Clinical relevancy and risks of potential drug-drug interactions in intensive therapy.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the potential Drug-Drug Interactions (pDDI) found in prescription orders of adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Brazilian public health system hospital; quantify and qualify the pDDI regarding their severity and risks to the critical patient, using the database from Micromedex®. METHODS: Prospective study (January-December of 2011) collecting and evaluating 369 prescription orders (convenient sampling), one per patient. RESULTS: During the study 1844 pDDIs were identified and distributed in 405 pairs (medication A × medication B combination). There was an average of 5.00 ± 5.06 pDDIs per prescription order, the most prevalent being moderate and important interactions, present in 74% and 67% of prescription orders, respectively. In total, there were 9 contraindicated, 129 important and 204 moderate pDDIs. Among them 52 had as management recommendation to "avoid concomitant use" or "suspension of medication", while 306 had as recommendation "continuous and adequate monitoring". CONCLUSION: The high number of pDDIs found in the study combined with the evaluation of the clinical relevancy of the most frequent pDDIs in the ICU shows that moderate and important interactions are highly incident. As the majority of them demand monitoring and adequate management, being aware of these interactions is major information for the safe and individualized risk management.

Relationship between Static Lung Compliance and Extubation Failure in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients. / Relação entre a Complacência Pulmonar Estática e a Falha de Extubação em Pacientes Pós-Operatório de Cirurgia Cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Static lung compliance, which is seriously affected during surgery, can lead to respiratory failure and extubation failure, which is little explored in the decision to extubate after cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate static lung compliance in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and relate its possible reduction to cases of extubation failure in patients submitted to the fast-track method of extubation. METHODS: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a state university hospital admitted to the ICU under sedation and residual block were included. Their static lung compliance was assessed on the mechanical ventilator using software that uses least squares fitting (LSF) for measurement. Within 48 hours of extubation, the patients were observed for the need for reintubation due to respiratory failure. The level of significance adopted for the statistical tests was 5%, i.e., p<0.05. RESULTS: 77 patients (75.49%) achieved successful extubation and 25 (24.51%) failed extubation. Patients who failed extubation had lower static lung compliance compared to those who succeeded (p<0.001). We identified the cut-off point for compliance through analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), with the cut-off point being compliance <41ml/cmH2O associated with a higher probability of extubation failure (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, the influence of lung compliance (divided by the ROC curve cut-off point) was found to be 9.1 times greater for patients with compliance <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Static lung compliance <41ml/cmH2O is a factor that compromises the success of extubation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

FUNDAMENTO: Pouco explorada na decisão de extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca, a complacência pulmonar estática seriamente afetada no procedimento cirúrgico pode levar à insuficiência respiratória e à falha na extubação. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a complacência pulmonar estática no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e relacionar sua possível redução aos casos de falha na extubação dos pacientes submetidos ao método fast-track de extubação. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes que realizaram cirurgia cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) em um hospital universitário estadual admitidos na UTI sob sedação e bloqueio residual. Tiveram sua complacência pulmonar estática avaliada no ventilador mecânico por meio do software que utiliza o least squares fitting (LSF) para a medição. No período de 48 horas após a extubação os pacientes foram observados respeito à necessidade de reintubação por insuficiência respiratória. O nível de significância adotado para os testes estatísticos foi de 5%, ou seja, p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Obtiveram sucesso na extubação 77 pacientes (75,49%) e falharam 25 (24,51%). Os pacientes que falharam na extubação tiveram a complacência pulmonar estática mais baixa quando comparados aos que tiveram sucesso (p<0,001). Identificamos o ponto de corte para complacência por meio da análise da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) sendo o ponto de corte o valor da complacência <41ml/cmH2O associado com maior probabilidade de falha na extubação (p<0,001). Na análise de regressão múltipla, verificou-se a influência da complacência pulmonar (dividida pelo ponto de corte da curva ROC) com risco de falha 9,1 vezes maior para pacientes com complacência <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0,003). CONCLUSÕES: A complacência pulmonar estática <41ml/cmH2O é um fator que compromete o sucesso da extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

Postoperative Period of Myocardial Revascularization Surgery: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Single Center.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors and postoperative complications can worsen the condition of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting; some of these factors and complications are closely related to mortality rate. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical factors and outcomes related to mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and on invasive mechanical ventilation. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective data analysis of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on invasive mechanical ventilation between 2013 and 2019. Data regarding clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation time, and their relationship with mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-two patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting entered the study. Their mean age was 62.3 years, and mean body mass index was 27.3. The mortality rate was 4%. Fifty percent of the patients who had ventilator-associated pneumonia died. Considering the patients who underwent hemotherapy and hemodialysis, 20% and 33% died, respectively. Days of intensive care unit stay and high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score and Simplified Acute Physiology Score were significantly related to death. CONCLUSION: Factors and clinical conditions such as the patients' age, associated comorbidities, the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and mechanical ventilation time are related to higher mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Epidemiology and disease burden of patients requiring neurocritical care: a Brazilian multicentre cohort study.

Acute neurological emergencies are highly prevalent in intensive care units (ICUs) and impose a substantial burden on patients. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of patients requiring neurocritical care in Brazil, and their differences based on primary acute neurological diagnoses and to identify predictors of mortality and unfavourable outcomes, along with the disease burden of each condition at intensive care unit admission. This prospective cohort study included patients requiring neurocritical care admitted to 36 ICUs in four Brazilian regions who were followed for 30 days or until ICU discharge (Aug-Sep in 2018, 1 month). Of 4245 patients admitted to the participating ICUs, 1194 (28.1%) were patients with acute neurological disorders requiring neurocritical care and were included. Patients requiring neurocritical care had a mean mortality rate 1.7 times higher than ICU patients not requiring neurocritical care (17.21% versus 10.1%, respectively). Older age, emergency admission, higher number of potential secondary injuries, and worse APACHE II, SAPS III, SOFA, and Glasgow coma scale scores on ICU admission are independent predictors of mortality and poor outcome among patients with acute neurological diagnoses. The estimated total DALYs were 4482.94 in the overall cohort, and the diagnosis with the highest DALYs was traumatic brain injury (1634.42). Clinical, epidemiological, treatment, and ICU outcome characteristics vary according to the primary neurologic diagnosis. Advanced age, a lower GCS score and a higher number of potential secondary injuries are independent predictors of mortality and unfavourable outcomes in patients requiring neurocritical care. The findings of this study are essential to guide education policies, prevention, and treatment of severe acute neurocritical diseases.

The impact of dental care intervention on ventilator-associate events: A Quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate a multidisciplinary intensive oral health protocol, proposed and applied by a dentist, in an adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in regards to the prevention of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP), compared with retrospective data. METHODS: 4,103 patients admitted to the adult ICU from January 2013 to December 2017 and selected patients who were under mechanical ventilation with an orotracheal tube for at least 48 hours. These patients were compared before (Baseline Group) and after (Intervention Group) the hygiene protocol established and carried out by a multidisciplinary team led by a dentist. The Baseline Group, from January 2013 to May 2015, 213 patients, and the Intervention Group, from June 2015 to December 2017, 137 patients. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (21.12%) in the Baseline Group and 5 patients (3.65%) in the Intervention Group developed VAP (P < .05). Twenty-two patients (10.33%) died due to VAP in the Baseline Group, and 1 patient (0.73%) died due to VAP (P < .05) in the Intervention Group. The mortality rate of  VAP was 48.89% for Baseline Group and 20.00% for Intervention Group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed better outcomes when patients' oral health is led, evaluated and treated by a dentist in the ICU. The dental care intervention contributed to the reduction of VAP episodes and deaths due to VAP.

Transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation reduces the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: retrospective case series.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVES: To compare individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) submitted to transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) or a standard weaning protocol (SWP) according to the following variables: invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) time, ventilator weaning time, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and overall hospital length of stay. SETTINGS: Tertiary university hospital. Clinical Hospital of Campinas State University-UNICAMP-Campinas (SP), Brazil. METHODS: Retrospective case study investigating ICU patients submitted to tracheostomy due to cervical SCI at a tertiary university hospital (Clinical Hospital of Campinas State University, Brazil). Data were extracted from medical records of patients seen between January 2007 and December 2016. According to medical records, four patients were submitted to TEDS and six to a SWP. Provision of training to patients in the TEDS group was based on consensus medical decision, preference of the physical therapy team and availability of electrostimulation equipment in the ICU. RESULTS: Total IMV time in the TEDS and the SWP group was 33 ± 15 and 60 ± 22 days, respectively. Length of stay in ICU in the TEDS and the SWP group was 31 ± 18 and 63 ± 45 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: TEDS appears to influence the duration of IMV as well as the length of stay in ICU. This physiotherapeutic intervention may be a potentially promising tool for treatment of patients with SCI. However, randomized clinical trials are warranted to support this assumption.

Colistin and polymyxin B for treatment of nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients: pharmacoeconomic analysis.

Background The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria related to nosocomial infections is a growing worldwide problem, and polymyxins have become important due to the lack of new antibiotics. Objectives To evaluate the outcomes and pharmacoeconomic impact of using colistin and polymyxin B to treat nosocomial infections. Setting Neurosurgical, cardiovascular, or transplantation intensive care unit (ICU) at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Campinas (São Paulo, Brazil). Method A retrospective cohort study was conduct in patients in the ICU. The renal function was determined daily during treatment by measuring the serum creatinine. A cost minimization analysis was performed to compare the relative costs of treatment with colistin and polymyxin B. Main outcomes measure The outcomes were 30-day mortality and frequency and onset of nephrotoxicity after beginning treatment. Results Fifty-one patients treated with colistin and 51 with polymyxin B were included. 30-day mortality was observed in 25.49% and 33.33% of patients treated with colistin and polymyxin B, respectively; Nephrotoxicity was observed in 43.14% and 54.90% of patients in colistin and polymyxin B groups, respectively; and onset time of nephrotoxicity was 9.86 ± 13.22 days for colistin and 10.68 ± 9.93 days for polymyxin B group. Colistin treatment had a lower cost per patient compared to the cost for polymyxin B treatment (USD $13,389.37 vs. USD $13,639.16, respectively). Conclusion We found no difference between 30-day mortality and nephrotoxicity between groups; however, colistin proved to be the best option from a pharmacoeconomic point of view.

Relação entre a Complacência Pulmonar Estática e a Falha de Extubação em Pacientes Pós-Operatório de Cirurgia Cardíaca / Relationship between Static Lung Compliance and Extubation Failure in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery Patients

Resumo Fundamento: Pouco explorada na decisão de extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca, a complacência pulmonar estática seriamente afetada no procedimento cirúrgico pode levar à insuficiência respiratória e à falha na extubação. Objetivo: Avaliar a complacência pulmonar estática no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca e relacionar sua possível redução aos casos de falha na extubação dos pacientes submetidos ao método fast-track de extubação. Métodos: Foram incluídos pacientes que realizaram cirurgia cardíaca com uso de circulação extracorpórea (CEC) em um hospital universitário estadual admitidos na UTI sob sedação e bloqueio residual. Tiveram sua complacência pulmonar estática avaliada no ventilador mecânico por meio do software que utiliza o least squares fitting (LSF) para a medição. No período de 48 horas após a extubação os pacientes foram observados respeito à necessidade de reintubação por insuficiência respiratória. O nível de significância adotado para os testes estatísticos foi de 5%, ou seja, p<0,05. Resultados: Obtiveram sucesso na extubação 77 pacientes (75,49%) e falharam 25 (24,51%). Os pacientes que falharam na extubação tiveram a complacência pulmonar estática mais baixa quando comparados aos que tiveram sucesso (p<0,001). Identificamos o ponto de corte para complacência por meio da análise da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) sendo o ponto de corte o valor da complacência <41ml/cmH2O associado com maior probabilidade de falha na extubação (p<0,001). Na análise de regressão múltipla, verificou-se a influência da complacência pulmonar (dividida pelo ponto de corte da curva ROC) com risco de falha 9,1 vezes maior para pacientes com complacência <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0,003). Conclusões: A complacência pulmonar estática <41ml/cmH2O é um fator que compromete o sucesso da extubação no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

Abstract Background: Static lung compliance, which is seriously affected during surgery, can lead to respiratory failure and extubation failure, which is little explored in the decision to extubate after cardiac surgery. Objective: To evaluate static lung compliance in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and relate its possible reduction to cases of extubation failure in patients submitted to the fast-track method of extubation. Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at a state university hospital admitted to the ICU under sedation and residual block were included. Their static lung compliance was assessed on the mechanical ventilator using software that uses least squares fitting (LSF) for measurement. Within 48 hours of extubation, the patients were observed for the need for reintubation due to respiratory failure. The level of significance adopted for the statistical tests was 5%, i.e., p<0.05. Results: 77 patients (75.49%) achieved successful extubation and 25 (24.51%) failed extubation. Patients who failed extubation had lower static lung compliance compared to those who succeeded (p<0.001). We identified the cut-off point for compliance through analysis of the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC), with the cut-off point being compliance <41ml/cmH2O associated with a higher probability of extubation failure (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, the influence of lung compliance (divided by the ROC curve cut-off point) was found to be 9.1 times greater for patients with compliance <41ml/cmH2O (p< 0.003). Conclusions: Static lung compliance <41ml/cmH2O is a factor that compromises the success of extubation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

Bloodstream Infections in Early Postsurgery Liver Transplant: An Analysis of 401 Patients Over 10 Years.

Bloodstream infections are a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation. The increasing occurrence of multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections represents a challenge for the prevention and treatment of those infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and microbiological profile of bloodstream infections during the early postoperative period (from day 0 to day 60) in patients undergoing liver transplantation from January 2005 to June 2016 at the State University of Campinas General Hospital. A total of 401 patients who underwent liver transplantation during this period were included in the study. The most common cause of liver disease was hepatitis C virus cirrhosis (34.01%), followed by alcoholic disease (16.24%). A total of 103 patients had 139 microbiologically proven bloodstream infections. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 63.31% of the cases, gram-positive bacteria in 28.78%, and fungi in 7.91%. Fifty-six infections (43.75%) were multidrug-resistant bacteria, and 72 (56.25%) were not. There was no linear trend concerning the occurrence of multidrug-resistant organisms throughout the study period. Patients with multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections had a significantly lower survival rate than those with no bloodstream infections and those with non-multidrug-resistant bloodstream infections. In conclusion, the occurrence of bloodstream infections during the early postoperative period was still high compared with other profile patients, as well as the rates of multidrug-resistant organisms. Even though the occurrence of multidrug resistance has been stable for the past decade, the lower survival rates associated with that condition and the challenge related to its treatment are of major concern.

The prognostic accuracy evaluation of SAPS 3, SOFA and APACHE II scores for mortality prediction in the surgical ICU: an external validation study and decision-making analysis.

BACKGROUND: The early postoperative period is critical for surgical patients. SOFA, SAPS 3 and APACHE II are prognostic scores widely used to predict mortality in ICU patients. This study aimed to evaluate these index tests for their prognostic accuracy for intra-ICU and in-hospital mortalities as target conditions in patients admitted to ICU after urgent or elective surgeries and to test whether they aid in decision-making. The process comprised the assessment of discrimination through analysis of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration of the prognostic models for the target conditions. After, the clinical relevance of applying them was evaluated through the measurement of the net benefit of their use in the clinical decision. RESULTS: Index tests were found to discriminate regular for both target conditions with a poor calibration (C statistics-intra-ICU mortality AUROCs: APACHE II 0.808, SAPS 3 0.821 and SOFA 0.797/in-hospital mortality AUROCs: APACHE II 0.772, SAPS 3 0.790 and SOFA 0.742). Calibration assessment revealed a weak correlation between the observed and expected number of cases in several thresholds of risk, calculated by each model, for both tested outcomes. The net benefit analysis showed that all score's aggregate value in the clinical decision when the calculated probabilities of death ranged between 10 and 40%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that the tested ICU prognostic scores are fair tools for intra-ICU and in-hospital mortality prediction in a cohort of postoperative surgical patients. Also, they may have some potential to be used as ancillary data to support decision-making by physicians and families regarding the level of therapeutic investment and palliative care.

Postoperative Period of Myocardial Revascularization Surgery: Retrospective Cohort Study of a Single Center

ABSTRACT Introduction: Risk factors and postoperative complications can worsen the condition of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting; some of these factors and complications are closely related to mortality rate. Objective: To describe clinical factors and outcomes related to mortality of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and on invasive mechanical ventilation. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective data analysis of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on invasive mechanical ventilation between 2013 and 2019. Data regarding clinical characteristics, postoperative complications, intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation time, and their relationship with mortality were analyzed. Results: Four hundred seventy-two patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting entered the study. Their mean age was 62.3 years, and mean body mass index was 27.3. The mortality rate was 4%. Fifty percent of the patients who had ventilator-associated pneumonia died. Considering the patients who underwent hemotherapy and hemodialysis, 20% and 33% died, respectively. Days of intensive care unit stay and high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score and Simplified Acute Physiology Score were significantly related to death. Conclusion: Factors and clinical conditions such as the patients' age, associated comorbidities, the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and mechanical ventilation time are related to higher mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Optimized hyperventilation preserves 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in severe traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG/Hct) increases as a physiological occurrence to pH increase and hyperventilation. This response was tested in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHOD: The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was measured daily for six days in eleven patients with severe TBI in need of optimized hyperventilation because of intracranial hypertension. RESULTS: There was correlation between pH and the concentration of DPG/Hct. The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct remained predominantly within normal levels with slight increase in the sixth day of the study. The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct correlated significantly with measured partial pressure of oxygen that saturates 50% the hemoglobin of the blood (P50st), confirming the consistency of our data. CONCLUSION: The expected physiological response of a progressive increase in concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct to hyperventilation was not observed. This fact may be explained by the intermittent and not sustained hyperventilation as dictated by the protocol of optimized ventilation.

Reintubation of patients submitted to cardiac surgery: a retrospective analysis. / Reintubação de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca: uma análise retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze patients after cardiac surgery that needed endotracheal reintubation and identify factors associated with death and its relation with the severity scores. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of information of 1,640 patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery between 2007 and 2015. RESULTS: The reintubation rate was 7.26%. Of those who were reintubated, 36 (30.3%) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, 27 (22.7%) underwent valve replacement, 25 (21.0%) underwent correction of an aneurysm, and 8 (6.7%) underwent a heart transplant. Among those with comorbidities, 54 (51.9%) were hypertensive, 22 (21.2%) were diabetic, and 10 (9.6%) had lung diseases. Among those who had complications, 61 (52.6%) had pneumonia, 50 (42.4%) developed renal failure, and 49 (51.0%) had a moderate form of the transient disturbance of gas exchange. Noninvasive ventilation was performed in 53 (44.5%) patients. The death rate was 40.3%, and mortality was higher in the group that did not receive noninvasive ventilation before reintubation (53.5%). Within the reintubated patients who died, the SOFA and APACHE II values were 7.9 ± 3.0 and 16.9 ± 4.5, respectively. Most of the reintubated patients (47.5%) belonged to the high-risk group, EuroSCORE (> 6 points). CONCLUSION: The reintubation rate was high, and it was related to worse SOFA, APACHE II and EuroSCORE scores. Mortality was higher in the group that did not receive noninvasive ventilation before reintubation.

OBJETIVO: Analisar pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca que necessitaram de reintubação endotraqueal, e identificar os fatores associados com óbito e seu relacionamento com escores de severidade. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de informações referentes a 1.640 pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca no período entre 2007 e 2015. RESULTADOS: A taxa de reintubação foi de 7,26%. Dentre os pacientes reintubados, 36 (30,3%) foram submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica, 27 (22,7%) à substituição valvar, 25 (21,0%) à correção de um aneurisma e oito (6,7%) a um transplante cardíaco. Dentre os pacientes com comorbidades, 54 (51,9%) eram hipertensos, 22 (21,2%) diabéticos e 10 (9,6%) tinham doença pulmonar. Dentre os pacientes que tiveram complicações, 61 (52,6%) tiveram pneumonia, 50 (42,4%) desenvolveram insuficiência renal e 49 (51,0%) tiveram uma forma moderada de distúrbio transitório da troca gasosa. Foi realizada ventilação não invasiva em 53 (44,5%) pacientes. A taxa de óbitos foi de 40,3%, e a mortalidade foi mais elevada no grupo que não recebeu ventilação não invasiva antes da reintubação (53,5%). Dentre os pacientes reintubados que morreram, os valores do SOFA e do APACHE II foram, respectivamente, de 7,9 ± 3,0 e 16,9 ± 4,5. A maior parte dos pacientes reintubados (47,5%) pertencia ao grupo de risco mais elevado (EuroSCORE > 6 pontos). CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de reintubação foi elevada e se relacionou com o SOFA e o APACHE II mais graves. A mortalidade foi mais elevada no grupo que não recebeu ventilação não invasiva antes da reintubação.

Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Intensive Care Unit: A New Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged use of mechanical ventilation (MV) leads to weakening of the respiratory muscles, especially in patients subjected to sedation, but this effect seems to be preventable or more quickly reversible using respiratory muscle training. The aims of the study were to assess variations in respiratory and hemodinamic parameters with electronic inspiratory muscle training (EIMT) in tracheostomized patients requiring MV and to compare these variations with those in a group of patients subjected to an intermittent nebulization program (INP). METHODS: This was a pilot, prospective, randomized study of tracheostomized patients requiring MV in one intensive care unit (ICU). Twenty-one patients were randomized: 11 into the INP group and 10 into the EIMT group. Two patients were excluded in experimental group because of hemodynamic instability. RESULTS: In the EIMT group, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) after training was significantly higher than that before (P = 0.017), there were no hemodynamic changes, and the total weaning time was shorter than in the INP group (P = 0.0192). CONCLUSION: The EIMT device is safe, promotes an increase in MIP, and leads to a shorter ventilator weaning time than that seen in patients treated using INP.

Atrial natriuretic factor: is it responsible for hyponatremia and natriuresis in neurosurgery? / Fator natriurético atrial: ele é o responsável pela hiponatremia e natriurese em neurocirurgia?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of hyponatremia and natriuresis and their association with atrial natriuretic factor in neurosurgery patients. METHODS: The study included 30 patients who had been submitted to intracranial tumor resection and cerebral aneurism clipping. Both plasma and urinary sodium and plasma atrial natriuretic factor were measured during the preoperative and postoperative time periods. RESULTS: Hyponatremia was present in 63.33% of the patients, particularly on the first postoperative day. Natriuresis was present in 93.33% of the patients, particularly on the second postoperative day. Plasma atrial natriuretic factor was increased in 92.60% of the patients in at least one of the postoperative days; however, there was no statistically significant association between the atrial natriuretic factor and plasma sodium and between the atrial natriuretic factor and urinary sodium. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia and natriuresis were present in most patients after neurosurgery; however, the atrial natriuretic factor cannot be considered to be directly responsible for these alterations in neurosurgery patients. Other natriuretic factors are likely to be involved.

Adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula. A new therapeutic perspective.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve in experimental bronchopleural fistula during mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We studied six mechanically ventilated pigs in a surgically created, reproducible model of bronchopleural fistula managed with mechanical ventilation and water-sealed thoracic drainage. An adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve was placed between the thoracic drain and the endotracheal tube. Hemodynamic data, capnography and blood gases were recorded before and after the creation of the bronchopleural fistula as well as after every adjustment of the inspiratory occlusion valve. RESULTS: When compared with the standard water-sealed drainage treatment, the use of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve improved the alveolar tidal volume and reduced bronchopleural air leak (p<0.001), without hemodynamic compromise when compared with conventional water sealed drainage. CONCLUSION: The use of an adjustable inspiratory occlusion valve improved the alveolar tidal volume, reduced alveolar leak, in an experimental reproducible model of bronchopleural fistula, without causing any hemodynamic derangements when compared with conventional water sealed drainage.

Risk factors for transient dysfunction of gas exchange after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective cohort study was preformed aiming to verify the presence of transient dysfunction of gas exchange in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and determine if this disorder is linked to cardiorespiratory events. METHODS: We included 942 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures who were referred to the Intensive Care Unit between June 2007 and November 2011. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome (2%), 199 (27.75%) had mild transient dysfunction of gas exchange, 402 (56.1%) had moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange, and 39 (5.4%) had severe transient dysfunction of gas exchange. Hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the emergence of moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange postoperatively (P=0.02 and P=0.019, respectively) and were risk factors for this dysfunction (P=0.0023 and P=0.0017, respectively). Diabetes mellitus was also a risk factor for transient dysfunction of gas exchange (P=0.03). Pneumonia was present in 8.9% of cases and correlated with the presence of moderate transient dysfunction of gas exchange (P=0.001). Severe transient dysfunction of gas exchange was associated with patients who had renal replacement therapy (P=0.0005), hemotherapy (P=0.0001), enteral nutrition (P=0.0012), or cardiac arrhythmia (P=0.0451). CONCLUSION: Preoperative hypertension and cardiogenic shock were associated with the occurrence of postoperative transient dysfunction of gas exchange. The preoperative risk factors included hypertension, cardiogenic shock, and diabetes. Postoperatively, pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, renal replacement therapy, hemotherapy, and cardiac arrhythmia were associated with the appearance of some degree of transient dysfunction of gas exchange, which was a risk factor for reintubation, pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and renal replacement therapy in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and cardiac procedures.

Hemodynamic, ventilatory and gasometric evaluation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula.

PURPOSE: To investigate the hemodynamic and ventilatory changes associated with the creation of an experimental bronchopleural fistula (BPF) treated by mechanical ventilation and thoracic drainage with or without a water seal. METHODS: Six large white pigs weighing 25 kg each which, after general anesthesia, underwent endotracheal intubation (6mm), and mechanically ventilation. Through a left thoracotomy, a resection of the lingula was performed in order to create a BPF with an output exceeding 50% of the inspired volume. The chest cavity was closed and drained into the water sealed system for initial observation of the high output BPF. RESULTS: Significant reduction in BPF output and PaCO2 was related after insertion of a water-sealed thoracic drain, p< 0.05. CONCLUSION: Insertion of a water-sealed thoracic drain resulted in reduction in bronchopleural fistula output and better CO2 clearance without any drop in cardiac output or significant changes in mean arterial pressure.

[Relevant factors influencing the evolution of 206 patients with severe head injury]. / Fatores que influenciaram a evolução de 206 pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico grave.

The search for head injury prognostic factors has been intense in the last decades. The importance of identification of these factors has been also recognised to treatment orientation and results estimatives. Based on 206 severe head injuried patients series, we analyzed the influence of factors over the outcome. The initial severity by Glasgow coma scale, the presence of intracranial hypertension (over 20 mmHg), the type of intracranial lesion and the presence of hypoxia, systemic hypotension or both, significantly influenced the results. The presence of multiple traumas (at least two sites of lesion over head injury), as age, did not influence the final results in this series.

The effects of orthostatism in adult intensive care unit patients. / Efeito imediato do ortostatismo em pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva de adultos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the consciousness level, pulmonary and hemodynamic effects of orthostatic position in intensive care patients. METHODS: This study was conducted from April 2008 to July 2009 in the Adult Intensive Care Unit, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Fifteen patients were included who were mechanically ventilated for more than seven days and had the following characteristics: tracheotomized; receiving intermittent nebulization; maximal inspiratory pressure of less than -25 cm H2O; Tobin score less than 105; preserved respiratory drive; not sedated; partial arterial oxygen pressure greater than 70 mm Hg; oxygen saturation greater than 90%; and hemodynamically stable. With inclinations of 0º, 30º and 50º, the following parameters were recorded: consciousness level; blinking reflex; thoracoabdominal cirtometry; vital capacity; tidal volume; minute volume; respiratory muscle strength; and vital signs. RESULTS: No neurological level changes were observed. Respiratory rate and minute volume (V E) decreased at 30% and later increased at 50%; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Abdominal cirtometry and maximal expiratory pressure increased, but again, the changes were not statistically significant. Regarding maximal inspiratory pressure and vital capacity, statistically significant increases were seen in the comparison between the 50º and 0º inclinations. However, tidal volume increased with time in the comparisons between 30º and 0º and between 50º and 0º. Mean blood pressure increased only for the comparison of 50º versus 0º. Heart rate increased with time for the comparisons between 30º and 0º, between 50º and 0º and between 50º and 30º. CONCLUSION: Passive orthostatism resulted in improved tidal volume and vital capacity, maximal inspiratory pressure and increased heart rate and mean blood pressure in critically ill patients.