Expanding the Scope of Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in the PICU.

How to cite this article: Poddar B. Expanding the Scope of Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in the PICU. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(5):303-304.

Ultrasound in Refractory Septic Shock: Have We Pitched and Pictured It Correctly Yet?

How to cite this article: Nallasamy K, Poddar B. Ultrasound in Refractory Septic Shock: Have We Pitched and Pictured It Correctly Yet? Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(7):773-774.

Critically Ill Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Difficult-to-treat Population.

How to cite this article: Poddar B. Critically Ill Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Difficult-to-treat Population. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(10):1091-1092.

Japanese B Encephalitis.

RNA viruses are not only reported for viral pandemics but also as important agents for emerging/re-emerging diseases. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is reported to cause epidemics of encephalitis in Southeast Asia, India, Korea, China, and Indonesia. In addition, several reports show that JEV has spread to new populations beyond these geographical regions. The disease mostly affects children with a mortality rate up to 30%. In peridomestic settings, pigs are reported as amplifiers of JEV transmission and aquatic birds as maintenance hosts of the virus. The Culex mosquito is the vector for transmission of JEV. This virus is a member of the family Flaviviridae and has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. Five different genotypes (G-I to G-V) of JEV have been reported. Four different kinds of vaccines have been produced to prevent JEV infection. However, there is no FDA-approved antiviral drug available for JEV. How to cite this article: Mehta A, Singh R, Mani VE, Poddar B. Japanese B Encephalitis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(Suppl 2):S171-S174.

Incorporating Lung Ultrasound in Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score as an Added Tool for Diagnosing Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center.

Background: Clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) is an established diagnostic parameter for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an evolving tool for diagnosing VAP. Various scores have been proposed for the diagnosis of VAP, taking LUS as a parameter. We proposed whether replacing LUS with chest radiograph in CPIS criteria will add to the diagnosis of VAP. The current study was done to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of LUS alone and in combination with clinical and microbiological criteria for VAP by replacing chest radiograph with LUS in CPIS. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective single-center observational study including 110 patients with suspected VAP to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of LUS. Quantitative mini-bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL) culture was considered the gold standard for diagnosis of VAP. Here, the authors have explored the combination of LUS, clinical, and microbiology parameters for diagnosing VAP. On replacing chest radiograph with LUS, sono-pulmonary infection score (SPIS) and modified SPIS (SPIS-mic, SPIS-cult) was formulated as a substitute for CPIS. Results: Overall LUS performance for VAP diagnosis was good with sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive value, and positive or negative likelihood ratios of 91.3%, 70%, 89%, 75%, 3, and 0.1, respectively. Adding microbiology culture to LUS increased diagnostic accuracy. The areas under the curve for SPIS and modified SPIS were 0.808, 0.815, and 0.913, respectively. Conclusion: The diagnosis of VAP requires agreement between clinical, microbiological, and radiological criteria. Replacing chest radiograph with LUS in CPIS criteria (SPIS) increases diagnostic accuracy for VAP. Adding clinical and culture data to SPIS provided the highest diagnostic accuracy. Clinical parameters along with lung ultrasound increase diagnostic accuracy for VAP. How to cite this article: Samanta S, Patnaik R, Azim A, Gurjar M, Baronia AK, Poddar B, et al. Incorporating Lung Ultrasound in Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score as an Added Tool for Diagnosing Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(3):284-291.

Withdraw Sedation Gently or Face Withdrawal Syndrome!

How to cite this article: Poddar B. Withdraw Sedation Gently or Face Withdrawal Syndrome! Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(6):381-382.

Effect of Prone Positioning on Intraocular Pressure in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of prolonged duration of prone position (with head laterally rotated) on intraocular pressure in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital ICU. PATIENTS: Twenty-five acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, age 60 years (51-67 yr), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score 10 (10-12), PaO2/FIO2 ratio of 90 (65-120), and all in septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (in mm Hg) measured by hand-held applanation tonometer, at different time points. Before prone (in both eyes): at 30-45° head-end elevation position (THE pre-prone), in supine position just before turning prone (Tsupine pre-prone); during prone (in nondependent eye): at 10 minutes (T10 prone), 30 minutes (T30 prone), and at just before end of prone session (Tend-prone). After end of prone session (both eyes): at 5 minutes (T5 supine post-prone), 10 minutes (T10 HE post-prone), 15 minutes (T15 HE post-prone), and 30 minutes (T30 HE post-prone). Median duration of prone position was 14 hours (12-18 hr). Median intraocular pressure increased significantly (p ≤ 0.001) in both eyes. In dependent eye, from 15 (12-19) at THE pre-prone to 24, 21, 19, and 16 at T5 supine post-prone, T10 HE post-prone, T15 HE post-prone, and T30 HE post-prone respectively, whereas in nondependent eye from 14 (12-18.5) at THE pre-prone to 23, 25, 32, 25, 22, 20, and 17 at T10 prone, T30 prone, Tend-prone, T5 supine post-prone, T10 HE post-prone, T15 HE post-prone, and T30 HE post-prone respectively. Bland-Altman plot analysis showed significant linear relationship (r = 0.789; p ≤ 0.001) with good agreement between rise in mean intraocular pressure of the both eyes (dependent eye and nondependent eye) with their paired differences after the end of different duration of prone session (T5 supine post-prone). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant increase in intraocular pressure due to prone positioning among acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. Intraocular pressure increases as early as 10 minutes after proning, with increasing trend during prone position, which persisted even at 30 minutes after the end of post prone session although with decreasing trend.

Balanced crystalloids in the acutely ill patient.

Administration of intravenous fluids is the most common therapy given to patients admitted to a hospital. Evidence suggests that the use of normal saline (NS) in large quantities is not without adverse effects. Balanced salt solutions (BSS) contain bicarbonate or one of its precursors that act as a buffer, and the electrolyte composition resembles that of plasma. We reviewed studies across different setups such as intensive care units (ICUs), major surgeries, renal transplants and emergency departments to identify the effect(s) of NS and to find evidence favouring the use of BSS over NS. The use of NS is strongly associated with hyperchloraemic acidosis in almost all the studies. In the largest and latest trial in ICUs, it was found that higher chloride levels were associated with renal injury. No significant difference was found in mortality in any of the trials. In surgical patients, studies found only transient hyperchloraemia and increase in the base deficit in patients receiving NS. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses did not find any significant differences in adverse outcomes such as the need for renal replacement therapy or mortality with the use of saline; however, blood chloride levels were consistently higher with saline compared to BSS. There is a need for larger trials with better methodology to determine if the physiological benefits of BSS translate into better clinical outcomes.

Audit of Antibiotic Practices: An Experience from a Tertiary Referral Center.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence of antibiotic de-escalation at admission in patients referred to a tertiary hospital in India. The secondary outcomes were the adequacy of empirical antibiotic therapy and culture positivity rates in the de-escalated group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study, in a 20-bedded intensive care unit (ICU) of tertiary care hospital. Patients >18 years, surviving > 48 hours, were included (June- December 2017). Demographic data, previous cultures, and antibiotics from other hospitals, laboratory parameters in the first 24 hours, and severity of illness were noted. Changes made in antibiotic therapy within 48 hours were recorded. Patients were analyzed into three groups: "No change"-empiric therapy was maintained, "Escalation"-switch to or addition of an antibiotic with a broader spectrum, and "De-escalation"-switch to or interruption of a drug class. RESULTS: The total number of patients eligible was 75. The mean age of the population is 43.38 (SD + 3.4) and groups were comparable in terms of mean sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA) and acute physiology, age, chronic health evaluation (APACHE) 2. The prevalence of de-escalation was 60% at admission. The escalation group consisted of 24%. Sixteen percent patients belonged to no change group. Results showed that 38% of patients were on carbapenems, dual gram negative was given to 26%, and empirical methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coverage was 28% on admission. CONCLUSION: Our study aims to provide data about actual practices in the Indian scenario. It highlights the generous use of high-end antibiotics in the community. Indian practices are far cry from theoretical teaching and western data. The need for antibiotic stewardship program in our country for both public and private health sectors is the need of the hour. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Singh R, Azim A, Gurjar M, Poddar B, Baronia AK. Audit of Antibiotic Practices: An Experience from a Tertiary Referral Center. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, January 2019;23(1):7-10.

Quality of Life After Intensive Care Unit Discharge in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India: Cost Effectiveness Analyis.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in intensive care in the last few decades have shifted the focus from mortality to quality of life of survivors as a more important outcome measure. Allocation of public resources towards intensive care is an important challenge for healthcare administrators. This challenge is made more arduous in resource limited countries like India. Thus, it is imperative to consider patient centerd outcomes and resource utilisation to guide allocation of funds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of long-term survivors, and to perform cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis. METHODS: Data was retrieved from the records and included age, gender, admission diagnosis, length of ICU stay and mortality. Costing methodology used was top down approach. Quality of life was assessed by SF 36 scoring which was done with personal interview and telephonically. Cost-effectiveness analysis was done on the basis of years of life added. Cost utility was done by QALY gained. RESULTS: A total of 1232 adult patients were admitted in the period with 758 (61%) being successfully discharged from ICU with a mortality rate of 39%. Out of 758, we could contact 113 (15%) patients. 86 patients were alive at the time of contact who could fill the forms for quality of life. The patients discharged from ICU had scores almost similar to the general population. Lesser scores were noted in physical functioning and general health perceptions, though this difference was not statistically significant. The life years gained were significantly more in younger patients. The cost per life gained was more in patients aged more than 50 years compared to those who were younger. CONCLUSION: The quality of life after survival from ICU is as good as in the general population. The intensive care provided in our ICU is cost effective. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mishra SB, Poddar B et al, Quality of Life After Intensive Care Unit Discharge in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India: Cost Effectiveness Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(3):122-126.

Significance of Mini Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Amylase Level in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: Aspiration of oropharyngeal or gastric contents in intubated patients can lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia. Amylase in respiratory secretion has been reported as a possible marker of aspiration. We studied whether elevated α-amylase in mini bronchoalveolar lavage specimens can be suggestive of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated patients with high clinical suspicion. DESIGN: Prospective single-center observational study. SETTING: Department of Critical Care Medicine, tertiary care academic institute. PATIENTS: Adult patients on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours with with clinically suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia as per defined criteria, admitted between December 2014 and May 2016. METHODS: Mini bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected within 72 hours of endotracheal intubation. Samples were sent for α-amylase level assay and quantitative culture. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was confirmed from mini bronchoalveolar lavage microbial culture of greater than or equal to 10 cfu/mL, and patients were divided into ventilator-associated pneumonia and no ventilator-associated pneumonia groups. Pre- and postintubation risk factors for aspiration were also noted. RESULTS: The prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia was 64.9% among 151 patients in whom it was clinically suspected. Median (interquartile range) mini bronchoalveolar lavage α-amylase levels in ventilator-associated pneumonia and no ventilator-associated pneumonia groups on the day of study inclusion were 287 U/L (164-860 U/L) and 94 U/L (59-236 U/L), respectively (p < 0.001). Median (interquartile range) α-amylase levels in patients with 0, 1, 2, and 3 preintubation risk factors were 65 U/L (35-106 U/L), 200 U/L (113-349 U/L), 867 U/L (353-1,425 U/L), and 3,453 U/L (1,865-4,304 U/L), respectively (p < 0.001) and 472 U/L (164-1,452 U/L) and 731 U/L (203-1,403 U/L) in patients with 1 and 2 postintubation risk factors, respectively (p < 0.001). A mini bronchoalveolar lavage α-amylase of 163 U/L or more yielded sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 68.6%, respectively, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.746 (95% CI, 0.66-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia within 72 hours from intubation have significantly elevated α-amylase concentrations in mini bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Mini bronchoalveolar lavage α-amylase concentrations increase with increasing number of aspiration risk factors.

Early pH Change Predicts Intensive Care Unit Mortality.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Metabolic acidosis is associated with increased mortality in critically ill patients. We hypothesized that early correction of acidosis of presumed metabolic origin results in improved outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study from February 2015 to June 2016 in a 12 bed mixed intensive care unit (ICU) of a 1000 bed tertiary care hospital in the north of India. ICU patients aged above 18 years with an admission pH ≥7.0 to <7.35 of presumed metabolic origin were included. Arterial blood gas parameters including pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3 -, Na+, K+, Cl-, anion gap (AG), base excess, and lactate at 0, 6, and 24 h along with other standard laboratory investigations were recorded. The primary outcome was to assess the impact of early pH changes on mortality at day 28 of ICU. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients with 60.6% males and 91.3% medical patients were included in the study. Sepsis of lung origin (60.6%) was the predominant etiology. By day 28, 68 (65.4%) patients had died. Median age was 49.5 years, weight 61.7 kg, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, and Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were 16 and 12, respectively. Nonsurvivors had a higher vasopressor index (P < 0.01), lactate and central venous oxygen saturation (P < 0.05), and lower pH (P < 0.05). A pH correction/change of ≥1.16% during the first 24 h had the best receiver operating characteristic for predicting survival at day 28, with area under the curve (95% confidence interval, 0.72 [0.62-0.82], P < 0.05) compared to HCO3 -, BE, lactate, and AG. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic acidosis is associated with higher mortality in ICU. The rate of change in pH may better predict ICU mortality than other metabolic indices.

Comparison of Hemodynamic Monitoring between Transesophageal Doppler and Ultrasonography-Guided Inferior Vena Cava Distensibility in Supine versus Prone Position: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Lung-protective ventilation strategy and prone positioning are the strategies practiced to manage patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Inferior Vena Cava Distensibility (dIVC) Index has been used for predicting fluid responsiveness (FR) in supine position. We conducted this study to observe the utility of dIVC in prone position in ARDS patients and compare it with esophageal Doppler (ED) parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After ethical clearance, a prospective observational pilot study was conducted in a 12-bedded tertiary care hospital. Adult ARDS patients who were treated with prone ventilation were included. Informed consent was taken from the relatives. IVC was visualized through right lateral approach both in supine and prone positions. We compared IVC distensibility and ED parameters, first in 45° head up and then in prone. FR was defined as an increase in the stroke volume of ≥15% as measured by ED. The patients with dIVC >18% were assumed to be fluid responsive. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 20. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. ARDS was (mean P/F ratio 116.64 ± 44.76) mostly due to pulmonary etiology. Out of 25 patients, 10 patients were fluid responsive based on dIVC (cutoff >18%) in supine position. When compared to ED values after passive leg raising, dIVC had a sensitivity and specificity of 77.78% and 81.25%, respectively, in predicting FR with a moderate-to-absolute agreement between the two methods. IVC distensibility showed statistically significant negative correlation with corrected flow time (FTc) values both in supine and in prone positions. CONCLUSION: IVC variability can be observed in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients in prone position. Inferior Vena Cava Distensibility correlates with flow time in both the positions.

Correlation of Neutrophil CD64 with Clinical Profile and Outcome of Sepsis Patients during Intensive Care Unit Stay.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) has been found to identify sepsis from nonseptic patients. It is also reported to be a predictor of survival and severity of sepsis. The goal of this study was to correlate serial nCD64 with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outcome and severity of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in 12-bedded critical care unit of a tertiary care center. Adult patients with sepsis were included in this study. Demographics, illness severity scores, clinical parameters, laboratory data, and 28-day outcome were recorded. Serial nCD64 analysis was done (on days 0, 4, and 8) in consecutive patients. RESULTS: Fifty-one consecutive patients were included in the study. Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II was 16 (12-20) and mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment was 9 (8-10). Compared to survivors, nonsurvivors had higher nCD64 on day 8 (P = 0.001). nCD64 was higher in the septic shock group compared to sepsis group on days 0 and 8 (P < 0.05). Survivors showed improving trend of nCD64 over time while nonsurvivors did not. This trend was similar in the presence or absence of septic shock. nCD64 count was a good predictor of the septic shock on day 0 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.747, P = 0.010) and moderate predictor at day 8 (AUC = 0.679, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Monitoring serial nCD64 during ICU stay may be helpful in determining the clinical course of septic patients.

The Effects of Atorvastatin on Inflammatory Responses and Mortality in Septic Shock: A Single-center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Pleiotropic effect of statins can modulate inflammation in septic shock. We tested the hypothesis whether statins can reduce mortality in septic shock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized double-blinded trial with treatment (40 mg dose of atorvastatin for 7 days) and control (placebo) arm in adult septic shock patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Primary (28-day mortality) and secondary (vasopressor-, ventilation-, and renal replacement therapy-free days) outcomes, with lipid profile and adverse effects, were documented. Inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, tumor-necrosis-factor [TNF]-α, interferon [IFN], and C-reactive protein [CRP]), were also measured before (day 1 [D1]) and after start of trial drug (D4 and D7). RESULTS: Seventy-three septic shock patients with 36 and 37 included in the atorvastatin and placebo group, respectively. Both groups were equally matched. Twenty-eight-day mortality, event-free days, lipid profile, and adverse effects were also not significantly different between groups. Reduced levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN, and CRP were observed in the atorvastatin group. Also observed were significant day-wise changes in inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin-induced changes in inflammatory biomarkers did not confer mortality benefit in septic shock (ClinicalTrials.govNCT02681653).

Isolated Renal Mucormycosis in Immunocompetent Children: A Report of Two Cases.

Isolated renal mucormycosis is a rare entity in children. It is potentially fatal when not detected and managed early with antifungal therapy, and surgery as and when needed. We present two immunocompetent children who developed this infection and subsequently succumbed to it. The diagnosis was established postmortem on renal biopsy specimens. We also discuss the 9 cases of isolated renal involvement in children published in literature.

Blood Glucose Variability and Outcomes in Critically Ill Children.

OBJECTIVES: To find the incidence of hyperglycemia (blood glucose [BG] ≥150 mg/dl), hypoglycemia (BG ≤60 mg/dl), and variability (presence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) in critically ill children in the 1st week of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and their association with mortality, length of ICU stay, and organ dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The design was a retrospective observational cohort study. Consecutive children ≤18 years of age admitted from March 2003 to April 2012 in a combined adult and pediatric closed ICU. Relevant data were collected from chart review and hospital database. RESULTS: Out of 258 patients included, isolated hyperglycemia was seen in 139 (53.9%) and was unrelated to mortality and morbidity. Isolated variability in BG was noted in 76 (29.5%) patients and hypoglycemia was seen in 9 (3.5%) patients. BG variability was independently associated with multiorgan dysfunction syndrome on multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-31.1). Those with BG variability had longer ICU stay (11 days vs. 4 days, on log-rank test, P = 0.001). Insulin use was associated with the occurrence of variability (adjusted OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.8-7.0). CONCLUSION: Glucose disorders were frequently observed in critically ill children. BG variability was associated with multiorgan dysfunction and increased ICU stay.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Comparison between Extended Daily Hemodialysis and Continuous Veno-venous Hemodialysis in Patients of Acute Kidney Injury with Septic Shock.

AIM OF STUDY: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients of septic shock. There is sparse data comparing sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patients with septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective randomized study in a 12-bedded medical intensive care unit. After clearance from institute's ethics committee and obtaining informed consent from the relatives, sixty adult patients with septic shock who were to undergo dialysis for AKI were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to SLED or CRRT group. Hemodynamic instability was defined as in terms of vasopressor dependency (VD). The worst value of VD during the dialysis session was taken into consideration. The primary objective was look at hemodynamic changes and secondarily into the efficacy. RESULTS: The demographic data were comparable between the sixty patients randomized to thirty in each group. Delta VD and delta vasopressor index (DVI) were similar in SLED group compared to the CRRT group. CRRT group had better efficacy in terms of both equivalent renal urea clearance though fluid balance was not significantly better in CRRT group. CONCLUSION: SLED is a viable modality of renal replacement therapy in patients with septic shock as the hemodynamic effects are similar to CRRT.

Thromboelastography for Evaluation of Coagulopathy in Nonbleeding Patients with Sepsis at Intensive Care Unit Admission.

BACKGROUND: Thromboelastography (TEG) is a global test of coagulation which analyzes the whole coagulation process. TEG is popular in trauma, liver transplant, and cardiac surgeries, but studies in sepsis are limited. We have assessed the utility of TEG for evaluating coagulopathy in nonbleeding patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, observational study was done in 12-bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital in North India, during May 2014-November 2014. After ethical clearance, all patients at ICU admission with sepsis were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, plasma/platelet transfusion before admission, patients on oral antiplatelets/anticoagulants, or with underlying hematological disorders. At admission, blood samples for TEG were analyzed by kaolin-based TEG analyzer within an hour of collecting 2.7 ml citrated blood from arterial line. TEG parameters included reaction time (R), K time (K), alpha angle (a), maximum amplitude (MA), coagulation index (CI), and lysis index (LY 30). RESULTS: In TEG, mean values of R, K, a, MA, CI, and LY30 were 6.45 ± 2.59 (min), 1.67 ± 0.96 (min), 66.37 ± 10.44 (0), 67.08 ± 10.33 (mm), 0.63 ± 3.46, and 2.23 ± 4.08 (%), respectively. In conventional coagulation assay (CCA), mean values of international normalized ratio (INR), platelet, and fibrinogen were 1.63 ± 0.57, 153.96 ± 99.16 (×103 /mm3), and 301.33 ± 112.82 (mg/dl), respectively. In those with deranged INR (INR ≥1.6), 60% were normocoagulable and 20% were hypercoagulable. Similarly, 81% patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count <1,00,000/mL) were normocoagulable. CONCLUSION: TEG could differentiate among normocoagulant, hypocoagulant, hypercoagulant states (unlike CCAs). Patients with septic shock had trend toward hypocoagulant state while those without shock had trend toward hypercoagulant state.

External Validation of Risk Prediction Scores for Invasive Candidiasis in a Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to conduct external validation of risk prediction scores for invasive candidiasis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a 12-bedded adult medical/surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to evaluate Candida score >3, colonization index (CI) >0.5, corrected CI >0.4 (CCI), and Ostrosky's clinical prediction rule (CPR). Patients' characteristics and risk factors for invasive candidiasis were noted. Patients were divided into two groups; invasive candidiasis and no-invasive candidiasis. RESULTS: Of 198 patients, 17 developed invasive candidiasis. Discriminatory power (area under receiver operator curve [AUROC]) for Candida score, CI, CCI, and CPR were 0.66, 0.67, 0.63, and 0.62, respectively. A large number of patients in the no-invasive candidiasis group (114 out of 181) were exposed to antifungal agents during their stay in ICU. Subgroup analysis was carried out after excluding such patients from no-invasive candidiasis group. AUROC of Candida score, CI, CCI, and CPR were 0.7, 0.7, 0.65, and 0.72, respectively, and positive predictive values (PPVs) were in the range of 25%-47%, along with negative predictive values (NPVs) in the range of 84%-96% in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: Currently available risk prediction scores have good NPV but poor PPV. They are useful for selecting patients who are not likely to benefit from antifungal therapy.