Prophylactic platelet transfusion response in critically ill patients: a prospective multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Response to prophylactic platelet transfusion is suspected to be inconsistent in critically ill patients questioning how to optimize transfusion practices. This study aimed to describe prophylactic platelet transfusion response, to identify factors associated with a suboptimal response, to analyse the correlation between corrected count increment and platelet count increment and to determine the association between poor platelet transfusion response and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This prospective multicentre observational study recruited patients who received at least one prophylactic platelet transfusion in one of the nine participating intensive care units for a period up to 16 months. Poor platelet transfusion response was defined as a corrected count increment (CCI) that adjusts for platelet dose and body surface area, less than 7 at 18-24 h after platelet transfusion. Factors associated with poor platelet transfusion response were assessed in a mixed-effect model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted in patients with and without haematology malignancy and chemotherapy. RESULTS: Poor platelet transfusion response occurred in 349 of the 472 (73.9%) prophylactic platelet transfusions and in 141/181 (77.9%) patients. The mixed-effect model identified haemoglobin at ICU admission (odds ratio (OR): 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-0.89]) and body mass index (BMI) (OR: 0.93 [0.89-0.98]) being positively and independently associated with platelet transfusion response, while a haematological malignancy (OR 1.93 [1.09-3.43]), sepsis as primary ICU admission diagnosis (OR: 2.81 [1.57-5.03]), SOFA score (OR 1.10 [1.03; 1.17]) and maximum storage duration of platelet (OR: 1.24 [1.02-1.52]) were independently associated with a suboptimal platelet increment. Clinical outcomes did not differ between groups, nor the requirement for red blood cells. Poor platelet transfusion response was found in 93.5% of patients with haematology malignancy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of critically ill patients, of whom more than half had bone marrow failure, almost three quarters of prophylactic platelet transfusions led to suboptimal platelet increment measured 18 to 24 h following platelet transfusion. Platelet storage duration was the only factor associated with poor platelet response that may be accessible to intervention. Trial registration in October 2017: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03325140.

Changes in R-Wave amplitude in DII lead is less sensitive than pulse pressure variation to detect changes in stroke volume after fluid challenge in ICU patients postoperatively to cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The amplitude of R-wave in DII lead (RDII) has been shown to correlate to central blood volume in animal and healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to assess if change in RDII (DeltaRDII) after passive leg rise (PLR) and fluid loading would allow detecting preload dependence in intensive care ventilated patients. This parameter was compared to concomitant changes in pulse arterial pressure (DeltaPP). METHODS: Observational study in 40 stable sedated and ventilated cardiac surgery patients studied postoperatively. In line with our routine practice we performed a 45 degrees passive leg rise (PLR1) to detect preload dependence. If cardiac index or DeltaPP rose more than 12 and 13%, respectively, the patient was declared as non-responder (NR) to fluid loading. If these criteria were not met, they were declared as responders (R) and received a 500 ml of gelatin fluid loading (FL) followed by a second passive leg rise (PLR2). Hemodynamic parameters were assessed during each maneuver using their indwelling Swan-Ganz and radial catheter. RESULTS: We identified 16 R and 24 NR whose hemodynamic parameters did not differ at basal condition, except DeltaPP (19% +/- 7 in R vs. 7% +/- 4 in NR, P < 0.001). PLR1 did not elicit any hemodynamic change in NR. In R, DeltaPP decreased and SV rose, both significantly (P < 0.001) whereas DeltaRDII did not vary. FL induced a more pronounced change in these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: DeltaRDII in response to PLR does not successfully help identifying preload dependent patients contrarily to DeltaPP or change in stroke volume.

Admission of tetanus patients to the ICU: a retrospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: An extended course of tetanus (up to 6 weeks) requiring ICU admission and protracted mechanical ventilation (MV) may have a significant impact on short- and long-term survival. The subject is noteworthy and deserves to be discussed. METHODS: Twenty-two ICUs in France performed tetanus screenings on patients admitted between January 2000 and December 2014. Retrospective data were collected from hospital databases and through the registers of the town hall of the patients. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included in 15 different ICUs. Sixty-three patients suffered from severe or very severe tetanus according to the Ablett classification. The median age was 80 years [interquartile range 73-84], and 86% of patients were women. Ninety per cent of patients (n = 63) required MV for a median of 36 days [26-46], and 66% required administration of a neuromuscular-blocking agent for 23 days [14-29]. A nosocomial infection occurred in 43 patients (61%). ICU and 1-year mortality rates were 14% (n = 10) and 16% (n = 11), respectively. Forty-five per cent of deaths occurred during the first week. Advanced age, a higher SAPS II, any infection, and the use of vasopressors were significantly associated with a lower number of days alive without ventilator support by day 90. Age was the only factor that significantly differed between deceased and survivors at 1 year (83 [81-85] vs. 79 [73-84] years, respectively; p = 0.03). Sixty-one per cent of survivors suffered no impairment to their functional status. CONCLUSION: In a high-income country, tetanus mainly occurs in healthy elderly women. Despite prolonged MV and extended ICU length of stay, we observed a low 1-year mortality rate and good long-term functional status.