona segura: construção e implementação de uma ferramenta para realização da manobra de prona.

OBJECTIVE: To construct and implement an instrument (checklist) to improve safety when performing the prone maneuver. METHODS: This was an applied, qualitative and descriptive study. The instrument was developed based on a broad review of the literature pertaining to the construction of a care protocol using the main electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS and Cochrane). RESULTS: We describe the construction of a patient safety tool with numerous modifications and adaptations based on the observations of the multidisciplinary team regarding its use in daily practice. CONCLUSION: The use of the checklist when performing the prone maneuver increased the safety and reliability of the procedure. The team's understanding of the tool's importance to patient safety and training in its use are necessary for its success.

OBJETIVO: Construir e implementar um instrumento (checklist) para melhoria do cuidado na manobra prona. MÉTODOS: Estudo aplicativo, qualitativo e descritivo. O instrumento foi desenvolvido a partir de ampla revisão da literatura, para construção de um protocolo de atendimento assistencial, utilizando as principais bases eletrônicas (MEDLINE, LILACS e Cochrane). RESULTADOS: Descrevemos a construção de uma ferramenta de segurança do paciente com suas inúmeras modificações e adaptações, a partir das observações da equipe multidisciplinar com seu uso na prática diária. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicação do checklist na manobra de prona acrescentou confiabilidade e segurança ao procedimento. O entendimento da importância da ferramenta na segurança do paciente, por parte da equipe, e sua capacitação são necessários para seu sucesso.

Mechanical ventilation weaning protocol improves medical adherence and results.

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of a weaning protocol is related to better patient prognosis. However, new approaches may take several years to become the standard of care in daily practice. We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the effectiveness of a multifaceted strategy to implement a protocol to wean patients from mechanical ventilation (MV) and to evaluate the weaning success rate as well as practitioner adherence to the protocol. METHODS: We investigated all consecutive MV-dependent subjects admitted to a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) for >24h over 7years. The multifaceted strategy consisted of continuing education of attending physicians and ICU staff and regular feedback regarding patient outcomes. The study was conducted in three phases: protocol development, protocol and multifaceted strategy implementation, and protocol monitoring. Data regarding weaning outcomes and physician adherence to the weaning protocol were collected during all phases. RESULTS: We enrolled 2469 subjects over 7years, with 1,943 subjects (78.7%) experiencing weaning success. Physician adherence to the protocol increased during the years of protocol and multifaceted strategy implementation (from 38% to 86%, p<0.01) and decreased in the protocol monitoring phase (from 73.9% to 50.0%, p<0.01). However, during the study years, the weaning success of all subjects increased (from 73.1% to 85.4%, p<0.001). When the weaning protocol was evaluated step-by-step, we found high adherence for noninvasive ventilation use (95%) and weaning predictor measurement (91%) and lower adherence for control of fluid balance (57%) and daily interruption of sedation (24%). Weaning success was higher in patients who had undergone the weaning protocol compared to those who had undergone weaning based in clinical practice (85.6% vs. 67.7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted strategy consisting of continuing education and regular feedback can increase physician adherence to a weaning protocol for mechanical ventilation.

Serum neuron-specific enolase as early predictor of outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest: a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Outcome after cardiac arrest is mostly determined by the degree of hypoxic brain damage. Patients recovering from cardiopulmonary resuscitation are at great risk of subsequent death or severe neurological damage, including persistent vegetative state. The early definition of prognosis for these patients has ethical and economic implications. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in predicting outcomes in patients early after in-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: Forty-five patients resuscitated from in-hospital cardiac arrest were prospectively studied from June 2003 to January 2005. Blood samples were collected, at any time between 12 and 36 hours after the arrest, for NSE measurement. Outcome was evaluated 6 months later with the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (unfavorable outcome) included GOS 1 and 2 patients; group 2 (favorable outcome) included GOS 3, 4 and 5 patients. The Mann-Whitney U test, Student's t test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: The Glasgow coma scale scores were 6.1 +/- 3 in group 1 and 12.1 +/- 3 in group 2 (means +/- SD; p < 0.001). The mean time to NSE sampling was 20.2 +/- 8.3 hours in group 1 and 28.4 +/- 8.7 hours in group 2 (p = 0.013). Two patients were excluded from the analysis because of sample hemolysis. At 6 months, favorable outcome was observed in nine patients (19.6%). Thirty patients (69.8%) died and four (9.3%) remained in a persistent vegetative state. The 34 patients (81.4%) in group 1 had significantly higher NSE levels (median 44.24 ng/ml, range 8.1 to 370) than those in group 2 (25.26 ng/ml, range 9.28 to 55.41; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Early determination of serum NSE levels is a valuable ancillary method for assessing outcome after in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Mechanical ventilation in patients in the intensive care unit of a general university hospital in southern Brazil: an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics, the frequency and the mortality rates of patients needing mechanical ventilation and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a general university hospital in southern Brazil. METHOD: Prospective cohort study in patients admitted to the ICU who needed mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours between March 2004 and April 2007. RESULTS: A total of 1,115 patients admitted to the ICU needed mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate was 51%. The mean age (± standard deviation) was 57±18 years, and the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 22.6±8.3. The variables independently associated with mortality were (i) conditions present at the beginning of mechanical ventilation, age (hazard ratio: 1.01; p<0.001); the APACHE II score (hazard ratio: 1.01; p<0.005); acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (hazard ratio: 1.38; p=0.009), sepsis (hazard ratio: 1.33; p=0.003), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio: 0.58; p=0.042), and pneumonia (hazard ratio: 0.78; p=0.013) as causes of mechanical ventilation; and renal (hazard ratio: 1.29; p=0.011) and neurological (hazard ratio: 1.25; p=0.024) failure, and (ii) conditions occurring during the course of mechanical ventilation, acute lung injuri/acute respiratory distress syndrome (hazard ratio: 1.31; p<0.010); sepsis (hazard ratio: 1.53; p<0.001); and renal (hazard ratio: 1.75; p<0.001), cardiovascular (hazard ratio: 1.32; p≤0.009), and hepatic (hazard ratio: 1.67; p≤0.001) failure. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study provides a comprehensive profile of mechanical ventilation patients in South America. The mortality rate of patients who required mechanical ventilation was higher, which may have been related to the severity of illness of the patients admitted to our ICU. Risk factors for hospital mortality included conditions present at the start of mechanical ventilation conditions that occurred during mechanical support.