Disfunção hepática em pacientes de unidade de terapia intensiva médica prevê desfecho desfavorável / Hepatic dysfunction in medical intensive careunit patients predicts poor outcome

ABSTRACT Background: A large number of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) have abnormal liver function tests (LFT). This includes patients with critical illness with or without preexisting liver disease and patients with acute primary liver injury. There are very few studies which have investigated the spectrum of liver disease, clinical profile and outcome in patients admitted to the MICU. Objective To evaluate the occurrence, etiology, clinical profile, laboratory profile and outcome of hepatic dysfunction in patients admitted to the MICU. To evaluate the utility of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score on admission as a predictor of adverse short term outcome in patients with hepatic dysfunction admitted in MICU. Methods: It was a prospective observational study, conducted from December 2017 to December 2018 in a tertiary care hospital. Two hundred and two patients admitted to the MICU with LFTs as per the inclusion criteria were analyzed and their short-term outcome at 7 days was studied in relation to various parameters. Results: LFT abnormalities were present in 202/1126 (17.9%) of the patients admitted to MICU. Critical illness associated liver dysfunction was found in 172 (85.2%) patients, chronic liver disease in 11 (5.4%) patients and acute viral hepatitis in 19 (9.4%) patients. Most common symptom was fever (68.3%) followed by vomiting (48.0%). Among LFT abnormalities, elevated transaminases, raised international normalized ratio and high MELD score on admission correlated with poor short-term outcome. Requirement for inotropes and mechanical ventilation correlated with poor short-term outcome. Mortality did not differ significantly between patients with chronic liver disease, patients with acute viral hepatitis and patients with critical illness associated hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic dysfunction in MICU was associated with poor outcome and a high short-term mortality of 56.4% (114/202). Conclusion: Liver function abnormality is common in patients who are admitted to the MICU and its presence is an indicator of poor short-term outcome.

RESUMO Contexto: Um grande número de pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) tem testes de função hepática anormais (TFH). Isso inclui pacientes com doença crítica com ou sem doença hepática pré-existente e pacientes com lesão hepática primária aguda. Há poucos estudos que têm investigado o espectro da doença hepática, perfil clínico e desfecho em pacientes admitidos em UTI. Objetivo Avaliar a ocorrência, etiologia, perfil clínico, perfil laboratorial e desfecho de disfunção hepática em pacientes internados na UTI médica. Avaliar a utilidade do modelo para doença hepática em estágio terminal (MELD). Escore na admissão como preditor de desfecho adverso a curto prazo em pacientes com disfunção hepática admitida em UTI. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional prospectivo, de dezembro de 2017 a dezembro de 2018 em um hospital de atenção terciária. Foram analisados 202 pacientes internados na UTI com TFH conforme os critérios de inclusão e seu desfecho a curto prazo de 7 dias foi estudado em relação a diversos parâmetros. Resultados: Anormalidades dos testes estiveram presentes em 202/1126 (17,9%) dos pacientes internados na UTI. Doença crítica associada à disfunção hepática foi encontrada em 172 (85,2%) pacientes, doença hepática crônica em 11 (5,4%) pacientes e hepatite viral aguda em 19 (9,4%) pacientes. O sintoma mais comum foi a febre (68,3%), seguido de vômito (48,0%) casos. Entre as anormalidades do TFH, transaminases elevadas, INR e escore MELD elevados na admissão correlacionaram-se com desfecho ruim de curto prazo. Exigência de inotrópicos e ventilação mecânica correlacionaram-se com desfecho de curto prazo ruim. A mortalidade não diferiu significativamente entre pacientes com doença hepática crônica, pacientes com hepatite viral aguda e pacientes com doença crítica associada à disfunção hepática. A disfunção hepática em UTI esteve associada a um desfecho ruim e à uma alta mortalidade a curto prazo de 114/202 (56,4%). Conclusão: A anormalidade da função hepática é comum em pacientes que são admitidos nas unidades de tratamento intensivo e sua presença é um indicador de desfecho de curto prazo ruim.

Comparison of full outline of unresponsiveness score and Glasgow Coma Scale in Medical Intensive Care Unit

Context: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most commonly used scale, and Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score is new validated coma scale as an alternative to GCS in the evaluation of the level of consciousness. Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate FOUR score and GCS ability in predicting the outcomes (Survivors, nonsurvivors) in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Setting and Design: This was an observational and prospective study of 300 consecutive patients admitted to the MICU during a 14 months' period. Materials and Methods: FOUR score, GCS score, and demographic characteristics of all patients were recorded in the first admission 24 h. Statistical Analysis Used: A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer–Lemeshow test, and Logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis (95% confidence interval). Results: Data analysis showed a significant statistical difference in FOUR score and GCS score between survivors and nonsurvivors (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001; respectively). The discrimination power was good for both FOUR score and GCS (area under ROC curve: 87.3% (standard error [SE]: 2.1%), 82.6% [SE: 2.3%]; respectively). The acceptable calibration was seen just for FOUR score (χ2 = 8.059, P = 0.428). Conclusions: Both FOUR score and GCS are valuable scales for predicting outcomes in patients are admitted to the MICU; however, the FOUR score showed better discrimination and calibration than GCS, so it is superior to GCS in predicting outcomes in this patients population.

A Comparison of Vancomycin and Metronidazole for the Treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea (CDAD) in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a leading cause of hospital-associated gastrointestinal illness. Risk factors for CDAD include advanced age, long-term admission, antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitor or H₂ blocker use and immunosuppression. The practice guideline of American Journal of Gastroenterology (2013) suggests metronidazole for the first-line therapy of mild-moderate CDAD as well as vancomycin for severe CDAD. MICU inpatients receiving stress ulcer prophylaxis and antibiotics are susceptible to nosocomial CDAD. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate occurrence and treatment of CDAD in MICU. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the MICU and had CDAD from August 2012 to August 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 90 patients with CDAD, 20 patients (2.22%) had mild-moderate CDAD (16 received metronidazole and 4 received vancomycin therapy) and 70 patients (77.8%) had severe CDAD(54 received metronidazole and 16 received vancomycin therapy). Among the patients with mild-moderate CDAD, treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin resulted in same clinical cure in 50% of the patients (p=1.00). Among the patients with severe CDAD, treatment with metronidazole or vancomycin resulted in clinical cure in 40.7% and 50.0% of the patients, respectively (p=0.511). Clinical symptoms recurred in 7.4% of the severe CDAD patients treated with metronidazole and 6.3% of those treated with vancomycin (p=0.875). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that metronidazole and vancomycin are equally effective for the treatment of mild-moderate CDAD; however, vancomycin demonstrated higher clinical cure rate and lower recurrence rate for severe CDAD, although the difference was not statistically significant. For better clinical outcomes, appropriate medication use by disease severity is needed.

A clinical study of percutaneous tracheostomy in medical ICU by non surgical doctors.

Introduction: Tracheostomy is one of the oldest surgical procedures to access the airway. The majority of cases who require tracheostomy are in ICUs. The ICUs are monitored by intensivists who are mostly Anesthesiologists or Physicians (non-surgical personnel). While doing surgical tracheostomy, there is dependency on other departments like surgeons of ENT department. In most cases, critically ill patients are made to shift to operating room, where we may have to wait for the availability of operating table. Method: This clinical study was carried out to access the airway when required by nonsurgical doctors like anesthesiologists or physicians at bed side and to save cost and operation theatre time. Result: Sixteen male & twelve female patients with an average age of 28 Years (range, 19 to 40Years) underwent PCT from Oct. 2008 to Oct.2011. Fourteen patients were of snake bite, 10 were of organo-phosphorus poisoning & 4 were of G.B. Syndrome. Conclusion: Percutaneous tracheostomy has replaced the surgical route in several intensive care units and it is indeed the procedure of choice in the majority of cases. [Rajan N NJIRM 2014; 5(1):6-9] Key Words: Percutaneous Tracheostomy (PCT), Surgical Tracheostomy (ST), Medical intensive care unit (MICU), critically ill, complications, tracheal injury, bleeding.

Analysis of blood/tracheal culture results to assess common pathogens and pattern of antibiotic resistance at medical intensive care unit, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children.

Background: Intensive care units (ICUs) are burdened with a high frequency of nosocomial infections often caused by multi resistant nosocomial pathogens. Objectives: To determine the common pathogens in medical intensive care unit of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (MICU-LRH) and to look for the pattern of antibiotic resistance of these pathogens. Design & Setting: This retrospective study was performed by tracing all the culture reports of MICU-LRH done at microbiology laboratory of LRH in the year 2006. Results: Total number of blood cultures done in 2006 was 659. Of them 123(18.7%) became positive. Out of positive blood cultures 38.2% were for spores and 24% for coliforms. Staphylococcus aureus (10.6%), streptococcus spp. (4.1%), pseudomonas spp. (4.1%) and candida spp. (4.9%) were the other pathogens in blood cultures. Out of 457 tracheal cultures done in 2006, 251(56%) were positive. Contamination with spores was 3.1%. Majority (43%) of tracheal cultures were positive for coliforms. Other common pathogens were pseudomonas spp. (19.5%) and candida spp. (9.8%) Resistance pattern of coliforms varied in blood cultures and tracheal cultures. There was significant resistance to aminoglycosides. Imipenem & meropenem resistant isolates were not found in blood cultures but in tracheal cultures 44% of isolates were resistant to imipenem & 42% were resistant to meropenem. Resistance pattern of pseudomonas to amikacin was around 34% in both blood & tracheal cultures. 25% of isolates in blood cultures and 50% of isolates in tracheal cultures were resistant to ceftazidime. Although, there was no resistance to ticarcillin in blood cultures, 51% pseudomonas isolated in tracheal cultures showed resistance. Resistance rate to ciprofloxacin was 50% in blood cultures and 34% in tracheal cultures. Eighty three percent of staphylococcus spp. in both blood & tracheal cultures were resistant to cloxacillin. More than 70% were resistant to gentamicin. Around 33% isolates in blood cultures & 22% in tracheal cultures were resistant to fusidic acid. However, all staphylococcus spp. were sensitive to Vancomycin. Conclusions: There were more positive tracheal cultures than blood cultures. Majority of septicaemia were due to coliforms. Coliforms and pseudomonas were major pathogens in tracheal cultures. There was significant colonization of candida spp. in respiratory tract of patients at MICU-LRH in contrast to candida septicaemia. Emergence of antibiotic resistance to broad spectrum antibiotics is a significant problem.

Clinical efficiency and safety of the application of continuous renal replacement therapy in non-kidney severe patients in MICU / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of the application of contitunous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in non-kidney severe patients in MICU.Methods Twenty-nine cases who underwent the CRRT in MICU were included in the study.Vessel pathway were all through inserting double channel catheter in femoral vein or internal carotid vein.According to the patient's condition,patients were treated by slow continuous ultrafiltration( CVVH )or continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHDF).The duration was 4-12 hours or continuation if necessary.The volume of blood flow was 100-180 ml/h.The displacement liquid was 30-50 ml/time.The volume of dehydration was 0-4 kg according to the patient's condition.The clinical symptoms,hemodynamics,blood biochemistry,PaO2/FiO2,pH,tumor necrosis factor and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ were observed before and after therapy.The complications were monitored.Results The vital signs of the patients became stable shortly after CRRT therapy,before CRRT temperature ( 37.6 ± 0.88 ) ℃,respiratory rate ( 110.3 ± 19.54)time/min,the oxygention index (262.6 ± 10.6),WBC ( 11.33 ± 2.27) × 109/L,NE (85.62 ± 7.83 ) %,AST ( 74.58 ± 19.34 ) U/L,APPACHE Ⅱ score ( 24.37 ± 9.23 ),after CRRT temperature ＞( 36.84 ± 0.58 ) ℃.respiratory rate ( 102.0 ± 16.2 ) times/min,the oxygention index ( 373.2 ± 11.2),WBC (9.62 ±3.26) × 109/L,NE (71.58 ± 10.54) %,AST(38.34 ± 13.96) U/L,APACHE Ⅱ score ( 14.65 ± 6.54).There were significantly difference between the indices at before and after treatment ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Serious ions and acid base abnormality were rectified during CRRT therapy without any severe complications.Conclusions CRRT therapy could decline the level of infections reaction and improve organs' function,adjust the balance of internal environment,stable hemodynamics without any severe complication after treatment.CRRT is safe and effective.In conclusion,CRRT is a primary treatment and an important supportive therapy.

Do-not-resuscitate Order in Patients, Who Were Deceased in a Medical Intensive Care Unit of an University Hospital in Korea / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) in the event of a cardiac arrest is the most common and important discussion between a patient's family and physicians among the end-of-life decision-making process. To observe the performance of a DNR order in critically ill patients, we analyzed the incidence of DNR orders, the changes in therapeutic levels after DNR orders, and the cases of violated DNR codes in patients who had died in a Korean medical intensive care unit (ICU) between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2006. METHODS: The charts of patients who had died in the medical ICU were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred two patients were enrolled. The ICU and hospital lengths of stay of the patients were 12.4 +/- 14.0 and 23.2 +/- 21.1 days, respectively. Hematologic malignancy (24.5%) accounted for the most common premorbid diagnosis before ICU admission. Seventy-five patients (73.5%) had DNR orders. The DNR order was suggested by the physician in 96% of the patients. There was no significant difference in the clinical parameters and the performance of a DNR order. Eighty-four percent of the patients with a DNR order had received the order within 3 days death. The withholding of additional therapy or withdrawing of current therapy occurred in 57.3% of the patients. The DNR order was violated in 9 cases (12%). CONCLUSIONS: DNR orders are well-accepted by the patient's family in the ICU. However, DNR orders are initiated when patient death is imminent.

Rate of Nasal Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Admission to a Medical Intensive Care Unit / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to survey the nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among the patients admitted in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and analyze risk factors associated with the colonization. METHODS: The study was carried out on patients admitted into the MICU in a 1,250-bed tertiary care university hospital from January through December 2006. Nasal surveillance cultures were obtained from patients within 24 hours of admission to the unit. Data were analyzed retrospectively by the review of medical records. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were screened with active nasal cultures; 36 patients (11.6%) were positive for MRSA. Of these, 22 (7.1%) were positive in the nasal cultures only and 14 (4.5%) were positive in the cultures of other specimens (13, sputum; 1, joint fluid) in addition to the nasal swabs. Among the risk factors for MRSA nasal colonization were sex (man), route of admission (from other ICUs or wards), a history of ICU admission during the recent 12 months, and prolonged hospital days in ICU. CONCLUSION: MRSA nasal carrier rate was found higher in this study than in those reported in the literature. Most of the patients colonized with MRSA in the nostril were not colonized with the organism elsewhere in the body. Whether or not active surveillance for MRSA should be performed would depend on the nasal colonization rate of the patients at the time of admission to the ICU.

A Prospective Study of Nosocomial Acquisition of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Medical Intensive Care Unit / 감염

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen being reported with increasing frequency in outbreaks during the past decade. This prospective study was initiated to identify risk factors for the nosocomial acquisition of A. baumannii in patients admitted into a medical intensive care unit (MICU). METHODS: Nasal, rectal and skin swabs were obtained from patients within the 48 hours of admission to the MICU and weekly thereafter during the study period and the final swabs were taken at the time of discharge. If A. baumannii was isolated in the follow up surveillance or from clinical specimen, further culture was not done. Isolates were identified by using the morphology of the colonies in selective media, MicroScan and the ability to grow at 44degrees C. Risk factors of the patients with or without nosocomial acquisition of A. baumannii were compared. RESULTS: Sixty one of the 438 patients admitted to the MICU during the study periods were enrolled. Acquisition of A. baumannii was found in 28 (45.9%) of the 61 patients. The application (89.3% vs. 54.5%, P<0.01) and duration of mechanical ventilation (11.9+/-11.0 day vs. 7.9+/-11.0 day, P<0.05), and the useof nasogastric tubes (100% vs. 78.8%, P=0.01) were the significant risk factors associated with the acquisition of A. baumannii. The proportion of the patients whose APACHE III scores were more than 40 was higher in the acquired group compared to the non-acquired group (92.9% vs. 69.7%, P<0.05). The length of stay in MICU of the acquisition group was longer than those without acquisition (27.0+/-21.0 day vs. 18.7+/-17.0 day, P<0.05). Overall mortality of the patients with acquisition of A. baumannii was higher than in those without acquisition (53.6% vs. 27.3%, P<0.05). However, only the severity of illness evaluated by the APACHE III score (P<0.05) was retained as an independent risk factor for high mortality (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01~1.08). Most of A. baumannii showed multi-resistance to antimicrobial agents except imipenem. CONCLUSION: In our study, the risk of the nosocomial acquisition of A. baumannii was associated with the application of mechanical ventilation or nasogastric tube, the severity of illness, and prolonged MICU stay. Acquisition of A. baumannii was not associated with excess mortality, but the severity of illness evaluated by the APACHE III score was retained as an independent risk factor for high mortality.

The Predictable Factors for the Mortality of Fatal Asthma with Acute Respiratory Failure / 결핵

BACKGROUNDS: Previous reports have revealed a high morbidity and mortality in fatal asthma patients, especially those treated in the medical intensive care unit(MICU). But it has not been well known about the predictable factors for the mortality of fatal asthma(FA) with acute respiratory failure. In order to define the predictable factors for the mortality of FA at the admission to MICU, we analyzed the relationship between the clinical parameters and the prognosis of FA patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all medical records of 59 patients who had admitted for FA to MICU at a tertiary care MICU from January 1992 to March 1997 was performed. RESULTS: Over all mortality rate was 32.2% and 43 patients were mechanically ventilated. In uni-variate analysis, the death group had significantly older age (66.2 +/- 10.5 vs. 51.0 +/- 18.8 year), lower FVC(59.2 +/- 21.1 vs. 77.6 +/- 23.3%) and lower FEV1(41.4 +/- 18.8 vs. 61.1 +/- 23.30%), and longer total ventilation time (255.0 +/- 236.3 vs. 98.1 +/- 120.4 hour)(por=40) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (<200) on the second day of MICU, which might reflect the response of treatment, rather than initially presented clinical parameters would be more important predictable factors of mortality in patients with FA.