Factors associated with time to defecate and outcomes in critically ill patients: a prospective, multicentre, observational study.

Delayed defecation is common in patients on intensive care. We aimed to determine factors associated with time to defecation after admission to intensive care and in turn its association with length of stay and mortality. We studied 396 adults admitted to one of five intensive care units in whom at least 2 days' invasive ventilation was anticipated during an expected stay of at least 3 days. The median (IQR [range]) time to defecate by the 336 out of 396 (84%) patients who did so before intensive care discharge was 6 (4-8 [1-18]) days. Defecation was independently associated with five factors, hazard ratio (95%CI), higher values indicating more rapid defecation: alcoholism, 1.32 (1.05-1.66), p = 0.02; laxatives before admission, 2.35 (1.79-3.07), p < 0.001; non-invasive ventilation, 0.54 (0.36-0.82), p = 0.004; duration of ventilation, 0.78 (0.74-0.82), p < 0.001; laxatives after admission, 1.67 (1.23-2.26), p < 0.001; and enteral nutrition within 48 h of admission, 1.43 (1.07-1.90), p = 0.01. Delayed defecation was associated with prolonged intensive care stay but not mortality.

Determinants and consequences of positive valve culture when cardiac surgery is performed during the acute phase of infective endocarditis.

The optimal timing of cardiac surgery in infective endocarditis (IE) remains debated: Early surgery decreases the risk of embolism, and heart failure, but is associated with an increased rate of positive valve culture. To determine the determinants, and the consequences, of positive valve culture when cardiac surgery is performed during the acute phase of IE, we performed a retrospective study of adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery for definite left-sided IE (Duke Criteria), in two referral centres. During the study period (2002-2016), 148 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Median age was 65 years [interquartile range, 53-73], male-to-female ratio was 2.9 (110/38). Cardiac surgery was performed after 14 days [5-26] of appropriate antibiotics. Valve cultures returned positive in 46 cases (31.1%). Factors independently associated with positive valve culture were vegetation size ≥ 10 mm (OR 2.83 [1.16-6.89], P = 0.022) and < 14 days of appropriate antibacterial treatment before surgery (OR 4.68 [2.04-10.7], P < 0.001). Positive valve culture was associated with increased risk of postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (37.0% vs. 15.7%, P = 0.008) but was associated neither with an increased risk of postoperative relapse nor with the need for additional cardiac surgery. Duration of appropriate antibacterial treatment and vegetation size are independently predictive of positive valve culture in patients operated during the acute phase of IE. Positive valve culture is associated with increased risk of postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Mupirocin/chlorexidine to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections: post hoc analysis of a placebo-controlled, randomized trial using mupirocin/chlorhexidine and polymyxin/tobramycin for the prevention of acquired infections in intubated patients.

PURPOSE: The reduction in acquired infections (AI) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with the mupirocin/chlorhexidine (M/C) decontamination regimen has not been well studied in intubated patients. We performed post hoc analysis of a prior trial to assess the impact of M/C on MRSA AI and colonization. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study with the primary aim to reduce all-cause AI. The two regimens used [topical polymyxin and tobramycin (P/T), nasal mupirocin with chlorhexidine body wash (M/C), or corresponding placebos for each regimen] were administered according to a 2 × 2 factorial design. Participants were intubated patients in the intensive care units of three French university hospitals. The patients enrolled in the study (n = 515) received either active P/T (n = 130), active M/C (n = 130), both active regimens (n = 129), or placebos only (n = 126) for the period of intubation and an additional 24 h. The incidence and incidence rates (per 1,000 study days) of MRSA AI were assessed. Due to the absence of a statistically significant interaction between the two regimens, analysis was performed at the margins by comparing all patient receiving M/C (n = 259) to all patients not receiving M/C (n = 256), and all patients receiving P/T (n = 259) to all patients not receiving P/T (n = 256). RESULTS: Incidence [odds ratio (OR) 0.39, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (0.16-0.96), P = 0.04] and incidence rates [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.41, 95 % CI 0.17-0.97, P = 0.05] of MRSA AI were significantly lower with the use of M/C. We also observed an increase in the incidence (OR 2.50, 95 % CI 1.01-6.15, P = 0.05) and the incidence rate (IRR 2.90, 95 % CI 1.20-8.03, P = 0.03) of MRSA AI with the use of P/T. CONCLUSION: Among our study cohort of intubated patients, the use of M/C significantly reduced MRSA AI.

[Ventilator-induced immune dysfunction]. / Dysfonction immunitaire induite par la ventilation mécanique.

Although mechanical ventilation is an essential support in patients admitted to the intensive care unit, clinical and experimental studies have shown that it could be harmful and could induce lung injury. Pulmonary and immune cells can convert mechanical stimuli into biological signals that will lead to inflammation. This sterile inflammation both locally and systemically will cause immunosuppression.

Human herpes virus co-infection is associated with mortality in HIV-negative patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the management and prognosis of severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients. An observational cohort study of HIV-negative adults with PJP documented by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) through Gomori-Grocott staining or immunofluorescence, admitted to one intensive care unit (ICU) for acute respiratory failure, was undertaken. From 1990 to 2010, 70 patients (24 females, 46 males) were included, with a mean age of 58.6 ± 18.3 years. The mean Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS)-II was 36.9 ± 20.4. Underlying conditions included hematologic malignancies (n = 21), vasculitis (n = 13), and solid tumors (n = 13). Most patients were receiving systemic corticosteroids (n = 63) and cytotoxic drugs (n = 51). Not a single patient received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as PJP prophylaxis. Endotracheal intubation (ETI) was required in 42 patients (60.0 %), including 38 with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In-ICU mortality was 52.9 % overall, reaching 80.9 % and 86.8 %, respectively, for patients who required ETI and for patients with ARDS. In the univariate analysis, in-ICU mortality was associated with SAPS-II (p = 0.0131), ARDS (p < 0.0001), shock (p < 0.0001), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) on BAL (p = 0.0031). In the multivariate analysis, only ARDS was associated with in-ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR] 23.4 [4.5-121.9], p < 0.0001). PJP in non-HIV patients remains a serious disease with high in-hospital mortality. Pulmonary co-infection with HSV or CMV may contribute to fatal outcome.

Distinctive features between community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Chlamydophila psittaci and CAP due to Legionella pneumophila admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

The spectrum of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Chlamydophila psittaci ranges from mild, self-limited CAP, to acute respiratory failure. We performed a retrospective study of 13 consecutive patients with CAP due to C. psittaci and 51 patients with legionellosis admitted in one intensive care unit (ICU) (1993-2011). As compared to patients with legionellosis, patients with psittacosis were younger (median age 48 [38-59] vs. 60 [50-71] years, p = 0.007), less frequently smokers (38 vs. 79 %, p < 0.001), with less chronic disease (15 vs. 57 %, p = 0.02), and longer duration of symptoms before admission (median 6 [5-13] vs. 5 [3-7] days, p = 0.038). They presented with lower Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (median 28 [19-38] vs. 39 [28-46], p = 0.04) and less extensive infiltrates on chest X-rays (median 2 [1-3] vs. 3 [3-4] lobes, p = 0.007). Bird exposure was mentioned in 100 % of psittacosis cases, as compared to 5.9 % of legionellosis cases (p < 0.0001). Extrapulmonary manifestations, biological features, and mortality (15.4 vs. 21.6 %, p = 0.62) were similar in both groups. In conclusion, severe psittacosis shares many features with severe legionellosis, including extrapulmonary manifestations, biological features, and outcome. Psittacosis is an important differential diagnosis for legionellosis, especially in cases of bird exposure, younger age, and more limited disease progression over the initial few days.

[Long term survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after ventilation in intensive care]. / Survie à long terme des bronchopathes chroniques obstructifs après la réanimation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the one year survival after discharge from ICU of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and who required mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study on 130 patients, 52 patients were treated with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and 78 patients with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). RESULTS: In 73 patients the cause for respiratory failure could not be identified. Long-term survival was significantly better following NIV than with CMV (p=0.02 by log-rank testing), but the better prognosis associated with use of NIV was not found in patients with no documented cause for the respiratory failure. After adjusting for male gender, age>65 years, simplified acute physiology score II>35, prior long-term home oxygen therapy, treatment with steroids, FEV1<30% of predicted value, body-mass index<21 kg/m2, albumin level<30 g/L, right ventricular failure, ventilator-associated pneumonia and cause of respiratory failure, NIV remained independently associated with better outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.31-0.97; p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in COPD patients requiring mechanical ventilation and who survived after an ICU stay, the use of NIV is an independent factor associated with a better long-term survival, especially in those with a documented cause of respiratory failure.

[Features distinguishing ornithosis from avian acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis - a retrospective analysis]. / Pneumopathies et exposition aux oiseaux : ornithose ou pneumopathie d'hypersensibilité aiguë aviaire ?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to compare the features at diagnosis in patients with ornithosis to patients with avian acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Clinical, biological and radiological differences could potentially help clinicians to distinguish these diseases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted from 2000 to 2016 in three hospitals. Ornithosis was diagnosed based on a positive polymerase chain reaction for Chlamydophila psittaci on respiratory samples and/or a seroconversion while HP was diagnosed on the basis of at least one positive serum precipitin. RESULTS: Twelve patients with HP and 13 patients with ornithosis were identified. Compared to HP, ornithosis occurred more frequently in males (P=0.047), with less previous respiratory diseases (P=0.01), shorter symptom duration (P=0.03), less frequently bilateral crackles (P=0.004), more severe disease requiring more frequently intensive care admission (P=0.005), higher CRP values (P=0.005) and more profound lymphopenia (P=0.02). Ground glass shadowing on CT scan (P=0.001) or bronchiectasis (P=0.03) were more frequently noted in patients with HP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with ornithosis and HP have important differences in their clinical, biological, and radiological presentation.

Management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Guidelines from the Société de pneumologie de langue française (summary).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the chronic respiratory disease with the most important burden on public health in terms of morbidity, mortality and health costs. For patients, COPD is a major source of disability because of dyspnea, restriction in daily activities, exacerbation, risk of chronic respiratory failure and extra-respiratory systemic organ disorders. The previous French Language Respiratory Society (SPLF) guidelines on COPD exacerbations were published in 2003. Using the GRADE methodology, the present document reviews the current knowledge on COPD exacerbation through 4 specific outlines: (1) epidemiology, (2) clinical evaluation, (3) therapeutic management and (4) prevention. Specific aspects of outpatients and inpatients care are discussed, especially regarding assessment of exacerbation severity and pharmacological approach.

Extracorporeal circuit for Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe two cases of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA) necrotizing pneumonia treated with ECMO, and complete pulmonary evaluation at six months. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of two patients presenting with severe PVL-SA pneumonia who both underwent complete respiratory function testing and chest CT scan six months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: Indications for ECMO were refractory hypoxia and left ventricular dysfunction associated with right ventricular dilatation. Patients were weaned off ECMO after 52 and 5 days. No ECMO-related hemorrhagic complication was observed. Pulmonary function tests performed at six months were normal and the CT scan showed complete regression of pulmonary injuries. CONCLUSION: PVL-SA pneumonia is characterized by extensive parenchymal injuries, including necrotic and hemorrhagic complications. ECMO may be used as a salvage treatment without any associated hemorrhagic complication, provided anticoagulant therapy is carefully monitored, and may lead to complete pulmonary recovery at six months.

Clinical presentation of leptospirosis: a retrospective study of 34 patients admitted to a single institution in metropolitan France.

Leptospirosis has a highly variable clinical presentation, which may be related to different infecting serovars, host factors, or a combination of these. This study investigated retrospectively 34 consecutive patients with serologically confirmed leptospirosis admitted during the period 1992-2002. On admission, the most frequent symptoms were fever (100%), headache (75%), myalgia (55%), arthralgia (45%) and vomiting (39%). Pertinent laboratory findings included lymphopenia (85%), thrombocytopenia (75%), elevated liver enzymes (87%) and renal abnormalities (proteinuria, 77%; haematuria, 58%; elevated serum creatinine, 53%). The study confirmed the variable clinical and biological symptoms of leptospirosis, and indicated that lymphopenia is a common feature of leptospirosis cases.

Procalcitonin: a valuable indicator of infection in a medical ICU?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of procalcitonin (PCT) for the diagnosis of infection in a medical ICU. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. PATIENTS: Seventy-seven infected patients and 24 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to other causes. Seventy-five patients could be classified into sepsis (n = 24), severe sepsis (n = 27) and septic shock (n = 24), and 20 SIRS patients remained free from infection during the study. Plasma PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated within 48 h of admission (day 0), at day 2 and day 4. RESULTS: As compared with SIRS, PCT and CRP levels at day 0 were higher in infected patients, regardless of the severity of sepsis (25.2 +/- 54.2 ng/ml vs 4.8 +/- 8.7 ng/ml; 159 +/- 92 mg/l vs 71 +/- 58 mg/l, respectively). At cut-off values of 2 ng/ml (PCT) and 100 mg/l (CRP), sensitivity and specificity were 65% and 70% (PCT), 74% and 74% (CRP). PCT and CRP levels were significantly more elevated in septic shock (38.5 +/- 59.1 ng/ml and 173 +/- 98 mg/l) than in SIRS (3.8 +/- 6.9 ng/ml and 70 +/- 48 mg/l), sepsis (1.3 +/- 2.7 ng/ml and 98 +/- 76 mg/l) and severe sepsis (9.1 +/- 18. 2 ng/ml and 145 +/- 70 mg/l) (all p = 0.005). CRP, but not PCT, levels were more elevated in severe sepsis than in SIRS (p<0.0001). Higher PCT levels in the patients with four dysfunctional organs and higher PCT and CRP levels in nonsurvivors may only reflect the marked inflammatory response to septic shock. CONCLUSION: In this study, PCT and CRP had poor sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of infection. PCT did not clearly discriminate SIRS from sepsis or severe sepsis.

Effects of epinephrine on right ventricular function in patients with severe septic shock and right ventricular failure: a preliminary descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To recognize patients with unresponsive septic shock and right ventricular (RV) failure and to evaluate the effects of epinephrine on RV performance in these patients. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit. SUBJECTS: 14 consecutive patients in septic shock unresponsive to fluid loading, dopamine, and dobutamine. INTERVENTIONS: Evaluation of RV function by thermodilution with a pulmonary artery catheter equipped with a rapid-response thermistor. Measurements were obtained before and during epinephrine infusion to achieve a systolic arterial pressure > or = 90 mmHg or a mean arterial pressure (MAP) > or = 70 mmHg. RESULTS: At the time of inclusion in the study the hemodynamic pattern in the 14 patients was as follows: (MAP) 58 +/- 14 mmHg, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) 1046 +/- 437 dyne.s.cm-5.m-2, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) 14 +/- 4 mmHg, mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) 24 +/- 4 mmHg, right arterial pressure (RAP) 11 +/- 4 mmHg, cardiac index (CI) 4 +/- 1.7 l/min per m2. During epinephrine infusion, MAP, CI and stroke volume index (SVI) were increased (27%, p < 0.01; 20%, p < 0.01; 15%, p < 0.05, respectively). There was no change in PAOP, SVR or heart rate. Seven patients (group A) had marked RV failure defined by both RV dilation [RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) > 92 ml/m2] and low RV ejection factor (RVEF) (< 52%) and 7 did not (group B). Group A had a lower baseline RVEF than group B (24 +/- 7 vs 45 +/- 9%, p < 0.05), a higher RVEDVI (134 +/- 28 vs 79 +/- 17 ml/ m2, p < 0.01), and a higher RVES (systolic) VI (103 +/- 30 vs 43 +/- 11 ml/ m2, p < 0.01). The other hemodynamics, especially RAP and RV stroke work index (RVSWI) were no different in the two groups and did not predict RV dysfunction. In group A, epinephrine infusion improved RVEF (25%, p < 0.05) by a reduction in RVESVI (-8%, p < 0.05) without any change in RVEDVI or in RAP, in spite of a rise in MPAP (11%, p < 0.05). A rise in RVSWI (76%, p < 0.05), SVI (23%, p < 0.05), and CI (24%, p < 0.05) was also achieved. An upward vertical shift of the Frank-Starling relationship RVSWI/ RVEDVI and an upward shift to the left of the pressure volume relationship pulmonary artery peak pressure/RVESVI was observed only in the group with RV failure following treatment with epinephrine. In group B (without RV failure), RV parameters were not modified by epinephrine. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe septic shock, RV dysfunction was identified by the use of an RVEF pulmonary artery catheter and was improved by epinephrine by means of an improvement in RV contractility.

Acute respiratory failure caused by secondary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia: a case report.

Pulmonary alvelolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare cause of chronic respiratory failure due to progressive alveolar accumulation of a periodic acid-schiff (PAS) positive proteinaceous material. In some cases, the rapid accumulation of intra-alveolar material leads to acute respiratory failure (ARF). We report the causative role of secondary PAP in the case of a 26-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia who developed fever, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase level and ARF, and required mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis of PAP was established by the examination of material obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Respiratory improvement occurred several days after the patient had recovered from neutropenia. This report underlines the importance of the early diagnosis of PAP as a potential cause of ARF in leukemic patients. Adequate stain on BAL fluid provides the diagnosis and avoids repeated invasive procedures and inappropriate treatments.

Severe pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila: prognostic factors, impact of delayed appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of patients with severe Legionella pneumonia (LP) according to the presence or absence of prognostic factors currently reported in the literature and delays in initiating fluoroquinolones and macrolides. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical investigation. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of an university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-three consecutive cases with no previous treatment with a macrolide or a fluoroquinolone. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The 14 (33%) patients who died of LP were compared with the 29 survivors. Thirty-eight patients (88%) received a fluoroquinolone in combination with a macrolide agent, two patients erythromycin alone and three ofloxacin alone. In univariate analysis, SAPS II more than 46 ( p=0.006) and intubation requirement ( p=0.012) were associated with a higher mortality whereas the administration of fluoroquinolones ( p=0.011) or erythromycin ( p=0.044) within 8 h of arrival on the ICU was associated with better survival. By logistic regression analysis, SAPS II score more than 46 [odds ratio (OR) 8.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-66.7; p=0.036], duration of symptoms prior to ICU admission longer than 5 days (OR 7.46; 95% CI 1.17-47.6) were independent risk factors for death. Fluoroquinolone administration within 8 h of ICU arrival (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.03-0.96; p=0.035) was associated with a reduced mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SAPS II score higher than 46, duration of symptoms prior to ICU admission longer than 5 days and intubation were associated with increased mortality. Initiation of fluoroquinolone therapy within 8 h of ICU admission significantly reduced mortality.

[Desmoid tumor of the thoracic wall]. / Tumeur desmoïde de la paroi thoracique.

Desmoid tumor are rare connective tissue tumors currently considered as sarcoma of low grade malignancy. They are most often encountered in young women of child-bearing years. Abdominal localisation is the most frequent site. The main aim of treatment is to avoid recurrences. We report a case of desmoid tumor developing in the thoracic cage in a patient who had been operated on six years earlier for an epidermoid carcinoma of bronchus.

[Pleural involvement of myeloma. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Atteinte pleurale du myélome. A propos de deux observations.

The authors report two cases of myelomatosis localised to the pleura, one of which was associated with an adenocarcinoma. Pleural effusions are relatively rare during the course of multiple myeloma and most often occur with non-specific disorders of the disease. The myelomatous origin of a pleural effusion can only be made by analysis of the pleural fluid and should be recognised early enough to enable aggressive treatment to be instituted even if the prognosis associated with such a localisation is very poor.

[Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to oral anticoagulant use]. / Hémorragie alvéolaire diffuse secondaire à l'utilisation d'anticoagulants oraux.

We report a case of alveolar haemorrhage in all probability, attributable to the use of anti-vitamin K. The favourable outcome of this type of disease has rarely been reported with anticoagulants and fibrinolytics, most frequently in a disturbed haematological setting with disseminated intravascular coagulation or profound thrombocytopaenia. One should not forget this diagnosis in cases of acute respiratory failure in association with an alveolar syndrome in an exposed patient due to the fact that the outcome is generally favourable after correcting the disturbed coagulation.