Clinical outcomes of patients requiring ventilatory support in Brazilian intensive care units: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Contemporary information on mechanical ventilation (MV) use in emerging countries is limited. Moreover, most epidemiological studies on ventilatory support were carried out before significant developments, such as lung protective ventilation or broader application of non-invasive ventilation (NIV). We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for hospital mortality and failure of NIV in patients requiring ventilatory support in Brazilian intensive care units (ICU). METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, cohort study, a total of 773 adult patients admitted to 45 ICUs over a two-month period requiring invasive ventilation or NIV for more than 24 hours were evaluated. Causes of ventilatory support, prior chronic health status and physiological data were assessed. Multivariate analysis was used to identifiy variables associated with hospital mortality and NIV failure. RESULTS: Invasive MV and NIV were used as initial ventilatory support in 622 (80%) and 151 (20%) patients. Failure with subsequent intubation occurred in 54% of NIV patients. The main reasons for ventilatory support were pneumonia (27%), neurologic disorders (19%) and non-pulmonary sepsis (12%). ICU and hospital mortality rates were 34% and 42%. Using the Berlin definition, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was diagnosed in 31% of the patients with a hospital mortality of 52%. In the multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio (OR), 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.03), comorbidities (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.17), associated organ failures (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.20), moderate (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.35) to severe ARDS (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.41), cumulative fluid balance over the first 72 h of ICU (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.39 to 4.28), higher lactate (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.27 to 2.50), invasive MV (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.32 to 5.39) and NIV failure (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.74 to 8.99) were independently associated with hospital mortality. The predictors of NIV failure were the severity of associated organ dysfunctions (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.34), ARDS (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.10 to 4.82) and positive fluid balance (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.30). CONCLUSIONS: Current mortality of ventilated patients in Brazil is elevated. Implementation of judicious fluid therapy and a watchful use and monitoring of NIV patients are potential targets to improve outcomes in this setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01268410.

Early determinants of death due to multiple organ failure after noncardiac surgery in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of perioperative cardiac complications is important in the medical management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, these patients frequently die as a consequence of primary or secondary multiple organ failure (MOF), often as a result of sepsis. We investigated the early perioperative risk factors for in-hospital death due to MOF in surgical patients. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study performed in 21 Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs). Adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery who were admitted to the ICU within 24 hours after operation were evaluated. MOF was characterized by the presence of at least 2 organ failures. To determine the relative risk (RR) of in-hospital death due to MOF, we performed a logistic regression multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 587 patients were included (mean age, 62.4 ± 17 years). ICU and hospital mortality rates were 15% and 20.6%, respectively. The main cause of death was MOF (53%). Peritonitis (RR 4.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-12.6), diabetes (RR 3.63, 95% CI 1.17-11.2), unplanned surgery (RR 3.62, 95% CI 1.18-11.0), age (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1 0.01-1.08), and elevated serum lactate concentrations (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14-2.02), a high central venous pressure (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.22), a fast heart rate (RR 3.63, 95% CI 1.17-11.2) and pH (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.0005-0.38) on the day of admission were independent predictors of death due to MOF. CONCLUSIONS: MOF is the main cause of death after surgery in high-risk patients. Awareness of the risk factors for death due to MOF may be important in risk stratification and can suggest routes for therapy.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer requiring admission to intensive care units: a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer admitted to several intensive care units. Knowledge on patients with cancer requiring intensive care is mostly restricted to single-center studies. DESIGN: : Prospective, multicenter, cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care units from 28 hospitals in Brazil. PATIENTS: A total of 717 consecutive patients included over a 2-mo period. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 667 (93%) patients with solid tumors and 50 (7%) patients had hematologic malignancies. The main reasons for intensive care unit admission were postoperative care (57%), sepsis (15%), and respiratory failure (10%). Overall hospital mortality rate was 30% and was higher in patients admitted because of medical complications (58%) than in emergency (37%) and scheduled (11%) surgical patients (p < .001). Adjusting for covariates other than the type of admission, the number of hospital days before intensive care unit admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.37), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.34), poor performance status (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.19 -5.26), the need for mechanical ventilation (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.51-3.87), and active underlying malignancy in recurrence or progression (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.51-3.87) were associated with increased hospital mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicenter study reports encouraging survival rates for patients with cancer requiring intensive care. In these patients, mortality was mostly dependent on the severity of organ failures, performance status, and need for mechanical ventilation rather than cancer-related characteristics, such as the type of malignancy or the presence of neutropenia.

ICU staffing feature phenotypes and their relationship with patients' outcomes: an unsupervised machine learning analysis.

PURPOSE: To study whether ICU staffing features are associated with improved hospital mortality, ICU length of stay (LOS) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) using cluster analysis directed by machine learning. METHODS: The following variables were included in the analysis: average bed to nurse, physiotherapist and physician ratios, presence of 24/7 board-certified intensivists and dedicated pharmacists in the ICU, and nurse and physiotherapist autonomy scores. Clusters were defined using the partition around medoids method. We assessed the association between clusters and hospital mortality using logistic regression and with ICU LOS and MV duration using competing risk regression. RESULTS: Analysis included data from 129,680 patients admitted to 93 ICUs (2014-2015). Three clusters were identified. The features distinguishing between the clusters were: the presence of board-certified intensivists in the ICU 24/7 (present in Cluster 3), dedicated pharmacists (present in Clusters 2 and 3) and the extent of nurse autonomy (which increased from Clusters 1 to 3). The patients in Cluster 3 exhibited the best outcomes, with lower adjusted hospital mortality [odds ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.98)], shorter ICU LOS [subhazard ratio (SHR) for patients surviving to ICU discharge 1.24 (95% CI 1.22-1.26)] and shorter durations of MV [SHR for undergoing extubation 1.61(95% CI 1.54-1.69)]. Cluster 1 had the worst outcomes. CONCLUSION: Patients treated in ICUs combining 24/7 expert intensivist coverage, a dedicated pharmacist and nurses with greater autonomy had the best outcomes. All of these features represent achievable targets that should be considered by policy makers with an interest in promoting equal and optimal ICU care.

Role of organisational factors on the 'weekend effect' in critically ill patients in Brazil: a retrospective cohort analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Higher mortality for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) during the weekends has been occasionally reported with conflicting results that could be related to organisational factors. We investigated the effects of ICU organisational and staffing patterns on the potential association between weekend admission and outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: We included 59 614 patients admitted to 78 ICUs participating during 2013. We defined 'weekend admission' as any ICU admission from Friday 19:00 until Monday 07:00. We assessed the association between weekend admission with hospital mortality using a mixed logistic regression model controlling for both patient-level (illness severity, age, comorbidities, performance status and admission type) and ICU-level (decrease in nurse/bed ratio on weekend, full-time intensivist coverage, use of checklists on weekends and number of institutional protocols) confounders. We performed secondary analyses in the subgroup of scheduled surgical admissions. RESULTS: A total of 41 894 patients (70.3%) were admitted on weekdays and 17 720 patients (29.7%) on weekends. In univariable analysis, weekend admitted patients had higher ICU (10.9% vs 9.0%, P<0.001) and hospital (16.5% vs 13.5%, P<0.001) mortality. After adjusting for confounders, weekend admission was not associated with higher hospital mortality (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.12, P=0.095). However, a 'weekend effect' was still observed in scheduled surgical admissions, as well as in ICUs not using checklists during the weekends. For unscheduled admissions, no 'weekend effect' was observed regardless of ICU's characteristics. For scheduled surgical admissions, a 'weekend effect' was present only in ICUs with a low number of implemented protocols and those with a reduction in the nurse/bed ratio and not applying checklists during weekends. CONCLUSIONS: ICU organisational factors, such as decreased nurse-to-patient ratio, absence of checklists and fewer standardised protocols, may explain, in part, increases in mortality in patients admitted to the ICU mortality on weekends.

Pulmonary complications after non-cardiac surgeries: temporal patterns and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications are the primary determinants of survival following major surgery. We aimed to characterize the early perioperative risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (POPCs) in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgeries. METHODS: This study utilized a multicenter prospective observational cohort design. Adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeries and admitted to 21 Brazilian ICUs were screened for inclusion in the study. POPCs were defined as the presence of acute pulmonary oedema, nosocomial pneumonia, and extubation failure in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Of the 581 patients enrolled, 110 (19%) had at least one POPC, of whom 5% had acute pulmonary oedema, 10% extubation failure while 10% had pneumonia. Most cases of pulmonary oedema occurred in the first week after surgery, while pneumonia was more frequently a later occurrence. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the group with POPCs compared to the group of patients without POPCs (62% vs. 11%, RR: 5.1, 95% CI: 4.23-7.69; P < 0.001). A low functional capacity (RR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1-10.0), major surgery (RR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.2-10.7), preoperative hemodynamic instability (RR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-10.6), alcoholism (RR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.0-10.7), unplanned surgery (RR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.2), the SOFA score (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2), and increased central venous pressure (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.1) were independent predictors of POPCs. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary complications are common in intensive care units after major non-cardiac surgeries. Awareness of the risk factors for POPCs may help multidisciplinary teams develop strategies to prevent these complications.

Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Cancer-Related Complications.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients are at risk for severe complications related to the underlying malignancy or its treatment and, therefore, usually require admission to intensive care units (ICU). Here, we evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes in this subgroup of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of two prospective cohorts of cancer patients admitted to ICUs. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify variables associated with hospital mortality. RESULTS: Out of 2,028 patients, 456 (23%) had cancer-related complications. Compared to those without cancer-related complications, they more frequently had worse performance status (PS) (57% vs 36% with PS≥2), active malignancy (95% vs 58%), need for vasopressors (45% vs 34%), mechanical ventilation (70% vs 51%) and dialysis (12% vs 8%) (P<0.001 for all analyses). ICU (47% vs. 27%) and hospital (63% vs. 38%) mortality rates were also higher in patients with cancer-related complications (P<0.001). Chemo/radiation therapy-induced toxicity (6%), venous thromboembolism (5%), respiratory failure (4%), gastrointestinal involvement (3%) and vena cava syndrome (VCS) (2%) were the most frequent cancer-related complications. In multivariable analysis, the presence of cancer-related complications per se was not associated with mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25 (95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.66), P = 0.131]. However, among the individual cancer-related complications, VCS [OR = 3.79 (1.11-12.92), P = 0.033], gastrointestinal involvement [OR = 3.05 (1.57-5.91), P = <0.001] and respiratory failure [OR = 1.96(1.04-3.71), P = 0.038] were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic impact of cancer-related complications was variable. Although some complications were associated with worse outcomes, the presence of an acute cancer-related complication per se should not guide decisions to admit a patient to ICU.

Effects of Organizational Characteristics on Outcomes and Resource Use in Patients With Cancer Admitted to Intensive Care Units.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of organizational characteristics and processes of care on hospital mortality and resource use in patients with cancer admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 9,946 patients with cancer (solid, n = 8,956; hematologic, n = 990) admitted to 70 ICUs (51 located in general hospitals and 19 in cancer centers) during 2013. We retrieved patients' clinical and outcome data from an electronic ICU quality registry. We surveyed ICUs regarding structure, organization, staffing patterns, and processes of care. We used mixed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with hospital mortality and efficient resource use in the ICU. RESULTS: Median number of patients with cancer per center was 110 (interquartile range, 58 to 154), corresponding to 17.9% of all ICU admissions. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 15.9% and 25.4%, respectively. After adjusting for relevant patient characteristics, presence of clinical pharmacists in the ICU (odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.90), number of protocols (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.98), and daily meetings between oncologists and intensivists for care planning (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.91) were associated with lower mortality. Implementation of protocols (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.07) and meetings between oncologists and intensivists (OR, 4.70; 95% CI, 1.15 to 19.22) were also independently associated with more efficient resource use. Neither admission to ICUs in cancer centers compared with general hospitals nor annual case volume had an impact on mortality or resource use. CONCLUSION: Organizational aspects, namely the implementation of protocols and presence of clinical pharmacists in the ICU, and close collaboration between oncologists and ICU teams are targets to improve mortality and resource use in critically ill patients with cancer.

Outcomes for patients with cancer admitted to the ICU requiring ventilatory support: results from a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer requiring nonpalliative ventilatory support. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study conducted in 28 Brazilian ICUs evaluating adult patients with cancer requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) during the first 48 h of their ICU stay. We used logistic regression to identify the variables associated with hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 717 patients, 263 (37%) (solid tumors = 227; hematologic malignancies = 36) received ventilatory support. NIV was initially used in 85 patients (32%), and 178 (68%) received MV. Additionally, NIV followed by MV occurred in 45 patients (53%). Hospital mortality rates were 67% in all patients, 40% in patients receiving NIV only, 69% when NIV was followed by MV, and 73% in patients receiving MV only (P < .001). Adjusting for the type of admission, newly diagnosed malignancy (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.28-10.10), recurrent or progressive malignancy (OR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.25-10.81), tumoral airway involvement (OR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.30-12.56), performance status (PS) 2 to 4 (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.24-4.59), NIV followed by MV (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.09-8.18), MV as initial ventilatory strategy (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.45-8.60), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (each point except the respiratory domain) (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.29) were associated with hospital mortality. Hospital survival in patients with good PS and nonprogressive malignancy and without tumoral airway involvement was 53%. Conversely, patients with poor functional capacity and cancer progression had unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer with good PS and nonprogressive disease requiring ventilatory support should receive full intensive care, because one-half of these patients survive. On the other hand, provision of palliative care should be considered the main goal for patients with poor PS and progressive underlying malignancy.

Haff disease associated with the ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga).

Haff disease associated rhabdomyolysis is correlated with the ingestion of certain freshwater fish and shellfish and is caused by an unidentified toxin. We report the case of a patient who experienced rhabdomyolysis approximately 2 hours after ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) approximately 3 years after an outbreak had been reported in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: epidemiology and impact on the clinical evolution of ICU patients.

OBJECTIVE: Although ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of nosocomial infection, its role in the prognosis of patients remains undefined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of VAP on the clinical evolution of patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving 233 patients on mechanical ventilation (VAP group, n = 64; control group, n = 169). Primary outcomes were time on mechanical ventilation (TMV), time in ICU (TICU), overall length of hospital stay (LHS) and in-ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, microbiological profile, prior use of antibiotics and risk factors for VAP acquisition. RESULTS: Control and VAP group outcomes were, respectively, as follows: median TMV (days), 9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-15) and 23 (IQR: 15-37; p < 0.0001); median TICU (days), 12 (IQR: 8-21) and 27 (IQR: 17-42; p < 0.0001); median LHS (days), 33 (IQR: 18-64) and 46 (IQR: 25-90; p = 0.05); and in-ICU mortality, 38% (95% CI: 31-45) and 55% (95% CI: 42-67; p = 0.02). VAP was a predictor of in-ICU mortality (OR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.54-7.48). TMV (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.05-4.87) and prior use of antibiotics (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04-1.10) were risk factors for VAP. VAP did not affect in-hospital mortality. Acinetobacter spp. was the most common isolate (28%). Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 48% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a high incidence of infection with resistant bacteria and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Long TMV and prior use of antibiotics are risk factors for VAP.

Pulmonary embolism: multicenter registry in tertiary hospitals. / Embolia pulmonar: registro multicêntrico da prática clínica em hospitais terciários.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical profile as well as the therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for patients with pulmonary embolism, describes clinical practice in the approach of the disease. Such information, scarce in national studies, enables a better understanding of pulmonary embolism. METHODS: A multicenter trial included 727 patients with pulmonary embolism who were admitted in emergency or intensive care unit. Diagnostic criteria for inclusion were: 1. Visibility of thrombus in the pulmonary artery at pulmonary arteriography, helical computer tomography, magnetic resonance or echocardiogram. 2. High probability at pulmonary scintigraphy. 3. Venous duplex-scan with thrombus and clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism. Clinical and complementary exams were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years, 42% were male. Most prevalent risk factors were: age>40 years, bed rest and neoplasm. More frequent signs and symptoms were: dyspnea, tachypnea, sinus tachycardia, and chest pain. Changes were observed at electrocardiogram in 30%, at chest X-ray in 45%, at venous duplex-scan in 67%, at transthoracic echocardiogram in 37%. . D-dimer, troponin I and CKMB were positive in, respectively, 93, 9 and 8%. Most frequently used methods to confirm diagnosis were helical computer tomography and non-fractioned heparin was the treatment most used. In-hospital mortality was 19.5%. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that age>40 years, prolonged rest and neoplasms were the most prevalent risk factors and dyspnea and tachypnea were the more frequent clinical manifestations. Helical computer tomography was the most often used method to confirm diagnosis and non-fractioned heparin was the main form of treatment.

Predictors of hospital mortality in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism is associated with high mortality in patients with hypotension or circulatory shock. However, the association between some clinical variables and mortality is still unclear in hemodynamically stable patients. OBJECTIVES: To derive an in-hospital mortality risk stratification model in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study of 582 consecutive patients admitted in emergency units or intensive care units with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism and whose diagnosis was confirmed by one or more of the following tests: pulmonary arteriography, spiral CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary scintigraphy, or venous duplex scan. Data on demographics, comorbidities and clinical manifestations were collected and included in a logistic regression analysis so as to build the prediction model. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 14.1%. The following parameters were identified as independent death risk variables: age > 65 years, bed rest > 72h, chronic cor pulmonale, sinus tachycardia, and tachypnea. After risk stratification, mortalities of 5.4%, 17.8%, and 31.3% were found in the low, moderate and high-risk subgroups, respectively. The model showed 65.5% sensitivity and 80% specificity, with a 0.77 area under the curve. CONCLUSION: In hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism, age > 65 years, bed rest > 72h, chronic cor pulmonale, sinus tachycardia and tachypnea were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. However, further validation of the prediction model in other populations is required so that it can be incorporated into the clinical practice.

Doença de Haff associada ao consumo de carne de Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) / Haff disease associated with the ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga)

A rabdomiólise associada à doença de Haff é correlacionada com a ingestão de certos peixes e crustáceos de água doce, sendo causada por uma toxina não identificada. Relatamos o caso de um paciente que apresentou rabdomiólise cerca de 2 horas após ingerir o peixe de água doce Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) cerca de 3 anos após o relato de um surto de doença de Haff em Manaus.

Haff disease associated rhabdomyolysis is correlated with the ingestion of certain freshwater fish and shellfish and is caused by an unidentified toxin. We report the case of a patient who experienced rhabdomyolysis approximately 2 hours after ingestion of the freshwater fish Mylossoma duriventre (pacu-manteiga) approximately 3 years after an outbreak had been reported in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon.

Epidemiology and outcomes of non-cardiac surgical patients in Brazilian intensive care units. / Epidemiologia e desfecho de pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the dramatic medical breakthroughs and an increasingly ageing population, the proportion of patients who are at risk of dying following surgery is increasing over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and the epidemiology of non-cardiac surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out in 21 intensive care units. A total of 885 adult surgical patients admitted to a participating intensive care unit from April to June 2006 were evaluated and 587 patients were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were trauma, cardiac, neurological, gynecologic, obstetric and palliative surgeries. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and intensive care unit and 90-day mortality rates. RESULTS: Major and urgent surgeries were performed in 66.4% and 31.7% of the patients, respectively. The intensive care unit mortality rate was 15%, and 38% of the patients had postoperative complications. The most common complication was infection or sepsis (24.7%). Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in only 1.9% of the patients. A total of 94 % of the patients who died after surgery had co-morbidities at the time of surgery (3.4 ± 2.2). Multiple organ failure was the main cause of death (53%). CONCLUSION: Sepsis is the predominant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In this patient population, multiple organ failure prevailed as the most frequent cause of death in the hospital.

[Transfusion practices in brazilian Intensive Care Units (pelo FUNDO-AMIB)]. / Anemia e transfusões de concentrados de hemácias em pacientes graves nas UTI brasileiras (pelo FUNDO-AMIB).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anemia of critical illness is a multifactorial condition caused by blood loss, frequent phlebotomies and inadequate production of red blood cells (RBC). Controversy surrounds the most appropriate hemoglobin concentration "trigger" for transfusion of RBC. We aimed to evaluate transfusion practices in Brazilian ICUs. METHODS: A prospective study throughout a 2-week period in 19 Brazilian ICUs. Hemoglobin (Hb) level, transfusion rate, organ dysfunction assessment and 28-day mortality were evaluated. Primary indication for transfusion and pretransfusion hemoglobin level were collected for each transfusion. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-one patients with an ICU length of stay longer than 48h were included. An Hb level lower than 10 g/dL was found in 33% on admission in the ICU. A total of 348 RBC units were transfused in 86 patients (36.5%). The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was 7.7 ± 1.1 g/dL. Transfused-patients had significantly higher SOFA score (7.9 ± 4.6 vs 5.6 ± 3.8, p < 0.05, respectively), days on mechanical ventilation (10.7 ± 8.2 vs 7.2 ± 6.4, p < 0.05) and days on vasoactive drugs (6.7 ± 6.4 vs 4.2 ± 4.0, p < 0.05) than non-transfused patients despite similar APACHE II scores (15.2 ± 8.1 vs 14.2 ± 8.1, NS). Transfused patients had higher mortality rate (43.5%) than non-transfused patients (36.3%) (RR 0.60-1.15, NS). Only one patient (0.28%) had febrile non-hemolytic transfusion and urticarial reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is common in critically ill patients.It seems from the present study that transfusion practices in Brazil have had a more restrictive approach with a lower limit "transfusion trigger".

Pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica: epidemiologia e impacto na evolução clínica de pacientes em uma unidade de terapia intensiva / Ventilator-associated pneumonia: epidemiology and impact on the clinical evolution of ICU patients

OBJETIVO: Apesar de representar uma das principais causas de infecção nosocomial, o papel da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) no prognóstico ainda permanece indefinido. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto dessa doença na evolução clínica dos pacientes. MÉTODOS: Estabeleceu-se uma coorte prospectiva de 233 pacientes sob ventilação mecânica (grupo PAV, n = 64; grupo controle, n = 169). Os desfechos primários foram tempo de ventilação mecânica (TVM), tempo de permanência na UTI (TUTI), tempo de permanência hospitalar (TH) e mortalidade na UTI. Os desfechos secundários foram mortalidade hospitalar, perfil microbiológico, uso prévio de antibióticos e fatores de risco para PAVM. RESULTADOS: Os desfechos dos grupos controle e PAVM foram, respectivamente, os seguintes: mediana do TVM (dias), 9 (intervalo interquartílico [II]: 5-15) e 23 (II: 15-37; p < 0,0001); mediana do TUTI (dias), 12 (II: 8-21) e 27 (II: 17-42; p < 0,0001); mediana do TH (dias), 33 (II: 18-64) e 46 (II: 25-90; p = 0,02); e mortalidade na UTI, 38 por cento (IC95 por cento: 31-45) e 55 por cento (IC95 por cento: 42-67; p = 0,02). A PAVM foi um preditor de mortalidade na UTI (OR = 3,40; IC95 por cento: 1,54-1,78). O TVM (OR = 2,27; IC95 por cento: 1,05-4,87) e o uso prévio de antibióticos (OR = 1,07; IC95 por cento: 1,04-1,10) foram fatores de risco para PAVM. A PAVM não afetou a mortalidade hospitalar. Acinetobacter spp. foi o isolado mais frequente (28 por cento). Antibioticoterapia empírica inadequada foi administrada em 48 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, houve uma alta incidência de bactérias resistentes e de antibioticoterapia inicial inadequada. TVM longo e o uso prévio de antibióticos são fatores de risco para PAVM.

OBJECTIVE: Although ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of nosocomial infection, its role in the prognosis of patients remains undefined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of VAP on the clinical evolution of patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving 233 patients on mechanical ventilation (VAP group, n = 64; control group, n = 169). Primary outcomes were time on mechanical ventilation (TMV), time in ICU (TICU), overall length of hospital stay (LHS) and in-ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, microbiological profile, prior use of antibiotics and risk factors for VAP acquisition. RESULTS: Control and VAP group outcomes were, respectively, as follows: median TMV (days), 9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-15) and 23 (IQR: 15-37; p < 0.0001); median TICU (days), 12 (IQR: 8-21) and 27 (IQR: 17-42; p < 0.0001); median LHS (days), 33 (IQR: 18-64) and 46 (IQR: 25-90; p = 0.05); and in-ICU mortality, 38 percent (95 percent CI: 31-45) and 55 percent (95 percent CI: 42-67; p = 0.02). VAP was a predictor of in-ICU mortality (OR = 3.40; 95 percent CI: 1.54-7.48). TMV (OR = 2.27; 95 percent CI: 1.05-4.87) and prior use of antibiotics (OR = 1.07; 95 percent CI: 1.04-1.10) were risk factors for VAP. VAP did not affect in-hospital mortality. Acinetobacter spp. was the most common isolate (28 percent). Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 48 percent of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was a high incidence of infection with resistant bacteria and inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. Long TMV and prior use of antibiotics are risk factors for VAP.

Embolia pulmonar: registro multicêntrico da prática clínica em hospitais terciários / Pulmonary embolism: multicenter registry in tertiary hospitals

INTRODUÇÃO: O perfil clínico e as estratégias diagnósticas e terapêuticas nos pacientes com embolia pulmonar demonstram a prática clínica na abordagem da doença. Essas informações, escassas nos estudos nacionais, possibilitam melhor conhecimento da embolia pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Estudo multicêntrico de 727 pacientes admitidos em unidades de emergência ou terapia intensiva, com o diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar confirmado por um ou mais dos seguintes exames: arteriografia pulmonar angiotomografia computadorizada helicoidal angioressonância magnética, ecodopplercardiograma, cintilografia pulmonar ou duplex-scan venoso. Dados demográficos, comorbidades, manifestações clínicas e métodos complementares foram analisados. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 68 anos, sendo 42 por cento homens. Os fatores de risco mais prevalentes foram: idade > 40 anos, repouso no leito e neoplasia. A dispnéia, taquipnéia, taquicardia, dor torácica, foram as manifestações clínicas mais frequentes. O eletrocardiograma apresentou alterações em 30 por cento, a radiografia de tórax em 45 por cento, o duplex-scan venoso em 69 por cento e o ecodopplercardiograma em 37 por cento. O D-dímero a troponina e a CKMB foram positivos em respectivamente 93, 9 e 8 por cento. Os métodos mais utilizados para o diagnóstico foram: tomografia computadorizada: 47 por cento, duplex-scan venoso: 14 por cento e cintilografia pulmonar: 14 por cento. As formas mais freqüentes de tratamento foram: heparina não fracionada 50 por cento, heparina de baixo peso molecular 30 por cento e trombolítico 12 por cento. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 19,5 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Observou-se que a idade > 40 anos, imobilização prolongada e neoplasia foram os fatores de risco de maior prevalência e a dispnéia a apresentação clínica mais freqüente. A angiotomografia computadorizada helicoidal foi o método mais utilizado para o diagnóstico e a heparina não fracionada a principal forma de tratamento.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical profile as well as the therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for patients with pulmonary embolism, describes clinical practice in the approach of the disease. Such information, scarce in national studies, enables a better understanding of pulmonary embolism. METHODS: A multicenter trial included 727 patients with pulmonary embolism who were admitted in emergency or intensive care unit. Diagnostic criteria for inclusion were: 1. Visibility of thrombus in the pulmonary artery at pulmonary arteriography, helical computer tomography, magnetic resonance or echocardiogram. 2. High probability at pulmonary scintigraphy. 3. Venous duplex-scan with thrombus and clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism. Clinical and complementary exams were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 68 years, 42 percent were male. Most prevalent risk factors were: age>40 years, bed rest and neoplasm. More frequent signs and symptoms were: dyspnea, tachypnea, sinus tachycardia, and chest pain. Changes were observed at electrocardiogram in 30 percent, at chest X-ray in 45 percent, at venous duplex-scan in 67 percent, at transthoracic echocardiogram in 37 percent. . D-dimer, troponin I and CKMB were positive in, respectively, 93, 9 and 8 percent. Most frequently used methods to confirm diagnosis were helical computer tomography and non-fractioned heparin was the treatment most used. In-hospital mortality was 19.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that age>40 years, prolonged rest and neoplasms were the most prevalent risk factors and dyspnea and tachypnea were the more frequent clinical manifestations. Helical computer tomography was the most often used method to confirm diagnosis and non-fractioned heparin was the main form of treatment.

Preditores de mortalidade hospitalar em pacientes com embolia pulmonar estáveis hemodinamicamente / Predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con embolia pulmonar estables hemodinámicamente / Predictors of hospital mortality in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism

FUNDAMENTO: A embolia pulmonar apresenta alta mortalidade em pacientes com hipotensão arterial ou choque circulatório. Entretanto, em pacientes hemodinamicamente estáveis, a associação de algumas variáveis clínicas com a mortalidade ainda não está claramente estabelecida. OBJETIVOS: Derivar um modelo de estratificação do risco de mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com embolia pulmonar hemodinamicamente estáveis. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte multicêntrico prospectivo de 582 pacientes consecutivos que foram admitidos em unidades de emergência ou de terapia intensiva, com suspeita clínica de embolia pulmonar, e que tiveram o diagnóstico confirmado por meio de um ou mais dos seguintes exames: arteriografia pulmonar, angiotomografia computadorizada helicoidal, angioressonância magnética, ecodopplercardiograma, cintilografia pulmonar ou duplex-scan venoso. Os dados sobre características demográficas, comorbidades e manifestações clínicas foram coletados e incluídos em uma análise de regressão logística para compor o modelo de predição. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade global foi de 14,1 por cento. Foram identificadas como variáveis independentes de risco de óbito: idade > 65 anos; repouso no leito > 72h; cor pulmonale crônico; taquicardia sinusal e taquipnéia. Após a estratificação por faixas de risco, observaram-se mortalidades de 5,4 por cento, 17,8 por cento e 31,3 por cento, respectivamente nos subgrupos de baixo, moderado e alto riscos. O modelo mostrou sensibilidade de 65,5 por cento e especificidade de 80 por cento, com uma área sob a curva de 0,77. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes hemodinamicamente estáveis com embolia pulmonar, a idade > 65 anos, o repouso no leito > 72h, o cor pulmonale crônico, a taquicardia sinusal e a taquipnéia foram preditores independentes da mortalidade intra-hospitalar. Entretanto o modelo de predição necessita ser validado em outras populações para sua incorporação à prática clínica.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism is associated with high mortality in patients with hypotension or circulatory shock. However, the association between some clinical variables and mortality is still unclear in hemodynamically stable patients. OBJECTIVES: To derive an in-hospital mortality risk stratification model in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study of 582 consecutive patients admitted in emergency units or intensive care units with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism and whose diagnosis was confirmed by one or more of the following tests: pulmonary arteriography, spiral CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary scintigraphy, or venous duplex scan. Data on demographics, comorbidities and clinical manifestations were collected and included in a logistic regression analysis so as to build the prediction model. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 14.1 percent. The following parameters were identified as independent death risk variables: age > 65 years, bed rest > 72h, chronic cor pulmonale, sinus tachycardia, and tachypnea. After risk stratification, mortalities of 5.4 percent, 17.8 percent, and 31.3 percent were found in the low, moderate and high-risk subgroups, respectively. The model showed 65.5 percent sensitivity and 80 percent specificity, with a 0.77 area under the curve. CONCLUSION: In hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism, age > 65 years, bed rest > 72h, chronic cor pulmonale, sinus tachycardia and tachypnea were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. However, further validation of the prediction model in other populations is required so that it can be incorporated into the clinical practice.

FUNDAMENTO: La embolia pulmonar presenta alta mortalidad en pacientes con hipotensisn arterial o shock circulatorio. Sin embargo, en pacientes hemodinamicamente estables, la asociacisn de algunas variables clmnicas con la mortalidad todavma no esta claramente establecida. OBJETIVO: Derivar un modelo de estratificacisn del riesgo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes con embolia pulmonar hemodinamicamente estables. MITODOS: Estudio de cohorte multicintrico prospectivo de 582 pacientes consecutivos que ingresaron en unidades de emergencia o de terapia intensiva, con sospecha clmnica de embolia pulmonar, y que tuvieron el diagnsstico confirmado por medio de uno o mas de los examenes: arteriografma pulmonar, angiotomografma computadorizada helicoidal, angiorresonancia magnitica, ecocardiografma doppler, centellografma pulmonar o duplex scan venoso. Los datos sobre caractermsticas demograficas, comorbilidades y manifestaciones clmnicas se recolectaron e se incluyeron en un analisis de regresisn logmstica para componer el modelo de prediccisn. RESULTADOS: La mortalidad global fue del 14,1 por ciento. Se identificaron como variables independientes de riesgo de sbito: edad > 65 aqos; reposo en la cama > 72h; cor pulmonale crsnico; taquicardia sinusal y taquipnea. Tras la estratificacisn por franjas de riesgo, se observaron mortalidades del 5,4 por ciento, el 17,8 por ciento y el 31,3 por ciento, respectivamente en los subgrupos de bajo, moderado y alto riesgos. El modelo revels sensibilidad del 65,5 por ciento y especificidad del 80 por ciento, con un area bajo la curva de 0,77. CONCLUSISN: En pacientes hemodinamicamente estables con embolia pulmonar, la edad > 65 aqos, el reposo en la cama > 72h, el cor pulmonale crsnico, la taquicardia sinusal y la taquipnea fueron predictores independientes de la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Sin embargo, el modelo de prediccisn necesita validarse en otras poblaciones para su incorporacisn a la practica ...

Epidemiologia e desfecho de pacientes cirúrgicos não cardíacos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil / Epidemiology and outcomes of non-cardiac surgical patients in Brazilian intensive care units

OBJETIVO: Devido aos avanços da medicina e ao envelhecimento da população, a proporção de pacientes em risco de morte após cirurgias está aumentando. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o desfecho e a epidemiologia de cirurgias não cardíacas em pacientes admitidos em unidade de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, de coorte, realizado em 21 unidades de terapia intensiva. Um total de 885 pacientes adultos, cirúrgicos, consecutivamente admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no período de abril a junho de 2006 foi avaliado e destes, 587 foram incluídos. Os critérios de exclusão foram; trauma, cirurgias cardíacas, neurológicas, ginecológicas, obstétricas e paliativas. Os principais desfechos foram complicações pós-cirúrgicas e mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e 90 dias após a cirurgia. RESULTADOS: Cirurgias de grande porte e de urgência foram realizadas em 66,4 por cento e 31,7 por cento, dos pacientes, respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 15 por cento, e 38 por cento dos pacientes tiveram complicações no pós-operatório. A complicação mais comum foi infecção ou sepse (24,7 por cento). Isquemia miocárdica foi diagnosticada em apenas 1,9 por cento. Um total de 94 por cento dos pacientes que morreram após a cirurgia tinha co-morbidades associadas (3,4 ± 2,2). A principal causa de óbito foi disfunção de múltiplos órgãos (53 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: Sepse é a causa predominante de morbidade em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias não cardíacas. A grande maioria dos óbitos no pós-operatório ocorreu por disfunção de múltiplos órgãos.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the dramatic medical breakthroughs and an increasingly ageing population, the proportion of patients who are at risk of dying following surgery is increasing over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and the epidemiology of non-cardiac surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out in 21 intensive care units. A total of 885 adult surgical patients admitted to a participating intensive care unit from April to June 2006 were evaluated and 587 patients were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were trauma, cardiac, neurological, gynecologic, obstetric and palliative surgeries. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and intensive care unit and 90-day mortality rates. RESULTS: Major and urgent surgeries were performed in 66.4 percent and 31.7 percent of the patients, respectively. The intensive care unit mortality rate was 15 percent, and 38 percent of the patients had postoperative complications. The most common complication was infection or sepsis (24.7 percent). Myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in only 1.9 percent of the patients. A total of 94 percent of the patients who died after surgery had co-morbidities at the time of surgery (3.4 ± 2.2). Multiple organ failure was the main cause of death (53 percent). CONCLUSION: Sepsis is the predominant cause of morbidity in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. In this patient population, multiple organ failure prevailed as the most frequent cause of death in the hospital.