Viscerotropic disease and acute uveitis following yellow fever vaccination: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Yellow fever vaccine exists for over 80 years and is considered to be relatively safe. However, in rare cases it can produce serious neurotropic and viscerotropic complications. We report a case of a patient who presented both viscerotropic and neurological manifestations after yellow fever vaccination. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 37 years old man who developed after the yellow fever vaccination a yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease followed by acute uveitis. Prolonged detection of yellow fever RNA in blood and urine was consistent with yellow fever vaccine-associated adverse event. The final outcome was good, although with persistent fatigue over a few months. CONCLUSIONS: Even if the yellow fever vaccine is relatively safe, physicians should be aware of its possible serious adverse effects.

Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the family members themselves and the medical team remains controversial. METHODS: We enrolled 570 relatives of patients who were in cardiac arrest and were given CPR by 15 prehospital emergency medical service units. The units were randomly assigned either to systematically offer the family member the opportunity to observe CPR (intervention group) or to follow standard practice regarding family presence (control group). The primary end point was the proportion of relatives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms on day 90. Secondary end points included the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms and the effect of family presence on medical efforts at resuscitation, the well-being of the health care team, and the occurrence of medicolegal claims. RESULTS: In the intervention group, 211 of 266 relatives (79%) witnessed CPR, as compared with 131 of 304 relatives (43%) in the control group. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the frequency of PTSD-related symptoms was significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 2.5; P=0.004) and among family members who did not witness CPR than among those who did (adjusted odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.5; P=0.02). Relatives who did not witness CPR had symptoms of anxiety and depression more frequently than those who did witness CPR. Family-witnessed CPR did not affect resuscitation characteristics, patient survival, or the level of emotional stress in the medical team and did not result in medicolegal claims. CONCLUSIONS: Family presence during CPR was associated with positive results on psychological variables and did not interfere with medical efforts, increase stress in the health care team, or result in medicolegal conflicts. (Funded by Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique 2008 of the French Ministry of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01009606.).

Factors influencing the implementation of antibiotic de-escalation and impact of this strategy in critically ill patients.

INTRODUCTION: A rational use of antibiotics is of paramount importance in order to prevent the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria that can lead to therapeutic impasse, especially in intensive care units (ICUs). A de-escalation strategy is therefore naturally advocated as part of better antibiotics usage. However, the clinical impact of such a strategy has not been widely studied. We aimed to assess the feasibility and the clinical impact of a de-escalation strategy in a medical ICU and to identify factors associated when de-escalation was possible. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients hospitalized in a medical ICU over a period of six months. Independent factors associated with de-escalation and its clinical impact were assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Antibiotics were de-escalated in 117 patients (51%). The appropriateness of initial antibiotic therapy was the only independent factor associated with the performance of de-escalation (OR = 2.9, 95% CI, 1.5-5.7; P = 0.002). By contrast, inadequacy of initial antibiotic therapy (OR = 0.1, 0.0 to 0.1, P <0.001) and the presence of multidrug resistant bacteria (OR = 0.2, 0.1 to 0.7, P = 0.006) prevented from de-escalation. There were no differences in terms of short (ICU) or long-term (at 1 year) mortality rates or any secondary criteria such as ICU length of stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, mechanical ventilation, incidence of ICU-acquired infection, or multi-drug resistant bacteria emergence. CONCLUSIONS: De-escalation appears feasible in most cases without any obvious negative clinical impact in a medical ICU.

Clinical outcomes and characteristics of critically ill patients with influenza- and COVID-19-induced ARDS: A retrospective, matched cohort study.

Introduction: Seasonal epidemic influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are the most frequent viruses causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). To what extent these two etiologies differ in ICU patients remains uncertain. We, therefore, aimed at comparing the severity and outcomes of influenza and SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods: This retrospective, analytic, single-center study was conducted in the medical ICU of Nancy University Hospital in France. Adult patients hospitalized with confirmed influenza (from 2009 to 2019) or SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS (between March 2020 and May 2021) and those under mechanical ventilation were included. Each patient with influenza was matched with two patients with COVID-19, with the same severity of ARDS. The primary endpoint was death in ICU on day 28. The secondary endpoints were the duration of vasopressors, the use of renal replacement therapy, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and the ICU length of stay. Results: A total of 42 patients with influenza were matched with 84 patients with COVID-19. They had similar sex distribution, age, Charlson comorbidity index, and ARDS severity. On day 28, 11 (26.2%) patients in the influenza group and nine (10.7%) patients in the COVID-19 group had died (p = 0.0084, HR = 3.31, CI 95% [1.36-8.06]). In the univariate Cox model, being infected with SARS-CoV-2, SOFA and SAPS II scores, initial arterial pH, PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2, serum lactate level, platelet count, and use of renal replacement therapy were significantly associated with mortality. In the multivariate Cox model, the SOFA score at admission (p < 0.01, HR = 1.284, CI 95% [1.081; 1.525]) and the initial pH (p < 0.01, HR = 0.618, CI 95% [0.461; 0.828]) were the only predictors of mortality. The type of virus had no influence on mortality, though patients with COVID-19 underwent longer mechanical ventilation and received more neuromuscular blockers and prone positioning. Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS, 28-day mortality was higher among patients with influenza as compared to patients with COVID-19 because of a higher initial extra-pulmonary severity. However, the type of virus was not, by itself, correlated with mortality.

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia as markers of disease progression of multiple myeloma: A case report.

Case report: A 64-year-old man was hospitalized in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, lactic acidosis, and hypoglycemia. Investigations revealed a kappa light chain multiple myeloma. The patient underwent chemotherapy by bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. Serum lactate level and glycemia normalized. Evaluation at day 28 showed a disease progression. Lenalidomide was switched for daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone. In front of the inefficiency of the chemotherapy, the patient underwent third-line chemotherapy by melphalan. There was a correlation between the evolution of the myeloma, serum lactate level, and hypoglycemia, with a normalization after chemotherapy, and a rise at myeloma's relapse. Daratumumab was continued as a maintenance treatment. The patient died 4 months and 10 days after his first hospital admission. Discussion: Our case is consistent with a type B tumor-associated aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis, called the Warburg effect. It is well described in association with other hematologic malignancies, but rarely in association with myeloma. All reported cases of myeloma with type B lactic acidosis died within 1 year. Conclusion: When associated with multiple myeloma, tumor-associated aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis is correlated with the disease progression and has a very high mortality rate. Significance Statement : Aerobic glycolytic lactic acidosis also known as the Warburg effect can be encountered in multiple myeloma, resulting of a metabolic shift to increased glycolysis operating in malignant cells. Together with hypoglycemia, it is well correlated with the disease progression and has a very poor outcome.

Direct transfer to angiosuite for patients with severe acute stroke treated with thrombectomy: the multicentre randomised controlled DIRECT ANGIO trial protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) increases functional independence in patients with acute ischaemic stroke with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO), and the probability to achieve functional independence decreases by 20% for each 1-hour delay to reperfusion. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether direct angiosuite transfer (DAT) is superior to standard imaging/emergency department-based management in achieving 90-day functional independence in patients presenting with an acute severe neurological deficit likely due to LVO and requiring emergent treatment with MT. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: DIRECT ANGIO (Effect of DIRECT transfer to ANGIOsuite on functional outcome in patient with severe acute stroke treated with thrombectomy: the randomised DIRECT ANGIO Trial) trial is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study. Eligibility requires a patient ≤75 years, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2, presenting an acute severe neurological deficit and admitted within 5 hours of symptoms onset in an endovascular-capable centre. A total of 208 patients are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to DAT or standard management. The primary outcome is the rate of patients achieving a functional independence, assessed as mRS 0-2 at 90 days. Secondary endpoints include patients presenting confirmed LVO, patients eligible to intravenous thrombolysis alone, patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and stroke-mimics, intrahospital time metrics, early neurological improvement (reduction in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale by ≥8 points or reaching 0-1 at 24 hours) and mRS overall distribution at 90 days and 12 months. Safety outcomes are death and intracerebral haemorrhage transformation. Medico-economics analyses include health-related quality of life and cost utility assessment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The DIRECT ANGIO trial was approved by the ethics committee of Ile de France 1. Study began in April 2020. Results will be published in an international peer-reviewed medical journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03969511.

Accuracy of Several Lung Ultrasound Methods for the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure in the ED: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Early appropriate diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF) is recommended by international guidelines. This study assessed the value of several lung ultrasound (LUS) strategies for identifying AHF in the ED. METHODS: This prospective study, conducted in four EDs, included patients with diagnostic uncertainty based on initial clinical judgment. A clinical diagnosis score for AHF (Brest score) was quantified, followed by an extensive LUS examination performed according to the 4-point (BLUE protocol) and 6-, 8-, and 28-point methods. The primary outcome was AHF discharge diagnosis adjudicated by two senior physicians blinded to LUS measurements. The C-index was used to quantify discrimination. RESULTS: Among the 117 included patients, AHF (n = 69) was identified in 27.4%, 56.2%, 54.8%, and 76.7% of patients with the 4-point (two bilateral positive points), 6-point, 8-point (≥ 1 bilateral positive point), and 28-point (B-line count ≥ 30) methods, respectively. The C-index (95% CI) of the Brest score was 72.8 (65.3-80.3), whereas the C-index of the 4-, 6-, 8-, and 28-point methods were 63.7 (58.5-68.8), 72.4 (65.0-79.8), 74.0 (67.1-80.9), and 72.4 (63.9-80.9). The highest increase in the C-index on top of the BREST score was observed with the 8-point method in the whole population (6.9; 95% CI, 1.6-12.2; P = .010) and in the population with an intermediate Brest score, followed by the 6-point method. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diagnostic uncertainty, the 6-point/8-point LUS method (using the 1 bilateral positive point threshold) improves AHF diagnosis accuracy on top of the BREST score. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03194243; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Automatic rib cage unfolding with CT cylindrical projection reformat in polytraumatized patients for rib fracture detection and characterization: Feasibility and clinical application.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the use of CT with unfolded cylindrical projection (UCP) for rib fracture detection and characterization. METHODS: The images from 60 polytraumatized patients who underwent whole body CT were evaluated for the presence and characterization of rib fractures (displaced or not, single or multiple). Two readers independently evaluated conventional CT images and UCP images in two readout sessions at least one month apart. All readouts were timed. A gold standard was established by two radiologists with 12 and 22 years of clinical experience based on the combined analysis of conventional and UCP reformats. RESULTS: Using UCP, the mean evaluation time was 27%-54% shorter (P = 0.01 and <0.0001) while maintaining a comparable diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity of 68.4-79.1% and 99.5-99.6% for conventional reformats and 70.6-91.0% and 96.8-97.7% for UCP) and a good reproducibility (Kappa of 0.71). The multiple fracture detection ratio of UCP was similar to that of conventional reformats (>80%). There were more false positives and false negatives using UCP and displaced fractures were harder to characterize. CONCLUSION: UCP yielded a diagnostic performance similar to that of conventional reformats for the detection of rib fractures with a good reproducibility and a noticeable reduction in evaluation time.

Automated measurement of neutrophil CD64 expression for diagnosing sepsis in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Although early identification of sepsis improves outcome, prompt and correct diagnostic remains often challenging. The expression of the high affinity immunoglobulin-Fc fragment receptor I CD64 on neutrophils is upregulated during acute inflammation. We here aimed at determining the usefulness of its rapid measurement in diagnosing sepsis. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients were enrolled upon admission to Intensive Care Unit within a two-month period. Sequential determination of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations was obtained. The neutrophil CD64 index was measured using Accellix-CD64® device, an in vitro diagnosis system allowing for an automatic and standardized measure. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of CRP and PCT as well as the neutrophil CD64 index were higher in septic patients compared to all others (P<0.05 for the three markers). Only CD64 index was an independent predictor of sepsis, though with modest sensitivity and specificity (78% and 70%, respectively). Repeat determination of CD64 index at day 2 correctly classified 85% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study demonstrates the moderate performance of the neutrophil CD64 index, assessed through the Accellix-CD64® device, in diagnosing sepsis in the critically ill patient. However, repeat measurements improve its accuracy and may help to predict ICU-acquired infections.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma volume status at emergency department admission in dyspneic patients: results from the PARADISE cohort.

BACKGROUND: Systemic congestion, evaluated by estimated plasma volume status (ePVS), is associated with in-hospital mortality in acute heart failure (AHF). However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of ePVS in patients with acute dyspnea has been insufficiently studied. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between the first ePVS calculated from blood samples on admission in the emergency department (ED) and discharge diagnosis of AHF and in-hospital mortality in patients admitted for acute dyspnea. METHODS: The study included 1369 patients admitted for dyspnea in the ED in 2015. ePVS was calculated from hematocrit and hemoglobin values at admission. Comparisons of baseline characteristics according to ePVS tertiles were carried out and then associations between ePVS and the two outcomes "AHF diagnosis" and "intra-hospital mortality" were assessed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: 36.6% had a BNP > 400 pg/mL and median ePVS was 4.58 dL/g [3.96-5.55]. Overall in-hospital mortality was 11.1% (n = 149). In multivariable analysis, the third ePVS tertile (> 5.12 dL/g) had a significantly increased risk of having AHF (OR = 1.64 [1.16-2.33], p = 0.005). In-hospital mortality rose across ePVS tertiles (8.4-13.8% p < 0.01). ePVS greater than the first or second tertile threshold (respectively, 4.17 dL/g and 5.12 dL/g) were both significantly associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR for 2nd/3rd tertile = 2.06 [1.25-3.38], p = 0.004 and OR for 3rd tertile = 1.54 [1.01-2.36], p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Higher ePVS values determined from first blood sample at admission are associated with a higher probability of AHF and in-hospital mortality in patients admitted in the ED for acute dyspnea.

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis in an intensive care unit.

INTRODUCTION: Metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a classic side effect of metformin and is known to be a severe disease with a high mortality rate. The treatment of MALA with dialysis is controversial and is the subject of many case reports in the literature. We aimed to assess the prevalence of MALA in a 16-bed, university-affiliated, intensive care unit (ICU), and the effect of dialysis on patient outcome. METHODS: Over a five-year period, we retrospectively identified all patients who were either admitted to the ICU with metformin as a usual medication, or who attempted suicide by metformin ingestion. Within this population, we selected patients presenting with lactic acidosis, thus defining MALA, and described their clinical and biological features. RESULTS: MALA accounted for 0.84% of all admissions during the study period (30 MALA admissions over five years) and was associated with a 30% mortality rate. The only factors associated with a fatal outcome were the reason for admission in the ICU and the initial prothrombin time. Although patients who went on to haemodialysis had higher illness severity scores, as compared with those who were not dialysed, the mortality rates were similar between the two groups (31.3% versus 28.6%). CONCLUSIONS: MALA can be encountered in the ICU several times a year and still remains a life-threatening condition. Treatment is restricted mostly to supportive measures, although haemodialysis may possess a protective effect.

Improving Patient Selection for Refractory Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Treated with Extracorporeal Life Support.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent management improvement, including Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS), refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest (ROHCA) survival remains dramatically low. METHODS: We assessed an innovative strategy (Out of hoSpital Cardiac ARrest-ExtraCorporeal Life Support-"OSCAR-ECLS") to optimize access to ECLS of ROHCA patients and reduce the delay between recognition and ECLS implantation. METHODS: This study, conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital, compared the survival and delay times of ROHCA patients treated by ECLS before and after OSCAR-ECLS implementation. This procedure included an early recognition of ROHCA 10 min after initiation of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation; the optimization of patient selection and reduction in time from collapse to ECLS initiation. RESULTS: Fourteen patients before and 32 patients after OSCAR-ECLS implementation were identified between 2013 and 2016. Time to ECLS initiation was 99 (90-107) min before OSCAR-ECLS vs. 80 (65-94) min during the OSCAR-ECLS period (P = 0.0007), mostly due to a reduction in time spent on site: 48 (40.0-54.0) min vs. 24 (20.0-28.0) min (P = 0.0001). Survival at hospital discharge was 7% (1/14) before OSCAR-ECLS and 25% (8/32) during the OSCAR-ECLS period (P = 0.20). Only one patient survived with a Glasgow Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score = 1 before the OSCAR-ECLS procedure while during the OSCAR-ECLS procedure, eight patients (25%) survived, six with a CPC score = 1, one with a CPC score = 2, and one with a CPC score = 3. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a new paradigm of ROHCA dramatically shortened the time to ECLS initiation by reducing the time spent on site by more than 20 min. Survival improved from 7% to 25% after implementation of OSCAR-ECLS.

Hyponatraemia, hyperglycaemia and worsening renal function at first blood sample on emergency department admission as predictors of in-hospital death in patients with dyspnoea with suspected acute heart failure: retrospective observational analysis of the PARADISE cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognostic value of hyponatraemia, hyperglycaemia and impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in predicting in-hospital death in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) admitted for acute dyspnoea in the emergency department. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Emergency Department of the University Hospital of Nancy. Data were collected from August 2013 to October 2015. PARTICIPANTS: The analysis included 405 patients with AHF admitted for acute dyspnoea in an emergency department. RESULTS: The population was elderly (mean age 82 years), 20.1% had hyponatraemia, 45.1% had hyperglycaemia and 48.6% had eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2. Sixty-one patients (15.1%) died in hospital, mostly due to cardiac aetiology (58.3%). In multivariable analysis adjusted for key potential confounders, adjusted hyponatraemia (OR=2.40, (1.16 to 4.98), p=0.02), hyperglycaemia (OR=2.00, 1.06 to 3.76, p=0.03) and eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR=1.97 (1.00 to 3.80), p=0.04*) were all identified as significant independent predictors of in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Results of basic routine laboratory tests (hyponatraemia, hyperglycaemia and impaired eGFR) performed on admission in the emergency department are independently associated with in-hospital death. These inexpensive tests, performed as early as patient admission in the emergency department, could allow the early identification of patients admitted for AHF who are at high risk of in-hospital death. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02800122.

High-mobility group box 1 protein plasma concentrations during septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate plasma high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) concentration and its relationship with organ dysfunction and outcome in septic shock patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, noninterventional study. Medical adult intensive care unit at a university hospital in France. PATIENTS: 42 critically ill patients with septic shock. METHODS: Arterial blood was drawn within 12 h of admission for the measurement of plasma HMGB1 concentration by ELISA. Repeated sampling was performed on days 3, 7, and 14. RESULTS: Median HMGB1 concentration was 4.4 ng/ml (IQR 1.2-12.5) at admission, with no difference between survivors and nonsurvivors. A positive correlation was observed between HMGB1 and SOFA score and lactate, and procalcitonin concentrations. There was a progressive but statistically nonsignificant decline in HMGB1 concentration among the survivors, while nonsurvivors showed an increase in HMGB1 level between days 1 and 3. SOFA score and lactate and procalcitonin concentrations did not vary significantly between days 1 and 3. When measured on day 3, HMGB1 discriminated survivors from nonsurvivors with 66% sensitivity and 67% specificity, and concentration greater than 4 ng/ml was associated with an odds ratio of death of 5.5 (95% CI 1.3-23.6).

Growth arrest-specific protein 6 plasma concentrations during septic shock.

INTRODUCTION: The product of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is a vitamin K dependent protein that is secreted by leucocytes and endothelial cells in response to injury and participates in cell survival, proliferation, migration and adhesion. Our purpose was to investigate plasma Gas6 concentration and its relation to organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock. METHODS: Forty-five patients with septic shock admitted to a medical adult intensive care unit were enrolled. Plasma Gas6 concentration was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at days 1, 3, 7 and 14. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) Gas6 concentration was 51 (5 to 95) pg/ml at admission. A positive correlation (Spearman rank-order coefficient [rs] = 0.37, P = 0.01) was found between Gas6 level and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score. Patients requiring renal support had higher Gas6 concentration that those without need for haemofiltration (76.5 [52 to 164] pg/ml versus 10.5 [1.5 to 80.5] pg/ml; P = 0.04). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between Gas6 and aspartate transaminase (rs = 0.42, P = 0.006) and between Gas6 and prothrombin time (rs = 0.45, P = 0.02). Although there was a progressive decline in Gas6 concentration in survivors (analysis of variance, P = 0.01), nonsurvivors exhibited persistently elevated Gas6. However, the two populations diverged only after day 7 (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Plasma concentrations of Gas6 correlate with disease severity, especially with renal and hepatic dysfunction, in septic shock.

[Patients' perception of their experience in the intensive care unit]. / Perception par les patients de leur séjour en réanimation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients' assessment of quality of care in our intensive care unit. METHOD: We sent questionnaires to the homes of all patients admitted to intensive care from November 2002 through August 2003 who received mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. RESULTS: In all, we received 70 analyzable questionnaires. Patients' average age was 56.3 years and the mean duration of stay 13.6 days. Pain was mentioned by 47% of patients and was associated, in decreasing order of frequency, with endotracheal suctioning, placement of a urinary catheter, venipuncture, movement into a different position by staff and arterial punctures. Pain intensity evaluated by an analogic visual scale classified these procedures in the following order: endotracheal suctioning, urinary catheterization, position changing by staff, arterial punctures, venipunctures. 54% of the patients remembered mechanical ventilation. Overall, 17% reported feeling fear often or continuously. Aspects of the ICU environment that bothered them were, in order of decreasing frequency, communication difficulties, thirst, lack of sleep, staff discussions at the patient's bedside, noise and light. Finally, 34% no longer remembered the reason for their stay in the ICU and 19% reported they would have liked to be allowed more frequent visits from their relatives. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of the respondents underwent painful procedures, primarily endotracheal suctioning. One third did not know why they had been in the ICU. To improve the quality of intensive care, it is essential to make the nursing and medical teams aware of these findings.

Risk factors of relative adrenocortical deficiency in intensive care patients needing mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To study the factors associated with relative adrenocortical deficiency in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study in a multidisciplinary ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty-two consecutive, acutely ill patients needing mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A high-dose short corticotropin test 24 h after endotracheal intubation. Relative adrenocortical deficiency ("nonresponder" group of patients) was defined by a rise in cortisol less than 90 microg/l after stimulation. Twenty-seven patients were classified as nonresponders and 35 as responders. On univariate analysis nonresponders were more often men, had lower mean arterial pressure, required vasoactive agents more often, had lower creatinine clearance, higher SAPS II, higher organ dysfunction scores, and received etomidate as a single bolus for endotracheal intubation more often than responders. On multivariate analysis, only etomidate administration was related to relative adrenocortical deficiency (OR 12.21; 95% CI 2.99-49.74) while female gender was protective (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03-0.57). CONCLUSIONS: A single bolus infusion of etomidate could be a major risk factor for the development of relative adrenocortical deficiency in ICU patients for at least 24 h after administration. Female gender is an independent protective factor.

Probiotics in the critically ill patient: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Probiotics have been shown to be able to restore a non-pathogenic digestive flora, to prevent digestive colonization by pathogenic bacteria, and to modulate immunity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prophylactic probiotic administration in patients ventilated for up to 2 days. METHODS: This study was performed as a double-blind, concealed randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a French medical intensive care unit (ICU). Adult patients mechanically ventilated for a period of more than 48 h received enterally administered probiotics (Ergyphilus, 2 x 10(10) lactic acid bacteria, mostly Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, once a day) or placebo until successful weaning. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients were included. The two groups were comparable at baseline. The 28-day mortality rates were not different in the probiotic (25.3%) and placebo groups (23.7%). Mortality rates in ICU and at 90 days were also unaffected by the treatment. The incidence of ICU-acquired infections did not differ significantly except for that of catheter-related bloodstream infections that was lowered by probiotics. On a prespecified subgroup analysis, we found a reduction of the 28-day mortality among severe sepsis patients (total n = 101) treated with probiotics (n = 52) with an odds ratio (OR) for death at 0.38 (95% CI 0.16-0.93, p = 0.035). By contrast, probiotics were associated with a higher mortality rate in non-severe sepsis patients (OR 3.09, 95% CI 0.87-11.01, p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Although numerous uncertainties remain (type and the number of strains to use, delay and length of administration), and despite an acceptable safety profile, the daily prophylactic administration of probiotics cannot be encouraged in the critically ill patient.

Early increase in arterial lactate concentration under epinephrine infusion is associated with a better prognosis during shock.

To determine whether an epinephrine-induced early increase in arterial lactate concentration can prognosticate the outcome during shock state, we conducted a retrospective study in a 16-bed medical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in France. One hundred consecutive patients admitted because of a shock state irrespective of etiology and treated with epinephrine were included. Patients were not enrolled if they received epinephrine administration before intensive care unit admission. Sequential arterial lactate measurements were performed at the time of epinephrine infusion (H0) and 4 h later (H4) in which Deltalactate was defined as (100 x [arterial lactate(H4)-arterial lactate(H0)]/arterial lactate(H0)) and expressed as a percentage. Etiology of shock was septic (82%), cardiogenic (10%), or hemorrhagic (8%). Twenty-eight-day mortality rate was 72%. At admission, arterial lactate concentration was elevated (4.96 +/- 3.8 mmol/L) and was further increased upon epinephrine administration, reaching a peak at H4 (8.22 +/- 3.66). When patients were stratified according to their outcome, nonsurvivors displayed the same pattern as survivors, although with a significant upward shift in values (ANOVA, P = 0.0003). The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and Deltalactate were the only variables associated with the 28-day risk of death, with an odds ratio of 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.65; P = 0.01) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-0.99; P = 0.03), respectively, in multivariate analysis. At a value of 100%, Deltalactate predicted death, with a 71% sensitivity (95% CI, 51%-87%) and a 67% specificity (95% CI, 43%-85%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed this finding, with a 52.4% death rate among patients with Deltalactate greater than 100 comparatively to 84.7% when Deltalactate was less than 100 (log-rank test, P = 0.0002). An adapted response (lactate production) to a pharmacological trigger (epinephrine) is associated with better prognosis during shock of various etiologies.

Combined measurement of procalcitonin and soluble TREM-1 in the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis.

This prospective, non-interventional study was conducted in a medical adult intensive care unit to determine the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) determinations in the diagnosis of nosocomial sepsis. Serum PCT and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid sTREM-1 concentrations were measured in 50 critically ill patients suffering from nosocomial sepsis. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was diagnosed in 31 patients and extrapulmonary sepsis in 19. Increase serum PCT concentration (>0.15 ng/ml) was found in 44 (88%) patients and was higher in those suffering from a non-pulmonary sepsis. The concomitant BAL sTREM-1 determination correctly classified pulmonary (VAP) versus non-pulmonary origin in 41 out of 44 cases (93%). Even when PCT concentration remained low, sTREM-1 assessment allowed for the detection of the sepsis (VAP) in 50% of cases. Both PCT and sTREM-1 concentrations were low in only 3 patients (6%) in whom sepsis could have been missed if only diagnosed by the measurement of these 2 biomarkers. We therefore concluded that the combined measurement of serum PCT and BAL sTREM-1 concentrations could be of interest in detecting the presence of a nosocomial sepsis and in discriminating VAP versus extrapulmonary infection.